Best Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner Reviews: Our Top Picks & Buying Guide
The best through-the-wall air conditioners are energy-efficient, versatile, and have high cooling capacities. They are a great discreet solution to cooling (and heating) rooms and studio apartments. We have compiled and reviewed the best through-wall products on the market to help you find the right choice for your home or office.
We rounded up recommendations that vary in cost, energy efficiency, capacity, and heating options. We also included a buying guide to help inform you which factors you should consider when choosing the best through the wall air conditioner for your specific needs.
- Best Overall: Frigidaire Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner FFTA1233Q1
- Best Budget Option: Koldfront WTC8001W Through The Wall Air Conditioner
- Best Value for Money: LG LT0816CER 8,000 BTU Through The Wall Air Conditioner
- Best Unit with Heating: Koldfront WTC12001W Through the Wall Heat/Cool Air Conditioner
1. Best Overall: Frigidaire Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner FFTA1233Q1
This AC unit has the highest maximum flow of all our recommended products, and can effectively and evenly cool spaces as large as 550 square feet.
Our top pick for the best through the wall air conditioner is the Frigidaire FFTA1233Q1, thanks to its ability to cool down large rooms in a short amount of time, as well as its versatile features. This air conditioner unit has the highest maximum flow of all our recommended through-wall products, and can effectively and evenly cool spaces as large as 550 square feet. This air conditioner unit is great for wide spaces, such as living rooms and studio apartments, and is also a recommended choice for people living in humid climates.
Pros:
The Frigidaire is the most effective at circulating air out of any through-wall product on this list. This is thanks to the unit’s high maximum airflow, which is 305 CFM (cubic feet per meter). Since the Frigidaire circulates cool air swiftly, it’s a great way to keep large spaces evenly cooled.
This through-wall air conditioner is Energy Star certified, with a 9.8 EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio).
The Frigidaire is also an economical and eco-friendly choice thanks to its low energy consumption. This through-wall air conditioner is Energy Star certified, with a 9.8 EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio). Plus, setting the unit to sleep mode, which is a low-power mode, helps save more energy.
This unit’s quiet operation in sleep mode will allow you to use it in your bedroom, as it won’t disturb you in your sleep.
The Frigidaire gives a more accurate cooling response than other through-wall products when set to auto mode. This is because the remote of the unit serves as a thermostat, so the air conditioner responds to the temperature within the room rather than the temperature nearest to the unit, where the air is generally warmer.
Another thing to love about the Frigidaire is its versatility. It comes with three fan speeds and a 4-way control design which allows you to direct the circulation of cool air to where it needs to be focused. It also has a dehumidifying setting, which allows it to remove up to 3.3 pints of water from the air.
The unit comes with a 2-year full warranty, and a sealed system warranty for years 3-5.
Cons:
One of the downsides of this powerful through-wall air conditioner is that it’s quite expensive. You don’t get a remote control for that price, either.
Although this air conditioner is Energy Star certified, it’s not very energy efficient in comparison to some of the other models on this list and has one of the highest operating costs. Thus, it does waste more energy and may be heavier on the wallet than other options.
Another issue that customers have complained about is Frigidaire’s customer service. They take a long time to respond and deal with replacing defective parts.
2. Best Budget Option: Koldfront WTC8001W Through The Wall Air Conditioner
The cooling capacity makes it an ideal budget-friendly purchase for larger bedrooms, living rooms, and other medium-sized rooms.
The Koldfront WTC8001W is our top through-wall pick for rooms up to 350 square feet and it comes at a highly affordable price. The cooling capacity makes it an ideal budget-friendly through-wall purchase for larger bedrooms, living rooms, and other medium-sized spaces.
Pros:
One of the best things about the Koldfront is that it is quite economical. At a price below $400, it’s our most budget-friendly through-wall recommendation. In addition to saving you money at purchase, this unit is also Energy Star certified with a 9.6 EER, which means that it will go easy on your electricity bills.
This unit has one of the lowest operating costs out of all of our recommended products. The sleep and energy-saver modes on the Koldfront help reduce energy consumption. The sleep function adjusts the temperature periodically for 6 hours so that it isn’t actively cooling all the time. The energy saver mode activates the fan for two minutes every ten minutes unless the room temperature exceeds the set degree.
The Koldfront also runs quite quietly, which makes it a great choice for a bedroom.
The energy saver mode activates the fan for two minutes every ten minutes unless the room temperature exceeds the set degree.
It conducts excellent air circulation through its three fan speeds and louvers that can focus the airflow in four different directions.
The Koldfront is also one of the few air conditioners that come with a heating mode.*
*Note that the heating setting has a lower capacity than the cooling, with 4,200 BTU, so it can only heat very small spaces effectively or can be used as an addition to another heating system. Check out our other Koldfront recommendation for a higher heating capacity!
Cons:
The compressor warranty among other through-wall air conditioner units in Koldfront’s category runs longer than two years (this product’s warranty is 2 years).
Additionally, this through-wall air conditioner unit is not suitable for larger rooms or spaces without doors, as the air circulation and cooling aren’t powerful enough to handle them.
Lastly, even though it has a low BTU rating and doesn’t use much electricity, this through-wall air conditioner is not very energy-efficient in relation to its capacity.
It lacks conveniences like a remote control.
3. Best Value for Money: LG LT0816CER 8,000 BTU Through The Wall Air Conditioner
The LG is a great choice for medium-sized rooms, like regular living rooms or large bedrooms.
The LG LT0816CER is our top value-for-money recommendation due to its cost, energy efficiency, and cooling capacity. This air conditioner unit is powerful in cooling and dehumidifying rooms up to 330 square feet (although you can also find similar LG models with higher BTU that could easily cover more space). The LG is a great through-wall choice for medium-sized rooms, like regular living rooms or large bedrooms.
Pros:
The LG is the most energy-efficient product on this list. With a 10.7 EER, the LG has earned an Energy Star rating and is great for saving electricity and cutting operating costs.
Even when the LG is set to energy-saving mode, it can still cool rooms quite efficiently. With a maximum airflow of 250 CFM, this air conditioner unit has a powerful cooling capacity. The LG’s 8,000 BTU make it a great choice for medium-sized rooms.
This air conditioner comes with convenient features that add value for money. It has a dehumidifying capacity which allows it to remove up to 2.2 pints of water from the air per hour. It also has three cooling speeds and three fan speeds, which provide evenly cooled rooms.
The LG is easy to set up and easy to use. Since this unit is compact (24×20.1×14.4 inches) and light (66 pounds), it won’t be a burden on your wall or difficult to install. The fully-equipped, user-friendly remote control also makes this unit easy to use.
Even when the LG is set to energy-saving mode, it can still cool rooms quite efficiently.
Lastly, this air conditioner comes with a gold coating on the fins which prevents corrosion and extends the unit’s lifespan.
Cons:
One of the problems with this air conditioner unit is that it has a 1-year part and labor warranty, which is shorter than any other through-the-wall unit on this list.
Another issue with the LG is that some customers have reported that, at times, it may run a bit loud.
Lastly, LG has contracted repairmen across the US for product repairs and maintenance. However, these contractors are not very useful in some areas of the States.
4. Best Unit with Heating: Koldfront WTC12001W Through the Wall Heat/Cool Air Conditioner
This Koldfront model is recommended for anyone looking for an affordable yet powerful AC unit that can be used to control the temperature of any room of the home, or for entire small and studio apartments.
The Koldfront WTC12001W is the best through-the-wall AC with a dual function for heating and cooling. This Koldfront model is recommended for anyone looking for an affordable yet powerful air conditioner unit that can be used to control the temperature of any room of the home, or for entire small and studio apartments. This unit is a customer favorite on Amazon with a 4.5-star rating.
Pros:
The Koldfront is very powerful and capable of evenly regulating the temperature across a room. It has a 12,000 BTU cooling capacity and a 10,600 BTU heating capacity, which means that it can effectively cool and heat rooms up to 400-450 square feet. As with the other Koldfront model, this unit comes with four-way directional louvers which can distribute the cool (or hot) air evenly, or focus the airflow wherever needed. These features make this AC great for large spaces, studio apartments, or even entire small homes – if you leave the doors open.
The Koldfront is a great choice for humid climates, as the dehumidifying setting can remove up to 60 pints of water from the air, daily.
The Koldfront comes with a variety of features that allow convenient fine-tuning. It has four operating modes for heating and cooling, along with three fan speeds with an automatic operation option. Plus, the unit has a 24-hour timer which allows you to program the desired settings ahead of time.
The Koldfront is a great choice for humid climates, as the dehumidifying setting can remove up to 60 pints of water from the air, daily.
Another thing to love about the Koldfront is that the refrigerant it uses (the liquid that makes cooling in the AC possible), R-410A, is more eco-friendly than other alternatives, as it doesn’t contain bromine or chlorine which are harmful to the ozone layer.
The Koldfront comes with a 2-year parts and labor warranty. The reliability of the product is also backed by the company’s customer service, which is very responsive and helpful.
Cons:
One of the issues with this Koldfront unit is that it’s not the most energy-efficient option on our list of recommendations. Although it has a decent EER rating of 9.5, it is not Energy Star certified.
Additionally, some customers have stated that the unit may run a bit loud on the heating settings.
Lastly, the unit does not come with the wall sleeve, so you will need to purchase that separately.
Conclusion
We think the best through the wall air conditioner is the Frigidaire FFTA1233Q1, thanks to its capacity to cool large spaces swiftly and evenly. Additionally, Frigidaire is a tried-and-trusted brand, and the quality of the product is further guaranteed with a warranty that adds up to 5 years. It’s also a great choice for humid climates. However, the Frigidaire’s high BTU, CFM, and overall quality come at a steeper price.
If you are looking for something more budget-friendly for smaller, medium-sized rooms, the Koldfront WTC8001W through-the-wall air conditioner is our top recommendation. The four-directional louvers included in the design allow this model to effectively and evenly cool rooms up to 350 square feet. This model also includes heating, but the BTU capacity is much lower than the cooling capacity.
If, on the other hand, you need an AC unit that has both a high cooling capacity and a high heating capacity, our other Koldfront recommendation, the Koldfront WTC12001W Through the Wall Heat/Cool Air Conditioner is the way to go. The unit can regulate the temperature in rooms up to 450 square feet, which makes it a steal for the money. However, this is not our most energy-efficient recommendation.
If you want something which is highly energy-efficient, designed for slightly smaller rooms, and which will cut spending on electricity bills, the LG LT0816CER Through-The-Wall Air Conditioner is the best choice for you. This model is our top value-for-money pick, as the LG can efficiently cool rooms even at the energy-saver mode, which uses the least possible electricity.
If you are still unsure about which through-the-wall air conditioner is the best choice for your home or office, read on to our buying guide to learn what factors you should consider when deciding on your purchase.
Buying Guide
Budget
Although most through-the-wall air conditioners are quite affordable to purchase and operate (especially in comparison to central systems), our recommendations do vary in price. Keep in mind, however, that the capacity to cool larger spaces comes at a steeper price. You also need to consider installation costs when contemplating your budget. Do you plan to pay someone to install the unit for you, or try to tackle it yourself?
Keep in mind, however, that the capacity to cool larger spaces comes at a steeper price.
Capacity
Consider what room of the house you need the through-wall air conditioner for. Is it an entire studio apartment or a small bedroom? Each AC has a different BTU (British Thermal Units) which is ideal for areas of different sizes. The higher the BTU, the more effective the AC is for larger spaces. We ensured to let you know the maximum square feet that a given BTU is capable of cooling (or heating) for each recommended product.
The higher the BTU, the more effective the AC is for larger spaces.
Energy Efficiency
Although most of our recommendations are Energy Star certified, they do come at different EER ratings (energy efficiency ratios) and have different operating costs. Consider their energy efficiency to calculate future costs from bills, and also if you want to purchase something that is more environmentally friendly (by wasting less energy).
Consider their energy efficiency to calculate future costs from bills, and also if you want to purchase something that is more environmentally friendly (by wasting less energy).
Heating Capacity
Some of our recommendations have a heating setting, as well. Think over whether you want an AC unit that will be useful in the winter as well, or if you just need something for the hot summer days.
Some of our recommendations have a heating setting, as well.
Dehumidifying Mode
If you are living in a humid climate, you may want your new AC unit to include a dehumidifier. Consider the different dehumidifying capacities of the through-wall air conditioners here to find which one is best for your home.
Consider the different dehumidifying capacities of the AC units to find which through-wall air conditioner is best for your home.
Warranty
To be more confident about the durability of your new product, make sure that your through-wall air conditioner unit comes with a decent warranty for parts and labor. Keep in mind that although longer warranties may come with pricier through-wall air conditioners, they also provide security about the product’s lifespan.
Keep in mind that although longer warranties may come with pricier products, they also provide security about the product’s lifespan.
Buyers Also Asked
How long do through the wall air conditioners last?
A through the wall air conditioner will last for about 10-years on average. This is providing it is well maintained throughout that time. Through wall air conditioners are generally more reliable than window models.
How much does it cost to install a through the wall air conditioner?
A through the wall air conditioner generally costs between $1300 and $2400 depending on where you live and the size of the unit. Most come with the installation kits (wall sleeve, etc.) included.
What’s Next?
Hopefully, you found our review of the best through the wall air conditioners and our buying guide handy and helpful in your search for a new cooling buddy. To get more information about each of our recommendations, follow the title links to learn their price, in-depth specifications, and customer reviews.
In the meantime, make sure to visit our reviews of the best air conditioners to find even more recommendations in other shapes and sizes. You can also swing by our contact page to drop us a line if you have questions, comments, or any other feedback for us.
In the meantime, enjoy kicking it back this summer without breaking a sweat!