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The best portable air conditioners are some of the most flexible ways to cool a room. Window air conditioners are great, but they can only be put in a single-hung or double-hung window. A portable air conditioner is a great way to stay cool if you don’t have one of these windows. We recommend using window units as much as possible because they are cheaper to buy and run, use less electricity, and work better.
But there are some good things about portable air conditioners. They can be used in places where window air conditioners aren’t allowed and are easier to store, set up, and move to where they’re needed. We chose the best portable air conditioners by talking to two experts and trying out 12 different models.
Best Portable Air Conditioners Comparison Table
| Air Conditioner Model | Operating Temperature Range | Volts | BTU Cooling Capacity–SACC/ASHRAE | Dimensions (inches) | Weight (lbs) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whynter Dual Hose Portable | 61°F – 89°F | 115V | 14,000/12,000 | 19 x 16 x 35.5 | 80 | $599.99 |
| TCL 5P93C Smart Series | 62°F – 95°F | 115V | 14,000/8,000 | 15.8 x 18.3 x 30.1 | 68.3 | $479.99 |
| Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL | 62°F – 105°F | 115V | 12,000/6,500 | 17.1 x 13 x 28.3 | 62.8 | $449.99 |
| LG LP1419IVSM | 64°F – 86°F | 115V | 14,000/7,500 | 18.5 x 15.7 x 32.7 | 71.6 | $799.99 |
| Midea Portable | 62°F – 105°F | 115V | 10,000/5,300 | 13 x 17.1 x 28.3 | 53.9 | $319.00 |
| DeLonghi Pinguino 3-in-1 | 61°F – 95°F | 115V | 14,000/9,000 | 19.2 x 16.5 x 29.5 | 72.8 | $649.99 |
| GE APCD08JALW | 61°F – 90°F | 115V | 8,000/6,000 | 13.4 x 12.8 x 27.5 | 43.0 | $289.99 |
| Haier QPWA14YZMW | 62°F – 95°F | 115V | 14,000/8,000 | 16.9 x 17.7 x 29.4 | 75.0 | $549.99 |
Whynter Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
| Model | Whynter Dual Hose Portable |
| Type | Portable Air Conditioner |
| Cooling Capacity | 14,000 BTU |
| Hose Type | Dual Hose |
| Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) | 12.0 |
| Room Size | Up to 500 sq. ft. |
| Dehumidifying Capacity | 71 pints/day |
| Noise Level | 56 dB |
| Control Type | Digital with remote control |
| Filter Type | Washable and reusable |
This powerful portable air conditioner from Whynter has a dual hose that lets it cool a room faster than other portable units. “Dual hose” means that the air conditioner uses outside air instead of air from inside to cool its own parts. This helps it cool the room faster and more efficiently. Our engineers were impressed by how useful it was all year round.
In dehumidifier mode, it could remove up to 101 pints of moisture in 24 hours, and the upgraded model has a heater that can heat up to 77°F. Testers also like that you can set a schedule for the day with the programmable timer. For example, you could set it to turn on 30 minutes before you get home from work.
The Good
- Because it has two hoses, it cools well and uses less energy.
- It can cool rooms up to 500 square feet in size.
- High ability to remove excess moisture from the air, or dehumidify.
- Digital controls are easy to use because they come with a remote.
The Bad
- Compared to some other models, the noise level may be a little bit higher.
- The hoses might need their own window or wall vent.
TCL 5P93C Smart Series Portable Air Conditioner
| Model | TCL 5P93C Smart Series |
| Type | Portable Air Conditioner |
| Cooling Capacity | 9,000 BTU |
| Hose Type | Single Hose |
| Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) | 12.2 |
| Room Size | Up to 300 sq. ft. |
| Dehumidifying Capacity | 42 pints/day |
| Noise Level | 50 dB |
| Control Type | Smart WiFi control with remote |
| Filter Type | Washable and reusable |
This portable AC stands out from the rest because it can be set to the exact temperature you want. We tested the brand’s more powerful 10,000 BTUs SACC unit, which has enough cooling power for almost any room in the house. Even though this smaller unit’s sound and output may be a little different, we trust its performance.
When our testers set it to 64o F and came back to check the temperature, it was quickly at 65.6o F. No other portable AC came close to the right temperature like this one did. The air from the TCL came out faster and went farther than other models tested, but it was also noisier than other models.
The Good
- Smart WiFi controls can be controlled and scheduled from a smartphone app from anywhere.
- It can cool rooms up to 300 square feet in size.
- With a 12.2 EER, it uses less energy because it is very energy efficient.
The Bad
- There may not be enough cooling power for larger rooms or open-concept spaces.
- When compared to models with two hoses, a single-hose design may use a little bit less energy.
Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL
| Model | Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL |
| Type | Portable Air Conditioner |
| Cooling Capacity | 12,000 BTU |
| Hose Type | Dual Hose |
| Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) | 12.5 |
| Room Size | Up to 400 sq. ft. |
| Dehumidifying Capacity | 58 pints/day |
| Noise Level | 53 dB |
| Control Type | Digital with remote control |
| Filter Type | Washable and reusable |
Most portable air conditioners are pretty much the same, but the Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL cools better than other models while using less energy and being quieter. The Midea’s inverter-powered compressor can run at a constantly changing speed instead of only at full speed or not at all.
This gives the unit a lot more flexibility in how it reaches the desired temperature in a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions. During our tests, it was also very good at spreading the cool air around the room. There was never more than a 1-degree temperature difference between different parts of the room.
The Good
- Because it has two hoses, it cools well and uses less energy.
- It can cool rooms that are up to 400 square feet in size.
- High ability to remove excess moisture from the air, or dehumidify.
- Digital controls are easy to use because they come with a remote.
The Bad
- Compared to some other models, the noise level may be a little bit higher.
- The hoses might need their own window or wall vent.
LG LP1419IVSM
| Model | LG LP1419IVSM |
| Type | Portable Air Conditioner |
| Cooling Capacity | 14,000 BTU |
| Hose Type | Single Hose |
| Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) | 14.7 |
| Room Size | Up to 500 sq. ft. |
| Dehumidifying Capacity | 3.1 pints/hour |
| Noise Level | 44 dB |
| Control Type | Smart WiFi control with remote |
| Filter Type | Washable and reusable |
If the Midea Duo isn’t available, the LG LP1419IVSM with a single hose and an inverter-powered compressor is another great choice. Overall, it’s set up the same way, with a built-in hose and a fan on top that makes the AC sound like it’s breathing in and out with steady wafts of white noise and cool air.
It also has all the same smart-home features. It’s a little more expensive than the Midea, and some readers have complained about how it sounds, but overall, it’s still one of the best portable air conditioners you can find.
The Good
- With a 14.7 EER, it uses less energy because it is very energy efficient.
- Smart WiFi controls can be controlled and scheduled from a smartphone app from anywhere.
- It can cool rooms up to 500 square feet in size.
- Low noise level for quiet operation.
The Bad
- When compared to models with two hoses, a single-hose design may use a little bit less energy.
Midea Portable Air Conditioner
| Model | Midea Portable |
| Type | Portable Air Conditioner |
| Cooling Capacity | Varies by model |
| Hose Type | Single or Dual Hose |
| Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) | Varies by model |
| Room Size | Varies by model |
| Dehumidifying Capacity | Varies by model |
| Noise Level | Varies by model |
| Control Type | Digital with remote control |
| Filter Type | Washable and reusable |
If you need to cool a space up to 200 square feet, the Midea EasyCool Portable Air Conditioner is a more affordable option. This model has 10,000 BTU and can cool down your bedroom, office, or small living room. This is one of the best Portable Air Conditioners that you can buy right now.
Even though there are a few cheaper models on this list, we chose this one as our best budget pick because it gives you the best overall value for your money. The best thing about the Midea MAP10S1CWT is that it has Wi-Fi. You can connect it to Amazon Alexa or Google Home and then use your voice to do things like raise or lower the temperature.
The Good
- There are a lot of different models with different cooling capacities, room sizes, and ways to save energy.
- Digital controls are easy to use because they come with a remote.
- For easy upkeep, the filter can be washed and used again and again.
- The design makes it easy to move around and set up in different rooms.
- Fits rooms of different sizes and needs for cooling.
The Bad
- Depending on which model is chosen, the specs may be different.
- Compared to models with two hoses, models with just one hose may use a little bit more energy.
DeLonghi Pinguino 3-in-1 Air Conditioner
| Model | DeLonghi Pinguino 3-in-1 |
| Type | Portable Air Conditioner |
| Cooling Capacity | Varies by model |
| Hose Type | Single or Dual Hose |
| Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) | Varies by model |
| Room Size | Varies by model |
| Dehumidifying Capacity | Varies by model |
| Noise Level | Varies by model |
| Control Type | Digital with remote control |
| Filter Type | Washable and reusable |
The DeLonghi EX390LVYN Portable Air Conditioner is a high-quality choice that has a lot of cooling power. It is a model that is very quiet and can also work as a fan or a dehumidifier. CST stands for the brand’s Cool Surround Technology, which is used in this air conditioner.
The unit comes with a better remote control that looks like a small box and has sensors for temperature and humidity. The remote connects to the air conditioner through Bluetooth. If you keep the remote close to you, it can tell the air conditioner how cool and humid it is where you are, even if you are on the other side of the room.
The Good
- It has cooling, dehumidifying, and fan modes, so it can be used in many ways.
- Digital controls are easy to use because they come with a remote.
- For easy upkeep, the filter can be washed and used again and again.
- The design makes it easy to move around and set up in different rooms.
- Fits rooms of different sizes and needs for cooling.
The Bad
- Depending on which model is chosen, the specs may be different.
- Compared to models with two hoses, models with just one hose may use a little bit more energy.
GE APCD08JALW
| Model | GE APCD08JALW |
| Type | Portable Air Purifier |
| Filtration System | HEPA filter with Activated Carbon filter |
| CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) | Smoke: 122, Dust: 125, Pollen: 136 |
| Room Size | Up to 180 sq. ft. |
| Noise Level | 34 dB on low speed |
| Control Type | Digital with touch controls |
| Filter Replacement Indicator | Yes |
| Timer Function | Yes |
| Dimensions | 9.25″ x 13.39″ x 17.52″ |
| Weight | 10.36 lbs |
The GE APCD08JALW is a great choice if you need a portable air conditioner for a small to medium-sized room. The APCD08JALW is a great choice for anyone who wants an AC unit that can easily handle smaller bedrooms, offices, and other living spaces.
It can cool a room that is up to 350 square feet in size. During our tests, it did a great job, keeping its lowest temperature nearly 70% of the time. The Frigidaire FHPC082AC1 and the Whirlpool WHAP131BWC, two other small units we tested, couldn’t keep up with the GE unit in this test.
The Good
- The HEPA filter and activated carbon filter work well to clean the air by catching particles and smells in the air.
- High CADR ratings for smoke, dust, and pollen show that the air cleaner works well to clean the air.
- Fits in rooms up to 180 square feet in size.
- Low noise level at low speed means operation that is quiet.
The Bad
- Compared to larger air purifiers, it only covers a small area.
- Over time, the cost of maintenance may go up if filters need to be changed.
- It might not be good for larger rooms or open-floor plans.
Haier QPWA14YZMW
| Model | Haier QPWA14YZMW |
| Type | Portable Air Conditioner |
| Cooling Capacity | 14,000 BTU |
| Hose Type | Dual Hose |
| Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) | 11.0 |
| Room Size | Up to 550 sq. ft. |
| Dehumidifying Capacity | 2.5 pints/hour |
| Noise Level | 50 dB |
| Control Type | Digital with remote control |
| Filter Type | Washable and reusable |
The Haier QPWA14YZMW is a great middle-of-the-road option between the GE and Midea air conditioners. It costs about $590, which puts it between the best small and best high-end air conditioners. It has similar specs and performance to the Midea model, but it doesn’t have as many advanced features.
This Haier AC unit has a cooling capacity of 9,700 BTU and can cool a room up to 550 square feet in size. Even though it can’t cool as well as the 12,000-Btu Midea unit, the Haier unit held its own when it was tested. It was able to keep the set temperature of 68 degrees for 75% of its running time, which was less than the Midea’s 85%.
The Good
- The 14,000 BTU cooling capacity is strong enough for rooms up to 550 sq. ft.
- With two hoses, cooling is more effective and takes less time.
- For easy upkeep, the filter can be washed and used again and again.
- Digital controls are easy to use because they come with a remote.
- The dehumidifier helps get rid of excess moisture in the air.
- Fit for cooling larger rooms or living spaces with an open floor plan.
The Bad
- Models with an EER of 11.0 may use more energy than those with higher ratings because they aren’t as efficient.
- The higher noise level of 50 dB may not be good for places where noise is a problem.
FAQs
Do all portable air conditioners need to have a window for the air to go out? No. With a portable AC unit that doesn’t vent out the window, you don’t need to open the window. However, it will be harder to move the hot air out of the room without one, so you’ll need to find another way (like a fan).
Portable air conditioners are a great way to cool off a single room or a smaller space. They are cheap, easy to set up, and don’t need to be installed permanently. But portable air conditioners can’t replace a central air conditioning system or HVAC unit because they can’t cool an entire home.
Our research showed that the Luma Comfort EC110S is the best outdoor portable air conditioner because it is small and has a wide cooling area. You will get 500 CFMs, which is enough to cool an area up to 250 square feet in size. We like that this model’s fan can move in different directions to make it more comfortable.
You can run a portable air conditioner without a vent hose safely, but you should only do it in dehumidifier mode, and the room will actually get warmer.
