LG Dual Inverter 8,500 BTU vs GE AWCS08WWT 8,000 BTU Smart
Quick take: The GE AWCS08WWT 8,000 BTU Smart costs $180 less; the LG Dual Inverter 8,500 BTU is the quieter machine (44 dB on low); the LG Dual Inverter 8,500 BTU has an inverter compressor that throttles smoothly while the GE AWCS08WWT 8,000 BTU Smart blast-cycles on and off; the LG Dual Inverter 8,500 BTU is the more efficient unit (15 CEER).
| Spec | LG Dual Inverter 8,500 BTU | GE AWCS08WWT 8,000 BTU Smart |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $459 | $279 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (73) | 4.4★ (535) |
| Type | Window | Window |
| Capacity (ASHRAE) | 8.5k BTU | 8k BTU |
| SACC (delivered) | — | — |
| Coverage | ~380 sq ft | ~350 sq ft |
| Noise (lowest) | 44 dB | 58 dB |
| CEER (efficiency) | 15 | 10.9 |
| Compressor | Inverter (variable) | Fixed speed |
| Heating | — | — |
| Window Fit | 27–42 in | 24.5–36 in |
| Voltage | 115V | 115V |
| Weight | 83 lbs | 47 lbs |
| WiFi Control | Built-in | Built-in |
| Install | Do not attempt this one alone: the inverter chassis weighs about 83 pounds and is nearly 29 inches deep, so most of the mass hangs outside the window. A support bracket is strongly recommended (and required by code in NYC-style installs), and two people make the lift safe. It needs a wider window than most 8K units — roughly 27 to 42 inches — plus about 16 inches of sash height. Budget an hour, and note the deep cabinet can block outward-opening screens. | GE's EZ Mount kit is one of the better fixed-chassis systems: the frame installs in the window first, then the 47-pound unit slides into it, which makes solo installation far less white-knuckle than lifting a whole AC onto a sill. It fits windows 24.5 to 36 inches wide with at least 13.375 inches of opening height. No bracket is required by GE for this weight class, but second-floor installs still benefit from one. The side curtains seal better than Frigidaire's but still deserve a foam backer in drafty frames. |
| Warranty | 1-year parts & labor; 10-year warranty on the dual inverter compressor | 1-year limited parts & labor warranty |
Pros & cons
LG Dual Inverter 8,500 BTU
- ✓Dual inverter compressor ramps instead of cycling — no on/off thunk
- ✓Published operation as low as 44 dB
- ✓CEER 15.0 cuts energy use up to 35% vs conventional units
- ✓Holds set temperature within about 1 degree
- ✓ThinQ app with energy monitoring, Alexa and Google voice control
- ✓8,500 BTU covers up to 380 sq ft — more headroom than rival 8Ks
- ✓10-year compressor warranty backs the inverter hardware
- ✓4-way air deflection spreads air well in wide rooms
- ✗83 lbs and 28.75 in deep — a two-person install that wants a bracket
- ✗Needs a window at least ~27 in wide; won't fit narrow openings
- ✗ThinQ app is clunky, with login and connectivity complaints
- ✗Some units develop a low-frequency hum at mid compressor speeds
- ✗$150+ premium over budget 8K units
- ✗Condensate gurgle noises reported in humid climates
GE AWCS08WWT 8,000 BTU Smart
- ✓EZ Mount frame-first system makes solo install genuinely safe
- ✓SmartHQ app adds geofencing, scheduling, and energy reporting
- ✓Alexa and Google voice control built in
- ✓4.4-star average across 535 Best Buy reviews
- ✓Cools 350 sq ft with 3 cooling and 3 fan speeds
- ✓24-hour on/off timer works without the app
- ✓Fits windows down to 24.5 inches wide
- ✗58–62 dB — among the louder 8K units; poor fit for light sleepers
- ✗CEER 10.9 and no Energy Star certification
- ✗SmartHQ app can drop connection and require re-linking
- ✗Costs ~$30 more than the equivalent Frigidaire for similar cooling
- ✗GE's rapid model turnover makes parts lookup confusing