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Portable air conditioner vs. window unit: Which one should you get?

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How to choose between a portable air conditioner vs. window air conditioner

If you don’t have central air and are in the market for an air conditioner, you’ve probably been debating which style would work best for your home or apartment. 

While both portable and window air conditioners work well to keep your space cool during the hottest summer months, they each come with unique pros and cons. To help you make an informed decision, we’ll compare portable air conditioner vs. window unit options and highlight their main features as well as their drawbacks, so you can decide what makes sense for you. 

Seeing as both styles operate and function in similar manners, the main differences we’ll be discussing are overall power, size and mobility. 

In this article: Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual-Hose Portable Air ConditionerMidea Duo 14,000 BTU Ultra-Quiet Portable Air Conditioner and LG 12,000 BTU Energy Star Window Air Conditioner with Remote

What is a portable air conditioner?

Unlike conventional window AC units, portable air conditioners operate almost entirely indoors, using only a window exhaust hose to rid the room of warm air. As the name suggests, a portable air conditioner can be moved from room to room depending on necessity, though their weight prohibits frequent movement up and down stairs.

Like most home appliances, the price of portable air conditioners varies. When purchasing a new model, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $600, depending on power, brand and additional features. 

Pros of a portable air conditioner

There are several reasons why you might want to choose a portable air conditioner over a window air conditioner.

What to consider before purchasing a portable air conditioner

While a portable AC unit makes sense for some people, there are several drawbacks that you might want to consider before making a purchase.

Best portable air conditioners

Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual-Hose Portable Air Conditioner

This powerful Whynter portable air conditioner can cool up to 500 square feet of living space and features an eco-friendly chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-free design. It comes with an auto-drain technology, which uses and reuses the moisture to keep the office room, small bedroom, or a server room clean.

Black + Decker BPACT10WT Portable Air Conditioner

Best for smaller rooms, this model has a maximum cooling setting of 65 degrees, and it simultaneously dehumidifies the air for a more comfortable environment. This Black + Decker portable air conditioner has three-in-one functionalities such as cool, fan and dehumidify. A 24-hour timer lets you schedule the unit to run and save on energy costs. 

Midea Duo 14,000 BTU Ultra-Quiet Portable Air Conditioner

This advanced unit can be operated via Bluetooth with your smartphone or through voice control. It’s compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. The Midea portable air conditioner runs quietly and cools spaces up to 550 square feet. You can get this model with or without heating capabilities. 

De’Longhi PACEM370 Pinguino Portable Air Conditioner

This versatile unit works as an air conditioner, dehumidifier and fan. It’s suitable for cooling spaces up to 500 square feet and has a programmable timer. This model also comes in a smaller version for rooms up to 400 square feet.

Honeywell 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

This Honeywell portable air conditioner is a good choice if you’re looking to cool a large room or a modestly sized apartment. It cools rooms up to 700 square feet and also has dehumidifier and fan functions. This unit has three fan speeds and a 24-hour programmable timer.

What is a window air conditioner?

Window AC units have been keeping households cool for decades and are still a popular style today. Designed to fit securely in most windows, these air conditioners are powerful and efficient at cooling even large rooms. Many window air conditioners come with a remote control that you can use to operate the unit.

Generally less expensive than portable models, most window air conditioners fall within the $130 to $500 range. The average lifespan of window units is around 10 years, so you can expect a cool home through multiple summers. 

Pros of a window air conditioner

Multiple reasons make window air conditioners an intelligent choice.

What you should consider before purchasing a window air conditioner 

Even with all their benefits, window units might not work for everyone.

Best window air conditioners

LG 12,000 BTU Energy Star Window Air Conditioner with Remote

With its powerful 12,000 BTU rating, this LG window air conditioner provides impressive cooling functions with minimal noise. It can cool rooms up to 550 square feet and has customized cooling settings in the form of three fan speeds. The unit lasts longer, as it comes with LG’s patented technology for the shield cover. 

GE 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner 

This GE air conditioner is a budget-friendly option for small rooms, capable of cooling up to 250 square feet. It offers three cooling modes and three fan speeds. It’s not the quietest model,  but it’s not overly loud.

Midea 10,000 BTU Smart Window Air Conditioner

This Energy Star-certified air conditioner runs quietly compared to other window units. It’s Wi-Fi-enabled and can be controlled using the Midea app, Alexa or Google Assistant. This 10,000 BTU model efficiently cools rooms up to 450 square feet, and there are also 8,000- and 12,000-BTU versions available. 

Frigidaire FHWC123TC1 12,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner

This Frigidaire window air conditioner features three fan speeds, a 24-hour timer and Sleep Mode that makes the room more comfortable for sleeping while saving energy. This 12,000 BTU unit supports rooms up to 500 square feet. There are models ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 BTU as well. 

Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Small Window Air Conditioner

If you’re looking for the least expensive option to cool a small room, go with this two-in-one model. This 5,000 BTU small window air conditioner is suitable for rooms up to 150 square feet. It offers seven temperature settings and two fan settings. This Midea window air conditioner comes in other versions up to 12,000 BTU. 

Which air conditioner you should get?

Ultimately the decision comes down to your own specific needs and living situation. However, if you don’t have any restrictions, a window air conditioner is usually the way to go. The extra power, energy efficiency and minimal maintenance will definitely pay off in the end. For those who cannot use window units, portable air conditioners can still provide much-needed relief when the temperature rises. 

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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