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Best Portable Air Conditioners Under $300

Updated August 2023
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
SereneLife SLPAC805W.5 Portable Air Conditioner
SereneLife
SLPAC805W.5 Portable Air Conditioner
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Portable Power
Bottom Line

This small AC unit easily mounts on your window and works with smart devices, and includes a remote.

Pros

Cools rooms up to 300 square feet. It's an AC, a dehumidifier, and a fan in 1 portable device. You can control it 3 different ways. A built-in-timer keeps it running for pets and a cool home to arrive to.

Cons

It's too small for some people's needs.

Best Bang for the Buck
Rosewill RHPA - 18001 Portable Air Conditioner
Rosewill
RHPA - 18001 Portable Air Conditioner
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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

At 51.8 pounds, this is a lightweight machine with excellent cooling power.

Pros

The 8,000-Btu cooling power works well for small apartments or cooling a single room. Comparable power to more expensive models. Self-evaporative and lightweight.

Cons

Some reports of leaks.

Shinco 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Zafro
8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

Cool up to 350 square feet with this unit that doubles and triples as a dehumidifier and fan.

Pros

The installation kit makes it easy to set up. The fast-cooling tech inside is ideal for apartments and bedrooms. Low noise operation keeps it subtle while you're trying to relax. You can easily transport it from space to space.

Cons

Some are underwhelmed by the dehumidifying function, and drainage design.

Midea 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
Midea
3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
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Best for Small Spaces
Bottom Line

A highly affordable 3-in-1 unit that matches the power of more expensive models.

Pros

Built-in rollers make it easy to maneuver this portable unit. Cools rooms up to 300 square feet efficiently. Sleek design fits in well with most home decor.

Cons

Somewhat noisy. Not self-evaporative, and the water reservoir needs to be emptied frequently.

AireMax 10000 BTU 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
AireMax
10000 BTU 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

At 10,000 Btu, this is the most powerful model we considered.

Pros

The impressive cooling power is more than sufficient for rooms up to 300 square feet. Reasonably lightweight at 56.2 pounds. The self-evaporative function works well.

Cons

Fairly loud. Some customers reported a drop off in cooling capability over time.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

Click here for testing insights
30
Models
Considered
60
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
Category cover

When summer arrives and the temperature is hot, almost everyone turns to ACs to help get them through the heat. But not everyone can afford central air and window AC units aren’t great if you want to move about in different rooms in your home. A portable air conditioner might be the best option in this case. They usually come on wheels and only need a window to vent out of to function (and some don’t even need that). Most air conditioners are rated by BTUs (British thermal units) and the higher the BTUs the more powerful the AC. Most portable ACs are somewhere between 3000 and 8000 BTUs. For the average room, 6000 BTUs is great.

Our Top Picks
SereneLife
Best of the Best
SereneLife
SLPAC805W.5 Portable Air Conditioner
Bottom Line
This small AC unit easily mounts on your window and works with smart devices, and includes a remote.
Shop Now
Rosewill
Best Bang for the Buck
Rosewill
RHPA - 18001 Portable Air Conditioner
Bottom Line
At 51.8 pounds, this is a lightweight machine with excellent cooling power.
Shop Now
Zafro
Top Pick
Zafro
8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Bottom Line
Cool up to 350 square feet with this unit that doubles and triples as a dehumidifier and fan.
Shop Now
Midea
Top Pick
Midea
3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
Bottom Line
A highly affordable 3-in-1 unit that matches the power of more expensive models.
Shop Now
AireMax
Top Pick
AireMax
10000 BTU 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
Bottom Line
At 10,000 Btu, this is the most powerful model we considered.
Shop Now
Costway
Top Pick
Costway
Portable Air Conditioner
Bottom Line
Compact and highly efficient, this little air conditioner works well for a variety of homes.
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Della
Top Pick
Della
8,000 Btu Portable Air Conditioner | Cooling Fan | Dehumidifier
Bottom Line
Space-saving, portable air conditioner, fan, and dehumidifier in 1, for spot-cooling small interior areas.
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Keystone
Top Pick
Keystone
115V Portable Air Conditioner with "Follow Me" Remote Control
Bottom Line
Self-evaporative air conditioner capable of cooling a room up to 200 square feet.
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Honeywell
Top Pick
Honeywell
470 CFM Indoor Portable Evaporative Cooler with Fan & Humidifier
Bottom Line
Indoor evaporative air cooler, i.e., "swamp cooler," for low humidity regions.
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Honeywell
Top Pick
Honeywell
Evaporative 200 CFM Indoor Portable Cooler with Remote Control and Ice Pack
Bottom Line
A spot-cooling unit that works through evaporative cooling, a more natural and less expensive way to cool down than mounted units.
Shop Now

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