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How We Review

This page explains how WikiCooling researches and rates products. Our ratings come from research, not from physically installing or measuring products.

Step 1: Define the need

We start from what a shopper is trying to solve, such as cooling a small bedroom with a casement window or drying out a damp basement, and set the criteria that matter for that need before looking at products.

Step 2: Gather information

We use manufacturer specifications, product listings, ENERGY STAR and other public program data where available, and recurring themes in buyer feedback. We attribute buyer feedback as feedback and do not present it as our own measurement.

Step 3: Compare against the criteria

Criteria depend on the category. Common ones are:

  • Air conditioners: cooling capacity for the room size, window or wall fit, installation effort, stated noise level, efficiency rating, controls and smart features, drainage, and value.
  • Fans: airflow and coverage, stated noise, speed and oscillation options, footprint, controls, and value.
  • Dehumidifiers: moisture removal capacity for the space, tank size and drain options, operating temperature range, efficiency rating, stated noise, and value.
  • Accessories: fit with the units they are made for, materials, ease of installation, and value.

The WikiCooling Score

The WikiCooling Score is a summary rating based on the criteria above. The same criteria are applied to every product in a category. It is a research based rating, not a laboratory result.

Limits of our method

Specifications and listings can be wrong or change, and capacity ratings are measured by manufacturers under standard conditions that may differ from your home. Always check the manufacturer details for the exact model you plan to buy, especially window dimensions, electrical requirements, and installation instructions.

How products are chosen

We select products that fit the need, have enough reliable information to compare, and reflect a range of brands. We do not pad a list with weak products to reach a round number.