7 best portable air conditioners for summer 2024: Amazon, De'Longhi, AEG & more | HELLO! (2024)

With temperatures reaching record highs more and more each summer, some of us are going to extreme lengths to keep ourselves cool – like resorting to making ice cold ‘hot’ water bottles or covering yourself in freezing towels (sound familiar?) and experts are predicting 2024 has some more heatwaves in store.

If you were someone who struggled during the last heatwave, it could be time to start thinking about investing in a portable air conditioner for one or more of the rooms in your home.

It's true that portable air conditioners can be pricey, but heatwaves can be uncomfortable, and, especially if you spend a lot of time at home, they might be a worthy investment for an easy no fuss solution. Fantastic for bringing down the temperature in a room, this type of AC can be either a standalone cooling fan (a less expensive but often less effective option) or a full AC setup with window hose included.

How does a portable air conditioner work?

Unlike fans, a portable air conditioner physically sucks up the hot air inside the room and expels it out through a window, via an exhaust hose, replacing the hot air with cold air. They're ideal for those really warm days or if you're looking to cool down a larger room. Many can also be used as a portable heater, fan or dehumidifier, and come with clever features like timers and smart controls.

What should you consider when looking for a portable air conditioner?

Georgette Beacham, heating & air conditioning expert atBigDug.co.uk, explains that portable air conditioners are becoming more and more popular. But what should you look for when considering buying one (or more) for your home?

“While budget will help determine the appropriate option for you, it's important to consider the spaces that the air conditioner will be cooling, i.e. how big are the rooms? Look out for helpful ratings that indicate the cooling capacity, such asBTU (British Thermal Unit) or the watts – higher BTUs or watts are typically more suitable for larger rooms, and lower for smaller rooms.

"Sometimes the recommended room size might be specified, too. The ‘maximum airflow’ is also a great indicator of how effectively the volume of air can move or circulate."

What are the pros and cons of a portable air conditioner?

Trying to decide whether to splurge on a central air system in your home or go the portable air conditioning route? Well, if you are considering portable air con, Georgette explained that there are some factors that you should consider before deciding whether to invest.

Portable air conditioner pros:

• Easy installation: "The minimal installation and ability to be mobile makes an air conditioner a great solution for keeping cool."
• Ease of use: "The increase in sales for portable air conditioners has allowed the evolution of their design to be refined, now becomingmore efficient, modernised, and user-friendly, ultimately resulting in the cost becoming more competitive and therefore making them even more appealing."
• Flexibility:"Portable options provide targeted cooling in individual rooms rather than the whole home, offering great flexibility while being more cost-effective than central air systems."

Portable air conditioner cons:

• Noise: "They can be noisy! The compressor of a portable air conditioner is inside the unit, and therefore inside the room that you’re cooling."
• Energy use: "Portable units can use more energy compared to other types of air conditioners, but this tends to be fairly minimal and varies from model to model."
• Maintenance: "Be aware of maintenance too, as portable options typically require their filters to be cleaned and water trays to be emptied."

How we chose the best portable air conditioner units

• Top-rated:We've only included bestselling air conditioner units that are well-rated with balanced, verified customer reviews.
• Type:Many portable air con units require a window hose, but I've also included non-hose cooling fans that just require ice and water.
• Price:Everyone wants a good deal, so we've found the portable air conditioners available at the most competitive prices, some of which are currently on sale. All of them represent great value for money.
• Trusted brands and retailers:Every portable AC is from a well-known top brand, such as Meaco, Delonghi, and Pro Breeze and available either straight from the brand or at familiar retailers like John Lewis and Amazon.

Other Topics

• Heatwave
• Summer
• Amazon
• Bedroom
• Living Room