Home & Kitchen · Head-to-head
Midea U 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner (MAW08V1QWT) vs LG 8,500 BTU Dual Inverter Smart Window Air Conditioner (LW8024IVSM)
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Window Air Conditioners: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Midea U remains the definitive window AC: near-silent, extremely efficient, and it even lets you keep using your window. The LG dual inverter delivers most of that quiet and efficiency in a conventional chassis that's far easier to install.
Midea U 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner (MAW08V1QWT)
Buy itThe U-shaped inverter design that made every other window AC sound loud - still the one to beat.
- Independent testing consistently ranks it among the quietest window units ever made - the compressor hangs outside the closed sash
- Inverter compressor holds temperature steadily and sips power
- U-shape lets you still open the window, and Wi-Fi, voice control, and scheduling all work reliably in the app
- Installation is more involved than a conventional unit - the support bracket must be assembled and leveled first
- The U-channel can collect debris and water, so it needs occasional cleaning to stay fresh
LG 8,500 BTU Dual Inverter Smart Window Air Conditioner (LW8024IVSM)
Buy itA conventional-shaped inverter unit that's nearly as quiet and efficient, with a far simpler install.
- Dual inverter compressor modulates smoothly - reviewers report very quiet, steady operation with no jarring on/off cycling
- Standard chassis installs like any traditional window AC, with a slide-out design that keeps the heavy lifting manageable
- Strong airflow and slightly higher cooling output than rivals in its size class, plus Wi-Fi and voice control
- It's a heavy unit, and the lower window sash stays blocked - no opening the window afterward
- Owners report the companion app works but can be fussy about setup and occasional disconnects
Side by side
The 7 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Midea U 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner (MAW08V1QWT) Our pick | LG 8,500 BTU Dual Inverter Smart Window Air Conditioner (LW8024IVSM) | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Bedrooms and anyone who prioritizes near-silent cooling and low running costs | Living rooms and anyone who wants inverter quiet and efficiency without the U-shaped installation gymnastics |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $$ · mid-range |
| Cooling capacity | 8,000 BTU | 8,500 BTU (up to 380 sq ft per LG) |
| Compressor type | Variable-speed inverter | Dual inverter (variable) |
| Noise character | Whisper-quiet, compressor outside the sash | Very quiet, smooth modulation |
| Window after install | Can still open through the U | Lower sash blocked |
| Smart features | Wi-Fi, app, voice control | Wi-Fi, app, voice control |
| Installation | Bracket-first, more steps | Conventional, straightforward |
| Energy efficiency | Inverter, efficient | ENERGY STAR listed by LG |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Midea U 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner (MAW08V1QWT) if
bedrooms and anyone who prioritizes near-silent cooling and low running costs.
Know before buying: installation is more involved than a conventional unit - the support bracket must be assembled and leveled first.
Pick the LG 8,500 BTU Dual Inverter Smart Window Air Conditioner (LW8024IVSM) if
living rooms and anyone who wants inverter quiet and efficiency without the U-shaped installation gymnastics.
Know before buying: it's a heavy unit, and the lower window sash stays blocked - no opening the window afterward.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Midea U 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner (MAW08V1QWT) - The U-shaped inverter design that made every other window AC sound loud - still the one to beat. Choose the LG 8,500 BTU Dual Inverter Smart Window Air Conditioner (LW8024IVSM) instead if living rooms and anyone who wants inverter quiet and efficiency without the U-shaped installation gymnastics.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Window Air Conditioners: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).