Would you like to find the best 8000 BTU air conditioner on the market?
If so, this guide can help.
Below, you’ll find the most popular and best-performing AC units with 8000 BTUs of cooling capacity to chill a room up to 350 square feet.
As experts in air conditioning, we know that everyone has different needs when it comes to cooling their home. So we’ve picked out and reviewed the best 8000 BTU window air conditioner units and best 8000 BTU portable air conditioner models for you to find the perfect appliance for your cooling comfort.
By taking our advice, you can you save a lot time and money on your new air conditioner purchase.
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8000 BTU Air Conditioners Reviewed in this Guide
Here’s a quick comparison chart showing the top 8000 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 MAW08R1BWT Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | Frigidaire FFRE083WAE Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | Friedrich Chill Premier Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | Koldfront WAC8001W Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | TOSOT Energy Star Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | MIDEA MAP08R1CWT Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | Black + Decker BPACT08WT Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | Honeywell MO08CESWK Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
 | JHS A019-8KR/A Air Conditioner
| Check Price |
Best 8000 BTU Air Conditioner Reviews (Top 10 List)
1. Best Overall 8000 BTU Window Air Conditioner: MIDEA U Inverter
In our opinion, the best 8000 BTU air conditioner is one that can fit into any average-sized windows and comes with tall of the advanced features a person needs for the life of the unit.
And the MIDEA U Inverter is a popular brand of air conditioners with a number of excellent options on the market with excellent customer service and glowing reviews.
The DC inverter technology used within the MIDEA U Inverter AC unit is something that you won’t see in many other 8000 BTU air conditioners, automatically placing it above the competition.
This new technology can save you over 35% in your energy costs over other window units that handle up to 350 square feet of space.
The MIDEA U Inverter is also the first air conditioner to receive the ENERGY STAR “Most Efficient 2020 Certification”, ensuring that you can enjoy a cool summer without worrying about your energy bills.
Unlike traditional air conditioners of this size, the MIDEA unit is much quieter with a noise level of only 42 decibels. No other window AC unit is this quiet, and it’s barely audible when running.
This AC unit is also smart controlled with Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing you to change the settings no matter where you are in the world. Use an app on your smartphone as the remote, or control it through your home assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
The U-shaped design adds to the impressive nature of this appliance by allowing you to open your window without having to remove the unit. This innovative feature gives you more freedom to enjoy fresh air and your view without it being obstructed by a large air conditioner.
2. Best Budget 8000 BTU Window Air Conditioner: MIDEA MAW08R1BWT
On the other end of the spectrum we have another MIDEA air conditioner that’s basic in every sense.
And the lack of modern features like our #1 review is what makes it very affordable.
But still, this 8000 BTU air conditioner unit comes with impressive functionality with three modes: cooling, dehumidifying, and fan-only. Choose the mode that would make you feel most comfortable in your room at any point of the day.
The 8000 BTU output allows you to cool rooms up to 350 square feet without any hassle, making this an ideal window air conditioning until for small living rooms, kitchens, and large bedrooms.
The controls are easy to read thanks to the LED display and clear lights, and the remote control will help you alter these in the most convenient way possible.
There are two different modes for you to enjoy with this air conditioning unit to get maximum savings and comfort. The Sleep mode runs the unit at a slower rate to reduce the noise level so you can get a peaceful night sleep. The Energy Saver mode reduces power consumption as much as possible for the most energy (and money) savings.
The MIDEA MAW08R1BWT is suitable for all average-sized windows and comes with the necessary mounting equipment so that you don’t need to spend more money on additional pieces.
3. Most Popular Window Air Conditioner Brand: Frigidaire FFRE083WAE
Frigidaire has been around for decades and continues to be the most popular brand of window air conditioners thanks to its consistent use of high-quality parts and willingness to go the extra mile for their loyal customers.
This air conditioner is very similar to our #2 review in the functions and features; however, one thing that stands out is the 6-way comfort control design on the vents that allows you to easily direct the air where you want it.
It can also dehumidify the air and collect up to 1.7 pints per hour, which is ideal for humid environments.
Many people choose to use this air conditioner in their bedroom, but it also works equally as well in living rooms, offices, and small basement areas.
4. Best Wi-Fi Window Air Conditioner: Friedrich Chill Premier
Air conditioners with Wi-Fi capabilities are incredibly beneficial and convenient.
And the Friedrich Chill Premier is not only the best 8000 BTU window air conditioner with these capabilities, but it is also impressively inexpensive for a window AC unit with so much functionality.
You can control the air conditioner with your phone from anywhere in the world provided you have a Wi-Fi connection. This allows you to turn the air conditioner on before you get home so that you can walk into a pre-cooled room without having to wait for the AC unit to kick into gear.
With an app you’re also able to create personalized schedules to work around your lifestyle. You can literally set it to turn on and off throughout the day at any time with a few taps on your smartphone.
You can also use the Friedrich Chill Premier with your home assistant such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
Finally, this air conditioner includes special counterweights to help dampen vibrations and reduce the sound coming from the unit. That allows you to use it in any room up to 350 square feet that needs to be quiet.
5. Best 8000 BTU Window Air Conditioner with Heat: Koldfront WAC8001W
If you want the best 8000 BTU air conditioner that also provides heat, then this Koldfront WAC8001W is a good choice.
It provides 8000 BTUs of cooling power for 350 square feet of coverage and 3500 BTUs for heat.
Now keep in mind that this unit is designed to be a supplemental heat source for a medium size room. It doesn’t deliver the full 8000 BTU output for heating.
Because it only outputs 3500 BTUs for the heating function, the efficiency is essentially cut in half. So you’ll want to use this window air conditioner in combination with a central heating system or heat pump to get the most benefit from it.
By doing so, you can keep the thermostat in your house lower than usual, while only heating up the room that the window air conditioner is in. That’s the best way to keep costs low while still feeling warm with a unit like this.
But overall, this is the best 8000 BTU window air conditioner you’ll find on the market for an average size room that can be used all year long.
6. Good Value Window Air Conditioner: TOSOT Energy Star
The TOSOT Energy Star air conditioner has an amazing price when compared to all of its functionality and features.
Therefore, we consider it to be the best value window air conditioner available.
The 8000 BTU output can cover rooms up to 350 square feet, and it has three cooling modes: air conditioning, dehumidifying, and fan-only.
What makes this unit so unique from any other air conditioner on this list is that rather than the thermostat being positioned on the unit itself, it is placed on the remote. This design allows the air conditioner to keep you more comfortable because the temperature reading will be taken from where the remote is located inside the room (i.e. next to you).
Unlike any other unit, the TOSOT Energy Star air conditioner will maintain the perfect temperature based on the air around you and the remote. So instead of turning the compressor off when the temperature is reached right next to the unit, it will keep cooling until the remote thermostat is at the right degree.
Along with this unique cooling feature is an ENERGY STAR certification, making it extremely efficient for both the environment and your electricity bills.
7. Best Overall 8000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner: MIDEA MAP08R1CWT
Compared to other portable AC units on the market, this is the best 8000 BTU portable air conditioner you can buy for the price.
But before we explain the top features of this unit, it’s important for you to understand one thing. Portable AC units include two BTU ratings: ASHRAE and DOE SACC.
The ASHRAE rating is always higher than the DOE SACC. We explain why in the buying guide section lower on this page. But to give you the short answer, it’s because a new standard of rating the efficiency of these units was developed.
ASHRAE is the older standard (higher number) and DOE SACC is the newer standard (lower number). The SACC is generally 50-60% lower than the ASHRAE. And all this really means is that 8000 BTU portable air conditioners according to ASHRAE standards are best for rooms up to 150 square feet. In DOE SACC terms, it outputs 5300 BTUs.
Now, the reason the MIDEA MAP08R1CWT is a good choice is because it includes all of the functions you need in a good portable air conditioner of this size.
It has digital controls on the unit, a remote for added convenience, a 24-hour timer for energy savings, and three cooling modes: air conditioning, dehumidifying, and fan-only.
Additionally, you can set the temperature between 62°F-90°F.
Finally, it comes with a single exhaust hose out the back of the unit which you attach to the included window kit that slides into an open window. This feature is what pushes hot air outdoors and allows you to easily move the unit from room to room if you’d like.
8. Best Budget 8000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner: JHS A019-8KR/A
This budget portable air conditioner is manufactured by a lesser known brand, but you actually get a bit more coverage of it for a lower price.
The JHS A019-8KR/A is an 8000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 5300 BTU (SACC) unit that can cool rooms up to 170 square feet.
There are three modes: cooling, dehumidification, and fan-only. You get two fan speed settings to choose from and the dehumidifying function has the ability to remove up to 31.7 pints of moisture every day, which is good for high humidity environments.
Additionally, this air conditioner has an auto-evaporation system that expels the collected moisture out the back hose to the outdoors. This means you won’t have to deal with the hassle of emptying a water collection tank which some portable units require.
9. Best Portable Air Conditioner Brand: Black + Decker BPACT08WT
Black + Decker is a very popular brand of portable air conditioners and this BPACT08WT is no exception to the high quality and glowing reviews received by happy customers.
In fact, it’s our favorite brand of portable air conditioners next to MIDEA.
The 8000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 5000 BTU (SACC) power covers rooms up to 150 square feet, and is a top favorite for bedrooms, home offices, and other small room locations.
Similar to our last review, this unit also includes three cooling functions and an auto-evaporation system for expelling collected moisture.
A 24-hour timer is also a handy feature that lets you choose a time you want the unit to automatically turn off so you can conserve energy. There’s also a Sleep Mode that auto-controls the air temperature at night while keeping the noise at its lowest level.
Finally, the power cord is exceptionally long at 83.5 inches. So if you’re looking for the best 8000 BTU portable air conditioner that can reach power outlets that are far away inside the room, then this is a good choice.
10. Good Value Portable Air Conditioner: Honeywell MO08CESWK
If you’re looking for a good value portable air conditioner, then the Honeywell MO08CESWK has some impressive features for an affordable price.
While the ASHRAE rating is 10000 BTU, the DOE SACC rating is a more accurate output at 5500 BTUs.
Honeywell claims that this air conditioner can cover rooms up to 250 square feet, which is much larger than the other units reviewed on this page. However, this claim is based on the higher ASHRAE BTU rating and not the DOE SACC rating.
Therefore, we would recommend using this air conditioner in rooms between 150 and 200 square feet to avoid disappointment.
The dehumidifying mode is excellent. It can remove up to 44 pints of moisture in a 24-hour period. And it has a self-evaporation system to reduce the need of emptying a water collection bucket. So if you live in a humid environment, then this is a good selling point.
It’s also a very quiet unit and produces only about 50 decibels of sound, which is about as loud as a normal conversation. Plus it has a Sleep mode to ensure the quietest operation at night.
A remote control is included as well as a 24-hour timer for automatic shutoff.
The digital display and controls are easy to read and use, making this one of the best 8000 BTU air conditioner units on the market that’s simple for everyone to enjoy.
8000 BTU Air Conditioner Buying Guide
If you want some additional information on buying and selecting a good 8000 BTU air conditioner, then this section can help.
Below, we’ll cover the various types of air conditioners, the top features to look for, as well as answer common questions related to these appliances.
Types of 8000 BTU Air Conditioners
Window Air Conditioners
Window air conditioners are commonly found with an output of 8000 BTUs. These types of air conditioning units are fitted into the window frame and pull air from the room to cool before expelling the heat outdoors.
Window AC units are considered to be permanent solutions for a room as they are not supposed to be removed from the window once they’re fitted. This allows them to be heavier and larger and produce higher cooling outputs.
An 8000 BTU window air conditioner will be able to cool medium-sized rooms measuring 250 to 350 square feet. This makes it a suitable choice for most rooms in the home, like living rooms, kitchens, and large bedrooms.
Portable Air Conditioners
Many portable air conditioners come with a BTU output of 8000, but this is often a misrepresentation of the actual BTU output you’ll be experiencing.
This is due to the fact that many manufacturers will highlight the ASHRAE rating in the product description for their portable AC units rather than the more accurate DOE SACC rating.
The ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) rating is the original standard that was used for window AC units and refers to how much energy it takes to expel heat from a room. It’s now also used for portable air conditioners.
However, the ASHRAE rating does not take into account environmental factors that can affect the efficiency of a portable unit.
Therefore, the Department of Energy (DOE) created the Seasonally Adjusted Cooling Capacity (SACC) rating system, which is much more accurate in determining how much power a portable AC unit will offer.
While the latter rating is more accurate, it is often 50 to 60 percent lower than the ASHRAE rating. This is why many manufacturers still use the ASHRAE rating in the product description to try and boost sales.
A portable air conditioning unit with an 8000 BTU output rating is much more likely to have a DOE SACC rating of 5300 BTU, which is less powerful than you might have hoped.
An 8000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 5300 BTU (SACC) portable air conditioner will only be able to cover small rooms up to 150 square feet.
What is the Quietest 8000 BTU Air Conditioner?
The quietest 8000 BTU air conditioner is the MIDEA U Inverter. With a noise level of just 42 dBA, this is the quietest air conditioner on the market of this size.
To be considered quiet, an air conditioner should have a noise level between 44 to 56 decibels. And the MIDEA U inverter has a lower noise level than the industry standard for AC units.
For comparison sake, 40 decibels is equivalent to quiet library sounds, which is essentially silent to most people. So using the MIDEA U inverter air conditioner day or night will not disturb you in any way.
There is also an ECO mode and a Sleep mode that can aid in the reduction of the noise level, making it almost completely silent to anyone near this air conditioner.
Features to Look for in an 8000 BTU Air Conditioner
Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
The Energy Efficiency Ratio is exactly what it says in the name. It’s a measurement of how efficient a cooling or heating system is in regard to the output compared to the energy taken to run it.
Higher EER ratings indicate that the air conditioner is more efficient, and therefore, will cost you less to run than another unit with the same BUT output.
When purchasing any cooling or heating system you should always consider the EER so you can get the most efficient unit. But keep in mind that higher EER values do equate to a more expensive unit.
ECO Mode
ECO mode is a special function that can keep your energy consumption down.
It works by using the compressor and fan more efficiently so that minimal energy is consumed to achieve the desired temperature. This ECO mode function serves to achieve and maintain the desired temperature, but without extra energy usage.
Dehumidification
Almost every air conditioner comes with a dehumidification feature that removes moisture from the air in addition to the heat.
This function can make a room feel less muggy. And sometimes, you can just run the dehumidifier mode to make a room feel pleasant to be in. The less moisture that’s in the air, the cooler a room naturally feels.
Heat Mode
Air conditioners that come with a heat mode are much more versatile than those that come without it.
With a heat mode, you can use your air conditioning unit all throughout the year as the seasons change. So if that type of functionality appeals to you, then consider an 8000 BTU air conditioner that includes it.
Noise Level (dBA)
When purchasing a new air conditioner, you’ll want to consider the noise level it produces.
Quiet air conditioners will have a noise level of 40 to 60 dBA, which is no louder than a lively conversation.
An 8000 BTU air conditioner should have a decibel rating between 44 to 56 dBA to be considered quiet. The lower the noise level, the less your AC unit is going to interrupt your daily life.
Digital Controls
Digital controls are much more convenient than manual controls as you can often get a more accurate look at which settings suit you best in your home. They also allow you to set specific temperature degrees for the unit.
If you’re looking to save a little money on your purchase, digital settings are not essential. However, they are much more convenient and easier to use.
Wi-Fi Enabled
Having an AC unit that is Wi-Fi enabled is a luxury that comes with a lot of convenience.
You can control your air conditioner through an app on your smartphone or through a home assistant such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
You can also control your AC unit from anywhere in the world as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection paired with your mobile device.
Most Wi-Fi enabled air conditioners also give you the ability to set up daily cooling schedules that turn the unit on and off as needed throughout the day.
Remote
If you don’t want to spend the extra money for Wi-Fi capabilities, but still want to enjoy a similar convenience, a remote control can help.
With a remote you can control the settings from anywhere in the room, so you don’t have to struggle to reach difficulty placed controls on the unit itself.
8000 BTU vs 6000 BTU Air Conditioner
The main difference between an 8000 BTU vs 6000 BTU air conditioner is the room size coverage. An 8000 BTU AC unit will cover rooms up to 350 square feet, while a 6000 BTU air conditioner can handle rooms up to 250 square feet.
In terms of noise, a 6000 BTU air conditioning unit will be slightly quieter than the alternative, with a noise level of 42 to 52 decibels. However, at 44 to 56 dBA, an 8000 BTU air conditioner is still considered relatively quiet in operation.
Due to its higher cooling capacity, an 8000 BTU air conditioner will have slightly higher running costs than the 6000 BTU AC unit because the 8000 BTU unit will use more wattage.
8000 BTU vs 10000 BTU Air Conditioner
Air conditioners with an output of 10000 BTUs can cover areas up to 450 square feet while 8000 BTU air conditioners can handle at most 350 square feet.
The noise level does not typically differ between these two sizes of units, as most products have a noise level of 44 to 56 decibels. However, a good 8000 BTU AC unit can be closer to the lower end of this scale while the 10000 BTU air conditioner is generally near the higher end.
Obviously, the best 10000 BTU air conditioner unit will cost more to run than an 8000 BTU unit because it uses more wattage to power the air conditioner. However, the ability to cover larger areas is more desirable to some than the downside of higher running costs.
8000 BTU vs 12000 BTU Air Conditioner
A 12000 BTU air conditioner covers up to 550 square feet while an 8000 BTU unit handles 350 square feet rooms.
Interestingly, the noise level for both of these size air conditioners is still the same at 44 to 56 dBA. Although the 12000 BTU air conditioner will be on the higher end of this spectrum, it’s still impressive that air conditioner manufacturers can keep the noise level so low.
As for cost, it’s obvious that even the best 12000 BTU air conditioner costs much more to run than an 8000 BTU air conditioner because the power usage is considerably more.
Common Questions About 8000 BTU Air Conditioners
How much does an 8000 BTU air conditioner cost?
An 800 BTU air conditioner typically costs between $300 to $500. The price will depend on many factors such as the type, brand, quality, and functionalities.
How big of a room will 8000 BTU cool?
An 8000 BTU air conditioning unit has enough cooling capacity to cool a room up to 350 square feet. This is the typical size of a large bedroom, living area, or kitchen.
Keep in mind that window air conditioners have a higher cooling capacity than portable air conditioners with 8000 BTUs. A window unit can cool up to 350 square feet while a portable unit can only handle 150 square feet. That’s because portable units are usually marketed with the higher ASHRAE BTU rating versus the lower DOE SACC rating for cooling capacity.
An 8000 BTU portable AC unit is generally around 5300 BTU according to the SACC rating.
Is 8000 BTU enough for a bedroom?
An 8000 BTU air conditioner is powerful enough for a bedroom. An average bedroom is between 132 to 219 square feet. And both an 8000 BTU window air conditioner and portable air conditioner can cool a bedroom of this size.
Is 8000 BTU enough for a living room?
An 8000 BTU window air conditioning unit is enough for a living room. A typical living room is around 340 square feet. And an 8000 BTU window AC unit can handle 350 square feet. However, an 8000 BTU portable AC unit can only handle 150 square feet due to lower efficiency.
Is 8000 BTU enough for a small apartment?
An 8000 BTU air conditioner is not enough to cool an entire small apartment. However, it is enough for one room in a small apartment. So you should consider using two 8000 BTU air conditioning units: one in the living room and the other in the bedroom.
In the USA, the average studio apartment has an area of 472 square feet, a one-bedroom apartment has 882 square feet, and a two-bedroom apartment has an average size of 1,006 square foot.
Looking at these numbers, an 8000 BTU air conditioner would not be large enough to cool an entire apartment, no matter how small it is. You would need a 10000 BTU window air conditioner to cover an average studio apartment, and a much more powerful AC unit apartment with separate bedrooms.
How much electricity does an 8000 BTU air conditioner use?
To find out how much electricity an 8000 BTU air conditioner would use, you would need to use the below formula with some information about your unit.
BTU Output / EER Rating = Watts Per Hour
You would need to know the EER rating to get an accurate measurement of how much power your AC unit would be.
For example, if your 8000 BTU air conditioner had an EER rating of 11, then this would require 727.27 watts of power an hour (8000 / 11 = 727.27).
This is a very simplified formula which doesn’t take into account a number of energy efficiency factors, such as an ECO mode that reduces the overall energy consumption of the unit.
How much does it cost to run an 8000 BTU air conditioner?
The average cost to run an 8000 BTU air conditioner is $0.08 per hour, $0.67 per day at 8 hours of use, and $20 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 8000 BTU air conditioner is:
(Watts ÷ 1,000) X kWh X Hours Per Day
In the above example, we used (650 watts ÷ 1,000) X 0.13 kWH X 8 Per Day = $0.67 per day to run the air conditioner.
Enjoy Your New 8000 BTU Air Conditioner
We hope you enjoyed this guide on how to choose the best 8000 BTU air conditioner for your home.
As you found out, good 8000 BTU AC units come in two types: window ACs and portable ACs. And the best 8000 BTU window air conditioner and best 8000 BTU portable air conditioner units come with a variety of different features for you to use to get maximum cooling comfort.
Some of these appliances have modern Wi-Fi capabilities for ultimate convenience while others have that classic buttons with a remote control. You can also choose an AC unit that provides heat in addition to cooling for year-round use.
Everyone’s needs will be different, so just pick the right air conditioner for your cooling comfort and budget.
