Windmill Air Conditioners

Windmill is one of the youngest — and boldest — names in the air conditioner market. Launched by a team of New York natives, the brand set out to fix everything people hate about traditional window units: ugly boxes, loud fans, and headache-inducing installations. Their flagship product is a sleek, whisper-quiet window AC with Wi-Fi control, eco-conscious packaging, and an interface so minimalist it could pass for a Sonos speaker. But for all its design chops, Windmill is still a niche player with limited muscle — so let’s see where its sleek simplicity shines, and where it’s not quite ready for primetime.

Hisense Air Conditioners

Hisense might not be a familiar name in U.S. households, but it’s been quietly gaining ground — not just in TVs, but in air conditioners too. Backed by a massive Chinese manufacturing operation, Hisense ACs are commonly found on the shelves of Walmart, Lowe’s, and Amazon, often priced to undercut bigger-name rivals. Their secret weapon? Inverter technology, quiet performance, and smart app control — all under $500. While not as refined as LG or Friedrich, Hisense is making a serious play in the budget-premium space. Let’s break down what works, and what still needs work.

hisense air conditioners