Do you struggle to sleep when it’s too hot? Or, do you have an office where it’s too muggy to get anything done? A portable air conditioner (PAC) can keep a single room cool in the hot summer months, with no disruptive installation required and at a lower cost than house-wide systems.
Most models feature a built-in timer, so they run only when you’re using the room, without wasting energy. You can even move them around from room to room, with some limitations, so the same unit that cools your home office in the day can also keep your bedroom chilled at night.
How to choose the right portable air conditioner for you
How much do I need to spend?
PACs aren’t cheap: most cost somewhere between £300 and £1000. Below this price you tend to find evaporative air coolers rather than true air conditioners, which aren’t as effective.
How much you need to spend depends on your cooling requirements. PACs are rated in BTU (British Thermal Units): one BTU is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree. A higher rating means an air conditioner can cool a larger space, which normally means the unit itself will be larger and more expensive. A 9,000 BTU unit will handle a space of approximately 45 cubic metres, while a 12,000 BTU unit could go up to 90 cubic metres. Measure your room before you buy to make sure you choose an air conditioner might not be up to the job.
Where can I put a portable air conditioner?
Positioning is another issue: all units need to vent hot air through a window, and most will include some kind of window fixing kit to handle the job. If you don’t want your air conditioner right next to the window, you’ll either need to put a permanent vent through your wall or find a model with a hose extender.
Hot air isn’t the only thing your air conditioner needs to expel. As the air cools, moisture condenses out of it, which is collected inside the PAC. Some units can evaporate this internally and exhaust it through the hose or the back of the unit; in other models it’s kept in an internal reservoir which needs to be emptied manually.
Aren’t they going to be noisy and expensive to run?
All PACs incorporate a compressor and one or more fans, so they’re never going to be totally silent. Some are quieter than others, however: you should find the minimum and maximum noise pressure levels in the specification.
As for running costs, a higher BTU rating generally means the PAC will be doing more work and consuming more energy, but not all units are created equal. Your air conditioner should have an energy efficiency class, from A++ down to G, just like your fridge or cooker. The higher the class, the more efficient the unit will be.
Are there any other features I should look out for?
PACs often pack in extra features, including adjustable-speed fans (so that you can prioritise cooling or quiet running), or a timer to keep a home office cool during working hours. Some throw in extra dehumidifying or purification features, to reduce damp or filter the air for particles and allergens. Controls also differ from unit to unit: some have just a few buttons, while others come with full remote controls. The very latest models can be controlled by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and integrate with smart home technologies, though we’ve yet to see these on sale the UK.
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The best portable air conditioners to buy
1. Igenix IG9901: The best portable air conditioner under £300
Price:£299
The IG9901 is a great choice for cooling a moderately sized living room or bedroom. It’s cheap, and also compact; at just 32cm wide and only 68cm tall, it won’t tower over your bed or three-piece suite. Its simple design features well-designed touch panel controls and an understated ambient temperature display so you can see what it’s doing.
We’ve just a few caveats. First, it isn’t suitable for huge rooms - the manufacturer suggests a maximum floor area of around 20m2. Some users feel that it’s a little louder than its 50dB noise rating might suggest. And finally, be aware that you’ll need a handy window for the pipe to go through, and Igenix doesn’t supply a window fitting kit. That’s nothing unusual at this price, though, and with dehumidifier and fan functions as a bonus, it’s a budget option that’s a cut above the rest.
Key specs – BTU rating: 9,000; Functions: AC, dehumidifier, cooler; Energy rating: A; Noise: 50dB; Extra features: Remote control, timer, three-speed fan; Hose length: 1.5m; Dimensions: 320 x 680 x 348mm; Weight: 22kg
2. Olimpia Splendid DolceClima 10HP: A portable air conditioner with a touch of class
Price:£319
Trust the Italians to come up with a PAC that’s almost stylish. But looks aren’t all the DolceClima 10HP has to recommend it. Olimpia claims its Blue Air technology does a better job of throwing cool air around the room, even at minimum fan speeds, cooling a wider area faster. With a 10,000 BTU cooling capacity it’s equipped to handle medium-sized rooms, and its high A++ energy rating should keep your running costs down.
The touch-sensitive controls and temperature display are all on the front panel, or you can use the included remote control to adjust it from the bed or sofa. The DolceClima 10HP also doubles as a dehumidifier, expelling water through the same 1.5m hose at the hot air, and while it’s not exactly quiet at its maximum setting, it has a sleep mode that gradually reduces the power, for a night that’s slightly warmer but a lot quieter. There’s also a heat pump, allowing it to moonlight as a heater during cooler months. A feature-packed PAC at a brilliant price.
Key specs – BTU rating: 10,000; Functions: AC, dehumidifier, heater, cooler; Energy rating: A++, Noise: 41-62dB; Features: Remote control, timer, three-speed fan, heat pump, sleep mode; Hose length: 1.5m; Dimensions: 460 x 767 x 395mm; Weight: 29kg
3. Gree Mini 2.6kW: An affordable PAC that does the business
Price:£335
Nearly 80cm tall and weighing in at 27kg, the Gree isn’t actually that mini, but it still looks compact and can (just about) be trundled around on its casters. With a 9,000 BTU rating it’s efficient at cooling smaller living rooms, bedrooms and offices, and while it doesn’t come with a bundled window kit, the lengthy exhaust hose comes with an adaptor. The 63dB noise rating doesn’t exactly put it in the silent category, but many users find the noise unobtrusive and easier to live with than many comparable PACs. The simple control panel is easy to use, with three fan speeds and a choice of dehumidifying and cooling modes, and you can also adjust it or set a timer using the bundled remote control. This isn’t the flashiest or most feature-packed PAC out there, but it’s one that reliably gets the job done.
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Key specs – BTU rating: 9,000, Functions: AC, dehumidifier, cooler; Energy rating: A; Noise: 63dB, Features: Remote control, timer; Hose length: 1.8m; Dimensions: 340 x 780 x 394mm; Weight: 27kg
4. DeLonghi Pinguino PAC AN97 Real Feel: A medium-priced air conditioner for medium-sized rooms
Price:£550
DeLonghi’s mid-range PACs are sophisticated appliances. The Pinguino PAC AN97 Real Feel is a 10,800 BTU air conditioner which uses DeLonghi’s Real Feel technology to reduce temperature and humidity quickly, then keep the room at a comfortable level. A glowing spot on the touch control panel glows from amber through to green to blue, to let you know when you’ve reached your target temperature. The bundled remote control also features an LCD display, and you can switch between standard AC and fan or dehumidifier modes. A built-in dust filter should reduce particles and allergens in the air too.
The 1.2m hose means this one needs to be close to a window, and no fitting kit is provided. The A energy rating isn’t quite up there with the best either. However, it’s very user-friendly, with great cooling power and not too much noise at lower fan speeds. A great choice for slightly larger rooms.
Key specs – BTU rating: 10700; Functions: AC, dehumidifier, cooler, filtration; Energy rating: A; Noise: 52-63dB: Features: Remote control, timer, three-speed fan, air filter, Real Feel technology; Hose length: 1.2m; Dimensions: 310 x 750 x 350mm; Weight: 30kg
5. DeLonghi Pinguino PAC EX100 Silent: The best air conditioner for medium-sized rooms
Price:£750
Calling this a “Silent” air conditioner is pushing it; at its maximum sound level of 64dB it’s definitely audible, though in-use noise levels are normally lower than many rival PACs. It’s A++ energy efficient, and dishes out 10,000 BTU of cooling power, which is enough to chill a medium-sized room with impressive speed. Like the PAC AN97, the EX100 has a glowing indicator to tell you when the room is uncomfortable (orange), acceptable (green) or perfect (blue), and it’s easy to switch modes and adjust settings using the controls at the front or the bundled LCD remote control. There’s even a convenient space to hold the latter in the pop-up oscillation flap. Make no mistake, this is a bigger, heavier unit than the average, measuring over 90cm tall and 445cm wide, but a sleek design means it’s not too intrusive, and it’s hard to complain when it’s so effective. A great, if pricey, PAC.
Key specs – BTU rating: 10,000; Functions: AC, dehumidifier, cooler, filter; Energy rating: A++; Noise: 53dB; Features: Remote control, timer, three-speed fan, air filter, Real Feel technology; Hose length: 1.2m; Dimensions: 445 x 905 x 390mm; Weight: 30kg