Portable air conditioners are excellent cooling resolutions for separate rooms and can support a struggling central HVAC system. You can commonly use them in bedrooms, computer rooms, dens, garages, and many other places where you feel hot.
They are a lot more accessible than central air conditioner systems, and they also utilize less electricity, which ultimately reduces your monthly electric billings.
On hot season days, we all want to take the edge off the heat, and portable air conditioners happen to be the quick and economical solution when central air conditioners, splits, or window AC proves to be expensive.
Consumer Reports Best Portable AC Reviews by 10 Consumers
Portable air conditioners can now also be bought online with much ease. We did the searching and found some best portable air conditioners for you to use in the summer days, which cuts costs. Each of these Portable AC units is easy to move from room to room and keep you cool whenever you want.
- Whynter Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
- Shinco 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
- Black and Decker Portable Air Conditioner
- Honeywell Portable Air Conditioner
- LG Portable Air Conditioner
- Honeywell MN12CES Portable Air Conditioner
- Rollicool Portable Air Conditioner
- Frigidaire Portable Air Conditioner
- TOSOT 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
- MIDEA 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
Buying a good portable air conditioner can be challenging, but we’ve done the job for you. Here are the reviews regarding the best Portable AC units:
1. Whynter Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
Pros
- Eco-friendly CFC free.
- Full thermostat control with digital readout.
- Can acts as AC, Dehumidifier, fan, and heater.
- Hassle-free operation.
Cons
- Can create little dust if filters are not cleaned properly.
In summer, your life is about to get a lot cooler if you buy a Whynter dual hose portable air conditioner. In a very effective manner, this AC unit can turn a damp, humid place into a relaxed, comfortable area. It has the tendency to cool over 500 sq feet area very quickly, so it is perfect for your dens.
If you need to protect your carpets and furniture and stop the humid induced molds from growing, then this is perfect for you. It holds registered auto-draining technology, which turns gathered moisture into cold air. It can also dehumidify, and if you only want a gentle breeze, you can switch it into fan mode and relax! On cold winter days, you can turn it into a heater.
2. Shinco 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Pros
- Stays quiet to let the person rest peacefully.
- Has a compact design.
- 12-months warranty.
Cons
- A bit heavy to move around.
If you find it challenging to sleep at night with a loud air conditioner sound, then the Shinco portable AC unit is the quiet and effective unit for you. It is an ingenious product that comes with a low-speed mode, and that’s ideal for a good night’s sleep. Moreover, in addition to its sleep-friendly nature, it also saves a lot of space due to its compact dimension designing. Its compact design can be put into the smallest of rooms and cool up to 300 sq feet.
Although it is named an Air conditioner, apart from an AC unit, it is also a 2-speed fan and a 60-pint dehumidifier, making it stand out from the rest of the AC units. It is equipped with three blower stages, from which you can select in which direction you want the air to flow. With all these functions, you can stop mold growth, which needs a humid environment to grow.
It has a control panel at the top, which is easily accessible. It also has a separate place for you to keep the remote control so that it’s not lost. All of these features and its easy installation makes it one of the best Portable Air Conditioners.
3. Black and Decker Portable Air Conditioner
Pros
- A good dehumidifier.
- Makes negligible noise.
- Very easy to clean.
Cons
- Fan could be a bit more powerful.
Black and Deckers are among the most leading names in the market because of their quality of work, good construction, durable material, and unique manufacturing. When it came to making a portable Air conditioner, they were the best. With a thoughtful eye on user-friendly aspects, their 8000 BTU unit came out flourishing.
This unit has a vertical ventilation system offering a better airflow than most portable AC units. It is perfect for small rooms as it can efficiently cool up to 150 Sq feet, making it ideal for dorms, bedrooms, living rooms, etc. It is effortless and quick to install and has a hassle-free operation. It also consists of a fan mode, which can easily be adjusted.
One of the unique features is that its sleep mode makes it extra quiet when you are sleeping. To clean the filters, all you have to do is slide out the filters twice a month, rise it with water and fix it back once it dries out. The thermostat is fully controlled by the remote for your convenience. It has 3-in-1 functionality modes, which makes your place cool, clean, and comfortable.
4. HoneyWell
Pros
- Easy to clean.
- Has a touch control system.
- Helps in saving electricity.
- Not so heavy.
Cons
- Offers no warranty.
The Honeywell portable air conditioner has a minimalist layout and unique cooling ability. It is easy to install and use as it is very hard on the hot, humid air. It can efficiently cool up to 450 sq feet and move all around the house.
It is easy to clean; by just rinsing the filters under the faucet, the cleaning job is done. It has a simple digital control with three fan speeds. It also consists of 3-in-1 featured modes, which cools the place on hot days, dehumidifies on humid days, and a fan for a light breeze. Also, there is no drainage tank to empty, which enhances its features.
5. LG Portable Air Conditioner
Pros
- Offers auto evaporation system.
- The dehumidifier works effectively.
- Has an easy installation.
Cons
- Framework may be a little delicate.
LG is one of the leading brands when it comes to electronics, especially in-home appliances; from fridges, stoves, toasters to anything and beyond, it has always served the best of the product. The same is the case with their portable AC unit; it can quickly cool your medium-size room efficiently.
It has excellent dehumidification capabilities, and an auto evaporation setting, plus its 8000 BTU of cooling power makes it extraordinary.
The control panel on this LG portable AC unit highlights sleek digital touch controls and an LED screen, offering to easily switch between the three modes and two fan speeds. It also included an LCD remote control, which displays the unit settings from across the room.
6. Honeywell MN12CES Portable Air Conditioner
Pros
- Consists of thermal overload protection.
- Offers quiet operation.
- Is easy to move around.
Cons
- Power cord is a bit short.
This Honeywell Portable AC with Fan & Dehumidifier cools a room up to 400-450 square feet. Its automatic vertical wind motion assists in distributing powerful cold air evenly for fast & consistent cooling. It also has a 3-in-1 feature system where it cools, dehumidifies, or heats the air as you wish.
It is very efficient in its service and is also very light to carry around, unlike other portable air conditioning units. It can efficiently cool a big room where its remote control plays a big part as you don’t have to get up every time you have to change the setting. You can do it if you are sitting 20 feet away from the AC unit.
It has a dual filter system, which makes the dust particle or any kind of allergen away from the air, plus its maintenance is very simple and is easy to clean.
7. ROLLICOOL Portable Air Conditioner w/App & Alexa Voice Control
Pros
- Eco-friendly reusable filters.
- Can be controlled by an application.
- Rollers make it easy to move around.
Cons
- A bit heavy to lift.
If you are looking for a smart home portable air conditioning device, then Rollicool portable air conditioner is the one for you. It can efficiently cool up to 500 sq feet of rooms, and the best part if you aren’t to be around to do that. You can easily manage the device by your phone through an App from any part of the world! It also has a built-in Alexa service, so you can also control it with your voice.
This impactful 14,000 BTU air conditioner cools, heats, dehumidifies or circulates air in your space. There is a switch between three fan levels or cut sleep mode on and sleep off to a low sound like that of a fan.
8. Frigidaire Portable Air Conditioner
Pros
- Setup is simple.
- Can cool up to 700 sq feet area.
- Easy to clean.
Cons
- The compressor might turn on a little late.
The compact design of the Frigidaire Air conditioner makes it easy to keep in small rooms; the four wheels around it make it easy to move around. Although it has a compact design, it can cool up to 700 sq feet of room.
This Frigidaire Portable AC Unit has 14 000 BTU, which maintains the pre-set room temperature through an on-board thermostat and 4,100 BTU of extra heating capacity makes it easy to use this device in all seasons.
It can efficiently clean the filters, which can be reusable. Their filters reduce the dust and different kinds of allergens in the air to create a healthier atmosphere.
9. TOSOT 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Pros
- Doesn’t produce a loud noise.
- Prevents the growth of mold inside the machine
Cons
- A bit heavy to move around.
If you want to sleep through the night with cool, comfortable air around you then a TOSOT portable air conditioner is the right choice for you. This portable AC unit can be placed anywhere in your house be it, bedroom, or living room. The best part about this AC is that it doesn’t even produce a high and irritating level of noise.
It has a three in one use as it can be an AC, a fan, and also a dehumidifier. It can remove about 2.3 pints of moisture from the air to produce cool air. It is very easily installed and also consists of an X-ray fan technology which keeps the fan running inside the machine to dry the residual water and prevent the growth of molds.
10. MIDEA 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
Pros
- Consists of reusable and washable filters.
- Effectively cools the place.
Cons
- Draining hose might be a little short.
Midea portable air conditioner provides you with 3-in-1 functionality. Apart from an air conditioner, it can also turn into a fan or a dehumidifier. It can effectively cool places up to 150 sq ft. and has an effortless operation.
With an easy to install function, you can rollover this portable AC to any room you want and can also clean the reusable filter whenever you feel like cleaning it.
Buyer’s Guide: Portable Air Conditioner
To assist you with finding the best compact cooling unit for your home and way of life, here are the fundamental things you need to know so that it helps you with settling on an expert decision in your research.
- Dehumidifier Mode
Many AC units have Dehumidifiers in them. Make sure you select a Portable AC unit that has this mode built in it. To drain the moisture collected from the air, you will need a hose unless the product features auto-evaporation mode. Some units are so efficient that they can extract up to 100 pints of moisture per day.
- Size
A few people purchase a portable Air conditioner unit with the aim of keeping them totally in one room. For other people, the “portable” part truly matters, and they need to have the option to move their AC unit from space to place or all around. On the off chance that you fall into the last class, at that point, it’s critical to pick a portable air conditioner unit that you can move without any problem.
- Fan Speed
It can be useful to have a range of fan speed to circulate air and deliver a cooling effect. It is relatively okay to have a 3-speed fan setting.
- Heat Mode
If you don’t want to buy a portable heater separately, you can buy a Portable AC, which consists of the heater mode too. It will be easy for you to use it all around the year.
- Remote Control Option
Many portable AC units will offer LED digital display of the temperature control, and others will have a touch system too, but if you are in a large room and are lazy enough to get up and change the setting, you need a Portable AC unit which has a remote control so that you don’t have to get up every time you need to change the setting.
- Dual-Hose vs. Single Hose
To dive slightly more in-depth into the air-conditioning of your portable air conditioner, you will see that you have two basic hose configurations to choose from: these cover single-hose and dual-hose AC units.
- Single-Hose AC Units
This scheme uses the same hose as both consumption and exhaust for air. While it will still cool the place, you’re using it in, and it will have to operate more challengingly to do so and is not as effective as a dual-hose air conditioner.
- Dual-Hose AC Units
This purpose has one consumption hose and one exhaust hose. Due to having two different hoses, this type of compact air conditioner is not only more energy-efficient, but it will cool your room around 40% more instantaneous than single-hose designs.
- Noise
One thing which matters the most is the level of noise every portable air conditioner makes. Some of them are so loud that it’s impossible to sleep or talk in between the sound. If you are a light sleeper, then you need that portable AC unit that does not make a loud noise.
FAQs – Portable Air Conditioners
These are the questions that usually go through the mind while buying a portable air conditioner; have a look at the answers;
What is a Portable Air Conditioner?
A portable air conditioner (PAC) is an independent compact framework ideal for single cooling rooms. They commonly sit on the floor and accompany an establishment unit for quick setup. Most models additionally have wheels so you can move them to various places, making them a pleasant option in contrast to window units.
What is needed to set up a portable AC?
The requirement to set up a portable air conditioner may vary, but the procedure is simple and quick, so most people opt for this. Secondly, they are less energy-consuming and relatively work well than a window AC.
For what reason do portable air conditioner units must be vented outside?
Since portable air conditioners cool your room by removing hot air from the place, to cool productively and successfully, the hot air needs to leave the room. On the off chance that the warm air isn’t vented outside, it will remain in your place, invalidating the cold air that is entering your space.
How does water removal work?
In some cases, the portable air conditioner features the patented auto drain function, which fully exhausts all condensate automatically in most environments. Should the unit need to be drained, the drain plug should be removed and the condensation collected in a separate container.
What are the best portable AC in 2022 By Consumer Reports?
1. Whynter Dual Hose Portable AC
2. Shinco 10,000 BTU Portable AC
3. Black and Decker Portable AC
4. HoneyWell Portable Air Conditioner
5. LG Portable Air Conditioner
6. Honeywell MN12CES Portable AC
7. ROLLICOOL Portable Air Conditioner w/App & Alexa Voice Control
8. Frigidaire Portable Air Conditioner
9. TOSOT 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
10. MIDEA 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
Conclusion
There is a lot to think about while buying a portable air conditioner unit but once you get the right one and turn it on during a hot summer day all your hard work will pay off and it will be worth it in the end. According to us, the best portable air conditioner to buy will be TOSOT as it has an effective cooling tendency and also very quiet. Other than that it’s your wish, whatever you choose it will surely work out for you.
