Tech

The Best Window Air Conditioners to Beat The Summer Heat in Canada in 2024

Published

1 month ago

July 12, 2024

Summer heat waves are completely exhausting, and they become almost unbearable if you don’t have a great HVAC system in your home/apartment. And you might not get any relief at work, either, if they’re stingy on the cooling costs. So, what are you supposed to do to beat the heat and keep yourself together on the hottest of days?

Buy a window air conditioner, of course! They can be used in most standard sliding/hanging windows, and they’re incredibly effective at cooling off entire rooms without too long of a wait. Many of them will also double as dehumidifiers to combat the icky heaviness of the hot air. There are options to suit rooms and budgets of all kinds.

If you think a window air conditioner is the best way to feel more comfortable in the summer months, that’s great! And we’re here to help you find the best possible match. Window air conditioners will vary in things like price, cooling power, fan settings, dehumidifying capabilities, temperature settings, intended room size, and more! And every feature matters.

This comprehensive guide will investigate the best window air conditioners in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.

The Best Window Air Conditioners Right Now

Our Small Room Pick for The Best Window Air Conditioner

Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner Review

What We Think of the Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner

The Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner was an easy choice for our small room pick this year. As long as you go in with reasonable expectations, you can’t help but admire this machine. It’ll start kicking out cold air as soon as you turn it on, and since it has two fan speeds, it can adapt to different demands. Plus, it has two fan speeds without cooling to replace your stand-up fan on more moderate days!

We’re big fans of the basic controls on this one, and we bet you will be too. It makes it so simple to use! Just turn one dial to adjust the temperature and another dial for the fan speed/mode. Easy peasy. It’s exactly as quiet as a small air conditioner should be, too. It won’t interrupt your sleep or interfere with your daily living. You just can’t beat the price, either.

Of course, as our small room pick, you won’t be happy with the cooling power of this one if you try to use it for medium-sized rooms (or larger). That’s not what it’s intended for, and you certainly won’t get the results you’re looking for. It just doesn’t have the power needed for big jobs. It’s also lacking some advanced features like a remote, a dehumidifier mode, and precise temperature settings. Just so you’re aware.

Overall, the Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner is as good as it gets for small spaces, and it sets a very high bar for its competitors. With easy-to-use controls, a budget-friendly price, and effective cooling power, you really can’t ask for much more. It’s a winner!

Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner

Reviewers have a great opinion of the Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner. They’ve used it in offices, bedrooms, and even outdoor sheds, and it performs flawlessly in every space. The simple controls make it very easy to use, but some would prefer being able to set an exact temperature. Installation was easy even for newbies, and the noise level is very low.

Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner Pros and Cons

Buy If…

You’d like to use it as a regular fan in addition to an air conditioner
Simple controls appeal to you
You’ll be using it in a room that demands quiet (bedroom, office, etc.)
Budget-friendliness is a priority

Don’t Buy If…

Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner Specifications

Our Large Room Pick

Danby DAC100B8IWDB-6 10,000 BTU Inverter Window Air Conditioner Review

What We Think of the Danby DAC100B8IWDB-6 10,000 BTU Inverter Window Air Conditioner

We’re big fans of the Danby DAC100B8IWDB-6 10,000 BTU Inverter Window Air Conditioner. It’s one of the most effective air conditioners out there, and that’s why it’s so great for large spaces. Its recommended room size is 450 square feet, but it can still be effective in even larger rooms! You won’t have to wait long for that cool air to refresh the space, either. Thank goodness.

It’s got a dehumidifier mode to keep the humidity levels down as well, and since it’s also super quiet, you won’t even be plagued by constant noise drowning out your conversations, TV shows, or the thoughts in your head. It doesn’t need a ton of power to do its job, so it’s easy on the environment and your electricity bill, and a washable filter minimizes your maintenance needs. We weren’t wrong about how great it is, were we?

Honestly, the only people who might not love this machine are the ones who would need it to work in a small space or aren’t fighting off the highest temperatures. This is a highly powerful and effective machine, and it can quickly make a room too cold to be in — it’s really best for large spaces and extra hot/humid climates. Otherwise, it’s just more AC than you could possibly need.

All in all, the Danby DAC100B8IWDB-6 10,000 BTU Inverter Window AC really has everything going for it. Unless you’re targeting a small room or only need to take the edge off the heat, you’ll love everything about this machine. It’s reasonably priced, too!

Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Danby DAC100B8IWDB-6 10,000 BTU Inverter Window Air Conditioner

Reviewers have amazing things to say about the Danby DAC100B8IWDB-6 10,000 BTU Inverter Window Air Conidtioner. It cools medium-large spaces very quickly (we’re talking minutes here!) even on the lower setting, and it’s still incredibly quiet even with the fan at maximum speed. For some of them, it even works too well! They think the washable filter is a really nice touch.

Danby DAC100B8IWDB-6 10,000 BTU Inverter Window Air Conditioner Pros and Cons

Buy If…

Energy efficiency matters to you
You’re combatting heat and humidity in a large space
You’d prefer a low-noise option
Low maintenance needs are preferred

Don’t Buy If…

Danby DAC100B8IWDB-6 10,000 BTU Inverter Window Air Conditioner Specifications

Dimensions: 19.4” x 13.6” x 22.4”
Weight: 62.6 lbs
Cooling Power: 10,000 BTU
Maximum Room Size: 450 sq. ft
Fan Speeds: 3
Remote Control: Yes
Warranty: 2 years

Our Upgrade Pick

Midea 10,000 BTU U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner Review

What We Think of the Midea 10,000 BTU U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner

There are so many things to admire about the Midea 10,000 BTU U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner. Believe it or not, you’ll actually still be able to open your window fully even with the air conditioner mounted in. Hello, fresh air! Anytime you want it. Plus, it’s energy-efficient. And we’re talking 35% better than competitors. You can do your part for the environment and save money!

Its cooling performance is nothing to scoff at either. Although it’s very quiet, it’s also very effective. You’ll be able to crank this thing up to maximum power while still being able to enjoy a book, TV show, or family dinner. It takes only minutes to cool a large room, and the airflow can travel as far as 20 feet! The best part is you can change settings with voice assistants, a remote, or the buttons on the machine. Talk about convenience.

One of the only things that doesn’t quite meet expectations with this option is the quality of the companion app. It isn’t very user-friendly and it has some serious privacy concerns. Best to stick with the voice assistants or traditional controls with this one. Otherwise, the high price tag is the only other thing that might sway you in a different direction.

Overall, the Midea 10,000 BTU U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner is a pretty fantastic choice as long as you don’t mind spending a little extra money. You won’t run into any problems with cooling performance, noise (or light) pollution, or longevity! This is one of the really, really good ones.

Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 3/5
Quality: 5/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Midea 10,000 BTU U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner

Reviewers have a very high opinion of the Midea 10,000 BTU U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner. They like that they can still open the window for fresh air when it isn’t hot enough for AC, and on scorching days, this machine cools down their large rooms in no time at all. The voice assistant control works very well, and they have no issues with noise levels being too high.

Midea 10,000 BTU U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner Pros and Cons

Buy If…

You’d love an energy-efficient machine
Voice assistant compatibility is a must-have
You’d like your window to still be usable
You need a machine that’s exceptionally quiet

Don’t Buy If…

Midea 10,000 BTU U-Shaped Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner Specifications

Dimensions: 19” x 13.75” x 22-36”
Weight: 67 lbs
Cooling Power: 10,000 BTU
Maximum Room Size: 450 sq. ft
Fan Speeds: 3
Remote Control: Yes
Warranty: 1 year

Our Budget Pick

Amazon Basics Window-Mounted Air Conditioner Review

What We Think of the Amazon Basics Window-Mounted Air Conditioner

The Amazon Basics Window-Mounted Air Conditioner is a pretty solid choice for such a great price. And it really could not be easier to use. It weighs half the amount that other window ACs do, which makes it a lot easier to install, and with only two mechanical knobs to worry about, it’ll only take you a few seconds to get it functioning perfectly for your needs.

This option is truly the best for small bedrooms, dorm rooms, RVs, and other similar spaces. It’s fairly quiet, and since you can direct the airflow where you need it most (towards a bed, work desk, etc.), you’ll always be able to make the most of its cooling power. It comes with a washable filter, too, so maintenance is easy (and free!).

As is the case with most budget-friendly items, this air conditioner has a few quality control issues. Its durability is fairly poor — unless you’re using it on a seasonal basis for a couple of months of RV camping or something like that, it likely won’t last you more than a couple of years. Also, it has limited settings and can’t dehumidify, so it won’t be as versatile as some of you will want/need.

Overall, the Amazon Basics Window-Mounted Air Conditioner is our top pick for budget-conscious shoppers. It simply could not be easier to use, and as long as you don’t exceed its intended room size, you’ll find it cools very effectively. Just don’t expect it to last as long as other options. It’s a temporary fix.

Performance: 4/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 3/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Amazon Basics Window-Mounted Air Conditioner

Reviewers have mostly good things to say about the Amazon Basics Window-Mounted Air Conditioner. Many of them have experienced problems with cooling power deteriorating over time, and the more basic design doesn’t work for everybody. Most people, though, are really pleased with how easy it is to use, and they find it cools well in all of their smaller spaces.

Amazon Basics Window-Mounted Air Conditioner Pros and Cons

Buy If…

You don’t want to spend money on new filters
Affordability is your priority
You’re cooling a small space like a bedroom or RV
You’d like to direct the airflow

Don’t Buy If…

You need help with humidity levels too
You want to set specific temperatures
You’re looking for a permanent solution for heat control

Amazon Basics Window-Mounted Air Conditioner Specifications

Also Great

Midea 12,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner Review

What We Think of the Midea 12,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner

We like a lot of things about the Midea 12,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner. With three fan settings, a dehumidifier mode, and 24 temperature settings (you can set it anywhere between 62 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit), even the hottest summer days won’t be able to beat the cooling power of this machine. It’s adaptable enough to suit all kinds of room sizes too, with a max of 550 square feet.

We love that you get a remote control with this air conditioner since you’ll never have to get up from your comfy couch or bed to adjust the settings. You can even set schedules so you don’t even need the remote for a while! The washable filter makes maintenance a breeze, and since it’s quieter than a refrigerator, it won’t interrupt your daily living. Thank goodness.

The only thing we don’t absolutely love about this option is the price tag. It’s more expensive than a lot of other window air conditioners, and although it does have the performance and quality to back it up, it might just not be a realistic option for everybody. Especially if you don’t have an extra-large room to take advantage of its full potential.

Overall, the Midea 12,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner is a pretty awesome unit. You’ll definitely need two people to get it installed, but after that, you’ll never have to suffer on hot days again. We promise this one is worth the extra money.

Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 3/5
Quality: 5/5

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Midea 12,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner

Reviewers really like the Midea 12,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner. It works very quickly to cool a room down and remove humidity. The washable filter makes it really easy to keep the air clean and the air conditioner working properly, and most of them don’t have any issues with the amount of noise it produces. Almost all of them would buy it again, or already have.

Midea 12,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner Pros and Cons

Buy If…

You’re dealing with humidity as well as high temperatures
You don’t like a lot of background noise
You’d prefer a low-management option
Low maintenance is ideal

Don’t Buy If…

Midea 12,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner Specifications

Dimensions: 19” x 15” x 23-36”
Weight: 74.8 lbs
Cooling Power: 12,000 BTU
Maximum Room Size: 550 sq. ft
Temperature Settings: 24
Fan Speeds: 3
Remote Control: Yes
Warranty: 1 year

How to Properly Choose Your Window Air Conditioner

Price

The price of a window air conditioner will generally fall between $200 and $800. Typically, more expensive options will have better cooling performance, will excel in larger spaces, will offer better longevity, and will have advanced features such as precise temperature settings, Wi-Fi connectivity, and more.

Cooling Power

The cooling power of a window air conditioner is measured in BTU and can range between 5000 and 24,000. Most people won’t need a machine higher than 12,000 BTU for the home, though. For small rooms, 5000 BTU will be enough, and for extra-large spaces, you’ll want at least 10,000 BTU.

Maximum Room Size

Every window air conditioner will have a maximum room size that is linked to its cooling power. Smaller units will land around 150 square feet, but some models will be effective in spaces larger than 1000 square feet. Make sure you match the intended room size of the machine to the space in your home for best results.

Extra Functionality

Almost all window air conditioners will offer additional functionality in the form of a fan mode (purely for air circulation). Many of them, however, can also act as dehumidifiers to keep excess moisture out of the air and make your living space even more comfortable in the summer.

Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.

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Tech

Google Unveils AI-Powered Pixel 9 Lineup Ahead of Apple’s iPhone 16 Release

Published

1 week ago

August 13, 2024

Harry Miller

Google has launched its next generation of Pixel phones, setting the stage for a head-to-head competition with Apple as both tech giants aim to integrate more advanced artificial intelligence (AI) features into their flagship devices. The unveiling took place near Google’s Mountain View headquarters, marking an early debut for the Pixel 9 lineup, which is designed to showcase the latest advancements in AI technology.

The Pixel 9 series, although a minor player in global smartphone sales, is a crucial platform for Google to demonstrate the cutting-edge capabilities of its Android operating system. With AI at the core of its strategy, Google is positioning the Pixel 9 phones as vessels for the transformative potential of AI, a trend that is expected to revolutionize the way people interact with technology.

Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president overseeing the Pixel phones, emphasized the company’s commitment to AI, stating, “We are obsessed with the idea that AI can make life easier and more productive for people.” This echoes the narrative Apple is likely to push when it unveils its iPhone 16, which is also expected to feature advanced AI capabilities.

The Pixel 9 lineup will be the first to fully integrate Google’s Gemini AI technology, designed to enhance user experience through more natural, conversational interactions. The Gemini assistant, which features 10 different human-like voices, can perform a wide array of tasks, particularly if users allow access to their emails and documents.

In an on-stage demonstration, the Gemini assistant showcased its ability to generate creative ideas and even analyze images, although it did experience some hiccups when asked to identify a concert poster for singer Sabrina Carpenter.

To support these AI-driven features, Google has equipped the Pixel 9 with a special chip that enables many AI processes to be handled directly on the device. This not only improves performance but also enhances user privacy and security by reducing the need to send data to remote servers.

Google’s aggressive push into AI with the Pixel 9 comes as Apple prepares to unveil its iPhone 16, which is expected to feature its own AI advancements. However, Google’s decision to offer a one-year free subscription to its advanced Gemini Assistant, valued at $240, may pressure Apple to reconsider any plans to charge for its AI services.

The standard Pixel 9 will be priced at $800, a $100 increase from last year, while the Pixel 9 Pro will range between $1,000 and $1,100, depending on the model. Google also announced the next iteration of its foldable Pixel phone, priced at $1,800.

In addition to the new Pixel phones, Google also revealed updates to its Pixel Watch and wireless earbuds, directly challenging Apple’s dominance in the wearable tech market. These products, like the Pixel 9, are designed to integrate seamlessly with Google’s AI-driven ecosystem.

Google’s event took place against the backdrop of a significant legal challenge, with a judge recently ruling that its search engine constitutes an illegal monopoly. This ruling could lead to further court proceedings that may force Google to make significant changes to its business practices, potentially impacting its Android software or other key components of its $2 trillion empire.

Despite these legal hurdles, Google is pressing forward with its vision of an AI-powered future, using its latest devices to showcase what it believes will be the next big leap in technology. As the battle for AI supremacy heats up, consumers can expect both Google and Apple to push the boundaries of what their devices can do, making the choice between them more compelling than ever.

News

Microsoft Outage Hits Payment Processors

Published

3 weeks ago

August 2, 2024

Harry Miller

When major payment processing systems have problems, the issues impact many critical systems that society depends on. In this article, we’ll explain the cause of the Microsoft outage and discuss the impact computer networking issues had on Canada. We’ll also examine whether or not Microsoft was at fault and what businesses can do to prevent further outages.

What Happened With the Microsoft Outage?

The outage with Microsoft’s Azure payment processor resulted from a buggy security update from an outside company, CrowdStrike. CrowdStrike offers information technology security services for many Microsoft Windows computers. The company’s software developers sent a new update out, but instead of patching up minor issues with the existing software, the code within conflicted with Windows and prevented computers from booting up. Users expecting to start their computers for a typical day were instead faced with the dreaded “Blue Screen of Death” error message.

So, how does this produce a problem and a payment processor issue? Many computers running payment processing, among many other kinds of software used for airlines, banks, retail, and other essential services, couldn’t start and were unable to let payments through. This is a catastrophic issue for companies that are heavily reliant upon the speed and ease of an electronic transaction.

In Canada, the outage impacted critical computer systems for air travel. Flights couldn’t be paid for and booked, which caused major problems for customers unable to make transactions while flights remained grounded. Travellers stuck waiting for flights to take off made their way over to the airports’ Starbucks and other vendors, only to discover unusually long lines due to payment issues. Even online gamblers looking to take their minds off the situation couldn’t take full advantage of one of the fastest payment options out there because of the outage.

Aside from payments, hospitals for major health systems had to use paper to complete important tasks like ordering lab work and getting meals to patients. Emergency dispatch lines were temporarily unable to function correctly while their computer systems were down.

How Was the Outage Fixed?

Thankfully, CrowdStrike fixed the problem on their end quickly, mostly via an additional reboot that allowed CrowdStrike to send over unflawed code. Unfortunately, for some business and private customers, rebooting wouldn’t be enough with command-line level adjustments needed for the operating system to run correctly.

The Good and Bad of Outages

First, we’re thankful that the outage was not caused by hackers accessing and stealing a mountain of personal data. A recent outage with an automotive software provider went on for much longer and ended much worse for software provider CDK, which likely paid an undisclosed sum north of $20 million to get data back and systems restored.

By some chance, Microsoft is reported to have experienced its own outage, and many information technology professionals blame Microsoft in part for their issues because of how their systems attempted to fix the problem by rebooting over and over again, though some of Microsoft’s PCs needed to warn users to make a change manually. Unfortunately, any computer that required manual intervention took longer to recover, as a knowledgeable person had to access each computer affected by the issue. In some cases, between dealing with several hours of backlogged tasks and slow recovery processes, some businesses took days, not hours, to get back online.

The outage brings up another major point in the cybersecurity and computer industry. CrowdStrike and Microsoft are both big companies in their respective fields. As a result, the effects of bad code spread much further than they could have if there were more competitors making security products or if there were more software companies making operating systems like Windows. While only 8 million computers were believed to be affected out of a much larger global network, those are essential computers for worldwide communication and payment processing. Perhaps companies should be putting their eggs in more than one basket?

The testing methods for the outage are unclear—did CrowdStrike test the routine software update enough to detect the potential for a major outage? Apparently not.

What Should Businesses Do Next?

Software like Microsoft Azure’s payment systems come from what information technology professionals call ‘the cloud.’ The software is remotely managed over the internet, meaning that the computer that runs the system is not physically present at the location. Unfortunately, this also means that an issue with the internet can take critical systems out of service.

Businesses ranging from major airlines and banks to mom-and-pop stores would be well served by backup systems at their locations. These don’t have to be as primitive as the old-fashioned credit-card carbon-copy slide, but there are options available with consistent service that don’t repeatedly rely on the same networks.

Conclusion

There were certainly challenging moments for Canadian businesses and emergency services during the CrowdStrike and Microsoft outage. As they scrambled to understand the problem and waited, albeit briefly, for issues to resolve, many companies learned the importance of having local and reliable backup for their computer systems.

Tech

New photos reveal more details about Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Published

1 month ago

July 17, 2024

Harry Miller

Google’s secret new line of Pixel 9 phones isn’t that big of a secret anymore. Taiwan’s National Communications Commission (NCC) released new photos of the phones including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold from almost every conceivable angle.

Android Authority found the photos in the NCC archives and uploaded galleries of each of the four phones including the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL and 9 Pro Fold. They reveal some interesting details about the new Pixel phones.

The charging rates will be a little faster than the last generation of Pixel phones: Taiwanese authorities measured 24.12W for the base model, 25.20W for the Pro and 32.67W for the 9 Pro XL. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, however, was the slowest of all of them at 20.25W. These numbers don’t often match up perfectly with the advertised ratings, so expect Google to be promoting higher numbers at its event.

Speaking of chargers, it looks like Google needed a bigger charger to power its new phones. Photos included in the NCC leak show each phone will come with a wall charger that’s around 45W depending on which model you purchase. The charger’s plug moved from the middle to the top of the brick.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold can fully unfold. — NCC/Android Authority

The latest photo dump also shows the 9 Pro Fold unfolded for the first time. Google has moved the selfie camera to the inside screen for a wider field of view. The 9 Pro Fold also has a slimmer top and bottom, a reduced fold crease on the display and a full 180 degree unfolding angle to make a screen that’s just over 250mm or just under 10 inches.

These photos are the latest in a very long list of leaks of Google Pixel 9 photos. The last Pixel 9 leak came down yesterday showing two prototype models of the base and XL models. Google might look into buying a new combination lock for the high school locker where they apparently keep all their unreleased gear.

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