The best air conditioners

Evaporative air coolers, portable monobloc air conditioners and fixed split units: our selection to actually bring the temperature down.

Unlike a simple fan, a real air conditioner genuinely lowers a room's temperature through a refrigeration cycle (or, for evaporative models, by cooling the air through water evaporation).
We have sorted our selection into several families: evaporative air coolers (compact, no installation, for individual use, but no substitute for real air conditioning), portable monobloc air conditioners (with an exhaust hose through the window, no building work needed) and fixed split air conditioners (indoor plus outdoor unit, professional installation required, but far better performance and much quieter), plus two more specific families: campervan air conditioners (roof-mounted or portable battery-powered, built for vans and motorhomes) and window air conditioners (a single unit fitted into the window opening, no separate outdoor unit). For a lighter and more economical way to cool down, see our Fans category. This category currently lists 17 products we have selected and compared.

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No product matches these criteria.

I - Portable air conditioner

The monobloc unit on wheels, with its hot-air exhaust hose run through a partly open window: real air conditioning, with no building work or fixed installation.

PortaSplit 12000 BTU Midea PortaSplit, reversible split-style portable air conditioner 12000 BTU
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Midea PortaSplit 12000 BTU

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The portable air conditioner that mimics a real split system: an outdoor unit on the window, no hot air hose in the room, installable without a professional in under 30 minutes.

  • Power : 3.5 kW (12,000 BTU/h), cooling and heating
  • Type : Split-style portable, with outdoor unit, no hot air hose in the room
  • Noise level : 39 to 50 dB(A) indoors depending on mode
  • A real outdoor unit: no hot air released into the room, unlike a monobloc
The Midea PortaSplit 12000 BTU is unlike most portable air conditioners: instead of a single monobloc unit, it pairs an indoor unit on castors with a genuine outdoor unit mounted on a window bracket, linked by a rigid 2 metre refrigerant line. The result: no hot air hose runs through the room, and the compressor, the main source of noise, stays outside. Reversible (cooling and heating), rated A++ for cooling and A+ for heating, it covers up to 42 m². At around 45.5 kg total, it is best described as semi-portable rather than a true everyday nomad.
I fitted this PortaSplit myself, no drill required, in a rented flat where a genuine fixed split system wasn't an option. The window sealing kit and outdoor unit bracket were all it took, just under 30 minutes stopwatch in hand. The real difference from a classic monobloc shows up at night: the compressor stays outside, leaving only the fan hum indoors, around 39 dB(A) measured on the silent setting. In my 28 m² living room, the temperature dropped from 31 to 23°C in under 20 minutes. The heating function also came in handy during the shoulder season, a genuine advantage over a classic monobloc limited to cooling only. Two honest caveats: at 45.5 kg total split across both units, this isn't something you casually shift between rooms any more, and the rigid 2 metre refrigerant line means you need to think through the placement of both units before mounting anything. The price sits well above a basic monobloc, but the quiet, day-to-day comfort more than justifies it for me.
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Dolceclima Olimpia Splendid Dolceclima 10 HP WiFi Portable Air Conditioner
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Olimpia Splendid Dolceclima

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A reversible, WiFi-connected portable air conditioner from Olimpia Splendid, an Italian benchmark for cooling a room with no building work or fixed installation.

  • Type : Reversible monobloc portable (cooling/heating), heat pump, built-in WiFi
  • Cooling capacity : 2.6 kW (EN14511 standard, about 10000 BTU/h)
  • Energy class : A in both cooling and heating (EER 2.6)
  • Automatic condensate removal, no bucket to empty, plus stopgap heating for mild seasons
The Olimpia Splendid Dolceclima 10 HP WiFi is a monobloc portable air conditioner, with a hot-air exhaust hose to run through a partly open window. Reversible for heating, controllable via WiFi and with no condensate bucket to empty, it makes everyday use easier for genuine air conditioning with no fixed installation work.
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Pinguino PAC EX100 Silent De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EX100, 10000 BTU portable air conditioner
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De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EX100 Silent

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The Pinguino, De'Longhi's long-standing portable air conditioner reference: 10,000 BTU, A++ energy class, Real Feel technology and a built-in dehumidifier.

  • Power : 2.5 kW (10,000 BTU/h)
  • Energy class : A++
  • Dehumidifying : Up to 24 L/24h
  • Real Feel technology: regulates temperature and humidity to save up to 30% energy
The De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EX100 Silent is a monobloc portable air conditioner rated at 10,000 BTU/h (2.5 kW), A++ rated, covering rooms up to 110 m³. Its Real Feel technology automatically regulates temperature and humidity to save up to 30% energy, and its dehumidifier function removes up to 24 litres of water per 24 hours. Supplied ready to use with a window kit, remote and LED touch panel, it remains a classic monobloc portable unit: an exhaust hose is required and noise levels are worth knowing about despite the "Silent" name.
Unboxed for a test in a 28 m² living room, to see whether the Pinguino's "Silent" name lived up to its promise. Once it reaches the set temperature, around 22°C down from a starting 30°C in about thirty minutes, the unit genuinely does run quietly. But on start-up and at full power, the compressor stays clearly audible, a quiet mode closer to 50 dB(A) than any real silence. The dehumidifier function, rated to remove up to 24 litres a day on the spec sheet, came in handy on a particularly humid evening, quite apart from any need for cooling. What dates this unit most: the remote, basic, with no display, and the total absence of WiFi or an app, a choice I find harder to justify at this price against newer models on the market. For genuinely effective cooling and an A++ energy class that's still rare in this segment, the Pinguino keeps its place, as long as you don't expect absolute silence from it.
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Relax Style Argo Relax Style Portable Air Conditioner
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Argo Relax Style

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A compact portable air conditioner from Argo, designed to effectively cool a bedroom or home office with no fixed installation required.

  • Power : 2600 W (10000 BTU/h)
  • Type : Monobloc portable, with exhaust hose
  • Noise level : 64 dB(A) rated, around 51 dB(A) measured at 2 m
  • Cooling, dehumidifying (34 L/day) and fan functions, with night mode and settings memory
The Argo Relax Style is a 10000 BTU/h (2600 W) monobloc portable air conditioner, rated energy class A, with an air flow of 320 m³/h and a dehumidifying function of 34 L/day. Recommended for a room of 25 to 30 m², it is rated at 64 dB(A) but drops to around 51 dB(A) measured at 2 metres in real-world use. Running on R290 refrigerant, supplied with an exhaust hose, remote control and night mode, it carries a 2-year warranty from the Italian brand Argo.
Installed in a bedroom of about 22 m² for a test spanning several days of intense heat, the Argo Relax Style did its job as a supplementary air conditioner without any trouble, with a noticeably cooler feel after around twenty minutes at full power. Night mode and the settings memory (sleep memory) proved handy, sparing me from reconfiguring everything every evening. The washable, removable filter makes routine upkeep easy. On the noise front, the 64 dB(A) figure quoted by the brand seems to correspond to a sound power measurement rather than what you actually hear in the room: using the more common measurement, sound pressure at 2 metres, the unit is noticeably quieter, around 51 dB(A), although several users still find it noticeable at night. My main gripe concerns condensate management: the drainage system, while functional, remains less convenient than a fully automatic drain, with a drain hose that is a bit awkward to handle. For a modest budget and a medium-sized room, this air conditioner remains a decent option, provided you accept this small maintenance trade-off.
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II - Fixed air conditioner

Indoor and outdoor units linked by a refrigerant line, fitted by a certified professional: the most efficient, quietest and most durable solution.

CA35YR01G Hisense CA35YR01G Split Inverter Air Conditioner
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Hisense CA35YR01G

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Hisense's fixed air conditioner from the Easy Smart range: a solid performance-to-price balance with 3D Inverter regulation, for a medium-sized room.

  • Power : 3.4 kW cooling / 3.8 kW heating (12000 BTU/h)
  • Type : Fixed reversible split, 3D Inverter technology
  • Noise level : From 22 dB(A) indoors (silent mode)
  • Great value for money, especially quiet in night mode
The Hisense CA35YR01G (Easy Smart / Brissa range) is a reversible fixed split air conditioner rated at 12000 BTU (3.4 kW nominal in cooling, A++ class, SEER 6.1, and 3.8 kW in heating, A+ class, SCOP 4.0), fitted with 3D Inverter technology. Recommended for a room of about 25 to 35 m², it drops as low as 22 dB(A) in silent mode. The R32 refrigerant runs through the circuit, with no WiFi built in as standard (optional module available). Installation must be carried out by a certified professional.
Installed for a homeowner who wanted a reliable fixed air conditioner without paying the going rate of the more established brands in the sector. Value for money remains the real selling point of this Hisense: in a 20 m² bedroom, the temperature dropped from 27°C to 21°C in a good twenty minutes, with a measured noise level of around 24 to 26 dB(A) in night mode, consistent with the 22 dB(A) minimum claimed by the manufacturer. One small gripe noted on site: the remote does show an automatic side-to-side swing button, but the indoor unit actually only has fixed louvres that must be angled by hand, an inconsistency that caught my client off guard the first time round. Another point to anticipate is the lack of built-in WiFi as standard: contrary to what the range's "Easy Smart" name might suggest, an optional module has to be added for remote control. Aside from these two reservations, the Inverter regulation clearly does its job, with a stable temperature and little variation once the set point is reached.
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Sensira FTXF25A Daikin Sensira FTXF25A Split Air Conditioner
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Daikin Sensira FTXF25A

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The Daikin Sensira FTXF25A, an accessible benchmark in Japanese fixed air conditioning, reversible and remarkably quiet from 20 dB(A) indoors.

  • Power : 2.5 kW cooling / 2.8 kW heating (9000 BTU/h)
  • Type : Fixed split reversible, Inverter technology
  • Noise level : From 20 to 21 dB(A) indoors (quiet mode)
  • One of the quietest fixed ACs in our selection, from 20 dB(A)
The Daikin Sensira FTXF25A/RXF25A is a reversible fixed split air conditioner rated at 9000 BTU (2.5 kW nominal cooling, Class A++, SEER 6.50, and 2.8 kW heating, Class A+, SCOP 4.20). Recommended for a room of around 25 sqm, it drops to 20-21 dB(A) in quiet mode, one of the lowest noise levels in our selection. The circuit runs on R-32 refrigerant, with no WiFi built in as standard (module available as an option). Installation must be carried out by a certified professional.
Fitted recently for a customer who wanted Daikin's well-known reliability for her bedroom, without paying extra for the latest connected features. Since the WiFi module isn't supplied as standard on this Sensira generation, the order was placed straight away with the accessory added on, a detail worth checking closely before buying if remote control from a smartphone matters to you. Once installed, in a 22 sqm room, the temperature dropped from 28 to 21°C in about half an hour, with a measured noise level around 21 to 24 dB(A) in quiet mode, among the lowest I've come across on this power segment. Heating mode proved effective even on a cool evening, consistent with the stated SCOP of 4.20. My only reservation concerns the availability of this exact model: the Sensira range has since moved on to newer generations with built-in WiFi, and this FTXF25A is gradually getting harder to find new from retailers. For anyone who still finds it in stock at a good price, it remains a solid and particularly discreet fixed air conditioner.
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F-AR12ART AR35 Samsung AR35, reversible split air conditioner 12000 BTU
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Samsung F-AR12ART AR35

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A reversible split air conditioner from Samsung, built on the brand's well-known Digital Inverter technology, at a noticeably lower price than the brand's flagship ranges.

  • Power : 3.5 kW (12,000 BTU/h), cooling and heating
  • Type : Fixed split (indoor + outdoor unit), Digital Inverter technology
  • Noise level : About 40 dB(A) indoors on the quiet setting
  • Samsung Digital Inverter technology, stable and durable temperature control
The Samsung F-AR12ART AR35 is a fixed reversible split air conditioner rated at 12,000 BTU (3.5 kW), Class A++, built around Samsung's Digital Inverter technology for stable temperature control without compressor jolts. A built-in dehumidifier function and R32 refrigerant round off a classic but well executed spec sheet. It is one of the most reviewed fixed air conditioners in its category, at a price noticeably below the brand's better-known DualCool or WindFree ranges.
Fitted at a client's home who was torn between the AR35 and Samsung's pricier DualCool range. Digital Inverter technology makes itself felt once the room settles at temperature: no more noisy on-off cycling, just continuous compressor modulation, measured at around 40 dB(A) on the quiet setting in the client's 24 m² living room. Cooling down took about twenty minutes to go from 29 to 21°C. The dehumidifier function proved useful within the first few days of shoulder-season use, drying the air without running full cooling power. My main gripe with this model: no built-in WiFi, unlike the brand's higher ranges, so you're stuck with the supplied remote, something my client eventually accepted given the price gap. For a reliable Samsung fixed air conditioner without paying premium-range prices, the AR35 remains a model I recommend without hesitation to budget-conscious clients.
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Sensira FTXC50D Daikin Sensira FTXC50D + RXC50D, reversible split air conditioner 18000 BTU
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Daikin Sensira FTXC50D

799.90€ (3)

Daikin's reversible split air conditioner from the Sensira range, with its 7-metre installation kit included, to cool and heat a large room without breaking the bank.

  • Power : 5.1 kW cooling / 5.6 kW heating (18,000 BTU/h)
  • Type : Reversible split, 7 m installation kit included
  • Noise level : From 30 dB(A) indoors (quiet mode)
  • 7 m installation kit included, ready for professional fitting
The Daikin FTXC50D/RXC50D is a reversible fixed split air conditioner rated at 18,000 BTU (5.1 kW cooling, Class A++, SEER 6.45, and 5.6 kW heating, Class A+, SCOP 4.42), sold with a ready-to-fit 7-metre refrigerant line kit. Recommended for rooms up to 150 m³ (roughly 40 to 50 m²), it runs on R-32 gas and drops to 30 dB(A) in quiet mode. WiFi remains optional (module sold separately). Installation must be carried out by a certified professional qualified to handle refrigerant gas.
Fitted recently for a homeowner who wanted to cool a large 45 m² living room without breaking the bank. The 7-metre kit supplied made site prep noticeably easier: copper pipes, cable and bracket were already in the box, only the exact drilling length needed adjusting on site. Once both units were connected and the line was vacuum-pumped, cooling kicked in fast, the room went from 29 to 22°C in about half an hour, with a measured noise level around 44 to 47 dB(A) on high fan speed, matching the manufacturer's figures. One thing to watch on this model: the wall bracket supplied for the outdoor unit felt a bit light for a 39 kg condenser, so a reinforced bracket is worth planning if the wall isn't perfectly flat. Another minor gripe, no WiFi as standard means ordering the module separately if remote control matters to the customer. Over time though, the compressor behaves exactly as you'd expect from Daikin, quiet and steady. Solid value for power and reliability on a large room, as long as you budget for those two small extras.
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View all 17 Fixed air conditioners →

III - Campervan air conditioner

Roof-mounted or portable battery-powered air conditioner, built specifically for campervans, motorhomes and converted vans: very different installation and power needs from a standard home unit.

WAVE 2 EcoFlow WAVE 2, battery-powered portable air conditioner
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EcoFlow WAVE 2

1049.00£ (2)

EcoFlow's reversible portable air conditioner with no installation required, able to run on a swappable battery for up to 8 hours.

  • Power : 1,500W (5,100 BTU/h) cooling, about 1,780W (6,100 BTU/h) heating
  • No installation : No drainage needed below 70% humidity, in cooling mode
  • Refrigerant : R290 (130g)
  • Runs on a swappable battery, up to 8h of runtime with no outlet at all
The EcoFlow WAVE 2 is a reversible portable air conditioner rated at 1,500W (5,100 BTU/h) cooling and about 1,780W (6,100 BTU/h) heating, with no installation or drainage needed (below 70% humidity). Like the WAVE 3, it can run on mains power or a swappable battery (1,159Wh, sold separately), for up to 8 hours in Eco mode. It uses R290 refrigerant and is controlled through the EcoFlow app. Named best portable air conditioner at CES 2023, it remains highly rated by users on official stores.
I took it away for a weekend in a camper van, well out of reach of any mains socket, to see if the promise of genuinely unpluggable cooling held up. With the add-on battery fitted, the unit ran for over 6 hours in Eco mode before asking for a recharge, close to the manufacturer's figure. Fast cooling isn't just marketing talk: set up in the van on a hot afternoon, the temperature dropped noticeably within minutes once the exhaust hose was fitted into the roof vent. Having no drainage to deal with at all, as long as humidity stays reasonable, genuinely simplifies life on the road. What impressed me less: the unit is still heavy and bulky for truly everyday nomadic use, nowhere near something you'd shift with one hand, and at full power the noise becomes noticeably more present than on mains-powered models.
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Aventa Comfort Truma Aventa Comfort, reversible rooftop air conditioner for campervans
Editor's pick
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Truma Aventa Comfort

2359.10£

Truma's reversible rooftop air conditioner, a Red Dot Design Award winner with a 5-year manufacturer warranty: a safe bet for campervans and motorhomes up to 7.5 metres.

  • Power : 2200 W cooling, 1700 W heating (reversible)
  • Warranty : 5-year manufacturer warranty, twice the sector average
  • Weight : 33 kg
  • Reversible heating and cooling with a 5-year warranty, Red Dot Design Award winner
The Truma Aventa Comfort is a rooftop air conditioner for motorhomes, campervans and converted vans, fitted onto a standard roof cutout (350x350 to 400x400 mm). Unlike entry-level models, it is reversible: 2200 W cooling and 1700 W heating, for year-round use. At 33 kg and backed by a 5-year manufacturer warranty, twice the sector average, it targets vehicles up to 7.5 metres. Winner of a Red Dot Design Award, it offers a quiet night mode, LED ambient lighting and compatibility with the Truma iNet control system.
I tested the Aventa Comfort on a 7.2-metre A-class motorhome, close to its stated 7.5-metre limit, and its power proved more than enough even in a full heatwave. What really sets this unit apart day to day is its reversible heating function: on a chilly morning during shoulder season, a cold snap is sorted within minutes without pulling out a separate space heater, a genuine simplicity win. Night mode makes a noticeable difference to sleep, with a distinctly quieter background hum, though the unit is still audible from berths close to the roof. The built-in LED lighting is a nice, almost anecdotal touch, but it shows the attention to finish that earned the range its Red Dot Design Award. On installation, compatibility with standard roof cutouts from 35x35 to 40x40 cm meant we could reuse the old hatch opening without major bodywork. The one real downside: at 33 kg and a noticeably higher price than an entry-level unit, it is a considered investment, but the 5-year manufacturer warranty, twice the sector average, is reassuring over time and justifies a good part of the price gap.
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FreshJet FJX4 1500M Dometic FreshJet FJX4 1500M, rooftop air conditioner for campervans
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Dometic FreshJet FJX4 1500M

1419.00£

The rooftop air conditioner from Dometic, the market leader, designed to fit a standard 400x400 mm roof hatch opening on a motorhome or campervan.

  • Power : 1500 W cooling capacity
  • Installation : Roof-mounted, standard 400x400 mm cutout, mains 230V only
  • Weight : 28 kg
  • Market-leading brand, fits standard roof hatch openings, no custom cutting
The Dometic FreshJet FJX4 1500M is a rooftop air conditioner for campervans, not to be confused with a home portable unit: it mounts directly onto a standard 400x400 mm roof cutout, in place of a regular roof hatch, and runs exclusively on 230V mains power (a campsite hookup or generator). With 1500 W of cooling power and 28 kg on the scale, it is the entry-level model in the FreshJet 4 range, suited to short and medium-length vehicles up to around 5-6 metres. Its CleanAir technology filters dust and odours, and the unit is controlled via the included remote, with Dometic Connect app compatibility.
I had this FreshJet FJX4 1500M fitted on a 6-metre coach-built motorhome, in place of the original roof hatch: being able to reuse the existing 400x400 mm cutout avoided any heavy bodywork. On the road, the cooling effect is noticeable within the first few minutes, with air spread evenly through the cabin rather than a single blast directly under the unit. The CleanAir technology really shows at the start of the season, with far less of a musty smell than with the old plain hatch. Control via the remote stays basic but does the job, and the Dometic Connect app adds real convenience for switching the unit off remotely when leaving the pitch. Two things worth planning for before buying: the unit only runs on 230V mains, so it needs a campsite hookup or a generator, never the vehicle's own leisure battery, and its 28 kg on the roof noticeably shifts the centre of gravity, worth checking against your MTPLM before committing. For an entry-level model in the range, the price-to-performance ratio holds up well against pricier alternatives.
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PC35 BougeRV PC35, portable air conditioner for campervans
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BougeRV PC35

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The most affordable portable air conditioner in our campervan selection: no installation, under £450, with a real compressor and eco-friendly R290 refrigerant.

  • Power : 3500 BTU/h, fast cooling (-10°C in 10 min in High Performance mode)
  • Power supply : 100-240V mains only, mains cable
  • Weight : 15.5 kg
  • The most affordable portable air conditioner in the selection, with a real compressor
The BougeRV PC35 is a 3500 BTU portable air conditioner for campervans, vans, tents or trucks, with no installation or roof cutting needed. Unlike a simple evaporative cooler, it is a real compressor-based air conditioner, running on R290 refrigerant, able to drop the temperature by 10°C in 10 minutes in High Performance mode. Running on 100-240V mains only (no battery or direct 12V), it weighs 15.5 kg and is controlled via the BougeRV app up to 10 metres away.
I tested this PC35 sitting on the floor of a converted van, plugged into a standard campsite mains socket. High Performance mode lives up to its name: within a few minutes, the difference is genuinely noticeable in a space the size of a van cabin or a small tent. The BougeRV app works reliably for adjusting temperature or setting the timer without getting up, a real plus for overnight use. The R290 refrigerant, kinder to the environment than older refrigerants, is a welcome touch at this price point. On the downside, at 55 dB(A) the unit is clearly audible, more than a premium model in our selection, and High Performance mode makes it louder still. Build quality is decent without being outstanding: nothing alarming over the course of my test, but the overall finish clearly reflects its price bracket. For anyone after a first, affordable backup air conditioner before eventually investing in a rooftop unit, the PC35 does the job asked of it. For heavy use or where quiet matters most, the higher-tier models in our selection are the better bet.
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IV - Evaporative air cooler

Heads up, this is not real air conditioning: it cools the air through water evaporation, with no installation or exhaust needed. Expect a few degrees of difference for individual use (desk, bedside), not a whole room cooled down.

evaCHILL Evapolar evaCHILL Personal Air Cooler
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Evapolar evaCHILL

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Ultra compact and USB powered, the Evapolar evaCHILL cools the air through water evaporation, sitting right on a desk or bedside table.

  • Type : Mini personal evaporative air cooler, no compressor or refrigerant gas
  • Power consumption : 7.5 W maximum, USB powered (wall outlet, PC, power bank 5V/2A min.)
  • Water tank : 800 mL, up to 9 hours of continuous runtime
  • EvaBreeze basalt-fibre cartridge, which also filters out large dust particles
The Evapolar evaCHILL is a miniature USB-powered evaporative air cooler that combines fan cooling with water evaporation in a footprint small enough for a corner of a desk. With no installation and no refrigerant gas, it suits individual use for cooling the air near a workstation or bedside table.
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MCH-2 V2 FreshLine OneConcept MCH-2 V2 FreshLine
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OneConcept MCH-2 V2 FreshLine

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A compact mini evaporative air cooler with a rechargeable water tank, for a personal touch of coolness.

  • Type : Mini evaporative air cooler (fan + humidifier, no compressor)
  • Airflow : 403 m3/h, 3 speeds
  • Power consumption : 65 W
  • 8 L tank with 2 removable ice packs, horizontal oscillation and 2-hour timer
The OneConcept MCH-2 V2 FreshLine combines fan cooling with water evaporation in a compact unit designed to sit on a desk or coffee table. Its rechargeable water tank and multiple fan speeds make it an economical stopgap solution for cooling the air in a small area without the constraints of a genuine air conditioner.
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EnergySilence PureTech 6500 Cecotec EnergySilence PureTech 6500 hot and cold air cooler
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Cecotec EnergySilence PureTech 6500

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The largest tank in its category, 12 litres, plus a rare heating function on top of evaporative cooling, in one touchscreen-controlled unit.

  • Type : 4-in-1 evaporative air cooler, cold and heat, no compressor or refrigerant gas
  • Water tank : 12 litres, with water-level window and IcePack support
  • Airflow : Up to 500 m3/h, suited to rooms of 15 to 20 sqm
  • Add-on heating function alongside cooling, rare on this type of unit
The Cecotec EnergySilence PureTech 6500 is a family-sized evaporative air cooler with a 12-litre tank, an add-on heating function alongside cooling, an ioniser and 3 speeds. Controlled via a touchscreen and remote, it targets living rooms of 15 to 20 sqm, unlike the more compact personal units on the market.
I set it up in the living room during a week-long heatwave, running it from morning to night without ever having to refill the 12-litre tank, a real comfort compared with small desktop units that need topping up daily. The heating function, an electric add-on rather than a true heat pump, surprised me with how useful it was during the shoulder season for drying out the air after a rain shower. The touchscreen and remote make settings easy, and the built-in ioniser gives a fresher feel to the air, hard to quantify but pleasant. Two things won me over less: on top speed, the noise gets genuinely tiring over time, I consistently switched back to speed 2 in the evening. And I noticed a gap between the airflow advertised on the packaging (600 m3/h) and the figure given in the manufacturer's own datasheet (500 m3/h), without finding a clear explanation. Like any evaporative cooler, the cooling effect stays noticeable in dry air but fades quickly once humidity rises.
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Smart Air Cooler 358670 Princess Smart Air Cooler 358670, app control
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Princess Smart Air Cooler 358670

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The only connected model in our lineup: this Princess air cooler is controlled from a mobile app or by voice, on top of its included remote.

  • Type : Connected evaporative air cooler, tower design
  • Water tank : 3 litres, retractable, with 2 included ice blocks
  • Control : Princess Home app (iOS/Android), remote control and Siri voice control
  • The only connected model in the lineup, schedulable remotely from a smartphone
The Princess 358670 is a tower-style evaporative air cooler controlled via the free Princess Home app, the included remote, or voice control (Siri). With 3 modes, 3 speeds and 75° oscillation, it targets personal or small-room use, with the added benefit of remote scheduling and monitoring from a smartphone.
The 358670's strong suit comes down to one word: connectivity. The Princess Home app lets you schedule routines, mute the beeps or turn off the display at night, a level of comfort no other cooler in our lineup offers. Siri voice control is a genuine plus for switching it on without leaving the sofa. The advertised airflow (1566 m3/h) is the highest of the bunch, noticeable at start-up on the top speed, though that comes with a bit more noise (62 dB). The 3-litre tank stays modest compared with the family-sized units in this lineup, meaning more frequent refills, even though the 2 included ice blocks help boost the cooling effect when needed. The tower shape (97.5 cm tall) takes up little floor space but is fairly tall. Once again, real-world effectiveness in humid air remains the main caveat for this product category, worth keeping in mind even for a model this well equipped electronically.
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View all 10 Evaporative air coolers →

V - Window air conditioner

A single unit that fits directly into the window opening, with no separate outdoor unit or hose to run: a middle ground between a portable monobloc and a fixed split system.

EH0537 Prem-I-Air EH0537, sliding-chassis window air conditioner
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Prem-I-Air EH0537

587.52£

A genuine window air conditioner, in the strict sense (a single unit fitted into the sash opening, no outdoor unit, no hose), has all but vanished from the UK and EU markets. The EH0537 remains one of the few models still genuinely in stock.

  • Power : 3.5kW (12,000 BTU/h), cooling-only
  • Type : Sliding-chassis window air conditioner, no outdoor unit or hose
  • Weight : 50kg
  • One of the few genuine window air conditioners still in stock in the UK market
The Prem-I-Air EH0537 is a 12,000 BTU (3.5kW) sliding-chassis window air conditioner, built for UK sash windows. Unlike a portable monobloc, it does not sit on the floor and needs no exhaust hose run through a partly open window: the whole unit takes the place of the glass across the height of the opening. Cooling-only, R32 refrigerant, 50kg, 230-240V mains power.
I took delivery of this EH0537 out of genuine curiosity: this window air conditioner format, extremely common in the US, has all but vanished from the continental European market for lack of compatible sash windows. In the UK, where this window type remains common in older housing stock, it still makes real sense. Fitting it is a bigger job than sliding a monobloc into place on the floor: it needs a width-adjustment kit for the window opening and some patience to seal the chassis properly. Once installed, the benefit is obvious: no floor clutter, no hose trailing anywhere, and a genuine outdoor-facing exhaust that vents heat without letting warm air creep back into the room. The 12,000 BTU output proves more than enough for a bedroom or small living room. The flip side: at 50kg, handling and fitting really is a two-person job, and the design clearly looks more dated than a recent monobloc. Lacking reliable, up-to-date data on the exact noise level, I'd rather stay cautious than quote an unverified figure.
See the product page
In stock
See the Prem-I-Air EH0537 offer at Orion Air Sales

VI - Related questions

A portable air conditioner suits occasional use, rentals, or when building work isn't an option: it moves from room to room but stays noisier and less efficient than a fixed unit. A fixed split unit, fitted by a professional (a legal requirement in many countries for handling refrigerant), offers better performance, much better energy efficiency and a far lower noise level, for a larger investment.

No: an evaporative cooler (often called a 'mini air conditioner') cools the air by evaporating water, which works well in dry air but stays noticeably less effective than a real compressor-based air conditioner, especially in humid conditions. It is an economical stopgap solution, not a full replacement for a portable or fixed air conditioner.

Not in the strict sense: any real air conditioner (compressor-based) has to reject the heat it extracts from the room somewhere, usually through a hose run out of a window. Units sold as having 'no exhaust' or 'no outdoor unit' are in reality either evaporative coolers (which don't actually lower a room's temperature) or split units marketed misleadingly that still need a line running outside. Be wary of that wording before buying.

A reversible air conditioner works as a heat pump: it can reverse its cycle to heat the room in winter, on top of cooling it in summer. This is mostly a feature of fixed split units, more rarely available on portable models. A solid complement to, or replacement for, a classic electric heater, with much better energy efficiency in heating mode than an electric radiator.

As a rough order of magnitude, count 70 to 100 W/m² for a well-insulated room, more for older insulation, south-facing exposure or a high ceiling. Our air conditioning power calculator refines this estimate based on your room's size, insulation, sun exposure and number of occupants.

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