July Air Conditioner Review 2023

Oct 01, 2023

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I've tested 27 of the best air conditioners over the last five years, and the worst part of the job is installing them. I've aggravated my lower back several times as I tried to position bulky units just right. So, I was pleasantly surprised by the easy installation of the July Air Conditioner.

While its performance was average, the July was the easiest window AC I've ever installed. It has an attractive, minimalist design with six cover options. This makes the July a good choice for individuals looking for an AC that can accentuate their interior decor.

Two features make the July's design unique. First, the control panel is on top of the unit, as opposed to the front, where you find it on most ACs. This makes the settings and buttons easier to see when standing right next to the unit. With other ACs, I have to bend down to get a good look.

There are currently six cover options, with occasional limited-edition varieties. I tested white, which comes standard. The other colors cost $30 to $50 more and include cloud, sky blue, rose, ash wood, and linen. As your decor changes, you can order different front covers, which are easy to switch out. You can also opt for plexiglass side panels; a great option for replacing some natural light lost from the AC being in your window.

I like that the July has a protective screen covering the exterior fins, so you don't accidentally bend them, which is easy to do and can adversely affect your AC's performance.

I had the July installed and running in 15 minutes. It took another five minutes to download and connect to the app. The only tool I used was a power drill to screw the frame onto the window.

The instructions were minimal but sufficient. Unlike other ACs, where you attach the curtains to the main unit before putting it in the window, the July's frame and curtains are installed in the window first. Then, you slide the unit into the frame. I liked this method much more because I didn't have to hold the window open with my shoulder while trying to finesse a heavy AC into place. Instead, I just slid it right in. This type of installation is particularly a boon for city dwellers, since it pretty much negates any risk of your AC falling out the window.

Most air conditioners need at least a 23-inch-wide window. Not the July. It works in windows as narrow as 20-⅜ inches, making it an excellent choice if you have narrower windows.

Using a smart plug, I found the July air conditioner used 0.5 kWh in the hour I ran it on high. This is about average for the ACs I've tested. For context, you can expect the July to cost you about $61 if you run it on high for eight hours a day all summer. This is based on the United States' average electricity costs.

I test air conditioners by running them on high for an hour in a 650-square-foot room. I use a thermometer placed on the opposite side of the room to record readings before and after the test to see how much the temperature drops.

In one hour, the July decreased the temperature by 2 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a little better than average. Remember that the July is designed for rooms up to 250 square feet, so it will likely do a better job of cooling appropriately sized rooms. In cooling mode, the July also removes moisture and circulates the air, making the room feel even cooler.

The noise output of the July air conditioner is average. While placed 6 feet from the AC running on high, a sound meter registered 55 decibels. This is quieter than a normal conversation and a little louder than a refrigerator hum. It was only slightly quieter at low speed.

These results were close to the average for the ACs I've tested. More importantly, the sound of the July didn't interfere with hearing my TV. It didn't produce any jarring sounds, so it may work well in bedrooms, especially if you like white noise while you sleep.

The July app has a standard array of features. As with the unit's control panel and remote control, the app adjusts the fan speed and changes modes (cool, fan, auto, and dehumidify). However, the app also lets you set schedules so the AC would automatically turn off at bedtime and during peak hours when my utility company had surge pricing. This helped save on energy costs.

The app connects to Amazon Alexa and Google Home for voice control. I tested the Alexa connection and found it worked well for turning the July on and off, but it couldn't handle more nuanced directions, like switching from dehumidify to cooling mode.

While the July used an average amount of electricity, it is not Energy Star-certified. "Any window AC model that earns the Energy Star label is independently certified to save energy, save money, and help protect the climate," said Enesta Jones, a spokesperson for the EPA, which manages the Energy Star program. The July also has a low combined energy efficiency ratio, or CEER, which measures an air conditioner's energy efficiency.

The July doesn't have adjustable vents, so you can't adjust the airflow direction. Most air conditioners have louvers for changing airflow, and the best ACs are multi-directional offering vertical and horizontal adjustments. The lack of airflow control isn't a big deal if you want to cool a whole room, but it's a con if you want to send the cool air to a specific spot, like where you're sitting.

Many air conditioners come with foam seals and insulation to improve efficiency. Insulation is helpful because the side curtains don't do a great job of keeping hot air out, and foam seals plug up any cracks between the AC and the window. You can pick up foam at your local hardware store, or on Amazon.

The Friedrich CCF08A10A Chill Premier Smart Window Air Conditioner is the top overall pick in our guide to the best air conditioners. It did a better job of cooling while using less energy, and the app is almost identical. However, it costs $100 more, doesn't have the cool design of the July, and runs slightly louder.

If your window doesn't accommodate a window air conditioner, consider one of the models from our guide to the best portable air conditioners. However, window ACs are a much better product. For more details, check out our portable air conditioners vs window air conditioners article.

The July air conditioner isn't among the best I've tested, but it didn't do poorly in any of our tests. It does well cooling, doesn't get too loud, has useful app connectivity, and is a breeze to install. I'd particularly recommend this AC for individuals who want an easy-to-install AC that fits narrower windows and is aesthetically pleasing.

Pros: Beautiful design, lots of customization options, easy-to-use app and controls, quick and safe installation, good noise control, average cooling

Cons: Not Energy Star-certified

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