High: Fan spins fastest to distribute more cooling air and lower the room temperature faster. So you can easily direct the water to drain in a pan or bucket on the floor. But the noise level depends on the design and quality of the AC. If you are buying an AC primarily for use in the bedroom, home office, or baby nursery, look for one that operates relatively quietly. At the highest speed setting, the Compact Series portable ACs produces between 50 to 53 decibels (depending on the model BTU). You can also use the Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP as a standard single-hose AC. The heat output is rated at 10,000 BTUs, which is powerful enough to warm a large room. You can adjust the temperature, fan speed, and operation mode without leaving the couch. You can also install it to vent through a sliding door. Does your room receive a lot of strong, direct sunlight? At the lowest setting, you can easily fall asleep. The uninsulated vent hose leaks some of the exhaust heat back into the room. In sleep mode, the cooler gradually lowers fan speed until it gets to the lowest setting. After the reviews, we'll dive into the practical aspects of portable AC installation, maintenance, and ventilation. The only way to adjust how much it cools is by increasing or decreasing fan speed. That’s why we recommend it for low humidity areas. The EdgeStar AP8000W has a built-in dehumidifier that can remove up to 50 pints a day from indoor air. The Honeywell MO08CESWK Portable AC's dual motor technology means lower noise levels. It’s perfect for open concept living areas, large bedrooms, open basements, and other large spaces. The fan is a bit noisy when set on the highest setting. Similar to most other portable ACs, this one has three operational modes: the standard cooling mode, a fan-only mode, and a dehumidification mode. Smooth gliding wheels for easy portability. There are three cooling speeds to choose from. The unit will operate at a low fan speed until the room has been dehumidified. Air Coolers evaporate moisture to create a cooling effect. Portable air conditioners are great for those who don’t have a central AC system or want to save on energy bills by only cooling the room in use. That means you only use it during hot seasons and put it away during the colder months. The bigger a portable conditioner is, the more powerful it is, meaning it’ll cool a space faster. At 8,000 BTUs, this portable AC is rated for use in small rooms up to 250 square feet. If you plan to leave the dehumidifier on for long, connect a drain line for continuous draining. When it extracts excess moisture from the air, it has to take it somewhere. Switch to the heat function to continue enjoying the AC. Great air conditioner. You can choose how fast the AC cools the room by selecting from two fan speed settings. The unit pulls in air from the room, cools it and sends it around the room using a fan. Built in dehumidifier removes up to 44 pints/24 hours with continuous drain option for longer unattended dehumidification. But if the room is humid, some of the condensates will collect in the pan at the bottom, and you’ll need to drain it after some time. Put it in the freezer until it freezes and then place it in one of the water reservoirs. A bit heavy: If you need to move it up the stairs, you’ll need to pairs of hands to lift and carry it. Note: To reduce consumption, look for ACs with energy-saving features such as auto mode and eco mode. Washable filter: No need to replace the filter. Always-on display lights: The blue display lights can be annoying at night. Sleep mode: Turn on this mode when you go to sleep. A portable AC uses slightly more energy than a window AC, but it works just as well. If you need to carry it up to the stairs, one or two people can easily lift it. A dual-hose air conditioner has two hoses that attach to the same window bracket. It’s light, too, weighing just 56 lbs. There are also indicators to show the current mode, if the timer is on and whether the unit is in standby mode. Honeywell MO08CESWK Compact Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier and Fan for Rooms Upto 350 Sq. It blows cool, moist air. The control panel will alert you when the internal reservoir fills up. 52 decibels at the highest setting. Product Dimensions: (W x D x H): 14.6 x 13.5 x 27.7 in. Everything you need to set up ventilation through your window is included along with the AC. That means they have only one hose to exhaust air out of the room. These alternatives will require a bit of DIY-ing to work, and you may face some limitations depending on where you live. To get more accurate figures, check the wattage of the AC. With the full-function remote control, you can adjust everything from temperature to fan speed without having to stand up to reach the control panel. It is easier to install (requires no installation really; just ventilation). Learn how your comment data is processed. Cool: This is the cooling mode. The fan is a bit loud, especially when set on the highest speed. When set at a lower fan speed, it should barely make any noise. Clear digital controls & a full function remote control make it easy to change settings from across the room. You cannot select a specific temperature. So continuous drainage is a must. Below is the ten that we believe are the best for most homes. Most small portable air conditioners are single-hose. You have to be careful when taking the hose down as some plastic parts can break. But in the right conditions –a hot and dry environment –it can drop temperatures by as much as 20-30 Fahrenheit. Important:  Room environment conditions such as ceiling height, sunlight, number of windows/ doors and level of insulation can affect cooling efficiency. Unlike a portable AC, you cannot set a specific temperature with an evaporative cooler. Ideal for targeted spot cooling in rooms up to 250 to 350 square feet. The hot air is directed outside through the exhaust hose. Easy set up Works very well Would recommend. So some hot hair may get back into the room. If you need to use the AC in another room, it’s easy to take it down. But if there is a lot of humidity, you may need to connect a hose to the drain port to remove the condensate. Enjoy simple & precise room climate control with the Honeywell Portable AC Smart Digital Thermostat system. It’s perfect for sleeping or work. Air Coolers will increase the humidity in the area they are being used. You can easily slide it out, wash it, and reuse it repeatedly. It can dehumidify any space from a small home office to an open style loft apartment. Dry: This is the dehumidification mode. Noisy when the fan is set on the highest speed. The window kit is easy to set up. You have to connect a drain hose when using a dehumidifier. Self-evaporation, except when the humidity is high. It also reduces fan speed to minimize fan noise. The most important thing is to avoid buying a portable AC that’s under-powered (won’t cool the room quickly enough) or too big for the room (wastes energy and can make the room uncomfortable). Delicate vent hose – be careful when handling it. They should dim or turn off when you activate sleep mode. If you are alone in the room, you can position the air outlet to face your direction. Dedicated sleep mode – reduces fan noise and adjusts temperature for deep sleep. Just wash it (every two weeks) and put it back in. The EdgeStar AP8000W comes with a full-function remote control, though it lacks a display. Our top picks range from tiny units designed to cool spaces of less than 200 sq. 75decibels at the highest setting. Evaporative coolers are a bit more involving in maintenance. Swing function: When buying an AC, look at pictures of the control panel or remote control to see if there is a SWING button. Evaporative coolers work best in hot and dry areas such as the southwest. Larger units that can cool a medium-size room cost between $350 and $500. A small display indicates the set temperature. In addition to the standard cooling and heating modes, the Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP also has a built-in dehumidifier that can remove up to 76 pints of water from indoor air per day. The evaCHILL weighs just 2.78lbs, making it easy to carry it with you to the office, bedroom or couch. A larger BTU capacity could be required depending on your room conditions. When power comes back, it restarts automatically with previous settings. It even has a small display showing the target temperature. Changeable temperature units: Just in case Fahrenheit is not your thing, and you can change the temperature display units to Celsius. Clearly, each one is made with different room sizes in mind, with the Honeywell MO08CESWK accommodating for larger rooms, and the LG LP0817WSR being just right for more compact rooms. But remember that that’s only for dehumidification. When the length is set, tighten the Adjustable Knobs (preinstalled on the window bracket) to ensure the window bracket is secured in the desired position. Swamp coolers are sized by their airflow rate, not by BTUs. 24hr timer: You can easily set the AC to come on or switch off automatically after a set number of hours. It’s perfect for cool days and night time use. Honeywell MN12CES Portable Air Conditioner Review, Honeywell MO08CESWK Portable Air Conditioner Review, Honeywell MM14CHCS 14000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Review, Best Portable Air Conditioning Units in 2020. There's also a Filter Clean Alert to remind you when it's time to clean the filter. If you live in a dry area like Arizona or California, the evaCHILL can make the air more comfortable to breathe by humidifying it. To install the window bracket to the window frame, you need to adjust the height or width of the window bracket by extending the length according to the height or width of the window.