An air conditioner is an essential appliance for home and office, especially if you live or work in a warm or humid climate. With many air conditioners in the market, how can you tell the best portable air conditioner?
Read on to find everything about these great appliances.
What is a portable air conditioner?
A portable air conditioner, as the name suggests, is a self-contained system used for cooling small to medium rooms. Some models are equipped with wheels making it easier to move them across different rooms.
How does an air conditioner works?
Two of the most critical parts of a portable air conditioner are the motor and the hose. The unit works by pulling in hot air from the room it is installed in and cools the air using the engine for circulation through the entire room.
The unit also pushes warm air and excess moisture out of the room through the window using the hose.
Why have a portable air conditioner
There are various AC configurations. However, portable air conditioners are more preferred by most homeowners. This is because it is easier to install, unlike the window unit.
You can also seamlessly move it throughout your space.
10 Best Portable AC Unit in 2021
1. Midea Duo 12,000 BTU(10,000 BTU SACC)Ultra Quiet Smart HE Inverter Portable Air Conditioner,Dehumidifier,and Fan-Cools upto 450 sq.ft,Works with Alexa/Google Assistant Includes Remote Control,Black
Are you stuck on what is the good portable air conditioner? If so, here is our top recommended portable air conditioner. The unit has witnessed advanced innovation for increased efficiency and low energy consumption.
One of the unique features of this portable ac for home is the innovative duo hose design aimed at preventing hot air from finding its way into the room from outside. It also employs inverter technology which saves more than 40 percent energy compared to the standard unit.
The unit also employs 3-in-1; 2x stronger cooling, dehumidification as well as circulating modes. You can also control your unit remotely using your smartphone or voice assistant.
The 72.75 pounds unit measures 19.53 x 16.73 x 32.48 inches. The unit with a dust filter is ideal for rooms up to 450 square feet.
Pros
- 2X faster and stronger cooling
- Can be controlled remotely
- Saves more energy
- Quiet operation
- 3-in-1 comfort
- Comes with a dust filter
Cons
- Requires draining in shorter time intervals.
2. BLACK+DECKER 7,700 BTU DOE (14,000 BTU ASHRAE) Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control, White
Without a doubt, BLACK+DECKER BPACT14WT Portable AC is the best buy portable air conditioner. The 68.3 pounds portable AC is quiet and powerful, cooling your room up to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
The AC meant for rooms of up to 350 square feet measures 17.1 x 13.8 x 28.1 inches. With an easy installation procedure, you are set to cool your fast and keep you comfortable in your room.
The unit also comes with a top-mounted LED display and remote control for easy operation. In addition, the BLACK+DECKER Portable AC has 3-in-1 functionality.
This means it offers you cooling, dehumidification, and ventilation needs. If you are looking for a self-evaporating system, you might benefit from this unit.
View at Amazon: BLACK+DECKER 7,700 BTU DOE (14,000 BTU ASHRAE) Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control, White
Pros
- Quiet and powerful
- Easy to install
- Easy to use
- Offers cooling, dehumidification, and ventilation function all in the same unit
Cons
- Some users were unhappy with the customer service.
3. Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier, Fan with Activated Carbon Filter Plus Storage Bag for Rooms up to 500 sq ft, Platinum and Black
Among the most portable ac reviews of 2021, Whynter ARC-14S has got the most thumbs-up feedbacks among its counterparts. The portable air conditioner 2021 with dual-hose operation can quickly cool room up to 500 square feet.
The 80 pounds air conditioner measures 16 x 19 x 35.5 inches. The Whynter ARC-14S portable air conditioner contains three operational modes; air conditioner, fan, and dehumidifier, all in a single unit.
With its auto-restart feature after a power outage, you might find this unit easy to use. It is also easy to install. A unique feature you will also find in this unit is its GREEN R32 refrigerant and RoHS-compliant components that are CFC and lead-free.
The product comes with a 1-year warranty on the unit and a 3-year warranty on the compressor.
Pros
- Cools the room very fast
- Dual hose operation
- 3-in-1 operational modes
- Eco-friendly
- Easy to install and use
Cons
- It might be noisy compared to standard portable ACs.
4. Frigidaire FHPH132AB1 Heat/Cool Remote Control for a Room up to 600-Sq. Ft. Portable Air Conditioner, White
Frigidaire FHPH132AB1 is another best buy portable air conditioner you might need to keep you comfortable in the warm season. The large portable air conditioner produces noise levels of 49 decibels.
The unit weighs 77 pounds with a measurement of 16.5 x 19.41 x 31.34 inches. It’s ideal for cooling rooms of up to 600 square feet. Despite its use for medium to large rooms, it has a portable design with 4 wheels, making it easy to move around your house.
The unit is easy to use with effortless temperature control, a top electronic control panel, and remote control. Besides, it contains a washable filter and an automatic restart function that gets sit back in operation with the previous settings when you power it back.
Pros
- Portable design
- Effortless temperature control
- East to use
- Washable filter
- Automatically resumes to its operating settings
Cons
- The engine is noisy
5. LG 8,000 BTU (DOE) / 12,000 BTU (Ashrae) Smart Portable Air Conditioner, Cools 350 Sq.Ft. (14′ x 25′ Room Size), Smartphone & Voice Control Works ThinQ, Amazon Alexa and Hey Google, 115V
LG smart portable air conditioner is a recommended portable air conditioner for individuals looking for a smart unit. With ThinQ technology, you can control the air conditioner from anywhere.
You can also control the unit using Amazon Alexa or Hey Google. Besides, the unit comes with cool, dehumidifying, and fan modes. You can also customize your cooling using the 2 cooling and fan speeds.
The portable air conditioner without hose also comes with a washable filter, LCD remote control, and an installation kit. The unit measures 14.56 x 17.52 x 28.15 inches and 62.9 pounds. It’s ideal for rooms of up to 350 square feet.
Pros
- Can be controlled from anywhere
- Works with voice assistants
- 3-in-1 operation modes
- Multiple fan speeds
Cons
- The noise level on high might be intolerable
6. BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control, 5,000 BTU DOE (8,000 BTU ASHRAE), Cools Up to 150 Square Feet, White
BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT portable AC might be your best buy portable air conditioner if you are low on budget. The top rated portable air conditioner having over 10,000 customer ratings, got 5 stars from more than 70 percent of the buyers. Thanks to its outstanding features.
The best small portable air conditioner is powerful cooling small rooms of up to 150 square feet. With its sleep mode, the unit gets extra quiet to keep you comfortable.
It is also easy to install and use the unit. You can use a remote control, or top-mounted LED display to control the air temperature. Its wheels make it easy to move across the rooms in your house.
The unit is also equipped for your cooling, dehumidifying, and ventilation needs. The 52.9 pounds unit measures 16.5 x 11.5 x 26 inches.
View at Amazon: BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control, 5,000 BTU DOE (8,000 BTU ASHRAE), Cools Up to 150 Square Feet, White
Pros
- Powerful and quiet
- Easy to install
- Easy to use and clean
- 3-in-1 functionality.
Cons
- Some users complained about the hose design
7. Whynter Elite ARC-122DS 12,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier, Fan with Activated Carbon Filter Plus Storage Bag for Rooms up to 400 sq ft, Multi
Whynter Elite ARC-122DS is yet another best buy portable air conditioner you need to keep you comfortable throughout the year. The 60-pound unit measuring 17 x 29.5 x 16 inches is ideal for your cooling, dehumidifying, and ventilation needs.
It is also made for rooms of up to 400 square feet. This unit is also easy to install and use. Thanks to its 24-hour programmable timer and full thermostat control.
In addition, it comes with remote control, auto drain function, and a GREEN R-32 refrigerant and ROHS compliant components that are CFC and lead-free.
Pros
- Three operational modes
- Great design and performance
- Eco-friendly
- Auto-drain function
Cons
- Ineffective customer service
8. Shinco 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Built-in Dehumidifier Function,Fan Mode, Quiet AC Unit Cools Rooms up to 200 sq.ft, LED Display, Remote Control, Complete Window Mount Exhaust Kit
Shinco Portable Air conditioner might be another excellent choice if you are looking for a small portable air conditioner. The 8000 BTU unit is ideal for rooms of up to 200 square feet.
You might benefit from this unit if you are also looking for the best cheap portable air conditioner. The air conditioner with 55 pounds weight measures 17.52 x 14.76 x 32.68 inches.
With its cooling, dehumidification, and ventilation ability, you can be sure of maximum comfort throughout the year. The product also comes with easy-to-read instructions for installation and use.
Unique from most products, Shinco portable air conditioner offers you a 1-year warranty and lifetime expert tech support.
Pros
- 3-in-1 operational modes
- Easy to install
- Easy to use
- 1-year warranty
- Lifetime expert tech support
Cons
- Produces a lot of noise
9. De’Longhi 14000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier & Fan + Cool Surround Remote w/Built-in Temperature Control Sensor & Quiet Mode, 700 sq ft, XLarge Room, Pinguino 8600 BTU (DOE), Black
Large room De’Longhi Portable Air Conditioner might be an excellent portable air conditioner if you have very large rooms of up to 700 square feet. The best portable ac unit measures 14 x 16.3 x 31.5 inches and weighs 83 pounds.
Despite the unit’s ability to offer powerful cooling, it reduces noise by 4 dbA, making it operate quietly. Besides, the unit is designed with Eco Real Feel that saves energy up to 30 percent.
De’Longhi Portable Air Conditioner also features a COOL SURROUND TECHNOLOGY that automatically adjusts the air temperature according to your position in the room.
The unit cools, dehumidify, and ventilates your room, keeping you comfortable throughout the year.
Pros
- Powerful cooling
- Operates quietly
- Energy efficient
- Comes with COOL SURROUND TECHNOLOGY
Cons
- Some customers complained of poor customer service.
10. Honeywell Smart WiFi Portable Air Conditioner & Dehumidifier with Alexa Voice Control, Cools Rooms Up to 450 Sq. Ft, Includes Drain Pan & Insulation Tape, HF0CESVWK6
Honeywell Smart WiFi portable Air Conditioner is another top unit in our portable air conditioner reviews. The 62.8 pounds unit measuring 16.3 x 13.6 x 28 inches can be operated from anywhere to cool or dehumidify your space. Thanks to its smart WiFi control.
It comes with other advanced features that guaranty safety of use, quiet operation, and energy saving. The product comes with a 1-year warranty and a reliable support team for U.S locals.
Besides, it comes with a washable filter and draining components for the continuous drain system. The unit is ideal for rooms of up to 450 square feet.
Pros
- Smart WiFi
- Energy efficient
- Guarantees safety
- Easy to use and maintain
- Quiet operation
- 1-year warranty
- Support for U.S locals
Cons
- Some users had WiFi connection issues
Buying Guide
Portable air conditioner models vary greatly. This difference may stress you out on finding the best one for your house. Luckily, we have lined up the top portable conditioners from different manufacturers with various features.
You might also find the main things to look at in a portable air conditioner below ideal before you settle on that unit of your choice.
1. Size
The size of your room plays a big part in determining the best portable ac unit to buy. Units designed to cool rooms of up to 350 square feet will serve small spaces.
If you have a medium-sized room, you will benefit from those designed for areas of 351 to 700 square feet. For large spaces, you might need commercial-grade portable air conditioners.
2. Draining Options
The means of draining the unit also matter when looking for the best portable ac unit. Some units are fully self-evaporative, which eliminates the need to drain condensate.
Others are partially self-evaporative. You might also opt for units employing gravity drain if you don’t want to drain your unit manually.
Most units use buckets that you need to drain the condensate after a particular duration manually.
3. Ventilation and Exhaust
You might prefer dual-hose portable ACs over single-hose portable ACs if you need more air-cooling efficiency. However, depending on the model, the dual-hose ACs might need more energy.
Some portable air conditioners come with drop ceiling panel kits or window kits with the necessary exhaust hose and parts.
4. Noise level
This is another crucial thing to look at when looking for the portable ac for home. Portable air conditioners basically make noise when running.
However, you might find those with special features aimed at minimizing the sound.
FAQs
1. Does a portable air conditioner unit need a window?
A portable air conditioner will work by pulling in warm air from the room, which it has to push out together with excess moisture. This requires a window or duct system made through the wall.
2. Does one need to drain a portable air condition?
This depends on the unit you have. If you have a fully evaporative model, you will not have to drain it. The unit will automatically evaporate moisture along with warm air out of the unit through the exhaust hose.
On the other hand, older manual removal units will need you to drain the accumulated moisture manually.
3. How long do you wait to drain a portable air conditioner?
Standard portable air conditioners come with buckets for collecting excess moisture. The period for emptying these units varies from one to the other.
Basically, the conditioners will need to be emptied between 8 hours and a month. Some self evaporating units will also need to be emptied after using for a long time.
4. Can I extend the length of the exhaust hose?
Lengthening the exhaust hose may lead to overheating of your AC. You might also risk voiding your warranty if you increase it.
5. How much noise do portable ACs make?
AC noise is measured in decibel. Most portable ACs make noise ranging between 40 and 60 decibels.
Conclusion
With much having been discussed, it is all up to you to make the right choice. If your space lacks a single-hung or double-hung, you might find this product ideal for you.
You can also choose this unit over other AC configurations for the rooms you do not frequently use, like the guest room. Nevertheless, it is not going to be the same the next time the warm weather hits.
With the top 10 models in the market above, you are sure to find your best portable air conditioner to keep things cool in your home.
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