Best Portable AC Units
Top portable ac units ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Midea Duo 12,000 BTU Smart Portable AC
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Dual-hose design for better efficiency
- Dual-hose design for better efficiency
- Inverter technology saves energy
Cons
- Bulky and heavy at 80 lbs
- Bulky and heavy at 80 lbs
- Dual hose setup is complex
Don't buy this if…
- The dual-hose window kit requires a wider window opening than single-hose units and may not fit narrow sliding windows.
- The dual-hose window kit requires a wider window opening than single-hose units and may not fit narrow sliding windows.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Whisper-quiet 44 dB operation
- Whisper-quiet 44 dB operation
- Dual inverter efficiency
Cons
- Very expensive
- Very expensive
- Heavy at 55 lbs
Don't buy this if…
- The 14,000 BTU model requires a dedicated 15A circuit and may trip breakers if shared with other high-draw appliances.
- The 14,000 BTU model requires a dedicated 15A circuit and may trip breakers if shared with other high-draw appliances.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Affordable entry-level price
- Affordable entry-level price
- Compact size for small rooms
Cons
- Single-hose less efficient
- Single-hose less efficient
- 8,000 BTU limited to small rooms
Don't buy this if…
- Single-hose portable ACs create negative pressure that pulls warm air in through gaps; they are significantly less efficient than rated.
- Single-hose portable ACs create negative pressure that pulls warm air in through gaps; they are significantly less efficient than rated.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Powerful built-in dehumidifier
- Powerful built-in dehumidifier
- Dual-hose efficiency
Cons
- Loud at 56 dB
- Loud at 56 dB
- Hoses are short and rigid
Don't buy this if…
- The short exhaust hoses limit placement options to within 4 feet of a window, restricting where the unit can go.
- The short exhaust hoses limit placement options to within 4 feet of a window, restricting where the unit can go.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Budget-friendly price
- Budget-friendly price
- Three-in-one AC/dehumidifier/fan
Cons
- Noisy compressor
- Noisy compressor
- Mediocre cooling in large rooms
Don't buy this if…
- The included window kit is flimsy and may need to be reinforced with foam tape to prevent hot air leakage.
- The included window kit is flimsy and may need to be reinforced with foam tape to prevent hot air leakage.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- No-drain auto evaporative system
- No-drain auto evaporative system
- Trusted Honeywell brand
Cons
- 8,000 BTU is modest output
- 8,000 BTU is modest output
- Single hose design
Don't buy this if…
- In very humid climates the auto-evaporative system may be overwhelmed and the unit will shut off until manually drained.
- In very humid climates the auto-evaporative system may be overwhelmed and the unit will shut off until manually drained.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Good mid-range BTU output
- Good mid-range BTU output
- Sleep mode for quiet nighttime use
Cons
- Shorter exhaust hose
- Shorter exhaust hose
- Basic build quality
Don't buy this if…
- Sleep mode raises the temperature setpoint by 2 degrees per hour and may leave the room warm by morning.
- Sleep mode raises the temperature setpoint by 2 degrees per hour and may leave the room warm by morning.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Heat pump for winter heating
- Heat pump for winter heating
- Real-feel temperature sensor
Cons
- Most expensive in class
- Most expensive in class
- Very heavy at 90+ lbs
Don't buy this if…
- The heating mode is a supplemental heat pump rated for mild winters only and cannot replace a furnace in freezing climates.
- The heating mode is a supplemental heat pump rated for mild winters only and cannot replace a furnace in freezing climates.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
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