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Our Top Picks | Portable Air Conditioner Buying Guide | FAQs | Why You Can Trust Us
A portable air conditioner provides fast and efficient cooling to keep your space comfortable during the summer. Our team researched the best options available to help you beat the heat. Here are our top picks.
For additional information on what to look for as a buyer, we’ve also compiled this guide to home appliances.
Top 5 Portable Air Conditioners
- Best for Small Rooms: BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner
- Best For Large Rooms: Whynter Dual-Hose Portable Air Conditioner
- Best Smart Air Conditioner: Midea Three-in-One Portable Air Conditioner
- Best Multifunctional Air Conditioner: SereneLife Four-in-One Portable Air Conditioner
- Quietest Air Conditioner: Whynter Elite Portable Air Conditioner
Best Portable Air Conditioner for Small Rooms: BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner
BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner
- $329.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- 52.9 pounds
- 5,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) of power to cool up to 150 square feet
- Remote control
- Top-facing control panel
- Cool, fan, and dehumidifying modes
What Customers Are Saying
We noted that many positive reviews said that this portable air conditioner was easy to set up. Many also liked the soft sound it created because it acted as white noise. However, we also saw that some customers were concerned about this model’s fire safety because the plug would sometimes smoke while the unit was on.
Best Portable Air Conditioner for Large Rooms: Whynter Dual-Hose Portable Air Conditioner
Whynter Dual-Hose Portable Air Conditioner
- $499
- $599.99
- 17% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- 80 pounds
- 14,000 BTUs of power to cool up to 500 square feet
- Remote control
- Front-facing control panel
- Cool, fan, and dehumidifying modes
What Customers Are Saying
We found that most customers were happy with the quality of this portable air conditioner, with many saying that it was long-lasting. Other positive reviews noted that the window kit made installation easy. We also noticed that a few unsatisfied customers said that the unit struggled to keep their home cool and that it was noisy.
Best Smart Air Conditioner: Midea Three-in-One Portable Air Conditioner
Midea Three-in-One Portable Air Conditioner
- $349.88
- $399
- 12% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- 67.9 pounds
- 10,000 BTUs of power to cool up to 200 square feet
- Wi-Fi-enabled for voice assistant or smartphone control
- Remote control
- Top-facing control panel
- Cool, fan, and dehumidifying modes
What Customers Are Saying
Our research showed that satisfied customers said that this portable air conditioner cooled their room effectively year after year. Other reviews pointed out that it had a pleasant white noise, especially on its auto setting. However, we saw some negative reviews said that it had a weak air output and could only cool small rooms.
Best Multifunctional Air Conditioner: SereneLife Four-in-One Portable Air Conditioner
SereneLife Four-in-One Portable Air Conditioner
- $379.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- 56.48 pounds
- 10,000 BTUs of power to cool up to 325 square feet
- Remote control
- Top-facing control panel
- Heat, cool, fan, and dehumidifying modes
What Customers Are Saying
When examining reviews of this product, several highlighted that this portable air conditioner was easy to maneuver and install. Other reviews praised this portable air conditioner for its practical remote control and energy efficiency. In contrast, we noticed some negative reviews said that it was loud and didn’t effectively cool their space.
Quietest Portable Air Conditioner: Whynter Elite Portable Air Conditioner
Whynter Elite Portable Air Conditioner
- $531.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- 60 pounds
- 12,000 BTUs of power to cool up to 400 square feet
- Remote control
- Front-facing control panel
- Cool, fan, and dehumidifying modes
What Customers Are Saying
We noticed on several positive reviews that customers pointed out the usefulness of the included remote control and the quiet nature of the motor. Many customers also enjoyed the dual-hose system because it was more efficient than single-hose models. Still, we also saw some negative reviews that mentioned that the model failed within a year of use and that Whynter customer service was difficult to communicate with.
Buying Guide to the Best Portable Air Conditioners
We conducted research to determine the most important factors to help you learn all about portable air conditioners and find the ideal model for your situation. Read our buyer’s guide below to learn more about the most critical factors that go into purchasing a portable AC unit.
Cooling Power
The cooling power of a portable air conditioner is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). Portable air conditioners typically have a cooling power between 7,000 and 15,000 BTUs. The larger a room, the higher BTU output your unit will need to cool it.
Noise
We’ve found that portable air conditioners can be noisy while they’re running, especially when compared to permanent central air conditioning systems. If you’re easily distracted by noise, we recommend purchasing a portable air conditioner that features noise-suppression technology to keep it running below 60 decibels.
Settings
Some portable air conditioners can do more than cool a space. Many feature fan, dehumidifier, and heater settings. This makes them useful all year round.
Filter
Most portable air conditioners feature a filter that removes contaminants from the air they’re cooling. Common filter types include:
- Activated carbon: This type of filter removes smoke and odor from the air. It has to be replaced every few weeks because it can’t be cleaned.
- Antimicrobial: This filter traps small molecules, such as pollen and dust, and prevents bacterial growth. It can be cleaned, but it should still be replaced three to four times per year.
- Electrostatic charge: These filters also trap small molecules, but they must be replaced every two to three months.
- Pre-filter: This filter traps large pieces of debris, such as pet hair. It can usually be cleaned.
- Silver ion: These filters remove allergens and other irritants in addition to breaking down larger pieces of debris. However, they have to be replaced more frequently than the other types of filters.
Other Features
Additional features that our research indicted can improve the effectiveness of a portable air conditioner include:
- LED displays
- Temperature control settings
- Exhaust hoses
- Storage bags
- Remote controls
Frequently Asked Questions About Portable Air Conditioners
How do I know what size portable air conditioner I need to cool my room?
To find the best-sized portable air conditioner for you, we recommend starting by measuring the area of your room in square feet. From there, you can calculate the needed power using this chart:
- 200 square feet or smaller = 8,000 BTUs
- 201–300 square feet = 10,000 BTUs
- 301–400 square feet = 12,000 BTUs
- 401–450 square feet = 14,000 BTUs
- 451–500 square feet = 16,000 BTUs
How often do I have to clean or replace the filter of my portable air conditioner?
It depends on the type of filter that your portable air conditioner uses. Activated carbon and silver ion filters can’t be cleaned, so they have to be replaced every few weeks. Electrostatic charge and antimicrobial filters can be cleaned to extend their lifespan, but our research shows that they should still be replaced every three months.
Where in the room should I put my portable air conditioner?
We’ve found that the best place to store your portable air conditioner is in a spot where it can effectively cool the entire room. Many units include installation kits for placing them on windowsills or underneath windows. Other popular locations include in corners and against walls.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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