Hollis Mills
As warmer seasons are headed your way, it’s important to consider how you’ll plan for those days that you can’t even escape the heat indoors. Open a window? And let in more of the heat, or worse, gnats? Rather than place your bet on a few stray gusts of wind through your screen door to keep you cool, consider a portable air conditioning unit to stay chill throughout the remainder of those warm months. If you’re looking for a more permanent and effective solution to sweltering days, here are a few easy-to-maneuver AC units we think you should check out.
What to Look for in Your Portable AC Unit
Consider these factors when making a selection:
- Wind Speeds/Settings: When selecting your next portable AC unit, it is important that the console does its task well, of course. Units with varying levels of wind speed and settings that cater to how quickly you can expect a room to cool down should be a top priority when picking out a unit. Additionally, making the right purchase is also dependent on understanding the coverage your AC unit can cover, so it’s important that you do a rough estimate of the room size you’re looking to cool down.
- Portability: It’s also worth reminding yourself that while an AC unit may feature everything you’re looking into, if it can’t move from room to room or camper to campsite, then it isn’t the portable AC unit you should invest in. Look to consoles that are either light enough to be carried as is or that utilize rolling wheels to get around the house to compensate for their heavy frames.
- Quiet Operation: Lastly, you should consider a portable AC unit that knows how to keep a low profile whenever necessary. Typically, the higher the wind power you set your unit to, the harder the machine is working, thus creating louder sounds that nobody wants to hear. If you’d rather avoid this situation, specifically when working or trying to sleep, then consider options that highlight their quiet operations and modes that provide ample cooling power while keeping the noise down for additional comfort.
Top Choice: BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner
Offering a quiet yet powerful way to beat the sweltering heat, this BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner will keep users within a 250-to-300-square-foot area cool all day long. This AC unit features a 6,500-BTU cooling power and four fan levels: low, medium, high, and auto-fan, which automatically adjusts fan speed on its own when cooling. This AC unit can cool a room’s air to 65 degrees Fahrenheit at the coolest setting and takes up minimal space (17.1 by 13.8 by 28.1 inches) in your desired room, office, or camper. Installation is simple: wheel the portable AC unit into any room with a double-hung or sliding window, then attach the included hose and window adapter to the console before plugging it in.
BLACK+DECKER BPACT12WT Large Spaces Air Conditioner Portable, 12,000 BTU, White
A three-in-one option that can be wheeled from room to room without taking up necessary floor space.
$391.77 
$449.99 Save 13%
Best Budget Unit: COMFYHOME Two-in-One Air Cooler
Of course, most portable AC units you’ll come across are likely going to cost you a handful of pretty pennies. Those looking for maximum bang for a moderate buck should check out this COMFYHOME Two-in-One Air Cooler, a buyer-friendly option that doesn’t skimp out on the perks. This AC unit combines a bladeless design with energy-saving wind control for a sleek package that delivers a welcomingly strong gust of cool circulation in your home. Its bladeless design makes for a safe and easy-to-clean product that children or pets won’t hurt themselves on when they get a little curious. Moreover, this unit’s lack of a fan means its utilizes water for more than just dehumidifying the air. Its cooling system is entirely dependent on an evaporative process, utilizing up to a gallon of water to keep a room cool between 1 to 15 hours.
COMFYHOME Bladeless Evaporative Cooler, 3-IN-1 Windowless Portable Air Conditioner, 20ft Remote, 3 Wind Speeds Tower Fan & 8H Timer, 40°Oscillation, 32-INCH Evaporative Air Cooler for Home & Room
This AC Unit favors a bladeless and evaporative design that's both harmless to the touch and easy to clean.
Best for Dehumidifying: De’Longhi Pinguino Deluxe Three-in-One Portable Air Conditioner
Offering some of the best cooling and dehumidifying technology you’ll find among available units, this De’Longhi Pinguino Deluxe console can chill up to 700 square feet of your home, all while saving you energy along the way. It’s slightly larger than other options (14 by 16.3 by 31.5 inches), yet it still knows how to be as quiet as a mouse. Its unique Surround Smart Sensing feature monitors the indoor temperature, humidity, and a user’s position in the room to adjust to an ideal climate. Additionally, this AC unit’s efficient cooling features also save up to 30% in energy consumption.
DeLonghi Portable Air Conditioner 14,000 BTU,cool extra large rooms up to 700 sqft,remote,energy saving mode,extremely quiet,dehumidifier,fan,programmable,window venting kit,AC Unit for room,EX390LVYN
This AC unit features a quiet and efficient operation system that can save users up to 30% in energy consumption.
$699.95
Best Smartphone-Compatible Unit: MIDEA MAP10S1CWT Three-in-One Portable Air Conditioner
Ideal for the consumer who enjoys having each product in their home ready to go with just one push of a cellular button, this MIDEA Three-in-One Portable Air Conditioner is great for small spaces and smart users. With an ASHRAE rating of 10,000 BTU, this console delivers fast and effective cooling across 200 square feet while dehumidifying at the same time. Additionally, its smartphone compatibility allows for easy access and control through the accompanying downloadable app. With its Wi-Fi and voice control abilities, users can pair this console with their Alexa or Google Assistant to set temperatures, speeds, and cooling schedules without getting up from the couch.
Midea 10,000 BTU ASHRAE (5,800 BTU SACC) Portable Air Conditioner, Cools up to 200 Sq. Ft., Works as Dehumidifier & Fan, Control with Remote, Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant
This portable AC unit features an ASHARE rating of 10,000 BTU and allows users to set their preferences from a mobile device.
$399.00
