We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
We bought 11 of the best portable air conditioners and conducted more than 25 tests in our in-house testing lab, including cooling ability, energy efficiency, noise, and portability. We heated our test room to a consistent temperature before measuring how long each model took to cool the space, showing us how well each air conditioner can create an oasis from the dreaded heat lurking outside.
Our testers agreed that the Midea Duo Smart Inverter MAP12S1TBL is the best overall choice. It has excellent cooling power and plenty of useful features. The Costway 22783 is our favorite budget-friendly choice because of its lightweight portability, simple installation, and, of course, its wallet-friendly price tag.
Don't need the portability? We have also tested window air conditioners. You can see how they compare to the portables in our overall air conditioner review. If you want to maximize ventilation throughout your home, take a look at the top fans we've tested at our in-house facility.
Editor's Note: Our review was updated on June 16, 2025, to include newly tested products and provide more information on our award-winning units.
The Midea Duo Smart Inverter hits the sweet spot of portable home cooling. It provides quiet airflow at a great rate that will tackle most rooms in your home. A dual-hose technology helps to prevent negative air pressure that is often experienced with single-hose systems, and allows improved airflow. This creates an overall faster and more efficient system that works well in rooms with high ceilings or long hallways. It doesn't have the highest cooling square footage, at 450 square feet, but it is enough to cover most rooms, and the system is highly effective in the size it is rated for. In our cooling test, temperatures dropped by 7.9 degrees after one hour of running this unit. Even with a relatively high 10,000 BTU SACC (Seasonally Adjusted Cooling Capacity) rating, the noise level was recorded at a low level of 55.4 decibels. For context, this is comparable to the gentle purr of my plug-in sound machine I use to sleep. It has both a remote control and a convenient app to choose between four settings: Cool, Fan, Dry, and Auto. And a 24-hour on/off timer helps to maximize efficiency.
Although it is technically a portable model, the Midea Duo isn't one I would want to move from room to room on a daily basis, due to two main factors. Installation took me about 25 minutes, which isn't the quickest, and as a solo installation project, it felt like I was wrestling a small bear. Luckily, any customizations needed for unusually sized windows are made easier by the additional foam and insulation that is included. Perhaps my biggest complaint is how heavy it is. At 74 pounds, this is not the model to buy if you plan to transport it far or upstairs. So, although it's not perfect, the Duo Smart Inverter has enough perks to keep it interesting, and I think it is worth every penny.
We assessed everything from cooling rate to weight and convenience in our testing. The Midea stood out to us as a favorite, and we recommend it to most homes.
When it comes to portable air conditioners, the Whynter ARC-1230WN is a beast capable of keeping large rooms (up to 600 square feet!) cool without running up the energy bill too much. In one hour, our testing room was cooled by 11.9 degrees, which is significantly more than any other machine was able to do. “There's a plastic circle insert you snap in that I believe helps to separate the intake air from the outflow, so it's not bringing in the hot air it just expelled,” noted one lab tester. The Whynter is also one of the quietest, rating at just 58.4 decibels to give a slight background white noise when running on high. The AC has an automatically swinging vent that helps push air evenly throughout the room, and it includes convenience features like a timer and a child lock. All of these features can be accessed through its mobile app or traditional remote. Installation was an easy breezy 5-10 minute process. The hose itself is built into the machine, and when it comes time for storage, the hose clicks out of the window mount and accordions back into the machine.
Aside from the built-in hose storage, the Whynter is not the easiest unit to transport. At 75.3 pounds, this heavy model is hard to carry up and down stairs or roll on high-pile carpet. I found the weight balance is towards the back right side, which makes carrying this unit upstairs somewhat tricky. That said, you may want to pick a room and leave the AC there for the summer. The window mount is also larger than average, so you'll just want to ensure your window is big enough before you buy. The Whynter is also a bit pricey, and if you're shopping for an AC on a budget, the SereneLife SLPAC10 finds the balance between price, portability, and performance. However, for large rooms and big cooling needs, the Whynter is our go-to.
The SereneLife SLPAC10 is a unit that falls in the middle-to-low price range, but the performance exceeds that of other similar suits. It was the easiest for me to set up, and I appreciated having a lock on the window kit. The installation itself only took me about 5 minutes, consisting of sliding and locking the window panel into place. This unit is on the lighter side at 52.3 pounds and glides effortlessly across hard floors, which makes it easy to move from room to room, and when ready to store for the winter, the window kit and hose quickly detach. The SLPAC10 includes a convenient remote that controls the fan speed, temperature setting, vent swing, and adjustable timers. It is pretty energy efficient, too; in one hour, it used an average of just 0.96 kWh of power.
The SereneLife is adequate for most small-to-medium-sized rooms; it is rated for up to 450 square feet. It is only a single-hose machine, so it is no surprise that the cooling power didn't necessarily wow us. Still, I did see a steady 6.3-degree decrease in temperature during our one-hour cooling test. I think this machine is best suited for smaller areas where you don't need as much power to pump out as is required by larger, expansive rooms and hallways. It is slightly louder than the group average at 61 decibels. However, I didn't find the tone too horrible, and it could easily be passed off as white noise. Although installation is quick, I was disappointed by the vague setup instructions, and it might take more time for someone unfamiliar with ACs. On the note of installation, the Shinco SPF1-08C scored almost identically in our cooling test, but was slightly more tricky to install, and is a more affordable alternative for those who are handy around the house. However, the SereneLife still scored better overall, and its budget-friendly price point is hard to come by for such a solid option.
For those on the strictest of budgets, the Costway 22783 is one of the most affordable portable AC units I've tested. As the price dictates, it is a smaller unit, and it does not have the same kind of power as other models we tested, but it is fairly efficient and comes at a great price point. And if you don't need maximum cooling, a smaller unit also has its perks. The Costway uses less energy than most other machines on our list, using just 0.84 kWh of power, translating to lower ongoing costs; our estimated summer cost is just under $153.14. At under 44 pounds, it is also more portable than many of the larger units we tested, and is a good choice if you need to move the AC from room to room on a daily basis. It has three cooling settings, and it offers both vertical and horizontal adjustments, so you can get exactly the right angle of airflow.
If you are fighting truly hot and muggy temperatures, this single-hose machine may struggle. In one hour, it only cooled our standard testing room by 4.8 degrees, which is less than half of other top performers. The machine boasts just a 5,000 BTU SACC rating, and the lower power level showed in our tests. Despite its lower power, this machine is louder than average, measuring nearly 60 decibels when running on high. Installation is decently straightforward if you're familiar with these machines, but if it is your first time, the instructions are overwhelming and not as easy to understand. Lastly, the remote came without batteries; minor, but still annoying. Overall, this model skips the bells and whistles, and it is not built to battle extreme heat. But not every household needs that. It is a solid pick if you need to cool smaller spaces and are patient enough to wait out the extra time it takes to chill them thoroughly.
If you need to keep your space cool but aren't thrilled about listening to an AC compressor while you go about your day-to-day activities, the LG LP1022FVSM is worth your consideration. Our sound meter measured only 56 decibels when standing four feet away from this unit. This is impressively quiet for a 14,000 BTU ASHRAE machine. A machine with this power level is more than adequate for keeping an average-sized room cold, and has a manufacturer-recommended cooling area of up to 450 square feet. It dropped the temperature in our testing room by 7.6 degrees in one hour, and it has three fan speeds, three cooling settings, and a “dry” option. Installation of the LG was a breeze, taking me just 15 minutes, and I appreciate how easy it was to pack it all up at the end of the season. It also includes a useful remote and can also be controlled through its accompanying mobile app.
While it has more than enough cooling power for a larger room of up to 450 square feet, I expected slightly more from a 14,000 BTU unit. The LG is also about average regarding energy efficiency; it used 1.1 kWh in one hour, which won't keep your energy bill as low as possible. However, the cooling power-to-energy-spend ratio might be worth it if you want to cool a bigger room quickly. The display placement can also be difficult to see from certain angles. All things considered, the whisper-quiet operation is the real draw of this LG. If you need to run this machine during sleep, Zoom meetings, or your baby's naptime, you can't go wrong with the LG.
Excellent window kit for easy installation, relatively lightweight, very energy-efficient
Cons
Heavy, hard-to-read display, requires a larger installation window
Single hose design, short power cord, somewhat involved installation
Cumbersome when moving around, almost illegible frosted display
Only one hose, limited airflow adjustment
Single hose design, doesn't come with foam to seal window
Single hose design, timer function only available on the remote
Loud, not the most powerful
High energy consumption, heavy and hard to lift, complicated window installation
Struggles with higher temperatures, awkward handle placement, on the louder side
Loud, fan speed only adjustable from remote, single-hose design
Louder than average, single-hose design, no medium fan setting
Bottom Line
This excellent portable air conditioner is second-to-none in cooling power and convenient features to help keep your space icy cool throughout the summer
This whisper-quiet portable AC scores big with its discreet room cooling capabilities, excellent onboard storage, and advanced convenience features
A great cooling rate and low noise make this an excellent pick for most people
A light and power-efficient model that is sufficient for smaller rooms
This budget-friendly and highly portable air conditioner has a great window kit design that sets up in minutes
This portable AC demonstrated above-average cooling capability, and it's one of the easiest to set up, but it's a bit of a power hog
A wallet-friendly portable AC that's a bit loud and slower to cool, but easy to install
This is a powerful and well-rounded portable AC, but it's an unfortunate power hog
This single-hose air conditioner is designed to accommodate smaller spaces while providing excellent cooling power at an affordable price
This energy-efficient unit features an easy setup process and great portability, but it's loud and doesn't provide the most impressive cooling performance
This unit is highly portable and easy to install, but it's louder than most and not powerful enough to chill large or stifling hot spaces
To evaluate the performance of each product, we developed a standardized test plan focusing on key purchasing factors. Each air conditioner is tested in a climate-controlled room that we heat to a standard temperature. We then install each machine in the same window and measure its cooling effectiveness over the course of an hour. This process allows us to identify any frustrations or confusion caused by poor design. To complement our hands-on experiences, we also take detailed empirical measurements across key metrics, including sound output, energy consumption, and weight. These data points provide valuable insights into the overall performance of each machine.
Our tests are grouped into 5 metrics:
Cooling (35% of overall score weighting)
Installation and Portability (25% weighting)
Noise (20% weighting)
Energy consumption (15% weighting)
Convenience (5% weighting)
We also look at convenience features like adjustability and useful apps.
Credit: Brian Walker
Why Trust Gearlab
Austin Palmer is our lead tester on our portable AC review. Aside from his Texas roots, Austin has been tinkering, testing, and rating home appliances at GearLab for more than a decade. His analytical eye and vast experience give him the technical know-how to quickly pinpoint the pros and cons of each device.
Emily Pennington: Emily brings her extensive tech knowledge and expertise to this review. Emily has been testing and reviewing products for nearly a decade, and as a new homeowner, she has put in countless hours researching AC units.
Adam Stout: Adam is a tech enthusiast, with ACs being among the most critically researched. He has spent nearly 15 years in research and IT. Being from the South, he is well acquainted with warm weather and knows how important AC is to staying cool.
Becca Glades: Becca has spent years in many of the warmest climates in the US, including New Mexico, Florida, and Texas. That said, she is no stranger to the heat. She has installed window units and portable ACs in many of her homes across the US, and knows exactly what works and what doesn't.
We utilize every tool in our quiver to gather precise measurements to compare the performance of each product in the lineup.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Analysis and Test Results
To identify and help you choose the right portable AC for your needs, we selected the top models currently on the market, and then bought the most promising options to compare performance side-by-side. We graded them according to five weighted rating metrics: Cooling, Installation and Portability, Noise, Energy, and Convenience.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
While the cost of any portable air conditioner is a fraction of what you would pay for a full central air conditioning system, some command a pretty penny, and value may be a big part of your purchase consideration. There are a few great budget-friendly options like the SereneLife SLPAC10 and Costway, and as long as you don't need top-tier cooling power and don't mind a bit of noise while it works, the SLPAC10 is a well-rounded machine that should perform well in many spaces. It's also one of the most portable and easiest units to set up and break down. If you want something even more budget-conscious, there's the Costway, another highly portable unit. While it has below-average cooling capability, it redeems itself with some of the best energy efficiency in the review, saving you even more money on your electricity bill. Those savings will add up significantly over time.
The initial price is just the first part of the story for costs. Check out our Energy Consumption section to factor in the bill that comes at the end of the month.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Cooling
Since cooling is the reason to buy a portable air conditioner, this metric counts for the majority of scoring in this review. To capture reliable data throughout the cooling tests, we ensure that our test environment is warm on both sides of the window where the window kits were installed, then carefully monitor their progress over the course of an hour as they drop the temp of a 14' x 10' room with a 12' ceiling (1680 cu ft.). Temperature data is collected from temperature-sensing data loggers placed all around the room.
We utilize loggers throughout the test room to record the temperature over an entire hour.
Credit: Austin Palmer
The Whynter ARC-1230WN absolutely dominated this contest, dropping the air temperature from 84.2 to 72.3 degrees Fahrenheit in 60 minutes. That's an 11.9-degree overall temperature difference and 3.6 degrees more than the runner-up, the Black+Decker BPACT14WT, which also managed well, clocking an overall temperature drop of 8.3 degrees. Coming close behind is the Midea Duo 12,000 BTU, reducing the temperature by 7.9 degrees. This smaller unit beat out other larger, 14,000 BTU units like the LG, establishing a competitive edge with a faster cooling rate and more efficient use for a portable air conditioner.
Unsurprisingly, the more powerful 14,000 BTU units far surpassed the practical cooling capability of the lower-powered units. However, you don't always need high BTUs, especially for smaller rooms. Of our 8,000 BTU units, the Black+Decker BPACT08WT gave more powerful units a run for their money. This unit dropped the room's temperature by seven degrees, which is only a 1.3-degree difference from one of our top 14,000 BTU units.
The Whynter ARC-1230WN reigns supreme in our Cooling test, dropping the stifling room temperature by 11.9 degrees in 60 minutes.
Credit: Brian Walker
Installation & Portability
Compared to other AC units like window air conditioners, a portable AC is designed to offer flexibility and adaptability, making it essential that the unit can be installed quickly and relocated with minimal effort. Whether it's moving the unit between rooms, navigating different types of flooring, or setting it up in a window, these factors determine how practical the product is for everyday use. This section delves into the importance of assessing installation and portability, highlighting how these aspects impact user satisfaction and help identify the best-performing models for easy use.
We break out the manual and take it step by step to assess the installation of each portable air conditioner.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Installation
Not everyone is a DIYer, and a simple setup allows users to quickly and effortlessly get the unit up and running, saving time and reducing frustration. After installing each product in our designated testing room, I note anything that stands out during the process. While some experiences were quick and painless, other installation processes left me scratching my head.
Both of the SereneLife machines had vague instructions, but the simplicity of the steps made it easy to figure out. Having a lock on the window kit is a definite plus in our books, as it allows the kit to stay snugly in place. Other products rely on foam to bridge the gap of the window, but both of these products have a sliding plate to adjust to the window's width.
Here's the locking mechanism on the left that makes it quick and painless to lock in the window kit. For the hose, it's a simple twist to attach to the base. Together, these designs made both the Serenlife products uncomplicated for installation.
The Whynter ARC-1230WN took an additional 5 minutes compared to the top performers, but it is still pretty simple, considering it is a dual-hose system. Since the exhaust hose (two, actually; it's a hose inside a hose) is permanently attached to the unit, all we needed to do was put in the included foam for the window kit, slide the window interface into place, and snap in the other side of the hose.
The different hose designs of the Whynters resulted in separate installation experiences. Here's a look at the Whynter ARC-14SH (left) and Whynter ARC-1230WN (right) setup.
Unfortunately, I had difficulty with the other Whynter model I tested, the Whynter ARC-14SH. It includes a manual for quick installation, but there were several problems with the setup. I did not love having to screw in the connectors, and the double-hose design requires most users to cut their window kits to fit.
The Midea Duo is another dual-hose system that didn't give us any problems when installed at our lab.
Credit: Austin Palmer
It's a bonus when the hose is already attached to the system, making the installation and storage process more streamlined. This is the case with the Midea Duo, and the addition of a bulky amount of foam makes it easier to work with unique window setups that might not have a conventional opening. The foam also helps insulate the weak spots in the cooling system.
With some units reaching upward of 60 pounds, weight can be a big factor in portability. The Costway shown here only weighs 43.8 lbs.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Portability
Portability becomes important when you need to move the air conditioner between rooms or pack it into storage for the winter season. Factors like weight, handle design, caster quality, and the ability to maneuver the unit over different flooring types significantly influence this metric. Some air conditioners might be generous with the title “portable,” as many of them weigh over 60 pounds. To find the ones that offer truly portable, effortless transportation, we weigh each AC unit.
Portable ACs come in a wide range of weights and sizes; the lightest unit I tested, the Costway, is 43.8 pounds, and just about half the weight of the heaviest product. It rolls over carpet and hardwood smoothly with limited resistance, and when moving upstairs, this unit has slot handles about three-quarters of an inch deep that are enough for my fingers to latch onto. However, I didn't love the placement of the handles. They are located towards the top instead of more at a mid-level, which makes it more difficult to find a good balance point.
The Whynter ARC 14S is a beast. It's tall, big, and heavy, but one of the most annoying things is this tiny slit on the sides that supposedly be used as handles to carry upstairs.
Credit: Austin Palmer
The Whynter ARC 14S was also disappointing. The tiny handles are difficult to grab onto, and the whole machine is markedly more cumbersome than the others. It measured just over 74 pounds, requiring some serious muscle to move around. It's not something you'd want to haul upstairs more than once a year.
The Shinco SPF1-08C is another wallet-friendly unit that our tester found easy to install and tote around.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Shinco SPF1-08C hits a sweet spot for portability. It is a small machine that doesn't boast the cooling prowess of several more expensive models, but its petite size makes it easy to maneuver and very cost-effective.
We rolled each unit on various surfaces to test their portability.
Credit: Brian Walker
If you find yourself taking your portable A/C on the move, consider the Costway 22783 or the SereneLife SLPAC8, two of the lightest models, both weighing less than 45 pounds.
Installation & Portability
Product
Installation
Portability
SereneLife SLPAC10 - 10000 BTU
8.0
9.6
Midea MAP08R1CWT
7.5
9.7
SereneLife SLPAC8 - 8000 BTU
8.0
9.0
Black+Decker BPACT08WT
7.0
9.6
Whynter ARC-1230WN
9.0
7.4
Costway ‎22783
7.5
8.3
LG LP1022FVSM
8.0
6.9
Black+Decker BPACT14WT
8.0
6.6
Midea Duo Smart Inverter MAP12S1TBL
7.0
6.6
Whynter ARC-14SH
4.0
8.8
Frigidaire FHPH142AC1
5.0
4.6
Overall, the SereneLife SLPAC10 offered the best portability and easiest setup. Midea MAP08R1CWT comes in at close second, followed by the SereneLife SLPAC8 and Whynter ARC-1230WN.
Noise
Although it may go unnoticed at first, the constant hum of a too-loud AC can become grating after hours of use. It can affect your sleep and other activities, like listening to music or watching TV, so it is an important metric to measure and consider. I took decibel readings for each portable air conditioner from four feet away to determine exactly how loud each unit is and how it would affect daily (or nightly) activities.
Many portable ACs have a similar volume level as far as the human ear can tell, but a couple of standouts run substantially quieter than the rest. Chief among those is the LG LP1022FVSM at only 56 decibels. This unit is whisper-quiet compared to the average portable AC, and it's the one you want if you aren't a fan of persistent noise. Second place goes to the Whyter ARC-1230WN, which is another quiet model compared to the rest of the pack at 58.4 decibels. Both of these units have sound levels similar to that of the hum of a refrigerator.
From there, we observed a pretty even field in terms of sound output until we got to some of the worst performers. Those that hit the 60+ decibel included the SereneLife SLPAC8, Midea MAP08R1CWT, the SereneLife SLPAC10, and the Shinco SPF1-08C.
None could match the stealth of the LG LP1022FVSM as it faded into the background, silently piping in sweet relief from the heat.
Credit: Brian Walker
Energy Consumption
For our last rating metric, I measured energy usage over one hour when the outside temperature was in the mid to high 80s; 30 minutes on high, and 30 minutes on low. I used this stat to estimate how much it would cost to run each of these models annually, using an assumed run time of 12 hours a day for 90 days for the calculation. Of course, the exact number I arrived at isn't necessarily going to be the same for every user, as electricity prices can vary wildly across different areas at different times of the day and throughout the year. However, the relative comparison holds true, and a machine that is more efficient for us should be more efficient for you as well.
Living in a Hot Climate?
If you are living in an area where you are going to be running the air conditioner during more than just the hottest summer months, you probably want to place a higher priority on this metric and take a closer look at models that performed well in these tests.
Predictably, the lower-power 8,000 BTU units are also the most cost-effective. We gave an additional point here to units with inverter technology because they have a more efficient variable speed compressor that doesn't always run at full speed, saving energy.
The most efficient unit was the SereneLife SLPAC8 followed closely by the Midea MAP08R1CWT, consuming 0.72 kWh and 0.76 kWh of electricity over an hour, respectively. Both are 8,000 BTU ACs. To run the SLPAC8 for 12 hours a day for 90 days would cost an average of $125.50 in the USA, and the Midea would be $132.48. If energy efficiency is your primary concern, either of these units should fit the bill.
Then take a look at some of the most power-hungry units, and you start to see how much it adds up over time. If you're sure you need more power than an 8,000 BTU can provide, the most energy-efficient 14,000 BTU unit to consider is the Whynter ARC-1230WN, which has inverter technology, meaning its compressor doesn't run at full speed all the time, saving energy. I clocked it at 1.24 kWh and a $216.15 estimated cost, projecting a constant runtime of 12 hours a day for 90 days.
We used a watt meter to measure power consumption, with every AC running on high for 60 minutes.
Credit: Brian Walker
Convenience
For the convenience metric, I evaluated each portable AC unit on its air direction adjustments, display, remote capabilities, timers, and whether or not the units include a child lock.
Yet again, the Whynter ARC-1230WN comes out on top thanks partly to its highly adjustable vent louvers with automatic-swing functionality that keep the air flowing evenly throughout the space, but primarily for its mobile app that offers tons of advanced functionality, including the ability to turn off and on or run presets based on your distance from home.
Likewise, the LG LP1022FVSM impressed us with its auto-swing vent louver and excellent app that includes tons of features, including energy monitoring, smart diagnosis, and filter management.
Remote controls are nice and come standard with every portable AC, but nothing beats the advanced features of a well-designed mobile app.
Credit: Brian Walker
How to Choose a Portable Air Conditioner
With temperatures hitting record highs every year, more and more people are hit with the question of how to stay cool. Central AC is common in houses in warmer areas, but this is not a standard for homes in colder climates. Where installing central AC isn't practical or economical, the need for a quick fix for those hot summer days is crucial, and this is where options like portable ACs come in handy.
With plenty of AC options out there, you can rest assured that we did the testing, so you don't have to.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Portable Versus Window Air Conditioners
As the name suggests, a window air conditioner sits in a window and uses a thick material that accordion-folds across the gap to keep the room insulated. Although they often require an exterior bracket to hold them in place, installation is not too much of a headache and can often be done with one or two people.
Whether you keep the window AC installed year-round depends on where you live, but installing and uninstalling a window unit every year isn't as easy as a portable AC. Another drawback is that you essentially lose the function of that window while the AC is in place.
We attach an exhaust hose into one of the more conventional portable AC window kits.
Credit: Brian Walker
Portable air conditioners are freestanding units that can be rolled around from room to room, making multi-room cooling and winter storage a breeze (theoretically). For these units, a hose, rather than the entire machine, is attached to a window bracket. Installation is a breeze, with the most complicated step being the bracket setup. Some use foam to help insulate, while others simply clip into the window pane.
As opposed to a window AC, the window remains functional, and you won't have a bulky box sitting on the exterior of your home. One downside is that they do take up interior floor space. Portable air conditioners vary in weight and can weigh anywhere from 50 to 80 pounds. Heavier models can be challenging to transport, especially if stairs are involved, so if this is your intended use, you'll want to double-check weights. However, most models have wheels, so rolling them on hard surfaces shouldn't be a problem.
Portable air conditioners are great for storing in the winter, though the heavier ones might be a challenge to haul upstairs.
Credit: Brian Walker
Single or Dual Hose?
A single-hose air conditioner expels the warm air and moisture already in the room and replaces it with cool air. It creates negative pressure when it pushes out the warm air, and can create an effect that pulls the same warm air back into the home through cracks and openings. These machines work much harder than dual-hose machines, which use two exhaust hoses to draw in outside air and expel hot air without fighting negative pressure. This makes for a much faster and more efficient cooling experience that can tackle larger spaces.
The Whynter ARC-14S is one of the few portable ACs with dual hoses, improving its cooling performance.
Credit: Brian Walker
How Many BTUs Do You Need?
BTU, which stands for British Thermal Unit, is a measurement that indicates the amount of hot air an AC can remove from a space. While its application goes slightly beyond measuring room cooling power, this is the important part of the definition regarding ACs. Simply put, a larger BTU rating is needed for larger rooms. Smaller rooms can get away with an AC with a lower BTU.
There is a difference between ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) and DOE (Department of Energy) ratings. ASHRAE is an older method of assessing an air conditioner's output, but it has not proven to be the most reliable when it comes to portable models. The DOE rating is a newer scale that focuses not just on the measurements but also on how an air conditioner will actually feel when in use. It gives a more real-world portrait of what to expect when determining cooling capacity for each air conditioner.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you should have 20 BTUs for each square foot of living space. Most manufacturers indicate the square footage of a room best suited for the specific air conditioner, though we found this to vary throughout our testing. This is a general guideline when determining the right portable air conditioner size for your home or office.
6,000-8,000 BTU: Up to 200 square feet,
10,000 BTU: Up to 300 square feet
12,000+ BTU: 300+ square feet
Finally, you'll want to consider the room you plan on cooling down. If there are sources of heat, like sunny windows or an oven, you'll want to increase the BTU rating to compensate.
Choosing an AC with the right BTU rating can help keep your space cool and your energy bill down.
Credit: Brian Walker
How Loud Can These Machines Get?
If you are a light sleeper or just sensitive to continuous noise, it is important to consider how noisy a portable air conditioner is. The last thing you want is a loud A/C unit to kick on when you have a sleeping child or are on a work call. That is why we tested the noise level of each portable air conditioner to better understand how loud they will be in your home or office.
Sound is measured in decibels (dBa) for air conditioners, and the portable air conditioners we used ranged from 55.4 dBa to 63.7 dBa in our tests. For reference, 55 dBa is slightly louder than a refrigerator, while 65 dBa is comparable to the sound level of a dinner party or a busy office.
Every portable AC was measured with an SPL from 4' away to collect a decibel reading.
Credit: Brian Walker
Conclusion
Being uncomfortably warm in your own home is a problem that no one wants to have, and not all houses have central AC. Unless you're looking to start a major renovation to install central AC, you'll want to check out some alternatives. This review of the best window and portable air conditioners should do the trick to keep you cool all summer long. With many options out there with seemingly complicated ratings, we understand how overwhelming it can be to select an AC. That's why we did all the testing for you, so you can be sure when you choose an air conditioner that it is truly the best portable air conditioner for you.
—Emily Pennington, Austin Palmer, Adam Stout, and Becca Glades
