Home LivingSmart HomeBest portable air conditioner 2025: cooling picks for your homeStay cool and comfortable with the best portable air conditioner you can buyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Home LivingSmart HomeBest portable air conditioner 2025: cooling picks for your homeStay cool and comfortable with the best portable air conditioner you can buyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Stay cool and comfortable with the best portable air conditioner you can buy

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Portable air conditioner

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Jump to category:Top 3Best overallBest for large roomsBest Meaco optionBest cheap optionBest premium optionBest for medium roomsBest energy-efficient optionWhat you need to know

Jump to category:Top 3Best overallBest for large roomsBest Meaco optionBest cheap optionBest premium optionBest for medium roomsBest energy-efficient optionWhat you need to know

The best portable air conditioner is just what you need when the sun comes out. In T3’s native UK, hot weather can be few and far between, but for the months when the sun decides to make an appearance, there’s a huge interest in the best portable air conditioners for spring and summer.

You can’t beat actual air conditioning when it comes to cooling a room and the people in it. But if you live in the UK or Europe, the climate isn’t really warm enough to justify the expense of getting a full aircon system installed. That’s why we’re looking at the best portable air conditioner systems rather than permanent installations: these are great at delivering super-cool air when you need it, and they’re small enough to park in a cupboard when you don’t.

Air conditioners aren’t the only appliances and devices that can make your rooms more comfortable: we’ve also put together guides to thebest fans, thebest dehumidifiersand thebest air purifiersfor your home.

Bethan Girdler-Maslen

Beth is Home Editor for T3, covering style, living and wellness. As someone who’s terrible at regulating her temperature, Beth has quickly become an expert in heating and cooling solutions, so if you’re looking for a fan, air conditioner or air purifier, she’s got the latest recommendations for you.

Beth is Home Editor for T3, covering style, living and wellness. As someone who’s terrible at regulating her temperature, Beth has quickly become an expert in heating and cooling solutions, so if you’re looking for a fan, air conditioner or air purifier, she’s got the latest recommendations for you.

The top three

Best overall1. Princess Smart Air Conditioner 12000Check AmazonThe Princess Smart Air Conditioner 12000 has an exceptional app, brilliant cooling and good looks.Read more belowBest for large rooms2. AEG Chillflex ProCheck AmazonThe AEG Chillflex Pro is super powerful and can fill large rooms with its steady and cooling airflow.Read more belowBest Meaco portable AC3. Meacocool MC Series 14000Check AmazonMeaco is one of the best AC brands you can buy and the MC Series 14000 is the best in its portfolio.Read more below

Best overall1. Princess Smart Air Conditioner 12000Check AmazonThe Princess Smart Air Conditioner 12000 has an exceptional app, brilliant cooling and good looks.Read more below

Best overall

Best overall

Princess Smart Air Conditioner 12000

  1. Princess Smart Air Conditioner 12000Check AmazonThe Princess Smart Air Conditioner 12000 has an exceptional app, brilliant cooling and good looks.Read more below

  2. Princess Smart Air Conditioner 12000

  3. Princess Smart Air Conditioner 12000

Check AmazonThe Princess Smart Air Conditioner 12000 has an exceptional app, brilliant cooling and good looks.Read more below

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The Princess Smart Air Conditioner 12000 has an exceptional app, brilliant cooling and good looks.

Read more below

Best for large rooms2. AEG Chillflex ProCheck AmazonThe AEG Chillflex Pro is super powerful and can fill large rooms with its steady and cooling airflow.Read more below

Best for large rooms

Best for large rooms

AEG Chillflex Pro

  1. AEG Chillflex ProCheck AmazonThe AEG Chillflex Pro is super powerful and can fill large rooms with its steady and cooling airflow.Read more below

  2. AEG Chillflex Pro

  3. AEG Chillflex Pro

Check AmazonThe AEG Chillflex Pro is super powerful and can fill large rooms with its steady and cooling airflow.Read more below

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The AEG Chillflex Pro is super powerful and can fill large rooms with its steady and cooling airflow.

Read more below

Best Meaco portable AC3. Meacocool MC Series 14000Check AmazonMeaco is one of the best AC brands you can buy and the MC Series 14000 is the best in its portfolio.Read more below

Best Meaco portable AC

Best Meaco portable AC

Meacocool MC Series 14000

  1. Meacocool MC Series 14000Check AmazonMeaco is one of the best AC brands you can buy and the MC Series 14000 is the best in its portfolio.Read more below

  2. Meacocool MC Series 14000

  3. Meacocool MC Series 14000

Check AmazonMeaco is one of the best AC brands you can buy and the MC Series 14000 is the best in its portfolio.Read more below

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Meaco is one of the best AC brands you can buy and the MC Series 14000 is the best in its portfolio.

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Best portable air conditioners 2025

Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.

Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.

The best portable air conditioner

(Image credit: Princess)

Princess 353200 Smart Air Conditioner 12,000 on white background

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(Image credit: Princess)

  1. Princess Smart Air Conditioner 12000

1. Princess Smart Air Conditioner 12000

The best portable air conditioner overall

SpecificationsBTU:12,000Max room size:100 m³Max noise level:65dBDimensions:H 71.5 x W 43.5 x D 35.5cm

BTU:12,000Max room size:100 m³Max noise level:65dBDimensions:H 71.5 x W 43.5 x D 35.5cm

BTU:12,000

Max room size:100 m³

Max noise level:65dB

Dimensions:H 71.5 x W 43.5 x D 35.5cm

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Exceptional cooling performance

Suitable for large rooms

Remote control, app and voice command enabled

Reasons to avoid-Compressor noise can be too loud

-Compressor noise can be too loud

Compressor noise can be too loud

This gutsy 12,000 BTU unit has an air flow of 380m³/hour so it’s good for rooms up to 100 m³. It even has a dehumidifying function. If you don’t have a fireplace to hand, the product ships with a 1.5m concertina hose to port the warm exhaust air either through a hole in the wall or a partly opened door.

The Princess’s touch screen interface required no explanation because everything’s so self evident. I naturally selected its lowest temperature – 16˚C which is the norm with all air con systems – and the big boy fired up with a low growl as the compressor kicked in. Seconds later, the oscillating louver started moving and out poured the coolest of breezes. I stood in front of the icy blast for about 90 seconds before I had to head outdoors to warm up again. It’sthateffective.

All in all, the Princess Smart Air Conditioner 12000 is a sterling portable that is surprisingly quiet, especially when the compressor is off (it kicks in intermittently to maintain room temperature). I’d confidently say that it’s best model I’ve tried to date and it’s decently priced too. However, if you’re on a budget (and let’s face it, who isn’t?), a smaller, less powerful 9,000BTU version is also available for a really low price.

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The best portable air conditioner for large rooms

(Image credit: AEG)

AEG ChillFlex Pro AXP34U338HW on white background

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(Image credit: AEG)

  1. AEG ChillFlex Pro AXP34U338HWThe best portable air conditioner for large roomsSpecificationsBTU:12000Max room size:30m2Max noise level:64dBDimensions:710x476x385Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Very, very powerful+Designed for spaces up to 30m2+Reliable brandReasons to avoid-Quite expensive-Heavy

  2. AEG ChillFlex Pro AXP34U338HW

2. AEG ChillFlex Pro AXP34U338HW

The best portable air conditioner for large rooms

SpecificationsBTU:12000Max room size:30m2Max noise level:64dBDimensions:710x476x385

BTU:12000Max room size:30m2Max noise level:64dBDimensions:710x476x385

BTU:12000

Max room size:30m2

Max noise level:64dB

Dimensions:710x476x385

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Reasons to buy+Very, very powerful+Designed for spaces up to 30m2+Reliable brand

+Very, very powerful+Designed for spaces up to 30m2+Reliable brand

Very, very powerful

Designed for spaces up to 30m2

Reliable brand

Reasons to avoid-Quite expensive-Heavy

-Quite expensive-Heavy

Quite expensive

Heavy

The AEG Chillflex Pro is a great choice if you want maximum cooling with minimum hassle. It comes with a 1.5m exhaust hose, 63cm drainage hose and a remote control, and with 12,000 BTU/h it’s capable of cooling large rooms without too much effort. It’s one of the heavier air conditioners you can buy, although it’s on wheels so it’s easy enough to roll about, and you’ll need to get a window kit separately as AEG doesn’t include one with the product. There’s a programmable timer and a sleep mode function to reduce the noise at night, and the refrigerant is R290 which has a lower environmental impact than the more commonly used R41A.

This is a very powerful air conditioner, and if you leave it on for long enough it can make even large rooms feel very cold – but the heat hose can get awfully warm, so you want to make sure it’s going out of the window so it doesn’t undo the Chillflex’s hard work. The quoted 64dB is fairly average for air conditioners, and sleep mode takes it down to just 52db.

The Chillflex Pro is big and clever, but the price tag for this top-end model is on the high side too: if you don’t need quite as much cooling for quite so much space, there are more modest models in the range including the entry level 26U337CW, which is rated 9,000 BTU/h and for room sizes of up to 18m2.

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The best Meaco portable air conditioner

(Image credit: Meaco)

MeacoCool MC Series 14000

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(Image credit: Meaco)

  1. MeacoCool MC Series 14000The best Meaco air conditioner for houses and large flatsOur expert review:SpecificationsBTU:14,000Max room size:35m²Min noise level:53dBDimensions:H 76.2 x W47 x D35cmToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Effective cooling performance+Remote controllable+Not too loudReasons to avoid-Fairly chunky

  2. MeacoCool MC Series 14000

3. MeacoCool MC Series 14000

The best Meaco air conditioner for houses and large flats

Our expert review:

Our expert review:

Our expert review:

SpecificationsBTU:14,000Max room size:35m²Min noise level:53dBDimensions:H 76.2 x W47 x D35cm

BTU:14,000Max room size:35m²Min noise level:53dBDimensions:H 76.2 x W47 x D35cm

BTU:14,000

Max room size:35m²

Min noise level:53dB

Dimensions:H 76.2 x W47 x D35cm

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Reasons to buy+Effective cooling performance+Remote controllable+Not too loud

+Effective cooling performance+Remote controllable+Not too loud

Effective cooling performance

Remote controllable

Not too loud

Reasons to avoid-Fairly chunky

-Fairly chunky

Fairly chunky

Meaco is a UK company that produces a wide range of air cooling, purification and dehumidifying products so it knows a thing or two about moving air and doing things to that air in the process. This new 14,000 BTU model is ideal for rooms between 25 and 35m² and features three fan speeds and a low temperature setting of 16ºC, which is the norm for the majority of portable air con units and indeed most cars.

As is the case with every portable air con unit we’ve seen, it comes with a concertina tube to the expel the hot air it creates and, in this case, a special window kit designed ostensibly for sliding windows or doors. It also comes with a remote control.

To use, simply select a preferred temperature (from 16ºC upwards), select either your ‘Speed’, and before long the room’s temperature and humidity will drop to much more comfortable levels. When the room eventually reaches the preset temperature, the machine will switch off and then switch on again as soon as the internal temperature rises.

We tested it with the rear exhaust port positioned in front of a fireplace flue rather than a window, and it worked impeccably well. Sitting two metres away, it was like being in a car with the air-con on full bore. Indeed, I had to raise the temperature setting a few degrees for fear of freezing to death.

Granted, there’s some noise – all portable AC will make a bit of a racket – so it’s not ideal suitable for use when you’re actively sleeping, even in low speed mode, which registers 53dB on the decibel meter. Unless you’re a heavy sleeper and someone who can nod off in a hurricane, we would advise switching it on an hour or two before going to bed and keeping the door closed for maximum cooling potential.

Our fullMeacoCool MC Series 14000 reviewexplains everything you need to know about why this such a great all-round choice.

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The best cheap portable air conditioner

(Image credit: JML)

JML Chillmax Air

T3 Award

(Image credit: JML)

  1. JML Chillmax AirThe best cheap air conditionerSpecificationsBTU:N/AMax room size:Personal useMin noise level:15dBDimensions:H 17 x W16 x D14cmToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Under £30!+Small desktop size+Surprisingly effective up closeReasons to avoid-For personal use only

  2. JML Chillmax Air

4. JML Chillmax Air

The best cheap air conditioner

SpecificationsBTU:N/AMax room size:Personal useMin noise level:15dBDimensions:H 17 x W16 x D14cm

BTU:N/AMax room size:Personal useMin noise level:15dBDimensions:H 17 x W16 x D14cm

BTU:N/A

Max room size:Personal use

Min noise level:15dB

Dimensions:H 17 x W16 x D14cm

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Reasons to buy+Under £30!+Small desktop size+Surprisingly effective up close

+Under £30!+Small desktop size+Surprisingly effective up close

Under £30!

Small desktop size

Surprisingly effective up close

Reasons to avoid-For personal use only

-For personal use only

For personal use only

Granted, this little square desktop unit isn’t a proper air conditioner but it is at least capable of blowing a chilled breeze from a few feet away. The Chillmax Air is equipped with an evaporator that uses water from a small 610ml reservoir to create a chilled moist breeze. This model comes with an antimicrobial sponge filter which runs up to 10 hours per refill.

At roughly 17cm square, the Chillmax is perfect for sitting on a computer desktop or table where the user is more likely to feel the benefits of its air-cooling technology. It’s also a great option for the bedside table since it’s really quiet and comes with a built-in night light. However, don’t expect it to make an ounce of difference to a room’s temperature because it’s strictly designed for personal, close-up use.

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The best premium portable air conditioner

(Image credit: EcoFlow)

EcoFlow Wave 2

(Image credit: EcoFlow)

  1. EcoFlow Wave 2The best premium portable air conditioner for inside and outsideOur expert review:Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆SpecificationsBTU:5100Max room size:107 square feet²Min noise level:44dBDimensions:51.8 x 29.7 x 33.6cmToday’s Best DealsView at West MarineView at AmazonView at AmazonReasons to buy+Fast temperature change+Impressive battery life+Good appReasons to avoid-Heavy-Pricey

  2. EcoFlow Wave 2

5. EcoFlow Wave 2

The best premium portable air conditioner for inside and outside

Our expert review:Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆

Our expert review:

Our expert review:

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆

☆☆☆☆☆

SpecificationsBTU:5100Max room size:107 square feet²Min noise level:44dBDimensions:51.8 x 29.7 x 33.6cm

BTU:5100Max room size:107 square feet²Min noise level:44dBDimensions:51.8 x 29.7 x 33.6cm

BTU:5100

Max room size:107 square feet²

Min noise level:44dB

Dimensions:51.8 x 29.7 x 33.6cm

Today’s Best DealsView at West MarineView at AmazonView at Amazon

Today’s Best DealsView at West MarineView at AmazonView at Amazon

Today’s Best DealsView at West MarineView at AmazonView at Amazon

Today’s Best DealsView at West MarineView at AmazonView at Amazon

Today’s Best Deals

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View at West Marine

View at West Marine

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Reasons to buy+Fast temperature change+Impressive battery life+Good app

+Fast temperature change+Impressive battery life+Good app

Fast temperature change

Impressive battery life

Good app

Reasons to avoid-Heavy-Pricey

-Heavy-Pricey

Heavy

Pricey

There’s nothing wrong with going premium and the EcoFlow Wave 2 fits the bill. This high quality portable air conditioner and heater has a pretty big price tag and it can be fairly heavy but it makes up for that with its fast temperature change and easy-to-use app.

The EcoFlow Wave 2 definitely falls into the premium category with its impressive array of features. Most notably, it offers a five-minute cooling time from 30 to 20 degrees and does the same in reverse. It’s more eco-friendly with its use of R290 and it has a fast charge and decent battery rate. Even better, it caters to all situations, including indoor cooling and outdoor adventures. For more details, check out ourEcoFlow Wave 2 review.

Today’s best EcoFlow Wave 2 deals208 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$20.99View$999View$1,299ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best EcoFlow Wave 2 deals208 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$20.99View$999View$1,299ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best EcoFlow Wave 2 deals

208 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆

208 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆

☆☆☆☆☆

$20.99View$999View$1,299View

$20.99View

$20.99View

EcoFlow WAVE 2 Stabilizing…

West Marine

$20.99View

$20.99

$20.99

$999View

$999View

EF ECOFLOW Wave 2 Portable…

Amazon

$999View

$999

$999

$1,299View

$1,299View

EcoFlow Wave 2

Amazon

$1,299View

$1,299

$1,299

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The best portable air conditioner for medium rooms

(Image credit: DeLonghi)

DeLonghi Pinguino PACEX100SILENT

T3 Award

(Image credit: DeLonghi)

  1. DeLonghi Pinguino PACEX100 SILENTThe best portable air conditioner for medium to large roomsAverage Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆SpecificationsBTU:10,000Max room size:23m²Min noise level:53dBDimensions:H 80.5 x W44.5 x D39cmToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+High output+A decent looker+Trusty brandReasons to avoid-Noisier than most

  2. DeLonghi Pinguino PACEX100 SILENT

6. DeLonghi Pinguino PACEX100 SILENT

The best portable air conditioner for medium to large rooms

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆

Average Amazon review:☆☆☆☆☆

☆☆☆☆☆

SpecificationsBTU:10,000Max room size:23m²Min noise level:53dBDimensions:H 80.5 x W44.5 x D39cm

BTU:10,000Max room size:23m²Min noise level:53dBDimensions:H 80.5 x W44.5 x D39cm

BTU:10,000

Max room size:23m²

Min noise level:53dB

Dimensions:H 80.5 x W44.5 x D39cm

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Reasons to buy+High output+A decent looker+Trusty brand

+High output+A decent looker+Trusty brand

High output

A decent looker

Trusty brand

Reasons to avoid-Noisier than most

-Noisier than most

Noisier than most

In the arena of portable air conditioners, DeLonghi’s Pinquino PaceX100 Silent looks a bit less, er, hideous than most. In fact, the off-white front fascia with black display inlay could be considered fairly stylish. Shame the same can’t be said for its side profile, which is deep, bulbous and a bit butt ugly.

This 80cm tall air con sports a cooling capacity of 10,000BTU and is recommended for rooms up to 23m². It also dehumidifies the air in the process removing up to 32 litres per hour. Its digital interface and included remote control allow access to all main functions: temperature, fan speed and timer. I can also be used as a simple fan.

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Today’s best DeLonghi Pinguino PACEX100SILENT deals

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455 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆

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The best energy-efficient portable air conditioner

(Image credit: EcoAir)

EcoAir Apollo

T3 Award

(Image credit: EcoAir)

  1. EcoAir ApolloThe best energy-efficient portable air conditionerSpecificationsBTU:12,000Max room size:22m²Min noise level:53dBMeasurements:H 82 x W39 x D40.5cmToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Commendable cooling+Energy efficient+Can also be used as a heaterReasons to avoid-More expensive than other brands, like Meaco

  2. EcoAir Apollo

7. EcoAir Apollo

The best energy-efficient portable air conditioner

SpecificationsBTU:12,000Max room size:22m²Min noise level:53dBMeasurements:H 82 x W39 x D40.5cm

BTU:12,000Max room size:22m²Min noise level:53dBMeasurements:H 82 x W39 x D40.5cm

BTU:12,000

Max room size:22m²

Min noise level:53dB

Measurements:H 82 x W39 x D40.5cm

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Reasons to buy+Commendable cooling+Energy efficient+Can also be used as a heater

+Commendable cooling+Energy efficient+Can also be used as a heater

Commendable cooling

Energy efficient

Can also be used as a heater

Reasons to avoid-More expensive than other brands, like Meaco

-More expensive than other brands, like Meaco

More expensive than other brands, like Meaco

Manufacturers’ specs often differ to real world use but, according to the blurb, this 12,000BTU model is ideal for rooms up to 22m² – and bigger if you believe Amazon’s description. It’s also fitted with an energy efficient heat pump that saves you money in the long term while minimising impact on the environment. Like the Meaco 10,000 it can also be used as a heater in the winter.

The Apollo is one of the most attractive unit on this page though at 82cm tall and 39cm wide it’s a big old beast with quite a large footprint. The top-mounted electronic display is straightforward but you can always access its functions – cool, heat, dry and fan – using the remote control. Pretty much all the air cons we’ve looked at or read about emit around 53dB of sound pressure and this one’s in the same ball park.

The Apollo is more expensive than the Meacos but then it is marginally more powerful and equipped with that money-saving heat pump. Nevertheless, both Meacos still represent better value in our eyes given the intermittent use in any given year, at least up here in Northern Europe.

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Portable air conditioners: what you need to know

These dandy chill blasters are really effective at cooling the air in a room, in most instances for less than the price of aDysonfan. All you have to do is work out the size of the room you want to cool and select an AC unit with a suitable output, measured in British Thermal Units (or BTUs). A BTU is a unit for estimating thermal heat and it’s an important little acronym when it comes to selecting the right air conditioner for your abode. For instance, an air-con with 10,000 BTUs is good for a room of around 41m² while a 5,000BTU model is suitable for a room of about 14m². Hence, it’s pretty important to know your room’s measurements or the unit could underperform.

Alternatively, if you’re lucky enough to have a working open flue fireplace, you could place the air con unit directly in front of it and all the heat will go straight up the chimney; after all, it’s what the chimney was designed for. However, make sure you’ve removed as much soot as possible from the fireplace first or it’ll initially be blown all over your furnishings.

Energy use and environmental impact are also worth considering. While modern AC units no longer use ozone-damaging chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), they do sap a lot more power from the grid than a humble fan and that means slightly higher leccy bills and hence more pressure on the environment.

How we test the best portable air conditioners

When it comes to how we test the best portable air conditioners, it’s quite simple: we call in the latest and greatest portable AC units and thoroughly test them. The testing process includes setting them up, trying all the different cooling levels the unit provides, and using the accompanying app (if they have one).

Other testing practices include moving them around to see how easy or hard it is to move from room to room, how they look in your home, and how much air fills the room as projection is extremely important. After we’ve tried everything the best portable air conditioners have to offer, we decide a rating and what we think it’s best for, e.g. best for small rooms, larger rooms, personal cooling, etc.

For more details, take a look athow we test at T3.

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