Are portable air conditioners worth it? Find out if they're right for your home

Portable air conditioner units offer something different to your regular ACs. They're small, movable, and require such little installation that they're even renter-friendly.

But how well do they cool a space, and are they worth the spend? It can be easy to get sucked into trends or marketing claims, so it's important to really understand how these work, and whether they'll be able to do the job like other types of AC units.

We spoke with expert HVAC experts to reveal all there is to know about them, and who they're best suited to. We've already compared portable vs AC units but, here, we'll dive deeper into how effective a portable unit really is.

What are portable air conditioners?

As the name suggests, portable air conditioners can be moved from room to room, unlike other AC units that require installation to be setup in one spot.

'A portable air conditioner is a freestanding cooling unit meant to be moved from room to room,' explains Lisa Purvins, HVAC expert and owner of Pro-Tech. 'Portable air conditioners sit nicely on wheels for ease of movement and portability and are an excellent choice for people who live in apartments, rent homes, or just want to cool down a specific space without installing a whole-home system.'

This convenience and hassle-free installation sets them apart from other AC types. But, also unlike other AC types, a portable air conditioner will only effectively cool one room, while others can cover the entire home.

'Portable air conditioners work by drawing in warm air from the room, cooling it using a refrigerant cycle, and then expelling the cooled air back into the room,' explains Scott Levene, HVAC expert of 18+ years and VP of Levco.

'The hot air is exhausted outside through a hose, which typically needs to be installed in a window. This differs from central air systems that cool an entire home via ductwork or window units that are fixed in place.'

The specifics of how they work vary for different models. Typically, there are two main types of portable air conditioner: swamp coolers and heat exchangers.

'Swamp coolers run cold water over aluminum fins, and then blow air over those fins. The evaporation of the water as the air blows over it cools the air down, and the result is cool air,' shares Scott. He advises that swamp coolers are effective, but not so much in humid environments in places like Florida as they work best in drier climates.

'Heat exchangers can be water powered or refrigerant powered,' he adds. 'A water powered heat exchanger would require that you put in water and ice, and it cools down coils that a fan blows over. A refrigerant powered portable air conditioner is going to be more effective, and will run for much longer than it would usually take the ice to melt.'

Are portable air conditioners worth it?

Portable AC units offer a versatile cooling solution, where you can focus it in individual rooms or take it do different spaces when needed. Little installation is needed (compared to other AC's extensive installation), so you won't encounter any problems when renting. But that doesn't mean portable ACs are without their drawbacks.

'Portable ACs are usually ideal for single rooms or as a supplement to central air. Their portability is a major advantage, allowing flexibility in where you use them,' explains Lisa. 'However, they have limitations. Cooling capacity is often lower than central air units, and they might be less efficient and noisier.'

HVAC experts often mention the less-effective cooling of portable AC units. They excel when it comes to portability and versatility (and for being renter-safe), but as a powerful cooling device, other ACs like window units may be better suited.

'The fact that portable air conditioners are so small and don't have an efficient way to vent heat out of your home means that they won't work as well as other types of air conditioners,' shares Martin Orefice, CEO of Rent To Own Labs.

'If you’re expecting an evaporative cooler to provide as much comfort and cooling air as a normal AC unit, then you will likely not think that a portable AC unit works well,' explains Al Ruggie from ASAP Restoration. 'That said, if your expectations are realistic about how much cooling it will provide, then they can be a great solution for temperature relief at a much lower cost and price point.'

But while it may seem like a cheaper investment than other AC units, it's worth thinking about the running costs. Portable AC units, as mentioned above, are less efficient than other units. They don't have a centralized method of releasing heat out of the home, and so will often have to work harder to achieve the same results.

Which portable AC unit should I buy?

Lisa Purvins recommends the portable ACs from the brand Amana (available at Home Depot). 'This brand has withstood the test of time. The Amana brand has proven to provide reliable, long lasting performance,' she says. They also offer one of the best warranties in the HVAC industry with a 10-year parts warranty and a lifetime heat exchanger warranty.

'Hessaire is a great brand for portable AC’s because they are high-quality and within a price range that is less challenging for people to finance,' recommends Al Ruggie. You can find Hessaire evaporative air coolers at Walmart.

Andrew Hulsebos, HVAC expert of 15+ years from Reiner AC, recommends the brand Honeywell's smart portable air conditioners. 'These units offer unparalleled accessibility through smart phone control and voice command integration with Amazon Alexa. They also come with an easy-to-install window kit and exhaust hose that can be quickly installed in your window or door.'

Portable AC units are certainly worth it for apartments and rented homes, or for anybody who has to prioritise portability over more comprehensive cooling. But, when you compare portable ACs vs window ACs, you'll find that window units can do a much better job at keeping your home cool, although they might block your view...