Best Portable Air Conditioners with Dehumidifier | 2022 Buyer’s Guide

Why are portable air conditioners so popular? They are economical, compact, easy to install, and mobile. A portable air conditioner works by drawing the air into the unit and passing it over an evaporator coil. As a result, the air cools down while excess moisture is eliminated. The cooled air is then forced back into the room, lowering the temperature and humidity. You should know that any air conditioner generates both cooled and heated air. And this is where a hose is crucial as it is used to remove the heated air.

8 Best Portable Air Conditioners Compared

When it comes to air conditioners, you have a broad choice. Apart from multiple brands and designs present on the market, there are 4 types of portable air conditioners: single-hose, dual-hose, split system, and self-evaporating models. Now, let’s look at them in more detail.

Single-Hose Air Conditioners

This type of air conditioner comes with one flexible hose fed through a hole in the wall or window. That hose is used to vent the heated air and moisture out of the room. While being a common type of portable air conditioner, this option has several drawbacks. To begin with, it is not very efficient in removing hot air. Any crevices or holes around windows or in the wall will let it leak back into the room.

Secondly, many of these devices are not suitable for cooling large areas, nor are they recommended for rooms with household appliances or computers. That said, single-hose air conditioners are simple in operation, noiseless, and very mobile. They are perfect as a complimentary air conditioning system or in situations when you need to move the unit from one place to another frequently.

Nevertheless, there are powerful models, too. For example, the De'Longhi Pinguino | Portable Air Conditioner with a maximum cooling capacity of up to 10,700 BTU per hour.

The device covers up to 100 cubic meters of space and has an additional dehumidifying function. One of the perks of this product is the exclusive Real Feel technology that reduces the temperature while simultaneously controlling humidity levels in the room. Packed with features, the air conditioner has a fan with 3-speed options, a LED control panel, a thermostat, a 24-hour timer, remote control, and handles for transportation. The appliance operates at 52 dB when at high settings and can be comfortably used at night. Customers particularly like the De'Longhi Pinguino PACN82 Eco's energy efficiency (A Class Energy rating). It features an Eco Plus function that automatically changes power settings depending on the target temperature.

Self-Evaporating Portable Air Conditioners

This type of air conditioner recycles the moisture in the air and does not require a drainage hose. Once inside the unit, moisture moves across the coils and cools them down. If there is any moisture left at the end of the process, it is vented out through the exhaust. The main benefits of self-evaporating air conditioners include energy efficiency and effectiveness. Not only does the recycled moisture cool the coils, but it also helps the machine cool down the room faster. These appliances are also more lightweight and compact.

However, self-evaporative air conditioners are a poor choice for areas with high humidity levels. And this is not the only downside. They are noisier and cover small areas of up to 15 sq. meters. And finally, you will have to empty the unit’s water tank every time it is entirely filled.

One of the most efficient models is this 12,000 BTU Portable 3-in-1 Air Conditioner. This self-evaporative AC unit has a built-in water tank that you need to empty. With a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU, it covers up to 30 square meters and uses a highly efficient air filtration system. The appliance features programmable controls with an LED screen, a 24-hour timer, and a fan with 3 speeds, and the Auto Breeze function that automatically selects the most comfortable speed. You can use the device as a dehumidifier by attaching the drainage pipe, allowing you to remove up to 29 litres of moisture from the room daily.

Keep in mind that the most affordable AC unit may be expensive to run if it is not engineered with energy efficiency in mind. Models with higher BTU consume approximately 1.35 kilowatt per hour. The best option is portable air conditioners with A and A+++ energy ratings as they are the most energy-efficient.

Which Portable Air Conditioner Is the Best?

First and foremost, this depends on the size of the space where the unit will be installed. For large rooms and spaces packed with electronic hardware, you will need a powerful, high-capacity device, whereas portable air conditioners for campervans and caravans are smaller and compact. Most RVs are already equipped with an air conditioner mounted on the roof, however, they may not meet your needs. That is why it is beneficial to have a portable AC unit that is easy to install yet versatile and functional. Below, you will find the list of the most important features to look for when buying your portable air conditioner.

Noise Level

Made with both a fan and a compressor, portable units sound like regular air conditioners. The noise exposure level measured in decibels is indicated on the package, with a decibel rating ranging from 38dB to 65dB. For low settings, the sound level should be no more than 48dB, whereas when operating at high settings, the unit generates more noise.

Which portable air conditioner is the quietest? There are a variety of almost noiseless units on the market but many of them do not do the job well. If you want a powerful yet silent device, opt for the high-end Silent Portable Air Conditioner with the Arctic Whisper Quiet Mode. This means that you will hear up to 50% less noise when the device is operating at low levels. The air conditioner will both cool and dehumidify your bedroom without disrupting your sleep.

Energy Efficiency

The high-end De'Longhi Pinguino PACEX100 Silent has the higher Energy Efficiency Class A++. It uses a natural high-efficiency gas, propane R290, with no greenhouse emissions.

Remember that affordable units may be expensive to run as they are not energy efficient. Models with high BTU consume approximately 1.35 kW per hour. The best option is portable air conditioners starting with A++ energy ratings as they are more energy-efficient.

The budget-friendly Portable 3-in-1 Air Conditioner has an A-class energy rating. It is ideal for rooms of up to 14 square meters and features a 7000 BTU cooling capacity, 0.3-litre water tank, two-speed settings, and an oscillating fan function. It combines an air conditioner, a cooler, and a dehumidifier in one device, ensuring complete climate control.

Cooling Capacity

When it comes to cooling capacity, it is crucial to pick an air con of proper size. Units designed for small spaces will not do the job when placed in large ones. On the other hand, large-capacity AC units are less efficient in small rooms. The cooling capacity of air conditioners typically ranges from 5,500 BTU/hr to 14,000 BTU/hr. You can choose an ideal cooling capacity for your room based on the formula: 20 BTU per square foot.

For maintaining fresh air in a large room, you may pick this Portable 3-in-1 Air Conditioner with 12.000 BTU of cooling capacity. This multi-functional device has a fan, cooling, and dehumidifier feature. In addition to three-speed options, the fan also has a sleep mode. It has a programmable timer and weighs just 26 kg. The unit efficiently dehumidifies the room, extracting over 29 litres per day.

Alexa Compatibility

If you are a smart home enthusiast, you may want to get a smart air conditioner. These devices are more functional and convenient as you can control them with your voice or smartphone. One of the great options is this 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner with Alexa. This WiFi and Alexa-enabled unit is compatible with Amazon Echo devices and comes with the Igenix app.

n the app, you can switch between fan, cooling, dehumidifier, and auto modes as well as control the temperature, fan speed, and timer. Not only is this device loaded with features, but it is also very efficient. While compact, this AC unit is suitable for rooms up to 20 square meters and has a 9,000 BTU cooling capacity.

Dual-Hose Air Conditioners

Dual-hose units are designed with two hoses, one of which collects air to cool the machine down and the other one releases the heated air. This type of air conditioner is more efficient as it does not need to work as hard as single-hose air conditioners. The dual-hose option is more appropriate for large spaces and operates faster. The weak part of this type includes a higher price and increased electricity consumption.

This Portable Dual-Hose Air Conditioner comes with a control panel, adjustable power, and 3 modes: normal, natural, and night. You can adjust the unit’s power depending on the size of the room and the climate in your area. The 65-watt device is equipped with a 360-degree roller, an 8-litre water tank and weighs just 8.5 kg.

Split Portable Air Conditioners

These air conditioners are composed of two separate parts. The first part is a wheeled indoor unit that cools down the air in the room and the second part is the condenser positioned outdoors. These units are connected through flexible refrigerant pipes. Ideal for large spaces, such an appliance is also much quieter due to the motor located outside the room. While being less portable, it takes up less space in the room because the indoor ventilation unit is smaller and more lightweight.

For example, the Mobile Split-type room air conditioner is a high-capacity unit with 4.3 kW power. It comes with 4 rollers and a flexible hose, effectively keeping the heat outside the room. The total weight of both units is 49 kg, with dimensions amounting to around 33 x 47 x 69 cm.

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