We Installed 5 U-Shaped Air Conditioners to Find the Best for Quiet, Efficient Cooling

U-shaped air conditioners are a smart solution for anyone looking to cool a room efficiently without sacrificing peace and quiet. Unlike traditional window AC units, U-shaped models separate the compressor from the indoor portion of the unit, keeping the loudest components outside while allowing the window to close more fully around the narrow middle section—great for energy savings and security.

Shoppers will find that not all U-shaped air conditioners are created equal. Cooling power, design, app connectivity, and installation experience can vary widely between brands. During testing, we evaluated five of the top models on the market to find which ones truly deliver on performance, ease of use, and noise reduction. Our top recommendation is the Midea 12,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner, which impressed us with its attractive design, strong cooling output for rooms up to 550 square feet, and whisper-quiet operation—even on higher fan settings.

If you’re looking to stay cool while keeping your home comfortable and quiet, you’re in the right place. Ahead, we’ll walk you through what to look for while shopping and share our hands-on reviews of the best U-shaped air conditioners.

1. BEST OVERALL: Midea 12,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Midea 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner
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3. UPGRADE PICK: GE Profile ClearView 12,200 BTU Inverter Air Conditioner
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4. QUIETEST OPERATION: Frigidaire Gallery U-Shaped 12,000 BTU Air Conditioner
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5. UPGRADE PICK: Soleus Air 8,000 BTU Air Conditioner With Wi-Fi
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U-Shaped Air Conditioners Comparison

Our Top Picks

With more U-shaped window ACs hitting the market each year, we put the top contenders to the test to see which ones actually deliver. Below, you’ll find our top picks, each chosen for their performance, quiet operation, smart features, and overall value. 

Best Overall

Midea 12,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner

Buy at Amazon Buy at Lowe's Buy at The Home Depot

What We Like

• Excellent cooling speed and performance
• Very quiet on low and medium settings
• Smart app with Matter integration
• Swing function enhances air circulation

What We Don’t Like

• Installation is fairly time-consuming
• Slightly bulky bracket system

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Specs

• Type: True U-shape
• Output: 12,000 BTUs
• Extra features: Smart home integration

Our Ratings

The Midea 12,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner stands out for its powerful performance, quiet operation, and modern smart features. During testing in Florida’s sweltering heat, it quickly brought room temps down to a crisp 60 degrees Fahrenheit—lower than most models can reach. The unit is noticeably quiet, even on its highest fan setting, which sounds more like a steady breeze than a roar. On medium or low, it’s quiet enough for sleeping, reading, or watching TV without distraction. The air swing function improves circulation across the room, a feature that’s surprisingly rare even among premium models.

Installation is more involved than usual, largely due to the included bracket system that must be mounted inside the windowsill before placing the unit. However, the payoff is a rock-solid, secure fit that doesn’t wobble or shift. Uninstalling it is far easier and quicker, mainly just reversing the screws. We appreciated the high-quality build and thoughtful design, including a compact profile for off-season storage. The remote (which comes with batteries included) is intuitive and matches Midea’s portable units, and the smart app integration via Matter means you can control it hands-free with Alexa, Google, or Apple Home devices.

Another top-tier offering from Midea, this unit delivers on both form and function.

What our tester says: “This unit definitely impressed me the most out of the bunch. It not only looked great and slid neatly into the window, but it also performed well and did its job pretty quietly.”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer.

Get the Midea 12,000 BTU U-shaped air conditioner at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Read our full review: Midea 12,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner

Best Bang For The Buck

Midea 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner

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What We Like

• Very quiet during operation
• Smart tech capabilities
• Multiple modes, including energy saver and dehumidifier

What We Don’t Like

• Large size can make installation tricky

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Specs

• Type: True U-shape
• Output: 8,000 BTU
• Extra features: Digital-display remote control, compatible with smart devices

Our Ratings

We found this Midea 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner to be a strong option for those who want an efficient and quiet window AC unit that doesn’t sacrifice style. It cooled our 350-square-foot test room effectively, and thanks to its inverter technology, it ran more efficiently than standard models. Midea claims up to 35 percent in energy savings, which we can believe based on our experience. The energy saver, sleep, and auto shut-off functions make it even more efficient, and we appreciated the built-in dehumidifier mode, especially during Florida’s more humid days.

The U-shaped design really does make a difference. With the compressor sitting outside the window, this unit ran at impressively low noise levels. We also liked that we could still open the window for fresh air without removing the unit, which isn’t something you can say about most window ACs.

Installation took a bit of work, mainly due to the size and the need to secure the bracket system properly. But once it was in, it felt sturdy and well-supported. The remote is easy to use with its built-in display, and smart home users will be happy to know it works seamlessly with Alexa, Google Assistant, or the Midea Air app. Overall, this unit was a solid performer in our testing.

Get the Midea 8,000 BTU U-shaped air conditioner at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Upgrade Pick

GE Profile ClearView 12,200 BTU Inverter Air Conditioner

Buy at Amazon Buy at The Home Depot

What We Like

• Exceptionally quiet, even on high
• Effective cooling for large rooms
• Eco and Quiet modes work well
• Expandable chase-way fits deep windows

What We Don’t Like

• No swing mode
• Cheap-feeling directional grates

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Specs

• Type Over-the-sill
• Output 12,200 BTU
• Extra Features Eco and quiet mode

Our Ratings

During our testing, the GE Profile ClearView stood out for its exceptionally quiet performance and powerful cooling. This unit quickly and quietly cooled our large living room floor, and even on its highest fan setting, it was one of the quietest machines we tested all year. For even more peace and quiet, we tried the Eco and Quiet modes at night—both worked beautifully. In Quiet mode, the unit was barely audible, letting us sleep and watch TV without any disturbance. It’s rated for spaces up to 550 square feet, and based on our experience, that seems accurate.

That said, we were let down by a few design choices. The unit doesn’t have a swing mode, so we had to manually adjust the airflow direction each time we turned it on. The directional grates also felt flimsier than we expected, especially for a premium-priced model from GE. Installation was fairly smooth, thanks to the adjustable chase-way that expands up to 13.75 inches; by removing four screws, we were able to make it fit our wider windowsill. Just be aware: this unit is heavy. We needed two people to lift and install it safely. On the bright side, uninstalling was easy, and it stores well despite its size. It also comes with a remote and batteries included, which we appreciated.

What our tester says: “If you need a beefier AC unit but you still want to enjoy the view from your window, you can’t go wrong with the GE ClearView. It’s a standout option, so long as you don’t mind the lack of a swing mode.”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer.

Get the GE U-shaped air conditioner at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Quietest Operation

Frigidaire Gallery U-Shaped 12,000 BTU Air Conditioner

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What We Like

• Powerful and fast cooling
• Swing mode improves air circulation
• Quiet on low fan settings
• Smart app control via Frigidaire app

What We Don’t Like

• Slightly loud on high fan mode

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Specs

• Type True U-shape
• Output 12,000 BTU
• Extra Features Wi-Fi connectivity, PureAir filter, Eco mode

Our Ratings

The Frigidaire Gallery gave us a strong sense of déjà vu during testing—in a good way. It closely mirrors the 12,000 BTU Midea model in design, performance, and setup, including the bracket-based installation. While it took a bit longer to install than a standard unit, the process was straightforward, and the end result felt very secure in the window. This unit cools aggressively, dropping the room temperature to a brisk 60 degrees Fahrenheit in no time, and the air really blasts out when it’s running at full power.

Compared to the Midea and GE models, the Frigidaire runs a little louder on its highest fan setting, but it’s still not disruptive, and like the others, the noise drops significantly on medium or low. We liked the built-in swing function for more even air distribution, and the minimalist remote felt sleek and intuitive. The smart app integration (via the Frigidaire app) worked well and gave us full control from our phone. Uninstalling and storing the unit was just as easy as it was with the Midea, and both have compact designs that make offseason storage hassle-free. With powerful cooling, smart features, and thoughtful design, there wasn’t much for us to complain about here.

Get the Frigidale air conditioner at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best Installation

Soleus Air 8,000 BTU Air Conditioner With Wi-Fi

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What We Like

• Easy installation with no complicated brackets
• MyTemp remote functions as a thermostat
• Over-the-sill design doesn’t block natural light

What We Don’t Like

• Users have to drain the condensation from unit

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Product Specs

• Type: Over the sill
• Output: 8,000 BTUs
• Extra features: MyTemp remote control, compatible with smart devices

Our Ratings

If preserving as much window space as possible is a priority, we’d recommend checking out Soleus Air’s 8,000 BTU small window air conditioner. This model features an over-the-sill design that allows you to install it without blocking light coming through the window. In our tests, this design really stood out, especially in a room that doesn’t get a lot of natural light. For folks whose rooms are already limited on light, this feature alone could be worth the higher price point.

And while maintaining light might be a key differentiator, plenty of other features make this model from Soleus Air desirable. We liked that this is an AC that lays over the window, meaning it doesn’t require complicated brackets to hold it in place. We simply popped it over the windowsill and adjusted the legs on the outside until it fit snugly. This keeps the noisy stuff outside while also making it safe and easy to install. Inside, the unit provides a small shelf area on top as well as an unobstructed view. The one downside we noticed was the need to manually drain built-up condensation using the plug on the side. It’s not difficult, but it’s an extra step to be aware of.

Other upgrade-worthy features include a digital remote with a MyTemp sensor and several running modes. We found the MyTemp setting especially useful—it lets the unit use the remote as the temperature sensor, which kept the room consistently comfortable. This unit is also compatible with Android and iOS devices via the Soleus Home Comfort app, which we had no trouble setting up and using to adjust settings remotely.

Get the Soleus Air U-shaped air conditioner at Amazon or Walmart.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best U-Shaped Air Conditioners 

To find the best U-shaped air conditioners, we started by researching more than a dozen models from leading brands like Midea, GE, Frigidaire, and Soleus. We narrowed our list based on key features, including cooling output (BTUs), noise level, smart connectivity, design, ease of installation, and price. From there, we selected the most promising models for hands-on testing in real residential environments—primarily in Florida’s hot, humid climate. 

We measured performance by monitoring how quickly each unit cooled rooms of 300 to 550 square feet, using thermometers and timers. We also evaluated noise levels across fan settings with a decibel meter, rated ease of installation, and tracked smart feature responsiveness via paired apps and remotes. Comfort, convenience, and day-to-day usability were also factored in. We tallied up the results, scoring each unit to identify which truly stood out.

What to Consider When Choosing a U-Shaped Air Conditioner

There’s more to consider when choosing the right U-shaped air conditioner than just stuffing any old model in the window. The following sections will guide you through the most important aspects to keep in mind when shopping for quiet window air conditioning. Be sure to consider each section to make the best possible choice. 

Type

There are essentially two types of U-shaped air conditioners: true U-shaped models and over-the-sill air conditioners. True U-shaped models resemble the letter U from the side, with the inner and outer components separated by a recessed center. These units usually feature a flat underside and rest on a bracket for support. Over-the-sill models are inverted versions of that, resembling an upside-down U shape. They install over the windowsill, with the inside and outside components hanging over both sides.

Both model types are efficient and quiet. However, true U-shaped models are a bit more difficult to install, though they don’t require you to manually drain any condensation. Over-the-sill models don’t block any natural light and usually don’t require brackets, making them easy to install. However, they build up condensation on the inside that users have to drain. 

Size and Cooling Capacity 

Generally speaking, U-shaped air conditioners are fairly “small” in terms of output. There aren’t any 24,000 BTU models on the market yet, and that’s because these models would have to be so large and cumbersome that they’d be too difficult to install. However, there are a few options on the smaller end, delivering around 6,000 BTUs to 12,000 BTUs of cooling power.

The 6,000 BTU models can generally cool smaller rooms, such as offices and small bedrooms.  Standard 8,000 BTU ACs are sufficient for large bedrooms, living rooms, and spaces around 350 square feet. A 10,000 BTU unit might be suitable for 400 to 450 square feet, while a larger 12,000 BTU air conditioner would work for up to 500 square feet. It’s important to pair the right size AC unit with a compatible room to ensure it can run as efficiently and effectively as possible. 

Settings

Just like traditional air conditioners, U-shaped air conditioners have different settings or modes. These modes adjust how the air conditioner operates and impacts the air within the room. Settings often include cool, fan, dehumidify, and auto.

• Cool mode allows you to set the air conditioner to a specific temperature, and the air conditioner will keep running until it reaches that temperature. Once it does, the compressor inside the unit shuts off while the fan continues to run, keeping air moving and making the room feel cooler.
• Fan mode operates the fans regardless of room temperature. Most U-shaped models have three fan speeds that you can choose from to modify airflow.
• Dehumidify (or dry) mode removes moisture from the air, which helps the air feel less sticky and keeps you more comfortable. 
• Auto mode helps regulate room comfort by adjusting fan speed to maintain a desired temperature. 

Other modes might include sleep and eco, among others. You can control the different modes from the unit’s control panel, remote, app, or voice-control interface.

Energy Efficiency 

One of the benefits of U-shaped air conditioners is their energy efficiency. Rather than being a poorly insulated box placed in an open window, these models allow the window to close on a small chaseway that helps prevent cold air from escaping. More cold air stays in as a result, reducing how often the unit has to run.

Another improvement in energy-efficient air conditioners, whether U-shaped or traditional, is inverter technology. Essentially, inverter technology allows the air conditioner to regulate how hard it’s working. It can set itself to a lower energy-consumption mode than other models that always operate at full bore.

What type of efficiency does this add up to? Some models claim to be 35 percent more efficient than traditional air conditioners. However, more independent testing is probably necessary to determine just how much more efficient U-shaped models are. 

The Advantages of Owning a U-Shaped Air Conditioner

A U-shaped air conditioner is considerably quieter than a traditional AC window unit. These models put the noisy mechanicals on the outside of the house and allow the window to close almost all the way, preventing noise transfer.

Blocking less natural light is another advantage of U-shaped air conditioners. These models, particularly the over-the-sill versions, don’t take up nearly as much window space. Even the true U-shaped models allow natural light on either side of the air conditioner, whereas traditional units block all the light below the window sash. 

Finally, as the latest and greatest in window air-conditioning technology, U-shaped air conditioners are generally packed with features. Wi-Fi, smart apps, advanced remotes, and inverters allow you to tailor your bed or living room air conditioner to better fit your needs. 

• U-shaped air conditioners are quieter than traditional air conditioners.
• They don’t block as much natural light as traditional air conditioners.
• U-shaped air conditioners are generally packed with plenty of features and smart tech. 

Tips for Installing a U-Shaped Air Conditioner 

Read the installation instructions carefully before installing a U-shaped air conditioner. These models install very differently than a traditional air conditioner for window frames, and you will want to understand how they work before trying to install one into a window opening. Some models feature brackets and foam panels that need to be installed properly, whereas many standard window units do not. 

Unless it’s a small window AC unit or portable air conditioner, air conditioners tend to be heavy and awkward, so it’s almost always better to have a helper. Two people can easily support and place a U-shaped air conditioner into an opening, while one person might struggle and cause damage to the air conditioner or window.

If the unit comes with a bracket, it’s important to ensure it is installed according to the directions (if it’s supposed to be level, it better be level!). This ensures condensation doesn’t leak back into the room and drip down the wall. It also ensures that the air conditioner is harder to remove from the outside, minimizing safety concerns.

• Read the installation instructions carefully before installing a U-shaped window AC.
• U-shaped air conditioners are heavy and awkward, and they’re much easier for two people to install than just one. 
• Make sure the support bracket is installed properly to make the air conditioner safe and prevent condensation from dripping into the home.

FAQs  

Even with all that background information on the best U-shaped air conditioners, you may have some additional questions that need answering. The following are some of the most commonly asked questions on the topic.

Q. What makes new AC units more efficient?

Many of the newest air conditioners feature inverter technology that allows the air conditioner to regulate how hard it works and how much energy it uses. U-shaped models better separate outside conditions from inside conditions, potentially requiring the air conditioner to run less frequently. 

Q. Which AC brand is best for a window AC unit?

Some of the best traditional window air conditioning unit brands include LG, GE, and Kenmore. However, Midea is becoming increasingly popular, and the Bob Vila team has had good luck with the brand’s products.

Q. What are the benefits of U-shaped ACs?

U-shaped air conditioners are better than other AC units for small windows at running quietly while maintaining window functionality. They can also be more efficient thanks to their technology and design. 

Q. Should an AC unit be tilted?

Air conditioners should always be installed according to the manufacturer’s directions. In some cases, this means the unit should be slightly tilted to allow condensation to drip from the air conditioner outside rather than dribbling back in. 
 

Q. Are U-shaped air conditioners quieter?

A U-shaped air conditioning unit will be somewhat quieter than a traditional window air conditioner. This is because its unique design allows the compressor and condenser, which are the loudest parts of the unit, to be placed outside the window, helping to reduce indoor noise.

Q. Is it better to undersize or oversize an air conditioner?

It’s generally better to slightly undersize rather than oversize an air conditioner. An oversize unit will cycle on and off frequently, leading to inefficient operation, increased wear and tear, and poor humidity control. A slightly undersized unit will run more continuously, providing better dehumidification, more consistent temperatures, and potentially higher energy efficiency.

Meet the Testers

Paul Rankin is a home improvement writer and product tester who takes a hands-on, detail-driven approach to reviewing air conditioners and other popular household essentials.

Tom Scalisi is a freelance writer and has been involved in the trades for over 15 years as both a contractor and a commercial building mechanic. As a lover of all things tools, construction, and DIY, he’s always looking for new tools and techniques while also sharing his knowledge with the DIY world.

 

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