TCL
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Major Chinese electronics brand pushing into smart home climate products
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Offers budget-friendly window ACs, with Wi-Fi control available in three of the four main series
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Known for competitive features at surprisingly low prices
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Smart app integration included even in lower-end models
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A strong pick for tech-savvy buyers on a budget
Windmill
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New York–based startup focused on design-forward, eco-conscious window ACs
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Currently offers a single product line in multiple BTU sizes (cooling only)
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Known for ultra-quiet performance, smart connectivity, and clean aesthetics
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Excels in urban apartments and modern interiors
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Limited product variety and premium pricing hold it back for broader use
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Ideal for style-focused renters and tech-savvy small-space users
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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.
TCL Air Conditioners
TCL is better known in the U.S. for its affordable TVs — and now it’s bringing that same value-driven strategy to window air conditioners. With a focus on Wi-Fi integration, digital control, and clean modern design, TCL’s window ACs have found a niche with younger buyers, first-time apartment renters, and tech-focused consumers who want more than just cold air. Their prices are low, the features look great on paper, and the units are readily available at Amazon, Walmart, and Costco. TCL currently offers four main window AC series — the Q-Series, N-Series, M-Series, and H-Series — each targeting different user needs, from smart-home integration to ultra-simple manual control. But when a company tries to do a lot for a little, something usually gives — so let’s dig in.
