It’s hot and you don’t feel very happy about it, so you’ve thought of purchasing an air conditioning unit. However, you have a small space and there are no means for you place a window AC, so you probably decided to look for the best small portable air conditioner instead.
Looking For The Best Small Portable Air Conditioner?
While there are many differences between the window and portable AC, both of which can be very useful when it comes to getting everyone comfortable in your office or feeling at ease sleeping inside a small room. In the case of the portable AC, most of the units sold are small and yet they are very helpful solutions to your problems. Here are the top 10 small portable AC in the market.
1. Frigidaire FRA053PU1 Small Portable Room Air Conditioner
Dimensions (depth/width/height): 14.6 x 17.5 x 28.2 inches
The Frigidaire portable AC is a white 5,000 BTU unit. It measure 17.5 x 14.6 x 28.2 inches and weighs 55 lbs.
The FRA053PU1 comes with an antimicrobial mesh filter that ensures the freshness of the air circulating in the area where it is placed. It is a free standing AC unit that features three modes and a sleep mode.
It can cool up to 216 sq. ft, which is perfect for a medium sized room or a small office. View the product.
2. Honeywell MN10CESBB Small Portable Air Conditioner
Dimensions (depth/width/height): 15.2 x 18.1 x 29.3 inches
The Honeywell MN10CESBB is a 10,000 BTU, 3 in 1 cooling system that comes with an LED display and controls and a 24 hour timer that you can readily program. Its powerful specs let it cool, fan and dehumidify up to 400 sq feet.
It uses an environment friendly refrigerant, coupled with an auto-evaporation and a non-drip technology. It also operates quite efficiently thanks to its minimum noise level of 50 dBA.
It does not need to be permanently installed in a specific place inside your room or office and it is equipped with four caster wheels so you can easily transfer it from one spot to the next. View the product.
3. EdgeStar AP12000HS Extreme Cool Small Portable Air Conditioner and Heater
Dimensions (depth/width/height): 15 x 17.1 x 30.9 inches
The power efficient Edgestar Extreme Cool portable AC is a 3 in 1 unit that can cool a 425 sq. ft room without any problem. It has a very simple and compact design which makes it fairly easy to position in any space.
Customers have the option to avail of the Edgestar filter upgrade to get the 3M Air Filter to help in removing air contaminants in your selected space.
Compared to other portable AC in the market, the Edgestar has a higher Energy Efficiency Ration which lets you run the unit for all day long for a more affordable price. View the product.
4. Haier HPN12XCM Small Portable Air Conditioner
Dimensions (depth/width/height): 15.2 x 17.8 x 29.5 inches
The Haier HPN12XCM is an easy to install AC, and you can either place it on a corner of the room with its caster wheels or use the Window Kit that will allow you to fit the unit in most of the sliding and double hung windows.
It comes with a auto evaporation technology so you’re sure to avoid the typical dripping issues complained by most AC users.
The Haier portable AC lets you cool, fan and dehumidify your room and you can use the remote control to switch through these three modes. View the product.
5. Sunpentown WA-8070E Cooling Only Small Portable Air Conditioner
Dimensions (depth/width/height): 15 x 13.8 x 29.5 inches
With the Sunpentown WA-8070E, you get to inhale fresh air and enjoy a cool room at the same time.
It has a cooling capacity of 8,000 BTU which enables you to cool up to 250 square feet space. This AC unit works just right for small to mid-sized rooms and offices.
It is also equipped with an auto-evaporation technology which helps in minimizing the cost of using the unit and the use of a bucket for the dripping water. View the product.
6. Honeywell MF08CESWW Small Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control
Dimensions (depth/width/height): 14.2 x 19.5 x 24.4 inches
The Honeywell MF08CESWW is a 8,000 BTU AC that can cool up spaces measuring up to 300 sq.ft.
It features an easy to read LED display, a fully functional remote control, an on and off timer that you can program to at most 24 hours, and a quiet yet powerful air flow operation.
This AC does not require it users to install it permanently on a specific place in the room. It has four caster wheels that let you transfer the unit wherever you want to put it. View the product.
7. North Storm NS-14W-AC Small Portable Air Conditioner
Dimensions (depth/width/height): 13.6 x 12.6 x 31 inches
The North Storm AC is a 4 in 1 unit. It is a heater, fan, air conditioner, and a dehumidifier all in one.
It’s a 14,000 BTU unit which has a very small and compact design. It comes with a very easy to assemble and install Window Kit and built in castor wheels.
It measures 13.6 x 12.6 x 31 inches, and weighs around 60 pounds. View the product.
8. Friedrich P08S Compact Small Portable Room Air Conditioner
Dimensions (depth/width/height): 11.5 x 17 x 25.2 inches
The Friedrich P08S is a 8,000 BTU – 115 volt portable AC that has 4 fan speeds, a sleep mode and a 24 hour timer. It also comes with an LCD remote control that lets you set the AC according to your preference.
This AC unit is a 3 in 1 system that allows you to cool, dehumidify, and condition the air in the room. It is also easy to install. It comes with snap-in hoses, and 115 V plug.
It also comes with caster wheels that will let you transfer the unit without any hassle. View the product.
9. NewAir AC-10000E Small Portable AC
Dimensions (depth/width/height): 12.4 x 13.9 x 28.1 inches
The NewAir AC-10000E is a 3-in-1 AC unit. It is complete with an air filter which lets you enjoy fresher, dryer and cooler air.
The air filter also plays a huge role in reducing the amount of air contaminants such as airborne bacteria, spores and the like.
Equipped with a cooling capacity of 10,000 BTU, it can cool a room of up to 325 square feet. It is also equipped with an advanced auto-evaporative technology.
The simple, sleek and compact design is also a major selling point of this NewAir portable AC unit. View the product.
10. NewAir AC-12000H Small Portable Air Conditioner
Dimensions (depth/width/height): 14.5 x 15.5 x 29.2 inches
The 12,000BTU NewAir AC- 12000H is an excellent unit that can cool large sized rooms and offices.
It utilizes an environmentally friendly refrigerant and an advanced auto-evaporation technology which enable you to cool the room with lesser energy used.
This AC unit has 4-in-1 features which lets you dehumidify, cool, heat and fan a room.
The small portable air conditioner comes with an easy to use remote control which lets you switch from one mode to another or from one speed to the next. The unit also comes with an easy to install Window Kit. View the product.
BONUS REVIEWS
The summer sun beats down and you’re trying to keep your home cool. There’s no breeze coming through the windows, and there’s no central air conditioning either. That’s where portable air conditioners come into play, and so does your need to get the best portable air conditioner for your specific use cases.
I’ve been there, done that, and found that portable air conditioners offer the ideal solution. You’re able to move them from room to room, plus you don’t have to fork out for installation. Furthermore, older adults and young children avoid the dangers of a home that’s too hot.
So, how do you find the right portable air conditioner? I’ve looked at a range of models, from 14,000 British Thermal Unit (BTU) to evaporative air conditioners to help you make the right choice.
According to EnergyStar, a 14,000 BTU air conditioner can cool a space of between 550 and 700 square feet. However, this drops to between 400 and 450 square feet when using the air conditioner in a kitchen.
Honeywell HL14CESWK
With its sleek and compact look, this is an air conditioner that won’t clog up your room. It’s on the heavier side, as are all 14,000 BTU models. But it’s not so heavy that it’s impossible to move from room to room, plus it has small wheels.
Honeywell says that this air conditioner can cool a maximum space of 550 square feet. This puts it on the higher end of the totem pole for this type of unit. It only takes a couple of hours to cool the room, so you can pop it on during the morning to prepare for a really hot day.
I really like the adjustable speed setting, which lets you account for different temperatures. You have three to choose from, so you won’t freeze your house up when you only need a bit of cooling. The fan-only and dehumidifier functions also have variable speeds to match the overall speed setting. Overall, this might be the best portable AC unit for you if you prefer a lot of flexibility.
The auto evaporation feature also makes it stand out as a dehumidifier too. The air conditioner collects about 110 pints of water every 24 hours. However, you don’t have to keep changing tanks to collect it all because the air conditioner evaporates it away.
I’m also a big fan of the remote. It allows you to change settings while you’re on the move, plus it displays the temperature setting at all times. Of course, there’s also an LCD display with soft buttons on the unit itself if you want to get up close and personal.
The auto-shutoff feature will prove useful if you’re the forgetful type. It turns the air conditioner off every 24 hours, which lowers the risk of it overheating.
Unfortunately, the unit doesn’t offer you any way to control the direction of the air flow. It emits air from the top of the unit, which then spreads naturally across the room. If you want to have more control, you may need to place a fan above the unit that directs the air where you want it to go.
It’s also not the quietest unit around, coming in at 52 decibels (dB). This means you’ll hear a constant hum that sounds a little like light traffic. Still, it’s nowhere near the constant 85dB level that could damage your ears.
Pros
Has small wheels at the base to make it easier to move
Comes with a remote for checking and changing settings while on the move
Automatically shuts off after 24 hours of operation
Evaporates the moisture it takes in so you don’t have to collect and dispose of it
Cons
No way to change the direction of the air flow
Generates a fairly loud and constant hum
Whynter ARC-14S
DeLonghi PACAN140ES
Haier HPN14XCM
The first thing that I noticed about this unit is its design. With a sleek blend of black and silver, it will easily fit in homes having a modern décor. I believe that as a kitchen unit it might chiefly be an optimum choice, which doesn’t look out of the place.
It can work efficiently in a room, which is up to 700 square feet in size, which makes it one of the most powerful units on my list. Although, this is affected by the amount of light and shade in the room, and I believe it is best in a room of around 500 square feet.
It is 83lbs in weight, which is around the same as the other 14,000 BTU units. It can be easily used as a freestanding unit, as, it has wheels at the base. There is a window kit with the unit, which lets you to install it in any sliding window having a maximum width of 46 inches.
The unit has soft buttons, because of which it gets simple to switch amid the three cooling settings. Also, it has a remote, however it doesn’t tell you the temperature at which you have set the unit. This means, prior to you find the right setting, you will need to involve in a little speculation.
Also, I liked the safety focus of this unit. It has an approval from The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), which means that its standard of manufacture is high.
However, the instructions are not as clear as they ought to be, and, they bring the package down. For instance, in order to make use of its dehumidifier function, you may have to experiment with the unit.
Its single-hose design, and the fact that it is a bit nosier, when compared to others, make it a power guzzler. However, I liked that you could set it to work at numerous times of the day. Also, it recycles some amount of water that it takes in, supposing that you can make the dehumidifier function.
Pros
Has the kit required to install it in a window
Has ASHRAE certification
Beautiful modern design
Has the capacity to cool rooms up to 700 square feet
Cons
Vague guidelines mean that a bit of guesswork is required
Not the most silent 14,000 BTU units
EdgeStar Extreme Cool AP12000S-KF
EdgeStar Extreme Cool AP12000S-KF (now known as Koldfront AP12000S-KF) has a 12, 000 BTU or British thermal unit. This is the cooling capacity and with this amount of energy, it can effectively cool a 425 square feet of enclosed space. This is best if you are living in humid locations. It also utilizes an auto drain system which uses most or all condensates that it collects. Under intense humid conditions, the in house tank fills up immediately.
This equipment has a launder able pre filtered and a carbon filter which is very advantageous in regulating dirt, pollutants and other air contaminants. It has state of the art components which will make your life easier since you don’t have to worry manipulating it manually. Edge star also meets the RoHs Standards or the Restriction of Hazardous Substances. This directive forbids the use of hazardous materials for electrical and electronic products which makes the Edge star a safety equipment to use. In addition to that, the unit also uses R-410A refrigerant for moderating the temperature which is healthy for our environment. The unit also includes an air vent hose and a window kit which can expands out up to 55 inches on maximum.
Edge star may look like a huge bin at the corner but it has stylish looks when it comes to its curvy designs. This also more convenient and easy to install compared to traditional window air conditioner. This is portable and will not cause an obstacle to your morning views at the window. Since this is portable equipment, you can install and uninstall it effortlessly. You can also have the option to keep it or set it aside if not in use.
The control panel of Edge star is a user friendly. It is very simple and basic which is located on top of it. You can see the power, Mode (Controls the coolness and humidity), Speed, Timer, Up and down for the temperature, and a LED display which shows the ambient temperature. Aside from that, it also comes with a battery operated remote control which lets you change the settings across the room.
Pros
• Silent operating system. You can place this inside the bedroom and have a comfy sleep without noise
• Comes with a three level speed fan (High, medium, low)
• It has programmable feature which lets you set the timer on the desired operating hours only and shuts it off if it’s provided sufficient cool inside the room.
• Environment friendly. It passed the international standards for control of hazards.
• Warranty protected.
• Dehumidifier can handle lots of water.
Cons
• Limited exhaust hose length.
• The lack of caster wheels makes it difficult to move between rooms
10,000 BTU Models
It is highly advisable to do some researches first before buying an air conditioner. You must know how many BTUs you are going to need. The size of the room should match to the corresponding value of your BTU. According to North cool, a 10,000 BTU can cover the room with 450 square footage. This is just an estimate and it is based on an average room conditions in moderate climates. Kitchens for example, may have 450 square foot area but since it is hotter there compared to a regular room, it may require higher BTUs.
Honeywell MN10CES
BLACK+DECKER BPACT10WT
LG BTU Portable Air Conditioner Model No. LP1015WNR
The combination of a two-way fan and two-way air direction makes this unit stand out from the other portable air conditioners. These multiple fans cover a wider space up to 250 square feet for the distribution of cooler air. The unit also comes with a top mounted control panel and a remote control. The remote control is a bit difficult to get used to because of the small buttons.
This unit also has a built-in dehumidifier for keeping small spaces dry. It is capable of collecting 2.6 pints of water per hour or about 62 pints of water per day which is stored in an internal tray. The indicator on the display panel is helpful in indicating when the tray is on the verge of filling up. However, I observed that the tank fills up quickly. When used as a dehumidifier or air conditioner, you may have to empty the tank every couple of hours.
The Model No. LP1015WNR is slightly heavier at 55 lbs compared to other BTU portable units but it has caster wheels so you it can be transferred from room to room easily. Aside from that, the product comes with window fitting kit, but the instructions aren’t that helpful for beginners of first-timers in installing a conditioning unit in a window. It may take time to measure and fit the air conditioner.
It produces the usual sound or general hum for most air conditioners which might be uncomfortable for small rooms.
Pros
Adjustable multiple fan allow for a larger coverage
Side grooves for easy transfer
Dehumidifier works well in most conditions
Control panel for timer functions and water level indicator
Cons
Poor instructions make setting it up in a window
Small internal tank that requires constant changing
Buttons on the remote are a bit small
Costway BTU Portable Air Conditioner & Dehumidifier
Model No. EP22783
8,000 BTU Models
When it comes to cooling areas, 8,000 BTU air conditioners are capable or covering wider areas up to 350 square feet. However, even with this specification, 8,000 BTU air conditioners are best used in smaller spaces. The cooling power of the air conditioner will be maximized well in rooms around 100 square feet to 200 square feet.
LG BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Model No. LP0817WSR
Whynter ARC-08WB
Whynter ARC-08WB is Three operational modes: Air conditioner, fan or dehumidifier. With Self-evaporative system – exhausts most or all condensate under average ambient conditions. This can handle most rooms of up to 250 square feet. It also contains an auto-evaporation system, which works well in regular conditions. If you use the dehumidifier, expect to empty the occasional tray.
Speaking of the dehumidifier, it can absorb about 45 pints per day. This puts it on par with most other units in its class and should be fine for the average living room or office space. You also have a choice between manual and auto-draining for when the water intake exceeds the evaporation system’s capabilities.
The R-410A refrigerant, plus the unit carries RoHS certification to say that it’s free of lead components. This means there’s no risk of toxic lead particles finding their way into your air supply. The Whynter ARC-08WB portable air conditioner is compact, portable and easy to set up, even in small spaces.
It’s a surprisingly heavy unit given its compact size, weighing in at about 64 pounds. That means you need to take care if you’re using the plastic window fitting kit, as one false move could break the kit. It does have chunky caster wheels though, so it’s easy to move between rooms.
The touch panel on top of the unit controls the settings, which include a timer and auto-off function. You also receive a remote, though it’s not much use if you’re not in the room with the unit.
Pros
Offers an auto-evaporation feature that works well for the average room
Uses R-410A refrigerant
Chunky caster wheels make it easy to roll along most surfaces
Has manual and auto-draining capabilities for when you use the dehumidifier
Cons
Loose hose connection on the unit
Very heavy considering the small size of the unit
Honeywell MF08CESWW
Evaporative Air Coolers
The difference between evaporative and regular portable air conditioners is the lack of an exhaust hose. Also known as swamp coolers, these use the moisture they collect to cool the air, so there’s no Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or refrigerants in play. This makes them friendlier to the environment and they use less power since it’s more energy-efficient to pump water than to compress air, though they don’t cool as well as portable air conditioners.
Honeywell CL25AE
A cooler capable of cooling 500 cubic feet per minute (CFM), this works best in fairly dry conditions. The manufacturer recommends not using it whenever humidity exceeds 60%, as the air can’t absorb enough water for effective evaporative cooling. Still, it’s powerful enough to cool an area of 300 square feet, which puts it in the same league as many portable AC units.
Check Out Our List of The Best Portable Air Conditioners Overall
Best Small Portable Air Conditioner
Lela Guzman
April 15, 2017 at 10:33 pm
If a permanent wall-mounted air conditioner isn’t what you’re looking for, consider a window air conditioner, which combines the efficiency of wall units and some of the maneuverability of portable units.