Thinking of beating the heat? An 8000 BTU air conditioner might be just what you need if you have a small to medium-sized room.
Choosing a reliable model can be tricky, though. Thankfully, you are reading this report, so you’ll find some of the best options listed in this guide.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best 8000 Btu Air Conditioners
- OUR TOP PICK: TOSOT Energy Star AC
- RUNNER-UP: Shinco SPF2-08C
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Frigidaire FFRE0833S1
Comparison of the Best 8000 BTU Air Conditioners
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How Many Square Feet Does 8000 BTU Air Conditioner Cool?
8000 BTU air conditioners are mid-sized units most suited to small and medium living spaces with dimensions ranging from 300 to 350 square feet.
It is a costly mistake to use a smaller or bigger air conditioner if you have a room within these dimensions. The machine will overwork itself to cool your space if it too small or cool your room quickly and cycle on and more often if it is too big.
In both cases, it will weaken the compressor quickly. Make sure to determine the size of your room and match that up with the right BTU.
What Do I Need To Know Before Buying?
We strongly suggest that you consider the following recommendations when you go shopping for 8000 BTU air conditioners.
TOSOT Energy Star AC
Energy Efficiency
Electricity is the topmost cost of owning an air conditioner, regardless of its BTU.
But you can reduce your monthly energy bill by getting an AC with a high energy efficiency ratio (EER). Consider choosing Energy Star compliant models, as these will not burn a hole in your wallet every month.
Space Requirements
Make sure to check the dimension of the model you want to buy before you make the actual purchase. You want a unit that will not take up too much space in your room.
Portability
Whether you prefer a portable air conditioner or a window type, it is helpful to note the weight of the unit before buying it. You might need to move the air conditioner between rooms, and lightweight options are easier to transport. An AC that weighs around 40 to 60 pounds is usually preferable.
Convenience Features
A model with remote control (preferably full-function) and other extra features offer more convenience. Of course, these features may not add to the cooling power, but they certainly make the overall user experience more enjoyable.
Review of the Best 8000 BTU Air Conditioners
Here, you’ll find some of the best 8K BTU air conditioners available. These models are from trusted brands in the industry, and most importantly, they fulfill the recommendations mentioned earlier.
Best Overall:
TOSOT Energy Star AC
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Generally, buyers appreciate the cooling performance and low noise level of this window air conditioner. Many customers appreciate the unit’s stylish and minimalistic design, including the built-in insulation foam strip and foam board. There are no major complaints about the product, but the company’s customer support tends to be slow.
Why it Stands Out to Us
TOSOT air-cons are in a class of their own when it comes to build quality, and this model is not an exception. It is aesthetically pleasing and doesn’t look anything like the traditional window AC.
It quietly chills your room at 54 dBA on low and 59 dBA on max settings. But it doesn’t only cool your room. It also removes up to 1.9 pints of moisture from indoor air every hour, and on top of that, it has a fan-only function.
Two separate horizontal louvers get cool air across the room in two different directions for more cooling comfort.
Bottom Line
If you’re in the market for the most remarkable 8K BTU window air conditioner, you may as well choose the TOSOT Energy Star AC. We highly recommend it for its energy efficiency, topnotch sound-damping technology, and unique, stylish build quality.
Runner-up:
Shinco SPF2-08C
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
There are overwhelmingly positive reviews about this product from countless satisfied buyers on several online stores, with many recommending it. Many users are in love with its compactness and lightweight, as they can easily move it between rooms. Installation is a cinch, and it is effective at removing excess moisture.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This portable air conditioner has plenty of outstanding features, including a bucket-less self-evaporating function that leaves your living space dry and cool. The built-in dehumidifier extracts up to 60 pints of moisture from the air per day.
Unlike other portable models, this one won’t keep you awake at night or disturb your concentration as it hums quietly below 55 dBA, even on full blast. You can set it to come on or go off at any time you choose with its 24-hour timer.
It comes with a full-function remote control for quick and convenient temperature control from anywhere in the room.
Bottom Line
If you prefer portable units, this might be a great choice. Keep in mind that it is rated for spaces up to 200 square feet, so you might want to size up if you have a room larger than that.
Best for the Money:
Frigidaire FFRE0833S1
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Many buyers say they would buy this window unit again in a heartbeat. Although it comes at a little lower price than many other options, users report that it is worth every cent. According to buyers, it quickly chills medium-size rooms, but the sensor on the remote can be inaccurate.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Frigidaire’s 8K model might not be as expensive as similar-size models from other brands, but it boasts of an ionizer that effectively removes bad odor, bacteria, and other impurities from indoor air, leaving you with cleaner air.
On top of that, it rids your room with up to 1.7 pints of moisture every hour to keep your space free from the effects of humidity.
Everything you need to install the window unit comes in the installation kit, so mounting it is a walk in the park. When you’re done installing, sit back and control the unit with its temperature- sensing remote.
Bottom Line
This mini-compact 8000 BTU AC from Frigidaire is an amazing cooling machine for its price. Allergy sufferers will find it particularly suitable, as it doesn’t only bring down the temperature of your room but also eliminate impurities from the air.
Best 8000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner:
Black + Decker BPACT08WT
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
You’ll find lots of praise for this model when it comes to cooling small rooms. However, many buyers are not very satisfied with its dehumidification, especially people living in humid areas. Also, some users find the unit a bit too heavy to move between rooms despite the four castor wheels.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Some of the reasons Black + Decker’s 8K BTU air conditioner made our list are its compact frame, fast cooling capability, and relatively quiet operation in the sleep mode.
The unit’s dimensions are 16.5" x 11.5", making it small enough to fit unobtrusively into small rooms measuring 100 to 150 square feet.
You can choose between three fan speeds to suit your preferred temperature and set the unit to automatically go off when you want to save money and prevent waste.
It is a single-hose system but does a decent job of keeping temperatures down without needing a drain bucket.
Bottom Line
You will get significantly less than 8000 BTU (ASHRAE) cooling power if you choose this AC. Consider this option if you are looking to buy a supplementary air conditioner. By the way, all portable units are rated lesser DOE BTU.
Best 8000 BTU Window Air Conditioner:
LG LW8016ER
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers tend to be happy with the cooling performance of the LW8016ER. They say it is an excellent 8K BTU window air conditioner for mid-size rooms. Many buyers have high expectations for this model because of the renowned LG brand, which explains why some customers feel disappointed with the noise level.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The LG’s 8K BTU option is the most energy-efficient model on this list, capable of saving you up to 15% of electricity bill yearly. It is powerful enough to chill rooms up to 340 square feet.
You don’t have to worry about re-selecting your preferred settings in case there’s a power outage. The auto-restart function automatically runs the machine with your previous settings once power is restored.
You can get your cool from anywhere in the room with the accompanying remote control. Plus, its four-way directional airflow lets you adjust the louvers to blow cool air where you need it.
Bottom Line
We recommend the LW8016ER for people who want an 8000 BTU window unit with impressive dehumidification capability in addition to cooling power. Also, you’re likely to save more money with this air conditioner because of its high energy efficiency ratio.
Haier 8000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Review:
Haier HPP08XCR
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The HPP08XCR is the most-praised portable air conditioner on this list for its remarkable cooling, with lots of recent buyers saying they are happy with their purchase. Many buyers say the unit works great but can get very loud, and some buyers who had issues expressed disappointment with customer support.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Haier engineered this air conditioner to be simple, yet it comes with impressive features in addition to decent cooling. It can run on fan-only mode, so it doesn’t need to keep working the compressor when it hits your preferred temperature.
Although it is not a heavy-duty device, it can remove an incredible 3.58 pints of moisture from indoor air every hour. Many similar-size portable units don’t come near this level.
The mesh filter is a permanent type, meaning you won’t have to spend extra money on a replacement. Plus, the slide-out access makes it easy to remove and wash it.
Bottom Line
This is a great alternative if a window unit is not an option, particularly for rooms not more than 200 square feet. You may want to choose another model if you or someone in your household is a light sleeper.
Pros and Cons of 8000 BTU Air Conditioners
Pros
Below are the main advantages:
More Cooling
This category of air conditioners provide more cooling than other small-sized ACs such as the 6K or 5K BTU ranges. As long as you buy good quality options and use them for the right-sized room, they will keep you comfortable throughout the hottest months.
Availability
There is no scarcity of 8000 BTU ACs. They are popularly available as portable air conditioners and window units and come in a plethora of designs. You are sure to find one that suits your taste and needs.
Affordability
You don’t have to break the bank to own one of these air conditioners. You can find good quality options in the range of $250 to $450.
Cons
Below are the main disadvantages:
Limited Coverage Area
Window and portable air conditioners in the 8000 BTU range do not provide adequate cooling for spaces with partitions since they don’t have a duct system that allows cool air into many rooms at once through vents. Walls and doors are likely to block airflow from the AC.
Fewer Performance Features
While cooling power is the topmost priority in choosing air conditioners, extra features are great too. Unfortunately, not many 8K BTU air-cons come with many extras.
Comparison Overview
Air conditioners may have similar frames and designs, but their capacities are not the same. If you plan to cool a relatively small to the medium area, you might want to compare small and mid-size AC such as 5000, 8000, and 10000 BTU air-cons.
Here is a quick comparison overview to help you out.
5000 BTU Air Conditioner vs 8000
Coverage Area
A 5000 BTU AC is best for bedrooms or small offices measuring up to 150 square feet. On the flip side, 8K options will work better for slightly larger living spaces.
Electricity Requirement
On average, 5K BTU models require about five amps and around 500 to 550 watts to run at full capacity, while the models under review can draw up to 8.70 amps and roughly 667 to 000 watts.
8000 BTU vs 1000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Portable air conditioners generally don’t have the cooling power of their window counterparts of the same BTU rating. However, they have the advantage of mobility and don’t stick out from your window or pose security risks.
Under the same conditions and for the same size room, a 10000 BTU portable air conditioner will draw more power but maintain a lower temperature than an 8K BTU model. Their cooling power is not the same.
Shinco SPF2-08C
Conclusion
No doubt, 8000 BTU air conditioners are great for cooling small to medium spaces. But it is best to buy an AC that can adequately meet your needs, instead of choosing one based on popularity or aesthetics. Keep the pros and cons in mind when deciding what works for you.
People Also Ask
It is okay to have questions, even after reading this report. This is particularly true if this is your first time buying an air conditioner or an 8K BTU model. For this reason, we’ve answered some of the common questions about the 8000 BTU range ACs that you’ll find useful.
What is BTU? What Does BTU Stand For?
BTU stands for British Thermal Units. It is the unit for measuring the cooling power in air conditioners. You’ll find the measurement listed on the product or on its website to indicate the size of the AC and the area it can cool. Higher BTU numbers mean more cooling power.
How Many BTU Per Square Foot?
The recommendation is 20 BTU per square foot. Multiply the length of your room by the width to get the square feet and use that to determine how BTU you need. Keep in mind that rooms near a heat source (kitchen, direct sunlight, or heat-generating appliances) will require more cooling power.
LG LW8016ER
How Many BTU Air Conditioner Do I Need?
The primary factor determining how many BTU AC you need is the square footage of the space you want to cool. But in addition to the square feet, you may need to size up if the room has a lot of traffic, high ceilings, or an open floor plan.
How Many Watts Does a 8000 BTU Air Conditioner Use?
An 8000 BTU air conditioner needs approximately 667 to 1000 watts to run at full capacity. AC models with higher energy efficiency ratings (9 EER and above) use fewer watts. It is best to check for your unit's specific wattage information in the specification sheet to eliminate guesswork.
How Much Does it Cost to Run a 8000 BTU Air Conditioner?
The exact amount it costs to run your air conditioner depends on factors such as the unit's energy efficiency, type of AC, and the number of hours you run the air-con daily. On average, it cost approximately $0.11 per hour to run an 8K BTU air conditioner.
How Many Amps Does a 8000 BTU Air Conditioner Draw?
8000 BTU air-cons usually don’t require too much energy to run. Most air-cons in this category draw approximately 5.80 to 8.70 amps, whether they are portable air conditioners or window types. The energy efficiency ratings of these units can affect their cooling power regardless of how many amperes they draw.