The best way to ensure that your air conditioning unit reaches its maximum potential and lifespan is through routine maintenance, protection, and care. This is more than just the obvious methods of cleaning the unit.
One of the best ways to ensure your air conditioner remains protected and in good working condition is by using an air conditioner cover, and that’s exactly what we’re here to talk about today.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Air Conditioner Covers
- OUR TOP PICK: Covermates AC Cover
- RUNNER-UP: COSFLY Water Resistant AC Cover
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Classic Accessories Ravenna Square
Comparison of the Best Air Conditioner Covers
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What Should I Look For When Buying an Air Conditioner Cover?
Waterproof
The first feature you should look for when buying an air conditioner cover is if the material is waterproof. Waterproof material will prevent water from entering the unit and freezing during the winter months.
Size
You will need to choose the air conditioner cover that fits the unit you have. A cover too big or too small won’t cover the unit properly, leaving it exposed to the elements.
Securable
The air conditioner cover will need to be securely fastened to the unit to ensure that it stays in place and provides adequate protection to the unit. You will want to see what kind of method the cover uses to ensure it stays in place on the unit.
Color
The unit's color should be considered, especially if you live in a community where the air conditioning unit can be seen by neighbors or other residents. The best colors for these conditions are neutral colors, like gray or tan. You will want to avoid bright colors that resemble a tarp, like blue and green.
Warranty
The last feature you may want to consider is if the cover comes with a warranty. A warranty will help ensure that the cover will last for at least the period covered in the warranty. However, they typically last longer than the time the warranty covers, especially when properly maintained and used correctly.
Review of the Best Air Conditioner Covers
We have included a list of the 7 best air conditioner covers for each category you may need. Each product has informative pros and cons, along with a brief description of what recent buyers are currently saying about the product.
Best Overall:
Covermates AC Cover
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have given this air conditioner cover a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, making it highly favorable among users. Buyers are most pleased with how easy the cover is to install once the cover has been unboxed.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Covermates AC Cover is our choice for the best overall air conditioner cover because of its affordability and durability. Like recent buyers, we agree that the cover is the best overall because it is extremely easy to install and has a stylish and subtle design.
The cover is also our favorite because it comes with a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty. This helps us rest assured that the cover will last, at minimum, three years. It will last longer as long as it is properly cared for and maintained.
Bottom Line
The Covermates AC Cover is the best overall air conditioner cover because it’s affordable, durable, and comes in a neutral charcoal color that prevents it from standing out.
Runner-up:
COSFLY Water Resistant AC Cover
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers who have recently purchased the COSFLY Water Resistant AC Cover are exceptionally pleased with how effective the cover is in keeping their AC protected while also providing adequate ventilation to prevent mold or mildew growth.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The COSFLY Water Resistant AC Cover first stood out to us because of its affordable price point. It is an extremely affordable option for the quality and design of the cover that you receive.
We also like that the color of the cover is a subtle two-tone tan. This makes it stylish and sets it apart from some of the competition. It has a handle on the cover, and it is easy to install after it is unboxed.
Finally, the cover uses waterproof and water-resistant materials to ensure that water doesn’t penetrate the cover and enter the AC unit.
Bottom Line
For the best waterproof and water-resistant AC cover, we recommend the COSFLY Water Resistant AC Cover. Not only is it extremely effective, but it is also stylish and easy to install.
Best for the Money:
Classic Accessories Ravenna Square
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers agree that this is the best air conditioner cover for the money. The quality, design, and appearance of the cover make it the best cover for those who are looking for the most affordable option without cutting any corners.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We chose the Classic Accessories Ravenna Square AC cover for these same reasons.
First, it is affordable. For less than $30, you can keep your AC unit protected all winter long, making a $30 investment yield years’ worth of protection.
We also chose it for the best for the money because of its design. It is made from top-rated quality materials that are attractive, functional, and effective. The cover is a dark taupe gray, which is the same color that Classic Accessories uses in their other covers. This means you can cover a variety of appliances with the same style of cover and have them all match.
Bottom Line
The Classic Accessories Ravenna Square AC cover is the best air conditioner cover for the money, not only because of the affordable price point, but because the cover doesn’t cut any corner in the design, quality, and appearance.
Best RV Air Conditioner Cover:
Classic Accessories 77410
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers report that the good news is that the cover fits very tightly around the unit, with the bad news being that this can make it difficult to install. All in all, the cover is extremely protective, stylish, and resistant to both water and UV rays.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The price point is one of the first features we noticed about this Classic Accessories RV cover. It is extremely affordable with the protection to back it up. It also comes with a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty to reassure you that the cover should last at least three seasons.
It is also a universal cover that fits most RV air conditioners. This makes it extremely versatile and compatible with most RV air conditioner models.
Finally, it is both water and UV resistant, which helps it stand up against the harsh elements.
Bottom Line
The Classic Accessories 77410 RV cover is the best RV cover on the market because of its price, effectiveness, and stylish design.
Best Indoor Air Conditioner Cover:
Jeacent Indoor AC Cover
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers who have recently purchased the Jeacent Indoor AC Cover report that the cover fits snugly onto the unit of the window AC, but they agree that it requires two people to install it. Once installed, the cover keeps cold air and dirt from entering the AC unit and your home.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We have chosen the Jeacent Indoor AC Cover as the best cover for indoor air conditioners because it is affordable and effective. For less than $20, you can effectively cover your indoor air conditioner to keep cold air, moisture, and dirt from entering your unit.
Another feature that we like about the Jeacent Indoor AC Cover is that it will help you save energy costs by reducing the amount of cold air that will enter the home through the unit. This will reduce how often your heat will run to accommodate the extra cold air that can enter through the unit, ultimately lowering your monthly utility bill.
Bottom Line
If you want an indoor air conditioner cover that is effective, affordable, and durable, then we recommend the Jeacent Indoor AC Cover, which is why we made sure to include it on our list of bed air conditioner covers of 2020.
Best Outdoor Air Conditioner Cover:
Patio Watcher Square
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are most pleased with how easy the cover is to place on the AC unit. Occasionally, air can get trapped inside the cover and cause it to blow off of the unit, so users agree that an added reinforcement will keep this from happening.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Patio Watcher Square AC cover is our choice for the best outdoor AC cover because it is affordable, easy to install, and made of durable materials. It is waterproof and water-resistant on both the interior and exterior of the cover.
We also like the dark gray color that the cover comes in. This matches the other appliance covers that are made by Patio Watcher.
Finally, we chose the Patio Watcher Square AC cover as the best outdoor AC cover because of the padded handles built onto the cover. This makes covering and uncovering your outdoor AC unit easy with the Patio Watcher cover.
Bottom Line
The Patio Watcher Square AC cover is one of the most stylish, effective, and affordable options on the market for outdoor AC covers, which is why we chose it over comparable models.
Best Window Air Conditioner Cover:
Sturdy Covers AC Defender
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers report that the Sturdy Covers AC Defender is the best window AC cover because it is extremely waterproof and weatherproof. It is the best option to defend your AC unit against the elements while the cover also stands up to the conditions as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We like the Sturdy Covers AC Defender because it provides the most amount of protection for your unit while also helping reduce electricity costs.
Window units are notorious for allowing cold air to creep into the home through the openings within the AC unit without you even realizing it. The Sturdy Covers AC Defender keeps cold air from entering the unit and subsequently entering your home. This means your home stays warmer, which ultimately helps you save energy on your monthly utility bill.
We also chose the Sturdy Covers AC Defender as our choice for the best window AC cover because it comes with a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty. This helps you rest assured that the product you are purchasing will last at least three seasons.
Bottom Line
The warranty, durability, affordability, and effectiveness of the Sturdy Covers AC Defender are what make it our choice for the best window air conditioner cover of 2020.
Are All Air Conditioner Covers The Same?
The type of air conditioner you have will determine the air conditioner cover you need. An air conditioner cover will be made for indoor, outdoor, or window air conditioner units. This is why we have included an air conditioner cover for the exact type of air conditioner you need the cover to fit.
Advantages of Investing in a Quality Air Conditioner Cover
Energy-Saving
One of the biggest advantages of investing in a quality air conditioner cover for indoor or window AC units is that it will help you save money on your monthly energy bill. This is because the cover prevents cold air from entering your home and causing your heater to run more than necessary.
Extends the Lifespan of the Unit
An air conditioner cover is one of the best ways for you to get the most out of your AC unit. A cover will protect the unit from the elements, including freezing rain or snow. This will help preserve your unit and extend the overall lifespan of the unit.
Stylish
An air conditioner cover will also transform an unsightly air conditioning unit into a stylish layout that ultimately hides the unit, especially when choosing a cover that is a neutral color or that matches your house.
How to Cover Air Conditioner
Whether you are covering an indoor, outdoor, or window unit, the steps to cover the unit are generally the same.
Unfold the air conditioner cover
Slide the cover over the air conditioner unit so that each side that is exposed to the elements is covered by the AC cover
Use the cover’s drawstring hems or elastic straps to tighten the cover and secure it into place
Inspect the cover to ensure that it is secured into place with the attached clips, straps, or elastic drawstrings
Make sure to check out the video below for a full overview of these steps that were just described.
Conclusion
An air conditioner cover is one of the best and easiest ways to prolong your air conditioning unit's lifespan. Whether you have an indoor, outdoor, or window air conditioner, you can find a cover to fit the exact unit you have to ensure your unit stays as preserved and maintained as possible.
People Also Ask
Finding the best air conditioner covers can choose to be a tedious task if you are unsure where to start. It can also be more of a challenge if you have unanswered questions swirling around in your mind. Read on below for answers to some of the more commonly asked questions about air conditioner covers and how to use them.
Do I Need to Cover My AC Unit For Winter?
The best way to protect your AC unit is to cover it during the winter. This will keep snow, freezing rain, and other cold elements from entering the unit and potentially damaging it during these months. It is a relatively inexpensive solution to prevent a potentially expensive problem from occurring.
Should I Cover My Air Conditioner in the Summer?
The only reason you should cover your air conditioner in the summer is if it is not in use. This is because the cover can restrict the airflow of the unit and cause it to overheat.
What Happens If You Run AC With Cover On?
Running an AC with a cover on will cause the unit to overheat, ultimately damaging the unit. Instead of protecting the unit's longevity, it is cut short due to overuse and overheating.
Are AC Covers Good?
AC covers are good and highly recommended because they are an easy way to preserve the lifespan of your AC unit for a very low cost.
How to Remove Air Conditioner Cover
To remove your air conditioner cover, make sure you unhook, untie, or unclasp any device used to secure the cover in place.
Once the cover has been unsecured, lift the cover off using the handles built onto the side of the cover.
Fold the cover and store it in a safe place until time to use it again.