The Best Portable Air Conditioners
Good portable air conditioners can make all the difference between an exasperatingly hot environment and a refreshingly cool one. But there's nothing worse than an air conditioner that doesn't bring the chill. That's why we've decided to make this list of the best portable air conditioners you can find for cooling off indoors and out. Keep reading and don't break a sweat.
What to Look For
There were a few criteria we had for deciding if these portable air conditioners would be cool enough for us to recommend: Do they have a good variety of fan speeds? Are they easy to move around? And is it easy to set up in the exact way you want? There were a number of portable air conditioners we found to be an absolute breath of fresh air. SereneLife ended up making our favorite unit, thanks to its sleek look and built-in dehumidifier. We also had to give special praise to De’Longhi for creating a fan with so many cooling options available in such an easy-to-use interface. Read on to learn what else we loved about these portable air conditioners and so much more.
SereneLife SLPAC8 Portable Air Conditioner
The coolest of the cool
SereneLife’s aesthetically pleasing and refreshing unit is our favorite. With the ability to pick between fan, dehumidifier, and cooling modes, this conditioner lets you adjust your environment to your needs. It’s also easy to control and change options, thanks to the included remote and digital touch panel. This is chief among portable air conditioners you shouldn’t pass up thanks to offering generous choice in a simple package.
Pros
- The built-in dehumidifier is a fantastic resource for those with allergies and people who live in moist climates.
- Its sleek, minimalist visual design helps it fit into almost any setting.
- The finger grips and wheels make it easy to roll from room to room.
Cons
- It weighs 75 pounds, so it can feel heavy even while rolling.
Mekomy 3-Speed Portable USB Air Conditioner
Small and breezy
This is one of the smallest and most portable air conditioners we’ve ever come across. Don’t let the size fool you, though. The cotton filters and a topwater tank ensure this unit can provide all the cooling power of its larger siblings. And since it uses a USB port, it can be used anywhere from your computer desk to your car’s dash. It’s certainly one of the most versatile portable air conditioners we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing.
Pros
- Its min size makes it ideal for small or crowded spaces.
- It’s incredibly budget-friendly. It costs a fraction of what other portable air conditioners might run you.
Cons
- Due to its compact size, it can take a long time to cool large spaces.
De’Longhi 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Fine-tune the chill
There are no better portable air conditioners when it comes to cooling options to suit your needs. De’Longhi’s appliance distributes cooling air based on the size of the room you’re in, making sure you get exactly the right level of air conditioning every time. It also has cool, fan, and dry modes, letting you bring that personal tuning into a number of different situations. This is among the few portable air conditioners that will let you cool your environment to such a detailed degree.
Pros
- The simple user interface is a great asset for users who aren’t the most tech-savvy of individuals.
- Its motor gives off more of a quiet hum, which is preferable to the common whirring sounds that most portable air conditioners can make.
- The hose has a tight locking mechanism that keeps it secure, so there’s no need to worry about losing cool air.
Cons
- With such an advanced set of features, this option comes at a higher price.
Ivation 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Wi-Fi
Take coolness to the next level
Ivation has given us something that is leaps and bounds (or gusts and gales) ahead of many portable air conditioners. A unique dual hose system means up to 450 square feet can be cooled or dehumidified with astonishing speed, all done with an eco-friendly refrigerant. And with its app controls and wifi connectivity, it’s convenient as well. This may represent the future of portable air conditioners. If it is, then we can’t wait to see more.
Pros
- It’s very easy to set up and install with the window kit, taking around 10 minutes once all the pieces are assembled.
- This unit has a very long lifespan, able to bring you refreshing cool air for years to come.
Cons
- The process of setting up the wifi and app can be unwanted extra work.
TSKLooy Personal Portable Air Conditioner
Refreshment in your palm
This is one of the more casual portable air conditioners we’ve come across, but a great one for keeping you cool nevertheless. At less than two pounds and featuring a cute carrying handle, this is truly a take-anywhere air conditioner. We also love the fun LED light colors, which make this a great option for cooling off at parties. You can’t do much better for charming and simple portable air conditioners that cool your personal space with no hassle.
Pros
- Its tiny size makes it ideal for cooling small, enclosed spaces like cubicles or a home office.
- This is very affordable compared to most other portable air conditioners.
Cons
- Because of its size and simplicity, it lacks the wide range of features that other portable air conditioners have.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the advantages portable air conditioners have over traditional ones?
As the name suggests, portable air conditioners can be taken from location to location with very little hassle. They also tend to use much less electricity than standard air conditioners; some even run off a USB connection, which decreases their carbon footprint even further.
How small is too small when it comes to a portable air conditioner?
Some portable air conditioners, particularly the palm-sized ones, are meant specifically to cool very small areas, such as personal workspaces. In the case of more full-sized ones, it’s best to be thorough and make measurements of the room you want to cool. This will make sure the air conditioner in question can cover enough space to cool your area effectively.
About the Author
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.