Are you looking for an energy-efficient air conditioner but don’t want to lose access to a window?
Or maybe you need an air conditioning unit in a room that doesn’t even have windows?
Either way, you’ve landed on the right page.
In this free guide, we’ll show you how to find the best through the wall air conditioner so you can enjoy icy cold AC and warm heat on a permanent basis.
If a space-saving cooling system is your top concern, the information below on choosing the best wall AC unit is what you need.
You’ll find both cooling only air conditioners and wall mounted air conditioner with heater combo units.
The guide below will save you countless hours of research and comparison shopping on the best wall air conditioner because we’ve already done all of the hard work for you.
Table of Contents
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Wall Mounted Air Conditioners Reviewed in This Guide
Here’s a quick comparison chart showing the best wall mounted air conditioner. We’ll cover each aspect of these air conditioning units in the reviews section below, but this gives you an idea of what’s available and an easy way to compare them.
| Image | Air Conditioner Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Koldfront WTC8002WCO Through the Wall Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | Koldfront WTC12002WCO11V Through the Wall Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | Koldfront WTC12001W Wall Mounted Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | LG LT1016CER Through the Wall AC Unit
| Check Price |
 | Koldfront WTC8001W Wall Mounted Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | Friedrich Chill Series CP18G30B Through the Wall AC Unit
| Check Price |
 | Friedrich Chill Series EP18G33B Wall Mounted AC Unit
| Check Price |
Best Through the Wall Air Conditioners List
1. Koldfront WTC8002WCO Through the Wall Air Conditioner
Air Conditioner Only (for Small Rooms)
If you’re looking for the best through the wall air conditioner for the most affordable price, then this is it.
The digital controls and thermostat allow you to dial in the temperature between 62° F – 86° F.
Plus, it has the added bonus of a remote control.
With 8,000 BTUs, it can handle a space up to 350 square feet, which makes it perfect for smaller rooms in your house, like a bedroom, office, or sunroom.
With a special dehumidifying function, it can reduce the humidity indoors, making the air around you less sticky and uncomfortable.
A sleep mode and 24-hour timer are also included.
But the best part is that it uses 115 volts, so it can be plugged into any standard electrical outlet and be set up to run in very little time.
You can’t ask for anything more in the best wall air conditioner for small rooms than this unit right here.
2. Koldfront WTC12002WCO11V Through the Wall Air Conditioner
Air Conditioner Only (for Large Rooms)
As you’ve clearly seen, Koldfront is one of the best wall air conditioner brands. But what’s extra nice about this model is that it comes in two versions: 115 volts and 230 volts.
For a standard electrical outlet, you would want to choose the 115V version.
For a dedicated high voltage outlet, you would want to choose the 230V version.
The cooling capacity of this wall mounted air conditioning unit is 12,000 BTUs and handles up to 550 square feet. That’s a great size for any large room in your home.
Additional benefits include a dehumidifier mode for reducing humidity, sleep mode for quiet operation, 24-hour timer, digital controls, and a remote.
Temperature ranges between 62° F – 86° F so you can find your perfect cooling degree.
As you can see, this is one of the best wall mounted air conditioners you can buy with the most user-friendly features.
3. Koldfront WTC12001W Wall Mounted Air Conditioner
Air Conditioner and Heater Combo (for Large Rooms)
This is the upgraded model to our #5 review which also includes heat.
However, this through the wall AC unit only comes in a 230-volt model, so you’ll need a special outlet to power it.
The cooling capacity is the same as our #5 review at 12,000 BTUs and covers up to 550 square feet, but, the heating function is only 10,600 BTUs which drops the supplemental heat coverage down to about 450 sq. ft.
If you need a single through the wall air conditioner with heat and cooling to use in a large size room, this is going to be your best choice.
The price is also much more affordable than other brands (about $100 cheaper).
4. LG LT1016CER Through the Wall AC Unit
Air Conditioner Only (for Medium Size Rooms)
We consider this to be the best through the wall AC for average size rooms for several reasons.
First, this wall mounted air conditioning unit has 10,00 BTUs and covers up to 450 square feet which makes it perfect for many home applications.
Second, it has digital controls and a remote for fine-tuned comfort. Temperature can be set between 60° F – 86° F.
Third, it has three comfort modes: Cool (for air conditioning), Fan Only (for air circulation), and Dry (for dehumidification).
Additionally, LG’s patented gold fin anti-corrosion coating also provides a protective shielding against rust, water, salt, and acid on the condenser coils so the unit lasts longer.
Finally, it uses 115 volts, so it can easily work in any room of your house when plugged into a standard power outlet.
5. Koldfront WTC8001W Wall Mounted Air Conditioner
Air Conditioner and Heater Combo (for Small Rooms)
If you’re looking for a through the wall air conditioner for a small room that also gives you supplemental heat, then this is your best option.
This wall mounted air conditioning unit has all of the same features as our #1 review but also doubles as a heater.
However, the heating function doesn’t span 350 square feet like the cooling capacity—it only provides enough output for 100 square feet to warm you up, but not make you sweat.
Regardless, this is an exceptional 8,000 BTU air conditioner that can serve you well in a small room.
And for many people, it’s the best wall AC unit with heat they’ll ever need for smaller spaces in the home.
6. Friedrich Chill Series CP18G30B Through the Wall AC Unit
Air Conditioner Only (for Very Large Spaces)
If you need a through the wall air conditioner that can handle a very large space, up to 1,000 square feet, then look no further than this 19,000 BTU unit.
This model is the best in its class, and even though it has a lot of power, it’s built to be ultra quiet.
One of the nicest features of this wall mounted air conditioning unit is the automatic air sweeping louvers (vents) that oscillate cold air from left and right during cooling.
This means you won’t get isolated cooling spots directly in front of the unit.
A remote and 24-hour timer are also included for complete control, as well as an antibacterial air filter for reducing the spread of airborne pollutants like mold and bacteria.
A final standout feature is that this unit can also be installed in a window—something that’s rare with through the wall AC units.
7. Friedrich Chill Series EP18G33B Wall Mounted AC Unit
Air Conditioner and Heater Combo (for Very Large Spaces)
Do you like the looks of our #7 review but need both heating and cooling for an oversized space?
If so, this air conditioner and heater combo has you covered.
The 18,000 BTU air conditioning function can cool a room up to 1,000 square feet while the 12,000 BTU heater cuts the coverage in half to about 550 square feet.
If you use this as a supplemental air conditioner with heat, you shouldn’t have any problem with the level of warmth.
Everything else about this through the wall air conditioner is identical to our #7 review.
So, you know you’re getting a high-quality product with some useful features.
Through the Wall AC Unit Buying Guide
What is a Through the Wall Air Conditioner?
If you already know what a through the wall air conditioner is and how it works, you can skip this section.
If not, read on to discover what these AC units do and the advantages they can offer.
A through the wall air conditioner is also known as a “wall mounted AC unit” or “wall air conditioner” because it’s installed inside the wall of a house.The front of the unit faces inside the home, while the back is exposed to the outside.
Wall air conditioners work just like window-mounted air conditioners, except for the fact that they’re installed inside a wall, and not in a window.
A through the wall AC unit is used to isolate cooling to one room as opposed to a central air conditioner that pumps cold air throughout an entire house.
That makes wall mounted air conditioners very efficient and inexpensive to operate.
How Do Through the Wall Air Conditioners Work?
A through the wall air conditioner works by drawing hot air from the room into the AC unit. Inside, the heat is absorbed by the air conditioner evaporator coil, then the compressor raises the refrigerant temperature, and finally heat is transferred out the back of the through the wall air conditioning unit.
Advantages of Wall Mounted Air Conditioners
According to market research, “Global air conditioning market expected to reach around USD 292.7 billion by 2025, at a CAGR approximately 11.7% for the forecast period from 2019 to 2025. The global air conditioning market is likely to grow significantly in the upcoming years, due to improving economic conditions, rising per capita income, and increasing pollution levels.”
Therefore, wall mounted air conditioners will likely be in higher demand in the coming years. Added to this are the the number of benefits you’ll enjoy by investing in one of the best wall AC units reviewed on this page.
A few of these advantages below for using a through the wall air conditioner may not have even crossed your mind:
Year-Round Comfort
With a through the wall AC unit, you can enjoy cool air any time of year. Even in the colder months when hot days pop up, you won’t have to worry about suffering through the heat. If you had a window-mounted air conditioner, it would already be stored away.
Can Double as a Heater
Some through the wall air conditioners offer both cooling and heating functions. Therefore, this single device can cool you down in the summer and warm you up in the winter. That’s much cheaper than buying two separate appliances for indoor comfort.
No Drafts
Wall mounted air conditioning units slide into a sleeve that’s inside your wall, giving them a tight fit. This design prevents unwanted drafts from creeping in.
Less Obtrusive
With one of these units, you won’t have to sacrifice a window in your house. That means you can still enjoy the views and open your window to get fresh air without any problems.
Safer
Many people don’t know this but a window-mounted air conditioner can easily be dislodged and pushed inside the house. This can make it easier for a burglar to break in. Through the wall air conditioners are safer to have because they’re secured tight. And even if the unit was pushed through, it would still be hard for the average size person to fit through the sleeve hole.
Energy Efficient
Through the wall AC units are much more efficient than central air conditioners because you can cool a specific room independently from the rest of the home. They’re also more efficient than window-mounted units because they have a tighter seal around the unit which prevents cold air from escaping.
Cheap to Run
The average through the wall air conditioner costs less than $30 per month to run 8 hours per day. Compare that to even the best split air conditioner system that costs around $50 per month.
How to Choose the Right Size Wall Mounted AC Unit
Buying the best through the wall air conditioner won’t do you much good if it’s not sized correctly for the room you want to cool.
In fact, this is one of the biggest mistakes people make when buying these devices.
What you want to avoid is buying an underpowered or overpowered unit.
- An overpowered unit wastes money on the initial cost since you don’t need all of that power. Also, it will cycle on and off too much, which will increase your electric bill.
- An underpowered unit may have a cheaper price tag, but it will cost you more to operate each month. Underpowered AC units run more often, which increases your monthly energy bills.
The most cost-effective solution is to get the best through the wall AC unit that has the correct cooling capacity for the size of the room you plan to use it in.
Here’s how to get the best wall mounted air conditioner that’s perfectly sized for your needs:
Step 1: Measure the Square Footage of the Room
- Using a tape measure, measure the length and width of the room—round each number up or down to the nearest whole foot.
- Multiply those two numbers together to get the total square footage (sq. ft.)
Example:
- A room that’s 16 ft. 6 in. in length by 19 ft. 2 in. wide would round out to be 17 ft. by 19 ft.
- Multiplying those two numbers together gives us: 13 x 11 = 323 sq. ft.
Step 2: Match the Square Footage to the AC Unit’s BTU Number
After you have the square footage for a room, you can quickly figure out what the correct cooling capacity is for a through the wall air conditioner.
All you do is match the square footage with the air conditioner’s BTU (British Thermal Unit) measurement—the international standard for energy.
Example:
- Our example above resulted in a 323 sq. ft. room.
- 323 sq. ft. requires a through the wall air conditioner with an 8,000 BTU cooling capacity.
To take all of the guesswork out of finding the right size wall mounted air conditioning unit, we’ve included a general cooling capacity chart below for you to match up your room size to the correct BTU number.
BTU Reference Chart for Through the Wall Air Conditioners
| Room Area To Be Cooled (square feet) | Capacity Needed (BTUs per hour) |
|---|---|
| 300 up to 350 sq. ft. | 8,000 BTU |
| 350 up to 400 sq. ft. | 9,000 BTU |
| 400 up to 450 sq. ft. | 10,000 BTU |
| 450 up to 550 sq. ft. | 12,000 BTU |
| 550 up to 700 sq. ft. | 14,000 BTU |
| 700 up to 1,000 sq. ft. | 18,000 BTU |
Note: If you’re trying to cool down two connected rooms, like a living room that flows into a kitchen, you’ll want to measure both rooms and combine their square footage together. That way, you can get a through the wall air conditioner that has enough cooling capacity for the entire space.
Example:
- A 300 sq. ft. living room + 200 sq. ft. kitchen = 500 total sq. ft.
- 500 sq. ft. requires an AC unit with 12,000 BTUs.
Voltage Requirements
A final thing you should know before making a purchase is that through the wall air conditioners come in two types: 115 volts and 230 volts.
With 115V, you can plug the unit into a standard 15 amp or 20 amp wall outlet because it draws less than 7.5 amps of electricity.
With 230V, you’ll need a special outlet to power the device because it uses more than 7.5 amps and the plug won’t fit in a standard outlet.
If you don’t have a 230V outlet, an electrician can add one to your house in about an hour.
Through the Wall Air Conditioner Costs
This table shows price ranges for the most common size wall mounted air conditioning units.
| BTU Capacity | AC Unit Cost |
|---|---|
| 8,000 BTU | $450 to $550 |
| 10,000 BTU | $500 to $650 |
| 12,000 BTU | $525 to $750 |
| 14,000 BTU | $550 to $800 |
| 18,000 BTU | $570 to $850 |
The price ranges in the table vary due to several factors that affect the cost:
- Efficiency: Energy Star wall air conditioners typically cost about 15% to 30% more than less efficient models. However, the hourly electricity consumption of an Energy Star wall AC unit is lower, so you’ll pay less in energy bills.
- Supplemental Heat: Having a through the wall air conditioner with heat will raise the cost by $50 to $100.
- Features: The more features a unit has, the higher the cost.
- Quality: Popular brands are known for their excellent quality and longevity. Lesser known and newer brands may be cheaper but often don’t have as high-quality parts installed.
Top Through the Wall Air Conditioner Brands
The top-selling wall air conditioner brands with excellent quality and customer reviews include:
- Emerson
- Frigidaire
- Friedrich
- LG
- Keystone
- Koldfront
As you saw in our through the wall air conditioner reviews, we’ve featured most of these top brands.
Through the Wall Air Conditioner vs Window Mounted Air Conditioner
People often wonder what the differences are between through the wall air conditioners and window-mounted air conditioners.
These cooling units look identical, so they should offer the same things, right?
That’s partly true, but here are the key differences:
| Through the Wall Air Conditioners | Window-Mounted Air Conditioners |
|---|---|
| Long-term solution | Short term solution |
| Unlimited options for placement | Requires a window |
| Involved installation | Simple installation |
| Tight seal around unit; no drafts | Loose seal around unit; expect drafts |
| Available in 8,000 to 18,000 BTUs | Available in 5,000 to 36,000 BTUs |
| Covers 300 to 1,000 sq. ft. | Covers 100 to 2,500 sq. ft. |
For anyone looking for the best small air conditioners, a window-mounted unit is the better choice. But for anyone who wants a more powerful and bigger cooling option, then a through the wall air conditioner is the better option.
If you’re not sure yet what you want, then you can compare the products on this page with the best window air conditioner brands here.
Available Features in Through the Wall Air Conditioners
Heat Mode
A very popular feature people look for in a through the wall AC unit. Heat mode gives you supplemental heat in addition to cooling, making the device a better year-round solution.
Dehumidify Mode (or Dry Mode)
This feature is ideal for humid climates. It switches the air conditioner from lowering the temperature to lowering the humidity inside a room. The fan runs at a low speed and the compressor only turns on for short bursts of time.
Fan-Only Mode
This turns the wall mounted air conditioning unit into a fan to circulate air without cooling it down. Consumes less power because the compressor is turned off.
Sleep Mode
This is a mode that uses less energy, reduces noise, and allows the inside temperature to rise a bit during the cooler nights.
Digital Controls
These allow you to change the unit’s settings through buttons and gives you the ability to set a specific temperature.
Remote Control
Allows you to control the air conditioner from a distance without having to physically touch the appliance.
Adjustable Louvers (Vents)
These let you direct the airflow up and down or side to side so it reaches the desired location in a room. Some wall mounted air conditioning units have automatic-swing louvers that continually move the cold air around the room.
Timer
This gives you the ability to program your air conditioner to turn on or off after a set number of hours. Good for when you’re not home to manually adjust the unit. Most through the wall air conditioners offer up to 24-hours of advanced control.
Antibacterial Air Filter
All through the wall AC units include an air filter to trap particles from damaging the internal components. However, an antibacterial air filter goes one step further by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, mold spores, and other airborne contaminants.
Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
One of the top benefits of through the wall air conditioners is their energy efficiency, making them very cost-effective for home cooling.
However, if you want to maximize your cost-savings when shopping for the best through the wall AC unit, you can compare the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) between two products to see which one is cheaper to run over the long term.
The EER is determined by dividing the AC unit’s watts (kW) by the cooling capacity (BTU).
The higher the EER, the greater the energy efficiency.
Fortunately, most through the wall air conditioners provide the EER number on the Energy Guide Label, which is a snapshot of energy-related information.
So you don’t have to do the calculation.
How to Install a Through the Wall AC Unit
Installing a through the wall air conditioner does take a bit of work, but if you’re handy with tools and enjoy DIY projects, then you shouldn’t have any trouble with the wall AC unit installation process outlined below.
If cutting a hole in a wall that leads to the exterior is scary for you, we recommend that you hire a professional to perform this task for you.
Regardless if you install the unit yourself or hire it out, here’s the process to for getting the job done for any of the best wall AC units recommended on this page:
- Choose a wall space. Underneath a window is a good spot since it usually doesn’t have plumbing, electrical, or any other household wires or ducts. But, any wall space should do as long as you look out for those things.
- Mark an outline on the wall. Your through the wall AC unit should come with a wall installation template. Hang this guide on the wall to mark the outline for the installation sleeve.
- Cut the opening in the drywall. If you run into wall studs, remove them, but replace with supporting 2×4 studs that frame the perimeter of the opening.
- Drill guide holes in the exterior wall. Depending on the material, siding or brick, this process may be more involved. The end result is cutting an opening that mirrors the interior opening.
- Put the sleeve in. Attach the sleeve inside the wall opening. Detailed instructions will come with the purchase of your AC unit.
- Apply surrounding insulation. This keeps draft out.
- Finish the frame around the AC unit. Patch the drywall and repaint the surrounding area so the job looks seamless.
Common Questions About Wall Mounted Air Conditioning Units
Are wall AC units good?
Wall AC units are good because they tend to have better cooling capacity than window air conditioners. Also, many wall AC units are equipped with a heating function for year-round use. Plus, they’re a sealed system without any gaps around the unit for cold air to leak out or hot air to come in.
Are window and wall air conditioners the same?
Window and wall air conditioners are not the same. The main difference between window and wall air conditioners is how they’re installed. Window AC units are placed on a window sill and wall AC units installed inside a wall cavity with a sleee.
You cannot put a standard window air conditioner through a wall because the vents are on the sides of the air conditioning unit. On a through the wall air conditioner, the vents are located on the back of the unit which is why they can be wall mounted.
How long do through the wall air conditioners last?
Through the wall air conditioners typically last between eight to 10 years. If the unit is well maintained and serviced properly, then it can last longer than the 10 year lifespan.
How efficient are wall mounted air conditioners?
Wall mounted air conditioners are very efficient. If you get an Energy Star air conditioning unit, then it will be the most efficient and cost-saving wall mounted air conditioner for your home.
Do through the wall air conditioners need a sleeve?
Through the wall air conditioners do need a sleeve. This sleeve is what mounts the air conditioning unit to the wall. Through the wall air conditioner sleeves are often sold separately. That’s because most units have a universal fit for existing sleeves and not every customer needs to buy it.
The best wall air conditioners reviewed on this page are easy to install and a new sleeve costs between $75 to $99.
How do wall mounted air conditioners drain?
Wall mounted air conditioners drain out the back of the unit. During installation, you adjust the angle of the wall mounted air conditioner so that the unit tilts slightly downward towards the outside to ensure that the water flows to the rear of the unit to drain outdoors.
Enjoy Your New Best Through the Wall Air Conditioner
We hope you found this guide useful and now feel better equipped to find the best through the wall air conditioner for your home.
By using an air conditioning unit such as this, you can enjoy a much more comfortable living space without spending a lot of money each month to cool it.
The best wall mounted air conditioners reviewed above truly are the top choices when it comes to through the wall AC units. So give the one that looks right for you and meets the square footage requirements of your room a try.
