AC Product Database

BLACK + DECKER BPACT05SM

The BLACK+DECKER BPACT05SM is easily one of the most compact portable air conditioners I’ve used in the ultra-small category.

At just 8,500 BTU, this unit is clearly designed for small bedrooms, offices, or dorm rooms, and that’s exactly how I ended up using it. I actually set this one up in my home office during a stretch of unusually warm spring weather when my central AC hadn’t kicked on yet.

To my surprise, the B+D cooled the space quickly and quietly enough that it didn’t interfere with Zoom calls or writing sessions.

Like many portable units in this class, the BLACK+DECKER is a 3-in-1 system that offers air conditioning, dehumidifying, and fan modes.

I found the dehumidifier especially helpful during humid afternoons when the room didn’t necessarily feel hot but definitely felt sticky.

The control panel is simple and intuitive, and the included remote control makes it easy to adjust settings from across the room. I also appreciate the 24-hour timer, which lets you program the unit to shut off overnight so you don’t wake up freezing.

The BLACK + DECKER BPACT05SM is rated for rooms up to about 350 square feet, making it ideal for tighter spaces where a larger portable AC would be overkill.

Installation was straightforward, and the window kit worked well in a standard double-hung window. 

In my experience, BLACK+DECKER tends to keep their installation kits fairly simple, which is something I always appreciate when setting up portable units.

Compared to the SereneLife SLPAC805W, the BLACK+DECKER model is smaller and better suited for very compact rooms, but it doesn’t offer the same advanced features, such as Wi-Fi controls.

If you just need basic, reliable cooling for a small space, though, this little BLACK+DECKER unit gets the job done without taking up much room at all.

EUHOMY 4-in-1 portable AC

The EUHOMY 4-in-1 portable air conditioner is easily the most popular small portable AC I’ve come across.

It also happens to be the most powerful small unit on my list, delivering 10,000 BTUs of cooling power, which is impressive for something that still falls into the compact portable AC category. 

These units are typically rated to cool rooms up to around 450 square feet, making them suitable for bedrooms, apartments, or larger home offices.

I first used this one in my upstairs guest room during a warm stretch in early summer, and I remember thinking it cooled the space noticeably faster than most of the smaller portable units I’ve tried.

The EUHOMY is a 4-in-1 system, offering cooling, fan, dehumidifier, and sleep modes. That flexibility makes it useful throughout the year, not just during peak summer heat.

The dehumidifier mode is especially handy if you live somewhere humid. Sometimes removing moisture alone is enough to make a room feel dramatically more comfortable without running full cooling.

Another thing I appreciate is the simple control system. The unit includes a remote control, LED display, and a 24-hour timer, so it’s easy to program the AC to shut off overnight or kick on before you get home.

Even with its higher cooling output, the EUHOMY still operates at a fairly quiet level of around 50 dB, which is quieter than you’d expect from a portable AC in this class.

Compared to the BLACK+DECKER BPACT05SM, the EUHOMY model delivers significantly more cooling power and can handle larger rooms.

If you want the most cooling power you can get from a small portable AC, this EUHOMY model is hard to beat.

Who is the SereneLife SLPAC805W.5 best for?

I recommend SereneLife SLPAC805W.5 AC to people looking for an extra-slim portable AC that provides powerful dehumidification.

ZAFRO 4-in-1 

Zafro isn’t a brand that many people know about, but they have some seriously good cooling products that are typically more affordable than the “big brands.” 

This 8000 BTU air conditioner is the most budget-friendly item on my list, costing almost $100 less than the Black+Decker or SereneLife models. 

This Zafro model is just a quarter inch wider than my slimmest model (the SereneLife), but it actually has the smallest footprint of all the models I’ve covered with 11.69” width and 11.93” depth. 

The product listing says that this is a 4-in-1 product, but I don’t personally consider “Sleep Mode” to be a separate appliance.

That said, if you’re looking for a quiet AC while you’re sleeping, the Zafro registers at about 45 dB, which makes this one of the quietest in its class as that makes it only as loud as a small room fan. 

I recently set up this model in my mom’s bedroom, and she has loved the white noise while sleeping.

She uses the remote control to change the settings right from her bed and loves using the 24-hour timer so that she doesn’t have to remember to turn it off. 

Upon setup, we were able to cool her 300-square-foot bedroom in just 15 minutes. Like the Black+Decker model, this one is rated for up to 350 square feet and I think it’d have no problem handling it. 

When I asked my mom what was most important to her in buying a portable AC, she said, “Low maintenance.”

I think the Zafro delivers in that area, and I love that it has a double-layered washable filter that traps dust and debris while cooling the room. 

The filter should be cleaned every two weeks, which I know seems like a lot, but that’s just how powerful it is at collecting dust!

Surprisingly, all that power comes with the smallest footprint on my list, as the Zafro is just less than 12 inches by 12 inches on the floor.

There is one warning I want to point out: that the instruction manual is less than ideal.

If you’ve never installed a traditional portable AC before, this one kind of glosses over how to install the drain hose. 

So just be aware that if you skip this crucial step (as the manual does) and your drain hole isn’t plugged, you’ll end up with a big puddle on your floor within the first 30 minutes of running. (The drain does work well if you remember to install it!)

LG LP0621WSR

I recently installed this LG LP0621WSR in a neighbor’s in-law suite, and within the first few minutes of using it, I could see why it is so popular online.

Just like the BLACK + DECKER model, this LG unit has the 3-in-1 function of fan, AC, and dehumidifier. 

My neighbor picked this model for its aesthetic. It’s more modern-looking than the Fridigaire or Zafro models, and I love the design of having the louvers on top instead of on the front. 

The compact size also helps it to blend in. It doesn’t look like the smallest portable air conditioner at first, mostly because of the relative height, but it has a small width and depth. 

This 8,000 BTU LG model is rated for 250 square feet, which is about the size of the in-law suite.

What really amps up this portable AC’s power, though, are the auto-swinging louvers that move to circulate air throughout the room. 

If you’ve had issues with “hot spots” while using other portable ACs, you won’t have that issue here. 

The LG has a built-in dehumidifier to remove moisture, and during my testing, it was able to keep the humidity below 50% (which is better than a lot of portables). 

Humid weather and conditions can quickly fill the water tank, though, so you have to empty it frequently to keep the appliance running.

The same can be said for other models on my list because these smaller models don’t have the space for auto-evaporation parts. To get an auto-evaporating AC, you will need to look for a larger sized unit.

That said, you can fit this model with a continuous drain hose, but it’s not included with the purchase. 

Given the features and performance, I was slightly disappointed that the LG AC only had 2 fan speed options. This means it takes longer to cool a room, much longer than the similarly sized Black + Decker model.

I recommend the LG for homeowners who need air conditioning and dehumidification in rooms with limited drainage and ventilation options. 

The remote control and 24 hour timer make this a nice option for guest rooms and rooms with high traffic, and maintenance is super easy with a washable filter. 

Related article: Best 6000 BTU air conditioners

ECOFLOW WAVE 3

The EcoFlow Wave 3 is easily the most unique portable air conditioner on my list.

Unlike the other models we’ve looked at so far, this one can run on a battery, which means you can use it completely off-grid.

If you add EcoFlow’s removable battery pack (sold separately), the Wave 3 can run for several hours without being plugged into the wall, making it a popular option for camping, vans, RVs, or emergency backup cooling.

The Wave 3 is also a dual-purpose unit, meaning it can both cool and heat. In cooling mode, it delivers about 6,100 BTUs, while in heating mode it delivers around 6,800 BTUs, giving it year-round usefulness in small spaces.

I actually used a Wave unit in a garage workspace during a hot afternoon while tinkering with some equipment, and I was impressed with how quickly the cool air started circulating despite the unit’s compact size.

Compared to the previous EcoFlow Wave 2, this third-generation model adds more cooling capacity, stronger airflow, and improved efficiency. 

The Wave 3 boosts cooling from roughly 5,100 BTUs to 6,100 BTUs and increases airflow, helping push cold air farther into the room.

Another nice upgrade is the expanded smart controls. Through the EcoFlow app, you can manage temperature, switch modes, and monitor performance remotely.

There are also additional modes like sleep mode, dehumidifier mode, and even a pet-care temperature setting, which can help maintain a safe temperature when you’re away.

The Wave 3 can cool small spaces like tents, vans, cabins, and tiny rooms up to around 180 square feet, making it ideal for situations where a traditional portable AC simply isn’t practical.

Of course, the biggest difference between this model and most of the portable ACs on my list is mobility.

While most units need to stay near a window and a power outlet, the Wave 3 is designed to go wherever you go, as long as you use the battery.

If you’re looking for a portable AC that can truly run anywhere, the EcoFlow Wave 3 is easily one of the most interesting options currently available.

Related article: Top-rated battery-powered air conditioners

Who is the Zero Breeze Mark 3 best for?

The Zero Breeze air conditioner is best used in an RV, truck, car, or other vehicle. It’s also perfect for use in tents while camping.

Coolzy Pro

There’s a room in my house that was originally intended as a large storage closet, but we recently outfitted it as a small crafting room instead. One problem – no window to vent an AC. 

Thankfully, I found the Coolzy Pro, which is the only true portable AC that doesn’t require any installation, exhaust hoses, water drainage, or mess. 

This was perfect for the setup in my 8x10-foot room. However, this compressor-driven AC can be vented like a traditional portable AC for even better cooling, if you have the means.

For that reason, I would say that the Coolzy Pro is the most versatile small AC I’ve used. 

Just note that the venting kits are sold separately, and even without the venting kits, the Coolzy Pro is more money upfront than most of the models I’ve listed, including the Black+Decker model. 

Most “ventless ACs” are just glorified fans or swamp coolers that increase the humidity in the room. There’s none of that with the Coolzy Pro. 

The Coolzy uses refrigerant through its compressor to leave you feeling cold air the moment the unit turns on. 

Now, I’d say the Coolzy Pro is more appropriate for personal cooling. It’s only rated for 88 square feet and works best when it’s pointed right in the direction you’re sitting. Here I am showcasing it in action.

When I’m in my craft room, this is the perfect setup, but it definitely can’t cool an entire room like the first five items on my list. 

The icing on the cake is that the Coolzy Pro only uses 340 watts of electricity, which is roughly 70% less than traditional portable ACs. 

I didn’t notice any difference on my utility bill while using this product for roughly 15 hours per week. 

The Coolzy is so portable that I have even used it on a camping trip when I had access to power.

A product like this seems almost too good to be true, but please remember its got its limitations when it comes to cooling. It is a portable AC but should be used for direct, spot cooling and not for cooling entire spaces.

The Coolzy was designed by Australians looking for a solution to beat the heat in the harsh outback. 

Overall, if you’re looking for a small portable AC and don’t need to cool an entire room, then I’d say the Coolzy is your best bet for personal cooling.

Are portable air conditioners safe?

Yes, portable air conditioners are safe to use. Just ensure they have at least 1-2 feet of clearance around them so the air can vent properly and they don't overheat.

What is the difference between portable AC and window AC units?

Window AC units are installed directly into a window (usually a sliding window) with half of the appliance outside of your home.

They are usually more powerful than portable ACs and can cool a larger area, but they are much more difficult to move between rooms or areas in your home.