Dan brings more than 20 years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed thousands of products and regularly engages with heating and cooling contractors to get their professional insights into related product categories. It only weighs 11.2 pounds, making it easy to move around. A heater and air conditioner combo could be useful for someone who doesnt have central heating or air, but would rather not deal with the hassle of installing an air conditioner in the summer months, only to uninstall it and then install a heater in the winter months. The storage bag is a nice added convenience if you do need to stow the unit away throughout the year. Generally speaking, a higher BTU rating means that the unit can cool a larger room, but as you look at different portable air conditioners, youll notice that there are often two BTU ratingsa DOE or SACC rating and an ASHRAE ratingwhich can make things a bit more confusing. SACC is a rating of BTU per hour that is meant to portray the capabilities of the machine more accurately by providing a weighted average based on a variety of test conditions, not just an average use case (think a combination of normal usage, muggy day, a particularly hot or dry day, etc.). Small (up to 15m 2 ) Bedroom, study, small kitchen. Still, most users have broadly reported that in cooling mode, the unit works well. (Important note: If you want to plug it into a wall outlet, you'll need to use a separate adapter). We test portable ACs from brands including Emerson, Friedrich, Frigidaire, Honeywell, LG, Whirlpool, and Whynter. This unit is extremely affordable, and still has the ability to both cool and dehumidify your space. Thats because it is truly portableno need to find an outlet or place to hook it up in order to get relief from the heat. Reviewers point out that its noisy at high fan speeds, although thats not unusual for any type of portable or window air conditioner. That's $8.99! Our best overall portable AC is the Whynter Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner. For example, if you are cooling a space that is 250 square feet, look for a unit that produces 5,000 BTUs. Portable 3-in-1 Air Conditioner Fan Dehumidifier w/ 10,000 BTU, Remote. Best Window Air Conditioner: LG Window-Mounted Air Conditioner. Why You Should Get It: In addition to heating and cooling, it also comes with a fan and dehumidifier. When compared to single-hose portable air conditioners, a dual-hose model can cool a room more quickly and is a better choice for larger spaces, according to Dixon. When deciding between window or portable ACs you'll have to figure out whether a window unit is even feasible some are incompatible with certain window shapes and house designs, or restricted by certain buildings. It's a super quiet model that can also function as a fan or dehumidifier. These units usually come with a window adapter that will create an airtight opening for the hose. Theres an included remote control so that you can adjust the mode or settings from across the room. This portable air conditioner has a filter that can be washed, and it is effective at keeping dust and pet hair at bay. This portable air conditioner costs right around $700, but its not short on cooling power. They can also be larger than their counterparts, weighing up to 80 pounds. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. It also offers smart features but is a better fit for smaller spaces measuring around 200 square feet in size. Keep in Mind: Youll need to make sure you have space to install two hoses. It is also loud at its highest fan speed, registering at about 75 decibels. Keep in mind, however, that evaporative coolers will add more humidity to the air (which won't be ideal if you're looking to make a room less humid). CASAINC's official online store, offers bathroom, and outdoor collections. The SereneLife Compact Portable Air Conditioner removes 1.2 liters of moisture per hour, which is pretty impressive considering its size. If youre set on having your own personal cooling device at your side 24/7, youll quickly find that most portable air conditioners arent compact enough and their installation is more hassle than its worth to frequently move around your home. If central air conditioning isn't an option for your home, or if you simply want to add extra cooling to a certain room, a portable air conditioning unit is the perfect solution. If your unit comes with a drainage hose, you also have the option of attaching the hose and running it down a floor drain. We tested the brand's more robust 10,000 BTUs SACC unit, which has enough cooling power for nearly any room in the house, so while this smaller one's sound and output may vary slightly, we trust its performance. The evaChill comes in three colorways: opaque white, ocean blue, and urban gray, so you can decide which color scheme works best for your car. For proper efficiency, you need to make sure the exhaust hose is as straight as possible as kinks can limit the effectiveness. See it at Kogan. She specializes in large and small appliances that make homes more comfortable. An included remote control provides another convenient way to control the settings of this portable air conditioner. Silver ion filters are made to remove dust, pollen, pet dander, and even bacteria from the air. The exhaust hose expels condensation along with hot air, reducing the amount of water that collects in the drain tank. Like the other Whynter model we looked at, its ratio of energy consumption to speed of cooling leaves something to be desired, but given its additional functionality we can turn the other cheek. As a result, they typically cool down a room quicker than a single hose unit. You may be able to find comparable portable AC units to those that have to be wall or window mounted, but youre likely going to pay more for them. Cool mode can be used for cooling and dehumidifying, fan mode just circulates the air in your room, and dry mode helps remove moisture from the air on humid days. While some portable air conditioners can be noisyand therefore not ideal for use while youre sleepingthe LG Portable Air Conditioner operates at sound levels as low as 44 decibels when in sleep mode. Use it during the day as you work during the night when you sleep! Whether or not portable air conditioners are worth it depends on your lifestyle and your needs. Alec Scherma, Test Engineer at the Institute, also assisted on the project. you live in Florida or Arizona or have lots of windows), Near the kitchen with lots of heat-generating appliances. We take into account how intuitive the user manuals and other instructions are. These top picks deliver cooling power to any room. Portable ACs can also work with smaller window types that may not fit a window unit. Single-hose: The most typical portable AC, a single-hose model draws in air from the room, cools it and expels extra heat through a hose. The best portable air conditioners. Type: Single hose | BTU: 4,000 DOE/8,000 ASHRAE | Room size: 215 square feet | Dimensions: 27.2 x 13.8 x 14.6 inches | Weight: 46.3 pounds, Four-in-one design for year-round comfort, Air conditioner, fan, dehumidifier, and heater functions. Dixon explained the importance of paying attention to the BTU rating of a model and also provided guidance on selecting the right cooling power for the size of your space. Enter your appliance's model number to download owner's manuals, use and care manuals, installation information and energy guides. CR members can read on for ratings and reviews of models that rise to the top in. You can monitor the temperature on the digital readout. It is done by matching your homes thermal characteristics with cooling capacity in BTUs.. If youre looking for a budget-friendly model, we love the Shinco Portable Air Conditioner. Best Small Air Conditioner: Black+Decker Portable Air Conditioner. As a dehumidifier, it holds up to 170 pints of water collected from the air. Dual hose air conditioners use two separate hoses to take in air from outside to cool, while expelling interior air simultaneously. Check the list! 2. Almost all portable air conditioners have pre-filters, and these are able to be washed and cleaned by hand as they usually catch dust and hair. Product Details: Dimensions: 13 x 17.1 x 28.3 Inches | Type: Single hose | Cooling Area: 200 square feet | Filter Type: Washable | Noise Level: 54 decibels | BTU: 10,000 BTU. 4. Each one was compared based on how many square feet it can cool and its BTU rating and CFM. As you may have noticed, DOE BTU ratings are always lower than ASHRAE ratings, and the former is typically considered more accurate. Portable ACs fit more window types. Insignia Portable Air Conditioner - 10000 BTU (SACC 6500 BTU) - White/Grey - Only at Best Buy. SKY# is the product ID that can be found on your order packaging, manuals and shipping labels. These are more suited to smaller rooms or light-duty cooling, perhaps as a supplement to a central air conditioning system. Best affordable portable air conditioner: Shinco Shinco 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Cooling power: 10,000 BTUs Room size: Up to 300 square feet Hose type: Single hose This. Like all dual-hose portable air conditioners, you wont need to drain the Whynter ARC-14S very often. This model has a top-loading ice compartment as well as a 6.6. gallon water tank, so you dont need to constantly refill while in use. The tradeoff is that these air conditioners are usually larger and more expensive than single-hose models. SAVE $130. We would like to point out that, while it is portable, this is technically an evaporative cooler, which means that it does not vent from a hose, but rather uses water to cool the air. This pick has a smaller suggested cooling area, so it's best for an office, apartment or small bedroom. Cooling power: 12000 BTU. In cooling mode, this portable air conditioner is rated for 6,000 BTU (according to DOE standards). Keep in mind that, with 8,000 BTUs, this Shinco air conditioner is ideal for small rooms up to 200 square feet. Instead, this portable air conditioner with Wi-Fi can be controlled using the LG app on your smart device or with voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Home. A space heater can supplement your central heating by targeting drafty corners, poorly-insulated areas or your most lived-in spaces. It monitors the temperature and humidity in your space, plus your position in the room, and then automatically adjusts the unit to keep your room cool. Read our, LG Electronics Portable Air Conditioner at Home Depot, DeLonghi 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner at Amazon, SereneLife Portable Air Conditioner at Amazon, BLACK+DECKER 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Heat at Amazon, Newair Portable Air Conditioner with Easy Setup Window Venting Kit at Wayfair, Whynter Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner at Amazon, Honeywell Indoor Portable Air Conditioner at Amazon, Evapolar Portable Air Conditioner at Amazon, DeLonghi Pinguino 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner, SereneLife Compact Portable Air Conditioner, BLACK+DECKER 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Heat, Newair AC-12200E Portable Air Conditioner with Easy Setup Window Venting Kit, Whynter ARC-14S Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner, Honeywell Indoor Portable Air Conditioner, Evapolar evaChill Portable Air Conditioner, What to Look for in a Portable Air Conditioner. ECs use much less energy than any other AC type, as they do not have internal parts that do the cooling. Though the air conditioner-only version of this unit is available in models with 8,000,10,000, 12,000, and 14,000 BTUs, the option for adding heat is only available in 12,000 or 14,000 BTUs. The filter slides out of the back for easy access for cleaning, and the included remote means you won't have to pause working or get out of bed to change the settings. If you have the budget for it, we think you'll be very satisfied with the LG LP1419IVSM 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner. She's contributed to Forbes and smart home blogs like Smart Home Solver and TechDigg. Keep in mind that if you have high ceilings, multiple people living in your space, or are going to be using your portable air conditioner in a part of your home that is typically warm (like the kitchen, or a space with tons of light coming in) youll want to size up in BTUs. Why You Should Get It: This air conditioner may be small, but it effectively cools rooms up to 215 square feet and it is lighter than other units. If you relocate to another room, it's simple to lift the 1.6-pound unit by its handle and move it to a new spot. Additionally, this portable air conditioner is easy to install, but it must be vented through a window in order to ensure that it functions properly. The cost of a portable air conditioner ranges from about $250 to $700 or more. They use the process of evaporative cooling to cool a space. Window units are popular because they make less noise and take up less floor space. & Accessibility. When the fan draws in hot air across the cooling pads that have absorbed water from the reservoir, the water slowly evaporates. While its price tag may give you sticker shock, the Zero BreezeMark 2 AC is our pick for best portable air conditioner for camping. You have successfully subscribed to the newsletter. When our engineers tested the brand's 8,000 BTU (DOE) unit, we found it to be relatively quiet for its output and simple to move as needed, though that may vary slightly for this smaller-sized option. While the drain pan needs to be emptied regularly, Dixon says this is one of the easiest options for self-installation of a portable air conditioner. You can control your air conditioner with the touch of a button using the LG ThinQ app, which is compatible with your smartphone, Amazon Alexa, or Google Home. Lost or Missing the Manual? As long as you have accurate expectations, youll find this to be one of the best options for a mini portable air conditioner. What's the best portable air conditioner for most people? Type: Dual hose | BTU: 9,500 DOE/14,000 ASHRAE | Room size: 500 square feet | Dimensions: 35.5 x 19 x 16 inches | Weight: 73 pounds, Doesn't require vent installation in window, Effective in spaces up to 300 square feet. Ft. Before buying one online, make sure to measure your space to ensure you are purchasing a portable air conditioner with the appropriate BTU for your area. The sleep function allows you to set your air conditioner to turn off after a certain amount of time without having to get up and do so yourself. Instruction Manuals - Best Choice Products Instruction Manuals Missing or lost your instruction manual? Even if you dont utilize a smart home assistant, the Midea app puts control over the unit in the palm of your hand with an app. One of the most unique things about the NewAir Portable Air Conditioner is the option to add water to the machine to cool the compressor. The included remote is an extra bonus so you can control it without needing to leave your bed. The mini portable air conditioner lets you quickly and easily cool any space.It is lightweight and small so it can be carried anywhere. While window ACs only work for vertical windows, portable ACs work with horizontal sliding windows as well. Why You Should Get It: Its a truly portable air conditioner that doesnt require a generator. We carefully reviewed this article in April 2023 to ensure all products tested and vetted by the .css-1me6ynq{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#125C68;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#125C68;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1me6ynq:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:#595959;}Good Housekeeping Institute are available. We also tested some units at home over a six-week period to better evaluate them in real-world conditions. In order to run the units, we exhausted their heat hoses through a flexible duct that goes straight into the ceiling of our Lab (pictured), preventing any heat leak and allowing us to get proper temperature measurements. There are two types of portable air conditioner: single-hose or double-hose models. Its easy to set up according to users, and the four caster wheels make it simple to position the air conditioner in place. LG Electronics Portable Air Conditioner at Home Depot, Shinco Portable Air Conditioner at Amazon, DeLonghi 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner at Amazon, SereneLife Portable Air Conditioner at Amazon, Evapolar Portable Air Conditioner at Amazon, Black+Decker Portable Air Conditioner and Heater at Amazon, Honeywell Indoor Portable Air Conditioner at Amazon, Whynter Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner at Amazon, DeLonghi Pinguino 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner, The 7 Best Window Air Conditioners of 2023 for Cooling Every Room in Your House, SereneLife Compact Portable Air Conditioner, Evapolar evaChill Portable Air Conditioner, Black+Decker Portable Air Conditioner and Heater, The 7 Best Dehumidifiers of 2023 to Avoid Mold and Mildew in Your Home, Honeywell Indoor Portable Air Conditioner, Whynter ARC-14S Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner, We Tested 38 of the Best Air PurifiersThese 10 Are the Most Effective Against Dust, Allergens, and Smoke, What to Know About Portable Air Conditioners Before Shopping. Aside from heating and cooling performance, the BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner with Heater stand stands out with a self-evaporating design, which reduces the need to empty the drain pan when the unit is functioning in cool mode. The Honeywell CL25AE is a popular indoor evaporative cooler and the best no-hose model for small to medium rooms measuring up to 300 square feet in size, thanks to its 500 CFM air volume rating. DeLonghi Portable Air Conditioner 14,000 BTU,cool extra large rooms up to 700 sqft,remote,energy saving mode,extremely quiet,dehumidifier,fan,programmable,window venting kit,AC Unit for room,EX390LVYN 4.2 (2,183) $69995 Save 5% with coupon FREE delivery Wed, Apr 12 More Buying Choices $469.40 (5 used & new offers) Portable ACs are easier to move. 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