Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.
LG LW8017ERSM comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.7). The gap is mostly about medium bedrooms and living rooms up to 340 sq ft — read the strengths below before deciding.
The FFRA051WAE is the mechanical-control pick — Frigidaire's basic 5K BTU window AC with knobs instead of digital controls. Best for renters who replace seasonally.
The LW8017ERSM is the best-overall window pick — LG dual-inverter delivers efficiency and quiet operation other compressors can't match.
Cheapest pick. Mechanical knobs vs digital. Frigidaire entry tier.
Best efficiency. Wi-Fi unlike Frigidaire FFRE103WAE. Dual-inverter unique here.
| Spec | Frigidaire FFRA051WAE | LG LW8017ERSM |
|---|---|---|
| BTU | 5,000 | 8,000 |
| Coverage | 150 sq ft | 340 sq ft |
| Controls | Mechanical knobs | — |
| Weight | 35 lb | — |
| Tech | — | Dual-inverter |
| Smart | — | LG ThinQ Wi-Fi |