How We Research
Every guide on Evil Shades starts with one question: will this unit keep your room comfortable without fuss? That means the size of the room, the window you have and how much noise you can live with.
Here is how we answer it.
1. We start with your room
A small bedroom, a sunny living room and a garage each need a different amount of cooling. A unit that is right for one can be too weak or too strong for another.
We check the BTU rating, the room size the maker lists and, for portable units, the SACC rating. When your window or your floor space limits the choice, we say what to look for.
2. We compare specs and features
We look at the unit type (portable or window), the BTU and SACC ratings, the number of hoses, the window kit, the drain setup, the controls and any heat mode. For window units we also check the window width and height the maker lists.
Makers describe their units in their own words, so we name the brand for every claim. We also note the warranty terms the maker lists.
3. We check for recalls
Before we pick a unit, we check the brand and model against the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall list. We leave out any model with a recall, and we only link new units, never renewed or refurbished ones.
4. We look at buyer feedback
We read through what buyers report after using a unit. We look for patterns, like loud compressors, leaks, weak cooling, poor window kits and units that stop working after one season.
One angry review doesn't sink a product. A pattern does.
5. We score each product
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. A unit that's great for a garage may score lower in a guide about bedrooms.
Scores spread out on purpose. A 10 is rare.
6. We keep pages up to date
Units change, and some disappear from stores. Makers sell close models under similar names, so we check each model number before we link it.
When we update a guide, the "Updated on" date at the top changes with it.
What our picks are not
Our picks are research, not lab tests. We don't claim to have used every unit we cover.
Air conditioners are heavy and draw a lot of power. Follow the maker's manual for installing, plugging in and running your unit, and use two people to lift a window unit.