Hisense 350-Sq. Ft. Window Air Conditioner (AW0821CW1W) Review (2024)

The Hisense 350-sq. ft. Window Air Conditioner ($279) is a reasonably priced Wi-Fi-enabled window AC unit that you can control with your voice, your phone, or the included remote. It's easy to install and did an admirable job of cooling in our tests. It doesn't offer power usage reports or compatibility with Apple HomeKit and IFTTT like some other smart air conditioners we've tested, but it also costs less than many 8,000-BTU models, making it an affordable option for small to medium spaces.

A Familiar Design, But Smarter

As its name implies, the Hisense 350-sq. ft. Window Air Conditioner is designed for rooms of up 350 square feet. It’s an 8,000-BTU unit with a white finish and dimensions of 13.0 by 17.5 by 18.5 (HWD). The unit weighs 48.5 pounds and will fit window openings of 13.5 inches in height and 24.5 to 39 inches wide.

There’s a diffuser on the top facing outward for directing airflow to the left/right and upward/downward. Below that is a control panel with backlit buttons for Fan Speed, Mode, and Wi-Fi Connect. In the middle is the current temperature reading and temperature up and down arrows, as well as a Power button and Timer, Sleep, and Filter indicators. Below the control panel is a removable panel that hides the filter. To remove the filter for cleaning, simply pull the panel off and lift it out. You can clean the filter with a vacuum or wash it in warm soapy water.

The AC uses a three-speed fan and has a maximum noise level of 57dB. When running in dry (dehumidification) mode, it can remove up to 21 pints of moisture per day. Connectivity comes by way of an embedded Wi-Fi radio. You can control the AC using the onboard panel or with the included 3.4-by-1.7-inch remote, which has Power, Fan, Mode, Dimmer, and Temperature Up/Down buttons, as well as Timer, Sleep, and Filter Reset. Included in the box are mounting screws and sash lock hardware, foam sealing strips, a top rail, side curtains, and foam panels for the side curtains. There’s also a use and installation manual.

This air conditioner doesn't use the same Hisense Smart Air mobile app as the Hisense 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner With Wi-Fi. Instead, it uses the ConnectLife mobile app for Android and iOS devices. On the home screen you’ll find panels for all of your installed Hisense devices and a panel that displays the last used device and its settings.

When you tap the panel for the AC, it launches a screen with the current temperature reading, a power button, and several quick operation buttons. The Mode button lets you change modes (Fan, Dry, Cool, Eco),and the Temperature button lets you adjust the temperature using a sliding gauge. The Fan Speed button lets you select a low, medium, or high fan speed, and the Sleep button will have the AC increase the set temperature by up to 4 degrees before it automatically shuts off after two hours. There’s also a button for running sensor diagnostics and one for changing the unit of temperature (Celsius or Fahrenheit).

The Hisense AC supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands that let you turn the unit on and off, set the temperature, and change modes. However, it lacks support for Apple’s HomeKit platform and Siri voice commands, as well as power usage reports and support for IFTTT applets that provide interoperability with other smart home devices.

Installing and Using the Hisense Smart AC

The Hisense Window AC was relatively easy to install in testing. I attached the top rail using the included screws and slid in the left and right side curtains. I had to remove the bottom part in order for the unit to fit, but that was as easy as pressing two buttons and lifting it out of the frame. I placed the AC into the window frame, slid the side curtains out, and used the included hardware to secure the curtains to both sides of the window frame. I drilled a small hole in the window sash and secured the top rail to the sash using an included screw, then sealed off any openings using the foam insulation.

Pairing the AC to the app and connecting it to my home network was also easy. I started by downloading the ConnectLife mobile app and creating an account, then tapped Start Here Add Appliances. I selected Air Treatment from the menu, then selected Window Air Conditioner. Following the on-screen instructions, I turned the unit on and long-pressed the connect button on the AC. When the Wi-Fi icon began blinking, I used my phone’s Wi-Fi settings to connect to the AC. I returned to the app and selected my home Wi-Fi SSID, entered my password, and the device was online and ready to go.

The Hisense Window Air Conditioner did a great job of cooling in my tests. I installed it in a medium-sized bedroom (360 square feet) and it managed to bring the temperaturedown from 76 degrees to 66 degrees Fahrenheit in about 30 minutes, which is right in line with what we saw with the GE AHC08LY and Windmill air conditioners, both of which are also 8,000-BTU units.

In addition, the Hisense AC reacted quickly to remote and app commands, and the fan was relatively quiet when operating at high speed. At first I had a little trouble linking my ConnectLife account to my Alexa account due to some server issues, but once they were resolved Alexa voice commands worked like a charm.

A Smart Way to Cool Down

If you’re looking for a smart AC to cool off a small to medium room, the Hisense 350-sq. ft. Window Air Conditioner is an excellent choice. It’s easy to install and responds quickly to voice, app, and remote control commands, and most importantly, it works quickly and quietly. The Midea 8,000BTU U-Shaped Air Conditioner has a more innovative design that makes it super easy to install and helps dampen sound, but it's pricier at $359, while the aformentioned Windmill AC has the most stylish design, but costs even more at $395. That makes the Hisense model a good alternative for smart cooling on a relative budget.