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In the dog days of summer, the unrelenting heat can become unbearable. Many apartments and other small spaces do not have the room or ability to contain a full size regular air conditioner. And for many people just having a few fans, is not going to cut it as far as controlling the temperature in their apartment. But there is a solution in the portable air conditioner.
For older people, air conditioners are an absolute necessity in the hot weather. No one wants to be caged up in extremely hot weather without relief no matter who they are. Portable air conditioners are here for everyone to enjoy. Many of them are available at bargain prices. They will fit in any space with an electrical source.
In order to get a better idea of what kind of portable air conditioners might be right for you, we put together a guide to the 10 best portable air conditioners in 2018 that are available online for your convenience.
The Criteria We Used to Rate our Products
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In order to give you an honest and unbiased review of in the rating of our products, we scoured the internet to find out what other people were saying about them. We found a ton of other reviews and testimonials.
We analyzed reports about consumer product satisfaction based on manufacturer reputation and reports of the products specifications and information about the materials and design involved in manufacturing these products.
Products are rated based on quality workmanship and customer service, and general satisfaction.
We took a close look at the claims of the product inside how they stood up to real life. And then we developed an overall rating based on 5 stars.
So, let’s take a look at those products that we are reviewing here below. All of the portable air conditioners listed are high-quality products that are suitable for use by anyone.
The Top 10 Best Portable Air Conditioners
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Many of the consumers will review this product had glowing things to say about it. It was received favorably by the vast majority of consumers. People were generally satisfied with everything about this product overall. It was reported that it cost something like 53 cents a day to operate. There were no negative reviews that could be found. Customer service in shipping also seems to be acceptable to the consumers.
Here are some of the features of this product:
- Provides cold air to rooms, up to 300 feet inside
- 12,000 British thermal units
- Dehumidification rate is 1.2 pints per hour
- Dehumidifier mixes cool, dry air with incoming warm air
2. Frigidaire 12,000 Btu Cool Connect Smart Portable Air Conditioner
- Wi-Fi ready Connected room air conditioner with Frigidaire smart app for mobile operation
- 12, 000 BTUs Cools up to a 550 square foot room with 3 pints per hour dehumidification. Watts (Cool) - 1090
- 360-Degree airflow Circulates cool air in an upwards, continuous spiral ensuring it reaches every corner of your room faster
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Air conditioner does not need a window to operate in. It is said that it cools areas larger than the rated 550 feet. Consumers reported that it was a high-quality unit that does not make very much noise. Overall satisfaction was high, and people said that they picked it after shopping around for awhile and were extremely pleased. Customer service had no reported issues or concerns. All customers were generally satisfied with this product.
Some of the features of this model include:
- Ready to be connected to Wi-Fi
- 12,000 BTU effectively cools a 550-foot room
- 3 fan speeds, 3 cooling speeds with a 24 hour on/off timer
- Includes 360-degree air flow
- Energy saver mode, auto cool function, and sleep mode
- Frigidaire Smart App provides remote control
3. Whynter ARC-14SH 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner with Heater with Storage Bag
- Award-Winning Portable AC Unit: Awarded Good Housekeeping's 2024 "BEST OVERALL PORTABLE AIR CONDITIONER," this powerful yet quiet portable air conditioner provides powerful cooling over large areas up to 500 sq. ft.
- Powerful Yet Quiet: The ideal AC unit for bedrooms, this 14,000 BTU indoor air conditioner operates at 51 dBA at low speed and helps you stay cool; Made with the planet in mind, it runs off CFC-free R-32 refrigerant
- Built-In Dehumidifier: This dual-hose portable air conditioner features a patented auto drain function that automatically exhausts all condensate in most environments; 71 pint/day dehumidifying capacity; 430m3/h / 253CFM airflow
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Most consumers report a high degree of satisfaction with this unit. It was stated that it was easy to assemble and install. It was said to produce a good amount cold air. Most people were extremely pleased with their product. And had tried other ones in were not as satisfied with the rest. Recommended by consumers for areas where light use of the unit was needed. There were no real complaints to speak of. Most consumers recommended this product to others. Customer service had no negative reports or glaring concerns.
Some of the features of this product include:
- 3 operating modes include air conditioner dehumidifier and fan
- Dimensions; 19 inches wide x 16 inches deep x 35.5 inches high
- Washable pre-filter and carbon air filter design
- 24-hour programmable timer
- Remote control
- Thermostatic control with digital readout
- 14,000 BTU’s of power
- Capacity of dehumidifier is 101 pints per day
- Noise level <56 (dbA)
- Casters make unit portable
4. EdgeStar AP12000S Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier and Fan for Rooms up to 425 Sq. Ft. with Remote Control
- 12,000 BTU (ASHRAE-128 Standard) / 5,500 BTU (DOE 2017 Standard) Cools up to 425 Square Feet (depends on heat load)
- 3 fan speeds; dehumidifier only mode option (90 pints a day); includes a washable pre-filter and one replaceable carbon filter
- Patented Auto-Drain System - exhausts most or all condensate automatically except under extreme humidity situation
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The majority of consumers reviewing this product reported favorable remarks. People remarked upon the cooling capacity and ease of installation. This air conditioner was reported to be quiet and reliable. There are very few negative reports overall. Almost everyone reported excellent experiences with customer service. One of the better air conditioners on the market from what people were saying.
Some of the features included in this unit:
- Patented auto drain system
- Adjustable digital thermostat
- Dehumidifier rate is 90 pints per day
- 12,000 BTU cools up to a room up to 425 square feet depending on heat factor
- 3 fan speeds
- Replaceable carbon filter and pre-filter kit
- Remote control
- Caster wheels
5. SPT WA-1420E Portable Air Conditioner, 14000 BTU
- Four operational modes: Cooling / Dehumidifying / Fan
- 14,000btu cooling power
- Digital temperature display and remote control
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Overall reviews were overwhelmingly positive for this air conditioner. Most people reported that it was easy to use and install and provided a great degree of cooling in exceptionally hot temperatures. The dehumidifier was said really do its job. Works well during power outages, it was reported. There is no reported issues or concerns with customer service on this product. Most people seem to be pretty much pleased with it overall.
Some of the features included in this model:
- Cool spaces up to 550-7 hundred square feet
- Has 14,000 BTU’s of cooling power
- Contains R410 refrigerant
- 3 operating modes; dehumidifier, cooling, and fan
6. Koldfront PAC802W Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier and Fan for Rooms up to 250 Sq. Ft. with Remote Control
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Most consumers who reviewed this product had very positive things to say about it. Encouraging remarks indicated that it was easy to install and did a great job and cooling large spaces. Remote control was said to work properly and be responsive. Many people remarked that it was ideal for small spaces. There were no reported issues with customer service. Overall impression based on consumer reviews was this was a quality product and did a great job with minor problems.
This price includes the following features:
- Control panel features digital display
- Condensation goes out in exhaust
- 8,000 BTU’s cools up to 250 square feet rooms
- 3 speed fan
- Sleep function
- Washable pre-filter
- Dehumidifier capacity produces up to 61 pints per day
- Auto swing louvers
- Exhaust hose extends up to 48 inches
- Includes remote control
7. 12,000 BTU 450 sq. ft. Cool Only Portable Air Conditioner with 100 pt./Day Dehumidification Mode and LCD Remote Control
- Cools rooms 350-525 sq. ft.
- Full Function Remote
- Time/Temperature Display
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Most of the consumers who did review this product were ultimately pleased. There were some comments on how it was slightly louder than desired, however. It was reported that its ultimate functionality was exceptional. I was said to be cool and large rooms sufficiently. Some ingenious consumers used plexiglass as a frame for the hose in the window, so they can see light through it during the daytime. There were no negative reports for customer service.
Some of the features in this unit include:
- Built in timer
- 3 fan speeds for optimal air flow
- 12,000 BTU’s effectively cool rooms up to 500 square feet
- Dehumidifier extracts up to 100 pints per day
- Remote control included
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Most consumers were overwhelmingly satisfied with this product. Some described the air conditioner as a bare-bones, no frills product. Some of the customers reported it was good for small spaces and ideal for guests who are visiting. There was no real issues or problems or concerns reported by most of the consumers surveyed. Customer service issues seem to be non-existent. Consumers were well pleased by the product generally.
Some of the features of this product include:
- Uses a 115 Volt installation
- 5000 BTU’s of power
- Rapidly cools a 150-foot room
- Starts quickly with low power
- 2 fan speeds and 2 fan speeds
- Rotary mechanical controls
- Dehumidifies at a rate of 1.1 pints per hour
- Includes window mounting kit
9. BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT, 8000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Unit, Window Vent Kit, 4 Caster Wheels, White
- Portable AC: Use this personal air conditioner (15.3” x 14” x 24.8”) in rooms up to 350 sq. ft. Stay cool in the hot summer months and sleep well with this BLACK+DECKER ac unit for bedroom.
- 3-in-1: Our 4,100 BTU DOE (8000 BTU ASHRAE 128) air conditioner also functions as a dehumidifier & fan. This portable air conditioner (45.8 lbs.) has a convenient remote control & top mounted control panel with LED display.
- Impressive Features: Set the temperature just right with this ac portable air conditioner. Our ac unit portable also has a slide-out washable filter, auto water evaporation, & 24-hour timer.
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Many people reported favorably about the performance and power of this product. The unit was said to be ideal for small spaces but not large ones. Installation was easy for most people. The rear vent has to be clear for proper use. The instruction manual for this model was said to be confusing by some consumers. There were no reported issues for customer service. Most people like this air conditioner and spoke in glowing terms.
Includes the following features:
- Comfortably cools rooms up to 150 square feet
- Reliable and powerful vertical motion air flow
- LED digital display
- Slide out filter
- 3 operating modes; fan, cooling, and dehumidifier
- Maximum exhaust hose length 4 feet, 11 inches
- Easy window kit installation
- Caster wheels make unit portable
10. Honeywell MN10CESWW Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier & Fan for Rooms Up To 450 Sq. Ft. with Remote Control (White)
- Powerful, safe & dependable Cools rooms up to 350-450 sq. ft. Thermal Overload protection for added safety & peace of mind.
- Quick installation easy-to-install window venting kit included with adjustable window bracket from 19.9". to 47.25"
- Easy maintenance Washable Filter designed to protect from dust & hair to extend product life & performance. Filter cleans easily under a faucet for easy maintenance.
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Overall satisfaction was generally good as rated by most customers. However, there were some complaints buy some individuals, mostly centered around customer service. The quality of the air conditioner seems to be acceptable the most consumers. For those who did encounter problems with their units, customer service was reported to be below par. Most customers did have favorable ratings to give this product, however.
Some of the features of this product include:
- Full function remote control
- Rate of dehumidification 70 pints within 24 hours
- Digital LCD display comes with feather touch controls
- No drip design utilizes an auto-evaporation system
- 10,000 BTU’s of power cools rooms up to 350 square feet
- No bucket design
What to Know When you Purchase a Portable Air Conditioner
During the warmer months, it may be preferable to get a portable air conditioner versus installing central air or larger bulky units.
You should know how large an area you’re going to cool and get an air conditioner designed to handle that much space. You should also be aware of the other features of the air conditioner and if they are desirable for your specific needs.
In order to get the most out of a portable air conditioner, you have to remember that remaining cool is the primary objective. You should get one that has enough power to handle not only the size of the room that you need cool, but the temperature of the air in your location.
Careful evaluation of the product specifications of the models that you are looking at should yield enough information to be able to make an educated, informed decision. When selecting the right air conditioner for your needs make sure to check product warranty and guarantee information as well.
If you are considering an air conditioner based on financial reasons, you need to calculate how much energy is being used by the air conditioner to operate it as well as the cost of the air conditioner itself. Some air conditioners cost more to operate than others.
If you were going to be using your air conditioner to dehumidify or just blow air sometimes with fam features, make sure to get models that include these features. Identifying specific features that may work well for you may factor into your final decision.