Portable Air Conditioner Reviews.
Staying cool in the summer can be an expensive luxury, but it doesn’t have to be!
Many of today’s models are “smart” portable air conditioners ~ use your smartphone to turn on/off, adjust temp, or dehumidify/fan.
To help you with your search, here’s the best portable air conditioner units for 2021!
Prices range, $249 – $699.
- Black+Decker Portable AC Units
- Shinco Portable Air Conditioners
- Honeywell Portable Air Conditioner
- Whynter ARC-14SH Air Conditioner
- JHS Portable Air Conditioner
- Delonghi Pinguino AC Reviews
- Frigidaire Portable Air Conditioners
- Della Portable Air Conditioner Review
- Shinco 14000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
- Midea Portable Air Conditioner Review
#1.) Black + Decker Portable Air Conditioner
The Black and Decker 10000 BTU is the best portable air conditioner under $400.
Since there’s lots of size options w/ the 10,000 BTU being the most popular ~ it offers fast cooling in any room size.
Power: 10,000 BTU
Rooms: 200 – 300 sq. ft.
Pricing: Medium
As one of the most energy efficient models, it comes w/ a washable filter ~ can be easily removed and cleaned.
** Dust build-up requires more energy
It is also extremely quiet at 55 db noise level.
The Black+Decker portable air conditioners are another good option for basements, living rooms, or offices.
Full remote control settings:
toggle speed/power settings, set room temp, changing mode of operation, 24-hour timer
Solid option if you need powerful, fast cooling!
#2.) Shinco Portable Air Conditioner Review
The Shinco SPF2-12C Air Conditioner is a newer model, but is trending to be a top seller in 2020.
As a compact ac unit, it is very high-powered. It quickly cools large areas up to 550 sq. ft and is sold in smaller models for rooms 300-450 sq. ft.
Great option for homes with open-layouts or rooms w/ high ceilings.
Cooling: 9000 / 12000 BTU / 14000
Rooms: 400 – 550 sq. ft.
Pricing: Medium
As a portable air conditioner, it operates quietly under 52 decibels — using the remote control you can set it for “sleep mode”.
Buyers say it’s super quiet as a ductless mini split system.
Shinco air conditioners are avail in three sizes::
Shinco SPF2-08C: 8,000 BTU (200 – 350 sq. ft.)
Shinco SPF2-10C: 10,000 BTU (300 – 450 sq. ft.)
Shinco SPF2-12C: 12,000 BTU (400 – 550 sq. ft.)
All have the same features, but different ac motors.
Lots of good reviews from buyers!
#3.) Honeywell Portable Air Conditioner
The Honeywell Contempo was voted the best portable air conditioner in 2019.
Among its features, buyers loved its quiet operation ~ for a powerful model it runs quiet enough for bedrooms or living rooms.
Decibels: 47 – 52 dB
Pricing: Medium
In my opinion, it’s the best portable air conditioner for master bedrooms.
High-powered ac motor allows it to operate for hours on end.
Even though it’s often used a supplemental cooling unit, the Honeywell Contempo can function on its own and maintain cool temps all night.
As a powerful model, the Honeywell Contempo offers multiple speeds, including an “Energy Saving” and new “Sleep Mode”.
Lots of positive buyer reviews online.
#4.) ARC-14SH Portable Air Conditioner
Whynter ARC-14SH is the best 3-in-1 portable air conditioner in 2020.
It’s one of the most popular online because of its energy efficiency, heat function, and super fast cooling.
Units: ARC-14S / ARC-14SH
Areas: 250 – 550 sq. ft.
Pricing: Expensive
Multiple sizes available w/ the 14k BTU being the most popular.
As 3-in-1 unit it offers cooling, heating, built-in dehumidifier, and fan mode ~ high versatility is what makes it the top seller.
Buyers say the Whynter ARC-14S is very quiet too – only 56 decibels!
It also comes w/ a remote control you can easily adjust the temp ~ simply select your desired temp from, 61°F – 89°F.
Simply set your desired temp and let the AC do the rest.
Expensive, but lots of positive buyer reviews!
#5.) JHS Portable Air Conditioner
JHS portable air conditioner was last year’ top new model.
They offer four models, all of which are best sellers and have lots of positive buyer reviews.
– 8,000 BTU (200 sq. ft.)
– 10,000 BTU (300 sq. ft.)
– 12,000 BTU (400 sq. ft.)
– 14,000 BTU (500 sq. ft.)
Even though it is fairly new, it is already gotten excellent buyer reviews.
Many love it is fast cooling speed (only 15-30 mins) and easy install.
Portable AC includes a built-in dehumidifier which removes 55-65 pints of air moisture daily (depending unit size).
JHS Smart Portable AC Review >>
You’ll also love the adjustable thermostat — set your desired temp (61°F – 88°F) using the LED digital panel or remote control.
Lots of buyers say it is great as a bedroom AC since it is relatively quiet (54 dBs).
#6.) De’Longhi Portable Air Conditioner Unit
The De’Longhi air conditioner is the best portable air conditioner with 3-in-1 functionality.
Sleek and stylish, the The De’Longhi is a fast cooling unit that’s super energy efficient and whisper-quiet.
Cooling: 11000 BTU/hr
Rooms: 350 sq. ft.
In terms of efficiency, it’s one of the newest DeLonghi Pinguino models.
The De’Longhi air conditioner is considered a “Silent” model because of its whisper-quiet technology.
Super versatile around the home for bedrooms, home offices & (some) commercial use.
Perfect for cooling medium sized areas, it comes with a built-in thermostat. Using the remote control you can even set the exact room temp!
Also comes with a powerful, built-in dehumidifier.
Dehumidify: 49 – 76 pints (per day)
Buyers also love the new “Real Feel” function – machine auto manages cooling for ideal room temp and relative humidity level.
De’Longhi air conditioner includes:
R290 refrigerant, user-friendly digital controls, 24 hour timer
Very expensive, but overall one of the best portable air conditioner units in 2020.
#7.) Frigidaire Portable Air Conditioner
The Frigidaire portable air conditioner is another high-powered cooling unit.
Multiple sizes available with the 14000 BTU unit being the most popular.
Rooms: 350 -550 sq. ft.
Pricing: Medium
It is a little more expensive than other ac units, but includes high-end features + top buyer reviews.
Most of all, the Frigidaire AC maintains a consistent temp and remains energy efficient.
Using the remote control, you can set your desired temp and it will automatically adjust its speed to reach it. Other ACs let you adjust the speeds only.
The built-in dehumidifier is high-performing as well — removes 3.8 pints/hr (80-90 pints/day)
It also includes an air purifier function — while circulating air, the Frigidaire AC uses an antibacterial filter to remove odors, dust + airborne pollutants.
Tons of positive buyer reviews!
#8.) Della Portable Air Conditioner Review
The Della 14000 BTU air conditioner is a high-end unit.
It’s very similar to the Honeywell HL14CESWK — similar capacity AC power, but it’s more energy efficient and includes a powerful dehumidifier.
Room Size: 550 – 700 sq. ft.
Dehumidifier: 111 pints (daily)
What makes it energy efficient is the self-evaporation system — it uses condensation from the dehumidifier water tank to cool the AC coils. Process decreases energy usage 10-30%.
Also includes a full-functional remote for controlling temperature + speed.
Expensive model, but has lots of positive buyer reviews.
#9.) Shinco 14000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
The Shinco SPS5-14H is an affordable air conditioner + heater.
It’s rare to have both available for a reasonable price — most combo units have a 20-30% higher price tag.
Cooling: 500 – 650 sq. ft.
Heating: 300 – 450 sq. ft.
As a 14,000 BTU air conditioner this Shinco unit is high-powered and fairly quiet.
If you’re looking for a portable ac for a bedroom or office area (anywhere quiet), this might be the one for you.
Noise Level (dB): < 55 decibels
It also comes with a remote control — buyers suggest that if using as a bedroom air conditioner you pre-cool a few minutes ahead of time.
The Shinco SPS5-14H might be a little loud initially, but it’s very fast at cooling large areas.
Lots of good reviews from buyers + affordable price.
#10.) Midea Portable Air Conditioner Review
The Midea 14,000 BTU portable ac is the highest rated online.
It’s a smaller capacity unit, but is well liked for its compact size and SleepWell function.
Model: MPF14CR81-E
Rooms: 300 – 350 sq. ft.
Midea portable air conditioner includes a LCD remote control w/ adjustable temperature, letting you set a desired climate.
Full Midea MPF14CR81-E Review >>
Buyers say it’s super fast at cooling + quietly maintains cooler temps for long hours.
Tons of positive buyer reviews online.
Added Options: Best Portable Air Conditioner
Above are our top ten picks, but here’s a few more models you can consider. A few of them are 2017-2018 modes, but because of their price are still popular today.
Below you can expect prices to range $200 to $400.
Costway Portable Air Conditioner Review
This Costway portable air conditioner is an upgraded model from 2018.
It is offered in 8,000 or 10,000 BTU — quickly cools rooms of 161 sq. ft. (62℉ – 86℉)
Using the remote control you can set the room temp, switch to dehumidifier (50 pints daily) or four fan speeds.
Costway 10000 BTU Air Conditioner Review >>
Downside is its lower output — it is good for smaller rooms or complimentary ac for larger rooms.
Included features:
washable filters, no-drip design & window install kit kit
Costway portable ac has good reviews + very affordable price.
Honeywell Compact Portable Air Conditioner
One of the newer models to Honeywell’s family of Portable ACs (there are three on my list) is the Honeywell Compact Portable Air Conditioner.
It weighs only 43 pounds, making it one of the lightest portable acs on the market.
Only a few models, but the 10,000 BTU appears to be the most popular — it quickly cools areas up to 350 sq. ft.
Full Honeywell Portable AC Review >>
Buyers love the sleep mode function — it keeps operation noise below 53 decibels and maintains temp 70 – 77°.
Honeywell Compact Portable AC is the perfect solution for light sleepers.
Install is also easy and takes only 10 to 15 mins.
Best of all it has an affordable price and lots of good buyer reviews.
DeLonghi Pinguino Air Conditioners
The DeLonghi 14,000 BTU is the most powerful AC on my list (and the most expensive).
It comes w/ Bio-Silver Filter that circulates airflow to reduce mildew, mold, or odors.
Power: 14,000 BTU
Room size: 600 sq. ft.
Even though it weighs 72 pounds, it is very portable w/ castor wheels for easy mobility.
Also comes w/ “No Drip” function which lessens condensation and helps avoid leaks.
User-friendly controls come w/ adjustable thermostat + three fan speeds.
You can also change temperature using the remote control — ideal for bedrooms.
Quilo Portable Air Conditioning Unit
The Quilo portable air conditioner for large room is designed with a powerful ac motor.
After reading online reviews, the Quilo 12,000 BTU portable ac is the most popular — buyers say it is great for cooling areas up to 550 sq. ft.
Quilo QP112WK portable air conditioner comes with three speeds + built-in dehumidifier.
Read Full Quilo Portable AC Review >>
Powerful AC unit for larger rooms, high ceilings, or open layouts.
Remote control lets you adjust room temps, 61°F – 89°F
Affordable price and comes w/ good buyer reviews.
Delonghi Pinguino Air Conditioner
The Delonghi PACN135EC was one of the best portable air conditioners in 2019.
It is a bit expensive, but as portable model ir it offers powerful cooling and quiet operation — similar size units are much louder than the PACN135EC.
Power: 6800 BTU
Room size: 400 – 550 sq. ft.
Pricing: Expensive
As a 3-in-1 portable air conditioner you can choose the setting via remote control.
air conditioning, dehumidify, and 3 fan speeds
Delonghi PACN135EC includes a unique “combo mode” — it runs the air conditioner and dehumidifier together, giving you the ideal temperature and humidity level.
Dehumidifier: 11 gallons (daily)
Buyers confirm that it operates quietly, making it perfect for bedrooms (light sleepers will love it!).
Additional features:
no-drip technology, 12 hour timer, eco-friendly refrigerant, fast cooling
Lots of positive reviews from buyers.
Honeywell MN12CES Air Conditioner
Honeywell MN12CES Portable Air Conditioner comes w/ flexible exhaust hose + window venting kit .
Even though it is a DIY air conditioning unit, it is fairly easy to install (confirmed by buyers)
Features like drain alert, remote control + auto evaporation feature make the Honeywell Portable AC easy to use.
Fairly powerful at 12,000 BTUs, it can cool rooms of 550 sq. ft.
Honeywell Portable AC Review >>
Highlights
- Capacity: rooms up to 550 sq. ft.
- Cooling capacity: 12,000 BTU
- Dehumidifier: 80 pints (per 24-hrs)
- Remote control + three fan speeds
- Automatic evaporation system
Potential Flaws
- Little more noise than others on our list
Ivation Portable Air Conditioner Review
If you want to cool your home with the highest efficiency, the Ivation AC is a solid choice.
As one of the most affordable ACs on the market and still as powerful as more expensive portable ACs.
Capacity: up to 400 sq. ft.
Dehumidify: 61 pints (per 24-hrs)
Ivation Portable Air Conditioner Review >>
The 10,000 BTU Ivation Portable AC cools rooms of 400 sq. ft. and allows you to adjust the temp.
Using the remote control you can select your desired room temp ranging, 62°F (17°C) – 86°F (30°C)
Some mixed buyer reviews, but most are positive buyer reviews.
Emerson Portable Air Conditioner
One of the pros of the Emerson portable ac is its high-powered motor and quieter operation.
Buyers say it is one of the best portable air conditioners for bedrooms.
Cooling: 14,000 BTU
Capacity: 350 – 550 sq. ft.
The 14,000 BTU is the most popular Emerson portable air conditioner — it is able to cool rooms up to 550 sq. ft.
Depending on the unit size, each comes w/ a powerful dehumidifier as well.
Good reviews online with many liking how low noise it is.
DeLonghi PACN135EC Review
The DeLonghi PACN135EC is the best portable air conditioner in their Pinguino series.
Designed with a powerful AC motor, it offers fast cooling and quiet operation.
Power: 13000 BTU AC
Areas: 550 square feet
Designed with 4-in-1 functionality:
cooling, dehumidifying, fan, and heat mode.
Similar to the DeLonghi 14000 BTU Pinguino, it is an all year unit – air conditioner in the summer and built-in heater for winter.
Buyers also confirm it is very quiet and ideal for bedrooms!
DeLonghi PACC100EC Review
The PACC100EC is a DeLonghi 400 sq. ft. portable air conditioner.
As a 10,000 BTU unit it offers fast cooling and quiet operation for medium size rooms.
As a dehumidifier, it removes 49-76 pints of water per day.
Includes a 24-hour ON / OFF timer with remote control.
Other features:
three fan speeds, washable filters + no-drip technology
Frigidaire Portable Air Conditioner
The Frigidaire 12000 BTU portable ac includes an auto restart function — it seems like a basic feature, but it saves energy up to 30% (and helps decrease your energy bill)
Includes three cooling speeds and three fan speeds.
There is also a dehumidifier function which removes up to 3.10 pints of air moisture (per hour).
Includes auto oscillation feature which circulates cool air evenly throughout 550 sq. ft. rooms.
Also comes w/ remote control and 24 hour timer (for bedrooms).
Why Buy a Portable Air Conditioner
Portable air conditioners are skyrocketing in demand because of their versatility and fast cooling. They have also recently proven to be a good energy-saver, compared to full HVAC or ductless air conditioning units.
Generally, they are used in small rooms as the lower BTU models are nicely affordable. Today you can get a cheap portable room air conditioner for as low as $100, although it won’t offer all the luxury features you might get from the Whynter ARC-114S or the Honeywell portable air conditioner.
One of the primary advantages of portable air conditioning unit is its portability around the house. Some are small enough to carry around, and all of them have wheels for easy mobility. The most popular models double as a room space heater in the winter.
Another advantage is their energy efficiency. Many of the models on my list are Energy Star portable air conditioners – this means the U.S. Dept. of Energy has tested and certified them for lower energy consumption. By purchasing an Energy Star Rated portable air conditioner you can be assured of its efficiency and safety features.
Lastly, buyers love that portable ac units are the easiest type to install.
Unlike a window air conditioner or a ductless mini split ac system, portable models are ready right out-of-the-box. They are practically ready the moment you plug it in!
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