Trying to stay comfortable, cool and within budget is a challenge many people face every summer. Perhaps budget is not an issue but space availability or housing regulations, which prohibit the use of window units, are. Portable air conditioners are convenient cooling options offering potentially reduced expenses and additional benefits you may not have considered.
Outside the numerous benefits, some people can actually need to use portable air conditioners. Perhaps you live in an area where your HOA (Home Owners Association) restricts or prohibits the use of window A/C units. If you live in a particularly humid climate, having a portable air conditioner in your room supplementing your regular A/C system can provide extra relief. Medical conditions such as MS (Multiple Sclerosis) can cause extreme and dangerous susceptibility to excess heat. Using portable air conditioner can help mitigate such conditions. Finally, it is possible you live in a home where central air conditioning is not a possibility.
Benefits of Portable Air Conditioners
The benefits provided by portable air conditioners are numerous. Some units are battery operated and help reduce electric bill costs over time. Others have special filters and improve the quality of air in your home in addition to cooling it. Many portable air conditioners serve a dual-purpose of cooling and dehumidifying the area in which they are used. The most obvious benefit of portable air conditioners is their portability, which (with some preparation) allows them to be moved from room to room as needed.
Average Cost for a Portable Air Conditioner
Portable air conditioners range in price from under $200 to several thousand dollars depending on features and how much space they cool. Power sources can be either battery or electric and sometimes a combination of both. Many portable air conditioners require a window kit through which a hose is run as a means of eliminating condensation and excess moisture. The size of the unit and its power (measured in BTU, aka British Thermal Unit) must also be carefully considered against the size of the space it must cool. Read on to learn more important details about the best five portable air conditioners you can buy in 2020.
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Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable AC
The Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable AC is a triple-function unit serving as an air conditioner, dehumidifier and fan. The dual hose operation allows this unit to cool a room more quickly and efficiently while simultaneously requiring less energy to do so. The Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable AC is capable of cooling rooms up to 500 sq. feet in size.
Additional features boated by this unit include an auto-drain function, activated carbon air filter and washable pre-filter, mobile casters for ease of relocation, an extendable exhaust hose extending up to 60 feet and its ability to automatically restart following a power outage. Pricing for the Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable AC can be found in the $400-$550+ range depending on the retailer. The window kit is also included in the price.
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Black & Decker BPACT08WT 8,000 BTU Portable AC
The Black & Decker brand is a well-trusted household name. Thus, the Black & Decker BPACT08WT 8,000 BTU Portable AC ranks inside the list of five best portable air conditioners you can buy in 2020. Pricing hovers around an affordable $300 (varies depending on retailer) and includes the hose and window adaptor. This unit is capable of cooling a 200 sq. feet space down to 65 degrees, which makes it a great unit for situations ranging from college dorms and guest bedrooms to campers and other recreational vehicles.
The Black & Decker BPACT08WT 8,000 BTU Portable AC comes with a remote control and programmable 24-hour timer. This feature means you can program the unit to turn on an hour before you get home from work or class, assuring you have the perfect temperature when you arrive while not wasting electricity and money. This unit boasts an automatic water evaporation feature and - like most portable air conditioners - can function as a fan and dehumidifier in addition to its cooling functions.
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Shinco 10,000 BTU Portable AC
The Shinco 10,000 BTU Portable AC is an affordable way to quickly and efficiently cool up to 300 sq. feet of space. Priced between $300-$400 ethis unit also boasts a hefty twelve month warranty and free returns/exchanges within thirty days of initial purchase. One of its best (and energy-saving features) is the ability to be switched to a quieter, first speed level while maintaining present temperatures over an extended period of time. This means you can go to sleep knowing you are using less energy without having to wake up to a warmer room.
Additional features of the Shinco 10,000 BTU Portable AC include remote controlled functionality, mobile castors for increased portability and a 59-inch hose. The unit also serves as a dehumidifier and fan. The hose and the adjustable window brackets (adjustable from 25 inches all the way through 51 inches) are included in the price.
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LG LP0817WSR 8,000 BTU Portable AC
Cooling spaces up to 200 sq. feet in size, the LG LP0817WSR 8,000 BTU Portable AC uses an oscillating air discharge feature to help distribute cool air evenly around the area in which it is used. This unit boasts a bucketless design and automatic evaporation system, which allows for constant functionality without the need to pause use and empty buckets. Pricing ranges in the mid $300 to mid $400 range depending on the retailer and includes a remote control, adjustable window bracket and hose.
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Honeywell MN10CESWW 10,000 BTU Portable AC
The Honeywell MN10CESWW 10,000 BTU Portable AC is priced ranging from the low-mid $400 range (Walmart and Best Buy) to just over $500 directly from the manufacturer. This unit boasts a Thermal Overload protection safety feature and the capability of efficiently cooling rooms up to 450 sq. feet in size. There are three fan speeds and the ability to function as an air conditioner, dehumidifier and basic fan. The adjustable window bracket (included along with hose and remote control) can be modified from 19.9 inches all the way to 47.25 inches. There is a removable filter for cleaning convenience and the dehumidifier is capable of removing as many as 66 pints of moisture within 24 hours of continuous, unattended operation.
Summer Temperatures Increase Demand
As summers are getting hotter and hotter, the need for a good portable air conditioning unit is increasing. As demand increasing, many portable air conditioning units are selling out before manufacturers have a chance to produce more. Check out some portable air conditioning units that are always selling out! Make sure to act fast if you find one you like!