One of the Best Ways to Survive Summer Heat Is With These Portable ACs

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THERE'S NO eloquent way to say this: it's hot as hell outside. If sweat isn't already seeping from your pores just reading that, trust us, it will. On those oppressively, exhaustingly, disgustingly hot days, we know the last thing you want to do is, well, anything. And if your landlord has cruelly disallowed all window units for fear of pedestrian-squishing lawsuits, nothing might be exactly what you'll be doing all summer.

Thankfully, even if central AC and old-school window units aren't options where you live, there are some really great portable air conditioner alternatives. They keep their cool (and yours) just like their more traditional counterparts, but roll out of the way to let fresh air in when you need it. And there are models available for all budgets and levels of tech-obsession.

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Whether you're ready to invest in a fancy, smart A/C that connects with your phone or just want something dead-simple to cool down a small bedroom to help you sleep better at night, we've rounded up our picks for the best portable air conditioners of 2023—all thoroughly tested, reviewed, and compared so you don't have to. So now you can still do nothing this summer. It just won't suck as much.

Midea Duo 12,000 BTU Ultra Quiet Portable Air Conditioner

In many of our tests of standing air conditioners—even the best portable air conditioners—this year, we found most to be very similar. But Midea's Duo 12,000 BTU model sets itself apart from the pack with better cooling (thanks largely to its high-BTU output) that was more evenly distributed across our test room. Surprisingly, even given its sky-high output (for a portable/standing AC), it's also among the quietest we tested. It consistently ranked below normal conversation level, providing a nice, ambient white noise that we enjoyed falling asleep to.

This model also boasts many of the smart features you'd expect in a portable air conditioner at this price point. That includes things like seamless integration with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa straight out of the box, allowing you to program or set the unit from just about anywhere. Plus, we like the included remote control that offers more features than most other premium models. It's a little pricey, but given the long list of features and best-in-class efficiency, it's still our pick for the best overall portable air conditioner of 2023.

What do buyers say? "It is not cheap, but the price gives you a tremendous performance and feature combination," said one Amazon reviewer.

Dual Inverter Portable Air Conditioner

This dual-inverter portable air conditioner from LG get high marks for all the same reasons as our best overall pick from Midea above. The 10,000-BTU output is plenty capable of cooling down rooms up to 500 square feet. In our tests, we found this unit to be both consistent and efficient at keeping even a medium-sized room very comfortable.

Setup is dead-simple thanks to the built-in hose at the top, and we found it to be very user-friendly with a simple, intuitive remote and excellent smart home integration features (including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant), courtesy of LG's own LG Thin App which controls every last feature and setting from your smartphone or via voice control.

Our only minor gripe is the sound output. It's slightly louder than the Midea, and the pitch is an unusual "off/on" that almost sounds like this AC is "breathing." It may not bother some buyers, but it's something our testers couldn't help but notice.

The only reason this portable AC isn't our top pick is that it's more than $100 above the Midea model above.

What do buyers say? "I recently purchased this portable AC unit in preparation for the unbearable heat of the California Summer. So far, it works like a charm!" said one Walmart reviewer.

13,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

It's no secret that air conditioners—both window and free-standing models—tend to be loud. If you're sensitive to such noise, especially in a bedroom, Frigidaire's 13,000 BTU portable AC is for you. It's our pick for the quietest model of the year, running at least a few decibels below our top pick from Midea above. A few decibels might not seem like much, but it can make all the difference if you're planning to set this up where you sleep.

This model was also incredibly efficient at not just keeping our test room cool, but also at circulating the air efficiently. We found it to be well above average at maintaining a consistent temperature throughout our test room.

It boasts many of the smart home integration features you'd expect in a premium AC that costs nearly $600. However, we found the setup to be lacking, even frustrating at times. Likewise with the window installation kit which isn't as great as others we've tested. If quiet is your main reason for buying, however, this is the model for you.

What do buyers say? "This unit works great to keep a 400 sq ft sunroom cool that is full of windows. Great unit and highly recommend it," said one Walmart reviewer.

14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

Black + Decker might be better known for affordable toasters and coffee makers. But its portable air conditioners are pretty solid too. This model offers many of the same features of our most premium picks, including a beefy 14,000-BTU output that's capable of cooling up to 700 square feet (one of the largest in our roundup) at a price that's lower than almost any other in this class.

The trade-off with is that it is louder than most, one of the loudest we tested in fact. That may not be an issue if you're planning to set it up somewhere out of the way, like the corner of a large living room or basement. But it won't go unnoticed in a bedroom. It also lacks the polish of our top picks with a cheap, plasticky feel all around, from the AC unit itself to the basic remote that feels like an afterthought.

Still, it's more than $100 cheaper than many of the most premium freestanding AC models. If budget is your main concern, this Amazon Best Seller is definitely worth a look. If this model is too much for your needs, it's also available in several outputs as low as 8,000 BTU (below).

What do buyers say? Out of more than 40,000 Amazon reviews, 83% recommend the Black + Decker Portable Air Conditioner with at least a 4-star rating.

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7,500 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner

In our experience, we've found that you typically get what you pay for when it comes to portable air conditioners. This budget-friendly model from TCL isn't as flashy or good overall as our top picks. But it is considerably cheaper at less than $400 delivered.

The 7,500-BTU output is on the low side—enough to cool a 200 square foot room (like a bedroom or small living room). While it's reasonably quiet (not much louder than a box fan), it is louder than other premium models we tested. However, that's largely due to the "throw" of this model, or how far it pushes cool air into the room. It was better than most at filling our test room with nice cool air.

This model does include a basic, easy-to-use remote. But we were surprised that it also has built-in WiFi connectivity to control the unit via voice or the smartphone app.

What do buyers say? "Nice unit, stays out of the way until you need it. Pleasantly surprised by this portable AC," said one Amazon reviewer.

Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner (ARC-14SH)

With a dual hose, this portable air conditioner will make your space cooler, faster. In other words, it's more powerful than some of the other options on this list. And with a BTU rating of 14,000 that'll cool down up to 500 square feet, it's a great option for any type of space, whether that's a larger room or even a small apartment.

It's also incredibly efficient as a dehumidifier. Our research indicates that it's capable of removing up to 100 pints of moisture from the air in just 24 hours. That's great if you happen to live anywhere with a humid climate, and it also makes this a solid option for year-round use.

Plus, it's also a heater—capable of generating hot air up to 77°F—making this far more versatile than most basic standing AC units. This makes for one of the best portable air conditioners thanks to its combination of power, versatility, and price.

What do buyers say? "I've had three previous portable ACs. This Whynter is the best so far!" said one Amazon reviewer.

14000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

DeLonghi's sleek portable air conditioner will cool down up to 700 square feet—making it the best air conditioner for larger rooms or even whole apartments among those that we tested. On the downside, it also consumes more energy than most in this year's roundup.

It's also louder than most on full blast. But it boasts 50 percent noise reduction on more moderate speeds, so you'll get more of an ambient background noise rather than the feeling of being in a wind tunnel. Plus, our testers loved that the washable filter makes for low-effort cleaning.

This is a flagship model with all the bells and whistles, and a price tag to match. But, if only the best will do or you're looking for serious cooling power (14,000 BTU!), this is your man.

What do buyers say? "Had to wait for a week of excessive heat warnings to review to see how this handled Chicago heat index over 100 degrees with 80+% humidity. It's great," said one Amazon reviewer.

Smart Portable Air Conditioner

At 28 inches tall, this portable air conditioner is on the smaller side, making it a solid option for those who are short on precious space. That said, it's powerful enough to cool up to 350 square feet—and that's certainly not nothing. The cooler part of this is that it's a smart air conditioner, which means it'll connect with your smart home setup so you can control it with voice commands. Plus, with its LG ThinQ feature, you can control it from anywhere (say hello to turning this on before you get home on a hot summer day).

What do buyers say? "I was pretty amazed by this portable AC. Coming from the upstairs without it to the living room is such a shock, there has to be a 10-20 degree difference on a hot day," said one Amazon reviewer.

8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

If the best portable/standing air conditioners come down to a popularity contest, Black + Decker takes the prize. It’s an Amazon's Best Selling product and a good place to start shopping. It cools up to 150 square feet, which is perfect for small rooms—especially if you need to keep the air on while you're sleeping. This powerful air conditioner features a filter that can be cleaned simply by running it under water, making it a great option for those who want less maintenance.

What do buyers say? Out of more than 40,000 Amazon reviews, 83% recommend the Black + Decker Portable Air Conditioner with at least a 4-star rating.

120 CFM Portable Evaporative Cooler

Looking for the most portable standing air conditioner? This little standing machine cools down a space by evaporating water, so there isn't a BTU to consider. However, between the attainable price and its compact size, it's a great standing air conditioner if you're balling on a budget. Just one thing: It's not the most powerful option of the bunch, since the airflow is more like a cool summer breeze than a full-blown, chill-the-whole-room A/C. However, don't let that stop you—this will still cool down the immediate area around it.

What do buyer say? "Great cooler for our bedroom. Cools and humidifies the air at night in California," said one Wayfair.com reviewer.

3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner with Built-in Dehumidifier

For an A/C unit with a bit more cooling kick, there’s SereneLife. The remote control lets you set the temperature from across the room. It also comes with a window installation plate so you can funnel the hose out the window without taking up space. (Just don’t tell your landlord.)

What do buyers say? Out of more than 22,000 Amazon reviews, 87% recommend the SereneLife 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner with at least a 4-star rating.

8000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

Costway offers a cheaper remote-controlled standing option that has just as much power as our other top performers (around 350-400 square feet), which are in the higher price range. Plus, it features a quiet fan that won’t wake the kids.

What do buyers say? "Compact, lightweight , and powerful ... I think this unit may turn out to be our favorite," said one Amazon reviewer.

6,100 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

This Honeywell model cools up to 400 square feet, which is just about as much as any standing A/C machine can accomplish. This unit is only about 45 pounds, which makes it easy to roll between rooms. It also filters out dust, making spaces cooler, dryer, and just more comfortable.

What do buyers say? "This unit is extremely good at keeping my home office cool and comfortable. The appearance is excellent, it is super quiet, and the cooling unit effortlessly keeps the room at a static temperature," said one Amazon reviewer.

8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

For another reasonably quiet, lower-cost standing air conditioner option, check out Shinco. It acts fast to cool down mid-sized rooms in 5 minutes. Keep it off during the day to save energy. Crank it on as soon as you get home from work.

What do buyers say? "Bought this unit for a camper ... Even though it is big and takes up space, it cools the camper down remarkably well," said one Amazon reviewer.

10,300 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner

With Midea's companion smartphone app, you can control this portable/standing air conditioner from anywhere in your home. If you want another tech-forward way to use it, feel free to give it a shout with your Google Assistant or other virtual assistant device. It's ideal for medium-sized rooms and easy to install, so you can take it wherever you need it.

What do buyers say? "Big but worth the money!" said one Walmart reviewer.

What to Look For When Shopping Portable Air Conditioners

BTUs

The main factor you'll want to consider when shopping for an air conditioner—be it a portable/standing option or an in-window unit—is the BTU, which measures the cooling capacity. “BTU” stands for “British Thermal Units.” That’s the amount of energy required to raise one pound of water by 1°F. Basically, it tells you how powerful the A/C unit is. Depending on how many square feet you want to cool, BTU ranges can vary. But, higher is not always better.

Your first instinct might be to go for the highest BTU available, but you may end up using more energy than needed (and we all know you don't need a higher energy bill). So be sure to look at how many square feet a model will cool down within an hour and how it compares to the area of the room you're shopping for.

Portability

Most decent portable air conditioners are truly portable, relying on built-in casters to move them freely from room to room. All of the models we recommended have casters.

Smart Home Features

Most budget to midrange portable ACs are "dumb" models with basic control panels and remotes. Modern premium models (typically north of $500) usually offer built-in smart home features, so they integrate seamlessly with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and other smart home systems. This allows you to program and control the unit from virtually anywhere, via a smartphone app or voice control.

Accessories

Some portable ACs include minor accessories or features like cord storage, a remote control, or smartphone-enabled app compatibility.

Price

Prices of portable air conditioners vary widely. Evaporative coolers (like the Honeywell 120 CFM Portable Evaporative Cooler above) are available for between $100-$150, although these aren't true air conditioners. Decent standing ACs typically start at $300 or more, with the best models topping $500. They aren't cheap, but in our experience, this is one home appliance where you get what you pay for.

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Setup and Care of Your Portable Air Conditioner

In some ways, setting up a freestanding or portable air conditioner is easier than with a window-mounted unit. Roll (or lug) it close to a window, and collapse as many of the ribbed hose segments as possible to make the hose short and maximize your AC's efficiency.

Use basic foam stripping (available at any hardware or home improvement store) to insulate the window, window frame, and AC vent panel. The key is to prevent as much warm/outside air from seeping through the cracks as possible.

Most portable air conditioners require minimal maintenance. Simply empty the water reservoir (if applicable) as necessary, and be sure to clean the filter at least once a month to keep it operating efficiently.

How We Selected the Best Portable Air Conditioners of 2023

Our cool-loving editors and staffers researched, compared, and personally tested dozens of best-selling portable air conditioners over the last year. We included models from well-known brands and top-rated options with stellar buyer reviews on the etailer websites we trust most (like Amazon, Walmart, and Home Depot). We considered every feature and spec, including efficiency, noise level, ease of setup, user-friendliness, smart home features, overall dimensions, price, and more. The list above represents our honest picks of the best portable air conditioners of 2023.

How Powerful Should My Air Conditioner Be?

For most average rooms, 8,000 BTU is sufficient—especially if the unit has a good efficiency rating and isn't battling the sun all day. If your air conditioner is too large, it will short-cycle, meaning it will chill the air in the room without providing time to dehumidify the space. The result: a room that's cold and clammy. They don't call them "air conditioners" for nothing. Removing the moisture from the air is an important part of an AC's job.

How Much Should I Spent on an Air Conditioner?

On the other hand, a tiny unit will work overtime trying to fight rising temps, and the money you saved in the department store will be spent on your electric bill. You'll also be lucky to squeeze more than a year or two from an overtaxed window unit. Remember that the cost of air-conditioning a room is in the amount of time the compressor spends working, not in the tiny motor that drives the fan.

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