Smart Air Conditioners Perfect for Summer

Beat the heat without breaking a sweat thanks to these connected units

By John ElliotOriginally Published May 16, 2023

Photo: evapolar

Are you ready for summer? If you don't have a plan—and, more importantly, the equipment—for dealing with the dog days of the season, then sadly you are not.

Fortunately, smart technology makes keeping cool a breeze. From voice-activated controls and easy-to-install units to desktop devices and thermostats that learn your preferred temperature, connected tech has boosted the convenience of these summer essentials.

Below, our picks for smart air conditioners, whatever your need may be.

Nest

If you’ve got a whole-home cooling system and are tired over the struggle of what the temperature should be, why not turn over the responsibility to artificial intelligence? After about a week of use, the Nest Learning Thermostat, a Wi-Fi-connected controller that works with your existing heating and cooling setup, will discover your preferred temperature—adjusting it for specific times of day and seasons—putting an end to disagreements among housemates as it identifies the ideal degree. And if you’d rather have a direct hand in whether it's 69 or 70 degrees Fahrenheit, no problem. The thermostat can be controlled from across the estate or across the world via its accompanying Nest app.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is available for $249.

Nest

Midea

The intelligence of the Midea is not just in its robust connected controls; users can activate and adjust the device from the palm of their hand via the Midea app, or by voice command with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The smarts of the Midea are also built right into its design. As you might have guessed from its name the Midea U-Shaped Air Conditioner is shaped like the letter, which makes for incredibly easy and secure installation, with a bracket attaching to your window frame, the Midea attaching to the bracket, and the window serving as a divider between the inside and outside portions of the device. In addition to making installation (and removal and re-installation) a breeze, the design will also let you enjoy actual breezes, by not limiting users from opening the window if they are so inclined, which so many other window units are incapable of doing due to their design.

The Midea U-Shaped Air Conditioner is available for $399.

Honeywell

If you are unable to install a window unit—due to building constrictions or aesthetic preferences—you may do well to invest in a Honeywell Smart Wi-Fi Portable. This 10,000 BTU device is capable of cooling rooms up to 450 square feet and features Wi-Fi-connected controls, allowing users to power on/off the unit, change temperature and adjust fan speed, all via app or voice control. But the Honeywell also is a multifaceted gadget. In addition to serving as an A/C unit, the Smart Portable can work as just a fan (when you want a breeze but not a chill) and as a dehumidifier, if summers are particularly swampy where you are.

The Honeywell Smart Wi-Fi Portable is available for $599.

Honeywell

evapolar

In need of some very direct, focused and isolated chilling? Check out the evaSMART from evapolar is a countertop cooler with a host of fun features. Perfect for your desk, at home or at work (if you somehow work at an office that isn't already glacially cold), this portable, cube-shaped cooling unit is capable of chilling (at 340-1360 BTU per hour), purifying and humidifying, all while remaining whisper quiet. Users can control the device's functions via voice command, app control or by a touchscreen display, and do more than just adjust temperature. The evaSMART's water tank also serves as a multi-color light, allowing users to pick a color that suits their mood or set up a color playlist.

The evapolar evaSMART is available for $229.

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