Buying a big-capacity air conditioner for a small room is money, not a well-spent, inefficient use of cooling power, and can lead to increased energy bills, plus quick wear and tear.
If you have a space to cool, you’ll find this report helpful for choosing the best small-capacity ACs currently available.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best 5000 Btu Air Conditioners
- OUR TOP PICK: Frigidaire FFRA051ZA1
- RUNNER-UP: LG LW5016
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Amana AMAP050BW
Comparison of the Best 5000 BTU Air Conditioners
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How Many Square Feet Does a 5000 BTU Air Conditioner Cool?
Some of the smallest air conditioners in the market are in the 5000 BTU range. Like every other AC, the efficiency of these units depends on how well you use them. Even the most powerful AC will fall short if you install it in the wrong-sized space.
5K BTU air-cons are most appropriate for rooms with approximately 100 and 150 square feet. You will likely be disappointed by your 5000 BTU air conditioner's performance if you install it in a space larger than this recommendation.
It is best to install the AC in a shaded area for best performance.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Take a moment to consider some of these factors before you buy a new AC.
Electrical Requirements
First, consider your existing electrical system and be sure that it meets the minimum requirement for a 5000 BTU air conditioner (or whichever size you think will suit your space).
Keep in mind that air-cons are usually more powerful and draw more energy than most other appliances in a typical home. You need a standard household 110v or 115v circuit to operate a 5K BTU air conditioner.
Type of AC
The most common type of air conditioners is the window unit. However, you should choose this option only if you have a standard window to mount the AC.
Be aware that some homeowners do not permit the use of window units, so make sure to run it by your landlord before installing a window unit if you live in a rented apartment.
Another popular option is the portable air conditioner. This type can easily be moved between rooms but don’t have the cooling capacity of window ACs.
Maintenance
Air-cons require periodic maintenance to perform smoothly. Keep an eye out for options with washable filters, “clean filter” light, slide-out chassis, and even mosquito traps.
Review of the Best 5000 BTU Air Conditioners
There are probably hundreds of 5K BTU air conditioners on the market, but not all of them are created equal. Here is a small list of the best options currently available.
Best Overall:
Frigidaire FFRA051ZA1
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Many happy customers agree that this is an excellent window air conditioner in terms of cooling power. It might be slightly more expensive than similar-size options, but it works great, according to tons of users.
However, a handful of buyers report that some units arrive dented or with manufacturing defects.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Frigidaire makes awesome air conditioners, and the FFRA051ZA1 is not an exception, even though it is a small-capacity option.
Its size notwithstanding, it can cool quickly and warm up your room quickly and use the quick cool/warm modes. It has two fan speeds and two cooling levels to make your space comfortable all day.
With the effortless restart feature, the AC will automatically resume all previous settings when power returns to the unit.
The lightweight product makes installation painless, and the power cord comes with a three-prong cord, so you don’t have to worry about an extension cord.
Bottom Line
With less that can go wrong, you might want to consider this option if you prefer simple but effective and low-noise air conditioners. Although it has a pretty basic function, it has a gorgeous design that will suit most interior décor.
Runner-up:
LG LW5016
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This is a fairly popular option among buyers, not just because of its affordability but also because it works pretty well for small spaces. There are hardly any major complaints about this model since it doesn’t have too many complex functions and settings. Customers are generally satisfied with its performance.
Why it Stands Out to Us
LG designed this unit for one reason: to bring down the temperature of small rooms of up to 150 square feet. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but it does its job pretty well.
It dons a minimalist design with two control knobs for setting and adjusting temperatures. Although the model doesn’t have a digital control panel or remote, it cools efficiently with an impressive combined energy efficiency ratio of 11.0.
Besides efficient cooling, it can remove up to 1.3 pints of water from your indoor air every hour, which is great on humid days.
Bottom Line
If you are not up for dealing with the hassles of setting up smart features on air conditioners, this model might be the right one for you. It will bring down your room temperature without denting your wallet every month.
Best for the Money:
Amana AMAP050BW
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Many buyers enjoy this compact cooling machine from Amana because of its cooling capability, relatively small size, and incredibly affordable price. Setup and installation is a breeze; even those who don’t consider themselves handy can handle the task in no time. However, some light sleepers say it produces high noise.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This window AC has a few features that make it outstanding. First, it uses less energy, which translates to lower energy bills. On top of all that, it is a highly affordable product.
But it is not a cheap option, regardless of its low cost. The window-mount AC performs exceptionally well for a unit its size. It comes with two cooling modes, 1.06-pint dehumidification per hour, and eight-way directional louvers that allow you to direct cool air where you want.
It is easy to maintain the filter due to the clean filter function that reminds users to do so.
Bottom Line
This option is among the best when it comes to affordability. You may want to check it out if you are tight on budget. It produces a decent cool but doesn’t have all the features of some more expensive models.
Haier 5000 BTU Air Conditioner Review:
Haier QHV05LZ
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The general feel from recent buyers indicates that many customers are satisfied with the cooling performance of this 5K BTU model from Haier, with lots of users saying it works more than they expected.
Installing the unit is a cinch for many people due to its lightweight and mounting kit.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is among the lightest 5000 BTU window units available, weighing only 36 pounds. But most people don’t buy an AC because of its lightweight. Instead, the cooling power is the major focus, and the QHV05LZ delivers on that.
You can select from two fan speeds, two cooling speeds, and two-way air direction to match your preferences. The built-in humidity meter removes up to 1.2 pints of moisture from indoor air every hour for more comfort.
We like the fact that Haier backs this up with a solid warranty policy to allow buyers to shop with more confidence and minimal risk.
Bottom Line
Haier’s 5K BTU window AC is worth considering if you are in the market for small, reliable air conditioners from a trusted brand. Here’s the deal, test this one out risk-free for 90 and return it if you’re not satisfied.
Frigidaire 5000 BTU Air Conditioner Review:
Frigidaire FFRA051WAE
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers say that this little air conditioner cools small rooms pretty quickly. Many customers are happy with their purchase, especially as it is easy to install, and it has a reasonable price tag.
However, some customers complain of defective components or damaged units due to poor handling and packaging.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Like many of the other air conditioners on this list, the FFRA051WAE is a no-frills model. But it stands out to us because of its outstanding cooling power, especially for small spaces.
It measures 15.25 x 16 x 12 inches and sits nicely in most standard windows. Installing the unit is pretty straightforward, even if you’re doing so for the first time.
The window unit is designed to offer you a little more control of the airflow with two-way air direction, two fan speeds, and two cool speeds. There’s slide-out access for quick cleaning of the washable filter.
Bottom Line
The Frigidaire FFRA051WAE is a popular air conditioner among buyers, which says a lot about its performance. The model doesn’t come with many extra features, making it a great choice for people who don’t care for fanciful digital controls.
Best 5000 BTU Window Air Conditioner:
Keystone KSTAW05B
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Many buyers report that this 5K BTU window air conditioner cools down their small rooms to a chill. They like that it works great and doesn’t consume a lot of electricity, as reflected on their utility bills. But, some users have reported issues with the drainage system of some units.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Keystone engineered KSTAW05B to be a very quiet AC. It operates with a gentle hum of 49 dBA on its lowest setting and a maximum noise level of 55 dBA.
It packs a lot of cooling power for rooms between 100 and 150 square feet, regardless of its small size. You can select from high, medium, and low fan speeds or chose to run it in energy saver, sleep, or dehumidification modes.
The “check filter” function alerts you to clean the washable and reusable filter, and the temperature sensing remote control makes for convenient adjustments from across the room.
Bottom Line
Consider this option if you want to cool small office space or your kid’s bedroom. You’ll likely spend far less on utility bills because it is an Energy Star compliant product, with plenty of features for more cooling comfort.
Why Did These Models Make Our List?
Here are some of the things that make these options outstanding, and it will be helpful if you keep them in mind when shopping for air conditioners.
Energy Efficiency
The upfront price of an AC is not the only cost you will incur when you buy one. You have to prepare for recurrent energy bills, and air conditioners are among the appliances with the highest electricity usage in most homes.
Thankfully, you can cut down this cost by choosing a high energy efficiency ratio (EER) model. You want to choose an air conditioner with a minimum of 8 EER. The models that make our list have EERs between 9 and 12.
Noise Level (dBA)
Cooling comfort should come with minimal humming. Unfortunately, many air conditioners are loud, and some can keep you awake all night. We have carefully selected options with noise levels between 45 and 60 dBA.
Extra Features
Apart from cooling power, extra features such as multiple fans and cooling speeds, different modes of operation, programmable timer, and multiple airflow directions are some of the extra features that make for a great air conditioner. You’ll find a few of these in the models on this list.
Conclusion
Most modern air conditioners have similar features, especially models in the same BTU range. But simply picking the next available option is not what you want to do. We hope this guide has put you in a better position to choose a 5000 BTU AC that meets your need.
People Also Ask
People with small apartments or rooms to cool down will find air conditioners in the 5K BTU range most appropriate for their cooling needs. Questions relating to the cost of running these units and the energy requirements are common among new buyers. This section will answer some of these questions.
What Does 5000 BTU Mean?
BTU stands for British Thermal Units. In simple terms, BTU is a way of measuring energy. The cooling capacity of an air conditioner is listed in BTU, which tells you the size of the AC and what area it can cool. These air-cons can cool 100 to 150-square-foot rooms or spaces.
How Many Watts Does a 5000 BTU Air Conditioner Use?
A 5000 BTU air conditioner needs approximately 500 to 550 watts to run optimally. It is best to check your specific AC model's specs sheet for the wattage recommendation to eliminate guesswork or strenuous calculations. Usually, this information is listed in the same section as voltage and amperage.
Amana AMAP050BW
How Many Amps Does a 5000 BTU Air Conditioner Use?
These air conditioning units are typically small and require less energy to run. Most air-cons in the 5000 BTU range use five amperes, which shouldn’t cost much per month. You don’t need to provide a dedicated electrical outlet as they can work with 110v or 115v, depending on their rating.
How Big of a Generator Do I Need to Run a 5000 BTU Air Conditioner?
Generators are necessary to power your AC when you don’t have electricity supply from public sources. Most 5000 BTU air-cons will require a generator with at least 500 watts to run. The power usage might drop after the machine starts working, but it usually draws higher power to start working.
How Much Does it Cost to Run a 5000 BTU Air Conditioner?
Typically, a 5K BTU air conditioner draws approximately five amps. The cost of that number of amps for a whole day is roughly $1.6 or thereabouts. Divide that amount by 24 hours, and then multiply the answer by the number of hours you run the machine to get a rough estimate.