A portable air conditioner sits on the floor and sends hot air out through a hose fitted to a window. It rolls from room to room, needs no cut in the wall and suits spaces where a window unit is not allowed. The main things to read are the BTU basis, the room size, the noise figure and the window kit.
The six units below run from a compact 6,000 BTU SACC model to a 14,000 BTU smart unit with a heat mode. Every number comes from each product’s listing page and is the maker’s own. We have not used these units ourselves, and we make no promise about how much a room will cool.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| BTU basis | ASHRAE figures run higher than SACC or DOE figures for the same unit |
| Room size | Makers state a square-foot range; compare it with your room |
| Noise | Listed in dB by the maker, usually at the lowest setting |
| Window kit | Check the window width range and window type |
| Water handling | Auto-evaporation or drain-free designs need less emptying |
Specs at a Glance
| Unit | Capacity and room | Size and weight | Noise and power |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER 14,000 BTU | 14,000 BTU ASHRAE (10,200 SACC); 375 or 700 sq ft (page conflict) | 16.5 x 14.06 x 27.09 in; 35 lb | 54 dB; 1,365 W; Wi-Fi |
| HOMCOM 8000 BTU | 8,000 BTU ASHRAE (5,000 SACC); 345 sq ft | 13 x 11 x 27.7 in | 51 dB; 886 W |
| HOMCOM 10000 BTU | 10,000 BTU; 441 sq ft | 14 x 13.5 x 27.5 in | 54 dB; 897 W |
| Hisense AP0621CR1W | 6,000 BTU SACC (8,000 ASHRAE); 250 sq ft | 11.8 x 13 x 26.4 in; 75 lb as listed | 49 dB; 850 W |
| AIRO Comfort 8000 BTU | 8,000 BTU; 250 to 350 sq ft | 16.18 x 13.03 x 27.17 in; 63 lb | 48 dB; 1,050 W |
| Feelfunn 8000 BTU | 8,000 BTU ASHRAE (5,000 SACC); 350 sq ft | 12 x 11.4 x 26.7 in; 41.6 lb | 48 dB; CEER 6.1 |
The 6 Best Portable Air Conditioners
1. BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner With Heat, 14,000 BTU
A 14,000 BTU ASHRAE (10,200 BTU SACC) unit that also offers a 10,000 BTU heat mode, a dehumidifier setting and a fan. It works with a phone app, Alexa and Google Assistant, and its remote has a Follow Me function that acts as a thermostat. The listing shows 375 sq ft in the spec table but 700 sq ft in the description, so check which figure applies.
Suits: a larger room that needs a smart unit with a heat mode. Strengths: app and voice control, Follow Me remote and a heat option. Weaknesses: two different room sizes on one page. Skip it if you only need a small, simple unit.
View BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner, 14,000 BTU on Amazon
2. HOMCOM 8000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner 5-in-1
An 8,000 BTU ASHRAE (5,000 BTU SACC) unit for rooms up to 345 sq ft, with cooling from 59 to 88 degrees F, a dehumidifier mode of up to 50 pints a day, a fan, an auto mode and a 51 dB night mode as the maker lists it. It has a side handle, four wheels, a 24-hour timer, a washable filter and a self-evaporation system, plus an exhaust hose and a window kit for sliding windows.
Suits: a medium bedroom or office. Strengths: self-evaporation design and a sliding-window kit. Weaknesses: the install type is listed as window, which is confusing for a portable. Skip it if you need a high BTU unit.
View HOMCOM Portable Air Conditioner, 8000 BTU on Amazon
3. HOMCOM 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner 4-in-1
A 10,000 BTU unit for rooms up to 441 sq ft with cooling from 61 to 88 degrees F, a dehumidifier of up to 50 pints a day, a two-speed fan and a 24-hour off timer. It has a handle, four wheels, a remote, an LED screen and a window kit for sliding windows. The listing does not state whether the BTU figure is ASHRAE or SACC.
Suits: a living room or large bedroom. Strengths: a larger room range and a remote. Weaknesses: the BTU basis is not stated. Skip it if you want the quietest listed figure.
View HOMCOM Portable Air Conditioner, 10000 BTU on Amazon
4. Hisense Portable Air Conditioner 6,000 BTU SACC (AP0621CR1W)
A compact unit listed by the maker at 6,000 BTU SACC/DOE (8,000 BTU ASHRAE) for rooms up to 250 sq ft, with cool, dehumidify and fan modes, a 24-hour timer, a remote and a snap-assembly window kit. The maker lists drain-free operation and a 49 dB noise level, and the window opening range is 18 to 50 inches. The listed weight of 75 lb looks high for a compact unit, so confirm it before you buy.
Suits: a small room or office. Strengths: a clear SACC figure and drain-free operation. Weaknesses: a weight figure that may be an error. Skip it if your room is over 250 sq ft.
View Hisense Portable Air Conditioner, 6,000 BTU SACC on Amazon
5. AIRO Comfort Portable Air Conditioner 8000 BTU
An 8,000 BTU floor unit that the maker describes as suited to about 250 to 350 sq ft. It combines cooling, a fan and a dehumidifier, with oscillating vents, a touch panel and an LED display that can be switched off. The listed noise level is 48 dB, and a window mount kit is included.
Suits: a small apartment room. Strengths: oscillating vents and a display that can be turned off. Weaknesses: 63 lb is heavy to move, and the BTU basis is not stated. Skip it if you will move it often.
View AIRO Comfort Portable Air Conditioner, 8000 BTU on Amazon
6. Feelfunn 8000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
An 8,000 BTU ASHRAE (5,000 BTU SACC) unit for up to 350 sq ft, with cool, dehumidify (up to 45 pints a day) and fan modes. It measures 12 x 11.4 x 26.7 inches, weighs 41.6 lb, rolls on casters and lists a CEER of 6.1. The window kit is described as fitting windows 20 to 49 inches wide, and the maker lists a noise level of 48 dB and a full-water alert.
Suits: a small, light unit that moves between rooms. Strengths: the lightest and smallest footprint here. Weaknesses: the SACC figure is modest. Skip it if you want smart controls.
View Feelfunn Portable Air Conditioner, 8000 BTU on Amazon
Setup and Care
- Keep the exhaust hose short and straight, and seal the window kit gaps.
- Empty the water tank if the model needs it, and follow the manual.
- Rinse the washable filter on the maker’s schedule.
- Stand the unit upright and give it space from walls.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Comparing an ASHRAE BTU figure with a SACC figure.
- Ignoring the window width range.
- Choosing by BTU alone without checking weight and noise.
- Forgetting that the hose needs a window opening.
Portable Air Conditioner FAQ
What do ASHRAE and SACC mean?
They are two ways of stating capacity. SACC figures are lower than ASHRAE figures for the same unit, so compare like with like.
Does it need a window?
Yes. All six use an exhaust hose and a window kit, as the listings describe.
The Short Version
For a smart unit with heat, the BLACK+DECKER. For a medium room, the HOMCOM 8000. For a bigger room, the HOMCOM 10000. For a clear SACC figure, the Hisense. For oscillating vents, the AIRO. For light and compact, the Feelfunn.
