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If you are looking to keep a room cool and don’t want to mess with vent hoses and lifting heavy air conditioners into windows, then you want a ventless portable air conditioner.
These bad boys aren’t your typical air conditioners and use ice and water to cool the air and can literally be placed in any room at any time.
This article will focus on ventless portable air conditioners, the buyer’s guide to choosing the right type and size, and then show you the best ventless air conditioners.
By the end of this guide, you will know which portable air conditioner is best for you, how to install and operate it, and what to look for before you buy.
Ready to get a ventless portable air conditioner? If so, then read our best ventless portable air conditioner reviews
Quick Guide – Our Top Picks
Our Top Pick
Honeywell CO30XE
Ease of use
4.5
Cooling
4.5
Value
4.5
Our Score
4.5
Value For Money
Briza Cool
Ease Of Use
4.5
Cooling
4.0
Value
4.5
Our Score
4.3
Smallest model
Evapolar EvaCHILL
Ease Of Use
5.0
Cooling
3.0
Value
4.0
Our Score
4.0
7 Best Ventless Portable Air Conditioners
I now present you with the 7 best ventless air conditioners, reviewed, and compared for your pleasure. I would urge you to take your time reading through this list, but the longer you take, the more you’re going to sweat.
1 - Honeywell CO30XE - Editors Pick!
Ease Of Use
4.5
Cooling Ability
4.5
Value For Money
4.5
Overall Rating
4.5
The Honeywell CO30XE ventless portable air conditioner is the top pick, and you are going to love this guy!
This ventless indoor AC unit has a separate water bucket that you can fill with water and an ice tray to enjoy refreshing air for up to 8 full hours. While the non vented portable air conditioner works best in the low humidity southwest region, this swamp cooler will give you more than you bargained for.
Not only does this ventless air cooler comes with a remote control (up to 30 feet) and three fan speeds to turn hot air into cool breeze, but it is also coated in UV protection, which means you can wheel this thing out on the deck, near the barbecue or pool, or even in the backyard.
With only 288w power consumption, it’s energy efficient and light on your power bill and runs for a long time. You can even set it up to run overnight with the 7.5-hour timer. And don’t worry about running out of water as Honeywell air conditioners thought of that and included a low-water alarm.
Maintenance is made more comfortable with this non venting portable air conditioner. The tank is removable so you can wash it in the sink or tub, and the ice tray wipes out without a mess. The carbon filter captures odors and dust to keep your room fresh, clean, and cool.
There is a range of portable air conditioners to choose from too. The CO30XE evaporative cooler is the smallest of the bunch, with a max airflow of 729. However, you can look at the CO60PM swamp cooler with 1540 CFM or the CO48PM ventless portable air conditioner with a max of 1647 CFM.
We love the bigger air conditioning unit too and have it on our list of top swamp coolers.
CFM Airflow | 525-729 CFM |
Power Consumption | 288 watts |
Room Size (Cooling Area) | 320 Sq. ft. |
Dimensions | 18 x 13.9 x 33.7 inches |
Water Tank Capacity | 7.9 gallons |
Warranty | 1-year |
Pros
Cons
2 - Briza Cool – Value For Money
Ease Of Use
4.5
Cooling Ability
4.0
Value For Money
4.5
Overall Rating
4.3
Briza Cool is a close runner up for the best ventless portable AC unit. This AC unit packs a punch and is compact but also powerful. At only 11 pounds, the 2.1-gallon water tank will hold ice, ice packs or water.
Even if the water is warm, it will still lower the temperature of the air flowing through it. The airflow rating is a little low, so you need to be right in front of it to feel the breeze.
However, you can be anywhere in a small room to feel the effects. The cooling capacity of this small ventless ac unit is about 100 sq ft.
Don’t let the size fool you; when you enter a room with a Briza Cool ventless portable air conditioner, you will know it. This is because this vent free air conditioner provides three fan speeds (low, medium, high) to ensure all the hot air/humid air turns into cold air.
The warranty comes with a 30-day buyback guarantee and a 1-year warranty after that. That is, if you buy the air conditioner at a trade show.
If you buy directly online, the warranty is automatically extended to 2-years. If you have the 1-year warranty, you can then visit the website and submit your proof of purchase and extend the warranty another 12 months.
No matter how long your warranty period is, this ventless AC unit will run for years. The filter is washable and should be done every couple of months. Eventually, though, it will need to be replaced. With moderate use, this is about 2 years, and replacements are available through the Briza Amazon store.
CFM Airflow | 125 CFM |
Power Consumption | 80 watts |
Room Size (Cooling Area) | 100 Sq. ft. |
Dimensions | 12 x 12 x 15 inches |
Water Tank Capacity | 2.1 gallons |
Warranty | Up to 2-year |
Pros
Cons
3 - Evapolar EvaCHILL – Best Small Personal Ventless AC
Ease Of Use
5.0
Cooling Ability
3.0
Value For Money
4.0
Overall Rating
4.0
The evaCHILL from Evapolar is the best small ventless AC you will find. This portable air conditioner is considered a personal cooler fan and will not lower the temp in a room. However, when sitting at your desk, this USB powered fan is just right.
You can angle the vents in multiple directions to get the perfect airflow directly on you. It also comes with 4 fan speeds and an 800ml water tank. You cannot add ice to the tank, but with the no-spill and easy fill system, you won’t have too.
Even luke-warm tap water will cool the air blowing through ventless air conditioner, and in a personal space, that is all you really need. It is small enough to take with you to the ball game, sitting on the couch or at the office.
It uses USN-C to power the unit and only draws 7.5 watts to operate, per hour. There isn’t a low water alarm on this portable air conditioner, but the tank is improved and will last up to nine hours. With a 1-year warranty, you have even less to worry about.
So, when you are ready to have your own personal cooling fan, give the evaCOOL a try. You’re gonna love it.
CFM Airflow | 25 CFM |
Power Consumption | 7.5 watts |
Room Size (Cooling Area) | 45 Sq. ft. |
Dimensions | 6.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches |
Water Tank Capacity | 800ml |
Warranty | 1-year |
Pros
Cons
4 - Honeywell CS10XE – Best Ventless All-Rounder
Ease Of Use
4.0
Cooling Ability
4.0
Value For Money
4.0
Overall Rating
4.0
Honeywell enters our list again, this time with a portable ventless cooler that is packed with features. If you are a gadget freak and love lots of buttons, you will enjoy this air conditioning system. It has a setting for everything and will not disappoint.
About the only thing this air conditioner is missing is an ice compartment. However, with the 2.6-gallon capacity water tank, you can add ice to the bottom. If you like the idea of frozen gel packs, you can use those instead of ice. However, you will need to use water, or else the low water alarm will annoy you.
Unlike our top pick, the CS10XE is not rated for outdoor use. However, in small and medium rooms, you will experience a cooling breeze that you won’t believe. This indoor and outdoor cooling model pushed out up to 412 CFM covering about 200 sq ft.
The maintenance is relatively straight forward and simple to perform. The filter and vent louvers will be your biggest areas of worry. Not because they are hard, mind you. Just tedious. The filter should last you about a year before it wears out and needs to be replaced.
As long as you keep water in the tank and the intake vents clean of debris and dust build-up, you will most likely never have an issue with this ventless air conditioner until it just wears out from use, years down the road.
CFM Airflow | 412 CFM |
Power Consumption | 102 watts |
Room Size (Cooling Area) | 200 Sq. ft. |
Dimensions | 15.7 x 13.5 x 31.5 inches |
Water Tank Capacity | 2.6 gallons |
Warranty | – |
Pros
Cons
5 - Hessaire Products MC18M
Ease Of Use
3.5
Cooling Ability
4.5
Value For Money
4.0
Overall Rating
4.0
If you are looking for the most bang for your buck, the Hessaire Products air cooling ventless portable AC unit is your answer. When you need to cool medium to large-sized rooms, this 1300 CFM cooler will do the trick.
It has a lower price tag than most others on this list, but it also lacks some of the more standard features. You won’t get remote operation, for example, and instead have a 6-selection turn dial to choose your operation modes from.
This simple approach means there are fewer things to go wrong and better peace of mind from this rugged build.
One thing to note, though, is that this ventless air conditioner does require daily maintenance. There is a water medium in the bottom of the tank that helps prevent the unit from running dry or overflowing.
When you are done with the unit, it will need to be placed on fan only mode and run for at least half an hour. This is to dry out the medium, preventing bacteria and mold from forming.
The filter is washable and will last you quite a while, though, and the back panel access makes taking it out for cleaning simple.
The 1-year warranty will cover the entire unit, down to the four caster wheels should anything go wrong. With proper care and moderate usage, though, this monster of a cooler fan will last you several years to come.
CFM Airflow | 1300 CFM |
Power Consumption | 82 watts |
Room Size (Cooling Area) | 500 Sq. ft. |
Dimensions | 20 x 10 x 28 inches |
Water Tank Capacity | 4.8 gallons |
Warranty | 1-year |
Pros
Cons
6 - Frigidaire EC200WF – Ventless AC For Bedrooms
Ease Of Use
4.0
Cooling Ability
3.5
Value For Money
4.0
Overall Rating
3.8
If you have trouble sleeping because of the temperature in your bedroom, the Frigidaire EC200WF ventless cooler is ideal for you. This is a good air conditioner for bedrooms because of its sleek design, simple controls, and quiet operation.
At only 54 dB (on high speed), you can sleep well with a gentle hum of white noise, while the fan works to keep you cool. With up to 350 CFM of airflow, this little guy will power through the night, keeping spaces up to 200 sq ft cool and refreshed.
With three cooling modes, four fan speeds, and wide-angle oscillation, this portable air conditioner without vent offers all and much more. This evaporative cooler instantly turns warm air into cool, fresh air.
It also boasts a low 65-watt power draw, which should ease the bill payer of the household when it comes time to write a check to the power company.
But here’s the best part: unlike most other evaporative coolers, this one oscillates. You can put it at the foot of the bed, and there won’t be any more fighting over the cool side.
The fan has three speeds and four modes for quiet, cool operation. The 1.8-gallon water tank can be filled with ice and topped off with water to provide up to 9 hours of cooling efficiency.
It also comes with a 1-year warranty to help promote peace of mind from a name we have grown to know and trust.
Related Article – Best Frigidaire Air Conditioners
CFM Airflow | 350 CFM |
Power Consumption | 65 watts |
Room Size (Cooling Area) | 250 Sq. ft. |
Dimensions | 12.7 x 12.8 x 31.4 inches |
Water Tank Capacity | 1.8 gallon |
Warranty | 1-year |
Pros
Cons
7 - Luma Comfort EC110S – Popular Ventless AC Cooler
Ease Of Use
4.0
Cooling Ability
3.5
Value For Money
3.5
Overall Rating
3.7
One of the best ventless portable air conditioners is the Luma Comfort EC110S. Partly because it has a lot of features, others are missing and partly because it is a good looking air conditioning unit, whatever your reason this ventless air conditioner works best for all.
It features a 1.7-gallon water tank that is easily filled. And unlike most other ventless air coolers, the Luma Comfort comes with a reusable ice pack. Once frozen, the pack fits into the water tank (on either side) and provides up to 4 extra hours of more cooling power.
If you don’t like the ice pack, you can fill the water tray will ice as well. Just make sure you top off with water to prevent the alarm from sounding.
The Luma Comfort air cooler is ideal for any climate but especially in those areas with less than 65% humidity on average.
Maintenance is straightforward with each compartment opening for easy access to the tray, filters and cooling pads. Everything cleans easily and snaps back in place for a regimen that only takes about 5 minutes.
Should anything go wrong with the unit, motor, controls, or operation, the EX110S is backed by an industry average 1-year warranty from the date of purchase.
Customer support is friendly and welcoming and will help you get through any problems you may have.
CFM Airflow | 500 CFM |
Power Consumption | 110 watts |
Room Size (Cooling Area) | 200 Sq. ft. |
Dimensions | 12.8 x 11.2 x 34.5 inches |
Water Tank Capacity | 1.7 gallons |
Warranty | 1-year |
Pros
Cons
What To Look For In Ventless Air Conditioner? A Buyer's Guide
Before you head out and just pick up any old ventless air conditioner, there are several things you need to consider to ensure ventless room AC removes warm air and provides cold air.
Below I offer you a brief buyer’s guide to help you understand the various conditions and features you need to think about. Then, once you know what you are dealing with, you can pull out your wallet.
Climate Conditions
Your region’s climate will play a big part in how efficient ventless air conditioners can be. High humidity and high heat areas will have the least efficient use of these fans.
However, they will help out with the heat and humidity a lot. The issue here is that in hotter climates, the ice melts faster and the water warms up, so you will need to change it out more frequently.
For the humid areas, condensation will accumulate much faster, causing you to need to empty the drain pans on a more regular basis.
Coverage Area
Each air conditioner will have a specific amount of coverage area, so it’s a good idea to get the right size for your space.
This is measured in square feet, which should match or exceed the size of your room.
You can get the room’s square footage by measuring the length and width of the room and multiplying the two numbers together.
You should also take into consideration the ceiling height, number of windows, and how much direct sun the room gets daily.
All of these factors reduce the effectiveness of the portable ventless AC units and will require more effort on your part to keep them running in peak condition.

CFM Airflow
Airflow is the measure of the amount of air the fan can move in a given time. Airflow itself is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
While a higher CFM is generally a good idea, you can overpower a room by using a fan that is too large for the space.
While it may seem like a good idea to get the biggest, most powerful ventless portable AC, if it is too much fan for the room, it will actually cost you more to operate it than it would to get one designed for that size space.
Ice Compartment
Not all best ventless fans have a separate tray for ice. Even the best portable air conditioner units will have a water tank only, or a tray for either ice or water. Water will work well to cool the air, but ice is even better.
Even when the ice melts, it leaves behind cold water that can prolong the use of the fan and reduce the number of times you need to get up to change it out.
Looking for a ventless AC unit that has an ice tray is a good idea. If you can’t find one, read the manuals for the others, and you will find that a lot of them can use ice in the water trays.
Water Tank & Runtime
Like the ice trays, most ventless air conditioners will have a tank. Some will use water only, while others can use gel packs. The gel packs, kind of like those first aid packs you put on your ankle when you twist it running to the refrigerator, will last longer than water, but take longer to freeze and set up.
The water tank capacity is important, though, as you don’t want to run these swamp coolers dry if you can help it. If you plan to use the portable air conditioner overnight in the bedroom, make sure the tank and reservoir are large enough to accommodate.
Helping with power consumption, some ventless air conditioners will have automatic shut-offs or limited runtimes as well.
This is an important thing to consider, both on the good side that you will most likely leave your house with the unit still running and on the bad side.
The bad side is that it can shut off in the middle of the night (or afternoon) when you need it the most.
Related Article – How Long Can You Run a Portable AC?
Extra Features
Not every air conditioner (air cooler) will offer additional features. Some remove add-ons to save costs and keep prices lower. Others will add features at the expense of raising the price, hoping they offer something you can’t live without.
Ease Of Use & Cleaning
As I mentioned earlier, these aren’t the lowest maintenance fans around. However, that extra amount of work on your part will keep these guys working at their best. Overall, maintaining and cleaning this portable air conditioner isn’t difficult.
Once you remove the filter and clean it or replace it, empty and wash the ice and water trays, it is only general maintenance that is left.
Clear out or drain any condensation, wipe down the body and vents and remove any dust from the room exhaust ports and you are good to go.
Related Article – Guide to Cleaning a Portable Air Conditioner
Price & Warranty
Finally, the cost of ownership will play a part in your decision. Your budget will dictate which range of prices you should shop in, and I highly recommend you stay in that range (so does your husband or wife).
The cost to bring the unit home is only part of the price. You also need to consider the power consumption and usage times and factor that into your monthly budget as well.
Then, you can think about the warranty (if any) that the manufacturer offers. These will protect your investment in case you get a defective unit (it does happen) and against unforeseen failures in craftsmanship, motors, or cooling abilities.
What to Expect from a Ventless Portable Air Conditioner?
Free standing ventless room air conditioners don’t require an exhaust hose and have a level of expectation that needs to be met to fully enjoy the purchase.
First, you will need to understand that ventless air conditioners are not central air conditioner replacements. They aren’t going to drop the temperature in your home several degrees.
What you will get is a room fan that can cool air and keep it moving. You also need to realize that there is extra maintenance involved with these ventless air conditioners, compared to portable AC units, fans, and window air conditioners.
They will accumulate condensation, which will need to be drained. The ice and water trays need to be washed and dried to prevent mold and bacteria growth, and the overall cleaning takes longer.
With that all out in the open, what you get in return is a lower temperature of a smaller room done effortlessly by an device better than a fan can.
It is a trade-off worth making, and when used in conjunction with other AC units, they can help make the entire system more efficient.
What's the Differences Between Ventless AC Unites Window, Vented & Ventless Portable AC Units Explained
When it comes to cooling your dorm, office, or room, you have options. You can choose a ventless portable AC, a vented portable AC, or a window air conditioner. Which one do you pick?
A lot will depend on the size of the room and your climate. Window air conditioners are ideal for humid areas that get warm air. Because they actually help dehumidify without overflowing, they can drain directly outside while keeping almost any size room cooled off.
They are harder to install than the other options and can cost a lot more (depending on BTUs and features). However, since they are an actual air conditioner, they cool a lot better.
Vented portable air conditioners need a window to vent the exhaust from, and most hoses are between 4 and 6 feet long. This limits where they can and cannot go, making the portable aspect a little less portable.
For rooms without venting windows (crank close, for example) or without windows at all, ventless portable air conditioners are the ideal solution.
They cool without requiring a window and can be transported to any room of the house at any time. There is a little set up with the water and ice, of course, but they require no installation. Fill the tank or tray, plug the ventless air conditioners in, and off you go.
Related Article – How to Vent a Portable AC Without a Window
Ventless Portable AC Units Compared
Common Ventless Air Conditioner Questions
Do they make ventless portable air conditioners?
Ventless portable air conditioners are also known as evaporative coolers, swamp coolers, or water fans. Instead of refrigerant and compressors, they use high-speed fans to blow air over ice and cold water. The air temperature drops like a portable air conditioner but without the added noise, exhaust venting, and installation.
Related Article – Swamp Cooler Vs Air Conditioner Explained
Where does the heat go on a ventless air conditioner?
There isn’t a mechanical heat transfer with a ventless portable AC. Air is cooled by being blown over ice or cold water. The ice or water absorbs the heat from the air, resulting in a more cooling breeze. Once the ice melts or the water gets too hot to be effective, you simply drain and replace it.
How much is the cost of running a ventless AC?
The actual cost of running a non vented air conditioner is determined by your amount of use, the power consumption of the air conditioner you purchase, and the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in your area.
On average, the best ventless portable air conditioners will cost about $2 per day to run on the high end. This is less expensive than a central air conditioner or window air conditioner unit but more than a box or tower fan.
When is a ventless air conditioner a good option?
Are portable air conditioners worth it? Ventless freestanding air conditioner units are good options for any occasion or reason. However, they are best suited for rooms where you cannot access the window for a window AC, or you need to move them to different rooms frequently and don’t want to mess with vent hoses.
How long can I expect a ventless AC unit to last?
Most ventless portable air conditioners come with a 1 to 3-year warranty. However, with proper care, regular maintenance, and not over-using these systems, ventless stand alone air conditioners can last you several years beyond the warrantied period.
Where is the best place to buy this type of air conditioner?
Looking to buy a ventless air conditioner and heater? Your best bet is to shop online at either Amazon or Sylvane, where you can find better prices and options for expedited shipping, free shipping, first-time customer discounts and extended warranties. You also get to choose from older ventless air conditioners at significant savings over the current air conditioner found in stores.
You can also pick up evaporative coolers in any home improvement store such as Home Depot, Lowe’s Tru-Value, etc. However, these stores will be limited to carrying only current or latest ventless air conditioners and lower stock quantities.
Conclusion
When you need to cool a room quickly and efficiently, there are several methods you can choose form. One of the most efficient and easiest is an evaporative cooler or ventless portable AC.
With a tray or tank to hold ice and water, these air conditioners will chill the air and move it around the room to keep you cool and comfortable on hot days.
If you aren’t sure which AC unit you should pick, I recommend that you take a good, long look at the top pick. The Honeywell CO30XE is ideal for small and medium-sized rooms and has enough features to keep you comfortable and in control for hours on end.
Our #1
Ventless Air Conditioner
Honeywell CO30XE
Ease Of Use
4.5
Cooling Ability
4.5
Value For Money
4.5
Overall Rating
4.5