Apart from traditional types of air conditioners, portable ACs have recently become more popular as a convenient choice for households. These compact devices are made to cool off a room by being installed near a window with a power cord. They are affordable, easy to install, and come in handy for many households. The next question is: What to do to choose the best portable air conditioners for the apartment?
Here are the best portable air conditioners for apartment you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Small Room: BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT
- Quietest: Shinco 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
- Hassle-Free Installation: Vremi 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
- Alexa & Google Assistant-Enabled: Midea MAP10S1CWT
- Best For Large Spaces: Whynter ARC-14S
- Best Budget Option: COSTWAY 23049-CYPE
| 6 Best Portable Air Conditioners for Apartment | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Small Room | BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT | |
Quietest | Shinco 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner | |
Hassle-Free Installation | Vremi 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner | |
Alexa & Google Assistant-Enabled | Midea MAP10S1CWT | |
Best For Large Spaces | Whynter ARC-14S | |
Best Budget Option | COSTWAY 23049-CYPE | |
Best For Small Room: BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT
- Cools down quickly, effectively for a small room – 8,000 BTU
- Simple to set up – Hose and window adapter included
- Easy to store – casters mounted
- Short hose
With a BTU rating of 8,000, this portable air conditioner can cool down your room very well and fast, keeping you comfortable during hot, humid summer nights, making it the best candidate for a small room.
It takes only 10 minutes to set up and another 15 minutes to cool down your room to the set temperature. It offers good quality for the price and you won’t see your bill added up much by using this product, so it’s affordable too.
One of the best things about this AC is that it’s super easy to install, even for first-time users, thanks to included components like the hose and window adapter. It also comes with casters so you can move it and store it easily.
Also, it features a 75dB operating noise score and a sleep mode that ensures quietness to let you sleep soundly during the night.
| BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT Specifications | |
|---|---|
BTU | 8,000 |
Room size | 200 square feet |
Dimensions | 16.5 x 11.5 x 26 inches |
Highlight features | Hose, window adapter included Casters mounted |
If you are in the search for the best portable air conditioner for one room in your house, this is a must-have.
Quietest: Shinco 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
- High cooling efficiency – self-evaporate system
- Quiet – operating noise equal to or lower than 52 dB
- Easy to control from a distance – Remote control
- The fan continues to work despite reaching the desired temperature
- Less convenient to move
You won’t be able to tell when the compressor is on and when it’s not. Thanks to the 52dB operating noise score, this is probably the quietest portable air conditioner you can get right now.
This product is also easy to install, taking less than 10 minutes to be ready for running and less than 10 minutes to completely cool down your room. It also comes with a remote control so you don’t have to touch the unit to adjust the temperature.
Plus, there is an inbuilt self-evaporate system that not only raises the cooling efficiency but also limits the water that collects in the tank.
| Shinco 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Specifications | |
|---|---|
BTU | 8,000 |
Room size | 200 square feet |
Dimensions | 14.5 x 13.8 x 27.2 inches |
Highlight features | Noise <52dB Self-evaporate system Remote control |
The ASIN B07D8TWJ2T is perfect for those prioritize the quietness of the room when using the air conditioner.
Hassle-Free Installation: Vremi 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
- Hassle-free installation – No need for special tools or lifting the unit to install
- Cleaner air – Dual-layer, removable, washable air filter
- Easy setting – Programmable control panel
- No vent cover
The best thing about this portable air conditioner is the ease in installation even if you’re all alone. It does come with every needed accessory like other units, but it doesn’t require any special tools or lifting to install. Even better, the product has actual screws that keep the window kit panels together instead of plastic pins.
While most units from the same price range are bulky, this one features a smart, sleek design that helps it blend into the room.
This AC also comes with a dual-layer air filter that keeps the air in your room cleaner.
| Vremi 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Specifications | |
|---|---|
BTU | 10,000 |
Room size | 200-350 square feet |
Dimensions | 16.5 x 12.2 x 27.6 |
Highlight features | Programmable control panel No need for special tools Dual-layer air filter |
If you have to set up an air conditioner by yourself, you should opt for the Vremi 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner.
Alexa & Google Assistant-Enabled: Midea MAP10S1CWT
- Voice control: wifi-enabled, compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Automatic temperature adjustment based on distance – proximity sensor
- Loud
The one thing making this portable air conditioner smarter than the others on this list is its compatibility with voice assistants, including Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. This allows for hands-free control, you can simply tell the assistant what you want and it will monitor the AC in accordance.
It also comes with an inbuilt proximity sensor to measure the distance between you and itself to adjust the temperature properly. This way, you will never get too cold or too hot.
This product is complimented for being super easy to set up and cooling the room rapidly as well. All components included and no extra tools required for installation.
| Midea MAP10S1CWT Specifications | |
|---|---|
BTU | 10,000 |
Room size | 200 square feet |
Dimensions | 17.1 x 13 x 28.3 inches |
Highlight features | Wifi-enabled and voice assistant compatible Proximity sensor |
The Midea MAP10S1CWT is the best choice for those building up a smart home or like a convenient, hands-free operation.
Best For Large Spaces: Whynter ARC-14S
Cooldown large areas efficiently – 14,000 BTU
Clean air – Activated carbon air filter, Eco-friendly CFC free Green R-410A refrigerant
Two independent motors – Dual-hose
Difficult to move without handles
If you need a really convincing reason to go with the Whynter ARC-14S, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s an award-winning AC in 2019 for being the best overall air conditioner with the capability of cooling down a room faster than competitors.
Overall, the unit runs flawlessly, produces very cold, filtered, and clean air while being fairly quiet.
It can even reduce the temperature and humidity in your garage while being placed inside the house. It’s been reviewed to cool down up to 1500 square feet of space.
One of the special features of this the dual-hose, meaning there are two independent blower motors for the cold side and the condenser side.
Also, the air conditioner turns off both the compressor and the fan automatically as needed so you won’t have to do it by hand.
| Whynter ARC-14S Specifications | |
|---|---|
BTU | 14,000 |
Room size | 500 square feet |
Dimensions | 19x16x35.5 inches |
Highlight features | Activated carbon air filter Eco-friendly CFC free Green R-410A refrigerant Dual-hose |
The Whynter ARC-14S portable air conditioner is almost impossible to beat for large spaces, the best overall choice for 500 square feet.
Best Budget Option: COSTWAY 23049-CYPE
Easy to read – Display data in F and C degrees
Safety – Multiple Safety Protection Functions
Compact – 13 x 12 x 24.5 inches
Hose difficult to connect to the unit
The COSTWAY 23049-CYPE portable air conditioner comes with protection functions such as a water-full indicator light to remind you to empty the internal bucket.
It effectively and quickly cools down your room, office, camper, or cabin with ease, offering good quality for the price.
The product features two ways of showing data, in Fahrenheit or Celsius degrees so you can choose whichever more familiar to you.
| COSTWAY 23049-CYPE Specifications | |
|---|---|
BTU | 8,000 |
Room size | 230 square feet |
Dimensions | 13 x 12 x 24.5 inches |
Highlight features | Display data in F and C degrees Multiple Safety Protection Functions |
If you need a product to cool off your room with a limited budget, the COSTWAY 23049-CYPE is a must-try.
How To Choose The Best Portable Air Conditioner for Apartment?
Size & Room Size
When choosing a portable air conditioner for your apartment, the very first thing you have to do is knowing what size you need. That means you must figure out the size of the place you will use the AC, then find the corresponding AC size because each size of the air conditioner will work for different room sizes. The following table will show you which size (in BTU) should go with which room size (in square feet).
Air conditioner size (BTU) | 8,000 | 10,000 | 12,000 | 13,000 | 14,000 |
Room size (square feet) | 200 | 300 | 400 | 450 | 500 |
It’s worth noting that to apply for these numbers, you should also consider the status of your apartment in terms of insulation and heat-producing appliances. For example, if you often use many heat-releasing devices, you will need more BTUs than the standard table.
Noise Level
No matter if you use an air conditioner for long or short hours, the noise level is always an essential factor to take into account.
A noisy unit will be very irritating if put in the bedroom or for those sensitive to noises.
The 45dB noise level is considered quiet for air conditioners, you should consider this threshold to choose the lowest noise level possible for your AC.
Dual Hose vs Single Hose
Units with a single hose will use the hot air inside your apartment, cool it, and circulate it in your place. Excess moisture and warm air are released from your place through the window venting hose. This type is normally more energy-efficient than dual-hose ones.
Units with dual hoses will pull air from the outside, cool it, and circulate it in your place. Meanwhile, the second hose transmits the excess moisture and warm air to the outside. This type cools off the space faster.
Other Features
Additional features are always worth a look:
Dehumidifier: removes excess vapor and humidity from the air, good for those with allergies and respiratory conditions.
Heat/AC Combo: allows for cooling in the summer and heating in the winter.
Remote Control: lets you control the AC without having to touch it.
Auto Drain System: evaporates the moisture and humidity collected by the AC so that you don’t have to empty the water bucket yourself.
Programmable Thermostat: allows for setting a precise temperature and the AC will turn off when the room has reached the set temperature.
Which Brands Make The Best Portable Air Conditioner for Apartment?
BLACK+DECKER
With BLACK+DECKER and its hundred-year experience in household appliances, you will get a portable air conditioner that’s innovative, good-quality for the money, and sustainable.
Midea
Founded in 1968, this Chinese brand has built its reputation for “Creating Value for Customers.” That means innovative, premium, high-quality products with a wide range of selection for you.
Costway
Over the past 12 years, Costway has been offering products with high quality, reasonable prices for consumers. Its products cover many areas like furniture, home and garden, outdoor, office supplies, and portable air conditioners too.
Whynter
Not just quality, this brand also wants to redefine how we live by making our life easier and more comfortable with its products. For Whynter, a product should perform well and look good at the same time, which is why you will find well-designed portable air conditioners from this brand.
FAQs
Can I use a portable air conditioner in a room without a window?
Yes, you can. You can use a portable AC in a room without a window, but you still have to install the hose and vent to allow the unit to do its job. You will have to open a small section on the outside wall to give the AC access to the outdoor.
Can you leave a portable air conditioner on all day?
Yes, you can.
You can leave a portable air conditioner on all day, just remember to empty the water bucket if your AC doesn’t evaporate the excess water itself.
Which is better window AC or portable AC?
The answer to this depends on the room you want to cool down and your own preference.
In fact, a window AC is more energy-efficient than a portable AC in terms of cooling power per BTU.
However, it’s costlier to install and not as portable while a portable AC can be installed and moved easily. But at the same time, a portable AC is less efficient.
So a window AC is suitable for cooling multiple rooms at the same time and those with a large purchase budget. Meanwhile, a portable AC is suitable for cooling one or two rooms only and those with a limited purchase budget.
Do portable air conditioners waste a lot of electricity?
It depends. If you use a portable air conditioner for a specific room at a time and move it between rooms, it will actually help save electricity. However, if you want to install multiple portable ACs in different rooms of the house, it will probably increase the electricity bill.
Are portable air conditioners quieter than window units?
This depends on brands and models, but generally, portable air conditioners can be equally or less noisy than window units.
Conclusion
Now, are you clear about choosing the best portable air conditioners for apartment? We hope that our comprehensive guidelines will help you pick the perfect portable AC to use at your place that cools off your room as well as helps save energy.
Eugene WilliamsHi, my name is Eugene, the ultimate home enthusiast! I write buying guides and ideas on how to create a warm and welcoming home. Join me on my journey to make everyday in your house a staycation in the comfort of your own space!
