To identify the finest portable air conditioner for the money in 2022, we began by researching online to locate the most popular models, and then we went a step further and purchased the top 20 for in-person testing. We switched off any additional units or central air systems we had after receiving the air conditioners and let the summer heat in. We examined critical aspects such as noise levels and cooling capacity as we let the portable AC units cool our area. We also evaluated installation convenience and power-saving features. Continue reading to discover more about these portable units, as well as other top-rated air conditioners.
We discovered that the Honeywell Contempo HL10CES Air Conditioner is the finest at keeping you cool after all of the hot days and cooling down. Its lightweight and compact design does not compromise cooling power. This little but powerful unit will keep you cool without producing too much noise or taking up too much room. Continue reading to find out more about our top-rated portable air conditioner and the other top models we examined.
The Best Portable Air Conditioners You Can Buy 2022
1. Honeywell Contempo HL10CES Air Conditioner
WHY Honeywell Contempo HL10CES: While the Honeywell Contempo HL10CES air conditioning unit might not have the best cooling power, it is dirt inexpensive and operates at a whisper-quiet level to compensate.
Single-hose systems will never provide the same level of cooling power as a similarly powered dual-hose unit, but here’s the catch: dual-hose devices are significantly more expensive than their single-hosed counterparts. Prices do important when it comes to heating and cooling.
So, if you’re attempting to save money and simply need something to air-condition a small bedroom or living room, the Honeywell Contempo HL10CES portable AC unit is what you’re looking for. Again, this single-hose 10,000 BTU portable air conditioner can’t compete with dual-hose units in cooling power alone, but what it lacks in cooling power it makes up for in a tiny profile and one of the quietest operation volumes of any portable air conditioner on the market today.
This portable AC unit also has superior airflow than the Black Decker BPACT08WT, which only has 8 000 BTUs of power despite being a top American brand for decades. It’s a popular choice for large apartment bedrooms, living rooms, and workplaces, and it’s also available with free shipping and returns for Amazon Prime members.
See our full Honeywell Contempo HL10CES Air Conditioner review.
2. Whynter ARC-122DS Elite 12000 BTU Dual Hose Digital Portable Air Conditioner
WHY Whynter ARC-122DS Elite: The Whynter ARC-122DS packs a lot of cooling power into a small compact.
When choosing a portable air conditioner versus a window-mounted unit, you should definitely emphasize one component of the feature set over all others: how “portable” the unit is in daily use. The total cooling power output of the unit is sometimes the tradeoff for picking smaller/lighter units that can be readily moved from room to room, however this is not the case with the Whynter ARC-122DS Elite.
The 12,000 BTU portable Whynter ARC-122DS Elite, weighing a comparatively light 57 pounds and standing only 30 inches tall, provides some of the best cooling power in its class, thanks in part to its Whynter dual-hose exhaust system, which simultaneously pumps hot air out of the room while bringing cold air in. There’s a reason why these dual hose designs are so popular. With a noise level of less than 52 dBA, the ARC-122DS Elite is one of the quietest personal air conditioners on the market, whether in cooling and the regular fan in high setting or air conditioner dehumidifier modes. It is sometimes referred to as an evaporative air cooler.
No portable A/C will ever be able to compete with what window-mounted units can achieve, but the Whynter dual-hose ARC-122DS comes the closest to hitting practically every feature out of the park.
See our full Whynter ARC-122DS Elite 12000 BTU.
3. HomeLabs Portable Air Conditioner
WHY hOmeLabs Portable: The hOmeLabs portable air conditioner is powerful enough to chill any size household.
While 10,000 BTUs (British thermal units) may be plenty to keep your home office or smaller living room cool during a heatwave, what should you choose when you need to cool a full floor during the hottest parts of the day?
This is where 14,000 BTU portable air conditioners like the hOmeLabs portable air conditioner come in, with its capacity to cool and dehumidify a space up to 500 square feet at a time without breaking a sweat. It has many air cooling options as well as a dehumidifier setting. Dehumidifying a 500 square foot room is no laughing matter; this device was designed to cool larger spaces. Plus, while all that power may be reason enough to buy this monster on its own, it runs ultra-quiet, has simple-to-move wheels, and can be operated with a fully-featured supplied remote as an added bonus, making this an obvious pick.
See our full hOmeLabs Portable Air Conditioner.
4. Whynter ARC-143MX Dual-Hose
WHY Whynter ARC-143MX Dual-Hose: The Whynter ARC-143MX is a monstrous behemoth of a portable air conditioner.
The Whynter ARC-143MX, a master class in how to build a household appliance both obscenely powerful and not too shabby on the eyes, is a far cry from the NewAir’s boringly blasé look.
Although the ARC-143MX may appear intimidating from the exterior, it is all about eco-friendly energy usage that keeps your power costs and ambient temps to a minimum. Add a 3M antimicrobial air filter and 14,000 BTUs of power, and you have a strong candidate for one of the finest portable air conditioners in 2022. These high BTU versions really turn up the heat.
See our full Whynter ARC-143MX Dual-Hose.
5. LG Electronics LP1414GXR
WHY LG Electronics LP1414GXR: If you’re short on space, the LG LP1414GXR will fit right in.
Last but not least, we have the LG Electronics LP1414GXR, which is ideal for individuals who live in smaller houses or flats and need to preserve as much room as possible while still requiring a reasonable level of BTUs from their portable AC.
This LG portable air conditioner is a two-and-a-half-foot-tall behemoth that is easy to set up and comes with its own fully-functional LCD remote control. While it isn’t as sophisticated as the smart home-ready LG LP1415WXRSM, it is also half the size and weight. So, if you’re prepared to give up a few features here and there to ensure that your AC doesn’t become the focal point of your living room conversation, do yourself a favor and go with the sensibly built LG LP1414GXR portable AC unit instead.
See our full LG Electronics LP1414GXR.