When looking for the most energy-efficient portable air conditioner, you have to focus on convenience, energy consumption, and cooling capacity. Undoubtedly, a powerful portable AC in a small room consume much less energy as opposed to using a centralized cooling system.
Therefore, the best thing to do before purchase is to shortlist some of the most energy-efficient portable air conditioners available in the market and then choose one that matches your needs and budget.
Check our portable air conditioners under $200 guide if you’re really under a tight budget.
Factors such as; the size of your room, energy consumption, the cooling potential, and the convenience of handling and maintenance, are some of the most important aspects to keep in mind.
Fortunately, we have put together this ultimate buying guide to help you understand and select your preferred energy efficient portable air conditioner.
Most Energy Efficient Portable Air Conditioners Reviews
Last update on 2024-09-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Black+Decker BPACT08WT Portable Air Conditioner
In the first place is the Black+Decker BPACT08WT AC, which is small, powerful, and a great choice for anyone who’s trying to maximize a small space. It has an LED display, so that you can see the exact temperature it is set to all times. Aside from the LED panel with control buttons, you can also adjust the temperature right from the remote control from the comfort of your seat.
Additionally, this air conditioner comes with a window panel that can be fitted on to your double-hung or sliding window to effortlessly cool your living room, office room, study, or garage. The venting can be done through a window or even to your next room or garage if you do not use it.
This unit has an easy-on-the-eyes design with a vertical air flow vent to keep the flow of cool air stable and efficient. It has a triple function of dehumidifying, cooling and fan, which is great if you want to prevent your room from getting humid and uneasy. The filter can be easily slid out and washed under running water.
However, it has some minor drawbacks as well. On the negative side, the window panel provided cannot be used if your windows are of the crank-shut type or a different size than the exact dimensions of the predesigned one. The size of this air conditioner is not so sleek. So, you might have to rearrange your room to fit this comfortably.
Overall, this is a great product for everyday use. Once you install it, you do not have to worry about power consumption or cleaning.
Pros:
- Low power consumption
- Ease of transportation
- Powerful venting
- Many power varieties to choose from
- May also have added heating option.
- Has triple function – cooling, dehumidifying, and fan
Cons:
- Not very small
- Cannot be installed on crank windows
- Window panel only comes in one shape and size.
2. Whynter ARC-14SH Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
This is a very powerful, sleek machine that can be used to keep rooms up to 500 sq feet cool and comfortable. This unit has won Good Housekeeping’s “Best Portable Air Conditioners to Buy in 2019″ award, and it truly deserves it. It is designed to be environment-friendly and does not emit CFC and Lead. Besides, it also keeps the power consumption to a minimum (1250 Watts).
Whynter has patented the self-evaporating technology that this air conditioner boasts of. It means that the water that is collected during cooling is re-evaporated to enhance cooling and prevent the accumulation of water.
It also has an auto-restart function after a power outage. The 24-hour timer setting enables you to set up the on/off times once and forget about constant monitoring of the set temperature. It also comes with a remote.
This air conditioner comes with two filters – a fixed carbon filter and a removable and washable external filter. This ensures that you always get clean air through the double purification method. It has four modes of operation – heating, cooling, dehumidifying and fan.
Along with the air conditioner, you will be provided with two hose pipes and a window vent. The double hosepipe is a great way of maintaining the water flow such that the cooling starts the minute you turn it on.
The disadvantages of this air conditioner are that it comes only in one shape, size, and power. There is a lack of side handles, so you will not be able to lift it for transportation. The water storage needs to be monitored and emptied if you are using the dehumidifying function.
The Whynter ARC-14SH is where your search ends if you want a minimal hassle eco-friendly air conditioner. It is most ideal for offices where you do not have to worry about setting the temperature, thanks to its 24-hour timer. You will always walk into a cool room in the morning.
Pros:
- Sleek design
- Dual pipes for fast cooling
- Self-evaporating technology
- Four modes of operation
- Low energy consumption and noise production
- Double filter for cleaner air
- 24-hour timer setting
Cons:
- No varieties of size and power
- Stored water has to be manually cleaned after dehumidifying
3. LG LP1217GSR 115V Portable Air Conditioner
This marvelous air conditioner from LG is powerful, versatile, and has a great design. It is sleek and comes in three colors – white, graphite gray, and black thus you can choose one that fits seamlessly with your overall decor.
The inbuilt air vent has a vertical air flow design to keep the expelled air cool and steady. It is also coupled with a swing function that spreads the airflow equally to remove hot spots and distribute cool air uniformly in the room.
The fan speed and cooling speed have two settings each. You can use the high settings for cooling down the room fast and then set it to low to maintain a constant temperature. It also has the auto evaporation system that evaporates the air condensed during cooling.
One major advantage of this air conditioner is that the venting kit comes with a window panel that is adjustable from 18 inches to 50 inches depending on your window size. The added advantage of the 24-hour timer makes sure you don’t have to worry about turning your air conditioner off when you leave or waiting for the room to cool down after you enter.
One drawback of the LG LP1217GSR is the absence of a backlight in the remote. It is also in a slightly higher price range compared to other air conditioners of the same power.
This fantastic air conditioner from LG is the best for modern spaces. Fit in in your office or room for a sleek, highly efficient, and eco-friendly cooling system that will not let you down.
Pros:
- Sleek design
- Customizable fan and cooling speeds
- Vertical venting system
- Auto-evaporation system
- Customizable window panel
Cons:
- Slightly higher price
- No remote control backlight
4. Honeywell MN10CESWW Portable Air Conditioner
This air conditioner from Honeywell has all good things in one machine. It is powerful and highly reliable for your daily usage. And it comes in three colors – black, black with silver, and white.
The best feature of this unit is the thermal overload protection. This system continually monitors the power consumption and prevents overload of the compressor and motor, ensuring the safety and longevity of the air conditioner while cutting down the power costs significantly.
The air conditioner has a vertical air expulsion system to maintain a steady flow, and this can be controlled through the touch panel with a display on top of the air conditioner or the remote provided. It has three modes of operation – dehumidifying, cooling, and fan. The Smart Digital Thermostat system helps keep the temperature constant and does not let the compressor overwork or heat up.
It also has the auto-evaporation system so that you do not have to worry about frequent cleaning and maintenance of the stored water. During dehumidification, however, you can easily fix the hosepipe provided and channel the water out through a window.
However, one drawback is that the window vent provided can only be fixed on sliding windows and not on windows with hinge opening systems.
It produces the least noise when compared to all air conditions with similar features. This is a huge bonus if you are planning to use it in a room for kids or in your workspace.
Pros:
- Thermal overload protection
- Customizable window vent
- Auto-evaporation system
- Very low noise
- Smart Digital Thermostat system
- Easy installation
Cons:
- Window vent not suitable for hinged windows.
5. DELLA Air Conditioner Cooling Fan
This air conditioner from Della is perfect if you are looking for a cooling machine for small rooms such as bedrooms, workshops, and study rooms. It has a very high cooling capacity that will not reflect on your energy bills due to its great energy efficiency.
It comes with an expandable vent for fitting on your window. This feature, paired with the added caster wheels makes it a great option if mobility is important to you.
It is designed to create a powerful release of cool air into your room for instant cooling. The air vents are positioned facing in two directions, therefore expelling and distributing cool air everywhere in the room. It also has a timer setting so you can set and forget it.
The temperature and fan speeds can be controlled by the remote or the LED touch panel at the top of the air conditioner. The low noise production capacity also makes it a great choice if you do not like the constant background of the motor noise.
However, it lacks the auto-evaporation technology that is common in other air conditioners of this price and efficiency. But it has an indicator that lets you know when the accumulated water has to be drained.
This air conditioner from Della is energy efficient, quiet, environmentally-friendly, and powerful. Therefore, it is an excellent choice for home use.
Pros:
- Strong air circulation
- Double-directional air expulsion
- Customizable fan speed and window vent
- Great mobility
- High cooling capacity
Cons:
- No auto-evaporation system
