The best portable air conditioners I’m certain will sell out this summer — and there’s one for every budget
If previous years are anything to go by, these best portable air conditioners will be like gold dust when the summer hits
Over the last few years, the UK has experienced some of the hottest summers on record, and we've already experienced the warmest day of the year so far with temperatures reaching well into the mid-20s, giving us a glimpse of what we could expect come summer. And with UK housing stock designed to keep the heat in rather than out, it's no wonder than more people are turning to the best portable air conditioners to quickly and conveniently cool down their homes.
While you might already have one of the best fans, which is designed to circulate air, portable air conditioners actively lower a room's temperature by using a refrigerant and a compressor to chill the air. Portable ACs have become increasingly popular in recent years because they're more readily available and affordable than ever before, as well as being incredibly effective.
Best in-stock air conditioners
Some of our top-rated portable air conditioners are currently unavailable at certain retailers as they replenish stock after selling out last year. But as summer is fast approaching we expect them to become available in the next few weeks.
If you'd prefer to buy one right now, I've flagged which of our best buys are in stock below, and will update it as more stock becomes available.
https://www.very.co.uk/delonghi-el112-cst-portable-air-conditioner-11000-btu/1600739683.prd
- Best overall portable air conditioner: Meacocool MC Series 7000 BTU portable air conditioner, in stock at Amazon
- Best affordable portable air conditioner: Pro Breeze 9000 BTU 4-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner, in stock at Amazon
- Quietest portable air conditioner: DeLonghi Pinguino Care4MeEL112 portable air conditioner, in stock at Very
The quick list
Short on time? This quick list is an overview of the very best portable air conditioners available, according to our experts.
Best overall
Affordable, lightweight and compact, energy efficient and easy to use, there's a lot to love about the MeacoCool MS Series. Our reviewer tested the smallest 7000 BTU model, but there are also 8000, 9000, 10000, 12000, and 14000 BTU options for every room size imaginable.
Best affordable
There's no denying portable air con units are expensive, so if affordability is key, then this Pro Breeze model is one of the very best budget portable air conditioners 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.
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 its 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.
Quietest portable air conditioner
One of the downsides of portable air conditioners in general is that they can be noisy, but our tester found this DeLonghi model to be quiet even in active cooling mode, with her decibel reader measure a noise level similar to the hum of a fridge. It's also packed with cool features to allow you to personalise the cooling experience, but does come with a hefty price tag.
Best portable air conditioners – tried and tested by expert reviewers
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.
Our reviewer 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 the full MeacoCool MC Series 7000BTU Portable 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 one of the best budget portable air conditioners on price.
While I haven't had a chance to test this model myself yet, the review is coming soon, and our testers' 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 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.
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. Our reviewer noted that it instead sounded like the 'white noise' of gushing cold air, making it suitable for use in the bedroom overnight.
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.
Read the 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 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.
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.
Read the 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.
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 reviewer's 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. It just falls short of the MeacoCool MC Series because of its heavier weight and less affordable price tag, and compared to the AEG Comfort 6000 in terms of cooling power.
Read the full Russell Hobbs RHPAC11001 Portable Air Conditioner review for more details.
Quietest portable air conditioner
While this DeLonghi portable air conditioner is definitely an investment buy, it's packed with loads of handy features.
Our tester Zoë loved how easy it was to use (she preferred the app, but you can also control it via the smart remote, the on-board controls or via a voice assistant) and while there are multiple settings to choose from, she didn't find the options intimidating or overly complex. A particular feature that got a big thumbs up from Zoë was the ability to schedule the unit to pre-cool a room, which was very helpful when it came to getting her son's room a comfortable temperature before bed.
It also comes with a smart sensing function that monitors the temperature and humidity of the air around the remote constantly, and adapts how it's working to make the environment comfortable. That means if you keep the remote by you, you can ensure your personal comfort without having to keep getting up and going over to the unit, or find yourself constantly faffing with the controls to find a comfortable setting.
Moreover, according to Zoë's own decibel meter readings, this portable AC emits the lowest noise, even in cooling mode. Zoë even found that she didn't need to adjust the volume of the television when using the AC in her living room. For those sensitive to noise, or who want to use a portable air conditioner overnight, this feature will be highly sought after.
Read the full Delonghi Pinguino Care4Me EL112 air conditioner review for more details.
Best portable air conditioners compared
Model | Cooling capacity | Manufacturer's maximum recommended room size | Weight | Noise level | Wattage | Window kit included? |
7000 BTU | 22m2 | 20.5kg | 51-53dB | 780W | Yes | |
9000 BTU | 22m2 | 24kg | 54-65dB | 780W | Yes | |
9000 BTU | 18m2 | 31.5kg | 64dB | 3400W | No | |
9000 BTU | 16m2 | 29kg | 65dB | 960W | Yes | |
11000 BTU | 21m2 | 31kg | 65dB | 1230W | Yes | |
11000 BTU | 29m2 | 33kg | 46-53dB | 950W | Yes |
When should you buy a portable air conditioner?
It's best not to wait until a heatwave hits to think about getting a portable air conditioner, as over the last few years, we've seen stock availability struggle with high demand. Waiting until you're desperate could mean you end up with a model that is less suitable for your home and budget.
They're also not cheap to buy, so it's best to treat them as a considered rather than impulse purchase.
Buying one before a heatwave hits means you have it ready to go when you need it. Getting one ahead of time means that you have time to get to grips with how it works and get prepped so that when temperatures do rise, you don't have to waste time faffing around and instead you can just embrace the cooling benefits.
Where to buy portable air conditioners
I've rounded up the best retailers to shop for the best portable air conditioners, offering a mix of prices, styles and features, so you can find the perfect match for your space.
- Airconcentre: all things air quality and cooling
- Amazon: a wide selection of brands and models
- Appliances Direct: options from 7000 to 23000BTU
- Argos: a range of options from affordable to investment
- AO: find a selection of air conditioners, from AEG to DeLonghi
- B&Q: a good selection of in-stock options
- Currys: a wide range of brand names
- Robert Dyas: affordable portable air conditioners
How to choose the right portable air conditioner
First and foremost, you'll need to choose a portable air conditioner with suitable cooling power for the room you want too cool. This is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU) and the higher number the more powerful the cooling capacity.
Choose a too-high BTU rating for your room and you'll pay more for the unit itself and use more energy than you need to, which'll mean higher energy bills. However, opt for a too-low BTU rating, and it won't cool the space effectively.
So what BTU rating do you need? To work out the amount of cooling you need, you'll need to take into account the size of the room you want to cool, how many windows and which way they face, and the heat emitters in the space.
Meaco suggests doing the following as a guide:
- Measure the length and width in metres of the room you want to cool, and do the following calculation: Length (m) x width (m) x 337. The answer will give you the room area BTU you need.
- If there are windows in the room, measure their length and width in metres and note their orientation. Then do the following calculation: Length (m) x width (m) x 870 (for south facing windows) or 165 (for north facing windows). If there are no blinds on the windows, multiply the answer by 1.5. That will give you the windows BTU you need.
- Next you need to think about how many people are usually in the room. Multiply the number of people by 400. That will give you the occupant BTU.
- Then you need to think about any devices in the room that may be emitting heat that your portable air conditioner will need to accommodate for. Take the wattage for each item (you will be able to find this on the device itself, in the instruction manual or online), add the wattages together and multiply the answer by 3.5. This will give you the equipment BTU.
- Lastly, you need to add up the wattage for all the lighting in the room and multiply that by 4.25. That will give you the lighting BTU.
- As a final step, do the following calculation to see what size portable air conditioner you need. Room area BTU + windows BTU + occupant BTU + equipment BTU + lighting BTU = Total amount of cooling your portable air con will need to provide.
You should also look at things like whether a window kit is included (portable ACs need to be vented out of a window) and how long the hose is, how noisy it is, whether it can double as a dehumidifier or purifier as well as any energy saving features, like an eco mode, that it might have.
How we test portable air conditioners
When it comes to how we test fans and portable air conditioners here at Ideal Home, we test everything from how it is to unbox, set up and use, how effective it is, as well as how much it costs and whether we think it offers good value for money.
Our team of reviewers test a host of bestselling portable air conditioners in their own homes so we have the best idea of how they will perform in yours. We test each model in a suitably sized room for at least two weeks to see how it fits into everyday life. And the rankings aren't based on spec sheets alone. They come from first-hand testing in our homes during the hottest spells. Each model is assessed over days or weeks so our reviewers can see how it performs in everyday life.
While we compare the specification of each portable air conditioner, we also collect our own data, from how quickly the room reaches a comfortable temperature to how noisy the air conditioner is when in cooling mode.
