A CHANGE IN THE AIR July offers three swappable magnetic faces for its chic AC, allowing you to modify the unit’s look at your whim.
1. What makes smart air conditioners so clever?
Like any intelligent appliance, these AC units are synced and best controlled from a phone, letting you power them on and set temperature, fan speeds and sleep schedules while miles from home. And if, like me, you’ve grown accustomed to shouting at home appliances, the latest units also offer control via Alexa: Simply ask her to crank the air a bit if you’re warm in bed but can’t be bothered to move.
July, $349
2. Do I really need to pay a premium for a stylish AC?
Kapsul W5, $599
Handsomely designed appliances are already filling living rooms. And now that people are spending so much time at home, “You don’t want an eyesore staring back at you,” said Windmill co-founder Mike Mayer. His brand’s minimalist design has clean, curvy lines and a mesh face ($395, windmillair.com). July brand units come with one of three optional faces—buy more to match your style to the seasons (from $349, july.ac). Meanwhile Kapsul’s W5 features a colorful readout and honeycomb grille on its oval face ($599, kapsulair.com).
Windmill, $395
3. Are these sleek designs merely decorative?
No. Beyond looking nice, the Windmill and July each aim their cooling vents up at a 45 degree angle, allowing air to flow down over a room rather than blasting you in the face. The quietly cooling Kapsul’s squat 7-inch frame wastes less power and occupies only a sliver of your window, giving back much of your summertime view.
4. Any drawbacks?
Extra tech can cause extra headaches: One night when the top vent of my Windmill test unit got covered by a curtain, it immediately fritzed, bleeping and blooping like R2-D2 throwing a tantrum for 10 minutes before getting stuck in Celsius mode. An analog version wouldn’t face similar issues, but unlike big brands, notorious for hard-to-navigate customer service, these startups let you access live chat with real humans right from their homepages.
5. So are these new AC units worth the upgrade?
Many Frigidaires offer more cooling power for less cash and can be made smart with aftermarket products. But rather than heaving your AC to storage so you don’t have to watch it yellow in the winter sun, consider something you don’t mind staring at year round.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Has working-from-home inspired you to upgrade your air conditioner or other items in your home? Join the conversation below.
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