Independent · data-driven · free

Find the right AC
in 60 seconds.

Answer a few questions about your room and we'll size it, estimate the running cost, and match you to the best-value units — no fluff, no sponsored rankings.

58
units compared
50
states covered
100%
independent
BTU Calculator

Size your AC in 60 seconds

320 ft²≈ 20 × 16 ft room
You need about
8,000–9,000 BTU
⚡ HVAC Pulse
● Heat pumps, electric water heaters continue to gain ground: reports — Utility Dive● Florida dog owners outraged after home camera shows HVAC technician kicking their chihuahua, causing a seizure — We Got This Covered● Women in HVACR celebrates industry leaders, professional growth at 2026 annual conference — Pr Newswire● Should You Buy An AI-Powered Air Conditioner? Here's What You Should Know — Bgr● A2L Refrigerant Market worth $5.92 billion in 2031 - Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets™ — Pr Newswire● Maximizing efficiency: How commissioning and retro-commissioning facilities can strengthen grid resiliency — Utility Dive● Hancock Schools seeking SBA support for Weir HVAC project — heraldstaronline.com● Dont sweat the Aussie summer - or your power bill - with the smart , super effective Midea Athena air conditioner — itwire.com● Home Depot Home Essentials Daily Deals: Up to 40% off + free shipping — Dealnews● Are all Minisplits difficult to impossible to clean? — Green Building Advisor● I stopped using cloud weather APIs after setting up a local environmental station, and my HVAC automations run flawlessly — Xda-developers● Tesla Patents Perforated Glass Roof and Smart AC to Improve EV Efficiency — Headtopics● Ducted Heat Pump Systems Gain Attention As Wellington Homes Shift Into Spring — scoop.co.nz● What It Took to Grow an HVAC Company Tenfold — achrnews.com● Trane Technologies Introduces Residential Cold Climate Heat Pumps Built for Extreme Winter Performance — finanznachrichten.de● Emails reveal Henrico principals sounding alarm over HVAC problems — wtvr.com● Heat pumps, electric water heaters continue to gain ground: reports — Utility Dive● Florida dog owners outraged after home camera shows HVAC technician kicking their chihuahua, causing a seizure — We Got This Covered● Women in HVACR celebrates industry leaders, professional growth at 2026 annual conference — Pr Newswire● Should You Buy An AI-Powered Air Conditioner? Here's What You Should Know — Bgr● A2L Refrigerant Market worth $5.92 billion in 2031 - Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets™ — Pr Newswire● Maximizing efficiency: How commissioning and retro-commissioning facilities can strengthen grid resiliency — Utility Dive● Hancock Schools seeking SBA support for Weir HVAC project — heraldstaronline.com● Dont sweat the Aussie summer - or your power bill - with the smart , super effective Midea Athena air conditioner — itwire.com● Home Depot Home Essentials Daily Deals: Up to 40% off + free shipping — Dealnews● Are all Minisplits difficult to impossible to clean? — Green Building Advisor● I stopped using cloud weather APIs after setting up a local environmental station, and my HVAC automations run flawlessly — Xda-developers● Tesla Patents Perforated Glass Roof and Smart AC to Improve EV Efficiency — Headtopics● Ducted Heat Pump Systems Gain Attention As Wellington Homes Shift Into Spring — scoop.co.nz● What It Took to Grow an HVAC Company Tenfold — achrnews.com● Trane Technologies Introduces Residential Cold Climate Heat Pumps Built for Extreme Winter Performance — finanznachrichten.de● Emails reveal Henrico principals sounding alarm over HVAC problems — wtvr.com
33→16BTU per ft² — small rooms need double the cooling density of big ones
40%of window ACs people buy are the wrong size for the room
$300+typical yearly saving from a right-sized, efficient unit
60 secaverage time to a recommendation with our calculator
Editor-tracked

Popular units right now

Spec-matched value picks across window, portable and mini-split — chosen on the data, not paid placement.

See full comparison
mrcoolac
Best efficiency
Mini-splitENERGY STAR

MRCOOL DIY 4th Gen 12K

4.6(1,510 retailer ratings)
Cooling
12,000 BTU
Covers
500 ft²
Efficiency
22 SEER2
Noise
32 dB
$1099 est.
typical retail price
Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL
Best portable
Portable

Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL-A

4.0(79 retailer ratings)
Cooling
12,000 BTU
Covers
450 ft²
Efficiency
14.7 CEER
Noise
42 dB
$579 est.
typical retail price

“Check Price” opens the retailer’s listing in a new tab. Prices are set by the retailer.

For installs & repairs

Need a real human to install it?

Mini-splits and central systems need a licensed pro. Browse established, top-rated HVAC contractors across all 50 states — ratings, specialties, and experience at a glance.

4.8★+
avg. Google rating of listed pros
~50 yrs
avg. time in business
Find a pro near you

Top-rated AC repair, install & maintenance contractors across all 50 states.

Browse HVAC pros
FAQ

Common questions

Is CoolVerdict free to use?

Yes — the BTU calculator, comparison tools, buying guides, and HVAC-contractor directory are all free, with no sign-up required.

Is CoolVerdict independent?

Yes. Recommendations are based on specs and data, not paid placement — there are no sponsored rankings. Some retailer links do earn us a commission (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases), at no extra cost to you and with no effect on what we recommend or how units rank. See our affiliate disclosure for the details.

Where does CoolVerdict’s data come from?

Product specs come from manufacturer documentation and independent testing, shown with each unit’s true efficiency metric (CEER, EER, SEER, or SEER2). Contractor listings are compiled from public information. See How we rate.

How accurate are the running-cost estimates?

They are estimates based on each unit’s efficiency, typical usage of about 8 hours a day, and average residential electricity rates — your actual cost varies with your utility rate and habits. The calculator personalizes it to your room and state.