10 Best The Portable Ac 2025 in the United States

The Amazon Basics 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner offers a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU, suitable for rooms up to about 550 square feet, making it a good choice for bedrooms, home offices, or small living areas. It combines cooling, dehumidifying, and fan-only modes in one unit, providing flexibility to adjust to different comfort needs. The machine features an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of around 10, indicating moderate electricity use. Its dehumidification function helps reduce moisture, improving comfort in humid climates.

Portability is addressed well with built-in wheels and ergonomic handles, making it easy to move between rooms. The included window installation kit supports various window types, simplifying setup. Controls are user-friendly, with a digital display, programmable timer, and a remote that includes a “Follow Me” thermostat for more precise temperature management. This model uses a single-hose design, which exhausts hot air out of the room but may draw in some warm air from outside, slightly reducing efficiency compared to dual-hose systems. Weighing nearly 69 pounds, it's somewhat heavy but manageable on wheels.

This unit provides versatility and budget-friendly features for medium-sized spaces, especially if you want easy portability and multiple functions in one device. However, if low noise or maximum cooling efficiency is a top priority, some trade-offs may need to be considered.

The SereneLife Small Portable Air Conditioner offers a solid 12,000 BTU cooling capacity, making it suitable for rooms up to about 450-550 square feet, which is typical for many living rooms or bedrooms. It also includes a built-in dehumidifier removing 1.8 liters of moisture per hour, which helps improve comfort especially in humid conditions. A neat feature is its 4-in-1 operation—cooling, heating, fan only, and dehumidifying—allowing year-round use, which adds value if you want one device for multiple needs.

The unit uses the refrigerant R-32, which is more environmentally friendly than older types, and it has a respectable SEER rating of 15, indicating decent energy efficiency for a portable model. Portability is addressed well with rolling wheels and a compact design, though it is somewhat heavy at 70 pounds, so it’s easier to move than lift. The noise level is around 56 dB, which is moderate but could be noticeable in very quiet rooms, so it might not be ideal for light sleepers.

Controls are user-friendly, including a remote and digital touch panel, plus a programmable timer and temperature settings to help manage energy use and comfort conveniently. This is a single-hose design, which generally means it might be less efficient than dual-hose units that separate air intake and exhaust for better performance. For someone needing a versatile, portable AC that also heats and dehumidifies moderately sized rooms, the SereneLife provides a good balance of features, ease of use, and reliable cooling power.

The BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner offers a decent cooling capacity with 12,000 BTU (ASHRAE 128) or 8,000 BTU (DOE), making it suitable for rooms up to 550 sq. ft. This unit is versatile, functioning as an air conditioner, dehumidifier, and fan. The 'Follow Me' remote control is a unique feature that helps maintain precise temperature control by acting as a thermostat.

Portability is straightforward with its casters and side handles, and the included window kit makes installation relatively easy. The noise level is 52 dB, which is moderate and should be acceptable for most users, though it may be noticeable in very quiet environments. Energy efficiency is on the lower side, with an EER of 5.8, which means it might consume more electricity compared to other units with higher EER ratings.

The dehumidification capacity is not specified in detail but the unit does include an auto water evaporation feature for convenience. As a single-hose unit, it might be less efficient in cooling compared to dual-hose models, particularly in very hot conditions. With a weight of 56.8 pounds, it is relatively portable but still requires some effort to move around. It's a good fit for someone looking for a multi-functional, moderately quiet, and easy-to-move portable AC.