Hot weather is on the horizon and sometimes you really just need something to help take the edge off in the house. There will be moments when the breeze seeping through your open windows during a heat wave is inadequate, and don’t get us started on the costs of running a central air conditioning unit throughout the summer months (and the fact that many renters don’t even have the option).
Thankfully, there are some cost-effective, portable air conditioners out there to keep the environment around you cool and controlled. We rounded up seven of our favorites, which you can read below, but before buying, there are a few things to know.
What to Consider
- BTU: A BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is a measurement of how much energy is required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree. In short, this is a critical calculation when choosing the best option for your home or business. This chart from Total Home Supply calculates how many BTUs you need per square foot in order to effectively cool down your space. Using this will help you buy the most economical and energy saving AC for your home.
- Features: Most of the best portable air conditioners come with features that eclipse the simple need for cooler air. Many of them boast dehumidifying capabilities to collect moisture from the air (which discourages the growth of mold) and make sure everyone in the house has clean air to breathe (especially helpful in areas on the East Coast and in the South). And, some of them double as a fan if you need just a little cool down.
- Space: Portable AC units come in many shapes and sizes. If you live in a small, stuffy apartment, you might not want a huge box taking up space. On the contrary, if you want to cool down a larger room, there is no point in trying to do so with a tiny, low-powered machine. So, make sure you plan accordingly.
- Portability: Considering these are the best portable air conditioners, portability is something you need to think about before going all in on an AC. Do you need something that can be moved from room to room regularly? Or are you looking to cool down a specific space like the living room or nursery? Whichever it may be, you’ll want to make sure your choice supplies your needs. These machines are heavy beasts.
Best Portable Air Conditioners
Honeywell MN10CESWW 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Honeywell has always been a reliable companion when it comes to giving you room to control the environment around you. This portable AC unit follows suit, supplying extraordinary cold air for rooms up to 350-450 sq. feet and comes with a full window kit for quick and easy installation in both vertical and horizontal window designs. It also features thermal overload protection for added safety, a washable filter for easy maintenance, and easy-to-use digital controls with three fan speeds and a 24-hour energy saving timer.
Perfect for: Smaller spaces such as a bedroom, dining room, office, nursery, or gym.
BTUs: 10,000
Features: Dehumidifier (66 pints per day with continuous drain option for long unattended operation); fan (three speeds).
Portability: Wheels on the bottom for easy transportation from room to room.
Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
The Whynter ARC-14s is one of the more expensive among the best portable air conditioners, but its sleek design and overall utility are totally worth the price tag. Its dual hose construction has the ability to cool down a room up to 500 sq. feet more efficiently than most of its competitors, offers full control over the thermostat and supplies a stout self-evaporating technology and a carbon air filter that uses and recycles moisture collected during the cooling process to produce cool air and minimize build-up of condensation. Whynter’s AC unit comes with a remote control and an installation set that includes an extendable exhaust and intake hose (up to 60″) and window kit (up to 46″).
Perfect for: Small or large rooms, from bedrooms to the main living area.
BTUs: 14,000
Features: Dehumidifier (101 pints per day); fan (three speeds).
Portability: Wheels on the bottom for easy transportation; however, mind the window size requirements.
DeLonghi Pinguino Deluxe Portable Air Conditioner
DeLonghi’s portable air conditioner is a great grab for cooling down a single space without running up your energy costs. It’s insanely easy to set up, very quiet when in use, and a BioSilver filter to prevent the growth of mold and mildew on the filter. And, like the Whynter model, DeLonghi’s AC unit boasts a no-drip technology that recycles moisture and condensation in the unit. Other perks include user-friendly electronic controls with a legible digital display, a fully adjustable thermostat with different mode selections, and an energy-efficient 12-to-24 hour timer.
(Note: Although it says up to 600 sq. ft., this unit only cools down areas up to 300 sq. ft.)
Perfect for: Small rooms, specifically non-master bedrooms or an office space.
BTUs: 6,800
Features: Dehumidifier; fan (three speeds).
Portability: Durable caster wheels and integrated handles for ultimate transportability from room to room.
RolliCool Alexa-Enabled Portable Air Conditioner 10,000 BTU
The RolliCool is a fantastic portable air conditioning unit, especially if you use an Alexa at home. This machine allows you to control your home’s temperature with quick and easy voice control capabilities or simple handheld controls through the RolliCool mobile app. The unit offers a simple installation process and easy to wash reusable filters (excluding the carbon filter), as well as a streamlined design that is built sturdy enough to be moved from room to room. It’s extremely versatile, boasting cooling, heating, dehumidifying, and fanning abilities in spaces up to 450 sq. feet so you can keep your home feeling comfortable no matter what time of year. And, if you need it to operate in a larger space, it offers three different BTU strengths to cater to your specific needs.
Perfect for: Any size room, especially if you opt for the 14,000 BTU model.
BTUs: 10,000
Features: Dehumidifier (6.3 gallons per day); fan; heater.
Portability: Equipped with 360-degree caster wheels and a movable window kit for easy mobility between rooms.
EdgeStar AP12000S Portable Air Conditioner
EdgeStar offers a cost-effective portable air conditioner that is an immensely effective workhorse, easily cooling rooms up to 425 sq. feet. It’s one of the quietest options on the market, and if used in its energy-efficient operation mode, only costs about $1 a day to run. EdgeStar’s unit includes other handy features, too, such as a self-evaporative system that exhausts almost all condensation created in use (with the exception of extremely humid climates), an adjustable digital thermostat with a 61-89F temperature range, and a straightforward window kit (expands up to 55) and vent hose (expands up to 49).
Perfect for: Smaller spaces such as a bedroom, dining room, office, nursery, or gym.
BTUs: 12,000
Features: Dehumidifier-only option (90 pints per day); fan (three speeds)
Portability: Equipped with caster wheels for enhanced mobility.
LG LP1417GSR 115V Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control
LG makes some of the most reliable electronic equipment on the planet, so it should be no surprise to see them on our collection of best portable air conditioners. This unit boasts a sleek graphite gray appearance and can cool down a sweltering room up to 500 sq. feet with ease. Its auto-swing air vent technology circulates air more effectively than its competitors to make sure every hot spot in the room is covered, and it features an auto evaporation system that allows for continuous use, or you can simply set a timer for when you want the unit to run. Lastly, it comes with a convenient LED display panel and LCD remote control for easy temperature control.
Perfect for: Smaller spaces such as a bedroom, dining room, office, nursery, or gym. Hell, let’s add man cave to this list.
BTUs: 14,000
Features: Dehumidifier (74.4 pints per day); fan (three speeds).
Portability: Free-standing, so more work to mobilize.
Haier HPND14XHT 14, 000 BTU 115V Dual-Hose Portable Air Conditioner
The Haier portable AC unit is one of the biggest machines in this list, but it boasts great features that will quickly make you forget about its bulky size. Its cooling ability is superb and can cool a room as big as 550 sq. ft thanks to its large size and dual hose technology. And, it happens to be one of the quietest units you can buy. Maintenance is kept to a minimum with a slide-out, washable mesh filter, and its handy auto evaporation tech makes manual draining a task of the past
Perfect for: Small or large rooms, from bedrooms to the main living area.
BTUs: 10,000
Features: Cooling (three settings); dehumidifier; fan (three speeds).
Portability: Equipped with caster wheels for easy mobility.
If you’re looking for alternative ways to make house comfortable and livable when temperatures start eclipsing triple digits, a tower fan is a great tool for keeping cool.
