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Oct 17, 2024

The Best Portable Air Conditioners for Keeping Cool, Tested

By Stephanie Cronk, Savannah Sher Updated on Aug 30, 2024 4:14 PM EDT Reviewed By Beth Cranston We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

By Stephanie Cronk, Savannah Sher

Updated on Aug 30, 2024 4:14 PM EDT

Reviewed By Beth Cranston

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

True to their name, portable air conditioners are, well, portable—especially when compared to virtually all other types of equivalent cooling solutions. A portable AC unit sits entirely inside the home, transferring heat to the outdoors via an exhaust hose.

While they take up floor space and don’t run quite as efficiently as their in-window counterparts, they’re your best bet (or only bet) in many scenarios. We researched and tested a variety of portable air conditioning units in 80+ degree Fahrenheit weather with humidity levels between 70 and 80 percent to see which units performed best and kept our area cool and comfortable. Our favorite is the Midea Duo Portable Air Conditioner thanks to its powerful cooling and heating capabilities, energy efficiency, and unique voice-control feature.

We also reached out to Glenn Gault, CEO of Gault Heating & Cooling, located in Northeast Ohio, to get his expert opinion. Continue reading for tips on how to choose the best portable air conditioners for your space, and find out how the models we tested performed.

The following products represent some of the best portable AC units on the market today. See how each one fared in our tests, including the various functions offered and the overall cooling efficiency.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Portability 4/5; Noise 5/5; Value 5/5

The Midea Duo 14,000 BTU portable air conditioner with heat is powerful enough to cool, warm, dehumidify, and circulate the air in rooms up to 550 square feet. It uses variable-speed inverter technology to increase energy savings by 40 percent in comparison to U.S. federal standards.

We found the Midea Duo to be the most powerful unit we’ve tested. We installed this unit on a hot and humid day to really test how quickly it could cool our area. Within minutes, we felt relief, and within a half hour, our living area was considerably cooler. We were incredibly impressed with this indoor air conditioner’s ability to cool effectively and quickly.

You can operate the Midea Duo via the control panel or adjust the heat and cooling from afar thanks to the Midea app, Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa. The efficient app was easy to set up and use. We also liked the option to use the remote control for easy operation.

While this portable AC and heater weighs a hefty 77.16 pounds, we found it easy to move thanks to its four-wheel design. It comes with an installation kit that includes a unique hose-in-hose design, which provides 20 percent better cooling two times as quickly as standard portable ACs. Maybe one of our favorite features was how easy this AC unit was to install. Sometimes, when installing portable air conditioners, you find yourself wrestling with the hoses and attachments. This unit’s built-in hoses eliminates that frustration.

Its air duct system also projects cool air further (up to 26 feet away), which we were able to feel comfortably sitting in the next room.

Although looks are certainly subjective, we really liked the sleek black appearance of this unit. It seemed to fit well with our decor without being a huge eyesore.

Get the Midea portable air conditioner at Amazon or Walmart.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Portability 2/5; Noise 4/5; Value 4/5

Read our full review: Whynter ARC-14S Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner

For a reasonable price, this Whynter dual-hose portable room air conditioner features a maximum output of 14,000 BTUs and is suitable for rooms up to 500 square feet in size.

The portable AC unit can be set to cooling, fan-only, or dehumidifier mode. The fan speed in the cooling and fan mode can be adjusted between low, medium, and high to meet your personal preferences. The unit sits on four wheels, making it easy to move around and set up within the home.

This was among the most powerful portable AC units we tested. Setup took a few minutes as we connected each hose to the back of the unit and screwed the window panel in.

We turned the unit on when our 600-square-foot room reached 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The unit was set to the lowest cooling setting at 61 degrees Fahrenheit and the highest fan setting. Cold air was instantly pushed through the top vent, and the room was noticeably cooler within 10 minutes. Where traditional portable air conditioners are bulky, this model is sleek stainless steel and slimmer than most.

Get the Whynter ARC-14S portable air conditioner at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Best Buy.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Portability 3/5; Noise 4/5; Value 4/5

The LG LP1419IVSM smart portable air conditioner features dual-inverter technology, which allows for quicker and more efficient cooling. Users can customize their cooling preferences with three cooling and fan speeds (along with a 24-hour timer), and LG ThinQ technology provides the ability to control the unit with a smartphone. This portable air conditioner can also act as a dehumidifier with its built-in dehumidifying mode that removes extra moisture in the air.

During testing, we found that this unit was among one of the quietest to run. While it ran in sleep mode, we measured its noise output at 42 to 45 decibels, which was quiet enough for us to comfortably watch TV while it was running. We tested this unit in our 600-foot living space. It cooled the area efficiently and kept it at a comfortable temperature. When we tested the LG ThinQ app, we were able to easily pair the unit with two different smartphones with no issue. The app allowed us to control the unit and set an operating schedule.

Our favorite part of using the LG portable air conditioner was its ease of setup; we had this unit installed within minutes. The air conditioner vent is built into the back of the unit, so there is no fumbling with hose assembly, and the hose and venting mount are among the best quality we’ve dealt with. The unit has a sleek appearance and is beautifully designed.

Get the LG portable air conditioner at Walmart.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Portability 4/5; Noise 3.5/5; Value 5/5

The Dreo AC516S smart air conditioner delivers powerful cooling with 14,000 BTUs that can handle rooms up to 450 square feet. It features an LED display and control panel as well as a magnetic remote control. Installation is extremely easy. Instead of the traditional multipage instruction manual, the Dreo came with an easy-to-follow illustrated installation sheet. Not only did it tell us how to set up and connect the AC unit to the window, but it also highlighted the most important things to know about placement and safety.

What sets the Dreo apart from many other portable AC units we’ve tested is the app. While many of the settings can be adjusted using the remote and buttons on the unit itself, we found that the functions in the app provided incredible flexibility when managing temperature. We loved that the unit provided us with the ability to adjust the temperature over the course of the night. In the easy-to-use interface, we could set what temperature we wanted the AC unit to drop to once Sleep Mode was activated; we could also determine how long we wanted the unit to maintain that temperature. In addition to the app, users also have the option to connect it to their Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control.

We really enjoyed the Dry Mode, allowing us to sleep comfortably in Minnesota’s high humidity. The settings for this mode are based on percent humidity—not a specific temperature. However, there is no option to view the actual humidity in a room or set the portable AC unit to a specific temperature. Overall, though, this AC unit cooled and dehumidified the room quite effectively.

Get the Dreo portable air conditioner at Amazon.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Portability 4/5; Noise 3/5; Value 4/5

The Whynter ARC-122DS stand-up air conditioner’s sleek appearance helps it fit in with the design of most rooms. The sturdy wheeled base improves its portability, allowing it to be moved around on a flat surface easily, despite its 68-pound weight. It has a maximum output of 12,000 BTUs, ensuring that it can rapidly cool a room up to 400 square feet in size.

This unit was among some of the most powerful on the list and is ideal for a smaller bedroom, apartment, or office. Thanks to its dual-inverter technology, it cooled off our space quickly. We also liked how quiet it was when running at the highest setting, which was ideal for a bedroom.

When the humidity rose, the unit was able to keep up with the increased temperature and keep our living area more comfortable than some of the other units we tested. The stainless steel adds an elegant look as well.

Get the Whynter Elite portable air conditioner at The Home Depot, Wayfair, Walmart, or Best Buy.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Portability 4/5; Noise 3/5; Value 4/5

The Honeywell portable air conditioner is a powerful cooling unit. It is Wi-Fi enabled and compatible with Amazon Alexa, making it easy to control with voice commands. The unit features a 24-hour timer along with the ability to set daily and weekly schedules. The built-in smart digital thermostat automatically turns on the AC unit based on preset conditions. This unit makes cooling your space easy and efficient.

We tested this unit in our 400-square-foot bedroom, and it handled our cooling needs efficiently. This quiet portable air conditioner is perfect for peaceful sleeping, and the timer came in handy when we wanted to avoid getting too cold during the night. The bedroom tends to get humid quickly, and this unit was able to cool even on humid days. With all of the remote options, we liked the fact that we did not have to get up to adjust the settings throughout the night or while relaxing. Installation is similar to most portable air conditioners with a single hose vented through the window. Honeywell’s hose seems of good quality, and installation only took about 5 minutes.

Get the Honeywell smart portable air conditioner at Best Buy or Walmart.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 3/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Portability 5/5; Noise 4/5; Value 4/5

Delivering 5,100 BTUs in cooling mode and 6,1000 when heating, the EcoFlow Wave 2 portable AC doesn’t need to be put away simply because the leaves are changing. Relatively lightweight at about 31 pounds and measuring 13.2 inches high by 20.4 inches long by 11.7 inches wide, the battery-powered Wave 2 is a true go-anywhere appliance.

We tested the Wave 2 in various settings, including at a hot baseball game under a pop-up tent, camping in an enclosed tent, a small office, and a hot nonvented warehouse. In each setting, the Wave 2 provided rapid cooling for up to 8 hours.

You can charge the unique EcoFlow Wave 2 via four methods: solar, AC, car charger, or a compatible power station (sold separately). While we didn’t have any solar panels on hand, we did charge with the AC adapter, car charger, and power station, all of which charged the unit effectively. The Wave 2 also features a USB and USB-C port to charge external devices.

The settings on the Wave 2 are adjustable directly via the unit, or you can use the EcoFlow app with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It’s extremely quiet at just 44 decibels and did not disturb us in any of our testing locations.

One of the biggest advantages of this unit is that it’s a ventless air conditioner. While this is true, we found when using it indoors, it works best if it is vented. We tested this indoor/outdoor air conditioner in a small office with no windows, and while it did cool the space directly in front of the air vent, it had a hard time keeping up with the output airflow, which was warm. This isn’t an issue when using the unit as a campsite air conditioner, and we found when using it outdoors, it worked great for keeping us cooled off.

Get the EcoFlow portable air conditioner at Walmart, REI, or EcoFlow.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 3/5; Portability 5/5; Noise 4.5/5; Value 4/5

The Evapolar EvaChill personal air cooler made our list for best personal air conditioner because it’s ultra portable, effective, and sleek looking. This mini air conditioner is compact and lightweight (weighing under 2 pounds) and has a built-in carrying handle. While this cooler isn’t rechargeable, it is possible to plug the included USB power cord into a power bank or computer so you’re not bound to an outlet. Unlike some evaporative coolers, which can look rather clunky, this one is simple but looks nice, so it’s not an eyesore on a desk or nightstand. The unit comes in a few colors, each with LED light-up sides.

An 800-milliliter-capacity water tank provides cooling for up to 9 hours, depending on the settings. It has four speed modes, though, so a refill time between 3 and 8 hours is more likely with typical use. Evapolar notes that it will cover up to 2.5 square meters in the direction of the airflow.

Get the Evapolar portable air conditioner at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Evapolar.

After researching over 30 units, we chose the top portable air conditioners to test. Each unit was tested based on its British thermal units (BTUs) and recommended room size. For example, we tested 10,000 BTU and up units in a 550-square-foot living space. Units that offered less than 10,000 BTUs were tested in either a 250-square-foot room up to a 400-square-foot room.

When each room reached 80 degrees Fahrenheit, we turned on the unit and measured how long it took to cool the room to a comfortable 72 degrees Fahrenheit. We took note of each unit’s portability and recorded the airflow and overall temperature of the air coming out of each unit. While testing, we also checked the decibel level of each unit at each fan setting (high, medium, low). Once each particular room was cooled to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, we then left the unit on for 4 hours to test how efficiently it kept the room at that desired temperature.

After reviewing these air conditioners and noting the above specifications, we then gave each unit an award it was best suited for based on our results.

Take some time to think about the various features and functions available in portable air conditioners before deciding on a specific product. You’ll want to consider factors like single- or dual-hose configurations, energy consumption, cooling capacity, room size, and even the noise produced by the portable AC before making a purchase.

Portable air-conditioning units have several different functions available depending on the product, including standard AC, evaporative air coolers, heaters, air purifiers, and humidifiers/dehumidifiers.

The size of the room matters when choosing a portable air conditioner, so be sure to select a unit with the appropriate output for cooling the space. Portable air-conditioner manufacturers will often provide the output of the device in BTUs, with each BTU equal to the amount of heat that the AC unit can remove from a room. The output of a portable air conditioner ranges from about 3,000 to 15,000 BTUs.

Typically, the cooling area of an evaporative air cooler is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). Calculate the necessary CFM for the target room by multiplying the length, width, and height of the room to find the volume, then dividing the total by 2: CFM = (L x W x H) divided by 2.

According to Gault, a heating and air conditioning expert, a common mistake consumers make is purchasing a portable air conditioner for the kitchen using the same criteria as they would for a bedroom or living room. “Cooking appliances generate significant heat, making it harder for the AC unit to cool the room,” he says. “Keep in mind that if you choose a portable AC unit for a kitchen, you need to increase the capacity by about 4,000 BTUs from what you would need for the room size.”

Air conditioners with a BTU rating of 10,000 or higher are typically the most efficient at cooling a room, but the higher the BTU, the louder and heavier the model. Most AC units also come with an Energy efficiency Ratio (EER). A higher EER rating equates to greater efficiency; EER indicates the ratio of the air conditioner’s BTUs per hour to its power input, measured in watts.

In other words, cooling a larger space requires more BTUs, and some units are built with greater energy efficiency than others. The EER weighs output and input against each other to show how effective and efficient the unit will be. Many portable air conditioners have EER ratings between 8.5 and 10; any rating higher than 10 is ideal.

If the intent is to regularly move the AC unit around, consider investing in a smaller portable AC that’s easy to pick up.

Look out for portable air conditioners with handles on the side or back of the unit, which can make it easier to pick it up and adjust the positioning. Some portable ACs have wheels on the bottom of the unit as well. This is an especially helpful feature to move the air conditioner over a flat surface without needing to lift it off the ground.

In the past, air conditioners, fans, and heaters were known to produce very high noise levels due to the hum of the motor, fan blade rotation, and the force of the expelled air. Today, product advancements have significantly reduced the noise produced by these devices through intelligent engineering and enhanced insulation that dampens the sound.

The average AC unit now produces about 50 to 60 decibels of sound, while the quietest portable air conditioner options may only be 40 to 45 decibels. For perspective, the sound of a person whispering is about 30 decibels, a normal conversation is 55 to 65 decibels, and ambient noises in a busy office or restaurant range from 70 to 80 decibels.

Standard portable air conditioners are easy to use, allowing you to circulate cool air throughout the home. That said, some products come with extra features that can make them more convenient and user-friendly:

One of the main benefits of choosing a portable air conditioner is its typically easy installation. Standard portable AC units need an available power outlet and a place for the hose to filter out excess moisture and hot air. This is accomplished by running the hose through a custom frame that sits inside an open window, creating a seal around the window and around the hose to prevent leaks.

“You don’t need to hire a professional for portable air conditioner installation, and all you need to start it working is to fit an exhaust hose to a window for venting hot air outside,” says Gault.

Alternatively, evaporative air coolers don’t have a hose that has to run outside, but they do need cold water or ice in the sponge or bucket to cool the air that passes through the unit. Both styles require regular cleaning and may need to be drained if they have a dehumidifier function that collects water from the ambient air.

These high-efficiency devices are a great option to keep your home cool in warm weather. For more info on how to shop for, use, and set up portable air conditioners, read on for answers to some of the most common questions.

Depending on the situation, a portable air conditioner may be your only option to cool a room. They’re easy to use, quiet, and energy efficient, which certainly makes them worth it.

No, evaporative air coolers do not need to be vented. These units use a fan to pull warm air in through a wet sponge or bucket of ice. The same fan pushes the cool out through the front of the unit to cool the room. No venting is necessary. However, they don’t cool as effectively as units that are vented out a window.

A portable air conditioner is specifically made to be moved around an indoor space so that it can be set up wherever it’s needed most. These devices do take up some floor space, but they are generally accepted in condos and apartments, as some landlords ban the use of a window air conditioner due to the risk of the unit falling out of the window.

Portable air conditioners that have an evaporative air cooler function can be used in a room with no windows. The air is cooled when it passes through a cold wet sponge or a bucket of ice, and then it flows back out into the room without needing to be filtered outdoors.

The output of a portable air conditioner is typically given in BTUs, while electricity is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). One kWh is equal to 1 kilowatt of power per hour. On average, a 7,000 BTU portable AC uses about 2.2 kWh; a 10,000 BTU unit uses about 2.9 kWh; and a 14,000 BTU AC unit uses about 4.1 kWh.

On average, portable air conditioners should be drained about every 8 hours. This might vary depending on how frequently you use the unit and how much humidity is in the air.

Portable AC units usually last between 5 and 10 years. However, proper maintenance can extend that lifespan.

As the executive editor of Commerce/Product Reviews, Stephanie Cronk has spent years researching and testing products. She also brings over 12 years of commerce experience to the BobVila.com team, where her focus is on reviewing and testing products in a variety of categories including DIY, home improvement, home appliances, outdoor living, and more.

Additional research provided by Savannah Sher and Glenda Taylor.

Executive Editor

Stephanie Cronk joined the Bob Vila team in 2020 as the executive editor of Commerce, bringing over 12 years of retail and digital publishing experience to the Commerce/Product Reviews team. Her experience spans many industries in the commerce world, and her primary focus is on buyer’s guides and product reviews.

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