Air Conditioner buying guide
Last updated 25 August 2026
The right air conditioner comes down to the size of the room, whether you need heating as well as cooling, and whether you can install a fixed unit. Split systems are the most common choice in Australian homes, with mainstream wall-mounted models running from 2.0kW for a bedroom up to 9.0kW for open-plan living. This guide covers how to size a unit in kilowatts, how to read the energy rating label, what installation involves, and the features worth paying for.
In this guide
Learn which Air Conditioner type suits your home, from wall-mounted Split Systems to Window Wall, Portable and models with a built-in purifier. Jump to >
Learn about the features worth paying for: reverse cycle, inverter technology, energy ratings, air purification filters and Wi-Fi control. Jump to >
Check out the glossary and top frequently asked questions. Jump to >
What type of Air Conditioner do you need?
This is the biggest decision. The main Air Conditioner types cool your home in different ways and suit different spaces. For most homes, the best Air Conditioner is the one that matches the size of the room you need to cool, works with the way your home is built and balances upfront price with the running costs you'll pay every summer.
Choose a Split System Air Conditioner if you want the most efficient way to cool and heat a whole room year round and don't mind arranging installation for the outdoor unit. Choose a Portable Air Conditioner if you want to cool one room at a time with no installation and don't mind venting the hose out a window and wheeling the unit between rooms. Choose a Window Wall Air Conditioner if you want a single self contained unit for a bedroom, granny flat or apartment where an outdoor compressor isn't an option. Choose an Air Conditioner with Purifier if you want to filter dust, pollen and pet dander while you cool and heat, rather than running a separate air purifier alongside it.
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An indoor unit paired with an outdoor compressor for quiet, efficient cooling and heating.
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Self contained cooling that installs directly in window frames or through external walls.
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No installation needed, just vent the hose out a window and move it wherever you need it.
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Cools, heats and filters in one, capturing dust, pollen and allergens while it runs.
Quick decision guide
Renting or can't install → Portable Air Conditioner
Whole room, cooling and heating year round → Split System
Bedroom, granny flat or apartment → Window Wall
Allergies, dust and pet dander → Air Conditioner with Purifier
Large open plan living area → Split System, higher capacity
Occasional use, one room at a time → Portable Air Conditioner
Air Conditioner types compared
Air Conditioner type | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Split System | Most efficient way to cool and heat a room. Quiet indoors, as the compressor sits outside. Reverse cycle heating on most models. | Needs professional installation. Requires outdoor wall or ground space. Higher upfront cost. | Living areas and main bedrooms. Year round cooling and heating. Homes staying put long term. |
Portable | No installation, works out of the box. Wheels from room to room. Nothing fixed to the building. | Noisier, as the compressor sits inside. Less efficient than a fixed system. Window stays part open for the exhaust hose. | Renters. Single room cooling. Occasional or seasonal use. |
Window Wall | Self contained, no separate outdoor unit. Cheaper to buy and install than a split system. Compact footprint, nothing on the floor. | Takes up part of a window or needs a wall opening. Louder inside than a split system. Fixed in place once installed. | Bedrooms and studies. Granny flats and apartments. Homes with no room for a compressor. |
Air Conditioner with Purifier | Filters dust, pollen and pet dander while it runs. Cooling, heating and purification in one unit. Saves running a second appliance. | Filters need regular cleaning or replacing. Costs more than a standard model. Only purifies the room it's installed in. | Allergy and asthma households. Homes with pets. Bedrooms and living areas. |
What Air Conditioner type suits your home?
Room size plays a big role in whether an Air Conditioner will actually keep up on a hot day. A unit that's perfect for a small bedroom will run flat out and never quite get there in a big open-plan living area, while an oversized system short-cycles, costs more to run and leaves the room feeling clammy. Matching capacity in kilowatts to your floor area gets you the cooling power you need without paying for capacity you'll never use.
Large or open-plan living areas (60m²+)
A Split System Air Conditioner of 8kW or more. Open-plan spaces have no walls to hold the cool air in, so you need capacity to cover the whole zone.
Large lounge or living room (40-60m²)
A Split System Air Conditioner in the 6-7kW range. Size up if the room faces west, has high ceilings or takes a lot of afternoon sun.
Medium bedroom or living space (20-40m²)
A Split System around 3.5-5kW, or a Window Wall Air Conditioner where an outdoor compressor isn't an option. Choose a model with a purifier if anyone has hay fever or asthma.
Small bedroom or study (up to 20m²)
A 2.5kW Split System or Window Wall Air Conditioner is plenty. A Portable Air Conditioner also works here if you're renting or only need it for a few weeks a year.
“We all love summer but when balmy weather turns sticky and uncomfortable, it’s time to think about your home’s cooling. With the right cooling appliances, you can make any room in your home one you want to spend time in.
”
- Scott Bazley, The Good Guys Buyer – Seasonal
The top 6 asked questions
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Best value cheap Air Conditioners to buy
Updated 12 August 2026 · 4 mins readBaby, it’s hot outside, but with an air conditioner at the ready you’ve got it made in the shade – in every room of the house. Installing an air conditioner does not need to be a costly exercise. In fact, the best cheap air conditioners are out to impress, with features that make it easy to cool your bedroom, home office or the whole house in a jiffy.
Renting? Put a cheap portable air conditioner on your shopping list and watch the indoor temperature drop! Here’s how to find the best cheap air conditioner to suit your needs.
“Start your search for an air conditioner by measuring the dimensions of the space you want to cool,” says Scott Bazley, The Good Guys Buyer – Seasonal. “You’ll need a unit that’s powerful enough to reach all corners of the room, while still delivering on energy efficiency for ongoing savings.”
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The perfect summer temperature for your home and health
Updated 26 August 2026 · 3 mins readIt’s a debate that rages in Aussie households as soon as the mercury spikes, and anyone who’s lived through a sticky summer knows we don’t need the added heat. So, what is the ideal temperature to set the air conditioner for the ideal level of cool in summer?
The fact of the matter is what feels good to you might not be best for your health, the planet or your power bill. And, not all air conditioners are created equal, with split system, reverse cycle and portable air conditioners all offering different cooling, heating and energy-saving features.
So, we consulted the experts. Here’s what they had to say …
Quick links: Shop Split System Air Conditioners | Shop Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners | Shop Window Wall Air Conditioners | Shop Portable Air Conditioners | Shop Air Conditioners with Purifiers
Key features to look for
Once you've settled on type, these are the features worth paying attention to:
Feature | Why you should look for it |
|---|---|
Reverse cycle | Lets a single unit both cool in summer and heat in winter by reversing the flow of refrigerant. Cheaper to run than most electric heaters and means you only buy, install and maintain one appliance instead of two. |
Energy rating | The star rating on the label shows how efficiently a model turns electricity into cooling, and separate cooling and heating stars appear on reverse cycle units. Every extra star cuts running costs, which adds up over the years you'll own it. |
Inverter technology | Varies compressor speed to hold a steady temperature instead of switching hard on and off. Uses noticeably less power, runs quieter and avoids the warm and cold swings you get from a fixed speed unit. |
Cooling capacity (kW) | The kilowatt rating tells you how much space a unit can actually handle. Undersized and it runs constantly without reaching temperature, oversized and it short-cycles, wastes power and leaves the room humid. |
Air purification filter | Traps dust, pollen and pet dander as air passes through the unit, with some models rated to capture very fine particles. Worth prioritising if anyone in the home has asthma, hay fever or dust sensitivity. |
Wi-Fi and app control | Lets you start the unit from your phone so the room is cool before you walk in, and check that you didn't leave it running. Most models also work with Google Home or Amazon Alexa. |
Noise level (dB) | Measured separately for indoor and outdoor units. Anything around 20dB indoors is close to silent and matters most in bedrooms, while the outdoor figure is worth checking if you have close neighbours. |
Dehumidifier mode | Pulls moisture out of the air without heavily cooling the room, which makes a humid day feel far more comfortable. Useful on the east coast where humidity is often the real problem, not temperature. |
Self-cleaning function | Dries out the indoor unit after each run so moisture doesn't sit in the coils and grow mould. Cuts down on musty smells and stretches the time between professional cleans. |
Maintenance tips and tricks
Whatever type you choose, a few habits keep it running efficiently and stop your power bill creeping up. Clean the indoor filters every few weeks over summer, most slide out and rinse under cold water, then need to dry fully before going back in. A blocked filter is the single most common reason a unit stops cooling properly. Keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves, garden growth and anything stacked against it, since it needs airflow to dump heat. For Portable Air Conditioners, empty the water tank as needed and check the exhaust hose is sitting straight rather than kinked or coiled, as a restricted hose forces the unit to work harder for less cooling. Split Systems should also be professionally serviced every couple of years to have the refrigerant checked and the coils cleaned.
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Air Conditioner glossary
We’ll break down all the tech talk and acronyms that you need to know.
Tech talk | Definition |
|---|---|
Split System Air Conditioner | A split system air conditioner consists of two main components: an indoor unit (evaporator) and an outdoor unit (condenser). They are connected by refrigerant lines and can cool a single room or multiple rooms, depending on the configuration. |
Window Wall Air Conditioner | A window wall air conditioner is a self-contained unit designed to be mounted in a window or a hole in a wall. It is a compact and cost-effective cooling solution for single rooms or small spaces. |
Portable Air Conditioner | A portable air conditioner is a self-contained unit on wheels that can be moved from room to room. It typically requires a window or vent for exhaust and is suitable for cooling individual rooms. |
Indoor unit | The part of the air conditioner located indoors. It contains components such as the evaporator coil and blower, and is responsible for cooling or heating the indoor air and distributing it throughout the room. |
Outdoor unit | The part of the air conditioner located outdoors. It contains components like the compressor and condenser coil, which release heat from the refrigerant into the outdoor environment to enable the cooling or heating process. |
Condenser | The condenser is the component that releases heat from the refrigerant to the outside environment. It is typically located in the outdoor unit. |
Evaporator coil | The evaporator coil is the indoor component that absorbs heat from the indoor air and allows the refrigerant to evaporate, cooling the indoor space. |
Compressor | The compressor pressurises the refrigerant, raising its temperature and circulating it through the system. It is often referred to as the heart of the air conditioner. |
Filter | A filter captures dust, debris and allergens from the air as it passes through the air conditioner. Regularly cleaning or replacing the filter helps maintain air quality and system efficiency. |
Airflow | Airflow refers to the movement of air through the air conditioning system, including the rate and direction of air circulation. Proper airflow is essential for efficient operation. |
Air Purifier | A device designed to improve indoor air quality by removing airborne contaminants, allergens and pollutants. Some air conditioners double as air purifiers. |
Air Conditioner FAQs
The best split system depends on your room size and how often you run it, because capacity, efficiency and price all vary. Mainstream wall-mounted units sold in Australia run from 2.0kW to 9.0kW cooling capacity, so matching capacity to the room and checking the Energy Rating Label is the smartest way to choose.
Purchase price rises with cooling capacity, heating capacity and star rating, so a bedroom unit and an open-plan unit sit far apart. Installation is quoted separately, since it depends on your wall, your switchboard and the run between the two units. Current pricing is shown on each product.
Your air conditioner filter needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain good air quality and extend the life of your air conditioner. Manufacturers usually recommend cleaning your filters every few weeks, but this can vary depending on usage. Generally, the more often you use your air conditioner, the more often you should clean it. Check your air conditioner's manual for the manufacturer's recommendations.
As a general guide:
Turn off the power to your air conditioner.
Locate the filter: It's usually located behind a grille or plastic panel on the front that can pop open. In some window or portable air conditioning units, the filter may be accessible from the front or back of the unit. Refer to your user manual if you're not sure where to find it.
Remove the filter: Carefully remove the filter from its housing. Depending on the type of air conditioner, you may need to slide it out, pull it down, or open a latch to access the filter.
Clean the filter: There are different ways to clean an air conditioner filter, depending on the type.
Washable Filters: If you have a washable filter (usually made of foam or mesh), you can clean it by gently rinsing it with warm water. Use a mild detergent if it's particularly dirty. After washing, allow the filter to air dry completely before reinstalling it.
Disposable Filters: Disposable filters should be replaced rather than cleaned. These are typically made of fiberglass or pleated paper material. Make sure to get the right size and type for your unit.
Reinstall the Filter: Once the filter is clean and dry (or replaced if it's disposable), carefully slide it back into its housing. Make sure it is properly seated and secured.
Refrigerant absorbs heat from the room air at the indoor unit, then carries it outside where the condenser releases it. Reverse cycle models run the process in the opposite direction to heat. The compressor sits in the outdoor unit, which is why the indoor unit runs quietly.
To calculate the size you need measure the square meters (length x width) of the area you want to cool. Then, calculate the cooling capacity. Generally, you will need about 1.25-1.7 kilowatts of power per 10 sqm if your ceilings are a standard height.
Cleaning an entire air conditioning system involves more than just cleaning the filter. It requires regular maintenance to keep the unit running efficiently and to ensure the air quality in your home remains optimal. For instructions specific to your air conditioner, check the user manual that came with your air conditioner.
Ensure your air conditioner works properly and efficiently by cleaning and maintaining the:
Filters – Filters capture airborne particles so these can get extremely dirty. Regularly cleaning or changing filters (as often as every month or two in summer) is the quickest way to save energy on home cooling, helping you use 5-15% less energy and reduce your bills. Homes with pets or lots of exposure to dust will need to replace their filters more often.
Coils – Dirt inevitably collects in the evaporator coils and condenser coils over time. Dirt in the evaporator coil reduces air flow and the ability to evaporate heat, so check the evaporator coil every year and clean it when it needs it. Dirt can also collect on condenser coil fins, especially if it’s in an outdoor area that’s dusty or leafy. Keep the area around the condenser coil clear of tree foliage, grass cuttings and other debris so there’s enough airflow around the condenser.
Fins – The evaporator coils and condenser coils both have fins which can bend, blocking air flow. Buy a “fin comb” and use this special air conditioner tool to straighten the fins out again and ensure maximum air flow.
Drains – Air conditioners have condensate drains that can clog, which stops the air conditioner from being able to reduce the humidity and can cause excess air moisture to affect your carpets and walls. To prevent clogs, feed a stiff wire through the drain channels every now and then.
Seals – At the start of every summer, check the seal that sits between the air conditioner and the window to ensure it’s still a tight seal, and that moisture damage isn’t causing cool air to escape outside.
Split system air conditioners are the most common type of air conditioner in Australia. They are made up of two parts, with one attached to the internal wall, while the other sits on the outside to exhaust heat out. Split systems are known for their energy efficiency, quiet operation, and precise temperature control. They are often used for cooling individual rooms.
The best air conditioning temperature during summer depends on a variety of factors, including personal comfort, health, and energy efficiency. If you're looking for the ideal temperature, 25°C to 27°C is generally the sweet spot for comfort and energy efficiency.