Best Portable Air Conditioner: Features, Price, And More

Published by 
AllThingsHVAC
Last updated: 
January 7, 2022

Top 10 Best Portable Air Conditioners

1. Frigidaire FGPC1244TI Portable Air Conditioner

Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Frigidaire FGPC1244TI offers 12,000 BTU cooling capacity, suitable for rooms up to 550 sq. ft. It features a 360-degree airflow function, three cooling and fan speeds, and Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control via an app. The unit is lightweight and easy to set up near a window .

2. Whynter ARC-14S Portable Air Conditioner

Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Whynter ARC-14S provides 12,000 BTU cooling for spaces up to 500 sq. ft. It functions as an air conditioner, dehumidifier (removing up to 101 pints of moisture per day), and fan. The unit comes with a remote control, air filter, pre-filter, and exhaust hose. It uses eco-friendly R410a refrigerant and features adjustable temperature settings from 61°F to 89°F .

3. LG LP1215GXTPortable Air Conditioner

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The LG LP1215GXT is a 7,000 BTU portable air conditioner suitable for rooms up to 300 sq. ft. It features a sleek black design, 24-hour timer, and easy window installation kit. The unit can dehumidify up to 1.2 pints per hour and comes with a warranty .

4. Black+Decker BPACT08WT Portable Air Conditioner

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Black+Decker BPACT08WT offers 5,000 BTU cooling capacity for rooms up to 150 sq. ft. It includes an easy-to-install window kit, adjustable air direction, and a slide-out filter for simple cleaning. The unit features caster wheels for enhanced portability .

5. Ivation 5,500 DOE BTU Portable Air Conditioner

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This Ivation portable air conditioner provides 5,500 DOE BTU cooling and can remove 1.8 pints of moisture per hour. It features a programmable timer, 6 ft. power cord for flexibility, and compact size. However, some users note that the back of the unit is somewhat fragile .

6. Honeywell MN10CESWW MN Series Portable Air Conditioner

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Honeywell MN10CESWW offers 10,000 BTU cooling for spaces up to 350 sq. ft. It also functions as a dehumidifier, removing up to 70 pints of moisture per day. The unit features a remote control, adjustable thermostat, 24-hour energy-saving timer, and a 1-year warranty .

7. Koldfront PAC802W Portable Air Conditioner

Overall rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The Koldfront PAC802W is a 4,600 DOE BTU portable air conditioner suitable for rooms up to 250 sq. ft. It features a digital display, sleep timer, 3-speed fan, 24-hour timer, remote control, and a 48-inch exhaust hose. The unit can dehumidify up to 61 pints per day, making it a budget-friendly option with essential features .

8. EdgeStar AP12000S-KF Portable Air Conditioner

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The EdgeStar AP12000S-KF offers a dehumidifier that can remove up to 90 pints of moisture per day. It features 3 fan speeds, cooling and dehumidifying settings, an easy-to-install window kit, and an auto-restart function that saves settings in case of a power outage. The unit also has dual filtration to maintain clean air and remove odors .

9. SPT WA-1420E Portable Air Conditioner

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The SPT WA-1420E provides 14,000 BTU cooling capacity for areas between 550-700 sq. ft. It offers 3 modes (cooling, dehumidifying, and fan) with 3 fan speeds and a programmable timer. The unit uses eco-friendly refrigerant and features a self-evaporative system for automatic condensate drainage. However, some users report that it may shut down if the room is too hot .

10. 3-in-1 SLPAC14 Portable Air Conditioner

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The 3-in-1 SLPAC14 offers 14,000 BTU cooling for rooms up to 400 sq. ft. It can dehumidify up to 3.1 pints per hour and features a sleek design with an LED display panel and LCD remote control. The unit has caster wheels and side handles for easy portability .

Buyer's Guide

When choosing a portable air conditioner, consider the following factors:

  1. Placement: Ensure the unit can be placed near a window for proper exhaust venting and close to an electrical outlet .
  2. Filtration: Look for units with pre-filters and carbon filters to maintain clean, allergen-free air .
  3. Hose system: Single hose units are suitable for small spaces, while double hose units are more efficient for larger areas .
  4. BTU and room size: Choose a unit with the appropriate BTU rating for your room size (e.g., 5,000 BTU for 250 sq. ft., 10,000 BTU for 500 sq. ft., 20,000 BTU for 1,000 sq. ft.) .
  5. Number of occupants: Add 750 BTU for each person beyond two occupants in the space .

Sources:

  1. Frigidaire FGPC1244TI Product Manual
  2. Whynter ARC-14S Product Specifications
  3. LG LP1215GXT Product Features
  4. Black+Decker BPACT08WT User Manual
  5. Ivation 5,500 DOE BTU Portable Air Conditioner Product Description
  6. Honeywell MN10CESWW MN Series User Guide
  7. Koldfront PAC802W Product Specifications
  8. EdgeStar AP12000S-KF Product Features
  9. SPT WA-1420E User Manual
  10. 3-in-1 SLPAC14 Product Description
  11. "Portable Air Conditioner Buying Guide." Consumer Reports, 2024.

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