It seems each summer has become more brutal than the last, as the heat seemingly continues to get worse and worse with little relief in sight. And based on the grim trajectory of world events in 2020 and 2021, it seems likely we’re going to continue to suffer through more record-breaking heat with each passing summer. Without a modern smart air conditioner, an unbearable time of year can become downright uninhabitable if your current AC unit isn’t up to par. The best smart air conditioners not only help cool down your home or apartment but also make it possible to optimize your energy usage and reduce heating and cooling costs.
Just like most of our other modern-day appliances, HVAC manufacturers have started to incorporate smart technology into air conditioning units as well. Advances in Bluetooth, WiFi and mobile apps have made it so that you’re just a tap away from being able to have full control over every aspect of your cooling experience, no matter where you are, making it even easier to cool down and relax once you’re out of the heat. Whether you’re in the market for a brand new unit or are just ready for an upgrade, we’ve rounded up the best smart air conditioners for you, below.
Pair them with your phone (to, say, cool down the house before you come home from work each day) or turn on the unit’s smart settings to make sure you’re cool and comfortable when you’re home, and saving energy when you’re not.
1. LG Dual Inverter Smart Air Conditioner
BEST SMART AIR CONDITIONER OVERALL
For a large portion of major US cities, any air conditioner that has enough power to cool 450 square feet will more than likely cool your primary living space, which is why this smart window unit from LG is a great solution for those in need of a powerful window unit. While it’s not quite as feature-rich as some of the other offerings we’ll cover on this list, it does have enough smart functionality to likely be a game-changer for many; the LG ThinQ mobile app allows for remote control on the unit, whether it’s while you’re on the go or from the comfort of your bed. After all, who wants to get up to fuss with an A/C unit?
It’s also just a quick setup from being fully Amazon Alexa- and Google Assistant-ready, which means you can then connect it to other Alexa-enabled devices for further customized control. With three cooling and fan speeds, it’s more than enough power to keep you cool on even the most brutal of warm days.
Looking to turn your AC unit into a smart air conditioner? You don’t have to buy a whole new unit, instead, go with the Cielo Breez Plus AC Controller. When connected to your AC unit, you can control it with your smartphone, Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. But you don’t have to always have your smartphone handy since the panel does have a large display with physical controls.
It does more than turn your AC unit on and off. You can set temperature ranges and even see your usage history to help you keep your power bill under control. It’s a smart alternative to buying a whole new smart AC unit.
This smart air conditioner unit controller strives to make your AC more efficient, more affordable and keep you as comfortable as possible in your home. Using smart modes, IFTTT and voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri, you can keep your space from getting too hot or too cold. Plus, as you provide feedback through the app, the AI engine learns how to adjust specifically to your comfort level, essentially making your unit maintenance-free.
The LG LP Portable Air conditioner is quiet, feature-heavy, powerful and efficient. Of course, all of that smart air conditioner prowess comes at a rather expensive cost, but it’s worth it. Its 14,000 BTUs make for plenty of power to cool a rather large area, but it does so without making a racket. It even has the ability to dehumidify the air when the AC isn’t running.
The unit does come with a remote control, but you can also control it with your voice once it is paired with a compatible Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device. We told you it was worth the extra cheddar.
Courtesy of Amazon
5. Friedrich Chill Premier
MIDRANGE PICK
This smart window AC unit has 12,000 BTUs of cooling power, which is good for cooling roughly a 450 square-foot room. The large and wide vents help disperse cold air throughout the room while counterbalanced weights reduce noise by keeping the AC unit from vibrating while in your widow. The unit can be controlled with the onboard controls or you can connect it to your WiFi as well as an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant-enabled device for hands-free operation. It’s big, powerful and smart as far as window AC units go.
The compact size and its ability to be installed without any further modification to your window makes this smart air conditioner one of the more attractive buys. It’s a quiet unit that’s great for bedrooms or any room that’s around 350 sq. ft. Along with easy installation, it is easily maintained as the filter can be quickly accessed, cleaned and slid back in.
The unit comes with a handy remote control, but you can also control it with your smartphone and Della app. It’s even compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free controls.
Courtesy of Amazon
7. Haier Smart Widow Air Conditioner
MULTIPLE SIZES
Depending on your cooling needs, this unit is available in 8,000, 10,000 12,000, 15,000 and 18,000 BTU cooling varieties. This pretty much can cover any cooling need you may have. Regardless of the power, the unit works with all major voice AI and is Energy Star Certified to ensure that your home gets cooled efficiently without ramping up your power bill. Just make sure the unit will fit your window before you install and you’ll be all set.
Okay, this is a bit of a cheat, but it’s a great one. With Sensibo’s smart controller, you’re just a few steps away from converting your existing air conditioner into a smart air conditioner. Just plug in the Sensibo sensor into a nearby outlet and then pair it with your unit’s infrared sensor. The app will walk you through the rest of the quick setup process and then you’ll officially be good to go. From there, you’ll be able to set cooling schedules, use voice commands (it’ll work with either Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant), or even set up location-based temperature adjustments. It’s a great solution for those that want a smart unit without having to pay to fully upgrade.
While bigger ACs are essential for larger spaces, you can make do with a smaller, cheaper, more energy-efficient AC for rooms like the bedroom, kitchen or home office. Easily controlled through Amazon Alexa or Google Home, the GE Smart Window Air Conditioner is a smart air conditioner that fits in your window and provides 8,000 BTUs of cooling. That’s good enough to handle 350 square feet of space. But the big draw here is the price, which is better than any other AC you’ll find on this list.
If you’re looking for a total one-stop-shop solution for not only your cooling needs but also heating and dehumidifying, this portable air conditioner from Midea is the ticket. Along with that added functionality, you can also use Midea’s app to make temperature adjustments or use the built-in Amazon Alexa functionality for voice control. With coverage for up to 200 square feet, it’s a fantastic all-in-one solution that’s bound to get lots of love, all year long.
The only bad thing about AC units is how much they can cost to keep running on brutally warm days, so anything that can help to save power costs is going to be especially critical. The best smart air conditioners don’t just keep you cool, they also help you program a cooling schedule that saves energy — and therefore money. This is where this 8,000 BTU energy-saving unit from Midea can come in handy, as its inverter technology allows for a 35% increase in energy-saving abilities. It also manages to be significantly quieter than other units of its ilk. And, of course, it can be operated via a smartphone app or by voice control through Amazon Alexa or a Google Home device.
We know, this is not a smart AC unit, but the Wemo Smart Plug can turn your traditional AC unit into one you can turn on and off with your phone. With the Wemo Smart Plug, you will be able to not only use your phone, but voice assistants like Siri, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to turn your AC unit on and off. One thing to keep in mind, if your AC has a digital button setup, and doesn’t automatically turn on when plugged in, the Wemo Smart Plug won’t work.
