Self Evaporating Portable ACs (7 Best Models Compared)

1. Whynter CoolSize Compact Portable Air Conditioner (ARC-101CW)

The first portable AC on our list is small, but there’s a lot going on with it. It’s simple to set up and use but has some modes which make the AC more useful to homeowners. It’s also fully self-evaporating, so there’s no need to empty the drainage tray.

It’s not the most powerful AC out there, but it has enough BTU to cool a 250-300 square foot room quite comfortably. The fan has 3 different settings, too, so you can crank up the output in the hot months if you need to. One of the best things about this portable AC is the dehumidifier function, which helps regulate the amount of moisture in your air well. It has two drain ports, so you can use the dehumidifier constantly without any need to empty the tank. It comes with a 5-foot exhaust hose too, so you’ll be able to place it quite easily in any room.

What really stands out about this self-evaporating AC is the efficiency. It has a SEER rating of 10 which means it’s very cheap to run, and it even has a reusable filter, so you won’t need to buy any extras. All of this adds to the overall value of this AC and makes it a good investment. It’s a simple but effective machine that is perfect for hands-off homeowners who just want things to work as they should. It will work well in a small or medium-sized area but isn’t really suitable for a larger space.

2. BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT

The Black & Decker portable AC is perfectly suited for a home office, bedroom, or small living room. It’s compact and quiet, with enough BTU to provide effective cooling. It’s also really simple to set up and use.

This air conditioner has 3 different modes: cooling, fan, and dehumidifier. The dehumidifier function isn’t overly powerful but will bring the moisture levels down in a small area. It’s completely self-evaporating, so there’s no drainage tray to empty, and there’s an attached exhaust hose that can be vented through any nearby window.

The best thing about this AC is the simplicity. It’s compact and lightweight, with wheels on the base to roll it about in your home. It’s a simple plug-and-play mechanism so you can use it instantly, and there’s no drainage tray to clear. You will need to clean the filter every few months, but other than that, the maintenance is minimal. There are several different modes so you can adapt it to your requirements, but it runs very quietly. In fact, if you turn it to night mode, it goes under 50 decibels, so you’ll barely hear it running. It also comes with a remote control to make it even simpler to use.

Self-evaporating portable ACs were designed to make life easier, and this Black + Decker model does just that. This is best suited for small, single room spaces and won’t work well in large rooms, but it’s a great asset for all those who want an AC that works with very little maintenance.

3. Emerson Quiet Kool Portable Air Conditioner

The Emerson full self-evaporative portable AC is larger and more powerful than most other models. As a result, it’s effective in spaces up to 550 square feet and is suitable for higher temperatures than other portable air conditioners.

This portable self-evaporative AC has several modes with a programmable timer and remote control. It can even be configured so you can control it through your phone or Alexa. There’s a long exhaust pipe so you can place the AC as needed and a very precise temperature control to help you get the right balance. All of this makes it really simple to use well.

With high output ACs, you need to consider the running costs and energy efficiency. This is a surprisingly efficient unit for a portable AC with an EER rating of 10, so it’s cheap to run. It comes with an air sweep function, too, so that cool air spreads more effectively around the room. We’ve found this means you can run it for shorter bursts and still feel the benefits.

This portable AC gives you complete control of the environment around you. It doesn’t just offer cooling but provides heating and drying functions too. The drying mode removes moisture effectively from the room, and the heating mode is just as effective as a portable heater. This makes it well suited for active spaces where you will have different needs, and it works as a year-round device. It would be a bit wasted in the garage or basement areas that don’t see much use, and if that’s what you need, then you can probably get a cheaper unit.

4. Friedrich ZoneAire BTU Portable Air Conditioner

This is a large and powerful air conditioner built to help you control the environment of a large area. It isn’t as portable as other ACs and is a bit bulkier, but it is very effective and has some intelligent features to make life easier.

There are 4 different functions, so you can ventilate, heat, cool, and dehumidify the area. Unlike some other portable ACs, all the functions seem to work well, so you’ll have full control over your environment. There’s a drain pump and long exhaust to get rid of the excess heat and liquid from the device, which allows you to run it continuously if needed.

The intelligent features are what set this portable self-evaporative AC apart from other models. It has an app that works over WiFi so you can control it from your cell, four different operating modes, touch LED screen controls and a programmable timer. It is very low maintenance and will run silently, so you won’t notice it’s there. This makes it an effective portable AC for homeowners who don’t want any fuss and need heating and cooling to cover more than one area.

5. Toyotomi Double Duct Portable Air Conditioner

The Toyotomi fully self-evaporative portable AC is a mid-sized unit capable of cooling small or medium-sized rooms. It’s larger than some other models but still lightweight and easy enough to move and store.

Like other portable ACs, it has heating and cooling functionality, along with a dehumidifier mode. The dehumidifier is actually very effective, so if you live in an area with high moisture levels, then this will be useful to you. It isn’t as efficient as some other models, so it will have higher running costs, but it is quiet and barely noticeable when it’s turned on.

This portable AC offers both heating and cooling and has a double duct system. This means that the heating and cooling functions operate separately, allowing warm and cold air to mix to achieve the desired temperature. This makes the heating function more effective and gives you more precise control over the temperature in your home.

This AC will work well in a large living room space, offices, or bedrooms. The different functions make it suitable for year-round use and perfect for homeowners who need heating and cooling. It isn’t the most advanced AC out there, but it’s one of the most durable and offers some good long-term value.

6. Soleus Air Portable Air Conditioner

The final AC on our list is the Soleus self-evaporative portable model, which offers very high levels of heating and cooling. It can cool an area of over 550 square feet and will work across several rooms or areas in your home with wide louvers to help direct air to every part of the room. If you need to cool an area quickly, this AC will suit you.

Despite the high BTUs, this AC runs quietly and shouldn’t go much above 50 decibels. It’s got an easy-to-use display screen so you can move between functions easily enough. There’s also a programmable timer, remote control, and indicators for when filters need to be cleaned. The Soleus portable AC is fully self-evaporating but has a backup drain for excess moisture if you’re using the dehumidifier for long periods. This will need to be emptied manually and means there is a bit more work involved to maintain this model.

Soleus is a well-known brand, and the best feature of this portable AC is its durability. This is a powerful and sturdy machine that’s clearly built for heavy use. It should last for a long time and is a good investment for homeowners. This is best suited for those who are prepared to pay a little bit more to have full control of the environment around them.

People Also Ask (FAQ)

Where should I put the self-evaporative AC’s?

Self-evaporative AC’s can be used in any room but need to be close enough to a window so that the exhaust pipe will reach it.

How can you tell if your air conditioner is self-evaporating?

This will normally be advertised on the model specifications, but if no drain tank needs to be emptied, then it will mean your AC is self-evaporating.

How long do self-evaporating portable AC’s last?

A well maintained self-evaporating portable AC will last 5-10 years. Certain models are designed to last longer, but generally, after 10 years, you’ll start to see some performance issues.

Where can I buy self-evaporative portable AC’s?

Online marketplaces usually have the greatest variety of self-evaporative portable ACs and will give you the best deals. Try large online sellers like Amazon or Sylvane to get the best value air conditioners.