The Top Smart Air Conditioners
Summer heat, humidity level, and the overall length of the season in Canada differs from province to province. However, whether you live in Manitoba where heat is consistent, or Alberta where the weather changes from day to day, you might have the need for an air conditioner. When heat waves hit in July, air conditioners are necessary not only for people’s comfort but also for pets who are more susceptible to hot summer days. Along with cooling off rooms or impacting your sleep quality, an air conditioner helps to fight unwanted humidity.
Choosing an air conditioner could be confusing as these cooling appliances involve many factors to analyze, including how big your rooms are, how many people live in the house, the climate, and whether a portable or window air conditioner would suit you best. If you need an air conditioner only for a short period during the summer season, and see no point in installing a central air conditioning system, then a smaller portable or a window air conditioner might be the best option for you.
In this buying guide, we considered all those factors, compared smart WIFI air conditioners and other models and prepared a few picks that were found as the best AC units in Canada.
Read other guides on the best appliances in Canada.
Our top picks
What to look for in an air conditioner
- Type: This will be the first aspect that you want to think about. Different types of air conditioners fit different rooms and needs. You might need to cool off a smaller space in which a portable, slick air conditioner would be more than enough. However, if you are not planning to relocate your air conditioner from room to room, or if you have a bigger space to cool off then a window air conditioner might be a better option.
- Size: Air conditioner size will also depend on the size and purpose of your room. You cannot possibly cool off two floors house with one portable conditioning unit. However, if all you need is a cooling machine for your bedroom to get a comfortable sleep, a portable or small window air conditioner could be enough.
- Conditioner capacity: While size and design make sense to consider, it is the cooling capacity you want to base your decision on. For example, 150-350 square feet rooms could be cooled off with 8000 BTU (British Thermal Units), while 400-550 square feet rooms will need 12000 BTU air conditioner capacity. For more details, you can always refer to the Energy Rates article on how to choose an air conditioner.
- Noise: All air conditioners produce some noise; some models more and some less. If you don’t want your air conditioner keeping you awake through the night, because of how sensitive your sleep is, make sure to look at the decibel rating.
- Cost: At last, you might want to consider the cost of running an air conditioner which can be affected by a few factors including weather conditions from year to year, your local cost of electricity, and geographical location of the house (rooms that get more sunlight might need a bigger BTU air conditioner capacity). Other than that, consider how many people live in the house and how often they use the kitchen, how many hours they spend inside, and what is the preferable comfortable temperature for each of them.
Why trust us
Air conditioners, even the most affordable ones, come with a rather high price point. To make sure you will be satisfied with your purchase we spent over 15 hours reviewing and researching the best air conditioners available in Canada. We also compared other sources (Forbes Home, The Spruce, Good Housekeeping, Wirecutter), and customer reviews to make sure we chose the best options on the market.
Best smart air conditioner
Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner 8,000 BTU
The Midea U Inverter window air conditioner is an energy-efficient cooler that saves 35% energy. It is nine times quieter than traditional units. With 8,000 BTU capacity, it will cool off any room up to 350 square feet. The air conditioner’s flexible design allows your window to open and close easily.
The window air conditioner is WIFI enabled. You can control the unit from anywhere through the cloud using the MideaAir app. Midea Inverted can also be connected to Alexa or Google Assistant. Such function can cut down electricity bills if you forgot to turn off the air conditioner before leaving your place, as well as cool off your room right before you get back home.
Pros
- Smart WIFI connection.
- Energy-efficient.
- Also comes in 12000 BTU capacity.
Cons
- Heavy.
- Some customers had issues with installation.
Best smart portable air conditioner
MIDEA MAP10S1CWT Portable Air Conditioner Smartcool AC
Midea portable air conditioner has plenty of attractive features as delivering cooling relief, providing fan, and dehumidification function. The air conditioner with 10,000 BTU was designed to cool off a room up to 200 square feet. It is a smart WIFI enabled device that can be controlled remotely with switching modes, changing schedule and keeping your home comfortable and cool during heatwaves. The air conditioner is known for its easy installation and portability when needed.
Besides all these attractive features, the Midea portable air conditioner has a washable air filter that is easy to remove, clean and reuse.
Pros
- Three built-in programs.
- Smart WIFI control.
- Easy portability.
- Washable filter.
Cons
- Some customers found it noisy.
Best smart air conditioner for small rooms
LG LW8017ERSM Energy Star 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner
LG window air conditioner with 8,000 BTU is designed to cool off a room up to 340 square feet. It has three cooling speeds and built-in WIFI control that allows temperature, scheduling, and fan speed adjustment. More than that, unlike most portable air conditioners, this LG window machine has four cool air directions.
One satisfied Amazon customer said that LG window air conditioner quickly cools off a room way bigger than it’s supposed to.
Pros
- Energy efficient.
- Smart WIFI control.
Cons
- Some customers say the cooler was making rattling noise if compressor hit one of the surrounding pipes.
- Heavy.
- Remote control is not included.
Best smart air conditioner for large rooms
Senville SENA-12HF 12000 BTU Mini Split Air Conditioner
Senville air conditioner with 12,000 BTU has enough power to cool off a room up to 500-700 square feet. Its appearance is attractive and performance is powerful. More than that, this smart air conditioner with heat has whisper technology for a quiet operation that is ideal for bedrooms.
Senville air conditioner is a smart device with built-in WIFI feature, and a remote control. You can adjust temperature, turn the air conditioner on and off, and change cooling schedule. You can leave your house and turn off the cooler from a distance, and just like that turn it on before you get back home to create a comfortable temperature indoors.
Pros
- As per some satisfied customers this unit is extremely quiet, they didn’t think it was running at first.
- Available in smaller and bigger sizes.
- Heating feature is included.
- Dehumidifier is included.
- Smart WIFI control.
Cons
- Some customers had an issue with a compressor after using the air conditioner for a year, but warranty covered that issue.
- Good and strong AC, but weaker heater .
Other options that have remote control, temperature settings, schedule feature, but no WIFI connection
Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
The Whynter portable air conditioner has a few different operation modes. It can be a humidifier, a fan or an AC. If it is not hot enough outside to use an air conditioner, you can always put it on the fan mode to help circulate air in the room. The air conditioner was designed to provide quiet cooling to any room, without permanent installation.
For your convenience, it also has a built-in smart programmable timer and remote control, which allows you to set temperature, and turn the machine on and off from a distance. The air conditioner is designed to provide efficient cooling without necessary installation. The Whynter portable air conditioner with 14,000 BTU capacity provides cooling to the room up to 500 square feet. Another factor, it comes with window installation hardware.
Pros
- Three built-in programs.
- Remote control.
- Dual hose.
- Self-evaporating function.
Cons
- Heavy.
- Requires a lot of space.
- Some customers found it louder than expected.
- No WIFI control.
Best air conditioner for humidity
Frigidaire FHPC102AB1 10,000 BTU Portable Room Air Conditioner
Frigidaire portable air conditioner has a remote control and programmable timer to customize according to your schedule. Glowing colour indicator lights communicate actions and remind of such preferences as a filter change. The air conditioner with 13,000 BTU was designed to cool off areas up to 600 square feet.
Also, the Frigidaire air conditioner has a dry mode that helps to remove excess moisture from the air.
Pros
- Window installation kit is included.
- Programmable timer.
- Portable.
Cons
- Bulky and heavy.
- No WIFI control.
Best budget air conditioner
Danby DPA120B6WDB-6 Portable air conditioner, white
Danby portable air conditioner will cool down the whole room in a hurry, as some satisfied customers say. If a window air conditioner is not an option, then this portable unit might serve the purpose of cooling in a very efficient way. It has a slick design, and a powerful air blower that moves up and down. The 12,000 BTU portable air conditioner can cool a room up to 500 square feet.
Pros
- Portable.
- Includes remote control.
Cons
- Some customers say the unit is a little noisier than they expected.
- Some customers said that the machine did not remove humidity well.
- No WIFI control.
Best stylish air conditioner
Haier HPNFD14XCT 14,000 13,500 BTU portable air conditioner
One satisfied customer who escaped melting down in Canadian summer with help of Haier air conditioner noted that they were looking for a powerful AC, and this one certainly fit that bill. It does everything it promises. This portable Haier air conditioner not only looks stylish but has many features to create a comfortable temperature in your rooms. At a rating of 13,500 BTU, it is designed for rooms up to 500 square feet. The air conditioner has three cooling and three fan speeds. Haier has four air directions, which you can control with a full-function remote. The portable air conditioner is easily programmable. You can adjust settings to turn on and off at any time that suits your schedule.
Also, the air conditioner’s filter is made of washable mesh material, making it very easy to take care of.
Pros
- Portable.
- Window installation kit.
- Remote control.
Cons
- Some customers found it noisy.
- No WIFI control.
Best mini air conditioner
Evapola personal air cooler
If you only need colder air into your face when you sleep or work at your desk during hot months, then the Evapolar personal air cooler could be for you. It is a three in one device. It cools, humidifies and cleans air. The air conditioner was made to cool off small personal areas like a desktop. Its’ enlarged water tank increases working time up to nine hours.
It is an ideal desktop air conditioner that does its job right where you need it. Satisfied customers say that it’s much cheaper to run than a regular air conditioner and doesn’t require any installation, which makes the cooler the number one choice for many.
For more portable air conditioner options, refer to this article at EnergyRates.ca.
Pros
- Slick minimal design.
- Quiet.
- Easily portable (does not require a hose).
Cons
- Limited range of cool air.
- No WIFI control.
Best air conditionner controller
Sensibo Sky Smart Air Conditioner Controller Compatible iOS & Android White
Sensibo smart air conditioner controller is designed to make whatever AC you have a bit smarter. If you have an air conditioner with remote control, schedule setting, but still want to be able to turn it on and off from wherever you are (one reason is to lower down your energy bills), then consider this controller.
It will connect to your air conditioner via infrared connection. Additionally, it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant devices.
Pros
- Slick minimal design.
- Quiet.
- Easily portable (does not require a hose).
Cons
- Limited range of cool air.
- No WIFI control.
How we picked the top smart air conditioners
Besides hours of reviewing and comparing different options, we also based our picks on such factors as portability, WIFI control option, different budgets and lifestyles. For your convenience, we searched the market and selected air conditioners that have at least four Amazon stars rating and that can be purchased in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
What is an air conditioner?
An air conditioner is a cooling system that removes heat from the indoor area and moves it outside.
Are air conditioners worth the price?
If you live in a climate where summer months are hotter than 29°C, and heat warning happens quite frequently, you surely need an air conditioner. The device will help to establish a comfortable temperature level during the hottest time of the year.
What is a portable air conditioner?
A portable air conditioner works like any other air conditioner: it has a hose or two that require a quick window installation, and by taking hot air from the room it removes it outside. However, they have an option of mobility. Most portable air conditioners have wheels, so they can easily be transferred.
What makes a smart air conditioner better?
A smart air conditioner is a device that can be connected to other devices via Wi-Fi and special apps. That makes the use of it easier, and gives you an ability to control temperature, turn it on and off from a distance possible.
What is a smart air conditioner?
A smart air conditioner allows you to control temperature, fan speed and turn it on and off no matter where you are with help of Wi-Fi connection to other devices. Some smart air conditioners can be connected to the voice control of Alexa and Google Assistant.
Best way to use a smart air conditioner?
Make sure to take advantage of smart features that allow you to turn on the conditioner right before you get home and turn it off when you are away. It will not only lower down your electricity bill, but will prepare a room cooling it off for your return.
What is the difference between a cooling fan and an air conditioner?
A cooling fan circulates the air, which helps to keep a temperature consistent in the room. An air conditioner, on the contrary, cools the air down, and some also have the function of dehumidification. You can find more information about cooling fans in our buying guide where we selected the best fans on the Canadian market.
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Updated date
January 12th, 2024
About the author
Maria Kossman
Maria Kossman is an essayist, and content specialist at Rant-it.ca. Her writing appeared in a variety of fashion magazines. When she is not focused on reviewing and writing, she spends time exploring coffee shops, English literature and antique malls.
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