Fixed air conditioners: our selection and buying guide

The fixed split system, with an indoor unit and an outdoor unit linked by a refrigerant line: the most efficient and quietest solution, at the cost of professional installation.

The fixed air conditioner, also called a split air conditioner or wall-mounted AC unit, is made up of two inseparable parts: an indoor unit, mounted high on a wall in the room to be cooled, and an outdoor unit installed on a facade, a balcony or at ground level, the two linked by a refrigerant line running through the wall. Unlike a portable air conditioner, no exhaust hose or partly open window is needed: the compressor, housed in the outdoor unit, generates no noise inside the home, a decisive advantage for bedroom use.

The first criterion remains cooling capacity, expressed in BTU/h or kW, on the same scale as a portable unit (roughly 100 to 120 BTU per m² for a well-insulated room), so typically 9,000 BTU for a bedroom or office, and 12,000 to 18,000 BTU for a through living room or a larger space. To cool two separate rooms without adding multiple outdoor units on the facade, a dual split kit, pairing two indoor units with a single outdoor unit, is worth considering.

The second point to check is reversibility. Many fixed air conditioners include a reversible heat pump, able to heat the room during mid-season on top of cooling it in summer, a function not to be confused with a main heating source for winter. Some simpler models offer cooling only: a point worth checking on the spec sheet before buying if heating is a priority. Energy class (A to A+++, rated separately for cooling and heating on reversible models) and the refrigerant used, R32 on the vast majority of recent models, round off these technical criteria.

The third point, often decisive for the overall budget, is installation. Unlike a ready-to-use portable air conditioner, a fixed unit always requires a certified refrigeration engineer to fit the units and handle the refrigerant gas, a cost to budget for on top of the unit's price, varying with the home's layout (refrigerant line length, drilling, facade access). Remote control via WiFi and a mobile app, increasingly common, lets you adjust the temperature before even getting home, on models that include it as standard or via an optional kit.

Our selection below brings together fixed air conditioners tested against these criteria, from accessible mono-split units to dual split kits for two rooms, including the quietest and most powerful models on the market.

▽
No product matches these criteria.

Our selection

CA35YR01G Hisense CA35YR01G Inverter Split Air Conditioner
zoom_in

Hisense CA35YR01G

Check price and availability (9)

A Hisense Inverter split air conditioner: performance, quiet operation and fine temperature control, installed by a professional.

  • Type : Fixed split (indoor + outdoor unit), Inverter technology
  • Cooling capacity : 3.5 kW (12000 BTU/h)
  • Energy class : A++ in cooling / A+ in heating
  • Good performance-to-price balance with Inverter regulation and A++ cooling energy efficiency
The Hisense CA35YR01G is a fixed split air conditioner fitted with Inverter technology, which continuously adjusts the compressor's power output for finer temperature control and optimised electricity consumption. Its discreet indoor unit and quiet operation make it a long-lasting solution, to be installed by a certified professional.
See the product page
Sensira FTXF25A Daikin Sensira FTXF25A Split Air Conditioner
zoom_in

Daikin Sensira FTXF25A

Check price and availability (10)

The Daikin Sensira, a long-standing benchmark in fixed air conditioning, combines proven performance with reliability recognised over the long term.

  • Type : Fixed split (indoor + outdoor unit), Inverter technology
  • Cooling capacity : 2.5 kW (9000 BTU/h)
  • Energy class : A++ in cooling / A+ in heating
  • Very quiet Daikin Inverter technology (from 20 dB) with fine temperature control and well-known reliability
The Daikin Sensira FTXF25A is a fixed split air conditioner from Daikin, one of the most established names in residential air conditioning. Fitted with Inverter technology, it delivers precise temperature control with quiet operation, for an installation carried out by a certified professional and built to last for many years.
See the product page
F-AR12ART AR35 Samsung AR35, reversible split air conditioner 12000 BTU
zoom_in

Samsung F-AR12ART AR35

Check price and availability (15)

A reversible split air conditioner from Samsung, built on the brand's well-known Digital Inverter technology, at a noticeably lower price than the brand's flagship ranges.

  • Power : 3.5 kW (12,000 BTU/h), cooling and heating
  • Type : Fixed split (indoor + outdoor unit), Digital Inverter technology
  • Noise level : About 40 dB(A) indoors on the quiet setting
  • Samsung Digital Inverter technology, stable and durable temperature control
The Samsung F-AR12ART AR35 is a fixed reversible split air conditioner rated at 12,000 BTU (3.5 kW), Class A++, built around Samsung's Digital Inverter technology for stable temperature control without compressor jolts. A built-in dehumidifier function and R32 refrigerant round off a classic but well executed spec sheet. With over 600 Amazon reviews and a 4.4 out of 5 rating, it is one of the most reviewed fixed air conditioners in its category, at a price noticeably below the brand's better-known DualCool or WindFree ranges.
With over 600 Amazon reviews, the F-AR12ART AR35 is one of the most reviewed fixed air conditioners in its category, and the feedback is consistent: Samsung's Digital Inverter technology delivers, with temperature stabilising quickly and running noticeably quieter than a standard fixed-speed compressor once the set point is reached. Several buyers highlight the strong value for money, this model sitting noticeably below the brand's more heavily marketed DualCool or WindFree ranges for a broadly similar control technology. The dehumidifier function is also cited as a genuine plus during shoulder seasons, drying the air without running full cooling power. The point that comes up most often, as with the vast majority of fixed air conditioners sold as a kit on Amazon, concerns installation: it requires a certified refrigeration engineer for commissioning and handling the R32 gas, a cost and lead time to plan for on top of the unit's price. For anyone after a Samsung fixed air conditioner without paying premium-range prices, the AR35 remains a solid, well-proven choice.
See the product page
ATXC35E Daikin ATXC35E, connected split air conditioner 12000 BTU
zoom_in

Daikin ATXC35E

Check price and availability (4)

The accessible Daikin split air conditioner, with built-in WiFi and an electrostatic filter, for anyone after the brand's reliability without the premium-range price.

  • Power : 3.5 kW (12,000 BTU/h)
  • Type : Fixed split (indoor + outdoor unit), built-in WiFi
  • Noise level : About 46 dB(A) indoors (SEER 6.8)
  • Built-in WiFi with no add-on module, electrostatic filter and economy standby mode (-80%)
The Daikin ATXC35E/ARXC35E is a fixed split air conditioner rated at 12,000 BTU, Class A++, with built-in WiFi for remote control without an add-on module. It features an electrostatic filter that removes airborne dust particles, a standby mode cutting consumption by about 80%, and automatic vertical swing for even air distribution. With a SEER of 6.8 and R-32 gas, it aims for a solid balance between energy efficiency and an accessible budget within the Daikin range.
Feedback on this ATXC35E, though less abundant than on older Daikin models, is overwhelmingly positive, with a 4.4 out of 5 rating. Built-in WiFi, with no separate card or module to buy as is sometimes the case on older Daikin units, is cited as a genuinely practical feature by several buyers, offering remote control straight out of the box. The electrostatic filter is also appreciated for its effectiveness against airborne dust, a point regularly raised in reviews focused on indoor air quality. The economy standby mode, said to cut consumption by about 80% when idle, matches the expectations of a manufacturer known for its focus on energy efficiency. As with any fixed air conditioner, installation by a certified professional remains a mandatory step, not included in the unit's listed price. The still-limited number of reviews (35 to date) calls for measured confidence, but the Daikin name, a historic reference in the sector, combined with the feature set on offer at this price point, make it a very credible option.
See the product page
Halo+ 9000 BTU Hisense Halo+, connected split air conditioner 9000 BTU
Promo
zoom_in

Hisense Halo+ 9000 BTU

Check price and availability (4)

The most affordable connected fixed air conditioner in our selection, with an antibacterial evaporator and self-cleaning function, for a bedroom or small office.

  • Power : 2.6 kW (9,000 BTU/h)
  • Type : Fixed split (indoor + outdoor unit), WiFi
  • Noise level : 19 dB(A) on the quietest setting
  • Entry-level price with an antibacterial evaporator and self-cleaning function
The Hisense Halo+ 9000 BTU is a fixed split air conditioner rated Class A++, with an antibacterial evaporator, carbon filter and self-cleaning function on the indoor unit. Controllable via WiFi and an LED display, it lists a very low noise level of 19 dB(A) on the quietest setting. Sold at an entry-level price within our fixed air conditioner selection, it is an accessible gateway to split air conditioning for a modestly sized room.
With a 4.3 out of 5 rating and a price noticeably below the category average, this Hisense Halo+ 9000 BTU finds its audience among buyers after a first fixed air conditioner without a large outlay. The indoor unit's self-cleaning function and antibacterial evaporator are cited as reassuring points on long-term maintenance, an aspect often overlooked on entry-level models. The 19 dB(A) noise level advertised on the quietest setting, should independent measurements confirm it in real-world use, would place the unit among the quietest in its category; the reviews available so far remain too few (30 reviews) to settle this particular point definitively. WiFi control and the LED display are considered straightforward to use. As with any fixed air conditioner, installation by a certified refrigeration engineer remains essential and represents a cost not included in the unit's price. For a bedroom or small office on a tight budget, this Halo+ remains a relevant option within our selection.
See the product page
Libero WZ09 LG Libero WZ09, ultra-quiet reversible split air conditioner 9000 BTU
zoom_in

LG Libero WZ09

Check price and availability (2)

The quietest fixed air conditioner in our selection, built around LG's Twin Rotary DC Inverter compressor, with an indoor noise level down to 27 dB(A).

  • Power : 2.5 kW (9,000 BTU/h), cooling and heating
  • Type : Fixed split (indoor + outdoor unit), Twin Rotary DC Inverter compressor
  • Noise level : 27 to 42 dB(A) indoors depending on setting
  • Among the quietest fixed air conditioners in the selection, from 27 dB(A) indoors
The LG Libero WZ09 is a reversible fixed split air conditioner rated at 9,000 BTU (2.5 kW cooling, 2.75 kW heating), Class A++ cooling and A+ heating (SEER 6.1, SCOP 4.0). Its Twin Rotary DC Inverter compressor, able to modulate output from 10% to 130%, allows an indoor noise level measured between 27 and 42 dB(A) depending on setting, among the lowest in our selection. Built-in WiFi and the LG ThinQ app allow remote control, with a pre-cooling or pre-heating function based on the smartphone's location.
The handful of reviews available for this LG Libero WZ09 are unanimously positive (5 out of 5), though their small number (4 reviews so far) calls for caution before generalising. The Twin Rotary DC Inverter compressor, an LG technology that modulates output from 10% to 130% unlike a standard Inverter, is the model's main technical selling point, and early feedback confirms running that feels particularly smooth and gradual. The indoor noise level, advertised by the manufacturer at between 27 and 42 dB(A) depending on setting, would make it one of the quietest fixed air conditioners in our selection if these figures hold up over sustained use. The smartphone-geolocation-based pre-conditioning function, via the LG ThinQ app, which triggers cooling or heating as you approach home, is a rare feature at this price point. One thing to watch: this model has occasionally been flagged at a higher-than-usual price on certain listings, so comparing available prices before buying is worthwhile. As with any fixed air conditioner, installation by a certified professional remains essential.
See the product page
Prios Dual Split 9+12 Ariston Prios, dual split fixed air conditioner 9000+12000 BTU
zoom_in

Ariston Prios Dual Split 9+12

Check price and availability (7)

Two rooms cooled with a single outdoor unit: Ariston's dual split fixed air conditioner, with Follow Me function and a refrigerant leak sensor.

  • Power : 2.6 kW + 3.5 kW (9,000 + 12,000 BTU/h)
  • Type : Fixed dual split (2 indoor units + 1 outdoor unit)
  • Noise level : From 22 dB(A) indoors depending on the unit
  • Cools 2 separate rooms with a single outdoor unit, Follow Me function included
The Ariston Prios Dual Split pairs two indoor units (9,000 and 12,000 BTU) with a single outdoor unit, cooling two separate rooms without multiplying outdoor units. Rated Class A++, running on R-32 gas with a Follow Me function that directs airflow towards the remote control, it also includes a refrigerant leak sensor and a self-cleaning function. WiFi, compatible with the Ariston Clima app, requires an optional kit not included as standard.
With over 100 reviews and a 4 out of 5 rating, the Ariston Prios Dual Split is regularly cited by buyers looking to cool two rooms without multiplying outdoor units on their wall or facade. The Follow Me function, which directs airflow towards the remote control rather than a fixed point in the room, is mentioned positively in several reviews for the comfort it adds. The refrigerant leak sensor, rarely found at this price point, is also praised as a genuine safety plus. The point raised most often concerns WiFi: contrary to what the "WiFi Ready" label might suggest, an additional kit must be bought separately to enable control via the Ariston Clima app, a nuance several buyers say they wish had been made clearer before purchase. The noise level, advertised from 22 dB(A), is considered consistent with real-world measurements reported by users. As with any fixed air conditioner, installation by a certified professional remains essential, made even more involved here by the two indoor units to connect to the same outdoor unit.
See the product page
Green Electric Plus 18000 BTU Green Electric Plus, connected fixed air conditioner 18000 BTU for large rooms
zoom_in

Green Electric Green Electric Plus 18000 BTU

Check price and availability (2)

The most powerful fixed air conditioner in our selection, designed for large rooms up to 45-50 m², with heat pump and WiFi control.

  • Power : 5 kW (18,000 BTU/h)
  • Type : Fixed mono-split (indoor + outdoor unit), inverter heat pump
  • Noise level : Not precisely stated by the manufacturer
  • The highest cooling power in our fixed air conditioner selection, for large rooms
The Green Electric Plus 18000 BTU is a fixed mono-split air conditioner rated 5 kW, Class A++/A+, designed for large rooms (through living rooms, spacious studios) up to 45-50 m² depending on insulation. Fitted with a reversible inverter heat pump, R32 gas and WiFi control, it rounds off our selection on the high-capacity segment, where most fixed air conditioners on the market top out at 9,000 or 12,000 BTU. The brand, built on the same technical foundations as Gree (via the Argo group), remains less well known to the general public than the sector's historic references.
This Green Electric Plus 18000 BTU fills a fairly clear gap in the mainstream fixed air conditioning market, which is heavily concentrated on 9,000 and 12,000 BTU units: beyond that, buyers usually have to turn to multi-split systems or less mainstream brands like this one. The few reviews available (7 to date) are fairly positive on the unit's real cooling capacity for a large room, but their small number does not yet allow for a solid, lasting conclusion. The Green Electric brand, built on the same technical foundations as Gree via the Argo group according to available information, remains noticeably less recognised than the sector's historic references (Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic), which partly explains its more accessible pricing at this power level. WiFi control and the reversible heat pump function match the standards expected of this type of unit. For a large room or a through living room where standard 9,000-12,000 BTU models would fall short on power, this model remains worth considering, bearing in mind the still-limited amount of user feedback available.
See the product page

← Back to Air conditioners

Related questions

As with a portable unit, allow roughly 100 to 120 BTU per m² for a well-insulated room: typically 9,000 BTU for a bedroom or office, 12,000 BTU for a standard living room, and up to 18,000 BTU for a large through room. South-facing exposure or poor insulation noticeably increase these needs.

It depends on the model. Many fixed air conditioners include a reversible heat pump, able to heat the room alongside a main heating source, but some simpler models offer cooling only. The product's spec sheet always states this point clearly.

Yes, fitting an indoor and an outdoor unit linked by a refrigerant line requires handling pressurised refrigerant gas, work reserved for a certified refrigeration engineer. This installation cost is to be planned for on top of the unit's price listed online.

A dual split kit pairs two indoor units with a single outdoor unit, to cool two separate rooms without adding extra outdoor units on the facade. It suits anyone wanting to equip two bedrooms, or a living room and an office, at the cost of sharing the outdoor unit's power between both rooms.

Yes, noticeably so: a fixed air conditioner's compressor sits in the outdoor unit, away from the living space, with an indoor noise level typically between 20 and 45 dB(A) depending on the model, against 45 to 65 dB(A) for a portable unit whose compressor stays indoors.

Compare