Best Window AC for NYC Apartments (and How to Pick the Right Size)

Plenty of New York apartments come without central air, so most renters cool their place with a window unit. Picking the right one comes down to three things: the kind of window you have, the size of the room, and your building’s rules. Here’s how to check each one, plus the units we’d look at first.

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Our quick picks (tap a name to jump to it)

• Midea U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window AC: Double-hung windows, and anyone who wants to keep opening the window
• Windmill WhisperTech Inverter AC: People who care how it looks in the window
• Frigidaire Gallery 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter: App lovers who want air quality alerts
• LG 6,000 BTU Window AC (LW6017R): Small bedrooms on a budget
• BLACK+DECKER 8,500 BTU Portable AC: Casement or slider windows, or buildings that don’t allow window units

Step 1: Check what kind of window you have

• Double-hung windows (the bottom half slides up) are the most common in NYC and fit standard window units and U-shaped units.
• Casement windows (they crank outward) and sliding windows don’t fit a standard unit. Look for a portable AC or a unit made for those windows.
• Measure the opening: the width of the window and the height of the open space. Prewar windows can be narrow, and every unit lists a minimum and maximum width.

Step 2: Size it to the room

Air conditioners are rated in BTUs. Too small and it runs all day without cooling the room; too big and it cools fast but leaves the air damp. A widely used sizing guide:

• 150 to 250 sq ft: 6,000 BTU
• 250 to 300 sq ft: 7,000 BTU
• 300 to 350 sq ft: 8,000 BTU
• 350 to 400 sq ft: 9,000 BTU
• 400 to 450 sq ft: 10,000 BTU
• 450 to 550 sq ft: 12,000 BTU

Go about 10% higher for a very sunny room and about 10% lower for a shaded one. Add about 4,000 BTU if the room includes a kitchen, and about 600 BTU for each regular occupant beyond two.

Step 3: Check your building’s rules first

• Brackets. Many buildings require a support bracket under every window unit, especially on upper floors. Shop AC support brackets.
• Installation. Some buildings want their own staff or an approved installer to put units in. These units are heavy; plan on two people.
• Fees. Some buildings charge a seasonal fee per air conditioner.
• Wiring. Plug the unit straight into the wall, not into an extension cord or power strip, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

The window AC picks, in detail

Midea U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window AC

Best for: Double-hung windows, and anyone who wants to keep opening the window

The window closes down into a gap in the middle of the unit, so there are no accordion side panels to fit, and you can still open the window with the AC installed. It’s an inverter, which runs quieter and more efficiently than older on/off units, and it has a dry mode for muggy days. Comes in 8,000, 10,000 and 12,000 BTU. The maker lists window openings of 22 to 36 inches wide and at least 13.75 inches tall.

Windmill WhisperTech Inverter AC

Best for: People who care how it looks in the window

Windmill’s controls sit on top of the unit, so the front stays clean, and the front panel can be swapped for a different look. Pick a WhisperTech model, which is the inverter version; Windmill’s original models are louder. Sizes run from 8,000 to 12,000 BTU, and the 8,000 BTU and larger models fit openings 23 to 37 inches wide and at least 14 inches tall.

Frigidaire Gallery 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter

Best for: App lovers who want air quality alerts

A smart inverter unit that also monitors indoor air quality and sends alerts through the Frigidaire app. A good middle option for a bedroom or small living room.

LG 6,000 BTU Window AC (LW6017R)

Best for: Small bedrooms on a budget

A lighter, lower-priced unit that’s easier to lift into a window. The trade-off is noise: it’s louder than the inverter models above, so it’s better for a room you don’t sleep in, or if you sleep with a fan on anyway.

BLACK+DECKER 8,500 BTU Portable AC

Best for: Casement or slider windows, or buildings that don’t allow window units

Portable units sit on the floor and vent hot air through a hose and window kit. They take up floor space and are less efficient than window units, but they’re the fallback when a window unit won’t fit or isn’t allowed. Check that the window kit fits your window before buying.

Extras that make a big difference

• Blackout or thermal curtains keep afternoon sun from heating the room. Find on Amazon
• An indoor AC cover blocks winter drafts if the unit stays in. Find on Amazon

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