Head-to-head · Best Window Air Conditioners

LG LW6023IVSM 6,000 BTU Dual Inverter Window AC vs Midea MAW08V1QWT 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Inverter Window AC

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Midea MAW08V1QWT 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Inverter Window AC comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Light sleepers and apartment dwellers with double-hung windows who want the quietest possible cooling and want to keep using the window the unit sits in. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Window Air Conditioners

LG LW6023IVSM 6,000 BTU Dual Inverter Window AC

4.4

$399as of Jun 7

The LG LW6023IVSM is the efficiency champion for small rooms. Its Dual Inverter compressor delivers a 15.5 CEER, far above the federal minimum, and Consumer Reports named it the best small-room window AC of 2026 after it beat the runner-up by more than 11%. It runs quietly at around 44 dB and includes full smart-home control. The catch is capacity: at 6,000 BTU it is strictly a small-room unit for spaces up to 250 sq ft.

Strengths

— Consumer Reports' best small-room window AC for 2026, beating the field by a wide margin
— Class-leading CEER of 15.5, far above the 12.8 federal minimum
— Dual Inverter runs ultra-quiet, around 44 dB on low

Watch-outs

— 6,000 BTU only suits small rooms up to 250 sq ft
— Costs more than a basic single-speed 6,000 BTU unit
— 1-year standard warranty

$399 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Window Air Conditioners

Midea MAW08V1QWT 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Inverter Window AC

4.5

$399.99as of Jun 7

The Midea MAW08V1QWT U-shaped inverter is the unit to buy when quiet matters most. Its split U design wraps around the window sash so the glass closes through the middle, dropping noise to as low as 32 dBA and letting you keep using the window. TechGearLab named it the quietest model in their entire lineup. Note the 2025 mold recall on earlier U-shaped units: buy the updated version and keep the drain channel clear.

Strengths

— Quietest window AC TechGearLab tested; inverter runs as low as 32 dBA
— U-shaped design lets you still open and close the window with the unit installed
— Inverter efficiency delivers up to 35% energy savings, very low running cost

Watch-outs

— Earlier U-shaped units were part of a 2025 mold recall; buy the updated version and follow the drainage maintenance
— U-shaped install only fits double-hung windows and needs the included bracket
— Higher price than a conventional 8,000 BTU box unit

$399.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

LG LW6023IVSM 6,000 BTU Dual Inverter Window AC

The most efficient and the smallest-capacity unit here, ideal where the 8,000 BTU LG LW8017ERSM and the Midea MAW08HV1CWT would be overkill. It is quieter than the LG LW8017ERSM thanks to its Dual Inverter, though the U-shaped Midea MAW08V1QWT is quieter still.

Midea MAW08V1QWT 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Inverter Window AC

The quietest unit here by a wide margin, beating the LG LW8017ERSM and the conventional Midea MAW08HV1CWT on noise thanks to its U-shaped design. It costs more than the LG LW6023IVSM and asks for a double-hung window, but nothing else in this roundup lets you keep opening the window.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	LG LW6023IVSM 6,000 BTU Dual Inverter Window AC	Midea MAW08V1QWT 8,000 BTU U-Shaped Inverter Window AC
BTU	6,000 BTU	8,000 BTU (DOE)
Coverage Area	Up to 250 sq ft	Up to 350 sq ft
Noise (low)	44 dB	—
CEER	15.5	—
Energy Star	Yes	—
Efficiency	Dual Inverter, up to 35% savings	Inverter, up to 35% savings vs federal standard
Smart hub	Wi-Fi, ThinQ, Alexa, Google	Wi-Fi, Alexa, Google, Apple Watch
Warranty	1-year standard	1-year limited
Noise (low / high)	—	32 / 42 dBA
Design	—	U-shaped, window opens with unit installed
Window type	—	Double-hung, 22-36 in wide

← See the full ranking of best window air conditioners