Mini A/C that Beats the Heat - Page 2

According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, portable air conditioning, despite its drawbacks, accounts for almost 20 percent of the room air conditioner market.

"The upside of a portable air conditioner—that it isn't bolted to a window—is also its downside," a June 2022 Consumer Reports article explains.

"Unlike a window A/C, which uses outside air to cool the coils on the outdoor part of the unit, a single-hose portable A/C uses conditioned air from the room it's sitting in to cool the mechanicals. That creates negative pressure that causes warm, unconditioned air from nearby rooms or the outdoors to flow into the room you're trying to keep cool. It's a struggle then, to maintain a comfortable temperature."

In air conditioner tests performed by Consumer Reports, they measured the time it takes a portable air conditioner to lower the temperature in a test chamber from 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The test average was 20 minutes. To offer a comparison, the top-rated window air conditioners have the ability to cool the room by 10 degrees Fahrenheit in roughly 15 minutes or less.

Reviewing CR's brand reliability survey, Whynter and Frigidaire scored 'excellent' ratings for predicted reliability. Before purchasing, check the BTU (British Thermal Units) rating, this measures the AC's power. The larger the area or room, the higher the number should be.

You'll also want to check websites, reviews, and also consider size, noise levels, whether the unit is vented or vent-less, affordability, and programmability options (some units are controlled via an app).

Here are three more portable air conditioners under $600 you may want to consider:

GE 6100-BTU DOE: 6,100 BTUs for rooms up to 250 square feet. This unit offers air conditioning, a two-speed fan, and dehumidifier. Featuring auto evaporation technology. Digital controls with a remote. Washable filter, 24-hr timer, easy-roll wheels. Comes with an easy-to-install window kit. $349. lowes.com

Whynter Elite ARC-122DS: This 12,000 BTU, programmable, dual-hose portable AC also doubles as a dehumidifier and fan. Cooling capacity for rooms up to 400 square feet. Comes with an activated carbon filter. Remote with full thermostatic control. Full installation set includes extendable exhaust/intake hose, and window kit. $414. whynter.com

De'Longhi Pinguino EM360: Energy saving compact air conditioning with portability and versatility. Operates at 11,000 BTU for medium-sized rooms of 400 square feet. 'Mindfully made with eco-friendly gas.' Furnished with programmable timer, dehumidifer, and fan. Convenient LCD remote-control unit included. Window venting kit included. Easy set-up. $524. amazon.com