If you need to cool down an extra-large space, like a great room or big studio apartment, this DeLonghi is a great choice, with its chart-topping 700-square-foot cooling capacity. Like all portable ACs, it makes some noise at full power, but the quiet mode setting cuts the clamor in half, making it good for bedrooms. In fact, during our testing, this was determined to also be one of the quieter ACs, even when it wasn't running in quiet mode.
Our pros also like the washable filter screen, which makes the unit a good fit for allergy sufferers. Remember that this model uses slightly more energy than some of our other picks per our energy consumption testing, but we don't mind given the large cooling area.
For its price, the Black+Decker BPACT14HWT Portable Air Conditioner does a lot. In addition to being one of the top performers in our cooling tests, this workhorse also has heating capabilities for the colder months.
I purchased this three years ago, and it's still going strong. I like that I don't have to put it in storage during the winter. Instead, I use it to heat the living room, which tends to run colder than the rest of the house.
Installation was a breeze, taking about five minutes. I didn't need any special tools to get the job done. I like that the window slider extends to 60 inches, which is more than enough for my needs. However, I wish it came with window security brackets to make it harder for someone to push the window open and gain access to my house. Fortunately, this hasn't been an issue.
It's one of the louder units we tested and when I neglect to regularly clean the filter, the Black+Decker produces jarring sounds as it changes fan speeds.
In our tests, it was in the middle of the pack in electricity use. Over the course of two hours, it consumed 1.83 kWh.
We should also note that our air quality monitor registered a 50% increase in VOCs during the testing period. However, the levels weren't high enough to cause concern.
This inexpensive evaporative air cooler is ideal for a small office or bedroom in dryer climates (where humidity stays under 45%). You'll get more of a cool breeze than intense cold air, but it's a solid affordable option for a room that needs a chill. Because it cools the air by the evaporation of water, it doesn't need to be hooked up to a window in order to work, so you have more flexibility in choosing where to place it.
It only weighs 11.2 pounds, making it easy to move around. The included remote is an extra bonus so you can control it without needing to leave your bed. This air cooler pulls less power than any of the other units on the list, meaning you could plug in multiple and still use less energy than a single portable AC.
Precise temperature control sets this portable AC apart from the competition. We tested the brand's more robust 10,000 BTUs SACC unit, which has enough cooling power for nearly any room in the house, so while this smaller one's sound and output may vary slightly, we trust its performance.
When our testers set it to 64º F and returned to measure the temperature, the room quickly reached 65.6º F. No other portable AC came that close to achieving the proper ambient temperature. The air coming from the TCL also came out faster and went farther than other tested models, though the tradeoff is some expected noisiness. Our experts also like the WiFi connectivity, allowing you to control the unit via a smartphone app. But if you don't feel like downloading the app, it also comes with a remote.
This powerful portable AC from Whynter has a dual hose so it can cool down a room faster than other portable units. "Dual hose" means it uses outside air instead of inside air to cool down the internals of the AC, helping it to cool the room quicker and more efficiently. Our engineers were impressed by its year-round versatility; in dehumidifier mode, it removed up to 101 pints of moisture in a 24-hour period, and you can opt to go for the upgraded model that includes a heater, generating heat up to 77°F.
Testers also like the programmable timer that lets you set a schedule for the day, for example programming it to turn on 30 minutes before you'll be home from work. You can monitor the temperature on the digital readout. Even though the exhaust hose must be vented out a window, it extends up to five feet, so you’ll have some flexibility on the placement. The storage bag is a nice added convenience if you do need to stow the unit away throughout the year. We noted this air conditioner cooled slightly slower than other models we tested, so be sure to set it early to ensure your room is cool when you need it.
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