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Our favorites will help you keep your cool from install to storage.
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Better Homes & Gardens
Picture a portable air conditionerwhat do you see?
These cooling machines dont exactly have a great reputation for being design-forward.
), these picks are versatile and a breeze to install.
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Read on to see how each earned top marks in performance, noise, and aesthetics.
But 30 minutes after installing this unit, the temp dropped from 80F down to 72and held there.
Plus, the unit also doubles as a heater for year-long temperature control.
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The vent hose looks just as big as the unit and feels a bit flimsy.
While 50 pounds, it’s plenty compact, roughly only a foot wide and long.
Detailed installation instructions were easy to follow, too.
(Tip: Sleep mode keeps it operating at its quietest level.)
The shiny finish easily reveals fingerprints from transporting the unit or using the touchscreen.
Midea is pretty much the gold standard when it comes to efficiency, and thisdual-hose optionis no exception.
The design simultaneously enables the machine to push hot air out and bring cool air in.
Its built-in fan also more evenly distributes amplified airflow.
The machine even remembers the tweaks you use the most and saves them as a favorite.
If that all sounds overwhelming to youlike it did for our testereverything is also easily controllable from the remote.
The hose length could benefit from being longer.
Being able to tuck everything in would definitely ease the pain of doing so.
Its also incredibly smart, easy to use, and efficient.
But this portable air conditioner made a noticeable difference within 10 minutes.
In this unusual use case, the original hose wasnt long enough to accommodate but was easily switched out.
Connecting to WiFi is as easy as scanning the QR code that comes with the unit.
It weighs a whopping 73 pounds, which made installation for our tester a two-person job.
Really, the only downside of this unit is its appearance.
But, given how good it is at distributing cold air, its impossible to write it off completely.
In most cases,Black+Deckers portable air conditionersuits the greatest range of needs and budgets.
Our tester continues to be impressed by its speedy cooling that simultaneously cuts through humidity despite its compact size.
After taking all of these details into consideration, we then weighed how each factored into the cost.
Todays portable ACs are just as pricey as window units, but sometimes not as powerful.
Testers also kept a close eye on any noticeable differences in their energy bills.
Noise Level
The sound that portable air conditioners emit while in use is measured in decibels.
Antimicrobial filters do the same, along with mold, mildew, and even smoke.
The number of BTUs your portable air conditioner needs will depend on the size of your room.
In fact, its preferred to have a smaller unit so that it can properly dehumidify while cooling.
It can also be charged via USB.
The battery can also be charged by a solar panel.
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At 2,300 BTUs, thisair conditionercan cool down spaces of 25 to 40 square feet.
Your Questions, Answered
What are the benefits of portable air conditioners?
How much should you expect to spend on a portable air conditioner?
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Or, simply check the square footage capacity an item is listed at.
Can you install a portable air conditioner yourself?
Yes, you could.
As aforementioned, one reason people choose a portable air conditioner over a window unit is the simpler installation.
Or, stick to an evaporative cooler to avoid the hassle altogether.
And, of course, a slew of bedding, decor, and furniture.
What Is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
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