Like portable heaters, portable air conditioners allow a lot of maneuverability when cooling off your house during the summer months. They also do not cost as much as installing expensive air conditioning systems. On top of it, most units also function as a dehumidifier.
If you decide to move, then you can take your portable air conditioning with you instead of leaving behind the system you invested in installing. As you can see, there are a lot of reasons you should spend in a portable air conditioner if it right for you.
Unfortunately, there are also a lot of crummy air conditioning products that are overpriced, ineffective, or both.
Luckily, we organized this list so you can get a better sense of the superior products on the market. With any luck, you will find the best portable air conditioner for you. But first, let us take a closer look at how we rank the product on this list.
| Product | Image | Rating | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| [amazon fields=”B07CRFKSW7″ value=”thumb” image_size=”medium” image_alt=”Honeywell”] |
[amazon fields=”B07CRFKSW7″ value=”button”] |
||
| [amazon fields=”B07BQMB4BR” value=”thumb” image_size=”medium” image_alt=”JHS”] |
[amazon fields=”B07BQMB4BR” value=”button”] |
||
| [amazon fields=”B07D8TWJ2T” value=”thumb” image_size=”medium” image_alt=”Shinco”] |
[amazon fields=”B07D8TWJ2T” value=”button”] |
||
|
Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner |
[amazon fields=”B0028AYQDC” value=”thumb” image_size=”medium”] |
[amazon fields=”B0028AYQDC” value=”button”] |
|
| [amazon fields=”B01DLPUWL2″ value=”thumb” image_size=”medium”] |
[amazon fields=”B01DLPUWL2″ value=”button”] |
||
| [amazon fields=”B07D5THKKK” value=”thumb” image_size=”medium”] |
[amazon fields=”B07D5THKKK” value=”button”] |
||
| [amazon fields=”B0787DD3RX” value=”thumb” image_size=”medium”] |
[amazon fields=”B0787DD3RX” value=”button”] |
How We Choose
We select the portable air conditioners on this list by going through the most popular brands and models and rating their top products.
We estimate the products by looking at three distinct areas. Specifically, we look at the features, effectiveness, and overall price for each type of product.
For each of these areas we mentioned we ask a series of questions that help us determine the strengths and weaknesses associated with each product.
Here are some of the questions we ask:
- Features — What are the specs of the portable air conditioner? Does it come with any special additions? What are the various settings available for the product?
- Effectiveness — Does the portable air conditioner work at keeping you cool? How much space can the machine cool? Does it get progressively worse as time goes on, or does it stay the same?
- Overall Price — How much does the portable air conditioner cost? How does the company justify charging this price? Does the product represent a good value for the consumer?
Top Seven Best Portable Air Conditioner for the Summer
We rank the products on this list from best to worst. Keep in mind that we do not endorse some of the products found toward the bottom of the list. We are merely including the most popular models and ranking them, so you know what the best option is for you.
Honeywell Portable Air Conditioner
[amazon box=”B07CRFKSW7″]
We selected the Honeywell Portable Air Conditioner as our best portable air conditioner because we think it represents the biggest bang for your buck in terms of what you get. The model works incredibly well at cooling large spaces, and while it is not cheap, it is dependable.
The Honeywell Portable Air Conditioner can cool an indoor area up to four hundred square feet in area. It works as a free standing unit, or you can easily install it into a window. The dehumidifier can remove roughly eighty pints of water from the air each day.
You can control the temperature precisely with the three fans and auto sleep mode features. The model also comes with remote control and digital control panel. We believe this air conditioning unit can withstand even the hottest summers.
The cost depends on how many BTU’s your unit comes with when you buy it.
The one flaw with the unit is the noise. Some users report that especially when it first starts up, the machine is quite loud. Usually, the sound goes down once it has been on for a while.
But, if complete silence is crucial for you to sleep in, then we recommend going with a different product.
JHS 10,000 BTUs Portable Air Conditioner
[amazon box=”B07BQMB4BR”]
While it is not quite as useful as the Honeywell Portable Air Conditioner, the JHS 10,000 BTUs Portable Air Conditioner is a slightly more affordable option that comes with some helpful features. One unit cools a space of about 220 square feet.
As the name suggests, one cool feature that comes with the device is its remote control options. When controlling the air conditioning unit, you can either use the set remote control that comes with it. Or, you can download the mobile app on your smartphone and use it to adjust the setting.
This feature makes it much easier to adjust the settings of the machine to your preference as the day gets progressively warmer and more relaxed. You get two fans setting, and the dehumidifier in the device removes around fifty pints of water from the air every day.
If you plan on moving your best portable air conditioner from room to room frequently, then the JHS 10,000 BTUs Portable Air Conditioner is another good choice. The device comes with wheels and a carrying handle for easy and quick movement.
Like the Honeywell unit, the JHS 10,000 BTUs Portable Air Conditioner also comes with a little noise. However, we do not believe it is bad enough for most individuals. If you do not mind a low white noise while you sleep, then you should be fine.
Shinco SPF2-08C 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
[amazon box=”B07D8TWJ2T”]
If you want a best portable air conditioner simply as an auxiliary device to your regular air conditioning, then we recommend the Shinco SPF2-08C 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner.
This one is affordable enough to supplement a house with occasional spotty air conditioning.
In short, this model of the best portable air conditioner is a no-frills model. It gets the job done, but it is a little loud in the process. Also, some people reported that the customer service was not excellent. Still, considering the low price, we believe this model is justified in making a little noise.
The unit comes with eight thousand BTU which can cool between two hundred and three hundred square feet of indoor space. Like the other models, it also comes with a multi-function feature that allows you to adjust the device depending on how and when you use it.
The product is also easy to use and comes with a light up LED screen for quick reference while using it. The machine also utilizes the moisture it takes in from the air by applying it to its hot coils which allow them to cool off.
Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
[amazon box=”B0028AYQDC”]
If you were waiting for one of the more luxurious models on this list, then the Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose , listed as best portable air conditioner, is for you. In terms of performance, there is no denying this model’s superiority. It can cool up to five hundred square feet and takes in one hundred pints of water.
The Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner wins the award for the quietest portable air conditioner on this list as well. If you struggle with insomnia, then you will not mind the investment a chilly, hum-free night of sleep.
The device comes with a filter that you can take out and wash, so you do not need to worry about buying more replaceable filters. This feature is also better for the environment since fewer spent filters will end up in landfills.
It also allows for precise thermostat control, instead of some of the simple three-model systems on the cheaper side of the fence. However, this increase in performance comes at a reasonably steep price.
Generally, we only recommend this model for people who can afford it and want it for its performance, or for people who cannot stand the noise of any kind while they sleep. Otherwise, we think you will be better off with one of the more affordable models found earlier in the article.
BLACK + DECKER BPACT08WT Portable Air Conditioner 8,000 BTU
[amazon box=”B01DLPUWL2″]
While there is no denying that the BLACK + DECKER BPACT08WT ,one of the best portable air conditioner, is stylish looking and easy to use, the performance of the unit leaves a lot to be desired. The device is not as good as some of the other models on this list when it cools a room.
The device can heat a small room between one hundred and one hundred fifty feet in square area. It also includes a remote control, drainage hose and window installation kit.
Generally, the temperature it produces is five to six degrees hotter than it says. People also had many issues with draining the water captured by the device. However, the biggest flaw with the method seems to be how long it lasts.
Most customers say that their model did not make it past the nine-month mark. While this flaw might be related to poor maintenance on the part of the owner, it seems like more than a coincidence consider the number of instances.
The BLACK + DECKER BPACT08WT Portable Air Conditioner is reasonably affordable. But considering the odds that the machine will break down fairly quickly, we do not think it is worth it in the long run.
COSTWAY Compact Portable Air Conditioner
[amazon box=”B07D5THKKK”]
The COSTWAY Compact ,one the best portable air conditioner, is an excellent example of a lower tier portable air conditioner that comes with some flaws but works reasonably well for the price offered.
The unit offers most of the features that its competitors offer. However, you should be aware of the flaws that come with the device. The main fault with the product is just that the company uses cheap material.
Many customers reported that their COSTWAY Compact Portable Air Conditioner broke down after one month of use. While these cases were relatively uncommon, we still find them an issue.
Other people had a lot of problems with the placement of the water tray. Unloading the device requires a lot of work. If you can overlook these flaws, then go with this unit, but otherwise, choose one of the better models on the list.
Ontel Arctic Personal Air Cooler White
[amazon box=”B0787DD3RX”]
If the price seems too reasonable to be true when it comes to a portable air conditioning unit, then you are right. Simply put, many of the Ontel Arctic Personal Air Coolers break after the first use. An incredibly high percentage of customers complained that their units leaked right out of the box.
In theory, the highly portable cube is only supposed to cool the immediate area around the person using it. The product only weighs around three pounds so you can easily carry it from room to room. This limited usage is how the company justifies the price tag.
However, even the models that do work are not effective at what they do. Most people say the device wastes water and produces very little fresh air. And forget about trying to return the item. People say customer service is difficult and require extensive pictures before sending a replacement.
It seems the Ontel company is going through a severe quality control crisis. As such, we recommend getting your portable air conditioning unit someplace else. The Ontel Arctic Personal Air Cooler White is a waste of money
Portable Air Conditioner Buyer’s Guide
If you never purchased a portable air conditioner before, then you might be overwhelmed by all of the considerations. Luckily, we organized a quick buyer’s guide so you will know what to look out for and what to consider during the shopping process.
Room Size and Layout
The size of the room you want to cool is an important consideration when you purchase a portable air conditioner. Larger rooms require a unit with more BTU’s. Generally speaking, a place that is one hundred and fifty feet in an area will need around five thousand BTU’s.
Whereas if you wanted to cool a room that is five hundred and fifty square feet, then you would require a unit with twelve thousand BTU’s. You should also keep in mind that factors like doors and wall placement also affect how the air distributes and cools the room.
Cost
Most portable air conditioning units range from $150 to $800. You should choose a price range and stick with it. But we do recommend not going with some of the cheaper models. Generally, they are much more trouble than they are worth since they break down.
We think anything in the $300 price range will be reasonably dependable. However, you should also remember that portable air conditioners come with ongoing costs, like the portable air filters they use. Not to mention the increase in your energy bill when you use the device.
Noise
The noise the unit produces is another factor you want to consider. For most people, the low humming that these portable air conditioners produce is not very noticeable. But, some people who struggle with insomnia or staying asleep may find some of the mid to lower tier models too loud.
If you fall into this category, then you will need to invest quite a bit of money if you want a model that remains nearly silent while it is running. Unfortunately, all of the more affordable units create a little noise of some sort. As such, you should consider it while shopping.
We hope this article helped you find the best portable air conditioner for you. Unfortunately, not all companies make their portable air conditioners with the same standard of qualities. If you are not careful, then you can end up making a costly mistake by spending a bunch of money on a piece of junk.
However, we do think if you stick to products found on the upper half of this list, then you should be fine. Everyone deserves the burst of fresh air on a warm summer day; we think you do too. Good luck with your shopping experience!