Best Portable Air Conditioners for Effective Cooling

At a glance, it becomes obvious that the Whynter ARC-14S is a premium device that looks different from the majority of other portable conditioners out there. Instead of plain, white design, it's available in a sleek glossy, black body with platinum details. That's why it can blend seamlessly into any modern decor without ruining the integrity of your home design.

Yet, the Whynter ARC-14S is high-tech not only from outside. Awarded as the "2020 Best Overall" by Good Housekeeping's, this portable air conditioner is currently one of the most powerful options on the market. With 14,000 BTU capacity, it's capable of quickly cooling up to 500 sq. ft. in quite a short while. Actually, this unit delivers very cold, clean, and filtered air in spades and has a good thermostat that is adjustable in the range from 61 degrees F to 89 degrees F. Also, the fan here is fairly powerful and can provide the maximum airflow of 253 CFM. However, despite all that, this model is fairly cost-effective and has an 11 EER rating.

For your convenience, it features an LCD display that shows the current indoor temperature, fan speeds, operation modes, and timer settings. Speaking of which, the 24-hour programmable timer can be set to automatically turn the unit on or off at any time during a whole day. As for other extras, this multifunctional appliance can be used as a dehumidifier to remove up to 101 pints of excess moisture per day. And since this unit is equipped with an auto-drain technology, you won't need to empty the baskets of water.

The BLACK+DECKER BPACT14WT is a real workhorse! Being slightly bigger than a mini-fridge, it can help you kill heat in any bedroom, living room, college dorm room or even small apartment. It features super-strong fans that can cool any 350-400 sq. ft. space from stuffy 90 degrees F down to pleasant 70 degrees F in less than an hour. After the unit reaches the set temperature, it shuts off automatically or operates in a fan-only mode. You can adjust louvers up or down to create a steady airflow for even temperature distribution. The fans blow fresh air approx. 10-15 feet away.

This AC unit has cooling, fan, and dehumidification functions. The dehumidification mode is very helpful during those muggy days. It's able to remove up to 166 pints of moisture per day. Also, this B&D unit boasts a fast-cool feature and an oscillating setting. Operating in the latter mode, it oscillates the air rather than blowing in one direction. Moreover, the manufacturer also offers this unit with a heating function.

The AC itself is nicely built. At 14,000 BTU, it's quite small and is perfect for those who want to save space. Side carrying handles and 4 caster wheels make the unit easy to move around. However, they might not roll very well on thick carpets. Also, we would like to note that this isn't a central air unit, so it'll definitely make some noise. If just fan is running, it's pretty quiet. But things get a bit worse when the compressor kicks on. It'll make the "buzzing" sound that is loud enough to drown out a conversation. You might be surprised, but some customers say that the noise doesn't bother them at all and even blends into the background as a calming white noise. So, if absolute silence drives you insane (as well as unbearable heat), this mighty one is your choice.

Designed specifically for cooling small spaces, the BLACK+DECKER BPACT12WT is actually a bit more powerful than its rivals and, thus, it can bring quicker cooling results. While other units intended for 300 sq.ft. rooms usually produce no more than 10,000 BTUs, this one is capable of delivering a whopping 12,000 BTUs. That's why it can cool down small rooms quickly yet quietly.

To understand how powerful this AC is, just consider the fact that it can reduce the temperature by 15-20 degrees in less than an hour. With that, it doesn’t sound like a jet engine and produces just a slight blowing exhaust sound that maximizes at 75dB on the highest setting. When it achieves the target temperature, it becomes a bit quieter. Besides, it also features a Sleep Mode that not only auto-controls the air temperature at night but also keeps noise to a minimum so as not to disturb you and your family members. That being said, it is still recommended to place it on a firm floor in order to minimize noise and vibration of the conditioner.

For an effortless installation on a suitable spot, the BLACK+DECKER BPACT12WT comes with rolling casters and side carrying handles. Also, the box includes a long hose and a window adaptor that is compatible with double-hung or sliding windows (no crank windows).

Of course, having a good air conditioner in your room will keep you cool and comfortable during the hot summer months. However, if you have a small room or need a temporary solution for your camper, there is no need to install a bulky AC unit. The BLACK + DECKER BPACT10WT Portable Air Conditioner may be the answer. It's a bit more compact compared to similar models and, accordingly, easier to install and move around.

The window kit that comes with the purchase includes three panels to fit both horizontal and vertical window openings from 20.5 to 59 inches. However, if your window is smaller, you can carefully cut the included window panel using a saw to make it suitable for exhausting. Also, the installation set includes a 5-inch diameter threaded exhaust hose, rear panel hose connector, and window panel hose connector. Since the exhaust hose is 5 feet and the power cord is 84 3/8 inches long, you get plenty of reach and will barely need an extension.

At 20 x 20 feet, the unit doesn't take up much space and fits unobtrusively into dorms, RVs, apartments, bedrooms, or living rooms. Basically, it provides a steady and effective cooling for spaces from 150 up to 250 sq. ft.

Since 1985, Midea has made a big name in the air conditioning market. The company is known for its wide range of high-quality air conditioning appliances and advanced technologies they are packed with. Actually, each Midea product is one of its kind because of its novelty design, technological specs, and advantages. See for yourself.

The Midea MAP08R1CWT is a sleek-looking portable air conditioner that can make a bedroom or any other small room very comfortable within a pretty short period of time. With the ASHRAE rating of 8,000 BTU, it covers spaces up to 150 sq. ft and can run both fan and dehumidification functions at the same time, cooling the ambience anywhere between 62°F-90°F.