Best Portable Air Conditioner: 10 Top Options

We know how exhausting it can be to come home to a hot house after a long day and have no way to cool down. Being inside without air conditioning is definitely a struggle. This is why you can find the best portable air conditioner here! There are of course multiple ways to solve this, but if you’re here you’re looking for a portable AC unit. This however comes with its own complications. Which model is the best? Do I need all those extra functions? What does BTU even mean? We asked ourselves these same questions so you don’t have to. So kick back and get ready to cool off.

Most of the descriptors on an AC unit are self-explanatory. The one that doesn’t make immediate sense unless you already understand it is BTU. This is a unit of measurement that measures how much energy it takes to change the temperature of one pound of water by 1° Fahrenheit at sea level. When used to describe AC units it gauges how powerful the unit is. However, it is important to match the BTUs of the unit with the square feet of the room(s) to be cooled. Having BTU lower than the recommendation will result in the AC working hard to cool the room, wearing down the unit. There are other factors to consider, but square footage is a good place to start. To this end, we have calculated the recommended square footage of each of the products we’ve listed. We’ve also provided reports from consumers about how that specific product was able to air condition their space.

Best Portable Air Conditioner: 10 Top Options

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1. Black+Decker BPACT08WT Portable Air Conditioner

[amazon box=”B01DLPUWL2″ description=” ” rating=”4.5″]

One Black+Decker portable air conditioner is the Black+Decker BPACT08WT Portable Air Conditioner. This air conditioner is meant to quietly produce cool air, and it can also cool a room to 65°F. This machine, though, is designed for smaller rooms between 100-150 square feet, and it features 8,000 BTU.

Similar to the air conditioner mentioned in number five, this machine is easy to install and clean. To install, just bring it into the space you want it, place it in a window, connect the hose, and plug it into an outlet. To clean, just remove the reusable filters twice a month and run under some water.

Lastly, the Black+Decker BPACT08WT Portable Air Conditioner can help keep your room dry because it features an evaporating function, and it also acts to cool and dehumidify your space. A fan also provides further cooling power. A remote and LED screen enables you to quickly control the temperature of your air conditioner.

Specifications

Has a weight of 52.9 pounds
Features hose 4 ft. 11 inches in length
Can cool spaces 100 to 150 square feet in size

Sample Customer Review…After using this all summer I can safely say this thing was a serious champ! I was a little worried about the power output this had and the negative reviews I saw but I purchased anyway through Amazon’s payment plan. I and my husband share an office that is pretty small. I don’t know the exact dimensions but if I had to guess probably 9×8. We have 2 gaming PCs with liquid cooling. Liquid cooling can increase the temperature of a small room fast! On top of that, we live in a desert environment where it can get up to 110 sometimes. This AC had no trouble keeping up with our demand. I don’t think this would have the power to cool a large room but for our office, it was perfect and affordable. We barely saw an increase in our power bill and we were running this for maybe 20 hours a week. One of the window coverings did come with a hole in it but that was needed only for extra long windows which weren’t necessary in our case. The noise level is comparable to your average window AC unit. Make sure to leave this upright for 24 hours after receiving it!!! Overall, if you have a small to the standard-sized room to cool I think this will do the job well and for a great price!
Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

2. SereneLife SLPAC10

[amazon box=”B07DQSNMWX” description=” ” rating=”4.4″]

SereneLife’s AC comes with the standard AC, fan, and dehumidifier combo as most of our recommendations. What sets it apart is the air circulation created by the automated vents allowing it to reach all corners of the room. Another perk is the remote control it comes with. No need to get up and adjust the controls like other models.

Specifications

Square feet: 300 Sq. Ft
Dimensions: 13.39 x 32.09 x 17.45 inches
Weight: 62.1 pounds

Sample Customer Review…I was amidst a renovation in my basement when I got the idea to cut a porthole and install a portable air conditioner to cool my home office (I work from home). I did a bit of shopping and picked this one out based on reviews and price – both good.
First off, the packaging was awesome which is something that I usually overlook. All I had to do was cut a few straps and I was already in business. I have had these in the past so installation was straightforward. When I kicked it on I was surprised at how cool the room got as quickly as it got. My home office is roughly 25×12 feet and it cooled down about 10 degrees in roughly 20 minutes. Granted, it’s not the middle of summer right now but that was impressive. What I also noticed after a few days was that it made my dehumidifier down here unnecessary – that was a nice bonus.
So between the cooling capacity and the dehumidifying – I’d say this was a big win. Glad I thought to do this while I was already in the middle of a project.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

3. Black+Decker BPACT10WT

[amazon box=”B01DLPUWG2″ description=” ” rating=”4.4″]

The Black+Decker BPACT10WT Portable Air Conditioner is designed to be a quiet machine that can cool your space down to 65°F at the lowest. It even has a sleep feature that makes the machine even quieter. This quiet feature, though, does not mean this machine does not have a lot of power, as it has an output of 10,000 BTU. Additionally, this air conditioner acts to cool and dehumidify your space. It also features a fan.

One can control the machine through a remote and an LED screen. The air conditioner can cool an area up to 250 square feet, and to keep your space dry, it has a self-evaporating feature.

This air conditioner is made to be easy to clean and set up. To set it up, you only need to bring it into a window space, put the hose in the machine, and plug it into an outlet. Cleaning is also simple, as you only have to run the filter under water twice a month.

These features could make owning the Black+Decker BPACT10WT Portable Air Conditioner worth it, especially if you are looking to cool a smaller space.

Specifications

Is a fan, humidifier, and cooler
LED screen and remote control
Cools areas 150-250 square feet
52.9 pounds
Features 4 ft. 11 in. hose
Has 24-hour timer

Sample Customer Review…I’ve waited about a month to write this because I wanted to test the product before writing so that I can give an honest review. In my opinion, this is probably the best air conditioner I’ve ever gotten! This is my first time buying an actual portable air conditioner so I had to do a lot of research some come with the hardware, some don’t fit certain Windows, some do so it was all very confusing. The good thing about this air conditioner is that it comes with the necessary hardware for any type of sliding window! (Not windows that you have to crank open but ones that slide up or sideways) This is a huge plus because those can cost almost a hundred bucks in themselves. Good price point, for 10,000 BTU air conditioners I’ve been seeing portables in the 4 to $600 range so this is a great value in my eyes. It comes with a remote that is easy to use has lots of settings, and is programmable to set sleep settings. (you would have to read the manual in order to figure it out but it’s a good option to have) also has a dehumidifier mode that I myself have not yet used so I can’t comment on that, but it comes with the draining tube in order to use it. The noise level to me doesn’t seem like it’s any louder than any other air conditioner, but I guess it could be annoying to certain people? In the video, I have it at 65 degrees and it’s on the highest fan setting and that’s as loud as I’ve ever heard it but it’s not bad to me and my fiance. we have an 18 x 20 bedroom and it not only cools our bedroom but also cools some of the living room in the next room. Overall I think this is an awesome air conditioner. it’s made by a name you can trust, and I’m happy I purchased it!
Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

4. Midea MAP08R1CWT 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner

[amazon box=”B087CQVC9G” description=” ” rating=”4.4″]

The Midea MAP08R1CWT 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner features 8,000 BTUs, and it can cool areas up to 150 square feet in size. Similar to the other Midea air conditioner mentioned above, this Midea air conditioner can be set to temperatures between 62°F-90°F. It also features a washable filter that can be reused; it is recommended that you wash it every month as well.

This Midea air conditioner also features a fan, dehumidifier, and a cooling system. The installation process involves setting up the unit in a window using the included tools and connecting the unit to the also included exhaust hose. One can then begin to use the unit; it is controlled by a remote or the LED screen on the actual unit.

Specifications

Weighs 59.9 pounds
Includes a one-year limited warranty
Can cool up to 150 square foot room
Measures 13 x 17.1 x 28.3 inches
Can be set to 62°F-90°F
Can reuse the air filters

Sample Customer Review…I was shocked at how easy the installation was. I was almost certain I’d have to use my miter saw to mess with the window piece, but I didn’t. I have a very small 24inch window in my man-cave, and I didn’t have any troubles. This thing pushes the air, I have it on right now. My mancave is 165sq ft. It went from 80 degrees down to 72 in about an hour (when I turned it on).
Noise is average. Not loud but not quiet.
The remote – I have no clue how this thing works or what it does, so I don’t even use it.
The pipe is sufficient in length and seems to be of good quality.
No regrets on this a/c. I didn’t have to read the setup instructions because it was pretty obvious including the little dimple screws that help you fit your window attachment.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

5. Midea MAP14S1CWT 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner

[amazon box=”B088M2YLPF” description=” ” rating=”4.4″]

The Midea MAP14S1CWT 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner is able to cool rooms that are up to 350 square feet with its 14,000 BTUs. The cooling and air can be monitored and changed through their app, and the machine can even connect to Alexa and respond to voice commands. You can also control the air conditioner through the remote or the LED display.

The Midea MAP14S1CWT 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner also features a fan and a dehumidifier. It has a temperature range of 62°F-90°F. Installation is not complicated, as you only have to place your air conditioner in the area you would like and connect the hose, and the window brackets. It should be ready to use after completing these steps and to maintain the machine, it is recommended that you clean the filter every month. These filters are reusable as well. There is also a 24-hour timer on the air conditioner to provide further control and ease.

Specifications

Features fan with three speeds
Has dehumidifier and cooling systems
Has a weight of 67.9 pounds
Measures 18.03 x 14.69 x 30.87 inches
Can cool areas up to 250 square feet

Sample Customer Review…I live in San Diego where it’s perpetually at least 75% humidity. It’s not the East Coast… but it’s pretty humid. My complex doesn’t have AC, which on normals days is tolerable but during the summer anything over 80 degrees or so outside, it’s miserable to sleep in even with a fan. I wake up every night drenched in sweat since I keep the window open since it does cool down but that humidity is just sticky… anyway this AC has been a life-changing miracle for me. I sleep like a rock through the night now. My bedroom is on the smaller side but it works incredibly, and I was able to get the seal perfectly on my window even though it opens vertically instead of horizontally. Not to mention it’s a single pane window and my room still stays icy. I love it. Personally haven’t used the app or remote because I go to school online so I’m always here. Buy this thing!!
Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

6. Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose

[amazon box=”B0028AYQDC” description=” ” rating=”4.3″]

Humidity tends to exacerbate both extreme heat and cold and in general, makes things more uncomfortable. So if you’re looking to get away from the humid heat, this is your best bet. The Whynter ARC-14S Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner does its job as an AC well, but it also serves as a dehumidifier. At the max function, it can remove up to 71 pints of moisture from the air in a day. This model also comes with an activated carbon filter for cleaner air.

Specifications

Square feet: 600 Sq. Ft
Dimensions: 19 x 16 x 35.5 inches
Weight: 80 pounds

Sample Customer Review…So far this unit has performed flawlessly! I bought this back in February 2019 and no problems to report. I use this unit in an uninsulated garage, except for the garage door which is insulated (Man Cav ) down in southwest Florida and yes, it gets hot down here even in the winter months. So let me give this info- I have run this unit on low fan speed and temp set at 77 degrees and believe me when I say it keeps the temperature at 77 degrees, electric use (running 8-10 hours per day around $3.00/$6.00 per day depending on outside temp and your electric supplier in a 400 sq. ft garage). After researching many portable AC units this was the right choice because of the 2 hose system which allows this unit to run more efficiently. Remember just like any other appliance, this unit has to be maintained (Cleaning filter) monthly. Set up was very simple when taking the time to read directions. You may think it’s a bit pricey, but when you have options like a $1750.00 Mitsubishi split system, it makes more sense. Also, this is a portable unit. Looking forward to summer to see how this unit performs.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

7. Shinco Portable Air Conditioner

[amazon box=”B07X9JW274″ description=” ” rating=”4.3″]

The Shinco Portable Air Conditioner is a 10,000 BTU air conditioner, and it features a cooling function as well as a fan with three different speeds. You can also use it as a dehumidifier. This air conditioner is designed to cool rooms up to 300 square feet.

An LED screen and remote ensure that you can control the air conditioner effectively. Additionally, to provide a quieter experience especially if you are sleeping, this air conditioner features a lower speed that does not release as much noise.

Traveling is easy with the Shinco Portable Air Conditioner as you can transport it easily on its four wheels. Besides a remote and the actual air conditioner, you will receive a user manual, exhaust hose, and tools to set your machine up in a window with your purchase. A one-year warranty provides protection if you face issues with the product.

Specifications

Has dimensions of 17.4 x 13.4 x 32.7 inches
Includes one-year warranty
Cools spaces up to 300 square feet
Weighs 61.6 pounds
Acts as cooler, fan, and dehumidifier

Sample Customer Review…Honestly I’m can’t say enough good things about this little ac. I love this air conditioner so much I ended up buying two. They cool down the room very quickly. On one of mine, the noise level is a little bit higher than the other, which might also be the difference between hardwood vs carpet, But it’s not too much of a bother for me. I’ve had both for a little over a month now and I love them. They’re super easy to install, easy to move around as needed, and very user-friendly. The dehumidifier works great on here as well, it takes the stuffiness out of the room usually within about 30 minutes or less and it usually drops the room about 2-3 degrees when I run the dehumidifier mode.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

8. Black + Decker (BPACT14HWT)

[amazon box=”B01DLPUWJ4″ description=” ” rating=”4.3″]

This AC from Black + Decker serves the dual purpose of cooling and heating. This makes it a great choice if you don’t have central heating or AC. Cleaning the filter is super simple. When it gets dirty just run it under the tap and it’s ready to go again. This model is quick and easy to set up so you can cool off soon after getting it.

Specifications

Square feet: 200 Sq. Ft
Dimensions: 17.1 x 13.8 x 28.1 inches
Weight: 68.3 pounds

Sample Customer Review…I bought this a/c unit at the end of August 2019 to replace a window unit that wasn’t working properly and trying to avoid lifting another window unit to a 2nd-floor window on a ladder. After reading many reviews of different units I took a chance and went with the Black & Decker unit. The installation of the unit was easy, though the unit is very heavy. After having it run for an evening and not feeling any cooler, I realized the hose attachment to the back of the unit fell off, put it back on and it fell off again. I got some duct tape and taped the hose to the back of the unit, what a difference in the cooling when the hose stays on the back of the unit. With the hose taped securely to the back of the unit, it has worked like a dream! The units are noisy but not anything I can’t handle, and it blocks out family noise from the rest of the house. I have used the dehumidifier setting and noticed a huge difference on those humid days, and my energy bill has stayed the same running the unit 24/7. I haven’t had to empty the water yet but did have to clean the filter; it gave me a clear message when I needed to do that. Overall, I am pleased with the unit and hope it lasts for a few seasons.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

9. Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Portable Air Conditioner

[amazon box=”B01AA8WOAK” description=” ” rating=”4.2″]

The Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Portable Air Conditioner can act as an air conditioner or a fan. It is designed to fit into small areas and has two hoses for optimal cooling power. It travels well and is easy to install.

Additionally, this air conditioner can act as a dehumidifier. With 12,000 BTUs, it can cool spaces up to 400 square feet in size. The air conditioner can be set anywhere from 61°F to 89°F. You can set it for 24 hours at a time, and it can be controlled by a remote. It features a washable filter as well.

Specifications

Features dimensions of 17 x 29.5 x 16 inches
Weight of 60 pounds
Dehumidifying function
Cooling and fan function
Cools areas up to 400 square feet in size
Has 12,000 BTU output
Has remote control

Sample Customer Review…I purchased this unit to cool the hottest part of my house and it has worked great. I was very surprised to see the temperature go down to 61°. I ended up putting this in my room so it would be easier to control airflow throughout the day and night. Being someone who loves a cool room for sleeping and having no problems sleeping with other air conditioners on the coldest setting all night, this A/C was way colder than I was expecting. I almost froze with this unit on 61°!!!
When it comes to things like this, I believe that having too much is just right and this unit is perfect! My house is small and essentially just a bunch of rooms so I have to use fans to get airflow throughout the house and this unit provides the power and cold air to make it possible to cool the entire house comfortably. In conjunction with another small A/C and the right conditions, I can get my house nearly 15-20° cooler than the outside air temperature.
The dual hose works so much better than my other single hose unit. Don’t even bother wasting your money on the single hose if you can afford this. You can really tell the difference when the temperatures get high. The dual hose unit just keeps pumping out super cold air like a walk in the park.
Having the unit in my room means that it gets very cold very fast so the remote is a must-have in my situation so I don’t have to get out of my bed into a freezing cold room in the middle of the night to turn it off. In short, the remote is my friend.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

10. LG LP1419IVSM

[amazon box=”B07NC2QM6V” description=” ” rating=”4.1″]

Our last recommendation is as strong as the first. This LG AC can cool rooms up to 500 Sq Ft. and features cooling, dehumidifying, and fanning functions. It is also WiFi connected allowing you to control it with your phone or the included remote control. It is a little louder than our other recommendations. Depending on your preferences this can be a good thing as it can block out unwanted sounds.

Specifications

Square feet: 500 Sq. Ft
Dimensions: 18.11 x 19.41 x 30.43 inches
Weight: 70.9 pounds

Sample Customer Review…I never know when to believe the good reviews, but these good reviews were accurate. This air conditioner is what I needed. It cools my 400 sq foot room well, and it is quiet (never heard the high-pitched hum). Setup and operation are easy. On cold and high fan I was able to get the temp down to 66 and could have gone lower. The wifi app works well. I controlled it turning the cooling and fan on from 40 miles away. The app tells me the current room temp and air conditioner set point. The remote control I still have to do some troubleshooting since the connection was hit and miss. This portable dual inverter air conditioner, 14000 BTU also saves energy, 25-40% reduction in electricity usage compared with other regular ones. Happy with the purchase.
After experiencing a set of days where the temp was over 100 degrees F, I can report the air conditioner performed amazingly. Our house is 1720 SQ ft and if I set it in the main living area, it can keep about half the house at 75 degrees F. My wife said she had to go to the far rooms to warm up because it was too cool. At night I move the air conditioner to our bedroom. Thinking of buying a second one which would probably suffice for cooling our entire one-story bungalow.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com.

Buying Guide: Things to Consider When Purchasing a Portable Air Conditioner

We are dedicated to helping you get the best device for your money and best cool your indoor setting. Though we have collected some of the best commercial portable air conditioners out there each of them fits a different, personal need. Most of these units are freestanding or stand alone but there are many other factors to consider. So to help you pick here are a few things to consider.

Cooling Strength

As we have mentioned before, one of the first things to consider is the BTU of the unit. The bigger of a space you want to cool the higher the more BTU you’ll need. Having an AC try to cool a room larger than it can handle will cause it to run constantly. This will wear out the AC faster and use more energy than normal. To make this consideration easy we have listed the recommended square footage for each portable air conditioner.

Type of Room

BTU is not the only thing to consider when it comes to properly cool a room. There are many different types of homes that portable air conditioners can work in, including apartments, mobile homes, or house. Other features will affect how well the AC will work such as the number of windows, height of the ceiling, and the direction the exterior walls face.

Windows will affect this by letting in sunlight which warms the room. The height of the ceiling is important because our square footage recommendations assume a standard 8-foot ceiling. As for the exterior walls of the room, if they face a direction that gets a lot of sun exposure, they will heat up quicker than rooms that don’t.

Special Features

The decision to pick a certain AC based on BTU can be fairly simple. All of the special features each model comes with can make it more difficult. What is most important is your budget. The extra features like smart device integration may be nice but are ultimately unnecessary. So if you would like to spend the extra buck to get all the bells and whistles more power to you. Otherwise, the extra features won’t affect much other than the quality of life.

Conclusion

We hope that this buying guide and product list of portable a/c units for sale has been helpful. Whether you are looking for cooling strength for different room sizes or whether it is energy efficient, whichever model you pick will be sure to bring you a breath of fresh air.

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Written by Braeden Hudiburgh; Contributors: Srushtiben Patel, Chip Draper, Katherine Roberts, Victoria Beuchat