Do you have a window unit, and wish you could just bring the cool air with you no matter what room you are in your home? With a portable air conditioner, you can. You can take it to the bedroom, the kitchen, and even the bathroom if you are so inclined.
Whatever room you want it in, we’re here to help you choose the best portable air conditioner to fit your needs. We’ve put in the work and done the research to study the best portable air conditioner reviews. In the end, we’ve decided on four units that we like the most. Check out our reviews below to find out which one will work best for you.
Comparison Chart for the best portable air conditioners
| Picture | Name | Features | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Honeywell MO08CESWK Compact Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier and Fan | - Can cool up to 250 square feet. - A built-in dehumidifier can remove up to 44 pints of moisture in 24 hours. - Quiet operation, between 50-53 decibels. | $$ |
 | LG LP0818WNR Portable, 115V Air Conditioner | - Cools up to 200 square feet. - Uses a standard 115-volt outlet - Comes with a LED display panel and remote. | $$ |
 | BLACK+DECKER BPACT14WT Portable Air Conditioner, 14,000 BTU | - 14,000 BTU’s can cool up to 700 square feet. - Vertical motion allows for steady temps throughout a room. - The slide-out filter is reusable and easy to clean. | $$$ |
 | EdgeStar AP8000W Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier | - The cheapest option on our list. - 8,000 BTU’s can cool up to 225 square feet. - Can be used as an air conditioner, dehumidifier, or both at one time. | $ |
| Picture | Name | Features | Prices |
Best Portable Air Conditioner Reviews
1.) Honeywell MO08CESWK Compact Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier and Fan – Best Overall
Click for Price
“If you are looking for a portable air conditioner that offers a little bit of everything, this is the unit for you.”
The Honeywell MO08CESWK compact portable air conditioner is a 3-in-1 unit with a built-in air conditioner, dehumidifier, and multi-speed fan. The unit can cool up to 250 square feet of space, and it is one of the lightest portable air conditioners in its class. With easy installation, you can roll it into a room set up the included window kit, and you are good to go. If you are looking for a portable air conditioner that offers a little bit of everything, this is the unit for you.
Pros:
This portable air conditioner helps you keep the air in your home clean. The Washable Dual Filtration System can filter dust, hair, and pet dander from the air you breathe as well as help extend the life of your portable air conditioner.
The unit also notifies you when it is time to clean the filter, and that itself is a breeze. Just rinse the reusable filter under your kitchen faucet and you are good to go.
Unlike many window units, this portable air conditioner by Honeywell is a quiet option for your home, which is a great feature considering how powerful the unit is. It has only 50-53 decibels being produced, and it can remove up to 44 pints of moisture from a room in 24 hours with it’s bucketless and dual drainage options.
“It is one of the lightest options in its class, making it a great option for everyone no matter their age or ability level.”
It comes with a full-function remote control to allow you to change the settings from anywhere in the 250 square feet of space it is capable of cooling.
It is one of the lightest options in its class, making it a great option for everyone no matter their age or ability level.
Cons:
Some buyers reported it was hard to get an airtight fit with the vent.
2.) LG LP0818WNR Portable, 115V Air Conditioner – Best For Small Spaces
Click for Price
“If you are only looking to cool a small space, but want the comfort and technology of a bigger unit, the LG LP0818WNR Portable Air Conditioner is a unit you should consider.”
If you are only looking to cool a small space, but want the comfort and technology of a bigger unit, the LG LP0818WNR Portable Air Conditioner is a unit you should consider. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in features. This sleek model is one that would look great in any home.
Pros:
The LG LP0818WNR Portable Air Conditioner can be used in a standard 115-volt electrical outlet, and it is packed with features you will love. It’s auto evaporation system can eliminate up to 1.27 kilograms of moisture from the air per hour. The unit also comes with inclined air discharge and auto swing louvers to help circulate the air and eliminate hot spots in the room.
“The LG LP0818WNR Portable Air Conditioner can be used in a standard 115-volt electrical outlet, and it is packed with features you will love.”
The modern design of the LG LP0818WNR comes in two colors (grey and white) to fit in easily with almost any home decor.
This LG model also comes equipt with an LED screen for easy reading and a fully functional remote so you can manage the unit without having to move across the room.
Cons:
Some buyers reported that the unit was noisier than they would have preferred.
3.) BLACK+DECKER BPACT14WT Portable Air Conditioner, 14,000 BTU – Best For Large Rooms
Click for Price
“This unit cools large rooms fast and efficiently, and the vertical motion allows for powerful airflow to keep the entire room at a steady temperature.”
Are you wanting to cool a large living room, or even an open plan living room and kitchen? If so, you want a portable unit with more BTU’s than your average portable unit. The Black+Decker BPACT14WT Portable Air Conditioner allows for 14,000 BTU’s, which can cool a room as big as 700 square feet. This unit cools large rooms fast and efficiently, and the vertical motion allows for powerful airflow to keep the entire room at a steady temperature.
Pros:
If you need to cool a large room, you want the Black+Decker BPACT14WT Portable Air Conditioner in your home. It can cool up to 700 square feet, while still using a 115-volt outlet. It also comes with a 3-in-1 design, allowing you a fan, dehumidifier, and cooling options all at once.
“If you are wanting a feature-packed portable air conditioner without sacrificing the comfort of cooling a large room, the Black+Decker BPACT14WT is the unit we recommend.”
The LED screen allows for clear reading, even in the middle of the night, and the remote control will allow you to control the settings from the comfort of your couch or bed. This portable air conditioner can be used in double-hung or sliding windows and the slide-out filter is reusable and easily cleaned.
If you are wanting a feature-packed portable air conditioner without sacrificing the comfort of cooling a large room, the Black+Decker BPACT14WT is the unit we recommend.
Cons:
With 75 decibels at the high setting, this unit is louder than others on our list.
4.) EdgeStar AP8000W Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier – Best On A Budget
Click for Price
“The EdgeStar AP8000W Portable Air Conditioner With Dehumidifer is the option we recommend for cooling a bedroom or office.”
Are you looking to cool a room without breaking your budget? The EdgeStar AP8000W Portable Air Conditioner With Dehumidifer is the option we recommend for cooling a bedroom or office. The built in dehumidifier will make the air in your home healthier too.
Pros:
The EdgeStar AP8000W Portable Air Conditioner With Dehumidifer may be little, but it is mighty. This unit is easy to install, and the four wheels make moving it from room to room as easy as pie. It also has a six foot cord, which allows you to use it in almost any window of your home.
“With an installation kit, remote control, and filters all included in the box, this unit is perfect for you if you are on a budget and ready to cool your room quickly.”
The built in dehumidifier can take in up to 50 pints per day of moisture from your home, filtering out things such as dust and pet dander along with it. You can even put it on a dehumidifying only mode to keep the moisture at bay in the fall and winter months as well. The washable filter will allow you to keep cleaning the air in your home as well, without having to spend money on replacements.
With an installation kit, remote control, and filters all included in the box, this unit is perfect for you if you are on a budget and ready to cool your room quickly.
Cons:
Buyers reported that even on a low setting this unit was louder than they would have liked.
This model does not include a tube to drain the condensation from the bottom of the unit.
Conclusion
Which portable air conditioner should you buy for your home?
The Honeywell MO08CESWK is a compact 3-in-1 machine that comes with all the bells and whistles. It is a quiet unit that can take up to 44 pints of moisture out of the air in your home in 24 hours. It’s also one of the lightest units in it’s class, making it easy to move from room to room if you want to.
The LG LP0818WNR Portable Air Conditioner is best for small spaces, such as a small bedroom or even a large bathroom. It’s auto swing louvers will make sure the temperature in every area of your room is even and steady, and it’s color options make it the perfect fit for almost any home decor.
The Black+Decker BPACT14WT comes with a whopping 14,000 BTU’s, allowing it to cool a large room up to 700 square feet quickly. It also comes with an LED screen and fully functional remote control to allow to adjust the settings from anywhere in the room.
Finally, the EdgeStar AP8000W is a wonderful option for those on a budget. It can be used as an air conditioner, dehumidifier, or both at one time. It’s six foot cord allows you to use it in almost any window of your home, and it comes with everything you need for a hassle free installation.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Portable Air Conditioner
Know Your Needs
Before you ever start to look at different models of portable air conditioners, you need to sit down and come up with a list of criteria you need your unit to meet. Find out how large the room is that you want to cool, and decide which window you want to put it in and which outlet you want to use to run it. A bigger room will require a larger BTU from your unit, and if your window is far away from an outlet you want to make sure it has a cord that will reach. And if you are wanting to cool a room on a budget you will want to find a model that has a low cost upfront, as well as a good energy rating to save you money in the long run.
All of these things might sound like boring details, but they will go along way to making the installation and use of your a smooth process.
“All of these things might sound like boring details, but they will go along way to making the installation and use of your a smooth process.”
Check What Comes With It
Portable air conditioners are made to be easy to set up, no professionals required. Still, you want to make sure you have everything you need in order to set up your unit as soon it is delivered to you.
You will need slider to fit the hose to a window, and a hose to connect to your unit. Many portable air conditioners come with all of these things for easy and hassle free installation, but not all. When ordering your unit make sure to check everything that will be needed to install it, then double check to make sure those items are included in your purchase. If they aren’t, make sure to order them at the same time so you are able to install your unit as soon as it arrives at your door.
“You want to make sure you have everything you need in order to set up your unit as soon it is delivered to you.”
Don’t Say No To The Extended Warranty
Most reputable companies will include a warranty with their unit if it is bought brand new, but you should still consider buying an extended warranty for your unit as well. Portable air conditioners are not made to last as long as their central HVAC counterparts, and a lot of their lifespan depends on the care and maintenance you provide for it. With an extended warranty you cover your unit for 3 to four years on top of what the manufacturer provides, making sure you don’t have to dig into your pocket again and again for repairs or an entirely new unit.
“With an extended warranty you cover your unit for 3 to four years on top of what the manufacturer provides, making sure you don’t have to dig into your pocket again and again for repairs or an entirely new unit.”
What’s Next
Hopefully this article has helped you to come to a conclusion about which is the best portable air conditioner for your needs. Our portable air conditioner reviews covered everything from square footage accommodations to accessories and extra features. You can find out more about any of the models we have mentioned by clicking on the links in our reviews. But also make sure to see all our air conditioner reviews by type, that way you have covered all of your bases to make sure that you find the air conditioner that works best for you and your home.