Low profile air conditioners are ideal for those times when you need to cool certain areas in your home or workshop.
Low profile air conditioners cool square footage areas big or small, depending on their size and output.
If this seems overwhelming, don’t worry. We’re here to break it all down for you and share the best low profile air conditioners.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Low Profile Air Conditioners
- OUR TOP PICK: Frigidaire FFRE083ZA1
- RUNNER-UP: LG LW6017R
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: MIDEA EasyCool MAW06R1BWT
Comparison of the Best Low Profile Air Conditioners
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price ? |
 |
| View Latest Price ? |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price ? |
 |
| View Latest Price ? |
 |
| View Latest Price ? |
 |
| View Latest Price ? |
 |
| View Latest Price ? |
Why Did These Low Profile Air Conditioners Make Our List?
We chose these low profile air conditioners for our list because of their energy efficiency, size, ease of use, and overall noise. We feel these are features you should consider when choosing the best low profile air conditioner.
Energy Efficiency
Adding a low profile air conditioner to your home shouldn’t break the bank during the summer months. You shouldn’t have to worry that your utility bill will skyrocket during those months you run your low profile air conditioner. This is what makes energy efficiency an important feature that we considered when making our list.
Size
The size of a low profile air conditioner is determined by its BTU output. BTU stands for British thermal unit, and it measures the amount of energy that is used to adjust the temperature within a pound of water by 1°F.
A low profile air conditioner with a lower BTU will cool a smaller place than a low profile air conditioner with a higher BTU.
Generally, low profile air conditioners are classified by 10,000 BTUs or less. A 10,000 BTU low profile air conditioner will cool a space around 300 square feet, such as a large room like a living room or outdoor workshop.
Smaller low profile air conditioners around 5,000 BTU will cool a room up to 150 square feet, ideal for a small bedroom.
Ease of Use
A low profile air conditioner should have relatively simple controls that are self-explanatory. The only reason you should need the owner’s manual is when installing the air conditioning unit. The controls should be easy enough that you shouldn’t have to refer to the owner’s manual to learn how to use them.
Overall Noise
Finally, the overall noise generated from the low profile air conditioner while running shouldn’t be so loud that you can’t hear the other person talking in the same room. We chose low profile air conditioners that have 60 decibels or less. The lower the decibels, the lower the overall noise level is for the air conditioner unit.
Review of the Best Low Profile Air Conditioners
After carefully considering the primary features that we look for when choosing a low profile air conditioner, we compiled this list of units. We have chosen a low profile air conditioner for the exact reason you need.
Best Overall:
Frigidaire FFRE083ZA1
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users are most pleased with how big of an area the Frigidaire FFRE083ZA1 covers. Because it can cool an area up to 350 square feet, buyers have used this unit to cool a variety of rooms, making it a versatile unit to choose for the exact reason you need.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We chose the Frigidaire FFRE083ZA1 as the best overall low profile air conditioner because of its energy efficiency, ease of installation, and functionality.
It is certified with Energy Star technology and has an EER of 12, making it extremely energy efficient. The EER of 12 will keep the energy use to a minimum, saving money on your monthly utility bill.
Included with the air conditioning unit is a window installation kit. If the window in your home is too big to fit the air conditioning unit, you can use the window installation kit to properly install the unit into the window without buying additional equipment or find another size of conditioning unit to fit your window.
Finally, there are different functions on the front of the unit and remote control included with the unit, which makes the unit easy to use.
These features are what make the Frigidaire FFRE083ZA1 stand out to us as the best overall low profile air conditioner.
Bottom Line
The Frigidaire FFRE083ZA1 is the best overall low profile air conditioner that you should choose if you are looking for an energy-efficient low profile air conditioner that won’t break the bank and has a variety of features included for you for the exact purpose you need.
Runner-up:
LG LW6017R
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers agree that the best feature of the LG LW6017R is how cold the air is when emitted from the unit. It quickly blows 134 CFM (cubic feet per minute), which quickly cools a small space in a short amount of time.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The price, features, and how quickly the unit will cool an area make the LG LW6017W our runner-up option for the best overall low profile air conditioner.
The unit is easy to use and has various settings and features that make it extremely versatile and effective. It has a timer that you can set for the unit to automatically shut off after a set time. This helps save energy so that the unit doesn’t constantly run, such as at night or when you’re not home.
It is also lightweight, which makes it easy to install by yourself without any additional help.
Bottom Line
The LG LW6017R is the best runner-up option, especially when choosing a low profile air conditioner that can quickly cool a room. It is affordable, effective, and equipped with a variety of modes for you to choose from when selecting the exact cooling setting you need.
Best for the Money:
MIDEA EasyCool MAW06R1BWT
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Across the board, buyers agree that the MIDEA EasyCool is the best low profile air conditioner for the money. It quickly cools a bedroom up to 250 square feet in a short amount of time.
In addition to how quickly and effectively the unit can cool, recent buyers report that the unit is easy to use when using both the remote control and the control panel on the front of the unit.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Affordability, functionality, and effectiveness are the primary features that make the MIDEA EasyCool stand out from the rest.
Affordability is the key feature that makes it the best for the money, but it is also the different modes and how quickly the unit will cool, making it stand out.
You can choose an ECO energy saver mode, sleep mode, or quick-cool mode for the exact reason you need to use the air conditioner. It also has a reusable filter that you can rinse and place back into the unit rather than purchasing a disposable filter every time it needs to be replaced.
Bottom Line
Many times, buying the “best for the money” option means cutting corners on features or settings, but that’s not the case with this unit by MIDEA. There are various settings and features that make this unit an efficient and effective choice when you want to get the most for your money.
Best Low Profile RV Air Conditioner:
Dometic 640315C Penguin II
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have praised this unit for how easy it is to install. Once the unit is installed, it produces a great output of cold air and has three different fan settings you can choose from. The biggest complaint from users across the board is that the unit is moderately noisy.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We chose the Dometic 640315 Penguin II as our choice for the best low profile RV air conditioner because it is aerodynamic, easy to install, and has an exceptional output of cold air.
The design of the unit prevents wind resistance, which helps fuel efficiency as well as creates a smooth driving experience. The unit is also easy to install and weighs relatively less than comparable models.
The cold air output is probably the best feature because it can cool a large space in a small amount of time, even on the lowest setting.
Bottom Line
The Dometic 640315 Penguin II is the best choice for low profile RV air conditioners because it is easy to install and has 11,000 BTUs, making it extremely effective in cooling both large and small spaces.
Best Low Profile Portable Air Conditioner:
De'Longhi Pinguino Deluxe
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers who have recently purchased the De’Longhi Pinguino Deluxe are most impressed with the unit’s ability to cool such a large space in such a short amount of time. The Arctic Whisper technology keeps the unit from elevated noise levels, which customers agree is one of the unit's best features.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We chose the De’Longhi Pinguino Deluxe for the best portable low profile air conditioner because of its large output, smart cool technology, and quiet performance.
The 14,000 BTUs allow the unit to cool areas up to 700 square feet, which can be most living areas or even small apartments. It replaces having to purchase a central air conditioning system at a fraction of the price.
The smart cool technology will sense where you are in the room and adjust the temperature or fan speed accordingly. This also reduces the amount of energy used by the unit, which can help save money.
The Arctic Whisper technology reduces the unit's overall noise by 50%, making it one of the quietest options on the market.
Bottom Line
The De’Longhi Pinguino Deluxe is our choice for the best portable low profile air conditioners because it is energy-saving, quiet, and has many functions to choose from when cooling a large space up to 700 square feet.
Best Window Air Conditioner Low Profile:
Haier ESAQ406P
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
For the money, buyers are exceptionally pleased with the Haier ESAQ406P because it is quiet, energy-efficient, and easy to operate. Users agree that it is ideal for cooling small rooms and not recommended for larger areas.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Haier ESAQ406P was chosen as the best window air conditioner because it is easy to install, affordable, and energy-efficient.
The unit comes with a remote control so you can control it from across the room without having to get up. You can also use the remote control to adjust the settings on the unit. This includes choosing cool, fan, energy-saving, or dehumidifying.
While the unit's overall output is lower than some of the competition, this unit will quickly and sufficiently cool an area up to 250 square feet, which makes it the ideal window unit air conditioner for bedrooms or other small areas.
Bottom Line
For the money, the Haier ESAQ406P is hard to beat for how well the unit performs. The unit's features and modes, coupled with the energy efficiency rating, have put it on our list for the best low profile window air conditioning unit.
Best Quiet Low Profile Window Air Conditioner:
GE Profile PHC06LY
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers agree that GE's quiet low profile air conditioner is extremely effective in cooling an area up to 250 square feet. It is easy to use, provides great results, and has an attractive design. Being able to control the unit from a Smartphone application is also a plus among users who have not experienced any Wi-Fi connectivity issues.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We chose the GE Profile PHC06LY because it only produces around 40 decibels of noise while running. This, along with the auto-dimming feature, makes it extremely useful to place in a bedroom that needs a little extra cooling.
We also like the Wi-Fi connectivity option that you have to be able to control the unit from a Smartphone application or through Amazon Alexa, Apple Homekit, or Google Assistant.
The EER of 12.2 makes it extremely energy efficient, which is another reason it stands out from the rest of the competition. Using this unit won’t break the bank during those summer months.
Bottom Line
The GE Profile PHC06LY is a great choice for bedrooms because it is quiet, has a small BTU output, and an auto-dimming feature on the unit's display.
Best 8000 BTU Low Profile Air Conditioner:
TOSOT Chalet 8000 BTU
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers all agree that this unit by TOSOT produces exceptionally cold air when in cooling mode. The unit can become noisy at times, but users agree that this is offset by how well the unit produces cold air when cooling.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The TOSOT Chalet 8,000 BTU can cool a room up to 350 square feet, but what’s more, the unit produces exceptionally cold air when doing so. It is one of the most productive 8,000 BTU units on the market today.
With a unit this productive, it would seem to have a high price tag, but that’s just the opposite with the TOSOT Chalet 8,000 BTU. It’s very affordable for a functional and reliable low profile air conditioner.
Bottom Line
The TOSOT Chalet 8,000 BTU is not only ideal for bedrooms, but it is ideal for living areas as well because it can cool an area up to 350 square feet. It is Energy Star certified, which means it won’t skyrocket your utility bill during those hot months.
What is a Low Profile Air Conditioner and Why Are They Worth Getting?
A low profile air conditioner is an air conditioner unit that is energy efficient and designed to only cool a specific room or area in your home or workshop. A low profile air conditioner is not what you would use to cool your entire home, but it is perfect for spot cooling a general area or room in your home.
Low profile air conditioners are worth getting because they are affordable, energy-efficient, and effective. They use a limited amount of electricity while providing a maximum result at an affordable price.
Pros and Cons of Low Profile Air Conditioners
Pros
Spot Cooling
A low profile air conditioner will cool that specific area in your home that never seems to get cooled from the central air conditioning. You can use a low profile air conditioner in those times when the area is hotter than others without having to overuse your central air conditioning system.
Affordable
Low profile air conditioners are typically an affordable option for solving a temporary problem that can occur during those hot summer months.
Saves Money
Using a central air conditioning system nonstop in the summer can be expensive, especially when the system is overused because of one room in the house that can never cool. Using a low profile air conditioner for those times can save money on your utility bill, as long as the unit is energy-efficient.
Cons
Noisy
Many low profile air conditioners are noisy when the compressor is running during cooling mode. This can make it difficult to sleep or hear a television, especially if it is being run in a small space.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Room Size
The first aspect you need to consider before buying a low profile air conditioner is the size of the room you will be cooling.
Smaller BTU units will cool smaller spaces. This means if you have a 250 square-foot bedroom, then you can choose a smaller BTU unit.
Noise Level
You should also consider how much noise the unit will produce. If you are using the unit in your bedroom, you will likely choose a unit with a low noise production level.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is an important aspect to consider when choosing a low profile air conditioner. Purchasing a unit that isn’t energy-efficient can easily cause your utility bill to increase without warning. Make sure you choose a unit that is energy efficient so that it doesn’t cause your utility bill to significantly increase.
Conclusion
Low profile air conditioners are a great way to cool certain rooms or areas in your house that stay warmer than others. They are an affordable and immediate way to ensure you stay cool during hot summer months without dealing with central air conditioners and messy ductwork.
People Also Ask
Still, have questions about the best low profile air conditioners currently available on the market today? Read through our brief FAQ below for answers to some of the more commonly asked questions.
Can I Leave a Window Air Conditioner on 24/7?
You can leave a window air conditioner on 24/7 without worrying about overheating or leaking as long as it has been installed properly. Keep in mind that using a window air conditioner 24/7 with no energy efficiency can significantly increase your monthly utility bill.
What is the Best Noise Level for AC?
Anything less than 60 decibels is relatively manageable to have in a bedroom or living area, but the lower the decibel rating, the better. Choosing a unit that has less than 40 decibels is considered ideal.
How Much BTU Do I Need for AC?
This depends on the size, location, and type of room you are trying to cool. A larger room will need a larger BTU, but most bedrooms can be cooled using a small 6,000 BTU unit. If the room is upstairs or remains in the sun for most of the day, you may need a higher BTU to ensure the room gets cold and stays cold.