5 Best Saddle Air Conditioners (2024 Reviews) (2024)

Saddle air conditioners have attracted a lot of attention recently, and not just from me. People everywhere are ditching traditional window air conditioners for saddle units.

After testing several models in my own home and several rental properties, I'm not surprised.

Saddle AC units operate similarly to any window air conditioner, cooling the inside space by pulling air from the outdoors.

The main difference is that a saddle AC is designed with a dip in the middle for easy placement on a window sill, so it takes up much less space than other window air conditioners.

The internal control panel allows you to manage all aspects of the AC, including filter functions, temperature settings, smart features, fan speeds, and more.

Facing outwards through the window is the external portion of your AC, which is meant to pull efficiently and cool air from the outside.[2]

If you don’t want to limit access to the window, a saddle AC is the right choice.

I’ve found that this is the perfect solution for keeping small to medium-sized rooms cool while simultaneously maintaining window access.

Saddle air conditioners, sometimes referred to as u-shaped air conditioners or over-the-sill AC, are becoming increasingly popular.

They operate in a similar way to window AC with half of the air conditioner on the outside and half on the inside.

The difference is that a saddle air conditioner has a dip in the middle, so they take up much less of your window space.

The internal portion of your air conditioner has your controls, filter, and fan to push air into your home.

The external portion has a condenser that draws in the air from outside and cools it. The middle portion acts as a small duct that lets air flow through.

Saddle air conditioners are the next generation of window AC that allows homeowners to enjoy the benefits of a cool, well-ventilated room without completely removing the window.

The biggest advantage of choosing a saddle AC is the ability to utilize outdoor air for cooling while minimizing the need for window space.

It's more than just that, though - here are a few more benefits of using a saddle-style air conditioner:

Because saddle ACs are a newer addition to the HVAC world, they're all designed with energy-efficiency features.

Compared to a traditional window air conditioner, saddle air conditioners are more efficient and have higher average SEER ratings.

Because they use modern technology with enhanced internal mechanisms, saddle ACs are designed with quiet operation in mind.

The average window air conditioner produces 55-70 decibels of noise, which is much louder than the 40-50 decibel rating of saddle units.

Only a small amount of window space is needed for installing a saddle unit, so there's much less work involved than a normal window unit.

Plus, all models on this list come with full kits and easy-to-understand instructions.

The innovative design of this type of window air conditioner enhances air distribution.

Not only is cool air more evenly distributed throughout the space, but there’s much less risk of hotspots to ensure a consistent temperature throughout the room.

Saddle ACs have the lowest profile for a window AC. The traditional window air conditioner takes up the entire window space, but that’s not the case for an over-the-sill air conditioner.

Thanks to the U-shaped design, this type of AC takes up about 20% of the window space. That means you can still take advantage of outdoor scenery while staying cool.

There's a lot to factor in when deciding on a new air conditioner, and while you can trust me on my recommendations, you also need to know about the main aspects that make a saddle AC good.

Here are the major considerations to factor in when buying this type of window air conditioner:

Many of my clients have learned the hard way that not every window air conditioner fits in every window.

That's why it's EXTREMELY important to measure your window clearance carefully. Even if you have a standard-size window, you don't want to skip this step.

Just compare the first two products on this list, and you'll see what I mean.

While both the Midea and the GE Profile ClearView are compatible with most standard windows, their dimensions are different.

The Midea measures 19.17" deep by 21.97" wide by 13.46" high, and the GE Profile ClearView measures 28" deep by 19.63" wide by 12.75" high.

In addition to unit size, it’s also a good idea to consider windowsill clearance. If you enjoy gazing out the window on a sunny day as I do, it’s important to find a unit that blocks as little window space as possible, like the GE Profile ClearView.

The higher the BTU, the more space it can cool.

Some of these units are available in various BTU ratings, like the Soleus Air.

I use the 12,000 BTU model, but if you’re cooling a smaller space like a bedroom or home office, you also have the options of 6,000 BTU, 8,000 BTU, and 10,000 BTU ratings.

Energy efficiency has always been a top priority of mine, but with the rising cost of electricity, I’m finding that it’s more important than ever.

If you don’t know anything about air conditioner efficiency, here are some need-to-know basics:

• The efficiency of an air conditioner is represented as a SEER rating.
• The higher the rating, the more efficient the model and the less it will cost to run.
• Most saddle ACs will have a rating of over 10 because they’re built to be energy efficient, but if you can get one above 15, it’s going to save you a lot in the long run.
• Paying more for the unit upfront could result in some long-term savings. Remember, higher efficiency equates to lowered energy bills, and this can add up over time!

Both the Frigidaire Gallery GHWQ125WD1and Midea MAW12V1QWT have SEER ratings of 15.

Having used both units in similar conditions, I’ve found that the Frigidaire unit offers better performance in this category; it even won the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Award 2023 for this style of air conditioner.[5]

Compared to the traditional window air conditioner, the saddle air conditioner benefits from being more modern, therefore having updated internal mechanisms and insulation.

Not only does this help with cooling performance, but it also means quieter operation.

Compared to the standard window air conditioner, which produces 55 to 70 decibels, a saddle air conditioner produces 40 to 50 decibels on average.

None of the units on my list produce more than 42 decibels, so you can count on a good night’s sleep.

If you’re using this air conditioner in a bedroom or any space that requires peace and quiet, I recommend going with the Midea MAW12V1QWT.

This model is specifically designed to filter noise outside, and the company claims that it’s 9 times quieter than traditional units with operation as low as 32 dBA.

Cost is always a concern of mine, but I also know that cheap units are usually built with cheap parts.

Plus, cheaper units are typically less efficient, which means more money is spent on energy costs in the long run.

Saddle air conditioner units can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000 depending on the quality, the BTU rating, and the features.

Even though the Midea MAW12V1QWT is the cheapest option on this list, I feel that its high-efficiency rating makes it the best “bang for your buck” option.

I’ve always appreciated a few advanced features in my window air conditioner, like Wi Fi connectivity.

Compared to the past, it’s much easier to find affordable WiFi-enabled ACs that are compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa to set temperature and other controls remotely.

Each saddle air conditioner on this list is WiFi enabled, so no matter which model you go with, you’ll be able to keep the room cool using your smart home devices.

I find the Frigidaire app to be the most comprehensive and easiest to use, but that’s just personal preference.[6]

Every u-shaped air conditioner is different, but you should be able to install it yourself without professional help.

We’ve given a quick guide below, but always remember to follow the specific user instructions of your air conditioner.

Start by gathering your tools. You’ll need safety gloves, a drill, a screwdriver, insulating foam, and your AC itself. It should come with a support bracket, but if not, you’ll need to get one from your hardware store.

Once the bottom bracket is secure, lift the air conditioner to sit on top of the bracket.

The U-shaped section should be right underneath your open window, and you should partially close the window so you can check the AC is in the right place.

You may need a friend to help you with this step because some ACs are heavier than others.

Attach the two side brackets, which should fit on the side of the AC and into the bottom bracket.

Secure these with screws and then lift down the sidearm hinges to help hold them in place.

Measure the distance between the side of the AC and the edge of the window. Add ¼ inch onto this measurement, and then cut this amount from your insulating foam.

This should fit snugly in the sidearm hinge and run right into the window frame.

It’s important this fits snugly to help insulate your home and keep the cold out, so if it doesn’t fit snugly, you should repeat this step.

You should now be able to close the window fully, so it fits snugly into the middle anti-tip bracket. There should be a flap on the AC to lock the window down.

This will help to hold your AC in place and secure your home.

The saddle-style air conditioner is a great choice for anyone looking for a window AC that doesn’t remove access to the entire window space.

Because they’re more modern than traditional window ACs, I’ve found saddle units to be more efficient with better performance features.

My favorite unit is the Midea MAW12V1QWT because of its large coverage area, great efficiency rating, and ultra-quiet performance.

However, if you want as much window access as possible, I recommend either the GE Profile ClearView or Soleus Exclusive.