As temperatures keep climbing here in New York City, I've been thinking a lot about what's made my apartment actually livable through the last couple of summers. The Windmill Window Air Conditioner isn't a new upgrade for me; I've been using it for about a year and a half after scoring one for free from a friend. But with the heat recently roaring back to full strength, it feels like the perfect moment to shout about it. Here’s why this is the best air conditioner I've ever used.

What really makes this AC a tech upgrade is how the companion app lets you control the unit from your phone. Before I had the Windmill, I'd come home to a sweltering apartment, crank the AC, and wait in front of it. Now, I can open the app on my subway ride home and ensure my room is already cooling down by the time I walk through the door.  It also saves me from the creeping anxiety of "did I leave the AC on?" Now I can double-check and turn it off from anywhere. The app lets you adjust temperature, fan speed, and mode with a tap, and it connects to Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa if you want voice control.

I try to run mine on Eco mode as much as possible, so that both the compressor and fan shut off once the set target temperature is reached. This stops your unit from running continuously, so that your electricity bill doesn't get any crazier than it already is. That being said, when I actually need to blast my room down to a serious chill as fast as possible, this thing delivers on cooling power. 

Adding to the “ease of use” category, the Windmill's maintenance process takes me about thirty seconds. The front cover is magnetic and easily pops on and off. Behind that, there's a reusable antimicrobial mesh filter that slides out more smoothly than the one on any other AC unit I’ve had to wrestle with in the past.

Finally, though this might sound like a shallow reason to choose an appliance, I simply love the way the Windmill looks. Compared to my chunky beige units of yore, the Windmill is compact and minimalist. Its display auto-dims after 60 seconds, so there’s no light bothering me at night. The vents are on top rather than the front, which gives it a sleeker profile. I appreciate how it blends into the room. 

Plus, those top vents aren't just aesthetic—air flowing upward and out at an angle is actually better at cooling a space. Since heat rises, pushing cool air up first means it circulates through the whole room more effectively rather than just blasting you directly in the face.

I was unbelievably lucky to get mine for free, but now I know I’d pay full price for this guy. It looks better, works better, cleans more easily, and gives me a level of control over my home comfort even when I'm out and about. If you're in the market for a window unit this summer, the Windmill is the one I'd recommend without hesitation.