Are you looking for cheap or low budget portable air conditioners? Let us help you!
It is definitely impossible to live without an air conditioner in the summer, especially if you are living in a place where the climate is really hot. But it may not be possible for everyone to invest on a central air conditioner or on a split air conditioner. You need not have to worry though as there are so many options available. They are quite affordable options available for those who cannot spend a lot of money. Portable air conditioner is the most affordable and convenient option available in the USA market today. You can easily move the air conditioner from one room to another room without any kind of problem.
You cannot just step into an air conditioner showroom and pick up a portable air conditioner. You will have to do some homework before you go ahead and decide on one. You will hear a lot of things and see a lot of things on the TV commercial, but that is not always true. There may be some variations and it is very important for you to know what are those. Here in this article, we have listed consumer reports for the best and most affordable, portable air conditioner options for you. You can just go through them and decide which is the right one for you. We also have listed some pros and cons about each product, which makes it easy for you to decide which is the best one.
Best Portable Air Conditioner Consumer Reviews
Contents
So, let us get started…
1. Evapolar EvaLIGHT Plus EV-1500 Personal Evaporative Air Conditioner
This EvaLIGHT plus portable air conditioner from Evapolar is a very good choice for personal use. There are many amazing features about this air conditioner like it is very small in size. That means, you can easily place it in any corner of the house and also carry it with ease from one location to another location. The design of this air conditioner is attractive and the color of the air conditioner is also quite unique. The noise levels of this air conditioner are quite low and makes you feel like it is just a whisper quite. The small and simple touch buttons on the top of the air conditioner are easy to understand and operate. You will not have any kind of problem in using it. You just need to add some water and power in and it will start working. You need not have to do anything great in order to get this air conditioner get started. It is energy efficient and hence saves you a lot of money on your annual power bills
Pros:
- It is highly energy efficient
- It is very small in size and highly portable.
- It comes with simple touch buttons for easy operation.
Cons:
- No cons so far
2. Honeywell MO08CESWK Compact Portable Air Conditioner
When it comes to the portable air conditioners, Honeywell is one of the best brands that you can trust. This is a powerful air conditioner which can be operated with the help of a remote control. It also acts like cooling fan and dehumidifier. It comes with a filter that provides you fresh air. You can easily wash the filter and change it. There will be an alarm or alert for the change of the filter and you can do it without any delay. You can use it in a room 350 square feet and this will maintain the cooling for a very long time. The air conditioner will not make any sound during the operation and that is one of the best parts about it. The air conditioner is very simple to use and does not have anything that needs an expert to operate. It has two speed settings and comes with digital controls. You also have 24 hours power saving timer. There are four wheels fitted for smooth movement to any room in the house. It also comes with filters that can filter any unwanted dust from the air and hence making it just perfect even if you have kids at home.
Pros:
- Can be used in a space of 350 square feet
- It comes with 24 hour power or energy saving timer.
- Filters are easy to change
Cons:
- It shuts itself down for no reason.
3. Global Air 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
If you are having a large to mid sized room and looking for a portable air conditioner for that room, then Global Air 10,000 BTU portable air conditioner is a good choice. There are many interesting features about this portable air conditioner. You should first thank to the 10,000 BTU as it will keep the room cool for a long time. From mid to large size room, approximately 300 square feet, you can use this air conditioner. There are many users who report that they are happy using this air conditioner even in a bigger room than 300 square feet. There are three modes of operation in this air conditioner. First one is 4 way vent and this will make sure that the air is circulated in all directions. The second mode is only fan and this may not be a good choice for those where the climate is really hot. The last one is the automatic mode. This is where the air conditioner will adjust both fan and cooler according to the temperature outside. You can easily control this air conditioner with the help of the controls on it. It comes with a self evaporation mode and hence there is no drain of water.
Pros:
- Three modes of operation
- Suitable for rooms within 300 square feet to 400 square feet.
- Comes with remote control for easy operation
Cons:
- It makes a little noise.
4. LG LP1215GXR 115V Portable Air Conditioner
No matter how many brands are available in the market and how many new brands come up every day, you will not be able to find a better brand that can make better electronic appliances than the LG. Whether it is a television or a portable air conditioner, they always stand on the top of the list. Most of the bedrooms are in the size of 300 square feet to 350 square feet and this LG LP1215GXR 115V portable air conditioner is a good choice. It may take a bit long in slightly bigger rooms, but it does its job really well. This air conditioner also comes with a dehumidifier and it can blend the warm air and cool air. It can remove almost 1.2 pints in one hour. This air conditioner is very light in weight and does not cause any kind of problem when you will have to transfer it from one place to another. The design of this air conditioner is really good as it comes in dark charcoal color. The air tubes and filters are very easy to clean. The warranty period of this air conditioner is also excellent.
Pros:
- Comes in an amazing dark charcoal color
- Suitable for room of 300 square feet
- Air tubes and air filters can be cleaned with ease
Cons:
- It is a bit expensive when compared to other models.
5. BLACK+DECKER Small Room Portable Air Conditioner
When you are talking about the air conditioners, you cannot miss the name Black + Decker. This is one of the popular and best selling brands in India that is known for making some best air conditioners. Black + Decker manufacturer even the portable air conditioners. This air conditioner model from Black + Decker is a very good model for small rooms. Whether it is your bedroom, your living room, a beauty parlor or a garage, this air conditioner will make sure to provide even cooling throughout the room. It comes with wheels at the bottom and hence it is easy to move it from one room to another. The size of the air conditioner is very small and hence you will be able to easily place it in any corner of your room. It comes with one small display and five buttons for operating everything on this air conditioner. It also has the sleep mode, which will dim the light of the display screen and also makes less noise. This is a good and quite useful feature if you are using this portable air conditioner in your kids room.
Pros:
- It comes with sleep mode and 24 hour timer as well.
- There is an auto evaporation feature that does not drain water.
- It can be operated with remote control.
Cons:
- It can be small for slightly bigger rooms.
6. Honeywell, Black MN12CESBB Portable Air Conditioner
Like we discussed earlier, Honeywell is a good brand in the Indian market. We have another portable air conditioner from the same brand Honeywell. This is also a portable air conditioner with fan and dehumidifier. The air conditioner is highly efficient, very quite and is also light in weight. You need not have to much for moving it from one place to another. That is because it comes with wheels at the bottom of the air conditioner. This unit is just perfect for a large bedroom or any other room of 450 square feet. The air inside the room remains cool and also dry. This can be operated with a remote control and as it can be used in a large room, having a remote control is definitely an added advantage for you. The design of this air conditioner is quite good and it comes in black color for an attractive look. The feather touch controls on the portable air conditioner are very easy to use. It comes with a dual motor technology and a dual motor always guarantee noiseless operation for the people. Your kids or infants will be able to enjoy a sound sleep with this portable air conditioner turned on.
Pros:
- It is suitable for a large room of space 450 square feet and a few feet more.
- It comes with a remote control that can be operated from any corner of the room.
- The feather touch features are very simple to operate.
Cons:
- The window bracket is quite small and does not suit for many windows.
7. LG LP0817WSR 115V Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control
LG is a best selling brand that can make the best air conditioners in the market. This model LG LP0817WSR 115V Portable air conditioner with remote control is a good choice for small rooms. Basically, this model you can choose based on the size of your room as it is available in different sizes. From 200 square feet to 500 square feet, you can choose a suitable air conditioner. The dehumidification process of this model is very powerful and hence you will be able to easily control the comfort levels of the air conditioners. The air of the room can also be maintained dry and provide you great comfort. 1.8 pints of humidity can be withdrawn from the air with the help of this air conditioner. It also has auto evaporation technology and hence there will not be any drain. Small and smooth wheels are present to the air conditioner and hence you will be able to move it with ease. You can control the cooling of the room with the help of the programmable system. The remote of the portable air conditioner is easy to use and you can control the temperatures.
Pros:
- The price of this air conditioner is just perfect for the features that are offered.
- The Auto evaporation feature is also highly useful feature.
- Hot spots can be removed with the help of specific ventilation technology used in it.
Cons:
- The vents at the back of the air conditioner are fragile.
8. SPT WA-1420E Portable Air Conditioner
This portable air conditioner is 14000 BTU and may not be liked by many people. But when you look at the way this air conditioner works, you are definitely going to fall in love with it. It can work magically on a room of 550 square feet to 700 square feet. It may not be believed by many people, but it can definitely provide great cooling experience in a large room as well. The design of the air conditioner is really unique and you will love it for sure. You should first switch on the fans and then you can change to the dehumifier. Finally, switch to the cooling mode and that will ensure that the room is really cool. You have three different fan modes and hence very useful as well. You need not have to wait for hours to make sure that the room is cool. It will be done in just no time. This brand may not be very popular brand in the market, but you will be able to enjoy good cooling experience. The small wheel at the bottom of the portable air conditioner will make it easy for you to transfer the air conditioner from one room to another room.
Pros:
- 24 hours advance programming is possible with this air conditioner.
- The EER rating is 8.9 and it is quite efficient.
- Intelligent restart from restarting the settings
Cons:
- The Hose gets heated up easily and that affects the cooling process.
9. Shinco SPF2 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Shinco portable air conditioners are a good choice for small rooms. It comes in two variants like 8,000 BTU and 10,000 BTU. A room of space 200 square feet to 350 square feet can be cooled very easily with the help of this portable air conditioner. Whether it is a small cabin, office, bedroom, garage or any room of that size can be maintained cool for a long time. It comes with multiple function mode. Three modes like fans, dehumidifier and cooling. In the humid environment, it mold and bacteria can grow really fast. With the help of the dehumidifier, you will be able to clean these and put an end to them. The self evaporating system is used in this portable air conditioner and that will help in cooling the condenser coils. The water also evaporates and does not have the problem of draining. There are a number of functions and features that are available in this air conditioner like a 24 hour timer, remote control and castor wheels for moving the portable air conditioner with ease. The process of installation is very simple and you will have to spend at least 10 to 15 minutes.
Pros:
- 10 to 15 minutes for installation process
- Dehumidifer for stopping bacteria and mold build up in the warm air
- Can cool a room of space 200 square feet to 350 square feet.
Cons:
- Post sale customer support is always a problem
10. Lemebo Portable Air Conditioner
Lemebo portable air conditioners are another best selling portable air conditioners in the market. The design and features of this air conditioner are unique and attractive. Another unique technology used in this air conditioner will make sure that the noise levels are really low, almost near to 40 dB. With this really low noise level, you will be able to use this air conditioner in your kids room. Also H2O cool fusion technology is used in this air conditioner and that is going to make this are one of the energy efficient air conditioners in the market. The motor is quite silent and also comes with a small tray at the front. Any moisture or water that flows out of the air conditioner will be collected in this tray and it will be pushed back into the air conditioner so that it comes back in the form of cool air. The air conditioner is multi functional and that means, it comes with cooler, fan, humidifier and evaporative cooler. It also comes with 90 days money back guarantee. If you think that the air conditioner is not working as per the requirement or you think it failed, then you will get your money back.
Pros:
- It is a perfect choice for small rooms or dorms
- Three functional settings
- No need of electrical cords
Cons:
- It can be used only when one person is present. Does not work as per expectation when there are more number of people.
How To Choose The Best Portable Air Conditioner
Due to increasing demand, there are various brands in the market today, which, in turn, leads to confusion while making a purchase. The following is a comprehensive buying guide which will help you in making a wise choice for a portable air conditioner:
Size: The first and foremost thing that comes to the mind while purchasing an air conditioner is the size of the tool. The higher the size of the air conditioner, the better will be its power. Hence, the larger air conditioners will be more attractive to you. However, you should also be mindful of the space in the house where you want to keep the air conditioner.
Type of Hose: The units of the air conditioner can be either a single hose or a double hose. If you purchase an air conditioner that has a single hose, then the same hose is used to take the air in as well as out of the air conditioner. This, in turn, makes it a little less efficient. On the other hand, a dual hose air conditioner is much more preferable as two different hoses are used for the incoming and the outgoing air. Depending upon your needs and how much you want to use the portable device for, a decision needs to be made.
Ease of Use and Maintenance: An important factor to consider while purchasing a portable air conditioner is the amount of time, energy, as well as resources that need to be spent to clean and maintain the device. The main maintenance that is required in a portable air conditioner is the pulling of the moisture out. This can be done in a variety of ways. Hence, you should keep in mind what is the method that is preferable to you.
Use of Energy: Another important thing to consider is the total amount of energy that is used up by the portable air conditioner. Depending on the different types and brands of air conditioners available in the market, you can choose the one that helps you preserve energy. You should ideally go for the ones that are rated energy star. This will also help you from burning a hole in your pocket by saving on the electricity bill.
Noise: You must consider the amount of noise that is made by the portable air conditioner when it is running. You will want to avoid using a device that makes too much noise. Hence, you should be careful of the noise made by the portable air conditioner when you are using it.
Ventilation: An important consideration you should not forget when you go to the market for the purchase of the portable air conditioner is the quality of ventilation that is offered. Most of the portable air conditioners are usually kept near the window of the house, and there is a ventilation kit that is delivered along with the portable air conditioner. You should look for the quality of the ventilation kit and the ease with which these kits can be set up.
Price: There are different varieties of portable air conditioners that are available in the market. Each of these differs in the number of features offered. Most of them may have quite a few additional features and may be offered at a higher price than the other. Not every feature will be needed by you. Hence, you should carefully weigh the features that best suit your needs and decide on something that fits within your budget.
Portable Air Conditioner Frequent Asked Questions
- How noisy is a Portable Air Conditioner?
It is hard to answer this question as it depends entirely on personal preference. The portable air conditioner contains both the fan and a compressor; the sound is the same as that of a window air conditioning unit. If you want to focus on the portable air conditioners then check out the decibel rating. You can find it on the product description page. The unit falls between 48 DB (the noise is the same as rainfall) to 60 DB (the noise level is the same as the normal conversation?).
- What are key factors to Check While Purchasing Portable Air Conditioner?
The two most important factors are single or dual hose design and room size/BTUs. A portable air conditioner BTUs will tell you how powerful the unit is. This will affect the room size and how much units will it consume to make the room cool. The BTU should be high so that a larger area can be covered to cool the room. And with the help of a single hosed, you can eliminate all the moisture and warm air from the room and is very easy to install. The dual hosed units are also very easy to install and eliminate the warm air and proportionally pulling more air to keep the room cool.
- Is a Portable Air Conditioner Efficient?
The rule of thumb while purchasing the portable air conditioner is to look for an energy-efficient rating (EER). The higher the EER, the more energy-efficient it is. Along with it, by cooling down the specific areas, you will have the freedom to less consume the central air conditioning system. You will have the benefit to lower down the energy costs.
- Does a Portable Air Conditioner Require to Vent?
Yes!! Like other air conditioners, these portable air conditioners need to be vented in some or the other fashion. With the help of the portable air conditioner, you can pull out all the warm air and cool down the specific area. It will push the cool air out from the front unit and the warm air will be out from the back of the unit. The best way to vent is through a window as through window you can take all the warm air and moisture out of the room. For this, we have the window snap kit that will help in the easy installation of the portable air conditioner.
Conclusion:
So, this is the end of the ten best portable air conditioners and now you should start looking for the best one that suits your needs. Based on the size of your room, where you want to place the air conditioner, you can choose the model and brand.