We expected the Haier ESA3105 air conditioner, which has 10,000 Btu, to have plenty of muscle. We weren't disappointed. This window-mounted air conditioner makes short work of cooling a sizeable room. Although it is marketed for single-room use, we were able to use it to cool multiple rooms; it was particularly easy to put a chill in the air when cooling multiple rooms in an open floor plan.

Our interest was first piqued by the Haier's price tag. For less than $300 the Haier offers more Btu than some models that are double the cost. It has a built-in dehumidifier, which can be helpful in homes where moisture or humidity is an issue. An electrostatic air filter helps trap dust and allergens, which can be a benefit for some users.

The Haier ESA3105 does lack some of the "extras" we typically see on powerful units with a higher price tag. It has only three cool settings and three fan speeds, and it doesn't have many options when it comes to its operation. We would have liked to see the addition of an Energy Saver mode and automatic restart function. It does have an easy-to-use one-touch control panel on the air conditioner's face, as well as a remote control. The remote control can be used to seamlessly adjust the air conditioner's temperature. We especially like the air conditioner's digital time and temperature display. It operates quietly and unobtrusively, offering a relatively pleasant "white noise" effect in the background.

Overall, we like the Haier ESA3105 for its attractive price, quick cooling power and quiet operation. It lacks a few features we typically like to see in a quality air conditioner, but it is still a strong performer that's worth the cost.


Pros: Cools efficiently, remote control
Cons: Lacks "extra" settings

Warranty
1 year, parts and labor; 5 years, compressor