10 Tips on How to Find the Best Portable Air Conditioner for You

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Need to quickly cool down but don't have the space for a window or central air conditioning system? If so, a small portable air conditioner may be just what you need to beat the heat this summer.

A portable air conditioner is basically a small, mobile air conditioner that can be moved from room to room. Unlike window air conditioners which must be mounted, portable AC units are easy to maneuver, can be placed directly on the floor and require no permanent installation. They work great in apartment situations where a window air conditioning unit just isn't an option. To find the best portable air conditioner, read through our ten buying tips!

Determine the size of the area you want to cool.

Keep in mind that portable AC units aren't meant to cool down entire homes or buildings; they're more suitable for spot cooling specific areas or rooms. The first step to choosing the best portable air conditioner for your needs is to determine the square footage of the area you want to cool.

Find out how much cooling power you need.

Portable air conditioners are sized according to BTUs. A BTU is a unit of energy that's commonly used in the power, steam generation, and heating and air conditioning industries. In general, a portable air conditioner's BTU rating describes its power and cooling capacity. Naturally, the higher the BTU rating, the more powerful the air conditioner. An incorrectly sized portable AC unit will result in inefficient cooling, so choose wisely! Refer to the chart below to find out how many BTUs you'll need:

Portable Air Conditioner Sizing Guide

Your Room Size

How Many BTUs You Need

100 - 200 square feet

7,000 - 10,000

150 - 250 square feet 8,000 - 11,000
250 - 350 square feet 9,000 - 12,000
350 - 450 square feet 12,000 - 16,000

Add or subtract BTUs if needed.

The above chart estimates BTUs based on average room conditions in a moderate climate. Some exceptions may also apply, and if they do, you'll need to add or subtract BTUs as necessary.

  • Add the BTU amount by 10% for second story homes or especially sunny areas

  • Reduce the BTUs by 10% for shaded areas

  • Add 600 BTUs for each additional person over two persons in a room

  • Add 4,000 BTUs if you're cooling a kitchen

Consider your environment's overall climate.

If you live in an especially hot or arid climate, a portable air conditioner spanning less than 20° may not be sufficient. Look for temperature increments, and be sure that the unit you choose can be incremented in notches of 1° to 2°. This allows for greater precision and prevents electricity waste.

Look for an auto-evaporative system.

One thing to consider is a portable air conditioner's cooling technology. Most modern portable ACs utilize an auto-evaporative system. Auto-evaporative technology uses recycled moisture collected during the cooling process to provide more efficient cooling. This type of system will also reduce the amount of condensate collected in the unit's tank. Our best portable air conditioners all have auto-evaporate