10 Best Portable Air Conditioners For Cars (2023 Reviews)

1. MightyKool Evaporative Air Cooler

The best and energy efficient 12v portable air conditioner for cars is the MightyKool A. This water-filled cooler fan holds up to a gallon of water and doesn’t use ice at all. It uses two fans to pull the cool air from inside the water tank out into the ambient air. The fan speeds can reach up to 25 miles per hour.

The one downside is that this swamp cooler is designed to keep a single person cool. While this mini air conditioner won’t cool off the entire cabin area cars and trucks, it can be used in the back seat to keep the car seat cooler, or in the passenger seat to keep the driver chilled.

The air cooler plugs into a 12v car outlet or cigarette lighter plug and will run for about 8 hours on a gallon of water. You don’t need to worry about sloshing or spilling, either. The top of the case is guarded by a rubber gasket and held in place with four set screws.

There is also a 120 volt to 12v converter if you would prefer plugging the water-filled portable AC into a standard outlet. It also makes it energy efficient and less energy consumption unit simultaneously. Upon purchase, you will find you receive a 90-day warranty that protects you against defects in functionality and craftsmanship.

2. Zero Breeze Mark 2

The Zero Breeze is one of the best portable AC units using battery or adapter power sources.  This upgraded Mark 2 model was released in summer 2020 and comes with several major differences from the previous Mark 1 or Z-19 portable air conditioner unit.

Here is a breakdown of the new power usage and requirements.

• requirements of using a cigarette lighter interface: 12-24v, 210w
• requirements of using an AC drive interface:100-240v, 300w

There is a dual vent on the newer AC unit and an extension pipe for pointing and focusing the cool air in a specific direction. This allows a more concentrated airflow and better output for cooling small areas. The dual hose at the back releases the hot air outside at the same time as it ‘drags’ air in to be cooled.

After running for 10 minutes, the Zero Breeze Mark 2 can cool a 40 sq.ft. space by up to 30 degrees. This unit is efficient at cooling down an area of up to 100 square feet, making it ideal for trucks, cars, RVs, campers, and tents.

More improvements in design mean this device is 50% lighter than the previous mini portable air conditioner and 60% smaller in size. Though it is a very small portable air conditioner when compared to any other portable AC unit on the market, it’s highly energy efficient. We recommend it for cars and trucks because of its versatility and portability. The Mark 1 was a solid cooling solution but this upgrade means it’s now classed as an excellent product in our eyes.

This isn’t the first time the Zero Breeze portable air conditioner has made one of our best portable AC units lists. In fact, you can read our full Zero Breeze review right here.

3. Arctic Cove MBF0181 Cooling Bucket

If you drive a truck or have a car with a large cabin, the Arctic Cove bucket fan is a viable option for you as it can run low on energy consumption. The fan and housing are designed to sit atop a 5-gallon bucket, which you can fill with ice, water, frozen blocks, or anything else you can muster that is cold. A bag of frozen peas will work in a pinch.

The best option for trucks is also designed as a mister. Instead of just cooler air blown your direction, you can have a cool mist to keep your body temperature down.

The Arctic Cove works well outside of the vehicle, as well. Even if you don’t have a bucket, you can connect a standard garden hose to the pump and use an endless supply of water to mist and keep cool. It isn’t recommended that you fill the bucket with water if you use the cooler fan while driving. There isn’t a sealed top, and spillage is highly possible.

However, for tailgates, barbecues, camping, or traveling the hot roads during the summer, nothing is better than the Arctic Cove bucket fan cooler. On top of that, the power supply is lithium-ion batteries. It is compatible with the Ryobi ONE+ series of batteries and comes with the P102 version.

If you want to add to the collection or upgrade to a better one, the system will accept the P100 through the P108 ONE+ blue batteries. You also get a 90-day return window followed by a 3-year warranty with this energy efficient and less energy consumption unit. You don’t have much to lose, except excess heat.

4. Bucket Breeze Portable AC Units

Bucket Breeze offers a few different sized bucket air cooler fans. The Medium Breeze is one of the best portable AC options for you. There are two power sources, a battery (eight double-A sized batteries) or portable AC adapter.

If you are running the Bucket Breeze in your car, you will need to use the battery option, which will last you about 8 hours. The cooling material is a frozen gel pack that fits inside the bucket. They are similar to the frozen gel packs used in first aid or for ice chests. Once frozen, the gel canisters will remain frozen for up to 10 hours.

You can swap the canisters out as they begin to melt (you get four with your purchase), or fill the bucket with ice. The large 175 mm portable air conditioner fan pulls the cool air around the gel canisters and blows it out the lid through the directional vents.

You can’t adjust the vents, but you can turn the bucket. Unlike most other air conditioners like Logkern portable air conditioner or Cvilux portable air conditioner, it is small enough to fit on your floorboard or the centre console next to you. With the gel pack canisters, you don’t need to worry about sloshing or spilling either, so there won’t be a puddle on your floorboard if it tips over.

5. YYTONG Newest Car Ventilation Fan

Yytong offers you a window-mounted fan for your car or truck that runs on solar power which runs the fans.

What you shouldn’t expect is a fan blowing cold air. The design of this solar powered truck AC fan is to circulate the air rather than chill. The primary design is for those that have to leave their cars in the hot sun while away. Instead of getting into a stifling hot car, this solar fan will keep the air moving and the car cooler by default.

The ABS plastic fan sits on the top of your windowpane and comes with a rubber gasket to seal the window when closed. The solar panel is on the outside of the window with the fans facing in. For best results, you should close the window with the fan all the way and open the window on the opposite side about an inch.

Doing this will allow the hot air to be pushed out of the open window, circulating new air around the cabin, helping to maintain the temperature inside the car.

6. Enklen USB Evaporative AC Cooler

The USB AC cooler from Enklen is a small, portable cooler fan designed for a desktop, tabletop, or anywhere you can fit it. If you have a UBS power port in your car, this is ideal for a dashboard air conditioner.

It does cool the air using water and ice (or one or the other). It will last about 8 hours running before needing a refill. However, because of the water, it isn’t recommended to fill in the car. Instead, you can use the ice tray to fill with a frozen gel to avoid spills.

The tiny unit is quite powerful, though, and will drop the temperature in a 10-foot area about 10 degrees. You can take it from the car to the camping tent and plug it into a USB power block to use while you sleep in your sleeping bag.

The beauty of this little device is that it is practical, inexpensive, and can literally go anywhere. You can plug it into your laptop while you browse the internet from your favorite coffee shop, for example. On top of the versatility, you also receive a limited lifetime warranty, should anything ever go wrong. The warranty is non-transferable, of course, and only lasts as long as you own the unit. Receipt retention required.

7. MiToo USB Fan Portable Air Conditioner

Similar to our number 6 pick above, the MiToo USB fan plugs in using a USB adapter. You can power this unit from a power bank, laptop, computer, or USB wall adapter. It also has a water tank, which makes it less likely to be used on your dashboard. However, you can fill the water tank with ice to prolong the water build-up and make the air cooler.

Unlike the Enklen AC unit, the MiToo plug-in AC for car has a built-in LED light that you can adjust through seven different colors. If you use this while on the go, it serves as a good night light for the little ones to help keep them calm and cool at the same time.

The fan operates on three fan speed settings so you can adjust the amount of airflow. The vent louvers are not adjustable, though, so if you aren’t being cooled enough, you will have to adjust the entire fan.

For safety features, there is a humidity indicator and a low-level water tray indicator, so you will know when it is time to refill the tank. Each purchase also comes with a 6-month satisfaction promise, as MiToo wants each of its customers to be completely satisfied.

8. Forty4 Clip On Fan with Hanging Hook

Forty4 fan offers you the best single head mini fan for a car that has a rechargeable 10,000mAH battery for a long life. With a focus on safety, the car fan is designed to stay out of your field of vision so you can drive safely.

There are four fan speeds to choose from, and you can use the fan by itself, or in conjunction with your car fan or air conditioner to push more air from the vents.

The connection uses a secure clip that clamps to the vent louvers and rotates up to 360 degrees for the perfect angle. You can even use it in the back seat for passengers or car seats. The battery is Lithium Ion and are included. Recharging (fast charge) is done through a 2 USB connection which is found on the back of the fan.

Because it is battery powered, you can take the fan with you when you leave the car. Use it as a personal fan, table fan, or in the camper whenever you need more air circulating to keep you cool.

9. XOOL Passenger Rear Seat Portable Car Seat Fan

The 12v car fan from Xool has two fan heads that freely adjust to any position you need. The durable clip allows you to attach the fans to a headrest or set back in almost any application.

You won’t be able to take the fan with you like you can with the battery-powered cooling fan from Comlife above, and there aren’t any additional power options. Using the cars 12v power source or cigarette lighter plug, the fan has adjustable speeds and will move air up to 12 miles per hour.

With the dual fan heads, you can place them in separate directions to keep an entire row of seating cooler. Ideal for long road trips, hot summer days driving around, or any time you need that extra bit of fresh air moving around the car.

If your 12v outlet is powered continuously, you can even leave the fans turned on while you are out of the car to return to a much cooler interior then you would expect. It is advised that you leave the windows down about half an inch for this scenario to help promote air circulation.

10. BroElec Portable Hand Free Mini USB Fan

The LUWATT portable neck fan has two fan heads that more the air around you so you stay refreshed and cool where ever you go. There is no need to worry about wires or cables, as the unit is wholly battery-operated using a rechargeable (USB adapter) lithium-ion battery.

While using the best portable AC fans, you can select the speed and get up to 12 full hours of runtime.

Unlike a Dewalt jobsite fan kit, this unit is lightweight so that you won’t feel weighed down by a giant fan hanging from your neck. There is only one button to use as well, making this super user-friendly. One-click to turn it on, click to cycle through the fan speeds, and another click to shut it off.

The dual heads are entirely adjustable and rotate to 360 degrees so you can get the perfect airflow no matter your position. The fans are also surprisingly quiet, especially being that close to your ears. They won’t interfere with your headphones, phone calls, or messaging devices.

Backed by a 1-year limited warranty, the freedom of the best battery-powered neck fan, decent cooling capacity and the convenience they offer, you can’t go wrong with the LUWATT portable neck fan.

Types of Portable Air Conditioner For Semi Trucks/Cars

There are a few options for power, though the most often used is either battery power or a 12v adapter that plugs into your car or truck’s 12v receptacle.

Cooler fans or swamp air coolers use water or ice (or a combination) to produce cool breeze that is then blown around cars and trucks by a fan. You will need to fill the chamber with either water or ice and turn the unit on. If there is a fan speed selection, you can adjust the speed of the airflow.

Overall, there are four main types of portable air conditioners for cars and trucks. Portable AC units, rooftop ACs, fan coolers, and bucket coolers all have their uses. Below, we examine each type in more detail.

Portable Air Conditioner For Cars

Most portable air conditioners work to keep a small area cool. Most, by design, will cool an area less than 200 square feet by up to 15 degrees. Depending on the style, brand, and BTU measurements, the square footage or area of coverage, as well as ambient temperature control, may change.

The best portable air conditioner has multiple power source options such as an adapter, 12v car power supply, or rechargeable batteries. Instead of being water-filled or needing ice to cool the air, a portable car AC will work in a similar fashion to a home AC unit. Still compressing and evaporating refrigerant to produce cold air, just on a much smaller scale.

Rooftop Air Conditioners

Rooftop air conditioners are designed for RV and camper installations. These work the same as a window AC unit, complete with their own compressor, evaporator, and thermostat controls.

Most rooftop air conditioners will come with temperature sensors you install around the cabin and living areas of the RV. These will gauge the ambient temperature, and based on the thermostat settings, the AC will kick on or off until the entire space reads within the set range.

Unlike portable car air conditioners or cooler fans, rooftop air conditioners are a permanent install and require thermostats, sensors, ducting, and refrigerant. They are just like the ones in your home, only designed for an RV.

Fan Coolers

A fan cooler is designed to move air to supply a refreshing breeze. The primary difference between a cooler fan and an oscillating fan is that most cooler fans can have water or ice added to the system to produce a cold stream of air or even a spray of mist.

A portable air conditioner fan will clip on to the headrest, air vents, or windows of your vehicle and are designed to keep a single person, pet, or area of the car cool. Cooler fans are not intended to replace the car’s ac unit, which cools the entire vehicle.

Bucket + Fan Coolers

Bucket coolers use buckets or a large water tank to store ice and water. The cold air surrounding the ice is then pulled through a fan mounted on the top and pushed out into cars and trucks through the vent or fans.

In the automotive space, bucket coolers are generally sealed units to the water, and ice doesn’t slosh and spill. You will need to maintain a certain level of water in the tank to keep the fan operating. This requires a constant check of the levels and the ability to refill when needed.

Most operate on battery or 12v power and have some sort of visual guide so you can check the water and ice levels with relative ease.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Let’s take the time to answer some of the more frequently asked questions about the best portable air conditioner and air cooler reviews.

How effective are portable car air conditioners?

Portable air conditioner units won’t replace your car’s standard air conditioner. With few exceptions, most units don’t even try. Instead, they are a secondary air cooler or a back up in case the car air conditioner goes out when you need it. For what they are, though, a portable car AC unit is effective at keeping you cool. As long as you don’t expect to lower the temperature of the entire cab space, you won’t be disappointed.

Is a fan sufficient for cooling a vehicle?

Fans are not designed to cool a vehicle. Instead, they are meant to move the air and keep the circulation of fresh and clean air going around the car. They move the hot air out and provide cool air. Thus, they’re effective at maintaining a lower temperature inside the vehicle than what is in the ambient air outside.

Which product on our list is best for cooling children in the back seats?

For children in the backseat or in a car seat, the dual cooling fan from Xool is ideal. You can position the fans to cover the entire backseat without worrying about spilling water or ice in the process.

How long do these portable air conditioners for cars last?

Most air coolers listed in this review have a 1-year limited warranty. With proper maintenance and occasional use, most portable air conditioners will last several years.