UK summers are getting hotter, and more of us are looking at air conditioning for our homes. Gone are the days when air con was just for offices and shops – now it’s becoming a practical addition to homes across the country.
Finding the right air conditioning system means balancing cooling power, energy efficiency, and what works for your space. Whether you’re tired of sleepless nights during heatwaves or want to maintain a comfortable temperature year-round, there’s a solution out there for you.
What are the best air conditioning units for my home?: Top Rated Home Cooling Systems for 2025
The Best Portable Air Conditioners
Portable air conditioning is a cooling system you can move from room to room. They’re standalone units that typically have a flexible hose that vents hot air through a window or door. These are perfect if you’re renting or don’t want to commit to a permanent installation, as you can wheel them wherever you need cooling, and then pack them away when summer ends. No installation costs or building work are needed.
Key Features:
- 10,000 BTU (British Thermal Units) cooling power for spaces up to 300 sq ft
- Smart Wifi control via a smartphone app, Amazon Alexa, or Google Home
- Dehumidifier function removes up to 4 pints of moisture per hour
- Auto-swing louvres for improved air distribution throughout the room
Toshiba’s is a portable air conditioner that strikes the perfect balance between power and convenience. What makes it stand out is the flexibility to control it from virtually anywhere – whether you’re using the included LCD remote control, your smartphone, or simply asking Alexa to adjust the temperature. The aircon unit rolls easily between rooms on four integrated wheels and installs quickly in most windows, either vertically or horizontally.
We particularly liked thoughtful extra features like Sleep Mode and the 24-hour timer, which let you personalise your cooling solution while potentially saving energy. For flats, home offices, or bedrooms needing reliable cooling without permanent installation, this Toshiba delivers impressive performance in a compact package.
The Best Wall-Mounted Air Conditioners
Wall-mounted air conditioning units are fixed to your wall and connected to an outdoor unit outside your property. You’ll need professional installation for these, as they require drilling a hole through your wall to connect the indoor and outdoor parts.
These AC units are great for cooling single rooms like bedrooms or living rooms, as they don’t take up any floor space and are pretty quiet when running. Most modern wall-mounted units also provide heating in winter, which is a big plus.
Key Features:
- Designer aesthetic available in four finishes (white, silver, black and blackwood)
- Flash Streamer technology purifies air by removing allergens, particles and odours
- Earns A+++ energy rating for heating and cooling
- Ultra-quiet operation thanks to an innovative fan design
The Daikin Stylish is a piece of modern art that happens to cool your home brilliantly. Its curved corners and slim profile make it the most compact unit on the market, perfect for spaces where appearance matter.
The intelligent thermal sensor divides your room into 64 different zones, detecting exactly where cooling is needed and adjusting airflow accordingly. This innovative approach eliminates hot spots and wasted energy. The unit also tackles humidity independently from temperature, creating that perfect comfort balance that basic ACs simply can’t match.
The control options are equally impressive, with both a sleek infrared remote and smartphone app that lets you manage everything from temperature schedules to monitoring your energy usage.
Key Features:
- A++ cooling and A+ heating efficiency ratings with R32 refrigerant
- Ultra-quiet operation as low as 19dB(A) in silent mode
- Self-cleaning function prevents mould formation on the heat exchanger
- 2D airflow control with motorised louvres for customised air direction
The Toshiba Seiya packs premium performance into a cost-effective package. Its sleek, flat-panel design takes up minimal visual space while complementing modern interiors.
What makes this unit stand out is how whisper-quiet it runs – at just 19dB(A) in silent mode, it’s barely audible even in a quiet bedroom. We particularly liked the practical touches like the dustless coil with special aluminum coating that improves efficiency while reducing maintenance needs.
The ECO Logic button instantly reduces energy consumption by 25% when you don’t need full power, and for those who want connectivity, the WiFi compatibility lets you control your climate from anywhere using your smartphone.
The Best Split System Air Conditioners
Split system air conditioning consists of multiple indoor units connected to a single outdoor condenser. Each indoor unit can cool a separate room, giving you more control over temperatures throughout your home. You can set different temperatures in different rooms so everyone stays comfortable, and they’re typically very quiet indoors since the noisier components are in the outdoor unit.
For larger spaces or homes or if you want powerful cooling throughout your home without installing ducting, split air conditioners provide an excellent balance of performance and efficiency.
Key Features:
- A+++ energy efficiency rating in both heating and cooling modes
- Ultra-quiet operation with special Silent function for outdoor unit
- PM2.5 Ultra Pure filter captures 94% of fine particles
- Integrated WiFi module for smartphone control and voice assistant compatibility
The Toshiba Shorai Edge advances the split system concept with its sleek, contemporary design featuring clean lines and a sophisticated matte finish. What really sets this unit apart is the attention to comfort details – like the innovative Hada Care function that creates an indirect airflow to maintain skin moisture while still cooling effectively.
The 3D airflow system with independently controllable louvres provides even temperature distribution throughout any room. It’s an air conditioner unit with thoughtful special modes, including the unique Fireplace mode that optimises heat distribution from other heat sources and the 8°C Heating function that protects your home from freezing while you’re away.
For tech enthusiasts, the built-in WiFi connectivity offers convenient control through your smartphone, compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and useful energy monitoring to help manage consumption.
Key Features:
- Comfort+ technology with double flaps for optimised airflow direction
- Flash Streamer and silver allergen filters for superior air purification
- A+++ energy rating in both cooling and heating modes
- 2-area motion detection sensor adjusts airflow
The Daikin Perfera is the pinnacle of split system engineering, with intelligence built into every aspect of its operation. What makes this unit special is how it adapts to your presence – its smart motion sensors detect where people are in the room and direct airflow away from them while automatically switching to energy-saving mode when the space is empty.
The Heat Boost function is perfect in winter months, reaching your desired temperature 20% faster than standard units. We were particularly impressed by the air purification system, combining Flash Streamer technology that uses electrons to break down allergens with a silver allergen filter that captures 99% of pollen and dust mites.
Control options are equally advanced, with voice command capability through most smart speaker assistants and the intuitive Onecta app that lets you manage your climate from anywhere. For families concerned about both air quality and energy efficiency, the Perfera delivers exceptional performance without compromise.
The Best Air Conditioners with Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular in UK homes as they offer both cooling and heating in one system. Unlike traditional air conditioners, heat pumps can reverse their operation to warm your home during winter months by extracting heat from the outside warm air (even when it’s cold) and transferring it indoors. During summer, they work like regular air conditioners, removing heat from your home and releasing it outside.
Key Features:
- Customisable fabric covers in various colours and textures to match your interior décor
- Ultra Pure Filter captures 94% of PM2.5 particles for superior air quality
- Magic Coil self-cleaning technology keeps the unit performing like new
- Plasma Ionizer neutralises airborne contaminants, including viruses and bacteria
The Toshiba Haori reinvents the heat pump category by treating it as a design element rather than just a functional appliance. What truly sets this unit apart is its unique fabric cover system – simply zip on your choice of designer covers to complement your interior style.
Beyond its fashion-forward approach, the Haori delivers the exceptional Japanese engineering Toshiba is known for. Combining the Ultra Pure filter and Plasma Ionizer creates an air purification system that goes beyond basic cooling. We particularly appreciated the magnetic remote with dedicated Power Select and ECO modes that provide granular control over energy consumption.
When connected to your home network, the unit offers detailed energy monitoring so you can track usage patterns and optimise efficiency – all controllable via voice commands through your preferred smart assistant.
Key Features:
- Super compact design at just 779mm wide, perfect for installing above doorways
- PM2.5 particulate filter removes harmful pollutants for cleaner indoor air
- Whisper-quiet operation as low as 20dBA for undisturbed environments
- Aerowings technology for precise airflow control and improved comfort
The Panasonic FZ does best in spaces where most heat pumps simply won’t fit. Its ultra-compact width makes it ideal for tight installations while still packing enough power to use at home or in your office.
What impressed us most was how Panasonic managed to shrink the unit without sacrificing performance – it maintains an A++ energy rating despite its smaller footprint. The Comfort Cloud app takes control to another level, offering 200 functions, including detailed energy statistics and multi-unit management across different locations.
For homeowners who want to use them in multiple spaces, you can control up to 20 units per location from a single app. The backward compatibility with existing R410A and R22 piping makes this an excellent upgrade option without requiring complete system overhauls.
Ready to find your perfect AC cooling solution?
Try our quick air conditioning quote calculator to get an instant estimate for your home – it takes just 60 seconds.
Comparing Air Conditioning Options: What You Need to Consider
Confused about all those air con options out there? Figuring out how to choose an air conditioning system for your home can feel overwhelming with so many choices available, so you need to know what you’re looking out for.
Room Size and Coverage
Wondering what size air conditioning unit you need? It’s simpler than you might think. An undersized unit will run constantly but never cool your room properly. An oversized one will cool quickly but switch on and off too often, wasting energy and not controlling humidity well.
Most air con units show their cooling capacity in kW. As a rule of thumb, you need roughly 1kW for every 10 square meters. So a standard UK bedroom (about 12 square meters) would need a 1.5kW unit.
Remember to factor in things like sunny windows, how well your home is insulated, and ceiling height. These can all affect how much cooling power you’ll need.
Cost to Run
Running costs are often overlooked when buying air con, but they can add up quickly. So, how much does air conditioning cost to run? Modern energy-efficient units might cost more upfront but save you money in the long run.
Most home air conditioning units in the UK use between 0.5kW to 2.5kW of electricity per hour, depending on their size and efficiency. At current electricity rates, this means running costs of roughly 15p to 75p per hour.
The energy efficiency rating (EER or SEER) tells you how efficient a unit is – the higher the number, the lower your bills will be. Look for units with an A+++ rating for the best efficiency. Inverter technology can also cut running costs by adjusting power instead of switching on and off.
Don’t forget maintenance costs either – regular servicing keeps your system running efficiently and extends its lifespan, but does add to the overall cost of ownership.
Installation Requirements
Air conditioning installation needs vary dramatically between different systems. This can affect both the upfront cost and whether a system is suitable for your home.
Portable units are the simplest – just wheel them in, set up the exhaust hose through a window, and plug them in. No professional installation needed.
Split systems and wall mounted units are more complex. Each indoor unit needs to be connected to the outdoor condenser, requiring more extensive pipework. Depending on the number of indoor units being fitted, installation can take a day or more.
Heat pumps often need the most extensive installation, especially if they’re connecting to existing radiators or underfloor heating systems.
If you’re renting, check your tenancy agreement – you’ll likely need landlord permission for any fixed installations.
Noise Levels
Nobody wants a noisy air conditioner disturbing their peace at home. Noise levels can vary significantly between different types and models. Noise is measured in decibels (dB), and most air con units range from 20dB to 60 dB. For comparison, a quiet library is about 30dB, and normal conversation is around 60 dB.
Wall-mounted and split systems are typically the quietest options for indoor units (20-40dB) because their noisier components are housed in the outdoor unit. The outdoor units can produce 45-60dB, so consider where these will be placed in relation to bedrooms and neighbours.
Portable units tend to be the noisiest (50-65dB) as all components are in one unit inside your room. This can be disruptive, especially at night in bedrooms.
Many modern units have “quiet” or “night” modes that reduce noise levels at the expense of some cooling power – perfect for keeping your bedroom comfortable while you sleep.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency matters for your wallet and the planet. More efficient air con means lower electricity bills and a smaller carbon footprint.
Air conditioners in the UK come with energy labels ranging from A+++ (most efficient) to G (least efficient). These labels show how much energy the unit uses compared to others of similar capacity. The difference between ratings can be significant – an A+++ unit might use half the electricity of a B-rated one.
Look for units with inverter technology. Unlike older models that switch completely on or off, inverters adjust their power output to maintain your desired temperature. This uses less energy and provides more consistent comfort.
The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating is also worth checking. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the unit. Good-quality systems have SEER ratings of 6.1 or above.
Maintenance
Even the best AC units need to be looked after if you want them to perform well and last a long time. Filters need cleaning every few weeks during heavy use, as clogged filters restrict airflow, reduce efficiency and can lead to breakdowns. Most units have filters you can easily remove, wash and replace yourself – this basic air conditioning cleaning makes a huge difference to performance.
How often should you get your air conditioning unit serviced? Annual servicing by a qualified engineer is recommended for all fixed systems. They’ll check refrigerant levels, clean components and spot potential problems before they cause a breakdown.
Portable units need less professional maintenance but still require regular filter cleaning and occasional deep cleaning to prevent mould and bacteria buildup. Proper maintenance extends the life of your air conditioner and keeps it running efficiently, saving you money on energy bills and avoiding the cost of premature replacement.
Get Your Free Air Conditioning Quote from GLP Today
Ready to enjoy a cooler, more comfortable home? At GLP Air Conditioning, we take the guesswork out of choosing the right system for residential and commercial properties. Our team of experts can help you find the perfect balance of performance, efficiency, and value.
We’ll visit your home, assess your requirements, and provide a clear, no-obligation quote tailored to your space. No pushy sales tactics – just honest advice from people who know air conditioning inside out.
Contact us today or fill in our simple online form and enjoy year-round comfort with GLP Air Conditioning – your local home cooling specialists.