10 Best Portable Air Conditioner Consumer Reports & Reviews 2023

Install portable Air Conditioners to keep yourself cool, comfortable, and relaxing during hot summer. They are suitable to cool down an event inside the tent, camps, RVs, guest rooms, offices, and dorm room.

Roll them around and bring the temperature down in any room you want. With their flexible placement, one can set it in any area where installing a Window or Split Ac unit is an impossible task. They are easy to install during peak season and simple to store when the season is over.

Much portable AC is integrated with dehumidifiers to improve your room’s air quality. Available with varied cooling capacity, allowing you a chance to pick one model based on your room size. Don’t want to store it during winter? You can have your hand on an AC that transforms into a heater in the cold season.

With its up-to-the-minute, smart WiFi and voice control features, much portable AC allows you to control temperature and set the time through your Voice and mobile devices as and when you need.

10 Best Portable Air Conditioner Reviews

It’s time to find out about the ten best portable Air conditioners that offer the best value for the money.

1. Whynter ARC-14SH Portable Air Conditioner

Are you on the hunt for an AC that can transform itself into a heater in winter? You better invest money in Whynter’s portable Air conditioner that can cool down a room two times faster than other portable AC in the market.

You won’t be the only person relying on this AC. It has won an award as an excellent overall portable Ac from Good Housekeeping. Besides, it scored high in Consumer Reports.

The reason they put faith in this ac unit is its excellent functionality. It would work great whether you use it as a heater or cooling system. This award-winning ac has three operational modes; you can use it as an AC, heater, or dehumidifier.

It can cool up to 450 Square feet of space with its 14000 BTU capacity. If your room has more humidity or ambient temperature, this unit will require more time to cool down the area. With its Airflow speed of 430 m3/h / 253, it offers 71 pints per day Dehumidifying capacity.

When you turn on its heating mode, it providers 13000 BTU capacity with a maximum power consumption of 1000 Watts per 11.6 A.

There is a digital display that offers you full thermostatic control of 61°F – 89°F. You can set a programmer. You don’t have to deal with draining from time to time as Whytner has added an extra ounce of comfort into your life with its Patented auto drain function.

2. Black + Decker BPACT14WT Portable Air Conditioner

Many students are looking for a compact Ac that can cool down their small rooms quickly. If that’s the case, look no further because the Black + Decker BPACT14WT Portable Air Conditioner is something that can fulfill your requirement.

With its powerful cooling function, this portable AC can work as an efficient cooling system for dorms, campers, and RV users.

When it comes to installation, you can set it with a double-hung or sliding window quickly; a window kit is included to make the installation process smooth and straightforward. Once you use this device, unhook it and store it in any cupboard.

This 3-in-one machine would work as a dehumidifier, Ac, and fan. As Ac is designed with a self-evaporating operation, thereby you don’t have to worry about emptying the bucket from time to time.

You can enjoy effective cooling for up to 350 square feet spaces with this 8000 BTU capacity unit. There is a top-mounted LED display to set a timer to control the air temperature effortlessly.

As far as cleaning is concerned, you need to slide filters out twice a month and run them underwater. Once they are dry, slide them back and start using its cooling operation.

With its sleep mode, you can have a peaceful sleep while the AC unit will automatically adjust the temperature while you are asleep. There are three fan modes: low, medium, and high. It’s good to set auto fan mode that changes fan speed as per requirement.

3. SereneLife SLPAC10 Portable 3-in-1 Air Conditioner

People who work from home need a separate AC to cool down their home office. When the area is up to 450 square feet, you better get a portable air conditioner from Serene Life.

A 3-in-1 model will do a great job as you can use it as a fan at average temperature and turn on its dehumidifier model to keep allergens, mold, and mildew away from your work environment. With its 10000 BTU capacity, it can cool down a room pretty fast.

The freestanding compact design fits in any corner of your room and provides you the cooling you are always looking for. Just adjust the temperature, timer, and fan speed from its digital touch LCD monitor or use remote control.

The set-up is hassle-free; all you have to do is to set up its vent system and plug in the machine to start to enjoy its efficient cooling mechanism. You can have a peaceful night’s sleep through its low noise level motor. Want to move it to another room? No need to carry it around as rolling wheels make this AC quite portable.

4. Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner

Many people remain concerned about energy use when it comes to shopping for an air conditioner. If electricity bill is your top concern, you can take a deep breath by bringing Midea U Inverter AC because you can unlock 35 percent more energy-saving through it.

Another reason that convinces most shoppers to think about Midea U is its Energy STAR Most Efficient 2020 Certification. So, you can have full control over your energy bills.

Another fantastic feature of this U-Shaped model is its flexible installation; you can completely set up whether the Window is open or closed. There is a support bracket that makes installation super quick in either a single-hung or double-hung window.

People prefer Midea U over other portable AC because of its advanced feature. This Wi-Fi-enabled AC allows you to get its full control through Alexa or Midea app on your Android or iOS devices.

Traditional Window ACs are noisier due to their heavy compressor. Although Midea U is also designed with a powerful compressor, it won’t hurt your ear with its loud Voice.

Now you can binge-watch your favorite tv series without getting disturbed by the annoying Voice of your Ac, as it produces up to 42 dBA noise.

Also read: Portable Evaporative Cooler

5. Whynter Elite Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner

It is an award-winning cooling system that you can have your hands on. According to Good Housekeeping magazine, it is one of the best Portable Air Conditioners.

It was also featured in the NY Times as the most efficient and fastest portable Air conditioner. If you are followers of these top publications, you can understand that they don’t vouch for any product unless it is worth it.

With its 12000 BTU, this Ac can cool up to 400 square feet of space as quickly as 30 minutes. When it comes to installation, you don’t have to grab anything from outside as it brings its complete window kit, extendable exhaust, and intake hose.

Run this portable in three different modes, such as cooling, fan, and dehumidifier. Improving your room’s air quality is quite possible; you need to turn on its dehumidifier mode.

This energy-efficient model allows you to enjoy full thermostatic control. You can set a timer to save your energy bills and money. This portable Ac can cool a space more efficiently due to its dual-hose technology than a single-house design.

You won’t have to deal with its water drainage because Whytner has integrated this portable AC with an auto drain function.

6. MIDEA MAP08R1CWT 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner

Are you looking for an energy-efficient portable Ac for a small room? Whether you are planning to have an effective cooling system for your home office or dorm up to 150 square feet, this 8000 BTU cooling capacity unit would serve your needs in the best manner available.

Its 3-in-1 functionality allows you to enjoy cooling and air side by side. Besides, its dehumidifier mode would let you breathe in quality air.

There is an easy-to-read LED display with remote control, so you can set a 24-hr timer, sleep mode, or fan from it. For making installation super quick and simple, and adjustable window bracket comes in handy. You won’t have to buy any tool from outside as the complete installation kit is included in the package.

When it comes to maintenance, you need to empty its water tank from time to time so that you can enjoy its fast cooling mechanism without any disruption. You must have to clean its reusable and washable filter that keeps you protected from pet hair and dust.

This AC is designed with a remote sensor that checks the temperature in your surroundings and delivers its user’s best cooling experience.

7. Vremi 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

You can easily beat the heat of summer by installing this portable Ac in your home office or small bedroom. Its 10000 BTU cooling capacity is suitable for a room up to 200-350 square feet space.

A user-friendly LED display allows you to check its operating mode and temperature to set readily with remote control, which comes with its built-in storage unit. You can set a timer, temperature speed, and modes from it quickly.

With its 24-hour timer, you can cool down a room with the temperature 64°F-90°F. It unlocks four different modes, such as Dry, Fan, Sleep, and Cool; pick the one you want at the moment.

This compact model is designed with four built-in rolling wheels. So, when you have to move the unit around, you don’t need any helping hands, just roll and transfer it to your preferred place as and when you want.

Installation is pretty simple. Move it close to moving, attach a 5.6ft hose and window slide adapter. Once this attachment is done, plug its switch and turn this unit on.

If you want to use this unit for a long time, you should clean its removable filter and wash them with fresh water once a week.

8. Rollibot ROLLICOOL Portable Air Conditioner

Many homeowners like to buy smart electronics, and this portable Ac from Rollibot is something that everyone needs. You can have full control over its functionality through three different ways: one is to use remote control, another way is to use its digital LED display, and the third method is to control it through your Voice via Alexa Skills.

With its 14000 BTU, it can cool down a 400-600 Square feet space quite effortlessly. Therefore, many event planners use it to cool an area when it takes place inside a tent. Besides, it would do powerful cooling in a studio apartment and a big bedroom.

People don’t opt for Window Ac because they are louder and often disturb their regular sleeping pattern. You won’t have to face the same thing with this portable AC as its compressor has a powerful cooling mechanism under 55db noise on its highest setting; that means you would enjoy a quiet operation.

9. COSTWAY Remote Control Portable Air Conditioner

If your room faces the sun, you need an Air conditioner that manages ambient heat. In that case, you should only opt for Costway AC.

With its 12000 BTU capacity, it can cool down an area up to 400 square feet as quickly as you want. It can remove heat and humidity from any space with its dual dehumidifier and cooling mechanism.

The built-in wheels of this Ac make it quite portable, moving it around with comfort. It has two drain ports to pick either manual or continuous drainage for enjoying a high cooling performance from the unit. Adjust horizontal and vertical blinds as per your cooling requirements.

Costway has made this unit secure for usage by offering safety features such as shut-off protection, water-full safety alarm, and anti-freeze protection.

10. TOSOT Quiet Dehumidifier Portable Air Conditioner

Many times you are out in the market to find a portable AC that runs quietly. You should check AC plus Dehumidifiers from TOSOT.

With its 8000 BTU cooling capacity, it can efficiently cool down up to 3000 square feet area. Turn on its dehumidifier function to keep your work or home environment free from allergens, mold, and mildew.

There is a night mode that will turn off all lights to have a sound sleep in a dark room. You can install it for vertical and horizontal sling windows, and installation won’t take more than fifteen minutes.

If you want to prevent mold growth in the exhaust hose, make the most of this portable unit’s New X-Fan technology; once you turn it on, it will dry the machine’s residual water.

Portable AC Buying Guide

Look into the following factors while selecting the best Air conditioner for Your home. Room Size and BTU rating
Every air conditioner has its specific BTU rating that tells you what size of room it can handle. A higher rating means more cooling power and vice versa.

You can cool down up to 200 square feet with 8000 BTU units, up to 300 Square feet area with 10,000 BTU units, up to 4000 square feet with 12000 BTU units.

In simple words, when you need efficient cooling for a big room, you must need an Ac with a high BTU rating. If you buy an undersized AC unit, it won’t cool the area properly. Similarly, when you purchase a large AC unit, it won’t wipe out enough humidity from the space.

Another essential thing to keep in mind is that when the BTU unit increases, then AC’s size and weight also increase.

A general rule of thumb is to check your room’s size and then buy an air conditioner that can cool down that specific square foot adequately.

You should measure your room size and then pick an AC accordingly. Sometimes, your room exposes to direct sunlight and ambient heat is more in your space. In that scenario, you better spend money on an AC unit with a higher BTU.

Cost

The price of a portable air conditioner varies a lot, and it ranges from $200 to $8000. An expensive AC unit is normally more powerful than a cheap portable Ac.

It might bring additional facilities as well. For example, you can pay more when an AC works as a heater and dehumidifier. People interested in energy-efficient Ac should be ready to spend more money because these units often come with a higher price tag.

Installation

The reason most people opt for a portable AC is its ease of installation. You don’t need to get help from an expert as installation can be done through the DIY approach.

When purchasing an AC, ensure that it comes with clear step-by-step instructions. Also, check whether the manufacturer offers an installation kit alongside this AC or not.

Buying equipment separately means facing extra cost, so it’s better than a vent kit is a part of the package. In case you are planning to move AC from one room to another, you better shop an extra vent kit and set it in another room; thereby, shifting AC from one location to another would be pretty straightforward.

Noise

No matter if you buy a window or portable AC, you have to experience some level of noise. Mostly it’s minimal and considered as background noise.

In other cases, this noise is too much to have a peaceful night’s sleep. When you are exploring different portable AC units, you better go with one that runs quietly.

Ventilation Design

Every portable AC unit comes with either a Single hose or double hose ventilation design. A single-hose unit has only one hose for air intake and exhaust. In the double hose unit, there are two hoses: an intake hose and another exhaust hose.

This design is super efficient because it can cool down almost 40 percent quicker than a single hose. If you need an energy-efficient portable AC, you better go with a double hose unit as it would take less time to make the area cool.

AC Set up

Portable Ac unit vents air out from the room. Therefore it’s vital to set them in a place near the window. Some Portable Ac units have small cords, so you need to install them close to your window.

Some manufacturers allow more flexible settings as they offer an extension cord through which a person can install AC away from the window.

So, check what kind of setting is required with the specific unit before you finalize one. If you can’t place an AC next to the window, go with one unit that allows you to use the extension cord safely.

Energy Use

Your electricity consumption is based on the energy use of this portable AC. Many come with Energy star ratings that explain clearly that they don’t consume too much power to cool down an area. However, others don’t offer any such option.

It’s good to buy one with auto settings, so AC turns off as soon as your room reaches a specific temperature. Besides, you should keep your AC filter clean and do its maintenance from time to time. When an AC doesn’t get maintenance over time, it starts consuming more energy and increasing your energy bills.

Ease of Use

A person should buy an Air conditioner that is easy to use. Some Ac unit requires frequent maintenance. They won’t work efficiently unless you tune them up from time to time. Others require regular filter maintenance.

There is a need to replace the filter from time to time, and if you don’t make changes, you won’t enjoy good air quality. So, you should check how much work is required to handle an AC.

Aesthetic

The most important thing that matters in the selection of an AC unit is its functionality. It would be best if you had an AC that works efficiently and can cool down space quickly.

As it’s going to become a part of your room, it must add some aesthetic value to your area. Many of them are available in a variety of styles and colors. You can pick a shade that blends beautifully with your home interior.

Condensate Type

You can find a Portable Ac with three different condensate types. A drip AC will store all of the condensates in an internal bucket, which you need to dump from time to time, usually after eight hours.

Some Ac requires you to empty a bucket regularly while others can wait. You better go with one type that doesn’t require frequent dumping, so you won’t have to deal with a clean-up mess.

Another type is a partial drip air conditioner that deposits some water into a drip pan. In that scenario, you can wait for a long time before dumping the pan.

The third type is the most convenient one, known as non-drip AC. It releases all the condensate into the air, so you won’t have to worry about emptying a bucket or pan. Homeowners often opt for non-drip as it is relatively easy to deal with.

Additional Features

Certain features make a portable Ac an excellent home cooling system, such as remote control, auto drain system, and programmable thermostat.

Some cheap Ac doesn’t bring any remote control. If you want to make some changes, you need to rely only on its digital LCD panel and buttons.

However, you can enjoy more convenience when you go with an Ac having its separate remote control. You don’t need to climb out of the couch or bed every time; you need to change its setting or mode.

If you are a person who often forgets about draining or emptying the bucket, it’s better to look into a portable AC designed with an auto-drain system.

The beauty of this system is that it transforms liquid from condensation into the exhaust. What does that mean? You don’t have to deal with emptying the pan or bucket.

Through a programmable thermostat, you can set the desired room temperature and have peace of mind that Ac will turn off automatically once the temperature reaches that level. You don’t need to deal with manual on/off.

Besides, you can save your energy by doing this simple setting. Much portable ac can turn into a heater or dehumidifier. Instead of buying a separate heater, you can rely on this unit.

A remote control gives you power over the air conditioner from a distance, so you can turn it on and off without getting off the couch or climbing out of bed.

Advanced Wi-Fi Features

Many smart units are designed with advanced Wi-Fi functionality. This Wi-Fi-compatible AC allows you to turn off your Ac, even when you are not in your office or home. Super amazing!

Conclusion

The best portable AC is the one that can cool down space quickly and quietly, so you can enjoy a peaceful sleep.

You need an energy-efficient model that doesn’t increase your energy bill but still offers you an efficient cooling system.

Besides, you need a unit that fits a wide assortment of room and window sizes, so you won’t have to go through any hassle during its installation.

The smart capabilities and controls such as setting timer and temperature adjustment through application and Voice make portable Ac of current Era super intelligent and innovative cooling solutions.

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FAQ’s

What are the Best Portable Air Conditioners?

Here is a list of the 10 best portable Air conditioners that offer the best value for the money.

1. Whynter ARC-14SH Portable Air Conditioner
2. Black + Decker BPACT14WT Portable Air Conditioner
3. SereneLife SLPAC10 Portable 3-in-1 Air Conditioner
4. Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner
5. Whynter Elite Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
6. MIDEA MAP08R1CWT 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
7. Vremi 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
8. Rollibot ROLLICOOL Portable Air Conditioner
9. COSTWAY Remote Control Portable Air Conditioner
10. TOSOT Quiet Dehumidifier Portable Air Conditioner

What is a ‘portable’ air conditioner?

They are easy to install and don’t require any modifications in the wall as split-ac requires. You can move small units from one room to another.

However, if you opt for high BTU and power units, they are bulkier versions and not easy to transport. However, you can easily install them close to your window with a supplied kit.

How do portable air conditioners work?

A portable Air conditioner sucks hot/humid air out of the room, cools it down, humidifies it, and then blows it back into the room. A single-duct model can efficiently cool most of the space; it vents heat away from the room through a duct that passes from a window to the vent.

They move hot air out and move cool air inside the room. The unit will condense water from the air during the cooling process and gather it in a drain tube or tank.

Advanced portable Ac uses this water to speed up the cooling process and make this unit energy efficient. A venting kit comes alongside Ac; this kit will seal the gap around the duct so that cool air doesn’t escape.

Is a portable AC effective?

If you have a small room, a portable AC works quite fine. However, when you want to cool down an ample space, portable AC requires high BTU, so they consume more electricity. They won’t be as efficient as Window or split-Ac units.

How long should a portable AC last?

It usually lasts for about ten years. If you do proper and timely maintenance, you can increase its service life.

Does portable AC need to be drained?

It depends on the type of portable AC you have. Some units are designed with an auto drain system, so you don’t need to empty the tank or bucket. In comparison, others require you to empty the bucket after some hours of use.

How often do you have to empty a portable air conditioner?

If you have a standard portable AC, it requires you to empty the bucket after every 8 hours. At the same time, you can also have a unit that requires you to deal with drainage once a month.

Can I vent portable AC into the attic?

Sometimes, you are unable to vent portable AC through a window. In that scenario, you can be a little creative; you can vent it through a door, drop ceiling, or even your attic. The idea is to vent hot air from the unit so that you can cool a room effectively.

Which is the best portable AC or split AC?

If you have a small room, you should opt for a portable AC to handle the cooling system of that room effectively. Contrary to this, you can save more energy by choosing a split AC for cooling a big room.

Can I extend a portable AC hose?

You should read the instruction manual to find out whether you can use an extension with your AC hose or not. If nothing is mentioned in that manual, you shouldn’t extend the Ac hose’s length to more than 12 feet.

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