Summer is coming and with it, the need for air conditioning. This might lead you to a portable air conditioner if you don’t have central AC. A portable air conditioner is great for a single room or larger open space. But you’ll need the right setup, power, and model to meet your needs. This means paying attention to specs like BTUs, installation requirements, maintenance, size, and convenience. There’s a portable air conditioner model to meet every household and individual need. Plus, there are benefits of air conditioning beyond comfort. Looking for a new one for your home? Here, I’m highlighting some of the best picks this year.
What is a portable air conditioner?
First, what is a portable air conditioner? A portable air conditioner is a freestanding appliance that sucks hot air from a room, cools it, and expels it out a vent hose. It’s easy to install, mounted at a window using an included venting kit. It either has a self-evaporating function to recycle condensation back into the air or requires water drainage. There are ventless models for smaller spaces and mini air conditioners for personal cooling.
Most come on castors for easily moving them from room to room. They usually come with simple remotes and basic features like 24-hour timers. Learn more about portable air conditioners and how they compare to other types, including window air conditioners and mini-split models, in our air conditioners buying guide.
Who should get a portable air conditioner?
A portable air conditioner is suitable for a single room, like a nursery or bedroom, or open concept space. They are also good for apartments, condos, and small homes. That’s especially for rentals where you aren’t permitted to install something permanent. They’re also a budget-conscious option if you only need cooling in one room and don’t want to (or can’t) install central air conditioning. If you live in a cooler climate and only need AC for a limited time during the year, you might find it better to invest in a portable AC versus central AC.
What to know about sizing and BTUs
Properly sizing your portable air conditioner is an important first step before considering models. Use a general guide for British Thermal Units (BTUs) alongside a measurement of the square feet of space to be cooled. BTUs measure heat energy and cooling capacity of an air conditioning unit and tell you how much space they can effectively cool. For a 100-150 square-foot room, for example, a 5,000 BTU portable air conditioner will work. For a room that’s 300-350 square feet, you’ll need one that’s at least 8,000 BTU. Since portable air conditioners can be less efficient than window air conditioners, it’s a good idea to go up in BTUs just in case.
BTUs vs. DOE
The latest portable air conditioners show a more accurate DOE label in place of or in addition to BTUs. This measurement accounts for the heat the portable AC can generate itself, and thus lowers the BTU number accordingly to factor that in. For example, a 10,000 BTU portable air conditioner may be labeled as 6,500 BTU when using the new DOE label. Go with the latter figure as it is more accurate.
Window size
Don’t forget to check the size of your window frame. I live in a 100-year-old home, and when we first moved in, we got a portable air conditioner for my son’s bedroom before getting central AC. We had to use a cut-out for the window because it’s an unconventional size. Venting kits can be suitable for horizontal windows, vertical windows, or both.
The best portable air conditioners
Now you know what portable air conditioners do and how to choose the right number of BTUs based on your space. So, let’s dive into some of the best models you can buy right now.
Best Overall: Hisense AP0525CR1RW 8,500 BTU (150 sq. ft.)
Earning high marks from Best Buy shoppers, this Hisense model is perfect for a small living room, basement, home office, bedroom, or nursery. It runs at just 50dB, similar to the sound of a light rainfall. So, it won’t disturb you, even if you leave it running overnight. It installs with a single hose, has two fan speeds, and four-way air direction so you don’t feel a blast of cold air in one spot. Some shoppers say it’s powerful enough to cool even two small rooms. They praise it for being quiet and easy to install. One customer calls it “one of the best portable air conditioners I have ever gotten.”
Best for Small Spaces: Insignia NS-AC8PWH5-C 8,000 BTU (150 sq. ft.)
This portable air conditioner is perfect for a bedroom or smart apartment or condo. While we haven’t reviewed this specific model, our reviewer checked out the more powerful 12,000 BTU version. She loves how easy it is to maneuver, install, and operate with the handy remote. Most Best Buy shoppers who bought it say they’d recommend this unit, appreciating that it cools quickly. Some admit it’s not as quiet as others, so keep that in mind if you’re sensitive to the constant hum.
Best for the Living Room: Insignia NS-AC10PWH5-C 10,000 BTU (250 sq. ft.)
Good for a living room or open-concept basement, this compact, upright unit (12.8 x 27.6 x 11.6 inches) can comfortably sit in a corner by the window without getting in the way. A best-seller for Best Buy Canada, it ranks high for ease of use and cooling ability. One customer says it only took them five minutes to install it! It doesn’t come with a detailed manual so you may have to look up instructions online. It also runs louder than some other higher-priced units, so keep that in mind.
Best for Large Spaces: Insignia NS-AC14PWH5-C 14,000 BTU (400 sq. ft.)
Looking for something for an open-concept main floor, entire condo, or large basement? This model fits the bill with plenty of cooling power to accommodate a large home, even when you have the neighbors over to watch the big game. A Best Buy Canada bestseller, shoppers find the noise it makes worth it for the effective cooling. A Swing mode, activated by remote, adjusts the direction of the airflow so you aren’t freezing in one corner of the room while your spouse is sweating in the other. Plus, since it automatically turns off once it reaches the desired temperature, it isn’t running 24/7 to overcool or waste electricity.
Best for Humid Areas: Hisense 3-in-1 AP1024CW1LA 13,500BTU (450 sq. ft.)
Operating at a decent 52dB, this portable air conditioner is also stylish in a Charcoal Grey finish. Notably, it has a built-in dehumidifier that can remove excess moisture from a room, one of the many benefits of a dehumidifier. You’ll want it for especially humid rooms like a basement or, in my home, the bedroom on one side of the house. It both cools and removes humid air, releasing dry air back into the room. This helps prevents potential mold growth, structural damage, and health issues. Since the portable AC is self-evaporating, you don’t have to worry about drainage. It’s also a smart model that works with the Hisense Connect Life app for remote control. It even supports Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control. Best Buy shoppers love the sturdy window panels and ease of set-up.
Best for Heating & Cooling: Hisense AP0825TW1SAHP 8,000 BTU (350 sq. ft)
Not only in this model suitable for homes in seasonal climates, it’s also sleek and tall so it doesn’t take up too much floor space. That means it will fit in smaller corners that others won’t. If you live in a province that can go from freezing cold one day to humid the next (hello, Ontario!), you can get both cooling and heating from this same unit. The tower-shaped portable AC works with a companion app for remote control as well as voice assistance. It’s incredibly quiet at just 39dB, too. You get three cooling and fan speeds and four-way airflow along with digital temperature adjustments. A highly rated, best-selling model, one Best Buy shopper who purchased this model last summer says it’s a “well-built…practical all-season unit.”
Best Smart Model: Danby Danby 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner – 12000 BTU (500 sq. ft.)
Multiple models on this list have smart features, but this Danby unit ups the ante. It combines Wi-Fi with powerful cooling, quiet operation with Silencer Technology, and a tiny LED screen. Sit back and use the app to turn it on and off and adjust the temperature. Speak commands with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The included remote works like a thermostat with a Follow Me function that adjusts temperature as you move with it. There’s also a dehumidifier mode. While I haven’t used this specific model, I had a Danby portable AC for my son’s room when we first moved into our home. It was a saving grace, getting him through one of the most humid summers in Toronto. Best Buy shoppers point out that the portable AC unit is rather large, limiting it to bigger spaces. But they love how easy it is to set up and operate.
Best High-End: LG 3-in-1 LP1419IVSM 14,000 BTU (500 sq. ft.)
If you’re in a “money is no object” situation, this LG portable air conditioner doesn’t come cheap, but it has tons of premium features. Dual Inverter technology ensures quiet (just 44dB!) and energy efficient operation. There’s a three-speed fan with an oscillating air vent and four-way air direction. The programmable timer includes an auto cool option so it runs on its own. It removes moisture from the air to control humidity levels, and the included remote is a step above as an LCD to complement the top-panel digital controls. Of course, it has built-in Wi-Fi, connecting to the ThinQ app so you can control it alongside other LG smart appliances. Also enjoy Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice control. Best Buy shoppers call it “very high quality,” a premium unit for those who seek one.
Best Energy Efficient: De’Longhi 3-in-1 PACEM369S-6AL 12,000 BTU (500 sq. ft.)
Every model on this list is designed to operate efficiently, but this De’Longhi air conditioner purports to offer less wasted energy than previous models in the brand’s line. Plus, it was made using eco-friendly gas. There are features like automatic dimming of the lighted display at night to both save electricity and reduce distraction. The dust filter is washable, and it has push-button controls. A simple, mid-range machine, this unit runs at a respectable 53dB. It’s worth noting that the exhaust hose is short so it might not be suitable if you have a high window. There’s a neat slot on the unit to hold the remote so you won’t lose it, a nice feature since it doesn’t have Wi-Fi.
Final considerations before choosing
There are a few things to keep in mind before selecting the best portable air cooler for your home. Here’s a handy question checklist.
- What size do I need? Make sure you map out the space you have by the window to accommodate the best portable air conditioner. Choose the right physical size, not just power.
- How many BTUs? Along with the measurements noted above, consider factors that can impact cooling. How much sun does the room get? Does the room uses appliances that generate a lot of heat (kitchen, laundry room)? Are there are high ceilings? Is the room often occupied with many bodies, like the living room? If any of these factors apply, get one with more BTUs than the measurements advise.
- Useful smart features. Some standing air conditioners have convenient smart features like auto shut-off, Wi-Fi and companion apps, and voice control that are worth considering.
- Maintenance. Maintenance and cleaning is important, including emptying the water reservoir, washing the filter, and vacuuming vents and coils.
- Sound level. If it’s for a nursery, bedroom, or home office, prioritize one that runs at a low decibel level so it isn’t distracting.
Be on your way to a cooler home
Ready to cool your home? Before you realize you’re sticking to the leather couch from sweat, or you’re frantically digging around for the mini fan you bought for vacation to get some relief – any relief – from the heat, set up a portable air conditioner. Even if you eventually get central AC like I did, you might still find use for it. We often still use fans in the bedrooms in the summer because the air circulation isn’t as good on the upper level as it is on the main floor (the downside of an older home!) I sold our portable AC after we got good use out of it, and got a decent amount for it, too. The investment is worth it for your comfort and health, not to mention the health of your home.
See a wide range of portable air conditioners at Best Buy Online.
