If you’re looking for the best 10000 BTU air conditioner on the market, then you’ve come to the right place.
Below, you’ll find the most popular and efficient AC units in this cooling capacity range that can chill a large room up to 450 square feet.
As experts in air conditioning, we know that you have specific needs when it comes to cooling your home. That’s why we’ve reviewed the best 10000 BTU window air conditioner units and best 10000 BTU portable air conditioner models available today and selected the top products for you to compare.
Our goal is to help you save time and money on your new air conditioner purchase so you can get the cooling comfort you need.
Table of Contents
Disclosure: Home Air Guides is reader-supported. As an Amazon associate and affiliate for independent brands, we earn from qualifying purchases made through the links on our site. Learn more.
10000 BTU Air Conditioners Reviewed in this Guide
Here’s a quick comparison chart showing the top 10000 BTU air conditioners. We’ll cover each aspect of these 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 |
|---|---|---|
 | MIDEA U Inverter Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | MIDEA MAW10R1BWT Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | Frigidaire B07RFNGX3H Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | Friedrich Chill Premier Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | GE AHY10LZ Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | TOSOT Energy Star Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | MIDEA MAP10S1CWT Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | SHINCO SPF-10C Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | Black + Decker BPACT10WT Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | Honeywell HL10CESWK Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
Best 10000 BTU Air Conditioner Reviews (Top 10 List)
1. Best Overall 10000 BTU Window Air Conditioner: MIDEA U Inverter
In our expert opinion, the best 10000 BTU window air conditioner is the MIDEA U Inverter.
It has every feature imaginable that you would need in a good air conditioner of this size.
Plus, it’s the quietest unit on the market and is breaking barriers in the industry with its design.
The unique U-shaped design allows you to use the air conditioner in a standard window frame, but without rendering the window completely useless. You can still open the window for fresh air and to enjoy the view. No other product on the market offers this luxury.
The decibel level of this air conditioner can reach as low as 42 decibels, which is incredibly quiet for such a powerful unit. And DC inverter technology also allows you to save up to 35% on your energy consumption compared to other traditional AC units of this size.
What’s more is that this air conditioner has Wi-Fi capabilities. This allows you to control the AC unit from anywhere in the world through your smartphone. You can also connect it to a home assistant like Google Home or Amazon Alexa.
Additionally, the MIDEA app lets you set up custom schedules for the air conditioner to run throughout the week. This gives you extra control over the comfort and energy savings because you can fine tune the unit to only run when you need it most.
And if that wasn’t enough, this air conditioner is the first window AC unit to obtain the ENERGY STAR “Most Efficient 2020 Certification”.
Overall, this is the best 10000 BTU air conditioner of its kind. And most people who buy it can’t believe something like this exists.
2. Best Budget 10000 BTU Window Air Conditioner: MIDEA MAW10R1BWT
Second on our list is another air conditioner from MIDEA, but this model comes with a much more modest price.
You’ll be giving up the innovative features like the U-shaped design and Wi-Fi capabilities; however, it’s still a fantastic air conditioner that provides just as efficient cooling.
You’ll get the same amount of coverage as our #1 review at 450 square feet to cool large rooms without much effort. And the Energy Saving mode will help you keep running costs low.
There is also a Sleep mode to keep the noise level at its absolute lowest volume at night so you’re not disturbed in your bedroom. In a standard setting it measures around 54 decibels, which is not too loud.
The front panel includes digital controls and an LED display that display the set temperature between 62-90° F. A remote control is also included for convenience.
There’s not much else you can ask for in a window air conditioner like this. If you don’t need Wi-Fi capabilities, then it’s a good unit at an affordable price.
3. Most Popular Window Air Conditioner Brand: Frigidaire B07RFNGX3H
Frigidaire is one of the pioneers in home air conditioning units. The brand has been around since 1918 and is very popular with a loyal customer base.
That strong reputation is what makes the Frigidaire B07RFNGX3H our choice for the best 10000 BTU window air conditioner brand.
This AC unit is very efficient with an EER of 12, which is rare to find. EER stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio, and the higher the number, the less energy the unit requires to cool a room.
So basically, you’ll be able to cool rooms up to 450 square feet without your energy bills spiking when compared to lesser efficient units with EER 11 and lower.
There are five modes that come with this air conditioner for you to take advantage of: cooling, dehumidification, fan-only, automatic, sleep, and ECO for customized performance.
A unique feature of this unit is that it has a remote temperature sensor. What this does is accurately keeps track of the temperature in the room and displays it on the actual remote. Therefore, you don’t have to walk over to the unit to see what the temperature is.
Another nice feature is the air filter cleaning indicator. You’ll also get a notification when the filter needs cleaning which is incredibly handy in ensuring that it is always running at its best. With other units, you have to manually inspect the filter to know when it’s time to clean it.
4. Best 10000 BTU Wi-Fi Window Air Conditioner: Friedrich Chill Premier
Although our #1 air conditioner review is Wi-Fi enabled, you may not care about the other advanced features of that MIDEA U-inverter unit. Or, you just want some a bit cheaper that also allows smartphone connectivity.
If that’s the case, then this Friedrich Chill Premier air conditioner is a great value.
This 10000 BTU air conditioner cools large rooms up to 450 square feet and lets you control it from anywhere in the world with the smartphone app. You can also set up custom cooling cooling schedules and get push notifications for various things.
As a backup, this AC unit also comes with a remote control if you don’t have your mobile device handy.
One standout feature of this unit over the competitors is the wider air discharge vents. This helps the air conditioner deliver more air into the room as well as push it farther into the space.
That slight design improvement is why the Friedrich Chill Premier can cool larger rooms so quickly and efficiently.
Aside from those benefits, this air conditioner has all of the other essential features that make a great unit, including three cooling modes: air conditioning, dehumidification, and fan-only; an automatic and sleep mode; and ECO mode (labeled as Money Saver).
5. Best Temperature Display Window Air Conditioner: GE AHY10LZ
Here’s another air conditioner with Wi-Fi capabilities. And the GE AHY10LZ is our favorite window air conditioner for its temperature display.
This unit displays the temperature in big bright white LED lights so you can see it clear from across the room. It’s also the most modern-looking temperature display you’ll find on an air conditioner of this size.
The Wi-Fi capabilities allow you to control the AC unit through your smartphone as well as home assistants from popular brands such as Amazon, Apple, and Google.
This air conditioner is ENERGY STAR certified to ensure that you’ll be spending as little money as possible while running it.
It also comes with three cooling speeds for you to adjust depending on your needs, which can reduce energy consumption as well as noise level.
The dehumidification feature can remove up to 2.7 pints of moisture an hour, keeping you comfortable in the hottest and humid months of the year.
And most importantly, the 10000 BTU cooling capacity covers large rooms up to 450 square feet.
6. Good Value Window Air Conditioner: TOSOT Energy Star
Another good air conditioner capable of cooling rooms up to 450 square feet for a low price is the TOSOT Energy Star.
The main selling point of this model for us was the temperature sensing remote, which is an innovative way of keeping you as comfortable as possible.
Most AC units cool until the surrounding air is at the desired temperature, but this doesn’t always mean that the air in the center of the room, or where you’re sitting, is at the same temperature; particularly for large rooms of 450 square feet.
Keeping the remote near to you allows it to sense the surrounding temperature of you rather than the AC unit. This means that the unit won’t stop cooling until the spot where you’re located is cooled to the desired temperature.
This is another 10000 BTU air conditioner reviewed on our list that has been ENERGY STAR certified. So your running costs will remain low no matter how long you use the unit for.
TOSOT has also chosen to use R32 refrigerant which is better for the environment. Not only will you be using less electricity, but you’ll also be supporting environmentally friendly practices when choosing this best 10000 BTU window air conditioner for your cooling needs.
7. Best Overall 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner: MIDEA MAP10S1CWT
If you’d rather have a portable air conditioner than a window air conditioner, then this MIDEA MAP10S1CWT is a top choice.
Now keep in mind that portable AC units are less powerful than window ACs. So instead of getting 450 square feet of coverage, you’re actually only achieving about 200 square feet of cooling power due to the new rating standards.
In the past, portable air conditioners like this MIDEA unit were just measured by the ASHRAE standard. That’s why it’s labeled as a 10000 BTU air conditioner. (See our buying guide section below if you want the full details on this topic.)
But today, the Department of Energy (DOE) updated their measurement tactics to include environmental factors that can affect the total cooling output. This is called the SACC rating and it’s usually 50-60% lower than the ASHRAE rating, or about 5500 BTUs.
With that explanation out the way, the MIDEA MAP10S1CWT has everything you need in a good portable air conditioner.
We consider this to be the best 10000 BTU air conditioner overall because it has Wi-Fi capabilities for smartphone control, can be connected to a voice assistant like Alexa, has four cooling modes (cool, dry, fan, auto), four fan speeds, a timer, sleep mode, ECO mode, and swinging air vents.
The five-foot hose and window brackets also allow you to easily install this AC unit to any window while still keeping it portable. The installation is temporary and easy to set up and take down if you want to move the unit to other rooms throughout the day.
This air conditioner also has a high quality air filter that’s washable and reusable so that you can keep the unit running at peak performance.
Finally, it’s not too noisy either and measures around 54 decibels when the compressor is running. During fan-only mode, it’s hardly noticeable at all.
8. Best Budget 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner: SHINCO SPF-10C
If you’re looking for the best 10000 BTU portable air conditioner at a budget price, then the SHINCO SPF-10C offers you excellent functionality for the money.
The manufacturer claims that it can cool rooms up to 300 square feet, but in our expert opinion, you’ll enjoy colder air by using it in rooms that are 200 square feet or smaller. That 300 square feet measurement is more closely related to the ASHRAE rating, not the DOE SACC rating.
The noise level for this air conditioner is slightly lower than our previous review at 52 decibels at the lowest setting.
It lacks Wi-Fi- control, but does have a remote.
As for the cooling functions, you’ll enjoy three cooling modes (cool, dry, fan), three fan speeds, a timer, and swinging air vents.
There is no sleep mode or ECO mode for customized performance. But if you’re looking for the best deal on a new air conditioner, then that’s a small price to pay for a solid working unit.
9. Best Portable Air Conditioner Brand: Black + Decker BPACT10WT
Black + Decker is a major brand in the heating and cooling market, and the company specializes in affordable, yet premium quality products.
And this portable air conditioner is highly acclaimed. In fact, it’s our second favorite best 10000 BTU portable air conditioner next to the MIDEA MAP10S1CWT reviewed above.
Not only does this unit cool your large spaces, but it also dehumidifies the air as well. You can enjoy cool, crisp air without humidity filling up your home. It also has a self-evaporation system to expel the collected moisture out the back hose of the unit, so you never have to empty a water collection tank.
Now, Black + Decker claims that this 10000 BTU air conditioner can cool rooms up to 150 square feet, but they’re being modest with that number. You can efficiently use it in rooms around 200 square feet without any worries.
The castor wheels and lightweight design make it easily portable from room to room, so you can bring your AC unit along with you wherever you need it the most.
The temperature sensing remote is a nice touch, and you won’t find this in many other air conditioners. Like we explained in our #3 review, this advanced feature displays the current temperature on the remote LCD screen. That means you don’t have to walk over the unit to know what degree it’s set at.
Overall, this is a good unit for the money, and comes from a top brand in the air conditioner industry. It has amazing reviews and continues to outsell other units.
10. Good Value Portable Air Conditioner: Honeywell HL10CESWK
Our final recommendation for the best 10000 BTU portable air conditioner is the Honeywell HL10CESWK.
This is another portable air conditioner with a low price and good features that make in a valued option.
Honeywell claims that this portable unit can cool areas between 350 to 450 square feet, but as you know already, this is an exaggerated claim due to the new industry measurement standards by the DOE. So use it in rooms around 200 square feet and you’ll feel more comfortable and cool.
Dual air filters are included within the casing to protect your air conditioner from dust and pet hair. Having two filters extends performance by keeping your air conditioner running more efficiently.
There are three fan speeds as well as a sleep mode, 24-hour timer, and a remote control with a LED display. The remote is similar to our previous review where it shows you the temperature and the settings that are currently being used so that you can easily read them without having to be near the unit.
What you’ll also like about this air conditioner is the automatic evaporating system. This sends the collected moisture during the dehumidifying process out the window so you don’t have to empty a collection bucket when it’s full.
This unit can remove up to 80 pints in a 24-hour period, leaving you with comfortably dry air and removing the risk of mold growth.
10000 BTU Air Conditioner Buying Guide
In our buyers guide we will be discussing the different types of 10000 BTU air conditioners, as well as some of the most important features to look for in your new air conditioning unit.
We’ll also go over some comparisons between 10000 BTU air conditioners and other alternatives for the power consumption to help you find a unit that meets your needs and lifestyle.
Types of 10000 BTU Air Conditioners
Window Air Conditioners
Window air conditioners are permanently installed into a window frame, with the AC unit perching both inside and outside the room.
Window air conditioning units are a popular choice because they save you from having to give up your floor space. Plus, they’re not very difficult to install.
Window air conditioners are also more efficient than portable air conditioners, discussed next. They have a higher cooling capacity and square footage coverage. You can expect around 450 square feet of cooling for a 10000 BTU window air conditioner.
Portable Air Conditioners
The biggest benefit with portable air conditioners is that they are just that: portable.
These AC units can be moved from room to room depending on where you need it the most thanks to the castor wheels and their handles.
Portable AC units do take up floor space which can be a problem for some people who don’t want the air conditioner sitting inside the room.
Now, portable air conditioners also have to connect a window for ventilation. A hose comes out the back of the unit and attaches to a window kit that sits in on the window sill. This kit takes less than 15 seconds to install and is what makes these units so portable.
Unlike a window air conditioner that’s permanently installed, portable ACs have no secure attachment to the window frame; making them a very convenient option for portable cooling around the home.
Portable air conditioners will have a lower cooling capacity than window air conditioners, even though the BTU output is the same at 10000 BTUs. This is due to many manufacturers using the ASHRAE rating system for portable AC units to make their product look more appealing. ASHRAE is the original standard for measuring the BTU output of air conditioning units.
These days, the Department of Energy (DOE) Seasonally Adjusted Cooling Capacity (SACC) rating is most accurate for portable air conditioners. It takes into account other environmental factors that reduce the total effectiveness of cooling that the ASHRAE does not measure.
That’s why the SACC is about 50 to 60 percent lower than the ASHRAE rating on portable AC units. While a portable air conditioner might be labeled with 10000 BTUs, according to ASHRAE, the DOE SACC rating will be closer to 5500 BTUs.
To keep things from being too confusing, every portable AC unit on the market will include both BTU measurements so you can get accurate details of the efficiency.
What is the Best 10000 BTU Air Conditioner?
The best overall 10000 BTU air conditioner is the MIDEA U Inverter, which can cover up to 450 square feet in cooling power.
The AC unit also has Wi-Fi capabilities to make it convenient for you to control through your smartphone or home assistant.
Its DC inverter technology is not commonly seen in air conditioners, but it should be. With this unique technology you can save up to 35% on your energy consumption, reducing your bills and carbon footprint.
The U-shape design is also innovative and allows the window sash to slide up and down on the air conditioner so that the window is still usable while the AC unit is installed. This design lets you still enjoy fresh air when you want it without worrying about the air conditioner falling out.
What is the Quietest 10000 BTU Air Conditioner?
The quietest 10000 BTU air conditioner is also the MIDEA U Inverter with a low decibel level of 42 dBA. This is on the lowest sound you’ll find on an air conditioner of this size.
Most other AC units have a noise level of over 50 dBA, which is a big jump up from the MIDEA U Inverter.
This AC unit also includes ECO and sleep modes which can keep the noise level low. These modes are best for when you want to keep the room cool while sleeping but don’t want to be disturbed by continuous noise.
MIDEA claims that their air conditioning unit is nine times quieter than other options on the market, and from our research of the other 10000 BTU air conditioners we can attest that this is true.
The quietest portable air conditioner is the SHINCO SPF-10C with a noise level of 52 decibels on its lowest setting. This unit can be rolled from room to room and does not need to be confined to one spot in your house like a window air conditioner.
If you want a quiet 10000 BTU air conditioner that’s also moveable around the home, the the SHINCO SPF-10C is a great choice.
Features to Look for in a 10000 BTU Air Conditioner
Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
The energy efficiency rating is the ratio found by completing the following formula:
Cooling Output (BTU) / Energy Usage (wattage per hour)
This simple equation can help you find out how energy efficient your air conditioner is. An EER over 12 is considered the best in terms of energy efficiency, although a rating of 9 or 10 is still acceptable.
The higher the EER of your air conditioner, the more savings you’ll have on your electricity bill. With all other things being equal, a 12 EER unit will cost less to run than an 11 EER or 10 EER air conditioner because it’s more efficient.
Noise Level (dBA)
The noise from air conditioners is measured in decibels, with a lower number being quieter.
No air conditioner is truly silent, so you won’t find a model with a 0 dBA noise level. Instead, a 10000 BTU AC unit below 60 decibels will be considered quiet.
For comparison sake, 40 dBA is similar to that of library noises and 60 is equivalent to a lively conversation.
The average noise level of a 10000 BTU air conditioner is 52 to 56 decibels, so anything lower than this is considered to be quiet enough not to be much of a disruption.
ECO Mode
ECO mode is a feature that can help you in a number of ways.
For starters, running your AC unit on ECO mode will reduce the power consumption and therefore the money you’re spending electricity bills.
Secondly, ECO mode reduces the speed at which your AC unit runs, and therefore, will reduce the noise level.
Dehumidification
Many air conditioners will have a dehumidification function which will focus more on removing moisture from the air than cooling the room. This can be desirable in high humidity environments.
This function draws air into the unit, collects the moisture, and collects it in a tank or expels it out the back of the unit to the outdoors.
Digital Controls
Digital controls offer more fine-tuning over the air conditioner settings than manual controls. For example, you can set the exact temperature degree with a digital display panel and not with rotary dials.
Wi-Fi Enabled
Wi-Fi enabled AC units are becoming more popular on the market due to their convenience in a modern world.
With a Wi-Fi air conditioner, you use an app on your smartphone to control the settings. And some Wi-Fi enabled AC units can also be controlled through your voice with a home assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
Wi-Fi air conditioners also give you the ability to create custom schedules to personalize your air conditioner to exactly how you want it to cool throughout the week.
Remote
A remote control allows you to alter the settings of your air conditioner without having to use the controls on the unit itself.
Some remote controls double as a temperature sensor and have a display on them to show you the current temperature reading.
10000 BTU vs 8000 BTU Air Conditioner
It can be difficult to know which size air conditioner to bring into your home, which is why we have created a quick comparison below of two commonly sized units: 10000 BTU vs 8000 BTU.
Size
There is not much difference in the size of these two AC units. The 10000 BTU might be slightly larger, but you can also get 8000 BTU air conditioners with large casing as well.
Noise Level
The workload is only slightly higher in the 10000 BTU unit, so the noise level will be similar between 44 and 56 decibels.
Square Foot Coverage
One of the biggest differences between 10000 and 8000 BTU air conditioners is how large areas they can cover.
10000 BTU air conditioners are able to cool rooms up to 450 square feet while 8000 BTU units can effectively cool rooms up to 350 square feet.
Portable air conditioners will be able to cover smaller spaces thanks to the lower DOE SACC rating. 10000 BTU portable air conditioners will be able to cover areas up to 200 square feet while 8000 portable AC units should suffice in 150 square feet rooms.
Energy Consumption
A clear difference between these two air conditioners is their energy consumption. A 10000 BTU air conditioner will require more power to run than an 8000 BTU unit. This is due to the fact that more force is needed to push and pull air from larger rooms.
The additional energy consumption that the 10000 BTU air conditioner requires makes it better for larger rooms up to 450 square feet.
10000 BTU vs 12000 BTU Air Conditioner
If the above section has confirmed the fact that an 8000 BTU air conditioner would be too small, you might be wondering whether a 10000 BTU unit would be large enough.
To help with this decision, we’ve also found the similarities and differences between a 10000 BTU vs 12000 BTU alternative. And this larger unit seems like a good choice, then check out our best 12000 BTU air conditioner guide.
Size
As the 10000 and 12000 BTU air conditioners have only 2000 BTUs difference between them, they’re not going to differ dramatically in size. The 12000 BTU model might be slightly larger and heavier, although this is not always the case.
Noise Level
The workload is only slightly higher in the 12000 BTU unit, so the noise level will be similar between 44 and 56 decibels.
Square Foot Coverage
A 10000 BTU air conditioner will be able to sufficiently cover areas of up to 450 square feet, while a 12000 BTU AC unit will cool a room up to 550 square feet.
Therefore, 12000 BTU air conditioners are best for extra large living spaces or even entire small apartments. 10000 BTU units can still cool large spaces, but in some locations you may need that extra 100 square feet that a 12000 BTU air conditioner can provide.
Energy Consumption
While a larger cooling area might sound appealing, the 12000 BTU air conditioner does come with higher running costs because of it.
The 10000 BTU AC unit will be cheaper to run overall, so you should only opt for the 12000 BTU unit if you have extra large spaces that are between 450 and 550 square feet.
Common Questions About 10000 BTU Air Conditioners
How many rooms can a 10000 BTU air conditioner cool?
A 10000 BTU air conditioner can cover spaces up to 450 square feet. This would be more than enough to cool an average sized living room, as well as having 100 square feet leftover to cool. This could work in a kitchen/living room combo.
A small apartment can be as small as 500 square feet, so it is possible for a 10000 BTU AC unit to cool an entire small apartment as long as the doors to each room remain open.
Bedrooms, offices, and bathrooms are almost always smaller than 450 square feet, so your 10000 BTU AC unit would be more than sufficient to cool these size rooms.
How many square feet will a 10000 BTU air conditioner cool?
A 10000 BTU window air conditioner can cool rooms between 350 and 450 square foot effectively. However, a 10000 BTU portable air conditioner can only cover smaller areas up to 200 square feet.
How many amps does a 10000 BTU air conditioner use?
Some 10000 BTU AC units use as little as 5 amps, while others use a higher number of 10 to 12 amps. Every air conditioner on the market will have a varied number of amps depending on the efficiency, operating voltage, and manufacturer.
Unfortunately you cannot determine the number of amps based on the BTU output alone. The majority of manufacturers will give you this information in the technical specifications for the unit.
How much electricity does a 10000 BTU air conditioner use?
A 10000 BTU air conditioner uses between 850 to 1100 watts of electricity. However, the amount of electricity a 10000 BTU air conditioner uses depends on the average number of watts per hour. Every air conditioner is different.
How much does it cost to run a 10000 BTU air conditioner per hour?
The cost of running your 10000 BTU air conditioner will depend on how long you run it for as well as your electricity rates in your area. However, taking the average rates into account of $0.13 per kWh, a 10000 BTU air conditioner with a wattage of 850 would cost $0.11 to run.
The average cost to run an 10000 BTU air conditioner is $0.11 per hour, $0.88 per day at 8 hours of use, and $26.40 per month.
The exact cost to run your air conditioner will depend on a number of factors, such as the wattage used per hour, your local electricity rates, and how long you plan to use the unit each day.
The formula for figuring out how much it costs to run an 10000 BTU air conditioner is:
(Watts ÷ 1,000) X kWh X Hours Per Day
In the above example, we used (850 watts ÷ 1,000) X 0.13 kWH X 8 Per Day = $0.88 per day to run the air conditioner.
Enjoy Your New 10000 BTU Air Conditioner
We hope you enjoyed this guide on how to choose the best 10000 BTU air conditioner for your home.
As you discovered, good 10000 BTU AC units come in two types: window ACs and portable ACs. And the best 10000 BTU window air conditioner and best 10000 BTU portable air conditioner units come with a variety of different features.
You can choose AC units with the classic digital controls or upgrade to Wi-Fi capabilities and more.
Plus, you can pick the right size and installation method you need for maximum cooling comfort as well as budget.
