Keep cool with the best air conditioners in 2018

• Which air conditioner should I buy? That kind of depends on the space you want to cool. The higher the BTU, the more powerful the air conditioner.
• What is BTU? It stands for British thermal unit, and it represents the amount of energy required to change the temperature of 1 lb of water by 1 ºF.
• Are smart air conditioners worth the money? Many current models are quite glitchy, but you will find a couple of good buys in this roundup.

When the sun lays siege to your home, air conditioning becomes pretty essential. That frosty air is the difference between a good night’s sleep and lying awake in a pool of your own sweat. Nice.

But don’t worry, dear reader, we wouldn’t leave you in such a state. To help you conquer the heat, we’ve hunted high and low for the best air conditioners money can buy.

What are the best smart air conditioners in 2018?

Smart air conditioners allow you to control the airflow remotely via an app. Here are our favorite models:

Frigidaire Gallery Smart Window Air Conditioner

Thanks to built-in Wi-Fi, you can control the Frigidaire Gallery from your phone or via Amazon Alexa. It offers enough power to cool up to 350 ft2 and it’s also very energy efficient. (Price: $317)

Why we love it: You only have to say “Alexa, set the temperature to 72 degrees” to enjoy a blast of cooling air.

Kenmore Smart Room Air Conditioner

With Alexa control and 8,000 BTU power, the energy-efficient Kenmore Smart Room air conditioner matches the Frigidaire stride for stride. Plus, it’s a fraction cheaper. (Price: $309)

Why we love it: See above. In addition, it only costs $70 a year to run.

GE Electronic Room Air Conditioner

Along with Alexa, GE’s new AEC10AX air conditioner works with Google Assistant, Apple Homekit, and IFTTT. With 10,000 BTU and three fan modes, it offers really good value. (Price: $289)

Why we love it: Thanks to IFTTT integration, you can go to town on smart automation.

Coming soon: Kapsul W5 Smart Window Air Conditioner

The Kapsul W5 is half as loud as traditional air conditioners, and it has Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control and smart scheduling. (Price: $499 on pre-order, ships spring 2019)

Why we love it: The W5 is beautiful, quiet, and easy to use.

What are the best portable air conditioners in 2018?

If you need to spend time in a room without windows, these portable machines will keep you cool this summer.

Igenix Portable 3-in-1 Air Conditioner

Yet another Alexa-enabled air conditioner is the Igenix IG9901. This beast offers 9,000 BTU, plus dehumidifier and fan functions. (Price: $483.92)

Why we love it: By reducing the humidity in your home, the Igenix makes things more comfortable.

Evapolar evaSMART Desktop Air Conditioner

Billed as the world’s first personal air conditioner, the Evapolar evaLIGHT creates a 45 ft2 microclimate. It’s perfect for staying cool at your desk and in confined spaces. (Price: $179.99)

Why we love it: The Evapolar has its own tank, meaning you don’t even need an outflow.

So there we have it, our roundup is complete — here’s to staying cool this summer.

Have we missed your favorite? Leave us your recommendations!