Portable Air Conditioners: Reviews

If you need to cool a small area, like a bedroom, owners say the 8,000-Btu Edgestar Koldfront PAC8000S will get the job done. It also is one of the least expensive portable air conditioners available, something that is… praised in reviews almost as often as the unit's effectiveness. As with most air conditioners (portable and otherwise), some owners complain about noise. Still, most of the nearly 100 owner comments we find for this model are positive overall. The model includes a dehumidifier feature, digital thermostat and remote control.

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We find more popular support in reviews for the Royal Sovereign portable air conditioner than we do for most. Although reviewers emphasize that no portable unit cools as well as a window air conditioner, many owners say… this unit does a good job of taking the edge off the heat without being too noisy. Some also report they've owned their units more than four years -- a good testament to build quality. Rated at 10,000 Btu, it should cool a room of about 200 square feet. It can also be used as a dehumidifier and comes with a remote control. It drains water through the exhaust pipe, so you don't have to empty the collection cup.

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Considering its 12,000-Btu rating, the Edgestar Extreme Cool AP12000S is surprisingly inexpensive. It includes a remote control, dehumidifier function, digital thermostat and timer, and it drains water outdoors rather… than into a collection cup. Reviews for this portable air conditioner are uniformly positive, but a few owners report that it can be loud (though just as many say it is quiet). This portable air conditioner should be sufficient for rooms of about 300 to 400 square feet.

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For larger rooms, the Sharp CV-P12LX gets the best reviews as the quietest portable air conditioner in its size class, but it's more expensive than others. This Sharp air conditioner sends all the condensate out the… window via the main exhaust hose, so you don't have to empty a separate water-collection cup. This model can also be used as a dehumidifier. The Sharp CV-P12LX is meant for rooms of up to about 350 square feet.

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