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Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Huge Home Depot deals from $3 — 15 best discounts I'd shop on appliances, furniture, tools, decor and more
August is the final month of summer, so now's the time to make the most of the great outdoors. If you ask me, Home Depot's sale is the place to go for deals on patio furniture, garden supplies, grills, tools and more! Right now Home Depot is offering up to 35% off appliances, so you can get your kitchen in shape for a celebration or cookout. Plus, you can get patio sets, umbrellas, bases and more on sale from $55 at Home Depot. You can also get a bunch of great Ring deals right now, like the Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) on sale for $29 at Home Depot. Don't miss my top picks from Home Depot's sale! You'll also want to take a look at our Home Depot promo codes and the best REI deals under $50. Wood & rubber mulch: deals from $3 @ Home DepotA gardening essential, Home Depot has deals on wood and rubber mulch starting from just $3. Brands include Earthgro and Vigoro, which will protect your garden and help your soil retain its moisture. Patio umbrellas: deals from $36 @ Home DepotProtect yourself from the sun this summer with a new patio umbrella. Home Depot has patio umbrellas on sale from $36 right now. The sale includes brands like Hampton Bay, Villacera, Pure Garden, and more. Outdoor grills: deals from $99 @ Home DepotBackyard barbecue season is back. The Home Depot is discounting various charcoal, gas, propane, and pellet grills with prices from $99. The sale includes major brands like Weber, Kingsford, Blackstone, Nexgrill, and more. Ryobi deals: up to 50% off @ Home DepotHome Depot is taking up to 50% off Ryobi's lineup in this sale. You can save on tools, batteries, lawnmowers and more, and in some cases, get free gifts with purchase. Artificial plants: deals from $25 @ The Home DepotGive your home a fresh, summery look with some artificial plants. The Home Depot has various pots, artificial grass walls, and more on sale. Best of all — they don't require regular maintenance like real plants do. Appliance sale: up to 35% off @ The Home DepotIf you need fresh appliances, check out this sale at The Home Depot. This retailer is slashing up to 35% off select fridges, washers, rangers and more from top brands. The FlexBreeze HydroGo has seen a price cut! It dispenses water from a very fine misting mechanism which sits right at the center of the fan. And it's portable, which means you can bring it anywhere. Weber makes some of our favorite grills on the market, and you can take this one on the go. This 2-Burner Propane Gas Portable 22 in. Flat Top Grill heats up to 500°F in a flash and is perfect to whip up a tasty cooked meal while camping, on road trips or on any other outdoor adventures. The Midea U is very quiet and excellent at cooling down spaces. We were also impressed with its easy installation, support bracket and energy efficiency when we tested it. The Ring Indoor Cam can record 1080p video, scare off intruders with a built-in siren, and detect motion in specified zones. It is more compact than the previous model with the addition of a new privacy shutter and upgraded mount. This is one of Ring's newer products, but as we said in our Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam review, it's a good addition if you're already part of the ecosystem. It fits in most spaces and captures smooth, stutter-free HD video. The Pan-Tilt camera also comes with video storage, person detection and color night vision. The Ring Floodlight Cam features a bird's eye view, 2K video quality with color night vision, 3D motion detection and 2000 LED floodlights. It also has two-way talk capabilities, a 110 decibel siren and can provide real-time alerts through the Ring app. A subscription to Ring Home adds additional features like people and package alerts and 24/7 recording. Although it's wired, we found it easy to install during testing and also appreciated the great image quality. Grow your favorite herbs, flowers, succulents, or veggies in this raised garden bed that will help you embrace your green thumb. It features an innovative drainage system that prevents waterlogging and root rot. Plus, the garden bed is made of cedar for extra durability. This set of two dining chairs is on sale for $189 at Home Depot. Each chair swivels 260 degrees and has a gentle rocking action, for a comfortable and relaxing feel. The frame is made of sturdy, durable iron and the seat is made of UV-resistant fabric that dries fast if it gets wet. This super comfortable seating set is on sale for $379 at Home Depot. It comes with a loveseat, two armchairs and a glass-topped coffee table, soft water-resistant cushions and rust-resistant frames. You have your pick of five different cushion colors.
Tom's Guide
30-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
I tested this smart air conditioner on one of the hottest days of the year — and I was blown away by the results
The Midea U has long been one of the best smart air conditioners — its design sets it apart from all other competitors, both in form and function, and its performance also places it at the top of the list. I reviewed the original Midea U in 2020, but since then, the company has come out with a newer model, which is not only more energy efficient, but also comes with updated drain plugs to help avoid the problem that led to the company recalling 1.7 million air conditioners. Oh yeah, and the new model can also work as a heat pump, so it can warm your room in the wintertime, too. All of this adds up to the best smart window air conditioner you can buy. Read on to see what else I liked (and didn't) about the Midea U. Midea offers its U-shaped air conditioner in three sizes: 8,000 BTU (good for 350 sq. feet) for $379, a 10,000 BTU model for $429, and a 12,000 BTU model for $479. At the time of writing, all three were discounted on Amazon. Setup was even easier this time around. Midea is one of the only companies to include a mounting bracket with its air conditioner, and even here, it's been improved since the original. The mounting bracket is just as robust as before, but now it's even easier to adjust. Plus, it now has two tabs that line up with slots on the underside of the air conditioner, to further prevent it from slipping out your window. Having a bracket is a huge difference-maker. Not only does it secure the air conditioner better, but it also makes it easier to install, as you don't have to delicately balance the AC in your window opening while you slide the sash down to lock it into place. Like the previous model, this Midea U doesn't use accordion-style baffles on either side of the AC, but comes with small foam blocks that you cut to size, and slot into the window. I've never had such a tight seal around an AC as I have with this model. As the model Midea sent to me was post-recall, it came with a small bag of updated drain plugs; I had to remove two plugs that were in the unit, and replace them with two of the newer plugs. The overall design of the Midea U is largely unchanged since the original. The air conditioner is divided into two sections, with the bulk sitting outside your window. A large gap in the middle lets you slide your window down between the sections. This lets you effectively use your window as the insulator, which helps cut down on noise and lets more light into your room. Similar to the LG dual inverter air conditioner, all the cool air from the Midea comes out of a slot at the top. When the air conditioner is off, a plastic panel closes over this slot. Below this is an array of buttons to control the AC. I like that they're physical, rather than touch-sensitive. Underneath the controls is the air filter. I also like that you can not only turn off the AC's display (so you can sleep better at night), but you can also deactivate its beeping when you change the temperature or other settings. It's a feature not available on the older AC unit. The Midea's remote has received a serious upgrade, at least in terms of its dimensions. It's now the size of a regular universal remote, and has a small LCD display. It's a bit of overkill, but I suppose you're less likely to lose it. However, I found the remote to be a bit finicky. It would occasionally take several presses of the same button to get it to register on the AC, even when I was a mere 10 feet away, with a direct line of sight. And, this could just be my aging eyes, but I found the LCD screen on the remote a bit hard to read. Like the original, the Midea U has an energy efficiency rating of 15, which is tops among the air conditioners we've tested. That means you'll be spending less money to cool your room than you would with other ACs. It's also supremely quiet. While I didn't notice much of a difference between it and the original — itself one of the quietest models we've tested — it operates at such a low hum that you might forget that it's even on. Even on days when the outside temperature was in the mid-90s, the Midea U kept my attic at a pleasant 78 degrees. It didn't feel like it had to work very hard to keep it there, either. While you'll notice the fan noise, no one on phone or video calls could hear anything. While the company's website says otherwise, the newer model can not only cool, but heat your room as well. I'm going to keep it installed through the winter to see how well it does. Midea's app is also equally easy to use, and you can connect the air conditioner not only with Alexa and Google Home, but Apple Home too, as the Midea U is now Matter-enabled. Linking it to Apple Home was a cinch: I simply scanned the QR code, pressed the Wi-Fi button on the AC, and in about a minute it appeared in the Home app. A few minor quibbles aside, the Midea U air conditioner is a great option for those who need to keep their room cool and not be distracted by loud noises or a high energy bill. The updates to the original model aren't huge, but they do make the air conditioner a lot easier to install. And, the fact that it's not only Matter-compatible but can work as a heat pump in the winter makes the Midea U all the more attractive. Those with larger areas to cool may want to check out LG's Dual Inverter air conditioner, which is available in a 14,000 BTU size — bigger than that of Midea's largest model. But for everyone else, the Midea is the better, and more affordable pick.
Business Insider
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Best Prime Day air conditioner deals: Our favorite ACs are $100+ off
The heat is here, but so is Amazon Prime Day. Today's air conditioner deals will help you get relief from the heat fast and under budget. This year, the deals will span four days, but we're already seeing big discounts on our top picks for the best air conditioners and best portable air conditioners. We combed through hundreds of the best Prime Day air conditioner deals to compile these recommendations. While we haven't tested every air conditioner below, we only highlight discounts from reputable brands we've tested firsthand and trust. This year, Midea air conditioners are getting a big discount. The Midea U is one of the best ACs we've ever tested, and it's $100 off at Amazon. The steep deal — which is better than last Prime Day's — is likely because the Midea U was recalled earlier this spring for drainage issues that led to mold growth in some units. Fortunately, these sale units have been fully repaired to fix the issue, and we still heartily recommend this AC. Its unique U-shaped design allows you to open the window on cooler days without taking the unit out — a great feature if you live somewhere with variable weather during the summer. GE, Frigidaire, and Whynter are among the other popular brands on sale right now. The best Amazon Prime Day air conditioner deals What should you look for in an air conditioner? Window AC vs. portable AC: We think a window AC is best for most people; they're more energy efficient, better at cooling, and less expensive upfront. However, a portable AC might be a good option if you don't have windows that will accommodate a traditional unit. Check out our guide to portable air conditioners versus window air conditioners for a more detailed breakdown. Wall units: While window and portable ACs are the best options if you rent, you may consider a wall unit if you own your home. Wall ACs come in two styles: through-the-wall units and ductless mini-split units. We don't generally recommend a through-the-wall AC unless your home already has a sleeve for one. Ductless mini-split air conditioners are a good alternative to through-the-wall ACs and a great option for homes that want the experience of central air without installing the ductwork. These units consist of a wall-mounted air conditioner connecting to a small condenser outside your home. You'll still need to drill through the wall (and should hire professional help), but it's much less expensive than installing central air. Energy efficiency: Energy-efficient units are better for the environment and keep your cooling costs low. Most window AC picks in our best air conditioner guide are Energy Star certified, but no portable units have earned this designation. We've found that window units with a variable speed compressor are the most efficient at cooling and the cheapest to run. Btu: It's common for model numbers for the same units to vary by one or two digits; this usually denotes different Btu ratings — a measurement of the cooling power of your air conditioner. It may be tempting to buy an AC with, but if you get a unit that is too big for your room, it will cool too quickly without removing the moisture, leaving a cold, clammy environment. Use the table below (from the Energy Star website) to determine what Btu your room requires: Keep in mind you may need a unit slightly larger Btu if the room you're looking to cool has a ceiling over 8 feet high, is very sunny, or is a kitchen. Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.
Tom's Guide
02-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
I test smart air conditioners for a living — here's my top 3 picks to make it through a heat wave
Yeah, it's hot out there. Whether you're in the U.S. or Europe, the average temperature has exceeded 80 degrees. In New York it's currently 89. Paris hit 97, Amsterdam 91, Dallas is at 93, and Phoenix is a brain-melting 106. Not surprisingly, many of us are cranking up our ACs to try and stay comfortable — and in the process, finding out the units we have no longer work, or are not up for the task. To keep our guide to the best smart window air conditioners up to date, I've been testing window air conditioners for the past five years. Not only have they been keeping my house cool, but they've also been saving me money, as they're a lot more efficient than older models. In addition to cooling your home, these ACs can also be controlled via an app on your smart phone, or connected to Alexa or Google Assistant — giving them their "smarts." This way, you can program them to turn on or adjust their temperature when you're arriving home, so you're not cooling your house while you're not there. If you're in the market for a new air conditioner, here are my top three picks. I've been using the LG Dual Inverter air conditioner now for seven years, and it's still performing like a champ. The first floor of my house isn't overly large (around 600-700 square feet, give or take), but is divided into three rooms. The 10,000 BTU model has been more than up to the task, keeping things cool throughout the summer. And, it's very quiet, too. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The only caveat is that this particular unit weighs around 63 pounds; I bought a bracket (sold separately) to make it easier to install in my window. This air conditioner is available in several sizes: 6000, 8,500, 10,000, 12,000, and 14,000 BTUs. Look for the Dual Inverter model. It works with Alexa, Google Home, and has both Android and iOS apps. While the Midea U was recently the subject of a massive recall, I'm still recommending this model for its innovative design (the company has issued a fix, as well as a redesigned model). Instead of those ugly and ineffective baffles, you slide your window between the two halves of the Midea, which not only offers better insulation, but cuts down on noise and lets more outside light in. The Midea U is also really quiet, and does an amazing job of cooling down my attic office, which is the hottest room in the house. The Midea U is available in 8,000, 10,000, and 12,000 BTU sizes, and two of the models can also work as heat pumps, to keep your room warm in the winter. While I didn't test this personally, my colleague Kelly Woo did, and it was perfect for her apartment. Windmill doesn't offer as many sizes as the competition, but it is one of the nicest-looking air conditioners we've tested. We especially like its wrap-around shroud, which looks a sight better than the traditional accordion-like baffles found on most window AC units. If you want the models with the best energy efficiency — and the ones that run the quietest — look for the models with "WhisperTech." One of the nicest-looking window air conditioners around. Keep in mind that only the models marked "WhisperTech" use inverter technology. There's one thing that my favorite window air conditioners all have in common. They all use what's called inverter technology, which is far more efficient than compressor technology, which was the traditional method that air conditioners used. You can determine how efficient an air conditioner is by looking at its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). The best models will have ratings between 13 and 15 or higher. Basically, this means they'll use less energy to cool your home. A side benefit of inverter technology is that it's a lot quieter, so you can still sleep comfortably without the racket of an air conditioner keeping you awake at night. Having a working AC is just one way to keep your house cool and not spend a fortune on your electric bill during the hottest time of the year. Here are 10 tips to cool your room down in a heatwave. Did you know, for instance, that you should set your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit? You should also try the "caveman method" to keep your house cool. And one of our writers beat the heat with a $2 roll of aluminum foil.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
1.7 million air conditioners recalled over reports of mold growth
(NewsNation) — About 1.7 million window air conditioning units have been recalled in the U.S. after 17 customers reported getting sick from fungal growth in the appliance. The Midea U and U+ window air conditioners may fail to drain quickly, causing mold growth that 'poses risks of respiratory issues or other infections to some consumers,' according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Nearly 46,000 units were also sold in Canada. There have been 152 reports of mold in the white AC units, including 17 reports of people saying exposure to the fungi made them cough, sneeze or have other allergic reactions. Units were sold under the brand names: Midea Comfort Aire Danby Frigidaire Insignia Keystone LBG Products Mr. Cool Perfect Aire Sea Breeze The Midea air conditioners fit in windows and resonated with consumers because of their unique design, which allows consumers to close their windows 'through' the unit. The units were sold from March 2020 through May 2025 for $280 to $500 in-store and online at Costco, Menards, Best Buy, Home Depot and more. Customers who purchased the units can get a free repair or potentially a prorated refund by contacting Midea. Consumers who choose to use their air conditioners while awaiting a repair can go to to find out how to inspect their unit before continuing to use it. For more information, consumers can visit and click on 'Recall Information' or call (888) 345-0256 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Mondays-Fridays. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
