Windmill Air Conditioner
Exact average 85.2 · 1 printed, 10 estimated
Image: Windmill11 professional reviewers tested the Windmill Air Conditioner, and 11 recommend it. Most praised: quiet and ease of use. Most common complaint: price.
Reviewed by WIRED, CNET, Popular Science and 8 more
The catch: It costs more than comparable window units.
10 of these 11 outlets print no score. We estimated theirs from the review text, then adjusted the estimates against the ratings outlets actually print (ours ran slightly low). An estimate is never higher than 92.
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It never changes a score.
What 11 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 80WIRED
A good-looking, reasonably priced, easy-to-install window AC that cools a small room well and runs with upward airflow.
Read WIRED review - 92est.CNET
In CNET's lab tests the Windmill was the best-performing unit across window and portable categories, winning both an Editors' Choice and a Lab Award.
Read CNET review - 89est.Popular Science
After weeks of use the reviewer found this window unit remarkably quiet, simple to set up and effective at cooling a bedroom.
Read Popular Science review - 89est.Good Housekeeping
After long lab and home testing, the reviewer calls it one of the best-performing and most stylish window ACs, with quiet inverter cooling and easy installation.
Read Good Housekeeping review - 89est.Architectural Digest
The reviewer tested the first-run Windmill for a month and would happily recommend it for its quiet running, design and easy install.
Read Architectural Digest review - 83est.Tom's Guide
A stylish, easy-to-install smart window AC that cools well and runs quietly thanks to its inverter.
Read Tom's Guide review - 83est.Gear Patrol
A quiet, powerful and attractive smart window AC with useful app automation and easy install, recommended if you can accept the cost.
Read Gear Patrol review - 83est.Popular Mechanics
Named best for bedrooms thanks to quiet inverter operation, strong efficiency and a good app.
Read Popular Mechanics review - 83est.Bob Vila
Named the quiet pick in a tested roundup, it earns good marks for noise, looks and smart features.
Read Bob Vila review - 83est.The Strategist
Picked as the quietest window AC and the easiest of the tested units to install, with good customer service.
Read The Strategist review - 83est.Business Insider
Named the most attractive pick, it installs in minutes and looks good, but noise and efficiency are only average and airflow direction cannot be changed.
Read Business Insider review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
Also reviewed, not yet scored
- Midea U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner · 3 reviews so far
- LG LW1022IVSM · 2 reviews so far
- LG LW8016ER · 2 reviews so far
- Midea Duo Smart Inverter Portable Air Conditioner · 2 reviews so far
- Whynter ARC-1230WN · 2 reviews so far
Common questions
Is the Windmill Air Conditioner worth it?
Most critics think so: 11 of 11 recommend it. It costs more than comparable window units.
Do critics agree about the Windmill Air Conditioner?
Critics agree: scores range from 80 (WIRED) to 92 (CNET), a spread of 12 points across 11 reviews. Reviewers broadly agree.
What do critics dislike about the Windmill Air Conditioner?
Price (5 of 11 reviews), App and setup (3 of 11 reviews), Noise (2 of 11 reviews).