Best portable air conditioners

Best portable air conditioners

If you don’t have central air conditioning, you don’t have to melt in a puddle of sweat. A portable air conditioner can be an ideal unit for you.  Whether you want to make your bedroom super chilled or you are on tour or in a rented small apartment, you’ll need a portable air conditioner to keep the temperature down. For you to make the right decision, you need to know what to look for when buying a portable air conditioner. Here are the most important details you need to look at;

Energy efficiency

Cooling power

Size and portability

We’ve rounded up the best ones in the market and came up with the best option to ensure that the nest time the temperature rises, you’ll still keep it cool.

1.Honeywell Black MN12CESBB Portable Air Conditioner

Honeywell unit is remote controlled, with wheels at the bottom, which proves its movement efficiency from room to room. The digital control has a remote control to change fan speed and temperature even in the other room. The unit features a twenty-four energy-saving timer and three fan speeds.

When need be, it has a fun function and a 3-in -1 technology for powerful optimum cooling. The 3-in-1 appliance also provides fan to circulate air for comfort every day and dehumidifier for the more humid days.

It has an instilled auto evaporating system, which means it doesn’t require draining. For added safety, it has thermal overloaded protection to extend its performance and existence. The washable filter has been made easier for cleaning under the faucet, and it’s designed to keep you from dust.

Pros

Quiet operation

Makes the room cold up to 550 sq.ft

Has an inbuilt 24 hours energy-saving timer

Three modes: dehumidifying, fanning and cooling

Easy installation

Cons

Heavier compared to other portable air conditioners

Requires batteries

2. Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner

This system contains dual hose that enables the room to cool faster than other portable air conditioners. Can cool a room as large as 500 sq.ft, however, humidity and ambient temperature may influence optimum performance.

It’s ARC is marginally higher with an airflow rating of 222 cubic feet per minute making it a true heavy-duty portable air conditioner.

It dehumidifies and blows powerfully super cold air in to the room when it’s extremely hot outside. It not only cools, but also makes the air cleaner. The unit is patented with auto-draining technology that helps to automatically exhaust all condensate in most environments.

Optimized with a 24-hour programmable timer, it allows you to set schedule for the whole day. With the digital readout, you can monitor temperature or even schedule it to turn on 30 minute before you reach home from work.

The unit helps to keep up with better environment as it’s high-energy efficiency, lead free and eco-friendly CFC free.

Pros

Washable pre-filler and activated carbon air filter

A true heavy-duty portable air conditioner

Programmable thermostat with digital readout and automatic timer

Cools the room up to 500 square feet

Cons

Slightly heavier

Excessive noise during operation

Dehumidifier may be overwhelmed in high humidity environments

3. LG LP0817WSR 115V Portable Air Conditioner

LG makes the best electronics equipment – it’s undeniable. As usual, they never disappointed their customers with their LG LP0817WSR 115V portable air conditioner. On 115V input, you get 8,000 BTU standard operations. The dehumidification process warm air and blends cool while eradicating up to 1.8 pints of liquid per hour.

The unit has a full thermostatic control and 24-hour programmable timer to prevent over consumption of energy. The auto evaporation system allows the unit to run continuously without interruption.

It is equipped with programmed drain technology and dehumidifiers function to boost reduction of humidity in your home without adding more cold air.

Cools the room up 150 square feet, however, it can also cool a larger room but it will take a little longer. LG products notoriously perform at maximum efficiency for a longer time; their LG LP0817WSR 115V portable air conditioner is no difference.

Pro

High quality and durable

Air tube and filters are easy to clean

Air blow with 8000BT power

Features automatic drain technology

Dehumidifies up to 1.8 pints per hour

Cons

Extremely loud

On average, it’s rated to cool only 150 sq.ft, which is okay for the bedroom but not larger space

4. AMANA 6,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Air Conditioner

Amana offers all you need to keep your room cool.  Its flexible comfort features includes sleep mode, eco mode and three cooling speeds.

It quickly dehumidifies and cools a space of up to 250 sq. ft to ensure you enjoy a complete comfort even in humid and hot conditions.

The unit is equipped with adjustable timer that enables you to get quality comfort in your home by customizing the cooling time to fit your schedule

The removable and washable air filters makes it easy to maintain the unit. To maintain your air conditioner at its ultimate performance, you need to rinse it after some few weeks.

Features patented auto-evaporation expertise that enhances cooling effectiveness and does away with the need of emptying the collection tank. It’s also  has single hot air discharge horse that does way with hot air in the room you are cooling.

Pros

Features auto option and 3 cooling speed for cooling flexibility

Has the highest energy efficiency

Equipped with electronic control panel and 240hr timer with digital display

Auto evaporation function that allow uninterrupted operation

Cons

Louder than expected

Can’t provide enough cooling to larger room

Window vent is not designed for all types of windows

A bit big and heavy

5. LG LW8016ER 8,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Air Conditioner

The system is a good pick if you are looking for a sizable portion . It’s powerful enough to cool down up to 340 square feet and easy to install.

Features 3 fan speeds and also 3 cooling speed for more cooling flexibility. It has a full thermostatic rheostat as well as 24-hour programmable timer to prevent energy overconsumption.

The unit’s energy safer function provides enough cooling yet it helps saves a lot of energy. Comes with insulation strips and side curtains, to prevent air leaking from outside. The heat transfer technology is designed to warm the room instantly and minimize the moisture in the process.

The unit is not designed for normal window installation but intended only through-the-wall installation. Thus, you need to purchase the one that fits your window.

LG patented anti-corrosion gold fin coating shields the unit so it can last longer. Setting it up is a cinch as it comes with installation kit included.

Pros

Thermostat maintains the choose temperature

Energy efficient mode minimizes your bills

Auto restart function that saves setting when there is a blackout

4-way air deflection to direct cool the place you want

Great dehumidification of up to 2.2 pints per hour

Cons

Not suitable for all window installation

Compressor can strain power grid

6. Frigidaire FFRE0533S1 5,000 BTU 115V Window-Mounted Mini-Compact Air Conditioner

Frigidaire offers a quiet perfect operation to keep you cool without disturbing your sleep (53dB on low).

The unit is ideal for cooling your room as it can quickly cool it up to 150 square feet. Its low power operation and start up saves your money and conserves energy.

The unit comes with window mounting kit for easy installation. It also has a full functioning remote control that to ease setting.

The mesh filters are easier to clean which helps to eliminates room distinctive smell, dirt, dust, and bacteria for a clean fresh environment.  It has a 4-way air direction which is a comfort regulator that lets you direct the air.

This air conditioner unit fits window width at a dimension of 23” to 36” and a minimum height of 13”.

The restart function enables the unit to resume operating automatically at its previous setting once the power is restored – so you will remain at your comfort level.

It has a 24-hour on/off timer, 2 fan speeds and 2 cooling speeds.

Pros

Easier to set up

Conserves energy and saves you money

Washable mesh filters

Comes with a full-function remote control

Lightweight build for easy maneuverability

Cons

Temperature meter not always accurate

7. LG 11,500 BTU 115V Through-The-Wall Air Conditioner

This system offers a dehumidification of about 3.8 pints/ hour and cools up to 530 sq. ft.

With three fan/cooling speeds and a functioning remote; controlling the temperature from the next room has been made easier.

This LG air conditioner unit is only designed to be installed through the window. Patented with anti-corrosion Gold Fin coating, that provides maximum protective shield to the unit so it can last longer. Since it contains a through-the-wall installation design means less frequent movements, which could compromise its robustness.

The unit mixes warm and dry air to prevent overcooling. The unit also features a programmable 24-hour on/off timer with fan speeds and multiple cooling.

It comes with a comprehensive fit for a normal 26-inch wall sleeves (they also sell a separate wall sleeve).

Pros

Easy to install

Higher dehumidification of up to 3.8 pints per hour

Has dual heating and cooling functionality

Comes mesh filter and it’s easy to clean

Cons

Not very strong

Not designed for standard window installation

Loud compressor when it kicks on

Performs slightly poor

Dehumidifier VS Air Conditioner

A dehumidifier is a home appliance that reduces room humidity level by extracting the water from the conditioned air and dumping it. Dehumidifier is best used in humid areas and unventilated rooms.

There’re number of reasons why people choose dehumidifier. It can be either to remove a musty odor, protect their room from dampness or protect their bodies from damages caused by dampness and allergies such as watery eyes, stuffy nose, irritation and itching.  There are three types of dehumidifier; thermoelectric, refrigerated and desiccant dehumidifiers.

Air Conditioner

Air conditioner is a home appliance that lowers temperature and humidity significantly. It removes humidity and heat, cools it and then returns it to the room. Air conditioner comprises of key parts; condenser, compressor, and evaporator. The evaporator is usually positioned indoors whereas the condenser and compressor are placed outdoor. All the collected water drips outside the room. With the most effectual unit the water evaporates through hot coils

Different types of air conditioner units are intended for particular types of spaces. You can choose between evaporative coolers and split air conditioners, window or portable air conditioner. There are air conditioning options for apartments, cars and big houses as well as for industrial spaces that uses many industrial tools and computers.

Difference between dehumidifier and air conditioner

Dehumidifiers reduce humidity levels whereas air conditioner cools the room. Dehumidifier has medical applications while air conditioner is for comfort. Both of them are built almost the same and operate almost the same way since dehumidifiers are derived from air conditioners.

The major difference between the two is the temperature of the air getting back to the room. In the case of air conditioner, the air is cooled over the refrigerated coil while  in the dehumidifier, the excess moisture in the air is removed.

Another point of difference is water evacuation. In dehumidifier, the water may have a collection device that requires empting from time to time or connected to plumbing system of the building. In the air conditioner, the water drips outside through connected drainage systems.

Another difference to note is that air conditioners are designed to keep the space at cool temperatures while dehumidifiers are designed to reduce humidity; thus, air conditioners are not commonly used during winter season. Unlike air conditioners, dehumidifiers can be used all the yearlong since they make the air warmer by reducing humidity levels, thus they can be used during the cold seasons. At some extent however, the air conditioners removes humidity by cooling the air and prevents fungus from forming.

Air conditioner

Extracts heat from the room

Collected water drips outside the house

Designed to provide comfort

Before returning the unit to the room, the air must be cooled

Dehumidifier

Extracts humidity from the room

Water can he emptied by either through connecting the pipe to a drainage system or empting the inner container often

Can have medical applications

Air reheating is required before returning the unit into the room

Why is my house so humid with the AC on?

AC works as dehumidifiers as it cools. Once this process is not working at it should, your home may experience some high levels of humidity.

Let’s look at some major reasons that can make your home excessively humid while the AC is still on;

Air Conditioner May Be Too Old

The ability of the AC to effectively clear humidity falloffs as it ages. This mostly happens if the unit isn’t regularly maintained. If this is the cause, you can choose to either replace or repair the unit. However, sometimes even the latest model may not fully control humidity. If this is the case, you can buy a plug in unit and place it to the most humid place or add a separate dehumidifier to your AC unit.

Wrong Size For The Room

When it comes to the right size of the air conditioner, bigger is not always the best. Unknowingly, you may have created humidity problem by purchasing a big AC. Remember humidity is eliminated through condensation process which can take a bit of time. A bigger AC has a powerful compressor that frequently turns on and off which makes it not able to run long enough for the condensation process to complete. This makes the air to retain a lot of its moisture in your home. To prevent humidity from building up, get the right size of AC that fit your home.

Dirt, Dust and Debris

Just like any other mechanical systems, your air conditioner requires to be kept clean all the times. even though there is an air filter near the air handler that reduces amount of debris, dirt and dust accumulating in the sensitive parts, your unit still needs to be professionally cleaned. Mostly, the outdoor condenser coils is mostly affected by dirt making it difficult to dissipate heat. This in turn affects refrigerant cycle, which leads to lack of dehumidification and higher temperature.

Frozen Evaporator coils

When the coils have frost, they can’t perform their duties as intended. The evaporator works by receiving cold liquid refrigerant and use it to cool the extracted warm air from your home and return it when already cooled. When the coil is covered with frost the cooling process can’t take place, hence the air will not be dehumidify making your home so humid.

Things to consider when choosing a portable air conditioner

During your search for the best portable AC, here are the things you need to consider;

Cost

The cost of portable AC for home use can range anywhere between $150 to $800 while the one for commercial use can go up to $10,000. The cost difference may be caused by many factors such as the powerfulness of the unit – an AC that cools large living room will cost more than the one designed for small bedroom. Another thing is that will tip the cost upward is additional features such as programmable timers and remote control.

Size Of AC

People buy AC with different intentions, if yours is the portable part, you need to purchase the one that you can move from one place to the other. Also as you consider the size, take note of the weight. Can you pick it up on your own? Can it fit in your car? Does it come with wheels for A stress-free movability? If your aim is to put it in one spot, then you need to consider the space and ensure it matches the product specifications.

Energy use

As you already know, air conditioners use a lot of energy. According to a study, 13% of home energy bill goes to the cooling costs.  If saving the cost of energy is vital to you, consider getting a system with a programmable thermostat that switches of automatically when it reaches the temperature you have set. Also, ensure you keep it maintained and clean because if not well maintained, the more energy it will consume hence more bill to pay.

Size Of The Room

Most portable air conditioners can’t cool the entire apartment or house, it can only cool specific size of the rooms. When buying the AC, you need to consider the room size to cool. To measure how powerful the air conditioner is, the manufacturers use BTU. The higher the BTU, the bigger the space it can keep cool. This shouldn’t worry you since many manufacturers will specify the room size a specific AC can keep cool.

Ventilation

As mentioned earlier, air conditioner works by venting out hot air. Thus, the need to be kept near the window.  Most of them come with window venting kit and instructions to direct how it can be set to vent properly. If you plan to keep it in place far from the window, check how far the window kit can extend. Some are more flexible while others require to be kept close to the window. Nevertheless, depending on the model you buy, you can get extension vent or hose that will allow you to place you air conditioner in your preferred place.

Installation

Portable air conditioners doesn’t give much trouble when it comes to installation, otherwise it won’t claim “portable” title. The only thing that can disturb you is how to hook up the window kit for ventilation. The process is relatively simple as the portable air conditioners come with a clear systematic guide. If you are planning to take advantage of portable nature, and you will be moving if from one room to the other, it’s advisable to have an extra vent kit which you can install to the other room. It will simplify the process.

Noise

Every type of air conditioner makes noise. For the most part, the nose is defined as “background noise” and will be minimal. However, it’s still a factor to consider. Some are designed to be quieter than usual and won’t be noticed once they are turned on. Some manufacturers have put more effort to ensure they make quieter units. Hence, as long as all model make some noise, you can get an inaudible one.

Condensate Type

Your portable air conditioner condensate type mainly relates to the ease of use. For instance, all the condensate in drip air conditioners is deposited in an internal bucket that requires dumping from time to time. Some air conditioners fill up faster than others, requiring you to repeat the process more often. For the partial drip air conditioner, all that is released condenses through the exhaust hose; however, some deposit will still drip on the pan. From time to time, your will need to check and dump some drip, but you can take a bit longer without worrying about it. The easiest option is no-drip conditioner. With this model, emptying the drip pan will not be a bother because all that is released condenses into the air. Many homeowners prefer this type of portable air conditioner.

Conclusion

Portable air conditioning system have proved to be the most convenient air conditioning both at home and working places. They take the hassle out of the way with castor wheels that enables easy movement without heavy lifting. Besides, they are cheaper to run as you’re cooling a single room at a time compared to full-home systems. Depending on your situation, our guide will help you choose the one that fits you situation best.