We expect version 1.0 of our air conditioner testing methodology to answer many of the questions prospective consumers might have when shopping for an A/C, ranging from overall cooling capacity to energy efficiency. We've also taken the time to measure how an A/C unit can affect the ambient perceived humidity of a room, as some models can have a much greater impact on the overall comfort of a room versus others, especially when they're oversized for a task.
That said, through our testing, we've found that models with inverter compressors are far more suitable for a wide variety of room sizes versus non-inverter units; their ability to modulate their compressor speed effectively eliminates room sizing concerns except in the most extreme cases. As long as you're in the market for an inverter model, properly sizing your A/C for a specific room is no longer that important! If you're interested in reading more about our investigations, check out this article from our R&D team: Inverter A/Cs Are More Efficient And Comfortable: 20 A/Cs Tested To Expose Clear Advantages Of Inverter Technology.
Currently, our testing methodology only allows for testing portable and window-mounted units, not mini-split, heat pump, or whole-home systems. That said, this is also the first iteration of our test bench, and as with any area of our website, we're always looking for ways to improve and expand our coverage. If there's a specific product or type of A/C that we haven't included, or if you just have suggestions to improve our A/C reviews, we encourage you to leave a comment on any page or email us at feedback@rtings.com. We wouldn't be able to do what we do without the support of users like you!