Five portable air conditioners to beat the heat

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We’ve certainly come a long way in how we cool down indoors. Growing up I remember pedestal fans, window fans and window air conditioners being the go-to options when things got hot. Nowadays while these options are still there, there has been a shift to other forms of cooling, one of those being portable air conditioners.

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These freestanding units provide similar cooling power to a window AC unit but without the permanent installation aspect. They can be moved between rooms as needed and stored away when not in use, making it much more convenient. That being said, portable units need to be attached to an open window for proper airflow, but it is not permanent and can be set up and taken down fairly easily and quickly. 

Types of portable air conditioners

There are two main types of portable air conditioners: a single-hose and a dual-hose option.

Dual-hose air conditioners

The biggest difference between the two types is that the dual-hose air conditioners have separate hoses for air intake and exhaust. One hose functions as an air exhaust and the other draws air in from the outside. The air that is taken in is cooled inside the unit, then expelled back into the room. This helps cool a space faster, more efficiently and effectively. 

Single-hose air conditioners

Single-hose air conditioners are better for smaller rooms and budgets, since they are usually smaller and more lightweight. They work by pulling air from inside the room and expelling it outside, which causes the unit to work harder in larger spaces. 

Now that you have the backstory, check out some of the best portable air conditioner options to beat the heat below.

Summary of portable air conditioners

Best overall: GE Smart Portable Air Conditioner
Best on a budget:Midea Portable Air Conditioner
Best for larger spaces: BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner
Best for smaller spaces:Insignia Portable Air Conditioner
Best dual-hose option:Midea Duo HE Inverter Ultra Quiet Portable Air Conditioner

Top portable air conditioners, explained

Best overall: GE Smart Portable Air Conditioner

Packed with great features and the capacity to cool rooms up to 550 square feet, this unit has it all and that too at a fair price. Equipped with built-in Wi-Fi it can be controlled from anywhere via an app as well as a remote for easy control in the room. It also has auto evaporation to help evaporate any excess water eliminating the need to drain it. Easy to clean with a reusable, slide-out filter and simple installation, this provides cooling, circulating and dehumidifying all at once. 

Price: $499
Where to buy:Amazon

Best on a budget: Midea Portable Air Conditioner

A best-selling, 3-in-1 option that cools up to 150 square feet and is simple and easy to install. It comes with a remote for convenient control and also has wheels to make moving it around effortless. The full package at a fraction of the cost. 

Price: $285
Where to buy:Walmart

Best for larger spaces: BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner

A 3-in-1 AC, fan and dehumidifier that can cool up to 550 square feet and is easy to install. It features a vertical motion that creates a constant airflow and thus consistent temperature, a 24-hour on/off timer and sleep mode providing convenience all around. The filter can be slid out and rinsed under a faucet making maintenance a breeze. 

Price: Starting from $410
Where to buy:Amazon

Best for smaller spaces: Insignia Portable Air Conditioner

With the capacity to cool up to 150 square feet of living space, this unit has built-in castors making it easy to move around, a remote control for ease of use and a power failure memory function that remembers previous settings in case the power goes out. 

Price: $500
Where to buy: Best Buy

Best dual-hose option: Midea Duo HE Inverter Ultra Quiet Portable Air Conditioner

This powerful dual-hose option provides two times faster and stronger cooling. Cooling up to 450 square feet, it is said to be as quiet as a library. It also has smart Wi-Fi making it easy to control from anywhere.  

Price: $691
Where to buy:Amazon

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