A 13,800-Btu, 124-pound powerhouse, the General Electric AGM14AJ air conditioner is for those who want some serious temperature control. This model cranks out a breeze with the best of them, assisted by vents that help distribute the cool air on a trajectory that covers different parts of a room.

The GE AGM14AJ is priced around $500, which is a reasonable price point for a 13,800-Btu model. What this unit offers in sheer power, however, it lacks in extra features. It has three fan speeds and decidedly unsophisticated digital controls, which is not typical for a $500 model. However, it has an automatic start feature. Why is this important? If power fails, an auto start feature will restart an air conditioner when the power is restored. Without this feature, all the settings are lost and the air conditioner must be manually started.

Still, the GE AGM14AJ's white-on-white styling is pleasing enough, though not the most sytlish, and it really does cool a room -- or rooms -- with ease. In theory, it has the power to cool about 700 to 800 square feet, but an open floor plan may allow a user to cool an even larger space. It also has a remote control, which is a nice touch. One thing we really appreciate about this model is the quiet operation. Rather than emit a distracting airplane runway sound, this unit has a pleasant white noise effect. It is one of the quietest models we've encountered.

The verdict? The GE AGM14J cools efficiently, is priced well and runs quietly. It may not have all the bells and whistles we expected, but it's great for those on a budget.


Pros: Quiet operation, price
Cons: Not the most stylish model out there

Warranty
1 year, limited