Portable air conditioners fill a much-needed role within the mobile A/C market. They're a practical choice for anyone who needs a flexible, easy-to-move cooling solution without a permanent setup, and they're generally simple to install and store between seasons. The best portable air conditioners feature efficient dual-hose designs and quieter inverter-controlled compressors, all the while providing quick and consistent cooling performance along with added convenience features, like programmable timers or app control. It's also important to pick a unit that's sized appropriately: an oversized A/C cools too fast to properly remove humidity, which can make a room feel clammy rather than cool and dry.
We've bought more than 20 air conditioners and subjected them all to the same rigorous testing methodology, and based our recommendations on that data, along with additional factors like price and availability. That said, if you'd rather do the work yourself, we've included a buyer's guide to help identify some of the main things to look out for when shopping for a new A/C.
If you're looking for an alternative and have the space and ability to install one, it's worth checking out our recommendations for the best window air conditioners, as they tend to be more efficient overall and can cool spaces more quickly and consistently than portable units. Alternatively, if you want a broader overview of the A/C market, see our recommendations for the best air conditioners, the best small room air conditioners, and the best air conditioners for bedrooms.
Behind all of our air conditioner recommendations are our product reviews. We buy our own air conditioners directly from major retailers and have our team rigorously test them in our lab. The result? Robust data on features you care about, like cooling capacity and inside noise, which you can then compare across the 20 models we've tested.
If this sounds cool to you, you'll definitely want to read more in our About Us.
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Best Portable Air Conditioner
Large Room8.0Bedroom/Small Room7.6Combined Efficiency7.7Oversizing Tolerance8.1Noise8.4Type:Dual-Hose Portable A/CAdvertised Capacity (DOE):12,000 BTU/hrTested Capacity:9,256 BTU/hr (2,714 W)See all our test resultsCompressor Technology:InverterThe best portable air conditioner we've tested is the Whynter NEX ARC-1230WN. This high-end unit has a tested capacity of around 9,000 BTU/hr, giving it enough cooling power to handle even large open-concept living spaces all by itself. Despite that output, it runs impressively quietly for its size, so it won't be overly intrusive in shared spaces. It also packs in everything you could want from a portable A/C. It has built-in Wi-Fi, so you can control it or check the temperature at home remotely through the NetHome Plus app. It also works with Google Home and Amazon Alexa so that you can adjust the temperature or fan speed with a voice command. On top of that, there's a dedicated dehumidification-only mode for humid days when you don't necessarily need cooling. Its two-in-one hose design is more compact than most dual-hose models, so it's easier to move between rooms since there's less to set up.
The one thing you can't get around is the size: this is still a genuinely bulky appliance, so if floor space is tight, that's worth keeping in mind. That aside, it doesn't suffer from the same oversizing issue that plagues non-inverter models. Its inverter compressor can run at a lower speed instead of cycling on and off when maintaining your desired setpoint, which gives it enough time to properly dehumidify the air as it cools. The result is a room that feels comfortably cool and dry rather than cold and clammy. If you're dealing with a large, humid space and want a portable unit that can actually keep up, the Whynter is about as good as it gets in this category.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Portable Air Conditioner
Large Room7.7Bedroom/Small Room7.8Combined Efficiency7.3Oversizing Tolerance8.4Noise8.6Type:Dual-Hose Portable A/CAdvertised Capacity (DOE):10,000 BTU/hrTested Capacity:7,533 BTU/hr (2,209 W)See all our test resultsCompressor Technology:InverterIf you have a smaller space and don't need the sheer capacity the Whynter NEX ARC-1230WN offers, the Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL is a slightly more affordable option that delivers a similar feature set. It has a tested capacity of around 7,500 BTU/hr, making it a better fit for average-sized living spaces. The two units are actually nearly identical under the hood: they share the same digital interface, and Whynter's NetHome Plus app is effectively a reskinned version of the Midea Air smartphone app. It also shares the same space-saving two-in-one hose design. Its inverter compressor allows for relatively efficient operation with minimal swings in temperature or humidity while maintaining your desired setpoint, which is particularly useful in humid climates where keeping moisture levels stable matters as much as the temperature itself. It's also quiet enough to leave running in the background while you're watching TV or trying to sleep.
The main area where it falls short is cooling capacity, which runs about 20% lower than the Whynter. In practice, this means it'll take a little longer to cool a comparably sized space, so if you're trying to bring down the temperature quickly in a large room during a heat wave, you may notice the difference. For smaller apartments or medium-sized living spaces, though, it's more than capable and unlikely to leave you wanting more.
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Best Mid-Range Portable Air Conditioner
Large Room7.4Bedroom/Small Room7.4Combined Efficiency5.8Oversizing Tolerance7.5Noise8.8Type:Dual-Hose Portable A/CAdvertised Capacity (DOE):8,000 BTU/hrTested Capacity:6,675 BTU/hr (1,958 W)See all our test resultsCompressor Technology:InverterThe Hisense Tower HIAP0825TWD is worth a look if you're shopping at a mid-range price point and want something that takes up a little less space. Compared to the pricier Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL, it has a slightly lower cooling capacity and will be fractionally slower to bring an equivalently sized space to the same temperature, though its performance is still sufficient for most offices and smaller apartments. That said, its eponymous tower-like design gives it a more compact footprint than the latter, which is great in tighter offices where space is at more of a premium, though it's still worth noting that this is a very tall unit, at a little over four feet in height. Its inverter-controlled compressor runs quietly too, especially at lower fan speeds, and it won't be a nuisance even in home offices and bedrooms.
It isn't all roses, however, as the HIAP0825TWD isn't very power-efficient when it comes to maintaining your desired temperature. Its inverter-controlled compressor modulates to a higher degree than what's normal for a unit with this kind of design. As a result, this unit will have more of an impact on your energy bill than the more powerful Midea MAP12S1TBL.
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Best Budget Portable Air Conditioner
Large Room5.1Bedroom/Small Room6.2Combined Efficiency4.9Oversizing Tolerance7.5Noise4.4Type:Single-Hose Portable A/CAdvertised Capacity (DOE):4,000 BTU/hrTested Capacity:3,335 BTU/hr (978 W)See all our test resultsCompressor Technology:Non-InverterIf you're on a tight budget and only need to cool a small space, the SereneLife SLPAC8 could be right for you. With a tested capacity of around 3,000 BTU/hr, it's best suited for a tighter dorm room or home office and will take a little under twice as much time to cool a comparably sized room as the more powerful Hisense Tower HIAP0825TWD. On the upside, for a unit this basic, it's a welcome surprise how feature-rich it is: there's a remote control so you can adjust settings without getting up, a dedicated dehumidification mode for humid days when you don't necessarily need full cooling, and a digital thermostat for precise temperature control.
The main drawback of this unit is its noise: compared to the Hisense, which is whisper-quiet at lower fan speed settings, the SereneLife can become a genuine nuisance in quieter environments. It occasionally produces brief bursts of noise exceeding 78 dBA, which is roughly on par with a vacuum cleaner and loud enough to interrupt a conversation or pull your attention away from what you're watching. Its single-hose design also forces it to work harder than it should, which takes a toll on efficiency. That being said, if noise isn't a dealbreaker for you and you just need something basic to cool a small space on a budget, it gets the job done.
Notable Mentions
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LG DUAL Inverter LP1419IVSM:
The LG DUAL Inverter LP1419IVSM is a high-end portable A/C unit designed for medium- to large-sized spaces. It features a somewhat unique selling point: a dual-inverter compressor that operates at variable speeds rather than cycling on and off. Unfortunately, this unit is hamstrung by its single-hose design, which severely compromises its efficiency compared to dual-hose models like the Whynter NEX ARC-1230WN.
See our review -
Whynter NEX ARC-1030WN:
The Whynter NEX ARC-1030WN is a portable A/C with an advertised 10,000 BTU/hr cooling capacity. It's mechanically identical to the Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL, as Whynter is a Midea subsidiary, and delivers near-identical performance as a result. If one unit is a good fit for your circumstances, pick whichever is cheaper in your region.
See our review
Recent Updates
Jun 23, 2026:
We've replaced the LG LP0721WSR with the Hisense Tower HIAP0825TWD as the 'Best Mid-Range Portable Air Conditioner' pick due to the latter's superior overall performance. We've also added the Whynter NEX ARC-1030WN to the Notable Mentions section and a Buyer's Guide to help you determine what to look out for when buying a new portable A/C.
Apr 30, 2026:
We ensured all main picks remain available and improved text clarity by providing better context for user needs and features.
Mar 31, 2026:
Recategorized the Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL as the 'Best Upper Mid-Range Portable Air Conditioner' pick, and added the LG LP0721WSR as the 'Best Mid-Range Portable Air Conditioner'. Removed the Hisense HAP0824TWD from the Notable Mentions due to current availability.
What To Consider When Choosing A Portable A/C
There are a few main factors to consider when shopping for a new portable A/C unit. Here are some of the key considerations to take into account:
Dual-Hose VS Single-Hose Designs
Portable A/Cs typically come in one of two flavors, which are meant to cater to different sections of the market.
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Single-Hose Portable Units
- Generally found on cheaper, lower-end units.
- Inefficient overall design:
- Single-hose models intake indoor air to cool the hot compressor, generating negative air pressure and dragging warm air from outside, which forces the unit to offset that additional load.
- Take up less room than dual-hose units, especially when not in use.
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Dual-Hose Portable Units
- Typically found on mid-range and higher-end models.
- Far more efficient than single-hose units, as they have a separate intake hose to draw in outdoor air to cool the compressor. As a result, warm outdoor air isn't being sucked into the cooled space.
- Take up a lot of room, though some newer models feature two-in-one hoses to minimize bulk.
Compressor TYpe
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Inverter Compressors
- Generally found on more expensive models.
- Can run consistently at a lower speed to maintain a desired temperature, instead of cycling on and off.
- This results in greater flexibility and allows the A/C to run efficiently in areas where it would otherwise be oversized, as the unit can cool as quickly as it dehumidifies, keeping rooms comfortably cool instead of clammy.
- Introduces a higher number of potential failure points.
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Fixed-Speed Compressors
- Relatively inefficient and can result in inconsistent temperature and humidity levels since this style of compressor cycles on and off to maintain your desired temperature.
- Typically found on cheaper units.
- Lack of an inverter control board reduces potential failure points.
Capacity
If you do go for a portable air conditioner with a fixed-speed compressor, you'll want to pay close attention to its overall capacity. This is because fixed-speed compressors operate as their name suggests: they either run at full speed or not at all. If you purchase an A/C with too much capacity for a given space, it will cool a room faster than it can dehumidify it, rendering the space cold and clammy. Below is a quick outline of the cooling capacity you should aim for, depending on the size of the room you're trying to cool.
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5,000 BTU/hr
- Generally suitable for rooms up to 150 ft² (13.9 m²)
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8,000 BTU/hr
- Generally suitable for rooms up to 350 ft² (32.5 m²)
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10,000 BTU/hr and higher
- Generally suitable for rooms up to and larger than 450 ft² (41.8 m²)
Once the desired temperature is reached, fixed-speed compressors must cycle on and off to maintain the setpoint. With an oversized unit, the compressor cycling can be slow, giving time for both temperature and humidity to creep back up, so the temperature in your room won't feel especially consistent.
This issue doesn't affect A/Cs with inverter compressors nearly as much, as they can lower their compressor speed to match the required load. That said, there is a point of diminishing efficiency here: a 15,000 BTU/hr inverter unit used in a small space and forced to operate constantly at its lowest operating range simply won't be as efficient as a 5,000 BTU/hr inverter unit that's a better match for the space.
Noise
Here are a couple of examples of different noise levels that cover the vast majority of household A/Cs, and what they can generally be compared to:
- ≥ 60 dBA
- Generally, the threshold most people would consider to be "noisy" or "distracting" for a household appliance. Examples include conversation spoken at a normal volume or typing on an office keyboard.
- 50 dBA
- Within the general range of quiet conversation or moderate to strong rainfall.
- 40 dBA and below
- What people typically consider "quiet." Generally, the range of most household appliances, like a refrigerator or dishwasher.
Inverter compressors tend to produce a high-pitched chattering sound when entering a cooling cycle, which is a relatively infrequent but sometimes distracting sound. Conversely, fixed-speed compressors regularly cycle on and off to maintain your desired temperature, resulting in a more frequent, but potentially less noisy, sound overall.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are some of the best portable A/Cs for most people. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
That said, there's no single best option that'll suit everybody; your needs will depend on your budget, the size of the space you're trying to cool, your tolerance for operating noise, and whether you like having a device with convenience features like Wi-Fi connectivity. If you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our portable A/C reviews.