Our pick
This expensive but foolproof bracket requires no drilling and can be assembled in less than five minutes.
Of all the AC brackets we’ve tested, the Top Shelf TSB-2438 is by far the easiest to install. It requires no drilling or hardware installation—you simply click the parts together, adjust them by hand, and then lock the bracket into place behind your window frame. The weight of the AC itself is enough to securely anchor the bracket into place, and it can support ACs of up to 200 pounds, which should cover even the heftiest models. Because no drilling is involved, you can quickly and easily remove and reinstall this bracket, too. That’s a big plus if you plan to store your AC indoors during the cooler months, or if you expect to move with some frequency (renters, take note).
Budget pick
If you’re okay with installing some hardware, this model is the best of the brackets that require drilling.
The Frost King ACB80H is the best bracket we tested that requires drilling to install, and we think that’s a fair trade-off considering that this Frost King model is less than half the price of our top pick. It’s made of sturdier materials than most other AC brackets, too, and its included instructions are clearer than what you get with the competition. You need to drill into your windowsill and tighten several screws and a bolt, all of which means that you must have access to the necessary tools (and the confidence to use them while leaning out the window). Note that this Frost King bracket is rated to support ACs of up to 80 pounds—much less weight than our top pick can handle, though it should still work for most window units rated up to 12,000 Btu.
