Decorating Home Accessories The 7 Best Portable Air Conditioners, According to Thousands of Reviews These top-rated models are backed by glowing Amazon reviews. By Sam Lauron Sam Lauron Sam Lauron is a freelance writer who specializes in lifestyle topics. When she isn't writing, you can find Sam thrift shopping or listening to a true-crime podcast. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, People Magazine, Travel+Leisure, and InStyle.After a beginning in public relations and marketing, this Austin, Texas, native began freelance copywriting for Rank & Style and founded Movers + Makers, a platform dedicated to motivating people pursuing a creative life.Sam found a home with EASTside Magazine, an Austin publication where she wrote for almost six years. While there, she wrote on travel, art, fashion, and lifestyle topics. She particularly enjoyed writing long-form features and interview-based articles.Her appreciation of in-depth features led to a current position as blog lead writer for Austin Design Week.Sam also works as a freelance content writer and has established herself as a go-to source for creative brands, marketing teams, and B2B companies who are looking for a writer with SEO strategy knowledge. She writes guides, editorial articles, thought leadership articles, SEO-driven blog posts and marketing resources. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on March 9, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Courtesy of Amazon Sometimes a fan is just not enough to cool down a room, or maybe your home or apartment isn't equipped for a window AC unit. In either case, a portable air conditioner can help. While not necessarily a glamorous home addition, portable air conditioners help cool your home without the need for any installation or hardwiring. Simply plug one in, and start cooling! What is the best portable air conditioner? There are a few factors to take into account when searching for the best portable air conditioner. First, you should know where you plan on using it. Whether you want to place it in a spacious living room, use it in your bedroom at night, or even bring it with you on trips, knowing the size of the intended space will help you narrow down your options. Another thing to consider is any additional functions you might want in an air conditioner. For instance, some units are designed to act as both a portable air conditioner and heater while others include dehumidifying modes. To help you find the right unit for your home, we sorted through thousands of top-rated customer reviews on Amazon to determine the best portable air conditioners. Our Top Picks Best-Rated: BLACK+DECKER BPACT10WT Air Conditioner at Amazon Jump to Review Best Dual-Hose Option: Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner at Amazon Jump to Review Best Heating Option: SereneLife Portable Room Air Conditioner And Heater (10,000 BTU) at Walmart Jump to Review Best for Apartments: MIDEA 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier, Fan at Amazon Jump to Review Best Affordable Option: COSTWAY Portable Air Conditioner, 8000 BTU at Amazon Jump to Review Best Smart Option: Rollibot Rollicool Portable Air Conditioner at Amazon Jump to Review Best Mini Option: Evapolar evaCHILL Small Portable Air Conditioner at Amazon Jump to Review Best-Rated BLACK+DECKER BPACT10WT Portable Air Conditioner Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Lowe's Reviewers have spoken, and this top-rated portable air conditioner from Black+Decker is at the top of their list. With more than 5,000 reviews on Amazon, it's clear that this unit is a game-changer when it comes to cooling down your house. It cools up to 150 square feet and is equipped with several modes designed to meet various needs, whether you're looking for a dehumidifier, prefer to have an adjustable fan speed, or are seeking an extra quiet mode for sleeping. It also comes with convenient features like a remote and easy-to-read display. Users praise this portable air conditioner unit for its power, claiming it can quickly and efficiently cool down a room with ease. "This air conditioner has been a lifesaver for us!" wrote one reviewer. "This AC has made our big open living area livable on hot days." Price at time of publish: $380 Best Dual-Hose Option Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair If you're looking to cool down a large room at a quick pace, consider a dual-hose portable air conditioner. The benefits of a dual-hose air conditioner compared to a single-hose unit is that it tends to cool down areas faster and is overall more efficient. Reviewers praise this dual-hose unit from Whynter for its ability to cool rooms up to 500 square feet. "Over the summer months we had three triple-digit days [and] it has worked flawlessly," wrote one reviewer. "It cools down better than any portable unit we have owned to date." Price at time of publish: $600 Best Heating Option SereneLife Portable Room Air Conditioner And Heater (10,000 BTU) Walmart View On Walmart View On Wayfair For added convenience when it comes to keeping your home at the ideal temperature, consider a two-in-one unit. This portable air conditioner and heater not only saves space but can easily switch between modes to adjust to your home's environment. In addition to cooling and heating, this SereneLife air conditioner also includes a fan and a dehumidifying mode that helps purify the air and reduces humidity levels. "We ordered this to heat our sunroom (doesn't get much sun) and it's been amazing," a reviewer wrote. "The remote functions make using this unit a breeze." Price at time of publish: $382 Best for Apartments MIDEA 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier, Fan Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Slim and powerful, the 8,000 BTU MIDEA portable air conditioner is ideal for cooling small spaces like an apartment. This air conditioner unit is easy to move around and comes with a flexible five-foot hose, which makes setup a breeze. One reviewer praised the portable air conditioner's ability to cool their small space: "Within 45 minutes our bedroom was icy, and [the air was] halfway into our kitchen and all the way to the hallway." Price at time of publish: $339 Best Affordable Option COSTWAY Portable Air Conditioner, 8000 BTU Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot Priced around $300, the Costway 8,000 BTU unit is a worthy pick if you're looking for a cheap portable air conditioner. This compact unit is capable of cooling an area up to 230 square feet, making it ideal for a bedroom or living room. Reviewers love this AC unit for its lightweight design and movability, along with its self-evaporating feature. Price at time of publish: $340 Best Smart Option Rollibot Rollicool Portable Air Conditioner Amazon View On Amazon If you prefer tech-savvy devices, consider this smart, WiFi-enabled portable air conditioner. The Rollicool model from Rollibot is equipped with all the features you've come to expect in a smart-home device like voice-control, Alexa integration, and a compatible app. Combined with its quiet yet powerful design, this portable air conditioner checks all the boxes. In addition to its smart features, Amazon reviewers praise the 10,000 BTU unit for its LED touchscreen display, oscillating fan option, and seamless setup. "We love the look and how quickly it cools the space," one reviewer wrote. "And being able to turn it on with my phone is so convenient!" Best Mini Option Evapolar evaCHILL Small Portable Air Conditioner Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Staples A mini portable air conditioner like the EvaCHILL from Evapolar is perfect for camping, personal use, or if you need a temporary portable air conditioner for the car. At only two pounds and 6.5 inches square, this personal portable air conditioner is extremely lightweight and easy to use. Simply fill the water tank, plug it into a power source, and press a single button. Combined with a sleek design, this mini air conditioner is as stylish as it is functional. Price at time of publish: $100 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit