How much does an air conditioner cost?

What each kind and size of air conditioner costs today, worked out from every unit in stock at the stores we track, not from list prices or old buying guides.

The short answer

As of Oct 21, 2026, across the 247 air conditioners in stock at Abt Electronics and Sylvane, a window air conditioner has a middle price of $460 (half cost between $379 and $679, from $159 up), a portable unit $539 (half between $392 and $600), a through-the-wall unit or PTAC $660 and a single-zone mini-split $1,409 for the equipment alone, before professional installation. These are the middle (median) prices of real in-stock offers, not list prices or a market average.

Prices last refreshed Oct 21, 2026Independent, nobody pays for placement.

By kind

The middle price is the one half the units cost less than and half more. Price per 1,000 BTU puts big and small units on one scale.

Window units by size

Window air conditioner prices by BTU size
SizeMiddle priceHalf cost betweenCheapest in stock
5,000 BTU5 in stock$199$190 to $199
6,000 BTU6 in stock$269$255 to $329
8,000 BTU21 in stock$429$330 to $479
10,000 BTU20 in stock$410$356 to $452
12,000 BTU21 in stock$489$430 to $589
14,000 BTU9 in stock$549$482 to $579
18,000 BTU16 in stock$769$707 to $864

Portable units by size

Portable air conditioner prices by BTU size
SizeMiddle priceHalf cost betweenCheapest in stock
10,000 BTU4 in stock$444$334 to $554
12,000 BTU4 in stock$509$428 to $605
14,000 BTU9 in stock$600$579 to $650

Portable units are usually sold by their ASHRAE rating, which runs higher than the rating the same unit gets under the newer DOE (SACC) test: LG's LP1025WSSM, for one, is listed at 14,000 BTU (ASHRAE) and 10,200 BTU (SACC).

Mini-splits by size

A mini-split's price is the equipment plus an installation that usually costs more. Our mini-split cost guide prices every size in stock, DIY kits against units an installer fits, and cites what installation adds.

Does ENERGY STAR cost more?

Window units at the same size, certified against the rest, where each side has at least 5 units in stock. Brand and features differ between the two groups too, so read this as what they cost, not what the label adds.

ENERGY STAR certified window units against the rest, middle prices by size
SizeENERGY STAR, middle priceOthers, middle priceDifference
8,000 BTU$459 of 7$394 of 14$66 more
10,000 BTU$448 of 9$360 of 11$88 more
12,000 BTU$450 of 7$514 of 14$65 less

Will it be cheaper if you wait?

Since July 2026 we have recorded every model's price at Abt Electronics and Sylvane daily. In October so far, 25% of listings cost less than in July, typically 8% less, 9% cost more, and 66% had not changed; 27% of July's models were no longer in stock at all.

The best time to buy, kind by kind

Live in-stock prices at Abt Electronics and Sylvane for 247 air conditioners, refreshed Oct 21, 2026, each priced at its cheapest in-stock offer. A row needs at least 3 units in stock. Whole-home and multi-zone systems, commercial spot coolers, RV units, and recalled or refurbished listings are not included. A unit counts at the standard size its rating is within 6% of, the same rule as our size guides.

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Frequently asked

How much does a window air conditioner cost?
The middle price of the 105 window units in stock is $460; half cost between $379 and $679, and the cheapest is $159. Size moves the price most: 6,000 BTU units have a middle price of $269, 10,000 BTU units have a middle price of $410, 18,000 BTU units have a middle price of $769. A window unit installs itself, so the price is the whole cost.
How much does a portable air conditioner cost?
The middle price of the 23 portable units in stock is $539, and half cost between $392 and $600. A portable unit needs no installation, so the price is the whole cost.
How much does a through-the-wall air conditioner cost?
The middle price of the 45 through-the-wall units and PTACs in stock is $660, from $489. A unit slides into a wall sleeve: fitting a matching sleeve that is already in the wall is a simple swap, while a new opening in an exterior wall is a job for a contractor and usually needs a permit.
How much does a mini-split cost?
For the equipment alone, the middle price of the 74 single-room mini-splits in stock is $1,409, and half cost between $1,051 and $1,770. Professional installation is extra and usually costs more than the unit; our mini-split cost guide prices each size and cites what installation adds.
Do ENERGY STAR window air conditioners cost more?
Not reliably. At 8,000 BTU the middle certified unit costs $459 against $394 for the rest; At 10,000 BTU the middle certified unit costs $448 against $360 for the rest; At 12,000 BTU the middle certified unit costs $450 against $514 for the rest. Brand and features move the price as much as the label does, so compare what each unit costs to run as well as to buy.
Are air conditioners cheaper after summer?
Some are, most are not. Comparing the same model at the same store, 25% of the listings we track cost less in October so far than in July, typically 8% less, 9% cost more and 66% had not changed. Our best-time-to-buy guide has the figures for each kind.