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Summers are back again, and this year is going to be hotter than the last year. So, before you get run down by the intense heatwave, it’s better to make some vital arrangements.
If you were planning to buy an air conditioner, then you have got plenty of options available on the market in window air conditioners as well as mini split air conditioners.
However, if you’re living in a house where you can’t have either of those appliances, then the most suitable option you can go for is a portable air conditioner.
This type of air conditioner is perfect for homes with no window openings or no place to accommodate a mini-split unit.
A portable air conditioner is very convenient to use, and the best part is that you can move it from one room to another as per your requirements.
So, if you are interested in buying a portable and economical cooling appliance, then you should check out the list of the best portable air conditioner consumer reports to identify the most suitable product as per your needs and budget.
Best Portable Air Conditioner Consumer Reports
- 1. BLACK+DECKER BPACT12WT Large Spaces Portable Air Conditioner
- 2. Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
- 3. Midea 6,000 BTU DOE MAP05R1WT Portable Air Conditioner
- 4. De'Longhi 14000 BTU PACEX390LVYN WH Portable Air Conditioner
- 5. TOSOT 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
How To Install A Portable Air Conditioner?
Final Verdict
Top 5 Portable Air Conditioners
1. BLACK+DECKER BPACT12WT Large Spaces Portable Air Conditioner
Portable yet powerful, Black+Decker portable air conditioner is going to surprise you with its incredible power.
The adjustable fan installed in the air conditioner cools the air to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite being powerful, the air conditioner is very quiet, thus letting you enjoy a sound sleep.
Coming to the area it covers, then it is around 300 sq. ft., which makes it ideal for cabins, apartments, dorms, bedrooms, offices, campers, or living rooms.
There are 3 modes in the air conditioner, fan, cool, and dehumidifier. The self-evaporation operation of the AC keeps your room cool, dry, and clean.
The air conditioner can be easily moved from one room to another, thanks to durable wheels at its base.
You will also get around 5 feet hose and window adapter, so you don’t have to buy them separately.
You can control the features and functionalities of the air conditioner through remote control.
You can see the temperature and 24-hour timer on the LED display mounted on the air conditioner. The filter in the air conditioner slides out easily, thus making it easier for you to clean it.
2. Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
Whynter brings to you a highly capable portable air conditioner that can easily cool a room having an area of up to 500 sq. ft.
Not just cooling, but the air conditioner is also a powerful dehumidifier that can dehumidify 71 pints a day.
You can adjust the fan speeds in this air conditioner up to 3 levels. As far as the operational modes are concerned, then those include cool, fan, and dehumidifier.
The cooling capacity of the air conditioner is 14,000 BTU and the cooling gas/refrigerant it runs on is R32.
Talking about the downsides of the unit, then it can be a bit noisy, as the noise reflects off the hard surfaces such as walls and floors.
3. Midea 6,000 BTU DOE MAP05R1WT Portable Air Conditioner
Have a look at this 3-in-1 air conditioner from Midea, which features 3 modes, cool, fan, and dehumidifier.
In the ‘fan’ mode, you can select from 3-speed levels according to your convenience. The air conditioner is capable of cooling a room as big as 150 square feet while remaining quiet, thus letting you enjoy a cool and calm environment.
It even comes with a ‘Sleep’ mode that decreases the noise level as you go to sleep. The company provides a compact remote control using which, you can set the mode, time, and temperature.
The appliance is capable of bringing the temperature as low as 62 degrees Fahrenheit. The LED-mounted display lets you easily see the temperature, mode, and timer.
Installing this air conditioner is a breeze, as it comes with a 5-ft hose and adjustable window brackets.
The filter installed in the air conditioner is reusable, so you can easily remove and clean it to enjoy the clean and fresh air.
You will get a 1-year warranty on parts and labor, so if anything goes wrong within the first year of using this air conditioner, then you can get in touch with the company to get the best solution.
4. De'Longhi 14000 BTU PACEX390LVYN WH Portable Air Conditioner
Here is another high-performance, portable air conditioner coming straight from the house of De’Longhi.
This product uses Cool Surround Technology that incorporates Bluetooth to monitor temperature and humidity to deliver the targeted cool right where you are sitting.
This is also a 3-in-1 air conditioner that has 3 modes, cool, fan, and dehumidifier. With such a high performance, you expect a decent amount of noise as well, but surprisingly, there isn’t, thanks to Arctic Whisper Extreme Technology.
So, you can expect cooling as well as dehumidifying of your room without disruption. The company has equipped the air conditioner with ECO Real Feel Technology for unparalleled comfort and striking a perfect balance between temperature and humidity along with 30% savings in energy consumption.
With ECO Real Feel, the air conditioner can monitor the surrounding climate to optimize comfort and efficiency. With the ability to cool and dry the air, this air conditioner can turn any room into a perfect comfort zone.
5. TOSOT 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Last on the list is a portable air conditioner from Tosot, which is an elegant-looking appliance but very efficient.
It can easily cool a room of an area up to 400 sq. ft., thanks to its 10,000 BTUs of energy output.
You can use this air conditioner in any room, be it the living room, bedroom, office, and more.
This air conditioner also incorporates 3 modes, i.e., cool, fan, and dehumidifying. In dehumidifier mode, the unit removes 2.5 pints of water per hour.
With the air being dried, you will get much better cooling. You can turn this air conditioner on at night to enjoy sound sleep, as it doesn’t make much noise.
You will also like the inclusion of X-Fan Technology, where the fan spins at a slow speed without making any noise to dry the residual water in the machine and air exhaust hose.
There is also a sleep function that adjusts to your optimal sleeping temperature, and you can also activate night mode to shut off all the lights illuminated on the control panel.
You can use both horizontal and vertical sliding windows to install the air conditioner, but make sure to read the instruction manual coming along in the package.
How Do Portable Air Conditioners Work?
Portable air conditioners have a smart design that allows them to be used without installation. Air conditioners must draw in cool air and exhaust hot air outside. Air conditioners push hot air outside to prevent hot air from entering the building.
Window air conditioners should be installed in a window so that the back of the unit is outside. The outer part of the appliance introduces cool air and expels warm air.
Central air conditioners work the same way as window air conditioners. They are installed on the outside to allow the intake of cold air and the exhaust of hot air.
Portable air conditioners avoid the problem of installation to allow exposure to air, using a tube. One end of the tube connects to the unit and the other end is placed through a window, mail slot, or another opening.
When the unit is moved, the tube is moved with it. Both the portable air conditioner and the tube are lightweight.
Run A Portable Air Conditioner
The operation of a portable air conditioner is not complicated. The unit is plugged in, a hose is connected to the unit, the other end is directed outside, and the unit is turned on.
The only special care required is emptying the tank. All air conditioners have a build-up of condensation. This is usually not a problem because window and central air conditioners are installed partially or completely outdoors.
Central air conditioners and windows allow condensation to drip. Since a portable air conditioner is kept inside, the unit retains condensation in a reservoir. The tank should be emptied regularly. Most models automatically shut off if the tank fills up to prevent leaks.
How To Install A Portable Air Conditioner?
Portable air conditioners are not very difficult to install. Indeed, you do not need to call on a specialized installer for this type of equipment.
You can install your portable air conditioner in the horizontal sliding window, push out window, or without a window depending upon your requirements. Here are general steps on how to install a portable air conditioner with a hose:
- Place your device near a window, in a vertical position, in the room where you want to install it.
- Connect the exhaust air hose to the portable air conditioner and place it outside, through your window.
- Close the window as far as possible. Some portable air conditioners are equipped with a caulking kit. If not, you can caulk your window yourself with bubble wrap. Caulking limits the loss of heat and cold.
- Take care not to place any element in front of the air conditioner and to check that all the connections are made.
- Fill the water tank if the appliance is equipped with one. This reservoir makes it possible to reinforce the power of the device.
- Start your portable air conditioner at the desired power. You can refer to the instruction manual for more information. Finally, be aware that if your mobile air conditioning is new and you have just installed it, it is advisable to wait 24 hours before starting your device.
Final Verdict
Portable air conditioners operate just like normal air conditioners with the added advantage of easy maneuverability. You can also install this type of air conditioner in a horizontal window siding if there is one available in your house.
Many people also buy such air conditioners because they find them aesthetically appealing. So, whatever your reason is, you should totally not miss a chance to buy a portable air conditioner especially when you have now gone through best portable air conditioner consumer reports along with other crucial information.