OUR NEW ISSUE, HOME IS WHERE YOU ARE, IS HERE! Take a look →

Our pick for quietest is also pretty energy efficient.

Reading up on Domino’s shopping guides is like having your own personal product concierge. We do the tedious part—deep-dive research, hands-on testing, and tapping experts for advice—so all you have to do is hit ‘add to cart.’ That’s why we call them Simply the Best.

Portable air conditioners are like a window AC’s go-with-the-flow cousin: they work in almost any kind of window you throw their way (even sliding patio doors are possible); wheel around from room to room as needed; and require minimal installation. Basically, we’re fans. They can handle big and small spaces, from a sprawling family den to the long corridors of a railroad style apartment—we tried it all. 

Domino editors tested the best portable air conditioners on the market, and they’re not just hulking towers of plastic, rumbling away in the corner. We would happily coexist with any of them in our living rooms, and each comes with serious chops. To eschew that ugly portable AC stigma, read on for the best portable air conditioners—they’re outfitted with a myriad of smart technologies (and cooling powers) you won’t want to miss out on.

BTUs: 14,000  | Weight: 72.75 pounds | Depth: 19 inches | Smart app: Yes | Noise level: Very quiet

Why we chose it: It toils away whisper-quiet in the corner, and chills a room fast.

This do-it-all device from Midea is pretty cool (yes, pun intended) in its glossy all-black coat. The unit sits on caster wheels, so it can be rolled easily from one steamy room to another. But the DUO model has a special trick up its sleeve that’s unlike others: Its sound level is as low as 42 decibels, which is library quiet. Our tester also took notice of the appliance’s advanced duct system, which shoots up and out to amplify airflow (it reaches all the way to her office,which is over 20 feet away). 

Our tester did find the AC’s hose size a little intrusive—there are actually two built into the exhaust hose; one removes hot air from your home and the other brings in fresh air from outdoors. That said, there is a compartment for storage, so she can tuck the hose away neatly (like it’s not even there) when not in use on cooler days. While it’s definitely pricier, the DUO’s state-of-the-art tech, like having the ability to cool a 450-square-foot room in minutes, and its low noise level (quieter than most portables we’ve ever tried), is truly worth the price tag.

BTUs: 10,000  | Weight: 72 pounds | Depth: 13 inches | Smart app: Yes | Noise level: Can run loud

Why we chose it: There’s a lot of power in this small package. 

This Frigidaire wears many hats beyond being a medium for very cool air. It’s also a clean air ionizer, using ions to purify the air in your room, and a dehumidifier when on dry mode to keep your space feeling less sticky and thick. You’re able to create custom schedules for cooling through the app, too, but our favorite attribute is its size. Its depth—just 13 inches, the most slender on this list—and its 16-inch width means it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb next to your window treatments. 

The Frigidaire has prime circulation thanks to an auto swing louver, and if you shut it off and come back to later, it’ll pick up right where you left off; for example, at the same high setting versus having to build back up to cool temps. When crud builds up on the washable dust filter you can just pop it out r, toss it in the sink, and clean with warm soapy water. (You should change it every few months, but you’ll be able to tell if your AC needs to be cleared out sooner from any rattling sounds.) While portable ACs can typically be an investment buy, this pick is also the most affordable.

BTUs: 10,000  | Weight: 70.1 pounds | Depth: 18.1 inches | Smart app: Yes |  Noise level: Quiet

Why we chose it: We consider it a looker as far as portable ACs come.

With an all-white, shiny outer shell and silver trim around the control panel, this portable is designed to look really good, and cool even better. Its barely-there vent is far from an eye-sore and those gliding caster wheels allow you to move it around the home and office. Voice controls using Alexa or Google Assistant make it simple to turn the unit on or off without ever needing to get up from the sofa. 

“Install was incredibly simple,” says our tester, managing editor Kim Watkins. “Everything was thought through, and the instructions were easy to follow.” And for a portable air conditioner, this model is also energy efficient (similar to the Midea), saving up to 40 percent more than the federal standard for ACs.

BTUs: 7,000, 8,000, 10,000  | Weight: 72 pounds | Depth: 15 inches | Smart app: Yes | Noise level: Loud

Why we chose it: You won’t need much time or brainpower to get this thing going.

“We’ve never had to turn up this AC above low cool—it’s that powerful,” says deputy commerce editor Samantha Weiss-Hills, who tested this model out during a red-hot few weeks in her Brooklyn apartment. A dehumidifier, air conditioner, and fan all in one, this one is pretty flexible for whatever your needs may be. 

Weiss-Hills loved that the display turns off, so you don’t get any flashing light while trying to watch a movie with the lights off. It’s streamlined design doesn’t have many bells and whistles, but they aren’t too missed as far as how well it cools a room.This one doesn’t go unnoticed, though, in the noise department; Weiss-Hills said it was noticeably loud. But with its ability to cool efficiently (and rather quick) she turns it on while moseying around the house, and shuts it off during times she needs quiet, like taking video calls.

When deciding on our short list of the best portable air conditioners to test, we started with our priorities: clean silhouettes, well designed controls, and smart functionality (such as wifi or other perks). From there, our editors installed their ACs and put them to work for testing over two months from the first sweltering 90 degree day onward. We rated them first based on their installation (how cumbersome it was to install solo) as well as unboxing, weight, and if there were any issues. From there our focus moved to cooling power (how fast it cools and if it cooled to the square footage promised), noise level (if there’s a loud irritating hum, rattle, or if it lets in too much street noise), and drainage. 

The size of the portable AC you need depends on the size of the room, and the amount of British Thermal Units (BTUs) is what you’re looking for. An AC unit needs about 20 BTUs to cool a square foot, so if you have a room that is 400 square feet, you’ll want to look for an appliance that’s at least 8,000 BTUs. Keep in mind, if you think you’re getting ahead, that it shouldn’t be too big for your space, either. If it’s too high of a BTU for the room you’re cooling, it’ll quickly lower the temps, but won’t properly reduce humidity.

We hear it loud and clear: portables are notoriously noisy. In our selection process, we prioritized machines that were lower in decibel, so when you crank yours up to medium or high you won’t be upset about it. A unit’s average noise output is measured in decibels-quieter acs are at about 40 decibels and loud would be around 60.

Just like the best window air conditioners, smart appliances have a whole bucket-load of digital features to amplify your cooling experience. We’re talking auto shut offs and built-in timers to a voice control through apps like Amazon Alexa or Google Home. “It allows you to control your unit from anywhere so you never have to walk into a hot muggy room again,” says Mike Mayer, founder of popular direct-to-consumer AC brand, Windmill.

Yes. The process is typically pretty simple (and easier than window AC install). All you have to do is set the device up near a window or vent (for an opening for the hose) so that it can exhaust hot air somewhere out of your home. Yours should come with a window kit so you can create an airtight seal for the opening. Have at it! Or you could always hire a TaskRabbit.

When the time comes to drain your portable AC (which will wholly depend on your model, how often you use it, and if you often use settings like a humidifier), you can empty the water tank by placing a pan under the unit and letting the water drain into it. Easy- peasy.

Not all windows are compatible with window ACs. If you don’t have a standard double-hung window, or a narrow 20-inches-or-less window, things will usually be  too tight for a standard window AC. In those cases,  these standing models are an ideal option. There’s also little installation time when it comes to a portable—you’ll just need a window to vent out moisture and the exhaust tube. Plus, they’re mobile and can be scooched from room to room on wheels when hot days strike (as long as the hose reaches, or you’re willing to install it in another window). The downside is that they take up floor space and have worse energy efficiency than window units. It’s your call!

With the best portable air conditioners you don’t even need to fret about not having central air. While they are an investment, you get easier installs, better window compatibility, and high cooling strength. What’s not to love?

Domino’s editors independently curate every product on our site, because we’re just as obsessed with a great deal and an under-the-radar discovery as you are. Items you purchase may earn us an affiliate commission.

We participate in affiliate programs. If you purchase products via the links on our site, we may earn a commission to support our team.

Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service.

Copyright © 2021 Recurrent Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.