8 Best Portable Fans and Air Conditioners for Summer
Cool down fast with these top picks.
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Longer days, casual afternoons, al fresco happy hours, and spontaneous long weekends are some of the things we love most about summer. But those uncomfortably humid, scorching temperatures? Not so much. Rather than suffer through the heat, a portable fan or air conditioner is a great way to stay cool and cozy. But before you invest in the right option for your home and needs, there are a few factors to keep in mind.
What to Consider When Purchasing a Portable Air Conditioner or Fan
Versatility: Most fans and air conditioners offer various speeds and settings to fit all your daytime and nighttime demands.
Space: Depending on their design—box, tower, desktop—fans can take up precious square footage. Also, most portable fans and ventless AC units only cool a small room. You want something that works but isn’t cumbersome.
Price: Consider how much you want to spend and base your cooling expectations on your investment.
Noise: If you’re sensitive to fan noise, you may want to opt for a quieter version to rest easy at night.
Here are our top picks for portable fans and ventless air conditioners to shop this summer.
Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Air Purifier, Heater + Fan
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When it comes to smart home gadgets and gear, Dyson definitely leads the pack. The brand's products are on the pricier side but also have a cult following and often five-star ratings. This cool air purifier will keep you comfortable in the summer and can be turned into a personal heater in the winter. The HEPA filter delivers clean, breathable air, and the fan offers a 350-degree oscillation so the whole room is at your desired temperature.
We love how easy it is to control this fan with an included remote control to turn it off and on, raise or lower the temperature, set a timer or change the oscillation direction. Though it is a worthwhile investment, some reviewers report the Dyson app can be challenging to pair with the device since there is no WiFi connection. Also, if you prefer a super-quiet fan, it might not be the best pick since it gets a little loud at high speeds.
Price at time of publish: $845
Maxx Chill 120-Volt White Ventless Portable Air Conditioner
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When a fan isn't cool enough, a portable air conditioner can help cool down a single room without an expensive installation. With the Maxx Chill, you don’t need to install a vent through the window, simply freeze the filter and then put the water and ice cubes in the tank. Then you can toggle between three fan speeds for up to 10 hours.
This highly rated option is affordable, compact, and easy to move from room to room. Though it’s not a deal-breaker, condensation may build up on the top of the unit and on the vents, so ensure it’s wiped off regularly for optimal use.
Price at time of publish: $40
Honeywell Quietset Whole Room HYF290B Tower Fan
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For those with limited square footage, a box fan or large air conditioner unit may create some challenges. To the rescue is a tower fan that doesn’t take up too much of your floor, but provides cool, oscillating air. Honeywell’s top-seller is quick to set up and put together, and surprisingly quiet, even when set to high fan levels. It features eight different options, so you can have a light or heavy burst of air, depending on how high the temperature rises. The compact nature of this tower fan makes it portable and easy to use throughout your home.
One consideration that could be a pro or con is the fan lights. These are automatically activated when you turn on the fan, and you can’t control them via the included remote. If you don’t mind a little light—it’s fine. But if you’re sensitive to light while you sleep, it may be annoying to manually dim or turn them off each time you use the fan.
Price at time of publish: $70
BREEZEWELL Windowless Air Conditioner
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No window is needed for this ventless air conditioner. In addition to being easy to install and use via the included remote control, it features three fan speeds and rotates 70 degrees to move the air around and cool more efficiently. Simply use water and ice to lower the room temperature up to 11 degrees—or if you just need a fan, leave the tank empty.
When you’re using this unit, you must pay attention to the water level so it functions properly. It doesn’t have an auto shutoff, so after the 10-hour cooling period has ended, it’ll just start working as a fan. Those who can’t sleep with light might want to pick another unit since the bright control panel isn't adjustable.
Price at time of publish: $200
Dreo Tower Fan 42 Inch Pilot Max
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Though some find the monotonous drone of a fan to be soothing, others not so much. For those who prefer quiet while working or sleeping, the Dreo fan is a solid buy. In addition to being near silent, it’s also highly adjustable and customizable to your needs. You can select from 12 fan speeds and four modes, including normal, natural, sleep, and auto. The tower fan also features 30 to 120 degrees of oscillation, so it can be angled wherever needed. A small but noteworthy feature is the handle at the top. This addition makes the already-lightweight fan easier to move around your home.
The fan does include smart features, like voice control via Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant. However, you need to download the company’s app to connect. Some reviewers say a larger display on the fan would be easier to read, but it’s not a dealbreaker. The included remote is helpful, but only within a short distance; otherwise, the app is a more reliable way to control the fan.
Price at time of publish: $130
Seven-first 4-IN-1 Evaporative Air Cooler, Rechargeable Small Air Conditioner
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With three fan speeds and two mist levels, this ventless air conditioner is both multipurpose and multi-functional. It cools the air while also adding humidity, serving as a humidifier, AC, and fan. The compact design makes it portable between rooms, and if you’re going on a road trip to a beach house without AC, it’s reasonably lightweight to pack in your trunk. Plus, the lighted tank makes it fast to access if you need to add cold water or ice.
Though it does cool the air, it’s not ideal for a large area, and you'll need to sit close to the unit for maximum effectiveness. Consider it your personal AC or fan unit—not something for the whole family to use. Some reviewers do report an occasional leak, so keep an eye out to avoid mishaps. For the price, it’s an affordable option—but it doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as others.
Price at time of publish: $56
Rowenta Turbo Silence Standing Floor Fan
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Rowenta is a household name for good reason: it provides reliable, budget-friendly, long-lasting products. This standing floor fan provides a strong airflow that cools down your space quickly and quietly. You can choose between five different speeds and set a timer for during the day or night via the included remote control. We also appreciate how easy it is to assemble.
One drawback is the oscillator control. Though you can change the oscillation, you have to do it manually since there is no button on the remote. This fan beeps each time the speed changes, so if you need to turn it up or down and your partner is already sleeping, you may wake them up.
Price at time of publish: $150
Amazon Basics 3 Speed Small Room Air Circulator Fan
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Whether you want a vanity fan to help you cool down after your morning workout, or one for your desk when it’s scorching outside, this AmazonBasics pick is practical and costs less than $20. It comes with three speed settings and a 90-degree variable tilt to change the airflow direction. For a very straightforward purpose, like to cool down your face, this compact personal fan meets your needs.
Price at time of publish: $18
