Portable air conditioners: our selection and buying guide
Our selection
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.
We have followed buyer feedback on this PortaSplit closely, and one point keeps coming up: it is the first portable air conditioner that genuinely feels like a fixed split system. The difference is most noticeable at night, the outdoor unit takes the compressor noise with it, leaving only the fan hum indoors. Installation, window sealing kit included, really does take under 30 minutes with no drilling. On running costs, users who tracked their usage report reasonable figures (roughly £0.50 to £2 a day in summer), far below the usual worries around portable AC bills. Two things are worth knowing before buying: at 45.5 kg total, the unit moves between rooms but doesn't handle like a simple monobloc on wheels, and the rigid 2 metre refrigerant line means the placement of both units needs planning ahead. One isolated review also mentions the cooling mode eventually dropping to fan-only after weeks of heavy use, worth watching during the warranty period. The price sits above a basic monobloc, but the day-to-day comfort gap, quiet operation and a genuine heating boost in shoulder seasons, feels well worth it to us.
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.
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.
The Pinguino PAC EX100 has been racking up reviews since 2016, and the pattern that emerges is fairly consistent: an effective air conditioner that genuinely cools, but a "Silent" name best taken with a pinch of salt. Several users confirm it runs reasonably quietly once the target temperature is reached, but the compressor at full power stays clearly audible, much like nearly every monobloc portable unit. The dehumidifier function is regularly praised as a real plus, useful outside heatwave season too. The point that comes up most in less favourable reviews concerns the remote, seen as basic, with no display for the set temperature, and the total absence of WiFi or app connectivity, a choice that feels a little dated next to newer models. One faulty unit was also reported, barely cooling at all, with the buyer describing Amazon's after-sales support as unsatisfactory, an isolated case but worth knowing about. For a room of 20 to 40 m² in typical summer use, the Pinguino EX100 remains a solid, proven choice, carried by De'Longhi's established reputation in this segment, as long as you don't expect absolute silence from it.
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.
- Type : Monobloc portable
- Cooling capacity : 10000 BTU/h (2600 W)
- Energy class : A
- Air conditioning, dehumidifying (34 L/day) and fan functions in a single unit, with a quiet night mode
The Argo Relax Style is a compact monobloc portable air conditioner with an exhaust hose and several fan speeds. Suited to a medium-sized bedroom or home office, it genuinely lowers the room temperature with no building work required, backed by the reliability of the Italian brand Argo.
Comfee Breezy Cool 2.6
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The connected portable air conditioner with arguably the best value for money on the market: app, Alexa, Google Home, 9000 BTU, at a price well below the segment average.
- Power : 2.6 kW (9000 BTU/h)
- Connectivity : MSmart Home app, works with Alexa and Google Home
- Noise level : 53 to 64 dB(A) depending on fan speed
- Among the best value for money in its category, with connected control included
The Comfee Breezy Cool 2.6 is a 3-in-1 monobloc portable air conditioner (cooling, ventilation, dehumidifying) rated at 9000 BTU/h (2.6 kW), controlled through the MSmart Home app and compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. A Midea group brand, Comfee bets on aggressive value for money: a sliding window kit is included, standby power drops to 0.5 W, the refrigerant is eco-friendly R290, and it carries a 2-year warranty. Noise level, regularly flagged in reviews, remains the main thing to watch with this model.
With over 1,200 Amazon reviews, the Breezy Cool 2.6 is probably the most talked-about portable air conditioner in its category, and the message coming through is remarkably consistent: it genuinely cools well for the price, but it's noisy. One buyer who tracked it over a full year, including the 2026 heatwave, reports a measured 10°C drop across 25 m² at full power and 8°C on a lower setting, while stressing the need for a well-insulated home for the unit to deliver on its promise. Control via the MSmart Home app works for the vast majority of users, with Alexa/Google Home compatibility a nice touch at this price point. The recurring downside across nearly every review, even the most positive, is noise level: several buyers ended up building their own soundproofing (extra sleeve around the exhaust hose, anti-vibration pads) to make the unit bearable at night. The supplied window sealing kit is also seen by some as room for improvement, with too few fixings. For daytime living-room or office use, where noise matters less, the Breezy Cool 2.6 remains a very defensible choice; for a bedroom, it's worth planning some acoustic treatment or looking at a more premium model.
Klarstein Kraftwerk Smart 10K
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A connected portable air conditioner that cools fast: 10,000 BTU, WiFi app control, works with Alexa and Google Home, claimed setup in under 5 minutes.
- Power : 2.9 kW (10,000 BTU)
- Connectivity : WiFi, Klarstein app, works with Alexa and Google Home
- Noise level : 48 dB(A) minimum to 65 dB(A) maximum
- Cools a 35 m² office by 1.5°C in 90 minutes according to an independent test
The Klarstein Kraftwerk Smart 10K is a 3-in-1 portable air conditioner (cooling, ventilation, dehumidifying) rated at 10,000 BTU (2.9 kW), energy class A, controlled via WiFi, the Klarstein app, Amazon Alexa or Google Home. An independent test scores it 90/100, praising its cooling ability (up to 1.5°C in 90 minutes across a 35 m² office) and quick setup. Noise level, even in night mode, remains the main thing to check before bedroom use.
The independent test we reviewed, carried out on a 35 m² office, sets the tone: the Kraftwerk Smart 10K cools quickly and effectively, with a measured 1.5°C drop in just 90 minutes. Setup, claimed to take under 5 minutes, matches what most buyers report, window kit included. Control through the Klarstein app works properly, with Alexa and Google Home compatibility a nice bonus for a unit at this price point. The downside most consistently mentioned is noise level: even in night mode, measurements stay around 48 to 52 dB(A), a decent figure on paper but one that, in real bedroom use, doesn't suit every light sleeper, with several reviews outright advising against prolonged nighttime use right next to the bed. Other minor practical gripes: a power cord seen as a touch short (1.5 m) and a remote supplied without its CR2032 batteries. For quickly cooling a daytime room, office or living room, the performance-to-price ratio remains solid; for a bedroom, it's better to keep it away from the bed or accept a trade-off on night-time quiet.
Whirlpool PACW212CO
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A portable air conditioner from a major appliance name, with an Around U function that tracks the temperature around you via a sensor built into the remote.
- Power : 3.5 kW claimed (12,000 BTU/h), 3.1 kW measured in an independent test
- Around U function : Temperature sensor in the remote, automatic adjustment up to 7 m
- Filtration : Built-in HEPA filter (particles larger than 0.3 micron)
- Around U function: the AC adjusts to the temperature around you, not just near the unit
The Whirlpool PACW212CO is a 3.5 kW monobloc portable air conditioner (12,000 BTU/h claimed), designed for rooms of 20 to 30 m². Its Around U function houses a temperature sensor in the remote, automatically adjusting cooling based on where you actually are, up to 7 metres from the unit. It also includes a HEPA filter, automatic vertical swing and an Auto Clean function. An independent Which?-style test, however, measured real-world power and energy class somewhat below the manufacturer's declared figures.
The PACW212CO carries a solid review base (4.2/5 across 219 votes), with feedback regularly praising a noticeably fresh feel within one to two hours, in 30 m² rooms during peak summer. The Around U function, which adjusts cooling based on the remote's actual position rather than just the zone near the unit, is a genuine differentiator rarely seen at this price point. An independent consumer test, however, offers a more nuanced picture: measured cooling capacity (3.1 kW) and real energy class (B) both fall short of Whirlpool's declared figures (3.5 kW, class A), a gap worth knowing before comparing this model against rivals on spec sheets alone. The compressor stays noisy at startup, much like nearly every monobloc unit, and a poorly supplied manual is the most frequent complaint from buyers, several of whom had to search for instructions online. The HEPA filter is a genuine plus for allergy-prone households. Overall, an honest air conditioner with thoughtful ergonomics (handles, multi-directional castors, self-clean mode), as long as you approach the manufacturer's headline figures with a bit of caution.
EcoFlow WAVE 3
799.00£ (3)
EcoFlow's portable air conditioner that cools and heats without a power outlet, thanks to a swappable battery lasting up to 8 hours.
- Power : 1,800W (6,100 BTU/h) cooling, 2,000W (6,800 BTU/h) heating
- Battery runtime : Up to 8h in Eco mode with the 1,024Wh battery (sold separately)
- Refrigerant : R290, more environmentally friendly
- Runs fully cordless thanks to its swappable battery, a rarity in this segment
The EcoFlow WAVE 3 is a reversible portable air conditioner rated at 1,800W (6,100 BTU/h) cooling and 2,000W (6,800 BTU/h) heating, designed for 11 to 18 m² spaces (tent, van, mobile home, small room). What sets it apart: it can run on mains power or, with its swappable 1,024Wh battery (sold separately), completely cordless, for up to 8 hours in Eco mode. Controlled through the EcoFlow app, it uses R290 refrigerant and recharges at 1,000W in 75 minutes via mains, car socket or solar.
The WAVE 3 marks a genuine break from conventional portable air conditioners: its ability to run entirely on battery power, up to 8 hours in Eco mode, makes it an appliance built for a van, mobile home or garden without easy access to a mains outlet. The independent tests we reviewed unanimously praise its fast cooling, with a measured multi-degree temperature drop within a quarter of an hour, and its versatility: the heating function, rare on this type of appliance, allows year-round use. Control through the EcoFlow app is rated as reliable, with an automatic mode that adjusts power based on ambient temperature. The concerns raised are consistent across reviews: a steep price once the battery is added (the air conditioner alone already sits at the premium end), weight and bulk that limit true portability despite the name, and a noise level that climbs noticeably at maximum power, around 58 to 60 dB(A). Reviews on the official store are more mixed on the UK site (3.9/5 across 9 reviews) than the enthusiasm found in independent test articles, a gap worth keeping in mind before buying, though its precise cause isn't something we can pin down from the outside. For committed off-grid use, with a comfortable budget, the WAVE 3 remains one of the few genuinely standalone air conditioning solutions on the market.
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.
The WAVE 2 paved the way for battery-powered portable air conditioners at EcoFlow, and remains a solid choice today, named best portable air conditioner at CES 2023. Reviews on the UK official store are very positive (4.7/5, though the sample is small), praising the complete lack of installation, no drainage at all needed in cooling mode as long as humidity stays below 70%, a genuine simplicity win over conventional portable air conditioners. The independent tests we reviewed confirm fast cooling, with a measured 10°C temperature drop in 5 minutes under favourable conditions, and an appreciated heating function that extends use into autumn. The same tests note that the unit still remains fairly bulky for genuinely daily nomadic use, that the add-on battery represents a substantial investment, and that noise level climbs noticeably at full power. Against the newer, more powerful WAVE 3, the WAVE 2 keeps one strong argument: its compatibility with an EcoFlow battery fleet some users already own, plus often more aggressive pricing on refurbished or end-of-line units.
DREO AC318S
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The portable air conditioner that promises to (almost) never need emptying by hand: patented automatic evaporation system, 7500 BTU, app, voice or remote control.
- Power : 2.2 kW (7500 BTU)
- Connectivity : WiFi, DREO app, compatible with Alexa, Google Home and Siri
- Noise level : 45 dB(A) on the quietest setting (61 dB sound power)
- Patented drainage-free system, working up to 90% ambient humidity
The DREO AC318S is a 3-in-1 portable air conditioner (cooling, fan, dehumidifying) rated at 7500 BTU, whose main selling point is its drainage-free system: condensation water is automatically re-evaporated, even up to 90% ambient humidity. Rated Class A, it lists a 45 dB(A) noise level on its quietest setting and a 4.3 metre cooling reach. Controllable via the DREO app, voice (Alexa, Google Home, Siri) or a remote control, it includes a universal window kit compatible with most European windows. The main thing to watch is availability, currently limited among retailers.
The AC318S's central claim, its drainage-free system, broadly holds up according to the reviews we looked at: most users confirm never having had to empty a tank, even during extended summer use, with the re-evaporation algorithm genuinely doing what it promises. The noise level, around 45 dB(A) on the quiet setting, is also praised as one of the unit's strengths, with several buyers describing it as usable in a bedroom overnight without disturbance, partly thanks to the sleep mode that reduces fan speed while letting the temperature drift up slightly. Control via the DREO app works well for most, and compatibility with all three major voice assistants (Alexa, Google Home and Siri) is a genuine plus rarely offered at this price point. The universal window kit, with a modular panel suited to tilt-and-turn and sliding windows alike, is also appreciated for its flexibility across European window types. The most significant caveat is not about the unit itself but its availability: at the time of writing, the AC318S is regularly out of stock among retailers, which strongly limits the chances of an immediate purchase. One technical point worth watching, as with many connected air conditioners, a minority of reviews mention occasional WiFi disconnections requiring a restart. For anyone prioritising quiet nights and no drainage hassle, the AC318S remains a solid choice, provided you can actually find it in stock.
Temprium 7000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
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A budget-friendly 7000 BTU portable air conditioner, with app, remote and Alexa/Google Assistant control, for rooms up to 20 m².
- Power : 2 kW (7000 BTU)
- Connectivity : Mobile app, 7 m remote, compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Noise level : 48 dB(A)
- Budget-friendly price for a connected portable air conditioner with a European window kit included
The Temprium 7000 BTU portable air conditioner is a 3-in-1 monobloc unit (cooling, fan, dehumidifying), rated Energy Class A, designed for rooms up to 20 m². Controllable via touch panel, a remote with 7 metre range, or a mobile app compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, it lists a 48 dB(A) noise level and a sleep mode that gradually raises temperature by 2°C over 4 hours. Supplied with a window kit compatible with most European windows, it is an entry-level pick for anyone after a connected air conditioner without a high budget.
With over 350 Amazon reviews and a 4.1 out of 5 rating on the French listing, this Temprium unit clearly sits in the budget segment of connected portable air conditioning, and the feedback broadly reflects that positioning: effective cooling for the price in medium-sized rooms, without claiming to rival units costing two or three times as much. App control works for most users, and Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility is appreciated at this price point. Sleep mode, which reduces fan speed and lets the temperature drift up gradually, is cited by several buyers as comfortable for bedroom use, even though the 48 dB(A) noise level remains audible for the lightest sleepers. The main thing to watch is the automatic evaporation system, presented by the manufacturer as greatly reducing the need for draining, but which, according to the manufacturer's own documentation, can still require occasional manual draining in high humidity or after extended dehumidifying use, a nuance sometimes missing from marketing copy. Another serious point to know before buying: availability is inconsistent across markets, with shipping estimates sometimes running to several months during certain periods. For a first budget connected portable air conditioner, without a strict requirement for absolute silence or high cooling power, this Temprium model remains a reasonable option, provided you check real availability at the time of purchase.
Related questions
As a rule of thumb, allow around 100 to 120 BTU per m² for a well-insulated room: roughly 5,000 to 7,000 BTU for a 15 to 20 m² bedroom, 9,000 to 12,000 BTU for a 25 to 35 m² living room. South-facing exposure, high ceilings or poor insulation noticeably increase these needs.
It depends on the system. Entry-level models require manual draining of an internal tank every few hours to a few days depending on humidity. Units with automatic evaporation systems greatly reduce this chore, some advertising drainage-free operation up to a high humidity level, though occasional manual draining may still be needed under heavy dehumidifying use.
Power draw typically ranges from 700 to 1,300 W depending on cooling capacity and mode, working out to roughly £0.15 to £0.40 per hour of use at typical electricity rates. Energy class (A to A+++) and sensible use (closed windows, a shaded room) help keep this consumption down.
Most supplied kits fit standard casement and tilt-and-turn windows. For sliding windows, patio doors or unusual setups, an additional sealing kit, not included in the box, may be needed for a proper installation.
A classic monobloc unit is more affordable and simpler to install, but its compressor sits inside the room and generates noise. A mobile split system, with an outdoor unit mounted on the window, cuts indoor noise significantly and improves efficiency, at a higher price and slightly less flexible installation.