10 Best Small Portable Air Conditioners That Pack a Punch!

1. Honeywell MO08CESWK – Editors Pick For Best Small Portable AC 

We recommend the Honeywell MO08CESWK small portable air conditioner as our top pick because of its light and compact size, as well as its performance and features. This is an outstanding and reliable mini portable AC unit.

Although it’s one the shortest of all the BTU air conditioners we’ve reviewed, it still offers solid performance and plenty of positive user reviews.

This small air conditioner is one of the better-rated units on Amazon, with Honeywell’s website also filled with rave reviews about the product. Most manufacturers’ websites will have better, more positive ratings than third-party marketplaces so always be careful when considering these.

Weighing around 43 pounds, or slightly more with hose and wheels attached, the MO08CESWK portable AC unit is incredibly easy to move around your home. It is the lightest air conditioning unit on our list and easily the most maneuverable.

If your focus is more towards cooling capacity than mobility then you are also in luck!

This compact AC unit is an excellent performer, especially for an 8,000 BTU-unit.

The MO08CESWK comes with portable AC standard features like a remote, LCD, 24-hour timer, dehumidification abilities, and multiple cooling speeds.

While it doesn’t offer anything too unique, it offers efficient cooling with a quiet output and is manufactured by one of the world’s leading air conditioner brands.

Honeywell says this unit cools small rooms of up to 450 sq ft, but again this is dependent on external factors. In our experience – up to 350 sq. ft. is the right sized area for this unit.

Like all the smallest portable AC units we recommend, it has an auto-evaporating system that doesn’t require draining, but if used solely for dehumidification, it requires you to hook up a standard garden hose.

The MO08CESWK compact unit dehumidifies 61 pints from the indoor air in a 24-hour day, but this feature of room air conditioners should be less of a consideration than overall cooling capacity, as humidity will be removed from the air no matter what.

The window space installation for this portable AC unit is made easy, thanks to Honeywell’s vent kit. Although it’s nothing to write home about, it gets the job done as long as you follow the instructions. In this Youtube video – you can see that setup is easy and getting started will not take you a long time.

Settings on this unit can range from 61 to 89 degrees-Fahrenheit, so you have a good range of temperatures to choose from. The noise produced by this small room unit isn’t much louder than that of our other recommended small air conditioners (50–53 dBA).

The Honeywell MO08CESWK comes with a 5-year limited warranty: one year to cover parts and labor, and 5 years for all parts of the sealed system, including the compressor. At 1,200 watts, the energy use is about on par with the LG 10,000 BTU unit.

Overall, it’s a great option if you’re looking for the quality cooling capacity in an 8,000 BTU unit. The small size, wheels and lighter weight all contribute to this being our favorite mini model.

2. BLACK + DECKER BPACT08WT – Best Value For Money Portable AC

Black & Decker’s BPACT08WT portable air conditioner is ideal for consumers’ convenience once the heat kicks in during summers. Designed to cover an area of between 100 to 150 sq ft, this ultra-compact small room AC is essentially suited to double-hung or sliding windows.

Offering 8,000 BTUs, this portable air conditioner ensures a steady and powerful airflow that aids in maintaining a consistent temperature in any room. The portable AC is fitted with four caster wheels for ease of mobility, with a 5-foot long exhaust pipe to release hot air from your small living room.

Set with a LED display, Black & Decker offers increased electronic control for efficient energy consumption. Its 3-in-1 feature option includes combining the AC’s cooling fan and dehumidification operation with its noiseless functioning, making the BPACT08WT perfect for cooling.

During its functioning, the AC uses 115 volts, 950 watts, and 60 Hz; the window kit comes with a remote control to provide users with the luxury of adjusting the temperature without having to get up.

As the smallest of our picks in terms of depth, the box-shaped BLACK&DECKER BPACT08WT is most suited for storage and mobility in small spaces. The BPACT08WT poses as the appropriate choice if you live in an apartment with limited storage space, and require cooling for small rooms.

However, it is important to note that the unit’s cooling ability and noise levels are subjective to the climate of your country and its level of urbanization. It is one of the noisier small air conditioners on our list but if you live in cities like NYC – this is less of an issue.

This Black & Decker model is competitively priced when compared to all the AC’s on our list, making it a solid choice if you are looking for a mini, value for money buy.

3. EdgeStar AP8000W – Shortest Portable AC Unit

Edge Star claims its AP8000W to be one of the easiest and smallest portable AC units in the world. It can provide cool and refreshing air for up to 250 sq. ft. while channeling 8,000 BTUs. Standing at just under 25 inches tall, this is comfortably the shortest portable AC unit on our list and indeed in the world.

With a 24-hour programmable timer, the AP8000W small room AC provides precise timings with the flexibility of daily programming, and its design incorporates a three-speed fan featuring directional air discharge louvers.  This mini AC comes with a remote control, a window kit, filters, and casters to ensure the continued provision of cool air across multiple rooms.

Its dehumidifier can absorb up to 50 pints of moisture per day with the help of its adjustable digital thermostat control. Edge Star has made sure that starting this portable air conditioner’s is a simple three-step process.

The first step in the process consists of simply connecting the vent hose to the back of the unit. You must then remove the cap from the window vent kit and lastly, connect it to the exhaust hose. This portable air conditioner offers a cost-effective solution to cool your small room.

The mechanism for this 8000 BTU portable air conditioner entails running your unit 365 days a year without having to worry about draining the reservoir; it uses a CFC-free refrigerant making this unit ozone- and climate-friendly product.

Related Article – How Long Can You Leave a Portable AC Running?

If placed in the middle of the room, make sure to contain the exhaust pipe’s end in a bucket for the condensate that will drain from the unit; preventing overflow shutdowns.

The biggest advantage provided by Edge Star’s AP8000W is its size efficiency that allows for convenient storage and setup, unlike a window AC where owners need to comply with building codes or install brackets on the outside of their home or condo.

The only potential issue with this portable unit is that it may tend to cool less when functioning in harsher climates as more powerful systems are generally needed. Still, if space is at a premium in your home then this lightest AC is certainly worth considering.

4. LG LP0818WNR – Best looking Small Portable AC

For consumers looking to cool small rooms, or rooms that are naturally shadier or receive minimal direct sunlight (remember: sunlight and lack of shade can increase room temps by 20 percent or more), we’ve also recommended an 8000 BTU unit – the LP LP0818WNR.

Like the Haier model (next on our list), the LP has sleek, modern aesthetics that makes the unit less of an eyesore than larger units, and its performance often appears to match that of bulkier models.

Related Article – How to Hide Your Portable AC and Keep Your Home Looking Good

At 27.36” high, the LP0818WNR is shorter than the Haier model but does weigh a few extra pounds. For those looking to keep the height to a minimum, this is an excellent solution.

The LP0818WNR comes with standard AC features: 24-hour on/off controls, an LCD remote control, auto-restart and an auto-swing ventilation system that reduces hot spots.

The auto evaporation system allows the unit to run all day without being maintained or drained, and the oscillating air design dehumidifies 2.5 pints per hour.

According to LG, the LP0818WNR cools small rooms up to 200 sq ft, but this may change based on the environmental factors you’re working with. One reviewer on LG’s website said that the features are phenomenal, and another claiming that they can’t wait to use this more in summer and enjoy their Florida room.

It has definitely surpassed my expectations. Unlike a window air conditioner, this unit cool spaces without any effort it has the temperature setting so it doesn’t have to constantly run swing mode the push air in different directions, 2 speed fan mode. It’s quiet energy efficient and it’s not too heavy. Has a elegant look remote for the lazy people like me the thing is awesome!

This is a quiet portable AC system with a noise level of 53 dBa at high settings, and only louder than the Haier model previously. This noise can also be reduced to about 50 dBA in sleep mode. The unit has (at the time of this review) a 4.4 rating on LG’s website. Most users claim the benefits of the unit are its ease of use, performance, and clean styling and design.

Two cooling speeds give you some flexibility and thermostat control makes it easy to keep the room at a level you’re comfortable with. A washable air filter is easy to maintain throughout the year, and because of its size and energy use (1,270 watts), you’ll be able to keep your utility costs lower than you would with a larger 12-14,000 BTU unit. An included window installation kit is par for the course when it comes to room air conditioners, and you’d be smart to seal up the window after installation.

LG offers strong customer service and support, a good reputation for clean-styled products and one-year parts and labor warranty on the LP0818WNR.

5. Haier HPC12XCR – Compact and Powerful Portable AC

Clocking in at 56 pounds and just under 28” tall, the Haier HPC12XCR is our recommended small room air conditioner because of its combination of size and performance.

Its 12,000 BTU cooling capacity is rated to cool a room up to 450 sq ft, though many customers report using the HPC12XCR in a small living room, such as a home office, and seeing good results.

The HPC12XCR is as convenient as any of today’s technology-driven units: it has a full-function remote, digital settings panel and three cooling speeds that help circulate and cool air. Its sleek design and minimalist aesthetics make it a good choice for homes that want to keep things simple, and it’s low-key enough to stand in the corner of a room without becoming an eyesore.

Its 12,000 BTUs is powerful enough to consistently cool the air, and even with the possibility of reduced real-world BTUs, many users find the cooling effects sufficient. A 6-foot power cord and 5-foot single exhaust hose offer an average amount of flexibility in where to keep your unit, and the included quick-install window kit is easy to use, most users note.

We do recommend using tape or some sort of sealer to keep the window kit perfectly sealed, but we make this suggestion across the board – not just with this model. The top-air discharge setup is standard, and the digital panel is also on top of the unit; most users don’t mind this, but some pointed out that you can’t see the current settings from across the room, though the remote still work from that distance.

The energy efficiency of this unit is solid: its small size and good performance make it more effective than many larger units.

Grant Morgan at Top Ten Reviews.

This Haier has an EER of 9.5, which is a bit higher than the lowest of 8.9. Per our calculations, this unit costs approximately $90.72 a year to operate. This calculation is based on eight hours of use daily for three months out of the year.

Helpful features like auto-start and a 24-hour timer make it easy to “set it and forget it” when it comes to your preferences, and a self-evaporative draining system means you don’t have to empty out a bucket of water every day.

Casters make the unit mobile, but like many experts point out, a portable air conditioner doesn’t generally move a whole lot once it’s set up, so mobility is less of a factor than you may think. However, because the HPC12XCR is lighter than almost every model we analyzed, it does make it easy to move the unit seasonally or from room to room as needed.

A permanent slide-out mesh filter is easy to clean and maintain and does a good job of keeping the air feeling clean and circulated. A dehumidification mode helps keep moisture in the air to a minimum, but it’s also worth pointing out that dehumidification is standard across the board and doesn’t necessarily need to be a leading factor in the buying decision.

Dehumidification capacity is irrelevant, because just about every portable AC is rated to remove more moisture than a dedicated whole-house dehumidifier, and they all work equally well

Say the editors over at The Sweet Home.

In general, the Haier HPC12XCR receives good feedback, especially considering the average reviews for most portable ACs. Common complaints about this model are that it doesn’t cool the air quickly enough, or doesn’t offer good air circulation. We review the Haier brand in detail here.

However, most users note that the cooling capacity is about what they expected or better, and if you have realistic expectations about what a room air conditioner can do, you may be more satisfied with your purchase.

Users find it easy to set up and install, and many claims that the noise – especially compared to larger units – is manageable. Overall, the performance of the unit will depend on the size of your room, the starting and target temperatures, as well as other environmental factors.

The Haier HPC12XCR comes with a 1-year warranty on parts and labor, and you can learn more by visiting Haier or reading the Haier HPC12XCR manual here.

6. Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP – Best Small Dual-Hose AC

The above picks are based primarily on size: they are some of the best performing units that keep size to a minimum. However, if you’re willing to go with a unit that’s a little taller and heavier – though not much – you can get a top-of-the-line dual hose portable AC in the Whynter ARC-122DHP.

This model is The Sweet Home’s recommended unit of choice and routinely receives positive reviews from users and experts alike. Its 12,000 BTUs is enough to cool up to 450 sq ft, and because it’s a double-hose unit it offers better energy efficiency and less cooling waste. Its EER of 12 is higher than most portable room air conditioners, and the watts used is excellent for a unit of this size.

The noise, price, and installation kit are all typical for the category. As a bonus, it can also function as a heater, and it has a drain pump so you can empty the condensation reservoir against gravity.

This portable AC is also a great year-round option because of its heating capabilities: it offers 11,000 BTU heating power, just slightly less than its cooling strength. The size of the unit is on the smaller side for what you get – it’s shorter than the average unit we analyzed, though its weight (63 pounds) is on the heavier side.

Still, the performance you’ll get with the ARC-122DHP is hard to match; it has an auto-evaporative system that shuts down the compressor when its tank is full, but you can also choose to hook up a hose to keep the water continually drained. A washable carbon filter keeps the room’s air cleaned and three fan speeds help with circulation.

Much of the unit is average or better and put together, the ARC-122DHP is one of the more promising units on the market. Digital controls, timers, and other standard features make the unit easy to use and setup, and it comes with the advice of doing your best to seal up your room and window to make cooling more efficient.

With two hoses, the ARC-122DHP has an easier time cooling down a room faster; instead of the heat from its processes and components staying in the room, this air is vented outside, which makes it slightly more effective in quickly cooling air.

The ARC-122DHP comes with a one-year manufacturer warranty and a three-year warranty on the compressor, one of the better warranties available for room ACs. Overall, it’s one of the top-selling AC units for a reason: Whynter’s technology, styling, and performance are hard to beat, and this is one of their signature products.

7. Friedrich ZoneAire PH14B – Small Air Conditioner For Large Rooms

This is one of Friedrich’s largest units, and it’s our recommendation for people who need to cool apartments or condos. It’s rated for one of the largest range in our recommendations and has the added bonus of the heating function. The Friedrich PH14B is a superb choice for larger spaces such as living rooms.

We love its sheer power, which cools air more quickly and quietly than either of the other units! Plus, it has the same excellent reputation for reliability and build quality as the smaller Friedrich.

It’s more powerful than either of our other recommendations. With 13,500 BTU of AC power, it’s rated to cool 700 sq ft and do so even more effectively than the other Friedrich. It’s self-evaporating and uses the same recycled condensation feature as its smaller sibling.

Previous buyers in humid areas said they were prepared to install an additional drain line to assist the unit, as they had with models they’d used previously.

However, Friedrich surprised them by getting rid of all the condensation by itself! That’s where that extra power really comes in handy! The unit can dry the air effectively on warm humid days.

It’s a dual-hose air conditioner, just like its smaller sibling. That means it’s the most efficient of the portable options.

It has all the same functions as the other Friedrich, with AC, dehumidifier and fan feature all onboard. Like both the EdgeStar and smaller Friedrich models, there’s a 24-hour smart timer, 3 fan speeds, and automatic restart. It also comes with remote control.

The major plus here is that this model features an AC and heater combo, which means that this one will work for you all year long! It’s nearly as powerful as a heater, with 10,700 BTU of heating power. Previous buyers said it’s very effective and could compensate for central air systems in apartments, as well as space heaters!

As with the other two models, this one comes with everything you need to get it set up, including hoses, and a window bracket that’ll work in both horizontal and vertical windows. Even though it’s big and powerful, purchasers still thought it was quieter than some other units they had used.

Overall, many previous buyers said that they were glad they spent the extra money to get a unit that really worked well. They cited the condensation system, energy efficiency, and evenness of the cooling as winning features over cheaper models they had owned. It’s covered by a 5-year warranty and comes recommended by consumers reports – they tested for cooling speed in relation to size.

This unit weighs almost 100 pounds, so you won’t want to be moving it about too frequently. Some previous buyers mentioned that the air hoses and window plate aren’t built as well as the main unit.

Some previous buyers said that their units arrived poorly packaged. If you get a cracked part, you might have problems with leakage. Thankfully, that’s an issue that would be covered by the vendor.

If you need a large capacity cooling AC then you will need to go for a bigger sized option. This Freidrich model is powerful yet still somewhat compact when compared with other brands.

8. Honeywell MM14CCS Portable AC

We recommended the Haier HPC12XCR because of its compact size and relative performance, but there’s a clear need for larger units to cool down large bedrooms, offices and other living spaces that simply need more than 12,000 BTUs.

In that case, the smallest 14,000 BTU unit we came across in our research is the Honeywell MM14CCS. At 34.02” tall, it’s one of the smallest air conditioners we reviewed, but still offers solid performance and user reviews.

It’s one of the better-rated units on Amazon, and reviews on Honeywell’s website are also stellar, though most manufacturer websites have better, more positive ratings than third-party marketplaces.

At nearly 74 pounds, the MM14CCS isn’t incredibly easy to move around, but if you’re focused on cooling capacity more than mobility, you’ll be fine with the weight increase. Its dimensions (15.79” x 19.92”) are also on the large side, so expect to dedicate a little more floor space to this AC.

However, with that size and weight, it’s still the largest good-performing 14,000 BTU unit on the market, with Whynter’s units being fairly larger, though they do receive good reviews in their own right.

The MM14CCS comes with portable air conditioner standards like a remote control, LCD display, 24-hour timer, dehumidification, and multiple cooling speeds. It doesn’t offer anything too unique, but it has good styling and most importantly, the higher BTUs to keep a larger room cooled. Honeywell says it cools rooms up to 550 sq ft, but again this depends on outside factors.

Window installation is easy with Honeywell’s vent kit; it’s nothing to write home about, but it will also get the job done. Settings on this unit range from 61 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit, so you have a good range of temperatures to work with. The noise on this unit isn’t much louder than our other recommended, smaller units (54 dBA), so if size isn’t an issue for you, the noise shouldn’t be either.

Like all the units we recommend, it has an auto-evaporating system that doesn’t require draining, but if you use it solely for dehumidification, it does require you to hook up a standard garden hose.

The MM14CCS dehumidifies 90 pints in a 24-hour day, but as we mentioned, this feature of room air conditioners should be less of consideration that overall cooling performance, as humidity will be sucked from the air no matter what.

The Honeywell MM14CCS comes with a 5-year limited warranty: one year to cover parts and labor, and for years for the compressor. At 1,200 watts, the energy use is about on part with the LG 10,000 BTU unit we recommend.

Overall, it’s a great option if you’re looking for the increased cooling capacity of a 14,000 BTU unit but still want to keep your unit on the smaller side.

9. Luma Comfort EC110S – Best Small Air Cooler

This ultra-compact unit combines a small air cooler with a humidifier. It’s designed to help people in hot, dry places have refreshing, healthier air. Evaporative coolers function by passing water through a 3D cooling pad. They then use a cool the hot air by passing it over a water-soaked pad.

This process is all-natural and doesn’t use any products such as freon or other chemicals. Therefore you achieve affordable, comfortable control of your climate with a reduced carbon footprint. The Luna Comfort is our top choice in swamp coolers.

It works by circulating water and air through a cooling foil, which creates a cool, moist breeze. All you need is water. The company also suggests using an ice pack in the water compartment. It comes with two ice packs, so you can keep one in the freezer while the other one is in use.

It’s rated to cool up to 250 sq ft. The manufacturer says that in optimal conditions, it can cool air by up to 20 degrees! Previous buyers had pretty good success with it but did warn others to be realistic with their expectations. It’ll be less effective in humid conditions, and at extreme levels of heat (90+).

There’s a built-in air filter. It’ll trap dust and debris, helping you breathe easier. The filter is also washable, so you don’t have to buy replacements. Several different setting helps you control the speed of the fan and the pattern of the flow. This allows you to create “breezes” inside your house or office.

It’s more environmentally-friendly than typical air conditioners. Since it’s not a traditional air conditioner, you won’t have coils full of harmful chemicals around. It’s also a cost-effective solution. While most air conditioners (especially portable units) can really eat up your electricity, the evaporative system in this model uses a lot less energy overall.

The water tank pulls out for refills and holds a full 2 gallons at a time. Previous buyers said it’s very quiet.

The major negative aspect of this product is that it is not a full air conditioner. You really can’t expect this to cool a whole apartment. It’s only going to work in a single room. We found that a lot of the negative reviews on this model were from people who didn’t understand the limitations of evaporative coolers compared to air conditioners.

It doesn’t work well in humid environments. You probably won’t want to get this if your average humidity level is over 40%. Previous buyers had pretty mixed experiences with durability. Some people said their coolers developed leaks after a year or so of use.

Swamp coolers are excellent choices for certain situations and we believe this pick is best of the bunch.

Related Article – Swamp Cooler vs Air Conditioner: Which One’s Right for You?

10 - Zero Breeze Mark 2 – Best Small Battery Powered AC

Operating the Zero Breeze Mark 2 is as simple as pressing the “On” button and enjoying the cool breeze. But this doesn’t explain exactly how the device works. Just like true AC units, this machine operates on a rotary compressor, which gives it a major advantage in cooling performance compared to other portable units on the market.

Most portable ACs use a more simplified evaporation system, which essentially just uses fans with ice or water to create that cooling effect. The Mark 2, however, is much more advanced than this with its built-in micro compressor and dual hose exhaust configuration. It has a cooling capacity of 2300 BTU and can reach the sought-after temperature in as little as 10 minutes.

Thanks to the cordless battery design, this is the ideal on-the-go cooling solution. Unlike the previous Mark 1 model that uses a 12V battery, the Mark 2 utilizes an upgraded 24V battery for more powerful performance. Once the battery is fully charged (this takes about 5 hours), you’ll be able to stay cool for up to 5 hours.

The battery can be charged by car or solar power. Because it does require 5 full hours of charging time, it’s recommended that you purchase an extra one (especially if you’re planning overnight camping trips). Zero Breeze gives customers the option to purchase the AC only, the AC with 1x battery, the AC with 2x battery, or the battery alone.

Related Article – Best Battery Powered ACs: Reviews & Top Picks