We are fond of summers, but the heat factor is something that’s only good to a limit. Excessively hot summers take a toll on your skin and spirit. And we don’t appreciate that. We employ air conditioners to keep ourselves cool and dry when the weather is beyond our bearing. Regular AC units are good, but portable options are even better. They are powerful, easy to install, and can deliver cool air into spots that are out of reach for window AC units. Now, searching for the best portable air conditioner at Best Buy is not an easy job. Choosing the best one out there takes thorough research, examination, and testing!
Luckily for you, we’ve done all the necessary homework. We did everything from field testing to price checks and put together a round-up of the best AC units. This exclusive list consists of options that are available at Best Buy right now, and they check all the boxes for the top air conditioner. Without ado, let’s get started and see which one fits the bill for you!
Table of contents
- Whirlpool – Portable Air Conditioner
- AuxAC – BTU Portable Air Conditioner
- SPT – Portable Air Conditioner
- Danby – Portable Air Conditioner
- Keystone – Portable Air Conditioner
- SPT – 13,500 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
- Emerson Quiet Kool – Portable Air Conditioner
- Honeywell – Portable Air Conditioner
- Whynter – ARC Inverter Portable Air Conditioner
- JHS – 7,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
- Aeric – Portable Air Conditioner
- Frigidaire – Portable Room Air Conditioner
- Insignia – Portable Air Conditioner
- Our Verdict!
- How to Choose the Best Portable Air Conditioner Best Buy?
- Is portable AC good for the bedroom?
- Is it OK to run portable AC all night?
- What is the disadvantage of portable AC?
Whirlpool – Portable Air Conditioner
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If you are fond of a flexible way of living (who isn’t, right?), this portable air conditioner will be your dream come true! We had a fantastic time with this state-of-the-art cooling machine. Equipped with a cooling power of 6500 British Thermal Units, the Whirpool – Portable Air Conditioner can effortlessly chill our standard-sized rooms. Plus, it works really fast! Within an hour, the room was filled with refreshing, cool air, which was so pleasant to dwell in. Also, you’ll love the ergonomic design, which consists of easy-rolling caster wheels and a sturdy grip. As a result of that, it was a pleasure to transport this thing around the house from room to room. In addition to all this, it has a no-brainer setup. So, we managed to install this machine without shedding sweat!
See the original listing on the official Whirlpool site.
Pros
- The piece is high-quality and budget-friendly.
- It produces an airflow of 200 cubic feet per minute.
- The machine has a sophisticated look!
Cons
- It’s not compatible with voice-assistant apps.
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AuxAC – BTU Portable Air Conditioner
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The AuxAC – BTU Portable Air Conditioner proved an excellent pick for us to cool our living space efficiently and in little time. It has a powerful 13,000 BTU cooling capacity. Hence, it can easily take care of a room as big as 400 square feet. Apart from that, we simply enjoyed the extremely portable construction. It was a breeze to carry this thing around the house and place it wherever we deemed fit. Furthermore, the unit came with all the necessary accessories, including an exhaust hose, venting kit, etc., so that the entire cooling setup provided an out-of-this-world effect. All in all, we will purchase this amazing piece anytime again!
Check out the official website to browse a range of interesting options!
Pros
- This is a low-maintenance machine.
- The filter is removable and easy to wash.
- It automatically opens and closes its airflow outlet.
- The functioning is very quiet and smooth.
Cons
- Unfortunately, you can’t control it with AI apps.
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SPT – Portable Air Conditioner
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Best Capacity. We beat the summer with this ultra-powerful SPT – Portable Air Conditioner that has now become vital for our daily routine! The amazing cooling capacity of 12,000 BTUs allows us to cool about 350 square feet of space. Further, the independent dehumidifying action makes the air calm and gentle at a remarkable speed. The machine features an LCD portal so you can monitor the specs and ensure they match your cooling requirements. Plus, we appreciate the remote control option, which gave it a much more streamlined theme.
We were so happy with the efficient energy management! To expand on that, this AC uses the extracted water by cooling the coils, reducing warmth, and chilling the room. So, it saves energy! And, not to forget, there are three awesome cooling modes as well!
Pros
- The design is mobile and streamlined.
- There’s a built-in sensor for better temp control.
- It efficiently reuses evaporated water.
Cons
- There’s no window venting kit with this AC.
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Danby – Portable Air Conditioner
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We had the best time of our lives with the Danby – Portable Air Conditioner, which boasted a marvelous construction and cooled any room. This air conditioning unit has a remarkable capacity of 11,000 British Thermal Units to cool a room of 250 square feet in area. The variety of cooling modes was such a wholesome kicker when we ran through the specifications. There were three of them. We used each cooling mode plus tried both the fan speeds to personalize the experience to the fullest. What’s more, the setup was a cakewalk. Within a couple of minutes, the machine was in operation. Also, we want to point out that this unit was very quiet, so it didn’t interrupt our peaceful sleep. With such user orientation, we had no choice but to add this Danby portable air conditioner from Best Buy to this exclusive list!
Pros
- It allows remote control convenience.
- The machine is gorgeously white and chic!
- The system is efficient with a 24-hour programmer.
- It cools a room pretty fast.
Cons
- You may find it a bit pricey.
Buy on:
Keystone – Portable Air Conditioner
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Best Functionality. Supplying exemplary convenience to our hectic lifestyle, the Keystone – Portable Air Conditioner is a gem worth every penny you pay! We got the machine as a gift from a dear friend. Since we travel a lot, we took this on vacation with us. Being highly portable, it was a breeze to carry this piece around thanks to the caster wheels and lightweight. Aside from that, the capacity was a whopping 8000 British Thermal Units. That’s sufficient to cool our studio apartments, which usually have one window. We found the airflow fast and effective, with an impressive 200 cubic feet per minute rate. Not to mention, the remote control further complements the functionality side of the brilliant idea!
Pros
- The AC is affordable and wallet-friendly.
- It’s a reliable solution for years of use.
- With the remote control, you can personalize it better.
- The filter keeps a check on debris and dust.
Cons
- The manufacturer’s warranty is just one year.
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SPT – 13,500 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
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Best Portability. The SPT – 13,500 BTU Portable Air Conditioner is a perfect cooler for people who aim for massive impact while staying neat and compact! The unit has a giant capacity of 13,500 BTUs, which is good for cooling around 350 square feet of space. Great, isn’t it? Aside from that, we transported this smart mobile unit from one room to another to test its portability. It was a success, given the fast-moving caster wheels and stable movement. Moreover, we could use different fan modes to match the temperature we desired. The cooling modes were a cherry on top, putting further convenience at our disposal. Let us also mention the advanced chic construction with an LCD display to keep track of the system’s functioning. In a nutshell, this machine was simply a charm to use!
Pros
- The sleek look adds beauty to a living space.
- The machine is effortless to install.
- It’s the best thing for a medium-sized room.
Cons
- A user disagreed with the claimed capacity.
Buy on:
Emerson Quiet Kool – Portable Air Conditioner
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The Emerson Quiet Kool – Portable Air Conditioner is the go-to option for everyone who can’t stand the summer heat like us! Keeping hot weather at bay, this champ air conditioner optimizes the cooling effect in a room of up to 300 square feet. That’s, of course, because of the powerful cooling capacity of 5000 BTUs! In addition, we enjoyed several user-focused features like the 24-hour timer and sleep mode for customized comfort. The machine is so intuitive that it will tell you when to clean the filters. On top of that, we appreciate how the dehumidifier doubled the evaporation action to eliminate 2.5 pints of moisture per hour. We will also term this one as “blissfully quiet.” In fact, one of the quietest AC units in the industry!
If you’re interested, go through the best air conditioning for camper vans!
Pros
- The system doesn’t require regular draining.
- It’s great for continuous use all day.
- The compressor comes with a five-year warranty.
Cons
- Not suited for large-sized rooms.
Buy on:
Honeywell – Portable Air Conditioner
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We are hooked to the hassle-free functionality of this top-performing Honeywell – Portable Air Conditioner! The high-power machine cooled down our entire room within just ten minutes, which was a joy! With a capacity of 6,800 BTUs, it was a given. Right? Apart from that, it stayed on top of its game with the ideal temperature regulation. It comes with two fans so we could choose the speed that we prefer. For easy and quick installation, the unit brings with it an exhaust hose and adjustable window bracket so you can set it up as it comes right out of the box. We were also happy with the 70% savings in our energy costs. Having the ability to chill specifically targetted spots, this has been precisely angled to best serve the user!
Pros
- It keeps the air fresh and clean.
- The filter alert notifies you when necessary.
- This is perfect for all-year climate control.
Cons
- Once in energy mode, the fan speed is fixed.
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Whynter – ARC Inverter Portable Air Conditioner
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A stellar air conditioner hailing from a world-class brand, the Whynter – ARC Inverter Portable Air Conditioner was a no-brainer pick for us! The AC unit boasts a mighty capacity of 12,000 BTUs that can easily cool a room of 600 square feet. Aside from that, we fell in love with the slim and portable design – a breeze to move around! Next, it was a delight to make the best out of this smart machine by connecting with Wifi and controlling it from anywhere we wanted. On the other hand, there were Alexa and Google options for better control over the machine. Furthermore, the multiple modes, including the sleep and timer modes, were a blessing. We could fine-tune the cooling performance to the right one. All in all, a product worth its price!
P.S. If you’re a frequent camper, don’t miss out on the best tents in which to use portable AC units.
Pros
- You save energy with its inverter technology.
- It has a self-diagnosis mechanism.
- It is quieter than expected.
- This machine is a bang for the buck!
Cons
- A user found the design not portable enough.
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JHS – 7,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
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We really enjoyed using the JHS – 7,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner – crushing heat in sweltering summers! First of all, this air conditioner unit is designed for next-level portability. We had no issue carrying it around with the roll casters as well as side handles that allowed for effortless movement between rooms. Secondly, it was also incredibly easy to set up this machine thanks to the easy-to-follow user manual and user-centric construction. To touch on the performance, it easily chilled up to 250 square feet of room with its phenomenal 5100-BTU power. Also, a 24-hour programmable timer and sleep mode give personalized comfort throughout the day. The energy-saving operation was undoubtedly an excellent, thoughtful idea, too!
This was an ideally sensible investment on our end… It delivered us from the trials of piping hot summers of Florida!
WOW Travel
Pros
- The AC has three different fan speeds.
- There’s a remote control option.
- The unit includes a venting kit, too.
Cons
- A user reported facing performance issues.
Buy on:
Aeric – Portable Air Conditioner
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Best Value for Money. This sleek and sophisticated machine has a power of 10,000 BTUs when working at maximum! Aeric – A Portable Air Conditioner can cool up to 700 square feet of a living area, and that was the stand-out feature that sold the machine to us at once. This AC unit provided an airflow rate of 225 cubic feet per minute. Furthermore, we made use of the two fan speeds to conform to our cooling preferences. It was also a treat to see the LED display on this machine – brightly lit controls made it a joy to check on the operation specs. In addition to this, we have used it in a variety of room types. Designed to evaporate the space automatically, the unit fills each room with cool, dry air that has naturally become a necessity for our household. Thanks to the hassle-free transportation, we can use it throughout the house to conquer simmering summers!
Feel free to browse through the best AC units for camping tents.
Pros
- It has a timer and auto shut-off feature.
- You enjoy a two-year manufacturer warranty!
- There’s a full venting kit in the package.
Cons
- Unfortunately, it features no sleep mode.
Buy on:
Frigidaire – Portable Room Air Conditioner
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This was an epic choice for us to cool down our medium-sized rooms in sultry hot weather. We didn’t expect it to be this good, honestly. The Frigidaire – Portable Room Air Conditioner proved a tough and powerful AC unit that claims a mighty power of 6500 British Thermal Units. Furthermore, reaching into more angles with the help of auto swing louvers and three different fan speeds, this unit provided optimum circulation. In addition to that, we found the unit very easy to clean. The filter was easily washable, and cleaning it up required no elbow grease whatsoever. Portability was another star feature! The caster wheels and sturdy handles ensured we could take this thing wherever we wished!
Check out the original listing for plenty of customer reviews and in-depth specifications!
Pros
- It features a built-in dehumidifier!
- The system works very quietly.
- You can operate with a remote control.
Cons
- The air filter can get dirty quickly.
Buy on:
Insignia – Portable Air Conditioner
1
Best Overall. This was an absolutely value-packed buy from every customer’s perspective! The Insignia – Portable Air Conditioner was such a relief when we were recently stationed in Arizona! So, the temperature was extremely high and uncomfortable. Because of the portable construction of this unit, we took this thing with us in our camper van. When we used it in our apartment room to beat the heat, it turned out to be an award-winning performer! First, within 10 minutes or less, it was ready to use. Then, in the next 15 minutes, our room was cool and comfortable. Awesome, right? In addition, it boasts a power of 8000 BTUs. There are three cooling and fan speeds modes so that we get the most out of this powerhouse of an air conditioner. To sum it up, it was easily worth the price!
Here’s a review with unboxing of the product by Tasty Recipes & More on YouTube!
Pros
- There are caster wheels for portability.
- The operation is really swift.
- It comes with the necessary accessories.
Cons
- The controls are compatible with apps.
Buy on:
Our Verdict!
Given its amazing features, which essentially focus on the user, the Insignia Portable Air Conditioner is our best overall option. Other top options are based on one specific unique feature. So, check out the runner-ups below!
- Best value for money: Aeric – Portable Air Conditioner
- Best Portability: SPT – 13,500 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
- Best capacity: SPT – Portable Air Conditioner
- Best functionality: Keystone – Portable Air Conditioner
How to Choose the Best Portable Air Conditioner Best Buy?
When we were hunting for the ultimate portable AC at Best Buy, we considered several important features. However, three features stood out from the rest easily. Once we narrowed down to these three, choosing the right options became quick and easy. So, below are the three key features you must check on!
Cooling Power
Of course, if you’re looking for an air conditioner unit, you are supposed to check its cooling capacity. To make sure the AC is strong enough to cool down your living space, go through the specs and customer reviews. For example, if your room dimensions meet the area that will be cooled by the AC, then, generally, it’s a fit.
Portability
For a portable AC unit, you must look out for the number of ergonomic features that add to the portable side. For example, it is necessary to ensure that the wheels are free and easy to roll. Then, there should be built-in handles that allow for hassle-free transportation of the machine. Also, we recommend checking how stable the design is!
Easy Functionality
The AC unit has to be functional enough to make your life easier rather than tougher. Functionality includes easy installation, washable filters, and easy-to-understand operation. Also, make sure that the machine comes with a remote control so you can maintain your favorite temperature wherever you are!
Is portable AC good for the bedroom?
Portable air conditioners are usually best suited to small rooms and limited spaces. They don’t require permanent installation and can be placed in personalized locations for optimum cooling. So, a portable AC unit will be a good fit for a small bedroom.
Is it OK to run portable AC all night?
In most cases, running a portable AC throughout the night is safe and acceptable. Plus, continuous usage will consume less energy, and the AC may also slip into sleep mode once it has achieved its cooling limit.
What is the disadvantage of portable AC?
Portable air conditioners are good for smaller spaces, as said earlier. For a large room, they will not suffice. Also, a portable AC may not be energy-efficient up to the right standard and go heavy on your electricity bills.