Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.

Bonus: some of them are even stylish.

Buying something you need over something you want is never any fun, which tends to be the case for most home items, especially the investment pieces. But as summer gets hotter and hotter and the world just keeps getting worse and worse, it’s officially time to upgrade your eyesore of a window air conditioner—or finally invest in your first one. What makes buying these pricey units literally no fun at all? Well, to start, the thought of how ugly they are, how costly they are, and don’t forget, the dreaded installation. Still, it has to be done. And the good news is, the process doesn't have to be as painful as all that.

Long gone are the days when you headed to your Dad’s favorite Sears for what looked like an actual piece of junk. Now, trendy direct-to-consumer brands and big tech names are creating more advanced and sleeker looking models that make the old ones look like clunky cassette players to Gen Z eyes.

Air conditioner units for windows are specifically made for those who live in a house or apartment without an AC system built into the walls. While there are some freestanding AC units out there, the models made for windows are just more efficient, clean, and space saving.

Some things to consider when buying one: the noise, the price, the style, and the BTUs. If you’re not exactly sure what BTUs are, then you’re normal. Companies use the British Thermal Unit (BTU) as a standard measurement rating for air conditioner power outlets. While these all plug into the wall, the number of BTUs will determine the power of the machine and how much square footage it can cool. Normal thresholds vary from 6,000 to 14,000. We would suggest around 10,000 for a larger living room, or 7,000 for a larger bedroom.

We listed out each of our top choices ahead, so all you have to do is pick the best-looking one, with the best price, and oh, of course, the right specs. Not too much to ask for right? That’s why we only chose five options, because shopping for this stuff should be easy.

Style meets function with the Windmill, which is our editor’s top pick. The machine works wonders, looks good, and can connect to your smartphone. It even comes with a cover for winter, so it won’t collect dust when you store it during off season. You can choose a white glove delivery service that'll bring it up your stairs (if you live in a walk-up apartment) and install it yourself, or you can schedule a TaskRabbit to come and do the whole thing for you. Truly, an easy option. The largest unit comes in at 8,300 BTUs, which is great for a living room. There’s also a smaller unit that would be perfect for a bedroom.

Room Size: 350 square feet BTUs: 8,300 Weight: 67 pounds

A true minimalist will appreciate the style and simplicity that July has to offer. The brand’s Instagram-worthy look comes with a smooth customizable front that you can match to your decor. There’s also an air purifying option, so you can buy filters for it, making sure your machine is pumping the purest air. The brand also offers installation—at an added cost, of course—but you at least have the option to make it easy.

Room Size: 350 square feet BTUs: 8,000 Weight: 55 pounds

The Hisense is all about specs. While it doesn’t offer that sleek minimal front, it is definitely one of the more good-looking options that still has a more "old-school" look. But you will forget about the style when you hear its features. At 10,000 BTUs, it is ideal for larger rooms. What makes it really stand out: there are three different running modes. There’s a cooling (the obvious AC) mode, a fan feature, and even a dehumidifier. The dehumidifier is perfect for those in hot and sticky climates. We especially love the fan feature though, because sometimes that’s all you need.

Room Size: 450 square feet BTUs: 10,000 Weight: 50 pounds

If you want something that doesn’t take your view away from you, well, someone thought of that, too. This bestseller from Amazon doesn’t work for every type of space, so make sure to check your measurements first—but if it does, it could be perfect for those who hate losing their window space. The design is bottom loaded, both inside and out, so from the indoors, you don’t feel like it’s taking up a ton of space. There are a handful of models ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 BTUs, and the newer models are also smartphone enabled, so you can control it from anywhere.

Room Size: 375 square feet BTUs: 8,000 Weight: 67 pounds

If it's power you want, this is it. The largest model in this roundup comes in at 12,000 BTUs (isn’t it funny, you feel like a BTU expert now). It can cool up to 550 square feet, making it a powerhouse contender for a living room, or those lucky enough to have a large bedroom. On top of that, it’s wifi-enabled, runs quiet, and is even energy-saving. The biggest hangup is the price tag, but we all know, you get what you pay for.

Room Size: 550 square feet BTUs: 12,000 Weight: 58 pounds