The 7 best portable air conditioners on sale as the heat wave invades
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The best time to buy a new portable air conditioner is before a massive heat wave arrives, but the next best time is right now.
If you’re trying to stay ahead of the heat, and your home can’t accommodate a window air conditioner, then a portable air conditioner is your best bet for staying cool—especially when temperatures get way too hot for a fan.
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Fortunately, Amazon currently has many of our highest-rated portable air conditioners on sale. We’ve lab tested all of these models and know what they can do from experience.
If you want to take advantage of these portable air conditioner deals you’ll have to act fast, though: They’re selling out quickly.
1. Whynter Elite ARC-122DS
Cooling power: 12,000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 6,775 BTU (DOE)
Room coverage: Up to 400 square feet
Noise: Less than 52 dB
The Whynter Elite ARC-122DS is one of the better value portable air conditioners we lab tested, providing powerful cooling at a lower price than many of its competitors. We found it was able to cool an 81°F room down to its target temperature of 61°F in about 20 minutes, much faster than similar portable air conditioners at this price point.
The ARC-122DS also has a more solid build than others we tested: no flimsy filter covers here.
While the ARC-122DS is relatively lightweight, its lack of a solid handhold makes it less portable than other options on this list. Still, as long as you don’t need to move it upstairs, the ARC-122DS is one of the best portable air conditioners on sale right now.
2. LG LP0621WSR
Cooling power: 6,000 BTU (DOE)
Room coverage: Up to 250 square feet
Noise: 51 dB
The LG LP0621WSR is a good all-around unit at a low price, making it one of the better portable air conditioner deals out there. Its compact size and recessed handles make it one of the more portable units we tested, and it also rolls smoothly over carpet.
This air conditioner is loud on the highest setting, but lower settings are much quieter, ranging from 57dBA down to 46dBA.
When it comes to performance, we have no complaints: The unit cooled down our test chamber quickly and maintained that temperature.
Its controls are about what you’d expect from a portable air conditioner, with easy-to-read labels and an intuitive layout. Our only complaint is that switching between fan strengths can take up to four seconds to finally switch.
3. Black & Decker BPACT14HWT
Cooling power: 14,000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 7,700 BTU (DOE)
Room coverage: Up to 350 square feet
Noise: 58 dB
Black & Decker BPACT14HWT takes some time to cool down a room, but it gets the job done. In fact, you’ll want to sit right down right in front of it for the chilliest experience—it’s not the best at circulating cold air throughout the entire room.
In terms of portability, the Black & Decker BPACT14HWT's small size and relatively low weight make it easy to store away or lug up a set of stairs. On the other hand, its pocket handles are located a bit low on its sides, which can make it a bit awkward to move around without stooping over.
4. Whynter ARC-14S
Cooling power: 14,000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 9,500 BTU (DOE)
Room coverage: Up to 500 square feet
Noise: 52 dB
The Whynter ARC-14S is able to cool an area about 22°F in 20 minutes.
One of the more notable aspects of this portable air conditioner is that it uses more eco-friendly parts than typical for its competition. Its refrigerant is CFC-free, and the unit uses lead-free components that comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive.
Air conditioners historically haven't been the most environmentally-friendly appliances, due largely in part to their refrigerants. So, we're glad this Whynter tried something new here and is fairly successful at it.
While its small size makes it easy to move around, the ARC-14S doesn't really have any handles to grip onto, making portability more difficult than its size would imply. Pushing it from room to room is relatively simple.
If you want to support companies that produce less dangerous products without losing much functionality in the trade-off, the ARC-14S is a good choice.
5. Homelabs HME020235N
Cooling power: 14,000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 10,000 BTU (DOE)
Room coverage: Up to 600 square feet
Noise: 53 dB
It only takes 5 minutes for the Homelabs HME020235N portable air conditioner to get the surrounding air 22°F cooler. This is fast.
One trade-off is that the unit isn’t as good at circulating the air around the room, meaning it’s at its best when you’re plopped down right in front of it.
The build quality of the device is pretty good, despite the flimsy plastic of the filter.
The HME020235N's pocket handles are located towards the top of the unit, which makes it easier to move from room to room, but its height also makes it less ideal if you need to lug it up stairs.
6. Frigidaire FHPC082AC1
Cooling power: 8,000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 5,500 BTU (DOE)
Room coverage: Up to 350 square feet
Noise: Down to 50 dB
Despite its diminutive size, the Frigidaire FHPC082AC1 offers an impressive performance in terms of cooling.
In fact, the FHPC082AC1’s compact, narrow build is probably its most useful feature. Its unique shape allows it to squeeze into smaller spaces where other portable air conditioners would be too bulky to fit.
Its size and shape also makes it more portable than some of its competitors, and given its low price, the FHPC082AC1 might be one of the best portable air conditioners deals for you.
7. Midea MAP08R1CWT
Cooling power: 8,000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 5,300 BTU (DOE)
Room coverage: Up to 175 square feet
Noise: 52-58 dB
This is one of the better portable air conditioners on sale meant to specifically cool small spaces—if you’re trying to cool a larger room, you’ll be dissatisfied.
Moving this unit around can be a little tricky, but it rolls around smoothly, even over carpet, with no tendency to tip over.
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Shop the 7 best portable air conditioners on sale at Amazon
