The cheapest type of air conditioner to buy outright is a portable unit or a basic window box unit, which can be purchased without professional installation. However, these offer limited cooling performance and are not suitable for most Australian bedrooms or living areas.
For a properly installed system, entry-level split systems from brands like Kelvinator, Hisense, Haier, and TCL represent the most affordable options, with some units available from around $700 to $900 for the unit alone before installation.
Budget brands can be a reasonable choice for low-use rooms, but they often carry shorter warranties and may not perform as reliably in extreme heat. For most Australian homes, a mid-range brand such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Fujitsu, or LG tends to offer better long-term value once running costs and reliability are factored in.
Blue Mountains Air can help you find the right unit for your budget without overselling capacity you do not need.
