Contrary to popular belief, the best portable air conditioners do more than just keep you cool in the summer – many are also designed to bring comfort all-year round, for use well into the winter months. Portable ACs have become increasingly popular in recent years because they're easy to set up and manoeuvre, making them a great choice for anyone who wants an efficient way to maintain a comfortable home environment.
In an ideal world, our homes would naturally stay cool in summer and warm in winter; but for most of us, that's not always the case. When temperatures get too hot or too cold, enlisting the help of one of the best portable conditioners can do wonders for keeping your home at the perfect balance without the high costs and fuss of installing a permanent unit.
Unlike the best fans, which simply circulate air to create a breeze to cool a person, portable air conditioners actively lower a room's temperature by using a refrigerant and compressor. However, portable ACs are a bit more of an investment as a result, so it's important to take your time to find the right one for your needs. Therefore, to help inform your decision, the Ideal Home team have tested models from top brands to find the best ones among the bunch – looking at how well they cool, how easy they are to use, how loud they are, and what kind of value they offer.
One model that immediately stood out to us was the MeacoCool MC Series, which combines reliable cooling power, simple controls, and fantastic value (but more on that below). Furthermore, you'll find our top options for every home, alongside plenty of helpful tips to ensure you make the right choice.
The quick list
Short on time? This quick list is an overview of the very best portable air conditioners available, according to our experts. You'll find more information on each air conditioning unit and why our testers recommend it if you keep on scrolling.
Best overall
Affordable, lightweight and compact, energy efficient and easy to use, there's lots to love about the MeacoCool MS Series. We tested the smallest 7000 BTU model, but there are also 8000, 9000, 10000, 12000, and 14000 BTU options for every room size imaginable.
Best powerful
A powerful 3400W portable air conditioner that looks good, is easy to use, relatively quiet in comparison to most, has WiFi connectivity, and – most importantly – can cool down a room fast, as long as you don't mind it's slightly higher running costs.
Best air conditioner and dehumidifier
Sporting a smooth, compact design with ease of portability thanks to its useful handles and castor wheels, this 2-in-1 air conditioner and dehumidifier helps tackle both heat and damp issues for all-year-round use.
Best multifunctional
If you're spending this much on an appliance – and one that's going to take up a good deal of storage space in the home – then you might want it to do more than just cool. The Russell Hobbs RHPAC11001 can do just that, offering 4-in-1 use thanks to air con, fan, dehumidifier, and heater functionality.
Best stylish
A stylish mobile air conditioner that offers 3-in-1 functionality, WiFi connectivity, and comes with remote control and window kit included. Our tests found it lacked a little power and was on the noisier side, but its 1000W energy consumption does mean lower energy use compared to many models.
Best affordable
There's no denying portable air con units are expensive, so if affordability is key then this Pro Breeze model is a very good price for its 9000 BTU. We haven't tested it thoroughly yet, but third party reviews mention it being basic – and noisy – but still doing the job of lowering the temperature when you're looking to beat the heat.
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Amazon bestseller
We haven't yet reviewed this Black + Decker model, but we've included it in this round-up because it consistently gets good reviews across multiple retailers, and stock availability is currently good. There's also a wide range of sizes to choose from, including 7000, 9000, 10000, 12000 and 16000 BTU options.
Best portable air conditioner 2025
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Best portable air conditioner overall
Relatively affordable, lightweight, compact, energy-efficient and easy to use, there's a lot to love about the MeacoCool MS Series portable air conditioners. This is why we think they're the best portable air conditioner to invest in if you're looking for an affordable all-rounder. We tested the smallest model, the 7000BTU version, which is recommended for rooms between 12-22m2. For larger spaces, Meaco offers a wide range of options from 8000 to 14000BTU, ensuring there's a suitable model for various sizes and scenarios.
The 7000BTU air conditioner's 20.5kg weight, whilst not insignificant, makes it far lighter than the 30kg average and means this unit is much easier to move around the home than most. It also boasts a low power consumption of just 780W, resulting in lower running costs overall. During testing, it effectively reduced the room temperature by 2°C in just 10 minutes. While it produces 51-53dB of noise depending on the cooling setting, our testers found this acceptable given its efficient cooling capabilities.
The unit also comes with a remote control and includes two window kits, as well as a timer function and a 'night' mode for slightly quieter operation while you sleep. It also offers 3-in-1 functionality as an air conditioner, fan, and dehumidifier, for added versatility. Overall, the MeacoCool MC Series 7000BTU Portable Air Conditioner is a solid option that delivers excellent performance at an attractive price point.
Read our full MeacoCool MC Series 7000BTU Portable Air Conditioner review for more details.
Best powerful portable air conditioner
The AEG Comfort 6000 Portable Air Conditioner is a powerful and stylish unit that quickly cools spaces up to 18m2. It's easy to use, relatively quiet , and even offers Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to control it from the comfort of your phone. With a cooling capacity of 900BTU, the AEG Comfort 6000 can move big amounts of cold air with no issues at all and even offers a 12000BTU model for larger areas of up to 36m2. Yes, it comes with slightly higher running costs than others on the list; namely, the MeacoCool MC Series which operates at 780W for 7000BTU, it makes up for it with its impressive cooling speed and power, effectively cooling a room in just minutes – meaning it doesn't need to run for as long to achieve those optimal temperatures.
As far as noise levels go, the AEG Comfort 6000 is notably quieter than most portable air conditioners, maxing out at 64dB. While other units can sound like a tractor engine rattle, our reviewer noted that it instead sounded like the 'white noise' of gushing cold air. This made it tolerable and even suitable for use in the bedroom overnight, which is a huge plus if you want a portable AC to achieve a comfortable night's sleep in the stifling heat.
Unfortunately, this unit doesn't include a remote control or window kit, which some models offer as standard. It's also one of the heavier units we've tested, coming in at 31.5kg, making it a bit challenging to move freely from room to room. However, with a sleek design and strong cooling power, the AEG Comfort 6000 continues to stand out as a top choice nonetheless for those who want fast, effective cooling and quieter operation compared to what's currently on the market.
Read our full AEG Comfort 6000 Portable Air Conditioner review for more details.
Best portable air conditioner and dehumidifier
Traditionally, the UK has long been associated with wet, dreary weather for the majority of the year, making the best dehumidifiers a more fitting investment for all-year-round use in a British home. However, with week-long heatwaves and general warm temperatures becoming more commonplace, having an appliance to tackle both concerns is the ideal solution. Enter, the Russell Hobbs 2-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner and Dehumidifier.
Although it doesn't exactly bypass the issue of space and heaviness (coming in at 29kg), its design is undeniably one of the more compact and slimline among the models we've tried. Equipped with a window sealing kit for easy installation and handles and castor wheels for added portability, this appliance is sure to become your best friend during those long stints of hot weather. Better yet, because of its dehumidifier function, having both of these functionalities working in tandem with one another can help you achieve the best possible indoor air quality – especially when you consider how humid British summertime can get.
During testing, our reviewer particularly liked the LED screen on the front and the way the top opening automatically shuts when the appliance isn't in use. However, it's worth noting that because of its slightly more compact size, it likely won't effectively cool down spaces above 16m2. Not to mention, the temperature at its coolest is only 18°C. But, this should still be enough of a difference to experience significant relief during unbearable soaring temperatures. That said, it's one of the best we've tested from the brand and a worthy investment.
Read our full Russell Hobbs 2-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner and Dehumidifier review for more details.
Best multifunctional portable air conditioner
The Russell Hobbs RHPAC11001 stands out with its 4-in-1 functionality, allowing it to serve as an air conditioner, fan, dehumidifier, and heater. This versatility could potentially offer better value for your money, as it can keep your space cool in summer and warm in winter, making it a practical year-round solution that just keeps on giving.
Equipped with a powerful 11000BTU cooling capacity, it can effectively cool spaces of 13-21m2 while consuming just 1230W of energy, resulting in lower running costs when compared to the 3400W consumed by the AEG Comfort 6000. In our tests, the Russell Hobbs RHPAC11001 cooled a 4.5m2 room by 2°C in just 10 minutes, and despite a manufacturer-stated noise level of 65dB, our reviewer found it quieter than the MeacoCool MC Series. This makes it most comparable to the AEG Comfort 6000 on this front.
While it's heavier than some alternatives, making it less portable, the Russell Hobbs RHPAC11001 boasts good build quality, easy-to-use controls, and an unobtrusive design that can be desirable for many. It just falls short of the MeacoCool MC Series because of its heavier weight and more affordable price tag, and to the AEG Comfort 6000 in terms of cooling power. However, if those models are out of stock, this unit remains a strong investment for effective cooling and year-round versatility.
Read our full Russell Hobbs RHPAC11001 Portable Air Conditioner review for more details.
Best stylish portable air conditioner
The Duux North 9K Smart Air Conditioner is a stylish portable unit that offers 3-in-1 functionality, including cooling, heating, and dehumidifying, alongside Wi-Fi connectivity and a remote control for ease. Its sleek, modern design sets it apart from traditional bulky, white air conditioners, making it visually appealing and less obtrusive in a room. However, its aesthetics are really its biggest talking points, as the Duux North 9K Smart fell short of our expectations given its higher price point.
Performance-wise, it felt a little underpowered compared to the AEG Comfort 6000, and, although its 1000W energy consumption is a lot less than the 3400W AEG comfort – making for cheaper running costs – it couldn't beat the best-in-class 780W MeacoCool MC Series on that front either.
Unfortunately, the noise levels emitted by the Duux North 9K is comparable to most portable air conditioners, coming up as a disappointment for those who were perhaps hoping for a quieter operation similar to the brand's Whisper Flex Ultimate Fan. If you're looking for a silent solution to keep a bedroom cool, we'd be more inclined to recommend the fan, even if it doesn't actively lower room temperatures like the North 9K Smart. Overall, if you're after effective cooling and a stylish design, this unit could be worth considering; but it's hard to overlook its shortcomings, especially at its premium price.
Read our full Duux North 9K Smart Air Conditioner review for more details.
Best affordable portable air conditioner
There's no denying portable air con units are expensive, so if affordability is key then this Pro Breeze 9000 BTU 4-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner is certainly a winner on price. While we haven't had a chance to test this model ourselves, our previous experiences with Pro Breeze products have suggested they perform adequately at entry-level price points. Not to mention, third-party reviews say that while this model is basic and somewhat noisy, it still effectively lowers room temperatures to more comfortable levels.
Weighing in at 24kg, this Pro Breeze model is relatively lightweight compared to most of the portable air conditioners in our round-up, averaging 30kg and more. It also shares the efficient 780W energy consumption of the MeacoCool MC Series, although it's possible that it may lack the power of higher-end models like the AEG Comfort 6000 and the Russell Hobbs RHPAC11001.
While it probably won't win prizes in the style stakes, this Pro Breeze model offers several handy features for its price, including a remote control, timer, 'night' settings, and Wi-Fi connectivity. However, some reviewers mention its Smart features leave a little to be desired. Overall, at its current price point, the Pro Breeze 9000 BTU 4-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner stands out as one of the most affordable options from a recognised brand, which makes it a pretty compelling choice if you're pressed for funds.
Bestselling portable air conditioner
