AC Product Database

LG LW1516ER

There's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to air conditioning.

That said, the LG LW1516ER is at the top of my list for a reason — its ultra-strong cooling is enough for almost any large room.

This powerful unit punches way above the 800-square-foot rooms it’s rated for.

Even in a large combined kitchen, dining, living room of 1,400 square feet, it kept the temperatures tolerable.

According to my infrared thermometer, the air blows out of the four-way-adjustable vent at 50°F.

The cooling capacity was enough to drop the temperature by 20°F within 30 minutes.

That airflow isn't just cold but strong, too. I had to start using a paperweight to avoid constantly picking up papers and receipts off the floor.

All that power comes at a manageable cost, too.

This unit sets the power consumption standard for its class with an 11.8 EER and Energy Star certification. 

You can keep your home cool without your electricity bill rising to high heavens.

The usability is intuitive, and you can easily swap between the AC, fan, and eco mode using the front panel or the remote control.

The remote control is very basic, but it works nicely and is simple to understand.

LG has included a drain plug on the back of the unit — a feature missing from most modern ACs.

Draining the unit will reduce energy efficiency but can keep the chassis from flooding in high-humidity regions.

Speaking of the chassis, this air conditioner is the slide-out type that can be installed in a window or through the wall.

You’ll want a second or even third pair of hands for installing this unit, though, since it’s very large and heavy.

It may not fit in small windows, and I recommend using an outside support bracket to prop it up.

This unit is also pretty loud, but I appreciate that LG doesn't even try to market it as "SUPER QUIET."

It's not obnoxious, but with the noise and the lack of sleep mode, you probably want to avoid this machine in your bedroom.

Then again, this super-strong LG window air conditioner is tailor-made for cooling spaces way above its rating.

The only downside is that this LG model is extremely popular, so you may need a bit of luck with finding it in stock. 

Related article: Recommended energy efficient window air conditioners

Frigidaire FFRE153WAE

15000 BTU air conditioners tend to be pricey, but they don't have to drain your entire bank account.

For this cohort, Frigidaire FFRE153WAE is an affordable machine with plenty of kick.

Frigidaire definitely hasn’t cut corners in cooling power.

Even in the medium setting, this 15000 BTU window air conditioner can cool its rated 800-square-foot room in roughly 15 minutes.

On high, my place quickly turned into a walk-in freezer!

Although this model isn't quite as overpowered as the LG, it still performs well in areas bigger than it's designed for.

During my tests, it chilled in a loft apartment of 1,000 square feet without breaking a sweat.

This unit ties the LG (and most others on my list) in energy consumption.

It’s Energy Star-certified and sports an 11.8 EER rating, which goes a long way to keeping your bills low.

That’s just another thing adding to this model’s budget-friendly nature.

The front panel is straightforward to use.

The touch controls work well, allowing you to adjust fan speeds and activate different user modes, including eco and sleep modes.

That said, the remote control is a mixed bag.

On the one hand, it has a portable thermostat that allows the AC to automatically adjust to the ambient temperature around the remote.

On the other hand, this is an infrared remote control, so the AC needs to be able to “see” it. It’s a finicky but welcome feature.

In terms of noise, this model is one of the quieter ones on my list. It shouldn’t disturb you even at night, discounting particularly light sleepers.

The installation process isn't any more difficult than with any 15000 BTU window air conditioner.

Thanks to the pull-out chassis, you could also rig this unit through a wall.

As a side note, my machine came with side panels even though Frigidaire says they're sold separately.

What can make installing this unit difficult is the product manual. It's poorly written, with pictures so blurry and small you need a microscope to decipher them.

Some people have even received installation instructions for the wrong model.

I’m glad they saved on the manual rather than the machine, though. For its price point, this Frigidaire is a very solid AC.

Friedrich Chill Premier CCW15B10A

Looking for perfect high-end window air conditioners can be just as challenging as trying to find budget ones.

Friedrich Chill Premier CCW15B10A makes the choice easy by offering everything from the features to the looks.

In terms of power, you can expect a strong performance from the Friedrich — it would hardly count as a premium machine otherwise.

As soon as you turn it on, freezing cold air starts blowing through the vents.

You can aim that powerful breeze quite freely, too. This window model has eight-way airflow adjustment, allowing you to direct the coolness toward the areas that need it the most.

In a 700-square-foot room, the Friedrich drops the temperature within minutes.

I kept even a nearly 1,000-square-foot open-plan kitchen and living room cool while the afternoon sun blazed in through the west-facing windows.

As a high-end unit should, the Friedrich is a smart AC comes with Wi-Fi connectivity.

The FriedrichGo app can connect to your smartphone or a voice control module like Alexa.

I noticed the Wi-Fi setup might fail if you follow the instructions on the app.

Don’t worry, though — the user manual walks you through everything to hook the AC up to your smart home.

If you’d rather use more old-fashioned control methods, the front panel and remote control work just as well.

Complementing the Energy Star-certified, 11.8 EER performance is an energy-saver mode and sleep mode.

No matter what setting you use, this is the quietest 15000 BTU air conditioner on my list. The surprising thing here is that the company does not disclose their decibel rating... although they should because it's favorable!

Friedrich has somehow managed to keep this unit’s weight at an impressive 75 pounds.

Thanks to the low weight, it’s easy to install in a window or wall — your choice.

As a nice touch, this model’s sleek, modern aesthetic looks much better than the usual appliance-white boxes.

There’s only one clear issue I can highlight with this machine.

The chassis has vents on the top, which can allow rainwater to get inside it. You really should set up an awning for it.

Of course, the premium features come at a premium price. The top-notch features and looks of this AC are well worth it, though.

Whirlpool WHAW151CW

Finding a powerful, energy-efficient air conditioner for large rooms isn’t easy—but the Whirlpool WHAW151CW brings something to the table none of the others do.

This is the only inverter air conditioner on my list.

That means instead of turning on and off repeatedly like traditional models, it adjusts the compressor speed to match the room’s needs, keeping things cooler and more consistent while using less energy.

It’s a rare feature in a 15000 BTU unit, and it’s what makes this the most energy-efficient model here, with a stellar EER rating of 14.4.

Cooling performance is exactly what you’d expect from a premium unit.

In a 700 square foot space above my garage, it had no trouble dropping the temperature fast and holding it there, even during a stretch of muggy afternoons.

It also runs surprisingly quiet, especially once it gets the room to temp and ramps the compressor down. That’s one of the big perks of inverter tech—it doesn’t need to roar to life every time the thermostat clicks.

There are a few things I wish Whirlpool had included, though.

There’s no Wi-Fi connectivity, which feels like a bit of a letdown in this price range—especially since this unit usually costs at least $100 more than the Friedrich Chill Premier, which does offer full smart home control. 

If Whirlpool had paired this efficiency with app control or voice commands, it would’ve been a knockout.

Still, the large front temperature display is a small win. It’s easy to read from across the room and gives you a quick visual of where your settings are at—a welcome convenience when you're trying to cool down in a hurry.

Installation, however, is where this model might test your patience. This unit is heavy—definitely one of the heftiest on this list except for the LG model. 

I made the rookie mistake of trying to install it alone and ended up needing an ice pack for my shoulder the next day. Trust me, grab a friend.

Looks-wise, the design is clean and functional, if a bit utilitarian. Nothing flashy, but it blends in well enough with most room setups. And once it’s in place, it hums along quietly and efficiently, without drawing attention to itself.

If energy efficiency is your top priority and you don’t mind skipping the smart features, the Whirlpool WHAW151CW is a powerful and efficient choice for large-room cooling. 

Cooper&Hunter CH-PTHE15HP

It can be a hassle to mount and remove window AC units with the changing seasons.

Cooper&Hunter CH-PTHE15HP lets you furnish your home with a permanent unit that keeps you comfortable in winter and summer.

Although all other air conditioners on my list can be installed into walls, the C&H is a dedicated through-the-wall unit.

It’s essentially like the air conditioners you see in hotel rooms.

This model performs very well in rooms up to 800 square feet. During my tests, it had no problem bringing the temperature down to 61°F.

You can embrace your inner penguin if you so wish.

Unlike with some other models, I wouldn't try pushing the C&H's limits in a much larger area. It works best in rooms it’s rated for, so keep it there.

On top of cooling, this device offers a 13,500 BTU heat pump and an 11,000 BTU electric heater.

The AC and heater combo works well and keeps an appropriately sized room toasty even when the outdoor temperature dips into the negatives.

Part of that performance is thanks to the excellent thermostat.

This unit monitors the temperature more accurately than others I tested, so you can rely on getting the temperature you want.

The energy performance is technically the lowest on my list.

The C&H has “only” a 10.6 EER rating, but that’s still quite good. Just make sure you have a 230V outlet available.

This air conditioner is surprisingly quiet. You might expect the big unit to be very noisy, but I was impressed. Not silent but not disturbing, either.

The C&H is big, though. The machine is twice the width of other ACs I reviewed and weighs a lot, too.

The size and through-the-wall installation process make mounting it challenging, so I recommend hiring a professional.

You should also note that this air conditioner doesn’t have a dedicated dehumidifier function, in case you live in a very humid region.

Also, it's very expensive, and you get to pay even more for the separately sold wall sleeve.

That’s well worth it for the strong and reliable year-round performance, though.

Related article: Window AC versus through the wall AC

How long will a 15000 BTU air conditioner last?

15000 BTU air conditioners typically last between 5-10 years. Their lifespan depends on the type of unit and how well you clean and maintain it.

What are the different types of 15000 BTU air conditioners?

The most common types of 15000 BTU air conditioners are window, through-the-wall, portable, and mini-split ACs. Each type has its own advantages and downsides, and one isn't necessarily better than the others.

How much does it cost to run a 15000 BTU air conditioner?

On average, it costs $100-$150 per year to run a 15000 BTU air conditioner. How much you ultimately have to pay depends on how energy-efficient the machine is, which settings you use, and your local energy prices.

Is it cheaper to run a window air conditioner or central air?

It is typically cheaper to run a window air conditioner than central air. However, the difference depends on the ACs’ age and features, and the window AC will likely not be able to cool as large of an area as central air.