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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? Here's the honest call, 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)

Midea U 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner (MAW08V1QWT)

Buy it

The 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; certified among the most efficient in its class
  • 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
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LG 8,500 BTU Dual Inverter Smart Window Air Conditioner (LW8024IVSM)

LG 8,500 BTU Dual Inverter Smart Window Air Conditioner (LW8024IVSM)

Buy it

A 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, voice control, and an LCD remote
  • 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
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Side by side

Midea U 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter Window Air Conditioner (MAW08V1QWT)LG 8,500 BTU Dual Inverter Smart Window Air Conditioner (LW8024IVSM)
Our verdictBuyBuy
Best forBedrooms and anyone who prioritizes near-silent cooling and low running costsLiving rooms and anyone who wants inverter quiet and efficiency without the U-shaped installation gymnastics
Price tier$$ · mid-range$$ · mid-range

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).