Portable air conditioners aren’t your best bet for cooling larger rooms in your home, but they are still wildly popular. They sell very well, accounting for 20% of recent sales in the air conditioning category. They are more mobile, so the general population likes them as a quick solution or an affordable and easy-to-use alternative.
They are ideal for small areas or for places like apartments where there are some restrictions. Centralized AC units are very common, but not all have the luxury of accommodating and paying for installation costs. It’s also an alternative for window-type AC units, which can sometimes be prohibited and difficult to DIY install.
CR wanted to highlight the fact that portable air conditioners are not bolted or locked to a window or an open area. Its cooling process is also unique since it doesn’t need air from the outside like a window AC. Instead, it relies on the already cool air in your room.
Some buyers use portable air conditioning for spot cooling, especially in the summer when it’s scorching hot in an office or gaming room. It has a myriad of suitable uses, so it isn’t strange to buy one in this day and age.
Cons of Portable Air Conditioners
Portable Air Conditioners are primarily not as powerful as window-type or centralized aircons. They are, at best, cooled electric fans, so they won’t power through a bedroom or living room. You might need multiple units to drop the temperature by a few degrees.
Portable ACs also create negative air pressure since they use the air that’s already in a specific room. This effect draws hotter air from outside the room, making it harder and harder to cool the environment. The compressor will struggle with trying to chase your temperature input, so it will become less energy efficient than it ideally is.
Why Trust Consumer Reports with Air Conditioner Picks
Consumer Reports has been testing and gathering data on various product categories for some time now. They take feedback from members for different items, and they painstakingly test every product out there without interference from their respective brands. They don’t accept sponsorships, which can sometimes affect the integrity of testing and reviews.
Consumer Reports did a simple test for portable air conditioners to discern their ratings. They measured how long it takes one model to lower the temperature by five degrees. The standard time for that is 20 minutes, and each model is compared to that and rated accordingly.
Best Portable Air Conditions 2024
Here are Consumer Report’s Best Portable ACs this year:
Midea MAP12S1TBL (74)
The Midea MAP12S1TBL is the top-scoring model this year with its good comfort rating and excellent performance after a brownout. It bounces back quickly once power is restored, so it will get to cooling your room in no time. It is a bit noisy at its high settings, but that’s forgivable since it typically cools a given area quicker than the rest.
This model also uses electric controls and a dedicated remote, so it’s very convenient to set up. You also get a dirty filter indicator with it, making it more convenient for daily use.
Frigidaire Gallery GHPC132AB1 (73)
The Gallery GHPC132AB1 is another excellent performer when it comes to noise reduction. Its cooling power is comparable with the choice above, but it runs quieter at higher levels. It also barely shuts down when subjected to intermittent power, so it’s great for areas where power outages caused by natural disasters are common.
It weighs 79 pounds, but it has essential add-ons like a filter change indicator. It is also one of the top entries when it comes to predicted reliability and owner satisfaction, so it will not disappoint in the long run.
Whynter ARC-1230WN (72)
The Whynter ARC-1230WN scores a bit lower since it’s noisier than the other options in the lineup. Its cooling performance is just about the same as the others, and it also handles outages quite well. However, its predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings kept it afloat in this lineup.
It is a bit pricier, but it also includes essential gadgets like electronic controls and a dedicated remote. It also has a dirty filter indicator like the other picks in this guide.
Frigidaire FHPW142AC1
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The FHPW142AC1 is generally more affordable, yet its performance doesn’t fall behind the competition. The only main drawback is its noisier operation, but it’s not enough to disrupt your sleep unless you sleep as light as a feather. It cools decently and is capable of holding off against brownouts just as well as the more expensive options.
It even has electronic and remote controls and a filter indicator, even if it’s more affordable. The only real downside is it’s the heaviest in this lineup, so it’s the least suitable if you need to move it around different areas of your home.
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