Looking to beat the heat, but without breaking the bank? We’ve got the lowdown on 5 cheap window air conditioners under $100, $200, and $300.

Window air conditioners are cheaper, efficient to operate in small to medium size spaces, and even cost less compared to their split AC counterparts.

The cheap window air conditioners under 100 we checked out were mostly refurbished units but didn’t list them for two reasons. First, their “refurbished”, meaning they’re older models that have been repaired to a satisfactory condition, and second they come with a short or no warranty period.

So, rather than settling for refurbished cheap window air conditioners under 100, we highly recommend choosing a window air conditioner that offers both top-notch performance, and one that will keep you cool for many years to come!

Best Cheap Window Air Conditioners

1. Best Window Air Conditioner Under $300

The TOSOT window air conditioner is brought to you by one of the largest air conditioner manufacturers in the world, so you already know why it grabs the top slot on this list.

This powerful 8000 BTU window air conditioner is designed to cool areas as large as 350 square feet, which to give you an idea is the average size of a large studio apartment in New York City.

It boasts a sleek, minimalistic design, and not only cools, but also comes with fan mode, and can dehumidify your space, so you’re basically getting three appliances for one highly affordable price.

But that’s not all, the TOSOT window-mounted air conditioner comes with a smart temperature control system that uses a thermostat that’s tucked away neatly inside the included remote control.

So, if you’re sitting on one end of the room away with the AC remote from the window, the TOSOT air conditioner will cool the areas based on the temperature around the remote next to you.

Speaking of which, and a feature you’ll definitely not see in cheap window air conditioners under 100 is sleep mode functionality, which adjusts the temperature automatically during use to an optimal number that keeps you comfortable.

Plus, the TOSOT is one of the few air conditioners that comes with two separate horizontal louvers that can blow cool air in two different directions.

You can even activate swing mode with the flick of a button if you want the appliance to blow the cool air at different angles in your room.

To top things off, this AC by TOSOT is Energy Star rated, resulting in efficient cooling without increasing the numbers on your energy bill.

What We Like:

• 8000 BTU/350 square feet
• Smart temperature control
• Sleep mode
• Energy Star rated
• 2 separate horizontal louvers/swing function

What We Don’t Like:

• Doesn’t have WiFi connectivity
• A little on the heavy side so you may need help with installation

2. Best Window Air Conditioner Under $200

One of the biggest downsides of window ACs is that some models can literally snore louder than you during use, and this is especially true with cheap window air conditioners under 100.

But this is where the LG air conditioner scores high, with its impressively low noise performance of just 52 dB in low mode.

This window-mounted air conditioner offers 6000 BTUs of sheer power, making it an ideal choice to cool to medium size rooms up to 250 square feet.

Unlike most other air conditioners in this segment, this LG model comes with electronic controls, which allow you to choose between three cooling and fan speeds.

Additionally, the LG 6000 BTU air conditioner features an energy saver mode, a 24-hour on/off timer, and even restarts automatically after a power failure.

It comes with a stylish remote control that allows you to access all the functions of the window air conditioner from anywhere in the room.

In the box, you also get a full installation kit, so it’s ready for setup right as soon as it arrives. The LG window air conditioner is backed by a one-year warranty against any manufacturer defects.

What We Like:

• 6000 BTUs/250 square feet
• 52 dB low noise
• Stylish remote control
• 3 cooling and fan speeds
• Energy-saving mode/on/off timer

What We Don’t Like:

• Can’t be shipped by air due to the R32 refrigerant 
• The filter may rattle in the front housing

3. Best Window Air Conditioner Under $100

Even though the MIDEA AC costs a little over $100, we’ve listed it as one of the best air conditioners under 100, because of the value it provides.

For starters, it features an 11.0 Energy Efficiency ratio, which makes it highly cost-efficient to run. With regards to features, the Midea window air conditioner can pump out a whopping 5000 BTUs of ice-cold air, making it an ideal fit for rooms measuring 150 sq. ft.

Furthermore, the MIDEA 5000 BTU AC offers seven temperature settings to choose from, so you can get your desired cooling effect. You can also adjust the direction of the breeze by turning the respective dial on the MIDEA air conditioner.

It is fitted with a washable filter, which is easy to remove and clean. The MIDEA AC runs fairly quietly in the backdrop and is a good fit for windows frames measuring between 23-inches, 36-inches wide, and a minimum of 13-inches high.

The only pitfall of the MIDEA AC is that it doesn’t come with remote control. If you can get past this, then it’s your best option for a window ac under $100.

What We Like:

• 5000 BTUs/150 sq. ft.
• 7 temperature settings
• Suitable for 23”-36” wide and minimum 13” high
• 11.0 energy efficiency ratio
• Washable and reusable filter

What We Don’t Like:

• Doesn’t come with remote control

4. Best Window AC under $300 for 100 Square Feet to 150 Square Feet

The Emerson Quite Kool window AC just as the name would suggest doesn’t do anything more than whisper during use at 50 dB.

It offers 5000 BTUs of cooling power, hence a great choice for spaces that measure between 150 square feet and 150 square feet. The Emerson 5000 BTU AC is fitted with high-quality rotary controls, which allow you to select from two cooling speeds and two fan speeds.

Further, it has the innate ability to remove moisture at the rate of 1.3 pints per hour, so you can enjoy a more cool and comfortable environment.

This compact AC by Emerson is easy to install and is fitted with air louvers that swing eight ways. Adding to its length of features is a convenient auto-restart in the event of power failure, and a five-year manufacturer warranty on the compressor.

What We Like:

• Quiet operation at 50 dB
• 5000 BTUs of cooling power/150 square feet
• Rotary controls
• 2 cooling and 2 fan speeds
• 1.3 pints per hour moisture removal rate
• 5-year manufacturer warranty on compressor

What We Don’t Like:

• The package doesn’t include remote control

5. Best 8000 BTU Window AC Under $300 for 350 Square Feet

For a window AC to cool larger spaces up to 350 square feet, you really can’t go wrong with the MIDEA 8000 BTU model.

When it comes to features, the list is rather long, but let’s start with the MIDEA window AC’s three-in-one functionality that combines air conditioning, dehumidification, and fan modes into a single appliance.

The MIDEA 8000 BTU AC offers fast and efficient cooling and is easy to install to your existing frame that measures between 23-inches to 36-inches, and 15.5-inches in height.

It comes with all the mounting accessories needed for the installation process, and intuitive remote control to change the functions on the unit’s integrated LED digital display panel.

What We Like:

• 8000 BTUs/350 sq. ft.
• LED display panel
• Remote control
• 3 functions in 1
• Removes 2.1 pints per hour
• 1-year manufacturer warranty

What We Don’t Like:

• Screwdriver for installation not included

6. Best 5000 BTU Window AC Under $100 for 150 Square Feet

The Frigidaire window AC costs a little over $100 but is worth every extra penny. First, it can blow 5000 BTUs of cold air, making it an ideal choice for rooms that measure up to 150 sq. ft.

This is a budget-friendly model, so of course, you won’t get all the bells and whistles found in much higher-priced window ACs, but the Frigidaire AC does come with mechanical rotary controls, from where you can select from seven temperature options, and two fan speeds.

It operates on 450-watts of power, so it won’t spike the numbers on your electricity bill. The Frigidaire 5000 BTU AC comes with a premium quality washable filter that captures dust from the air and blows clean and cool air into your room.

What We Like:

• 5000 BTU/150 sq. ft.
• Mechanical rotary controls
• 7 temperature and 2 fan speed options
• High-quality washable filter

What We Don’t Like:

• No remote operation
• No digital readout

FAQ’s

How much does it cost to run a 5000 BTU air conditioner per month?

The capacity of your AC is represented in British Thermal Units (BTUs) instead of amperage or wattage. However, you will have to determine the amperage rating to figure out the cost to run a 5000 BTU air conditioner. You can usually find the amperage rating on the unit itself or in the owner’s manual under the specifications.

Most window ACs are five amperes, so to calculate the wattage, you simply multiply this figure with the number of volts that are in the electrical outlet, which in most cases is 110-volts.

The final cost of running a 5000 BTU AC will depend on how much your local electric company charges you each kilowatt-hour, where the national average is around 12 cents per kilowatt-hour. After you’ve noted these numbers, use the formula watts x hours of use ÷ 1,000 x cost per kilowatt-hour to determine the cost of running a 5000 BTU AC over a 24-hour period, which is approximately under $2 per full day.

You’re probably not going to run the AC all day long, so use the same formula above, but change the “24” with the number of hours you’d be running the AC each day. You can multiply this by the number of days you’d be operating the AC in a month.

What is the smallest window air conditioner?

The smallest window AC is 5000 BTUs, which is perfect for spaces that measure between 150 sq. ft. In terms of size, small ACs fit windows that measure less than 25-inches wide, and 15-inches in height. But your goal should be to buy a window AC that offers efficient cooling for your space rather than the smallest unit.

Small AC can even cool larger closed areas, but they will run for longer trying to achieve cool temperatures, which will cost you more in electricity bills, and damage the unit’s compressor due to the extra load.

Which is the cheapest window air conditioner?

You can buy cheap window ACs for even 50 bucks at garage sales, but from our research, you can expect to pay $150 or a bit higher for a brand new model with a manufacturer warranty.

How much does it cost to have a window air conditioner installed?

The cost depends on the service you choose, but the national average runs between $350 to $1150 for window AC installation.