Windmill 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner, Cools up to 250 sq ft

Why it's worth it

Windmill's 6,000 BTU unit cools up to 250 square feet and ships with a pre-assembled kit that goes in without tools or L-brackets. It's the one to get for a bedroom or home office if you dread the installation more than the electricity bill.

Installation is the whole argument. The kit arrives pre-assembled with a carry strap, and Bob Vila puts first-time installation at around 28 minutes, against a 45 to 60 minute industry average for units that need tools and brackets. Owners describe getting it in without reading the instructions. If you've ever balanced an AC on a sill while hunting for a screwdriver, that's worth something.

It's designed to be lived with. The vents push air out at a 45-degree angle so it spreads through the room instead of blowing straight at your desk, the LEDs auto-dim at night, and the facade looks like a piece of furniture rather than a beige appliance. There's a washable mesh filter plus an optional activated carbon filter, three cooling settings and three fan speeds.

From our review of 5 window air conditioners, by David Sinclair, Managing Editor

What we like

• +Installation is the whole argument
• +It's designed to be lived with
• +It's the least powerful unit here, and that's the point
• +The app is a real one, with remote control and scheduling plus voice assistant support

What to know

• –It isn't a true inverter
• –Long-term reliability is the open question