Which Air Conditioner is the Best? The COMPLETE Guide 2023

During the summer it can get way too hot in our houses.

Yet, the suitable air conditioner can do a lot more than just keep the temperature at a comfortable, cool level in your house. It also purifies the air and prevents the growth of bugs and parasites. 

So, which air conditioner is the best? What are the pros and cons of every system? We’ve answered all the questions in this article, so keep on reading. 

The systems include: central ac, ductless systems, floor-mounted ac, portable ac, window ac Air heat pumps, geothermal AC

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Which Air Conditioner is the Best?

There are several models of air conditioning systems and choosing the best one for your home depends on your situation. Each type has some pros and cons that you should consider before making a decision. 

Central Air Conditioning System

The central air conditioning system is your go-to system if you need one that cools a large space efficiently. The system depends on circulating the cool air through ducts installed in the walls, ceilings, or floors. 

When the temperature of the air increases, the warm air is carried through the ducts to the air conditioner, where the refrigerant cools it down one more time. 

This is typically installed by a specialized company so ask what brand and model they recommend for your home.

Advantages

  • You can enjoy a consistent temperature all year long. This will be crucial if you have kids, pets, or plants in the house, as they’re naturally less tolerant to temperature changes. 
  • You can also change the thermostat’s setting using a timer to switch it off when no one is home. 
  • This system cools a larger area in minimum time. 

Disadvantages

  • Choosing the right size for your system can be a little challenging. If the system isn’t suitable for the space, you’ll notice an increase in your energy bill.
  • These systems are usually more expensive as they include air filtering pieces that improve the overall indoor air quality. 
  • Problems arising in the ducts are common and usually challenging to detect, eventually affecting the system’s overall efficiency. 
  • Without proper cleaning, the ducts of your central air conditioning system will be the perfect environment for growing mold and mildew. 
  • The large outdoor unit might affect your property’s curb appeal

Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner

The ductless mini-split air conditioner contains one outdoor unit, one or several indoor units, wiring, and a tube to carry the refrigerant. It doesn’t have a duct system, and the indoor unit emits the cool or warm air directly into the room. 

There are several brands such as Samsung and Mitsubishi that offer this. It is typically installed by a specialized company so ask what they recommend for your situation.

Advantages

  • This system is highly scalable, so with one outdoor unit or compressor, you can install different indoor units into every room of your house. 
  • The units can be installed on the ceiling or the walls, facing the direction that you prefer. 
  • This system is usually installed in retro homes, where building a duct system will be extremely expensive or inaccessible. 
  • The thermostat of every unit is controlled separately. As a result, you can adjust the temperature in your kids’ room to be slightly warmer than the one in your bedroom or the dining room. 
  • An appropriate solution if you have a small house. 
  • This solution will work for you if you don’t want the air conditioner to work in every room.

Disadvantages

  • Some homeowners don’t prefer these units because, unlike vents of the central AC system, the indoor units of this air conditioning system are quite visible and will occupy a significant space in your room. 
  • The cost of installing multiple indoor units will be high.

Window Air Conditioner

This is the simplest type of AC and the most affordable one. It’s an all-one unit that contains all the components that cool the air in a single room, and the unit is mounted to a window. 

The following unit is the most popular.

Advantages

  • Because it’s quite simple, this will be an excellent choice if you’re on a tight budget or want to cool only one room in the house. 
  • If you’re renting an apartment and your landlord isn’t interested in investing in an HVAC system, this one will work. 
  • You can install it by yourself, and a professional won’t charge high for installing such a simple appliance. 
  • This system is easy to maintain. 

Disadvantages

  • You need to choose the right window to tolerate the unit’s weight, and there’s no way you could install it anywhere else. 
  • It will obscure the view from the window.
  • The cables should be well-protected because they might be subject to moisture outside the house when it rains. 
  • Because it’s mounted to the window, this unit is usually noisier, so it might not be the best choice for a bedroom. 

Portable Air Conditioner

This air conditioner can be moved easily from one spot to another. Just like a window air conditioner, the portable one is a self-contained appliance in a single unit, so it’s quite easy to set up. They use a lot of electricity for the amount of cool air that they provide.

All you have to do is choose a spot next to a wall socket to operate it and a window to get rid of the water through the exhaust hose. The portable air conditioner takes the indoor air, cools it, and then releases it back into the room. 

Advantages

  • It’s a versatile option if you’re on a tight budget because you can move it around using the built-in wheels to cool any room you like. 
  • It doesn’t block the window or require professional installation. 
  • A good option for temporary and spot cooling. 
  • It can be easily stored until needed. 

Disadvantages

  • This air conditioner will only work to cool one room at a time, so it’s not the most practical solution for a big home or a busy household. 
  • It doesn’t work well in larger rooms and can be quite noisy, especially when used in a bedroom. 
  • You need to place it near a window for the exhaust hose, and the window has to be located near a power outlet. 

The model of Black and Decker below is the best seller:

Hybrid Air Conditioner

As the name suggests, the hybrid air conditioning system alternates between cooling and warming the indoor air in your space, depending on your needs. The smart system changes its functions based on the outside temperature to maintain the comfort level in your household.

This system works according to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that heat transfers from a hot object to a colder one. The system relies on the temperature of the refrigerant, and when it drops, the system has a pump that pulls the warm air from outside the house to cool the coils and the refrigerant. 

After that, it releases the warm air inside. When it’s hot, the air heat pump absorbs the hot air from the inside and releases it outside to keep the air cool. This is typically installed by a specialized company so ask what brand and model they recommend for your home.

Advantages

  • Investing in this system guarantees that your energy bills will be under control. 
  • The thermostat will automatically switch between cooling and warming the air based on your needs. 
  • You don’t have to invest in a separate heating system because this one will cool and warm the air depending on the outside temperature. 
  • It’s an excellent option if you want to lower your carbon footprint. 

Disadvantages

  • This system is quite expensive to install and maintain. 
  • You might not need the heating element if you live in a naturally warm region. 

Geothermal Heating and Cooling

This system works just like the hybrid air conditioning system, but it draws the heat and the cold from the ground, not the outside air. In winter, this system uses water to absorb the heat stored in the ground and circulates it through underground wells or loops. The warm water is then concentrated to release warm air into the house. 

The opposite happens in the summer, as the system absorbs the heat from your home and circulates it through the system to heat the underground water. The warm ground absorbs this water, and the pump absorbs cool water from the ground. As a result, the cool water creates cool air inside your home. This is typically installed by a specialized company so ask what brand and model they recommend for your home.

Advantages

  • This system is energy-efficient because the pump doesn’t have to extract the hot air, as it naturally transfers to the colder ground according to the laws of physics. As a result, you’ll notice a significant reduction in the energy bills when you opt for this system. 
  • The loops are buried underground, so you won’t have to worry about a large outdoor unit affecting your property’s curb appeal. 
  • During summer, you’ll have a hot water tank, which is readily accessible, so you won’t have to turn on your water heater. 
  • In general, this system has a longer life span. 

Disadvantages

  • During the colder months, you might need a supplementary heating source. 
  • Only a few contractors in your area might be familiar with this air conditioning system, so you might have to do a little research to find a qualified one to install the system. 
  • Because it needs detailed work, the system can be expensive to install. 
  • This system needs to be installed in a flat loop field, so it won’t work if the ground is rocky. Instead, you can build a vertical well and use the underground water to stabilize the temperature in your house. 

Floor Mounted Air Conditioner

This air conditioning system operates just like a mini-split air conditioner, but it’s mounted on or very close to the floor. It will be an excellent choice if you have more floor space but no space to install a wall-mounted unit. 

If you live in a household where the walls are tilted or made of glass, this AC system will be an excellent choice. The outdoor unit is connected to multiple indoor units, and you can place them in different rooms based on your needs. 

To function properly, this air conditioner needs to be placed away from furniture pieces to ensure that nothing obstructs the airflow. Unlike wall-mounted models, this one cools the air fast, and accessing the filters for regular cleaning and replacement is quite straightforward. 

As a result, you can go to this unit if you have breathing problems or you want to ensure the cleanliness of the air for your kids. It’s also an excellent choice for elderly people or those who suffer from mobility issues and still want to clean their air conditioner regularly. 

Advantages

  • Only a small hole in the wall is required to connect the indoor unit to the outside one, so it’s a budget-friendly option. 
  • Suitable for the elderly or those who need to clean their AC filters more than often.
  • Easy to install and maintain. 

Disadvantages

  • The unit can be noisy. 
  • Cooling a larger room will take more time. 
  • The placement of furniture pieces around the indoor unit will obstruct the airflow and affect the unit’s efficiency. 

Smart Air Conditioner

Smart air conditioners are the latest on the market, and they’re easily controlled through your smartphone. A smart air conditioner can be a window, mini-split, or even a portable model that you can easily adjust from your phone by setting the temperature and time. 

Unlike HVAC systems that cost a lot and take time to install, there are currently several models of smart air conditioners that you can easily tweak to suit your needs. All you have to do is to access the AC app on your phone, and you’ll be able to switch it off, increase or decrease the temperature, and enjoy a lot of other cool features depending on the manufacturer. 

Advantages

  • Convenient functions with multiple features.
  • All features are accessible and easily controlled. As a result, it’s suitable for busy people, the elderly, and those who don’t have time to manually adjust their AC units. 
  • You can save energy by switching off the unit when you’re away from the house or adjusting the cooling power depending on the outside temperature. 

Disadvantages

  • Smart air conditioners are usually more expensive. 
  • Wi-Fi connectivity or data connectivity is necessary to control the air conditioner. 
  • If you’re not tech-savvy, using the air conditioner and adjusting all its features might not be that straightforward. 

Wrap Up

Choosing the right air conditioning system depends on your budget, the size of your property, and the overall climate. Luckily, there are lots of cool options to choose from, but you need to do a little research to choose the right system for your home.