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Editor's Note: We're in the process of testing some additional portable air conditioners from Frigidaire and Black+Decker for an update this summer. We've ensured all of our current recommendations are still in stock. Summer can either be something to endure or something to enjoy, depending on how you look at it. No matter what your opinion is, living with air conditioning makes a tremendous difference in your comfort level throughout the season. An air conditioner reduces heat and humidity in the air by cooling and drying it, so you can hang at home without melting.If your home isn't set up for central air, you're looking at installing a window air conditioner or a portable unit, or using a combination of the two—certainly worth considering, particularly if you have a basement or other spaces that aren't occupied all the time. Window air conditioners and portable AC units have their respective advantages and disadvantages. For example, window units are generally more efficient because they're sealed tightly in a window frame, whereas air may escape around the hose that's attached to a portable unit. But portable units are easier to install to get up and running quickly, plus they're more versatile because they wheel from room to room. To find the best air conditioners to recommend, our team tested more than a dozen units in our homes and offices in bedrooms, rooms with tall ceilings, and windowless spaces. Of the bunch, these are models that are worthy of your attention. We also include information on what to consider before you buy a unit. The Best Air ConditionersBest Overall Window: Frigidaire Gallery U-Shape Window Air ConditionerBest Value Window: Frigidaire FFRA051WAE Window Air Conditioner Best Overall Portable: LG Portable Air Conditioner Best Value Portable: Dreo AC515S Portable Air Conditioner Best Advanced Features: Windmill Window Air Conditioner What to Consider Cooling CapabilityCooling capability is measured in British thermal units (BTUs), a metric for thermal energy. The more BTUs an air conditioner has, the more powerful it is. To get a rough estimate of the number of BTUs your unit needs to cool down your space, multiply the square footage of the room by 20. Energy EfficiencyCEER, or Combined Energy-Efficiency Ratio, is the efficiency rating that applies to window air conditioners. It expresses the ratio of cooling capacity to how much electricity the appliance uses to do its work. This ranking includes the efficiency when the compressor is running and when it’s in standby mode to give a more accurate picture. The higher the CEER rating, the better.A few air conditioners still retain the older (but still valid) EER efficiency number, and the same rule applies—a high EER is better than a low one.Note: CEER is different from SEER, or Seasonal Energy-Efficiency Ratio, which applies to heat pumps and central AC systems.Installation Window air conditioners must be carefully installed to ensure they won’t fall out or are easy for burglars to remove to gain access to your home. Units are fairly heavy, weighing anywhere from 50 to 80 pounds, so you’re best off installing it with another set of hands for help. Mounting hardware is typically included, but we recommend purchasing a mounting bracket for extra stability.Portable air conditioners require that you have somewhere to mount the hose (or hoses) for ventilation and draining. There are dual-hose units with two lines to the outdoors—one to draw in air and another to expel exhaust—and single-hose units that cool the room's air and have one line that runs outdoors to expel exhaust. The former tend to be more expensive but are recommended for spaces over 600 square feet. Noise LevelIf you'd rather the sound of your air conditioner be more like background noise than a nuisance, it's important to factor in the noise level while it's running. Most air conditioners fall somewhere between 42 and 48 decibels, and this range is comparative to a refrigerator humming or an office setting. But remember, a window unit sits outside, so most of the noise is directed outwards. A portable air conditioner might be more noticeable since the entire unit, compressor and all, sits inside the room. FeaturesMost air conditioners have a fan mode and eco-mode to save energy, and some units have a heater and dehumidifier. Also consider the unit's interface. Basic units have manual controls and typically come with a remote, and there are also smart units that are app-controlled. Other helpful features include timers and the ability to set programs for automatic cooling.How We Tested and SelectedFor this buying guide, our team tested window air conditioners and portable AC units from trusted brands including Frigidaire, LG, Dreo, and Midea, in homes and in our offices over the course of roughly six weeks (though some of the units we write about were tested last spring and summer). We installed each unit and noted ease of setup, filing away any pain points during the process. To test, we ran units through their paces using accompanying remote controls and apps. We also considered key features while comparing units, including, but not limited to, noise level; the number of programs and fan modes included, usability of apps and remote controls, and whether units included extra cooling or heating features, like dehumidifiers and heaters. For window units, we measured the distance a cool breeze could be felt (known as throw) and recommend models that throw cool air at least five feet. For portable units, we turned the fan speed to high and set the temperature at 68 degrees, then pointed cold air at a target roughly 8 feet away. We then used an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature at four different points on the target. The only air conditioner we haven't tested on this list (but are planning to) is the Best Budget Frigidaire model. Based on our extensive experience reviewing and installing air conditioners, we stand by it as a viable option if you're looking for a value. Our Best Air Conditioner Reviews This new Wi-Fi-connected Frigidaire Gallery window air conditioner has a U-shaped design that sits around the windowsill rather than on top of it, so we were able to draw curtains open and closed without much obstruction. During testing, one of the things we noticed right away was how quiet it was while operating—exactly 42 dBA on its lowest fan speed. Its BTU capability kept up with the cooling needs of a large bedroom and it started cooling down the space quickly. It also delivered more precise temperature control than some other units thanks to its inverter compressor, which helps to regulate the cooling output. Reviews Editor Danny Perez tested this unit and found that installation was fairly easy, but the U-shaped design made sealing off the window fully a little more complicated. "I ordered extra insulation online to finish the job, though my windows are crooked so you may not need to do this step. Since installing, we've had both hot days and heavy storms but cold air stays and rain stays out." Other highlights include sleep mode, which gradually regulates the temperature overnight to save energy, a dehumidifying mode, and a 24-hour programmable timer. Maybe you only have a bedroom that needs cooling down without a hefty expense. This Frigidaire window air conditioner has that room covered, and at a reasonable cost. Even though we haven’t gotten our hands on this unit yet, our initial impressions are that it's a low-effort, high-efficiency AC designed to get spaces down to a comfortable temperature. And we like the price tag, too. The unit has three fan speeds plus eco-mode, with a digital control panel that's accessed manually or via remote. While it offers a 24-hour timer, it doesn't have smart functionality to pair with your phone or other smart device, so if you want to schedule its output, you’ll need to run this model with a third-party appliance timer. Maintenance is easy thanks to a washable filter, but if you're sensitive to noise, however, you may want to look at a different model, as this one is louder than most. A portable air conditioner offers a level of convenience that window units just can't match, and we were impressed by how well this model from LG cooled down a room shortly after being turned on. We could feel a noticeable difference in just a few minutes, and it wasn't unreasonably loud while operating.The portable AC has cooling, fan, and dry modes. Another perk is the built-in dehumidifier, as we were able to move the device around to target excess moisture and problem areas. You might set the blades to move on their own, which helps with whole-room air circulation so you don't end up with pockets of hot air in certain corners or near the ceiling.We found setup to be pretty painless, since the AC already comes mostly assembled. You still need access to an outlet for power and a window for venting/drainage, but the hose and mounting hardware store on the back of the appliance to easily transport the unit in between rooms. This model from Dreo is relatively affordable compared to some other portable and window AC units, and it packs enough power and features to make it a worthwhile purchase.One of the things we liked the most was the included remote. You may pair the AC with Dreo's app, but we loved using the controller to adjust the cooling speed and temperature, set the sleep timer, and turn on the auto-swing function. The remote is magnetic and stores right on the AC itself so you don't risk losing it.The window exhaust hose has a foam seal so air is less likely to escape or sneak inside, and there's a dehumidifier for getting rid of excess moisture in the room. Another feature that sets this AC apart from the rest is that it's drainage free. Instead, it has a dedicated condenser and water pump to aid evaporation. Some window AC units are an eyesore, but this design from Windmill is sleek and unassuming, all while working rather efficiently to cool down the home. It doesn't come with a built-in dehumidifier like the Best Overall Frigidaire model above, but there's a cool, fan, and eco-mode—plus it's considerably quiet. "I can barely tell it's on, and I like that the display automatically dims," Perez says. "I was impressed to find that the high fan speed is enough to cool the room down in the evenings during the summer, though midday in the dead of July required me to kick on the cool mode."The window AC is controlled using an intuitive app that gives you full access to all the settings plus alerts you when it's time to change the filter. Similar to the Frigidaire Gallery that's our Best Overall pick, the U-shape of this AC from Midea helps to isolate the compressor away from the indoor space. This makes the design more mechanically complex, and specific hardware like a mounting bracket is needed to install, but it's the quietest air conditioner that we've tested.The low noise is also helped by the fact that this unit is an inverter compressor air conditioner. The compressor speed changes to match demand, rather than just shutting on and off. What’s more, this Midea AC has auto louvers—they automatically move to better distribute air in the space.Between that and its high BTU, this window air conditioner brings indoor temperatures down in a jiffy. We also like the fact that its air filter is angled, providing much easier access to the filter panel, which tips out to about 45 degrees to allow for water to drain.