Portable Air Conditioners

This buying guide is about portable air conditioner units. If you are looking for a window-mounted air conditioner, click here.

Fast Facts

  • BTU (British Thermal Units) -- You need to get an AC rated for the size of the room you want to cool. Bigger is not better, as too much power will not effectively cool a room.
  • Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) -- The legal minimum is 10 for now, but will soon increase to 13. A more efficient unit will save you money in the long run. However, higher EERs cost more money.
  • Cost -- Cost is relative to price and size. The smallest, least expensive units will cost about $300 while the most expensive can be more than $1000. Portable air conditioners have come down in price recently, but they are still significantly more expensive than window-mounted air conditioners.
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Quick Picks

ConsumerSearch.com recommends:

Soleus MAC-7500 


Top Small A/C

7500 BTU, 150 square feet.

Sunpentown WA-1010H /WA-1010E 

Top Midsize A/C (with heater)

10,000 BTU, 250 square feet.

The 1010H differs from the 1010E only by the addition of a space heater.

Sunpentown WA-1210E 

Top Large A/C

12,000 BTU, 350 square feet. Also available with a heater (1210H).

Buying a Portable A/C

So you need an air conditioner,  but don't want to give up the window space. Portable air conditioners  are more convenient than standard window air conditioners  and simple to use. You can easily move them from one part of your home to another and they save money by only cooling the area you need to.  Portable air conditioners can also act as a fan when there is less of a need for cooling. In the winter, some can also act as a heater.

These may be a good choice for apartment buildings that do not allow window units. The units weigh from 50 to 80 pounds, but they come on wheels, making them easier to move around around the house or apartment.

Choosing the Right Size

The main issue to consider is what size room you are looking to cool. The unit's size should be adequate, but not too large for the space you need to cool. Currently, the largest portable air conditioner available has 13,000 BTU. It can cool an area of a maximum of 400 sq. feet. There are models available for just less than $500.

Smaller air conditioners have about 7500 BTU, which is adequate for a room of about 150 sq. feet. They cost about $300 and up. The average for a 250-sq.-foot room is 10,000 BTU, and cost around $400 and up.

This chart, from ConsumerSearch.com, will help you decide how many BTU you need. Another important thing you need to know is that you need a lot more BTU in a portable air conditioner than in a window unit. For example, a room of 150 square feet needs a 5000 BTU window air conditioner but a 7500 BTU portable air conditioner.

Room Size (in square feet)

BTU Needed

150

7500

200

9000

250

10,000

350

12,000

The numbers listed here are for a room with average sun exposure. For particularly sunny rooms, or rooms that frequently have more than two people in them, you should look for more BTU than listed.

If you need to cool an area larger than 400 square feet, you should look into a window unit or units.

Other Features

Efficiency rating. Always check for the EER (Energy Efficiency Rating) on the air conditioner. The minimum requirements by law are an EER of 10. While units with ratings of 12 or 13 are now considered acceptable, very shortly they will be under the new minimum of 13 EER. You should get a model with the highest EER you can reasonably afford. It will save you money and is a little easier on the environment.

Timers. Some models come with timers. You can set it to turn on half an hour before you come home, so that you don't waste energy cooling the home when no one is there but still come home to a comfortable environment.

Drip versus no-drip. No-drip models are more expensive but they are also more convenient because you don't have to empty the water tray every day or so.

Single exhaust versus dual exhaust. If you are looking to save some money then go for a single exhaust.  However, for circulating cleaner air and cooling more quickly, then you will want a dual-exhaust  air conditioner. Keep in mind that the evaporated water will have to go somewhere, so you will need to temporarily install these units near a window with hoses (included).

Other options. There are also portable air conditioner/heaters  and air conditioner/dehumidifiers.  Which you prefer is a matter of personal taste, the conditions of your home and what type of climate you live in.

Major Manufacturers

Related Products

Air Conditioners

Dehumidifiers

Electric Fans

Personal Cooling Systems 

Patio Umbrellas 

I am interested in having a unit cool down an exercise room for relatively short periods of time. How far from a window these units can be placed and still be effective? How hard is it to install and remove the hoses?