A 5,000 BTU air conditioner is about as small as you can get in window or portable units. Of course, we recommend that you make sure you've chosen the right size of air conditioner because even if it's cheap, it won't do you any good if it's too underpowered to cool your space.
So, assuming you have a room that's no more than 150 square feet and isn't very sunny, a 5,000 BTU air conditioner is probably right for you. We'll review the current 5,000 BTU models available from GE, Frigidaire, and Friedrich to help you choose the best option for your needs, including a 5,600 BTU portable air conditioner model.
Table of Contents
Quick Tips for Buying an Air Conditioner
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Consider features like programmable timers and energy saver modes. The cheapest 5,000 BTU air conditioners have simple dial controls with no remote controls, thermostats, or energy-saving options. These could be a good option if you only want to condition the room while it's occupied and will turn it off otherwise. If you want to be able to set your AC to turn on at certain times or to adjust its cold air output based on the room temperature, you may prefer a more nicely featured model.
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Understand portable air conditioner BTU ratings. Portable air conditioners that have listed BTU ratings of 8,000-10,000 typically have adjusted Department of Energy BTU ratings closer to 5,000 BTUs. This adjusted DOE rating takes into account the heat that portable air conditioners release back into a room (something that's not an issue with window units). Overall, portable air conditioners require more power to cool the same amount of space, but sometimes, they're the only option. Be sure to compare Energy Guides when shopping for a portable air conditioner!
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Consider an Energy Star rated model. Energy Star rated air conditioners are at least 10% more efficient than non-Energy Star models. Look for a Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio (CEER) of at least 11. The most efficient 5,000 BTU models typically have a CEER of around 12.1. Read more about AC energy efficiency here.
1. Frigidaire FFRE053WA1 Window AC - $229 MSRP
Frigidaire offers a couple of options for 5,000 BTU window air conditioners. The Frigidaire FFRE053WA1 has touch controls with a digital temperature readout. It's Energy Star rated. Features include a 24-hour programmable on/off timer, an easy-to-clean filter with a clean filter alert, and an included remote. Operation noise ranges from 50 decibels on low to 56 decibels on high - so you should be able to hold a conversation without it being too disruptive (the average conversation takes place at 60 decibels). It retails at $229.
The other Frigidaire option is the Frigidaire FFRE053ZA1, retailing at the same price. Its cooling capacity is a bit higher at 5,200 BTU. It has similar features as the first model, but the noise levels have very small differences - ranging from 51 decibels on low to 55 decibels on high.
Both models are pretty simple and come with a solid manufacturer warranty: one year full parts and labor plus five years on the sealed system.
Features
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CEER: 12.1
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Noise Rating: 50-56 dBA
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Weight: 46.55 lbs
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Estimated Yearly Energy Cost: $41 ($.13/kWh)
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Digital display and touch controls with remote
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Energy Saver mode
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24-hour on/off timer
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Energy Star rated
Click here to read real customer reviews of this product!
Frigidaire FFRE053WA1 - $229 MSRP - CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING!
2. Friedrich Chill Premier CCF05A10A Window AC - $269 MSRP
Friedrich offers high quality, quiet air conditioners, so this 5,000 BTU air conditioner is a premium choice: the Friedrich CCF05A10A, part of the Chill Premier series. It retails at $269 and offers integrated Wi-Fi control from your smartphone - plus it's compatible with Amazon Alexa!
Taking things a step further than a remote control, now you can easily set and adjust timers for your air conditioner. Staying late at work? Adjust the time when your air conditioner comes on and save energy! Of course, when you're in the same room, then you could use the included remote control, too.
Additional features include Quietmaster sound dampening and vibration reduction technology and a sleep setting that raises the temperature a few degrees overnight to reduce energy usage while still keeping you cool. Friedrich offers a one year full parts and labor warranty and 5 years on the sealed system.
Features
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CEER: 12.1
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Noise Rating: Not listed, but very quiet
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Weight: 44 lbs
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Estimated Yearly Energy Cost: $41 ($.13/kWh)
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Digital display and touch controls with remote and Wi-Fi connectivity
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Energy Saver mode
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24-hour on/off timer
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Energy Star rated
Friedrich CCF05A10A - $269 MSRP - CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING!
3. GE AHV05LZ Window AC - $169
The GE AHV05LZ is a simple dial control room air conditioner and one of the cheapest options on the market. It's new for 2020, but GE has had good performance with air conditioners in our experience. You can choose from 10 different cooling settings and high/low fan speeds, as well as run the fan alone for air circulation. It does not come with a remote. GE offers one year parts and labor.
Several reviews mention that it is easy to install and does a good job at cooling a small room. Some reviews mention it is quiet but a few others find it noisy. Some people found that the limited adjustability for the air direction was frustrating.
Features
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CEER: 11
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Noise Rating: Not listed
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Weight: 41 lbs
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Estimated Yearly Energy Cost: $45 ($.13/kWh)
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Dial controls
Click here to read over 50 real customer reviews of this product!
GE AHV05LZ - $169 - CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING!
4. GE APCA10YZMW Portable AC - $319 MSRP
Unlike the previous models, the GE APCA10YZMW is a portable air conditioner. This model's effective BTU rating is 6,700. What that means for you: this model will cost about twice as much to cool the same space as a 5,000 or 6,000 BTU window air conditioner, but it's an option. (Compare portable vs window ACs here.)
This model comes with a remote control, allowing you to adjust the fan speed, temperature, and mode options of the portable AC remotely, and includes a 24-hour programmable timer. Portable ACs draw more power than window ACs to cool the same space, and this model cools and heats small rooms up to 250 square feet. It costs around $89 per year to run*, which is double what a window unit would cost. So while portable air conditioners are definitely useful when you have no other choice, we generally don't recommend them if you can accommodate a window unit.
Features
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EER: 6.8
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Noise Rating: not listed
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Weight: 60 lbs
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Estimated Yearly Energy Cost: $89* ($.13/kWh)
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Digital display and remote
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24-hour on/off timer
*Energy Guides were not available online for this model at the time of this writing. Cost was calculated by taking the listed cooling watts (980W) and converting it to kilowatts (960W ÷ 1,000 = .96 kW), then following the Energy Guide assumptions for seasonal usage (.96 kW × $.13/kWh × 8 hours per day × 90 days per year = $89.85).
Click here to read over 40 real customer reviews of this product!
GE APCA10YZMW - MSRP $319 - CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING!
There aren't a ton of options out there when it comes to 5,000 BTU air conditioners, but buying from a well-known brand will ensure that you get a reliable unit designed to give you years of good performance.
What are you looking for in an air conditioner? Are you interested in any of these models? Leave us a comment below - We'd love to hear from you!
Editor's Note: This blog was originally written in August of 2020 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy as of the publication date noted above.
