The 5 Best Vertical Sliding Window AC Units

The Best Vertical Sliding Window AC Units

Window air conditioning units offer an easy and relatively cheap alternative to installing permanent wall-mounted units. They are particularly useful if you live in a rented home, and here we show you five of the best vertical sliding window AC units available.

All the units on review were different for various reasons, but overall, we think the Tosot offers all the features you need, plus the smart remote control, for a reasonable price. If you are looking for the cheapest vertical window air conditioner available and not interested in lots of features, consider Emerson.

The 5 Best Vertical Sliding Window AC Units:

1. TOSOT 8,000 BTU Air Conditioner

TOSOT 8,000 BTU Air Conditioner
BTUs8000
Floor area conditioned350 sq feet
Size12.8 x 21 x 17.2 inches
Weight52.9 pounds
Digital Control PanelYes
Remote ControlYes
Energy Star Rating12.0

The most striking thing about the Tosot is the simplicity of the front control panel and the neat design of the front intake vent. A temperature display dominates the controls, with just buttons for switching the unit on or off, adjusting the temperature, and a mode button.

One innovative feature puts the thermostat in the remote control so the Tosot will switch on and off based on the temperature next to you. Assuming you have the remote control in your hand, of course! This is much more useful than having the thermostat in the AC unit, which may be in the warmest part of the room.

At under $300, the Tosot has all the features you need at a great price.

2. Haier 8,000 BTU Smart Window Room Air Conditioner

Haier 8,000 BTU Smart Window Room Air Conditioner
BTUs8000
Floor area conditioned350 sq feet
Size16.75 x 21.5 x 18.19 inches
Weight53.9 pounds
Digital Control PanelYes
Remote ControlYes
Energy Star Rating11.4

Haier’s 8,000 BTU model has all the usual features, including digital display, remote control, and dehumidification, but adds WiFi control. From the comfort of your couch, you can use Alexa, Google Assitant, or Apple Homekit to set and control the air conditioner.

Both the front panel controls and the remote are easy to operate, with clear, simple buttons. Just above the control panel is the cold air outlet, with 2-way directional control to improve room cooling efficiency.

The Haier is supplied with a window mounting kit and can cool a room of up to 350 square feet. One downside is the one-year warranty, which, compared to some other manufacturers, is very weak.

3. MIDEA EasyCool Window Air Conditioner

MIDEA EasyCool Window Air Conditioner
Feature
Floor area conditioned350 sq feet
Size13.39 x 18.54 x 16.02 inches
Weight53.9 pounds
Digital Control PanelYes
Remote ControlYes
Energy Star Rating12.0

Midea’s EasyCool range comes in several sizes, between 5,000 and 12,000 BTU, and we look at the 8,000 BTU unit here. The top of the unit features a full-length directional air outlet, and the comprehensive digital control panel is directly below this. For your convenience, a full-function remote control is also supplied.

Three operation modes are on offer, fan only, dehumidify, and air conditioning, so you’ll always have the perfect choice for your room. Speaking of rooms, the unit can comfortably cool a space of up to 350 square meters and easily installed using the supplied window fitting kit.

Also Read:  The Complete Guide to Low Voltage and How to Protect Your Air Conditioner.

Priced at around the $300 mark, the 8,000 BTU Midea offers a good balance of power, economy, and price.

4. Emerson Quiet Kool 5,000 BTU

Emerson Quiet Kool 5,000 BTU
BTUs5000
Floor area conditioned150 sq feet
Size12.52 x 15.98 x 15.2 inches
Weight36.68 pounds
Digital Control PanelNo
Remote ControlNo
Energy Star Rating11.0

The Emerson stands out for two main reasons. First, it is the cheapest on the review, at under $160, and second, it is the most basic unit, with manual controls and no remote control. It actually looks quaintly old-fashioned, which may suit some people.

The front control panel is simplicity itself, with just two dials, one for the temperature setting and the other for the fan speed or cooling speed. On its lowest fan and cooling setting, the Emerson is super quiet at just 50 decibels, so you can leave it on while you sleep if you prefer.

This is a no-frills ac unit, at a great price, which comes complete with a window fixing kit and has the comfort of a six-year warranty on the compressor.

5. TaoTronics TT-AC001 Window Air Conditioner 10000 BTU

TaoTronics TT-AC001 Window Air Conditioner 10000 BTU
BTUs10000
Floor area conditioned460 sq feet
Size15.7 x 21.3 x 21.5 inches
Weight71.8 pounds
Digital Control PanelYes
Remote ControlYes
Energy Star Rating12.0

The TaoTronics is the most potent AC unit on the review, providing 10,000 BTU and capable of cooling a room of 460 square feet. Despite this, it is available at a lower cost than some of the 8,000 units here.

The front-mounted control panel makes setting up the TaoTronics a dream, while the remote control unit means you can remain sitting comfortably. 

Three modes are available; fan only, dehumidifier, and air conditioning. In the dehumidifier mode, the TT-AC001 can remove up to 2.6 pints of moisture per hour, making your room a more comfortable place. 

The built-in timer, sleep mode, and quiet operation allow you to program the unit and go to sleep.

Overall, an outstanding balance of features, power, and cost make the TaoTronics one of the favorites of the review.

Buyers Guide

Choosing a suitable vertical window air conditioning unit depends on many factors, and our short buyer’s guide should help pick out the right one for you.

BTUs

The first thing to consider is the power of the ac unit. This is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU), and the higher the BTU, the larger the room it can condition. As a rough guide, use the table below, but it is better to go slightly larger for a margin of safety. A unit that is cooling a room at the top end of its operating range will struggle and will cost you more in the long run through higher electrical bills.

Room sizeBTU rating
100 to 200 square feet6,000 to 8,000
300 to 400 square feet10,000 to 12,000
500 to 600 square feet14,000 to 16,000
700 square feet or larger18,000 BTU or larger

Noise

No one wants to listen to a noisy air conditioning unit rumbling in the background, so it’s essential to check the noise generated carefully. These figures will be available in the manufacturer’s documentation. Levels below 55 decibels are what you are looking for, and the lower, the better.

Also Read:  The 5 Best 10 000 BTU Air Conditioners

Modes of Operation

There are generally four possible operating modes for ac units; fan only, dehumidify, cooling and heating. None of the units in this review offer a heating mode, and the Frigidaire even omits the dehumidifier mode, despite being the most expensive. The dehumidifying mode is helpful to improve a room’s comfort level without cooling it down.

Energy Efficiency

Most ac units will come with an Energy Efficiency Rating (EER), and it’s better to pick one with the highest rating you can afford. Make sure the rating is at least an EER of 10, and preferably much higher.

Weight

Larger, more powerful units can be hefty, so it is essential to check your window can take the weight. The heaviest ac unit in this review, for example, is almost 72 pounds.

Easy Control

Modern window AC units not only feature easy-to-use digital control panels, but many now come with a fully functional remote control. The ability to control your AC unit from the comfort of your armchair is a positive feature that will attract many people.

Types of Window Air Conditioner

You must check that the window AC unit is designed for the windows you have. There are three types of windows to consider: double-hung (also known as a sash), sliding and casement.

The majority of window ac units are designed for double-hung windows, and they are straightforward to fit with a supplied window fitting kit. This type is generally wider than they are tall, with the window sitting on top of the unit. The gaps on either side are closed off with the supplied kit.

Window AC’s for sliding windows are usually taller and narrower to allow the window to slide. The window slides against the side of the unit, and the fitting kit includes a blank to close the gap above the AC unit.

Finally, casement windows are more difficult for window AC units because of the way they open. Fitting kits are available for them, so it’s not impossible, but sealing the gaps can be more troublesome. 

FAQs

Do window ac units collect the water generated?

No, in most cases, these units will simply release the water from the back of the unit. If you are above your neighbor and don’t want to drip water onto his property, you may be able to fit a drain pipe.

Do you need to have a window to use a window ac unit?

Yes, these units must be fitted to windows. To cool your room, the ac unit takes in warm air, expels the heat and moisture outside, and blows cool air. These window air conditioning units are designed to sit on the window sill and blow warm air directly out. If you don’t have a window or only a small opening, consider a portable ac unit, which only needs a vent pipe to go outside.

Can I cool my whole house with a window ac unit?

Unless your house is very small, the window ac unit won’t have enough power to cool your entire home. Even if it does, the airflow from one room to another won’t be great, and some rooms will be cooler than others. 

Is a dehumidifier the same as an air conditioner?

Although they are doing similar things, an AC unit is not the same as a dehumidifier. Products designed as a dehumidifier only remove moisture from the air. They are often used in new buildings to dry them out before decorating. They are designed to remove large amounts of damp from the air quickly.

On the other hand, an air conditioner is designed to cool your room and may offer a dehumidify mode. While in air conditioning mode, your AC unit will also remove moisture from the air, and this can improve the climate in the room.

Conclusion

A vertical window air conditioning unit is a useful way to add a cooling system to your home without the need for modifications. The units fit in a window without drilling holes for pipes or mounting brackets, so they are quick and easy to install.

If you are looking for a relatively cheap way to cool your home this summer, then a window air conditioning unit could be just right for you.