With summer just around the corner, it’s important to prepare your home for the heat. One of the most effective ways to keep your home cool and comfortable is with an air conditioner.
However, not all air conditioners are created equal. Choosing the right one can mean a world of difference in your comfort level.
There are many different types of air conditioners on the market today, but these five are some of the best portable units available.
They offer just what you need to feel cool and comfortable this summer. Read on for more information on these top-rated products.
Portable Air Conditioners
These air conditioners don’t require a large installation space, and they are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. They all feature digital, low-noise cooling coils and, in some cases, LED lighting. Most importantly, all of these air conditioners are rated for operation up to 122 degrees.
They also have multiple cooling coils for easy capacity management, and some come with multiple settings and remote controls. There are several factors to consider before you get an air conditioner. First, you’ll need to consider the energy efficiency, size, and size of your home.
Then, you’ll need to think about the types of insulation and whether you want a humidity sensor.
We’ve compiled a list of the best portable air conditioners that can be shifted around your house with ease and are simple to install.
Frigidaire’s Portable Air Conditioner: Overall The Best
Appliances Frigidaire 8,000 BTU Wireless Remote Control Portable Air Conditioner
In addition to dehumidifying and filtering the air, this highly-rated device also has a remote control and a customizable timer.
This air conditioner is capable of cooling spaces up to 350 square feet and has three fan settings. In addition to the Sleep mode, which conserves energy while you’re sleeping by gently raising the temperature, this model is just a little over 62 pounds heavy.
Price Estimate: $ 494.90
Shinco Portable air conditioner: Economical on the Market
Portable Air Conditioner with 8,000 BTUs by Shinco
There are three cooling modes available on this Shinco portable air conditioner: chilling, dehumidifying, and fan. It has a cooling capacity of 8,000 BTUs. It’s 55 pounds heavy and comes with remote control, LED display, and a timer with a 24-hour setting.
Price Estimate: $ 320.00
Portable air conditioners for tiny rooms that are most energy efficient: BLACK + DECKER
Portable Air Conditioner by BLACK+DECKER (BPACT10WT)
This 6,000 BTU portable air conditioner is perfect for spaces up to 250 square feet in size.
It’s lightweight for its size, weighing in at only 26 pounds. It contains a dehumidifying, cooling, and ventilation system with an adjustable fan that can chill the air to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The LED screen, 24-hour timer, and cleaning reminder are all included in the package, making installation a breeze.
Price Estimate: $ 454.00
Whynter Portable Air Conditioner: for Large Rooms
ARC-122DS by Elite Technologies, Inc.
This 12,000 BTU (7,000 BTU DOE) chiller and dehumidifier has two hoses and can handle a space up to 400 square feet in size comfortably. The supplied remote and 24-hour programmable timer makes it easy to keep track of how much cooling is being used when you need it.
This Whynter claims to be able to dehumidify up to 76 pints of air in 24 hours while producing just 52 decibels of noise, so it should be possible to sleep comfortably while using it. The supplied storage bag aids in the organization of all components and accessories throughout the winter months.
Programmable, built-in dehumidification mode and a storage bag for storing away in the winter are the main reasons consumers prefer this product.
Price Estimate: $ 600.00
The De’Longhi portable Air Conditioner: Option for big Spaces
Portable air conditioner by De’Longhi with a capacity of 14,000 BTU
This portable air conditioner can chill a space up to 700 square feet with its 14,000 BTU cooling capacity. It contains dehumidifying, cooling, and fan functions and automatically adjusts the temperature based on humidity levels in the room.
Price Estimate: $ 650.00
Honeywell Air Conditioner: Smart Portable AC
Wireless Smart Air Conditioner by Honeywell HF0CESVWK6
This model is Wi-Fi-connected and smartphone-controlled, enabling you to operate your device from anywhere in the house. A 450-square-foot room can be kept cold with this unit, which only weighs a little more than 63 lbs. Users may utilize voice commands to turn on, modify the temperature, and control the fan speed.
Price Estimate: $ 455.00 – $ 490.00
The Midea portable Air Conditioner: the best smart, High-End Model
Portable Air Conditioner by Midea MAP10S1CWT
For added convenience, Midea’s Wi-Fi-enabled portable air conditioner connects to your smartphone through an app and responds to voice commands from Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
It has 10,000 BTUs of cooling capacity and can chill a 200-square-foot space between 62°F and 90°F. The timer may be set for 24 hours.
Price Estimate: $ 400.00
De’Longhi Portable Air conditioners: Smart Technology that are Best Suited for Big Rooms
Portable Air Conditioner with Smart Technology from De’Longhi, 12,500 BTU
According to the manufacturer, this De’Longhi portable air conditioner can chill spaces up to 500 square feet. Even if you’re not at home, you can use the De’Longhi app to manage the appliance. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are also supported. During the colder months, the air conditioner may be utilized as a heater, dehumidifier, and fan, all at the same time as well.
Price Estimate: $ 692.00
Buying a portable air conditioner: A Buyer’s Guide
To begin, measure your available floor area. When it comes to air conditioner cooling capacity, British Thermal Units (BTUs) are often used. The more BTUs an air conditioner has, the better it is at keeping your space cool.
According to McKeon, an air conditioner requires an average of 20 BTUs per square foot of room to function properly.
Therefore, it’s important to choose a unit that works well in your home, but don’t assume that more BTU output automatically means a better unit.
You may use the criteria provided by EnergyStar, a government program that promotes energy-efficient goods, to assist you in making your selection. The weight and size of a model often grow in tandem with an increase in BTU capacity.
- 5,000 to 6,000 BTUs for cooling a room up to 250 square feet
- 7,000 to 8,000 BTUs from 250 to 350 square feet
- 9,000 to 10,000 BTUs from 350 to 450 square feet
- 12,000 BTUs go from 450 to 550 square feet.
It’s possible that an undersized air conditioner will not be able to keep up with cooling demands on hot days, which will increase your energy costs because it’s working extra hard to keep up, according to Marla Mock, VP of Operations at HVAC services company Aire Serv, who previously spoke to NBC News Shopping.
To avoid early breakdowns and short-cycling behavior, don’t buy an excessive air conditioner. It will achieve the desired temperature too fast.
McKeon suggested the following things to look for while looking for a portable air conditioner.
Depending on the size and number of features, portable air conditioners may cost anywhere from $250 to $500.
Models with a single hose, which are the most prevalent, use a fan to circulate and cool stale air from your room. However, dual-hose systems are more expensive since they bring in fresh air from the outside.
Some smart portable air conditioners come with smartphone control and smart technology, but these versions are also more expensive.
For example, some come with a dehumidifier, heater, or even an air purifier built-in.
A timer that turns the unit on and off at certain periods might help you save money on energy costs.
Almost all units are self-evaporating; thus, they don’t need to be drained as often.
Remember that a window and an electrical outlet are both required for the proper operation of your portable air conditioner.
It’s also important to remember to empty the unit when it’s full and replace the air filters regularly. That way, mold won’t be able to form in your unit and pollute your room’s air, according to McKeon.