7 Portable Air Conditioners So You Don't Have to Bother With Window Units

We updated this guide in July 2022 to ensure all portable ACs vetted by the Home Improvement Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute were in stock, available and correctly priced. Our picks remain the same, but we swapped some of the Lab-tested models for its smaller units — TCL 5P93C Smart Series Portable Air Conditioner and LG Smart Portable Air Conditioner — which will accommodate bedroom-specific spaces.

If you don't have central air and need to cool a room ASAP, the first question you have to address is whether you want to buy a portable AC unit or a window air conditioner. When deciding whether or not to buy a portable air conditioner, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute take into account how well they perform, how efficient they are and whether they are easy to use. A portable air conditioner is the best route if you can't install a window air conditioner in your space because of design limitations or building restrictions. It’s also a better pick if you’d like a mobile air conditioning unit that can be moved from room to room or stored away at the end of the season.

The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute rounded up the best portable air conditioners on the market based on our experience with brands we trust, love and use. Since 2020, we have tested nearly 24 models and reviewed documentation on newer versions of ones we've previously reviewed. We look to see how easy they are to set up, how efficiently they cool a space and how intuitive they are to operate and maintain. The following models were selected because they are efficient at cooling and cutting down on high humidity and easy to use and install. Here are the best portable air conditioners you can buy.

Our top picks:

Stick around after our top picks to read more about how we test portable AC units plus a breakdown of what you should consider to ensure you buy the right unit for your needs.