The other downside is that the LG usually costs around $100 more than the Mideawhen its available, that is. Thom Dunn is an associate staff writer at Wirecutter reporting on HVAC and other home improvement topics. However, it still comes packed with features. 
Want a portable option for those smaller spaces, Want a little portable device you can take anywhere, Want an affordable portable option for those larger areas, don't mind spending extra for an air conditioner/heater combo. The best cheap air conditioner is the Windmill Air Conditioner, which offers an impressive coverage area while still managing to remain under $425. With an auto-dimming LED display, you can use Google Assistant or Amazon's Alexa to control the unit by voice. Weve added details to our What to look forward to section. Mideas app also offers a sleep curve feature, so you can go to sleep in a blanket of cool air without having to worry about waking up when its too cold to get out of bed. The Frigidaire app is fine overall, and it unlocks some additional functionality, including the units built-in air ionizer.
Subscribe now for unlimited access. Mideas smart-feature functionality (both the app interface and voice commands) are relatively welcoming and easy to figure out. Unlike the single-hose portables we typically recommend, the Duo has a unique hose-in-hose setup where the exhaust and intake are split into two separate conduits contained within a single larger tube, making it even more efficient. The Black+Decker isnt hard to set up or maintain, but you do need a screwdriver to install the window panel or remove the filters; this isnt terrible, but its also not as easy to deal with as the installation for the Midea and Frigidaire models we tested. Our tests have borne this out over the years, as well; weve seen supposedly efficient models that barely made a dent in cooling rooms they were appropriately sized for. The Midea Duos self-contained dual-hose setup and powerful inverter compressor make it better at dialing in a precise comfort level while being quieter and more effective than other machines overall. Keep your cool with these air conditioners that won't break the bank. In our tests, it was also remarkably effective at distributing the cool air, never leaving more than a 1-degree temperature difference across the room. The Duos swinging fan is a rotating cylinder that sits on top of the unit and does an impressive job of spreading the cool air around the room. It is a smart air conditioner that goes right into your window, its sleek design requiring a very small footprint. We tested several new Honeywell models in 2022 as well, having previously recommended the companys HL14CES as an also-great until it was discontinued.
A convenient guide is included to steer installation in the right direction.
The haptic control panel is easy enough to use, as you can just touch the buttons instead of pushing them, although they give no real feedback as to whether youve actually activated them. *At the time of publishing, the price was $700. Whereas most compressors run on only two speedson or offthis Midea models variable-speed inverter can adjust to more precisely match the cooling requirements of the given conditions without creating any huge spikes in energy consumption. As we set the units up, rolled them aside, switched from one to another, and fiddled with their vent-hose attachments in the window, we learned a lot about which ones we would get for ourselves or recommend to friends.
On the outside, the Duo resembles any other single-hose portable air conditioner.
It has rough, bumpy casters that felt cheaply made to us but work well enough. While it was slightly quieter than our current budget pick, it also wasnt as powerful. When using the AC, keep it as close to the window as you can, with as many of the accordion ribs collapsed as possible, so the hose is as short and straight as you can make it. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. After taking another look at it, we concluded that its still a great portable air conditioner, but we didnt think the cumbersome bulk of the second hose added enough to the efficiency or experience to set this model apart for most people. The air conditioner comes with a 30-day, no-questions-asked return policy, just in case you are not satisfied with your purchase. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. The Midea Duos top-mounted cylindrical fan is impressively effective at moving air through the room. The LG LP1419IVSM was our top pick from 2019 to 2021, and its still pretty great if you can find it in stock. Thom Dunn has written Wirecutter guides to window air conditioners, room fans, space heaters, and more. The Midea Duo came with one of the most robust window-installation kits weve ever seen, with enough customizable options to help you make it fit almost any window.
This portable AC offers plenty of thoughtful features, including a variable-speed dual-rotor compressor, a built-in hose for easier setup, and a convenient storage pocket. Set up is made simple so you can start using your air conditioner right away. This unit is one that is easily portable and offers a simplified set-up process to get you started. However, its window-installation kit wasnt quite as robust, and while it offered all the same smart-home capabilities, we encountered some frustrations with the way they worked. Despite all of its features, this model is affordably priced at $310, making it a far more affordable and economical pick than many of the other options out there. It also produced the most uneven range of frequencies: We measured peaks around 100 Hz (like the low end of a guitar) and then again at the high range of 4,500 Hz, 5,500 Hz, and 9,000 Hz (like a bunch of cymbals and sibilant s sounds). However, buying a new air conditioner may not always be in your immediate budget, even if it is an immediate need. Sometimes his curiosity gets the best of him, such as when he plugged a space heater and a Marshall guitar amp into the same power strip. And a ceiling fan with smart-home controls is even more efficient and convenient. Still, this air conditioner packs in some extra features.
This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. The Duo is also the first new dual-hose model weve called in for testing since 2018, thanks in large part to its unique hose-in-hose design, which places the intake and exhaust hoses side by side within a single larger hose. The unit comes with 8,300 BTU power, giving a bit more than the average air conditioner, so it is enough to cool down a medium-sized space. He is particularly good at being cool. The fact that this hose is anchored to the body of the AC by default also makes it easier to wrangle when youre trying to set the AC up (thus helping you avoid the frustration of securing the hose into the window only to realize that you accidentally pulled it out of the AC, trapping yourself in a clumsy tug-of-war with an exhaust hose).
It is a corded model, so it can only go so far, but there is a handy remote control that comes included to help you control the unit from across the room. The caster wheels and handles make it easy enough to move around on flat areas. It has a similar setup overall, with a built-in hose and a top-mounted fan that makes the AC sound as if its breathing in and out with steady wafts of white noise and cool air, plus all the same smart-home features. It looks and feels sort of budget, but the cost isnt low enough to justify our choosing it as a budget pick.
A digital remote control helps simplify operations, but there is also a digital touch button control panel. Weve been considering and testing air conditioners in general since 2013 and evaluating portable units in particular beginning in 2016. However, the other cheap air conditioners on our list are definitely worth a second look before you buy. The LG is also the heaviest portable AC weve tested. You still need to have a window for a portable AC, however, as a place to vent the heat to the outdoors.
The Duos unique compressor design also means that it operates more quietly than other models, registering around 51 decibels on average (normal conversation reaches about 60 dB). Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. At 73 pounds, the Midea Duo is one of the heavier portable ACs out thereabout 5 pounds more than our budget pick and more than 10 pounds heavier than the convertible dual-hose model we tested from GE. They also look like push buttons, and if you follow your instincts to push themor if youre not sure whether they responded to your tap, and you push a little more just to triple-checkthe whole control panel bows down slightly along with your fingers. We researched and compared pricing as well as features like coverage area, BTU rating, and noise level to find the top affordable AC units available right now. Its one of the quietest portable ACs weve ever tested, too, with a volume that consistently measured below normal conversation levels. Like the other models we tested, the Frigidaire has a drain plug, a washable filter, and mostly seamless smart-home capabilities. The control panel and display on the Duo are large and easy to navigate, with just a few LEDs that are subtle enough that they probably wont keep you awake at night. This design is easier to manage than the hoses on other models we testedsome project awkwardly out of the back, sit perpendicular to the unit, or are completely detachable so they must be stored separately and can be misplaced. And its definitely a powerful beast, with the kind of fan that you can still feel blowing on your skin from 15 feet away. ZDNet's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. Although the hose has some nice touches such as a lattice over the exhaust port and a nice cloth sheath to dress up the otherwise unsightly plastic accordion tube, this model also came with the least modular window-panel options. The biggest appeal of the Lowes-exclusive GE APWD07JASG is that you can configure it as a single-hose model out of the box or turn it into a dual-hose AC with the help of an $80 conversion kit. So were sticking with the Black+Decker, and you should, too. Although our testing has shown that dual-hose models tend to outperform some single-hose units in extremely hot or muggy weather, the difference is usually minimal, and we dont think it outweighs the convenience of a single hose. You dont hear that distinct Clunk!
The Duo also has smart capabilities that allow you to control it via a smartphone app, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant. Carrying any portable AC up and down stairs is a challenge; the Duos added heft amplifies that problem. Thats toward the upper limit of the adult human hearing range, but it could account for the problems that some people have encountered. Case in point: After our initial tests, we set the Frigidaire up in a 1-year-olds bedroom, and it was indeed quieter than the white noise machine that the baby sleeps with anyway. In our tests, it produced some of the most even and consistent cooling across the room, never registering more than a 1-degree difference between our monitors positioned at 3 feet directly in front of the AC and 6 feet away on a diagonal. The Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL is one of the quietest and most powerful portable air conditioners weve ever testedbut those arent the only reasons it stands apart from other models. In previous years, we had limited our search to models with an energy-efficiency ratio of at least 9 and a seasonally adjusted cooling capacity of 7,200, and this Black+Decker model just made the cut on both metrics, with an EER of 9.86 and a SACC of 7,500. Upgrade Your Airflow: 3 Ways to Smarten Your Ceiling Fans. In 2020, the Department of Energy also finalized new standards for combined energy-efficiency ratio (CEER), a new metric based on SACC that considers additional factors such as standby energy usage alongside the previously used energy-efficiency ratio (EER) measurement. By prescreening for these stats, we got the impression that every model we tested would cool a room capably. But its volume output came as a similar surprise, as it measured about 2 decibels quieter on average than the Midea. However, its also the most affordable option weve tested that meets those standards; plenty of more expensive models didnt even reach our threshold for power and efficiency. At only 57 pounds, this Whynter model is surprisingly compact, and its pretty quiet, too, though not as quiet as our other picks. To help, these are the best cheap air conditioners for your home or business this year.
But if you dont have central air, and a window AC isnt an option, a portable AC is the next best way to beat the heatand if thats the case for you, we recommend the Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL. Its capacitive buttons are a nice touch, too (no pun intended), although we found it difficult to remember where the power button was each time we tried to turn the machine off or on (its on the right side of the control panel, the opposite side from the positioning on most portables). Be sure to consider your specific needs and room requirements before choosing the best cheap air conditioner for your space. Like the other models we tested, the Duo allows you to set it to dehumidify (without cooling) or just run it in a fan-only mode. And the Frigidaire was better than any other model we tested at maintaining a consistent temperature between the two sensors we placed in the testing room (one at 3 feet directly in front of the AC, and the other 6 feet away on a diagonal), spreading the air evenly around the room so that there was never more than a half-degree difference. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company.
We plan on testing several new models this spring, including the Frigidaire FHPW122AC1 and the Honeywell MN4CFSWW9. The unit is designed for areas no larger than 150 square feet for maximum performance. The remote control is standard, and the unit has a convenient recess on the back to store the plug at the end of the season. The best thing we took away from our tests was the chance at a direct comparison between a single-hose design and a dual-hose design that were otherwise identical, and our experience confirmed our suspicions that dual-hose portable ACs are slightly more effective than single-hose models but not effective enough to make a real difference (unless youre in a situation with a potentially dangerous carbon monoxide downdraft, as mentioned above). Its rough, bumpy casters feel cheaply made but work well enough. At almost $465, its price tag belies its power with maximum 12,000 BTU coverage, the largest of any unit on our list. In the presence of a gas-powered device such as a furnace, that negative pressure creates a backdraft or downdraft, which can cause the machine to malfunctionor worse, fill the room with gas fumes and carbon monoxide. Full disclosure: When I was measuring these frequencies with the Black+Decker running in a small, closed room, I got a headache after 15 minutes. What is the best cheap air conditioner?
The unit also features a built-in dehumidifier to combat those pesky humid summer days. The process is simple, and we tested it in both configurations, both of which proved to be the epitome of fine. It was quieter than a lot of other portable ACs (with the dual-hose version registering 2 to 3 decibels quieter on average than the single-hose setup) but still nothing compared with the ACs we ended up recommending. In 2022, Frigidaire released the FHPW122AC1, a slightly more affordable alternative to the Frigidaire Gallery Cool Connect we recommend. We appreciated that the Duo could function fully without relying on the app or the voice controls, but we valued this versatility, especially for anyone who has difficulty getting up and manually adjusting the unit itself.
Portable ACs are notorious underperformers, generally less efficient than their window-mounted counterparts, and weve frequently heard that people buy a smaller unit, find it unsatisfying, and either return it or swap it out for a larger one.
Its one of the more attractive portable ACs weve seen, too, although thats kind of like saying that R2-D2 is better looking than R5-D4one is a little more sleek-looking, but at the end of the day, they all resemble trash cans on wheels.1 Overall, the Midea Duo does a fantastic job of achieving and maintaining a desired temperature and humidity level regardless of the weather or room conditions, with a high energy-efficiency ratio and all of the convenient smart-home features you might expect. Unlike central air, which cools rooms, ceiling fans cool people directly. We confirmed that they did by taking measurements with two Lascar temperature and humidity data loggerswe placed one 3 feet away, directly in front of the unit, and placed the other one 6 feet away on a diagonal.
The SACC metric measures not only cooling capacity but also how the unit performs on muggy days or hot and dry days, and it even accounts for the effect of heat radiating back into the room from the units vent. It is slightly louder, but it still measures below normal conversation volume; compared with our budget pick from Black+Decker, the LG is about 7 decibels quieter on average with the compressor running.
Most portable ACs are pretty similar, but the Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL delivers better cooling performance than other models while using less energy and making less noise. As a result, its better at cooling spaces than other models with the same power output and will save you money on your electric bill in the long run.
Despite its diminutive size, this is a unit that is very capable, holding its own in rooms as large as 21 square feet. Here are experts strategies for staying cool and healthy this summer.
Finally, we found the Frigidaires window-installation kit to be somewhat lacking.
Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Were not even entirely sure what kinds of windows the attachments are designed forthere were only so many windows in our home to test them on. Foam strips work, and 10 feet of the stuff typically costs a few dollars. This bears repeating, because its a common misunderstanding regarding something called portable: All of these units require a window and an electrical outlet within a few feet of where theyre operating. Rather than running only at max speed or nothing, the Mideas inverter-powered compressor can operate at a continuously variable speed, so the unit has a lot more flexibility in how it reaches a desired temperature in a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions. With an SACC rating of 8,000 Btu per hour, its not quite as powerful as an inverter model, but its still better than any of the other non-inverter portable ACs we tested. Anecdotally, we could feel that physical difference in the room, too. (Even after turning it off in the app, we still had some trouble with the Quick Glance Light annoyingly flashing in the middle of the night to warn us that the filter needed a rinse.). If you have to live with a portable AC in the room, this is the coolest roommate you could ask for. We didnt hear anything like that in our own tests, although we did measure a small spike in volume that occasionally popped up around the 9,900 Hz to 10,500 Hz range, and then again between 14,500 Hz and 15,000 Hz. This is great if you think you might enjoy listening to an amateur White Stripes cover band with a snake on lead vocals, but it might not be the best if you want to sleep or get any work done. Its drain port works like the others, as well: You can screw it open when you need to empty the unit of condensation or attach a hose to it. After another round of testing, we still stand by all of our picks. The Duos efficiency advantage is clearly demonstrated in the changing standards for measuring portable AC power output, as well. The Whynter Elite ARC-122DS used to be our top pick. It is energy-efficient with a 5 Star Energy Star rating, and its battery is enough to power for up to six hours. These are a few of the options that almost made our list: While shopping for your home, consider our picks for thebest smart thermostats, thebest space heaters, and thebest home office cooling solutions! But even so, it gets the job done, and its a fine choice if you need a portable AC at something closer to a window-AC price. Our bigger gripe with the app concerns the lengthy registration process, which requires you to give Frigidaire all of your contact information, including your home address and the units date of purchase. But if you need more cooling power, Midea also makes a 12,000 SACC (14,000 Btu) model, the MAP14S1TBL, as well as another portable inverter AC that provides heating in addition to cooling.
Want a portable option for those smaller spaces, Want a little portable device you can take anywhere, Want an affordable portable option for those larger areas, don't mind spending extra for an air conditioner/heater combo. The best cheap air conditioner is the Windmill Air Conditioner, which offers an impressive coverage area while still managing to remain under $425. With an auto-dimming LED display, you can use Google Assistant or Amazon's Alexa to control the unit by voice. Weve added details to our What to look forward to section. Mideas app also offers a sleep curve feature, so you can go to sleep in a blanket of cool air without having to worry about waking up when its too cold to get out of bed. The Frigidaire app is fine overall, and it unlocks some additional functionality, including the units built-in air ionizer. Subscribe now for unlimited access. Mideas smart-feature functionality (both the app interface and voice commands) are relatively welcoming and easy to figure out. Unlike the single-hose portables we typically recommend, the Duo has a unique hose-in-hose setup where the exhaust and intake are split into two separate conduits contained within a single larger tube, making it even more efficient. The Black+Decker isnt hard to set up or maintain, but you do need a screwdriver to install the window panel or remove the filters; this isnt terrible, but its also not as easy to deal with as the installation for the Midea and Frigidaire models we tested. Our tests have borne this out over the years, as well; weve seen supposedly efficient models that barely made a dent in cooling rooms they were appropriately sized for. The Midea Duos self-contained dual-hose setup and powerful inverter compressor make it better at dialing in a precise comfort level while being quieter and more effective than other machines overall. Keep your cool with these air conditioners that won't break the bank. In our tests, it was also remarkably effective at distributing the cool air, never leaving more than a 1-degree temperature difference across the room. The Duos swinging fan is a rotating cylinder that sits on top of the unit and does an impressive job of spreading the cool air around the room. It is a smart air conditioner that goes right into your window, its sleek design requiring a very small footprint. We tested several new Honeywell models in 2022 as well, having previously recommended the companys HL14CES as an also-great until it was discontinued.
A convenient guide is included to steer installation in the right direction. The haptic control panel is easy enough to use, as you can just touch the buttons instead of pushing them, although they give no real feedback as to whether youve actually activated them. *At the time of publishing, the price was $700. Whereas most compressors run on only two speedson or offthis Midea models variable-speed inverter can adjust to more precisely match the cooling requirements of the given conditions without creating any huge spikes in energy consumption. As we set the units up, rolled them aside, switched from one to another, and fiddled with their vent-hose attachments in the window, we learned a lot about which ones we would get for ourselves or recommend to friends.
On the outside, the Duo resembles any other single-hose portable air conditioner.
It has rough, bumpy casters that felt cheaply made to us but work well enough. While it was slightly quieter than our current budget pick, it also wasnt as powerful. When using the AC, keep it as close to the window as you can, with as many of the accordion ribs collapsed as possible, so the hose is as short and straight as you can make it. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. After taking another look at it, we concluded that its still a great portable air conditioner, but we didnt think the cumbersome bulk of the second hose added enough to the efficiency or experience to set this model apart for most people. The air conditioner comes with a 30-day, no-questions-asked return policy, just in case you are not satisfied with your purchase. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. The Midea Duos top-mounted cylindrical fan is impressively effective at moving air through the room. The LG LP1419IVSM was our top pick from 2019 to 2021, and its still pretty great if you can find it in stock. Thom Dunn has written Wirecutter guides to window air conditioners, room fans, space heaters, and more. The Midea Duo came with one of the most robust window-installation kits weve ever seen, with enough customizable options to help you make it fit almost any window.
This portable AC offers plenty of thoughtful features, including a variable-speed dual-rotor compressor, a built-in hose for easier setup, and a convenient storage pocket. Set up is made simple so you can start using your air conditioner right away. This unit is one that is easily portable and offers a simplified set-up process to get you started. However, its window-installation kit wasnt quite as robust, and while it offered all the same smart-home capabilities, we encountered some frustrations with the way they worked. Despite all of its features, this model is affordably priced at $310, making it a far more affordable and economical pick than many of the other options out there. It also produced the most uneven range of frequencies: We measured peaks around 100 Hz (like the low end of a guitar) and then again at the high range of 4,500 Hz, 5,500 Hz, and 9,000 Hz (like a bunch of cymbals and sibilant s sounds). However, buying a new air conditioner may not always be in your immediate budget, even if it is an immediate need. Sometimes his curiosity gets the best of him, such as when he plugged a space heater and a Marshall guitar amp into the same power strip. And a ceiling fan with smart-home controls is even more efficient and convenient. Still, this air conditioner packs in some extra features.
This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. The Duo is also the first new dual-hose model weve called in for testing since 2018, thanks in large part to its unique hose-in-hose design, which places the intake and exhaust hoses side by side within a single larger hose. The unit comes with 8,300 BTU power, giving a bit more than the average air conditioner, so it is enough to cool down a medium-sized space. He is particularly good at being cool. The fact that this hose is anchored to the body of the AC by default also makes it easier to wrangle when youre trying to set the AC up (thus helping you avoid the frustration of securing the hose into the window only to realize that you accidentally pulled it out of the AC, trapping yourself in a clumsy tug-of-war with an exhaust hose).
It is a corded model, so it can only go so far, but there is a handy remote control that comes included to help you control the unit from across the room. The caster wheels and handles make it easy enough to move around on flat areas. It has a similar setup overall, with a built-in hose and a top-mounted fan that makes the AC sound as if its breathing in and out with steady wafts of white noise and cool air, plus all the same smart-home features. It looks and feels sort of budget, but the cost isnt low enough to justify our choosing it as a budget pick.
A digital remote control helps simplify operations, but there is also a digital touch button control panel. Weve been considering and testing air conditioners in general since 2013 and evaluating portable units in particular beginning in 2016. However, the other cheap air conditioners on our list are definitely worth a second look before you buy. The LG is also the heaviest portable AC weve tested. You still need to have a window for a portable AC, however, as a place to vent the heat to the outdoors.
The Duos unique compressor design also means that it operates more quietly than other models, registering around 51 decibels on average (normal conversation reaches about 60 dB). Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. At 73 pounds, the Midea Duo is one of the heavier portable ACs out thereabout 5 pounds more than our budget pick and more than 10 pounds heavier than the convertible dual-hose model we tested from GE. They also look like push buttons, and if you follow your instincts to push themor if youre not sure whether they responded to your tap, and you push a little more just to triple-checkthe whole control panel bows down slightly along with your fingers. We researched and compared pricing as well as features like coverage area, BTU rating, and noise level to find the top affordable AC units available right now. Its one of the quietest portable ACs weve ever tested, too, with a volume that consistently measured below normal conversation levels. Like the other models we tested, the Frigidaire has a drain plug, a washable filter, and mostly seamless smart-home capabilities. The control panel and display on the Duo are large and easy to navigate, with just a few LEDs that are subtle enough that they probably wont keep you awake at night. This design is easier to manage than the hoses on other models we testedsome project awkwardly out of the back, sit perpendicular to the unit, or are completely detachable so they must be stored separately and can be misplaced. And its definitely a powerful beast, with the kind of fan that you can still feel blowing on your skin from 15 feet away. ZDNet's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. Although the hose has some nice touches such as a lattice over the exhaust port and a nice cloth sheath to dress up the otherwise unsightly plastic accordion tube, this model also came with the least modular window-panel options. The biggest appeal of the Lowes-exclusive GE APWD07JASG is that you can configure it as a single-hose model out of the box or turn it into a dual-hose AC with the help of an $80 conversion kit. So were sticking with the Black+Decker, and you should, too. Although our testing has shown that dual-hose models tend to outperform some single-hose units in extremely hot or muggy weather, the difference is usually minimal, and we dont think it outweighs the convenience of a single hose. You dont hear that distinct Clunk!
The Duo also has smart capabilities that allow you to control it via a smartphone app, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant. Carrying any portable AC up and down stairs is a challenge; the Duos added heft amplifies that problem. Thats toward the upper limit of the adult human hearing range, but it could account for the problems that some people have encountered. Case in point: After our initial tests, we set the Frigidaire up in a 1-year-olds bedroom, and it was indeed quieter than the white noise machine that the baby sleeps with anyway. In our tests, it produced some of the most even and consistent cooling across the room, never registering more than a 1-degree difference between our monitors positioned at 3 feet directly in front of the AC and 6 feet away on a diagonal. The Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL is one of the quietest and most powerful portable air conditioners weve ever testedbut those arent the only reasons it stands apart from other models. In previous years, we had limited our search to models with an energy-efficiency ratio of at least 9 and a seasonally adjusted cooling capacity of 7,200, and this Black+Decker model just made the cut on both metrics, with an EER of 9.86 and a SACC of 7,500. Upgrade Your Airflow: 3 Ways to Smarten Your Ceiling Fans. In 2020, the Department of Energy also finalized new standards for combined energy-efficiency ratio (CEER), a new metric based on SACC that considers additional factors such as standby energy usage alongside the previously used energy-efficiency ratio (EER) measurement. By prescreening for these stats, we got the impression that every model we tested would cool a room capably. But its volume output came as a similar surprise, as it measured about 2 decibels quieter on average than the Midea. However, its also the most affordable option weve tested that meets those standards; plenty of more expensive models didnt even reach our threshold for power and efficiency. At only 57 pounds, this Whynter model is surprisingly compact, and its pretty quiet, too, though not as quiet as our other picks. To help, these are the best cheap air conditioners for your home or business this year.
But if you dont have central air, and a window AC isnt an option, a portable AC is the next best way to beat the heatand if thats the case for you, we recommend the Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL. Its capacitive buttons are a nice touch, too (no pun intended), although we found it difficult to remember where the power button was each time we tried to turn the machine off or on (its on the right side of the control panel, the opposite side from the positioning on most portables). Be sure to consider your specific needs and room requirements before choosing the best cheap air conditioner for your space. Like the other models we tested, the Duo allows you to set it to dehumidify (without cooling) or just run it in a fan-only mode. And the Frigidaire was better than any other model we tested at maintaining a consistent temperature between the two sensors we placed in the testing room (one at 3 feet directly in front of the AC, and the other 6 feet away on a diagonal), spreading the air evenly around the room so that there was never more than a half-degree difference. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company.
We plan on testing several new models this spring, including the Frigidaire FHPW122AC1 and the Honeywell MN4CFSWW9. The unit is designed for areas no larger than 150 square feet for maximum performance. The remote control is standard, and the unit has a convenient recess on the back to store the plug at the end of the season. The best thing we took away from our tests was the chance at a direct comparison between a single-hose design and a dual-hose design that were otherwise identical, and our experience confirmed our suspicions that dual-hose portable ACs are slightly more effective than single-hose models but not effective enough to make a real difference (unless youre in a situation with a potentially dangerous carbon monoxide downdraft, as mentioned above). Its rough, bumpy casters feel cheaply made but work well enough. At almost $465, its price tag belies its power with maximum 12,000 BTU coverage, the largest of any unit on our list. In the presence of a gas-powered device such as a furnace, that negative pressure creates a backdraft or downdraft, which can cause the machine to malfunctionor worse, fill the room with gas fumes and carbon monoxide. Full disclosure: When I was measuring these frequencies with the Black+Decker running in a small, closed room, I got a headache after 15 minutes. What is the best cheap air conditioner?
The unit also features a built-in dehumidifier to combat those pesky humid summer days. The process is simple, and we tested it in both configurations, both of which proved to be the epitome of fine. It was quieter than a lot of other portable ACs (with the dual-hose version registering 2 to 3 decibels quieter on average than the single-hose setup) but still nothing compared with the ACs we ended up recommending. In 2022, Frigidaire released the FHPW122AC1, a slightly more affordable alternative to the Frigidaire Gallery Cool Connect we recommend. We appreciated that the Duo could function fully without relying on the app or the voice controls, but we valued this versatility, especially for anyone who has difficulty getting up and manually adjusting the unit itself.
Portable ACs are notorious underperformers, generally less efficient than their window-mounted counterparts, and weve frequently heard that people buy a smaller unit, find it unsatisfying, and either return it or swap it out for a larger one.
Its one of the more attractive portable ACs weve seen, too, although thats kind of like saying that R2-D2 is better looking than R5-D4one is a little more sleek-looking, but at the end of the day, they all resemble trash cans on wheels.1 Overall, the Midea Duo does a fantastic job of achieving and maintaining a desired temperature and humidity level regardless of the weather or room conditions, with a high energy-efficiency ratio and all of the convenient smart-home features you might expect. Unlike central air, which cools rooms, ceiling fans cool people directly. We confirmed that they did by taking measurements with two Lascar temperature and humidity data loggerswe placed one 3 feet away, directly in front of the unit, and placed the other one 6 feet away on a diagonal.
The SACC metric measures not only cooling capacity but also how the unit performs on muggy days or hot and dry days, and it even accounts for the effect of heat radiating back into the room from the units vent. It is slightly louder, but it still measures below normal conversation volume; compared with our budget pick from Black+Decker, the LG is about 7 decibels quieter on average with the compressor running.
Most portable ACs are pretty similar, but the Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL delivers better cooling performance than other models while using less energy and making less noise. As a result, its better at cooling spaces than other models with the same power output and will save you money on your electric bill in the long run.
Despite its diminutive size, this is a unit that is very capable, holding its own in rooms as large as 21 square feet. Here are experts strategies for staying cool and healthy this summer.
Finally, we found the Frigidaires window-installation kit to be somewhat lacking.
Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Were not even entirely sure what kinds of windows the attachments are designed forthere were only so many windows in our home to test them on. Foam strips work, and 10 feet of the stuff typically costs a few dollars. This bears repeating, because its a common misunderstanding regarding something called portable: All of these units require a window and an electrical outlet within a few feet of where theyre operating. Rather than running only at max speed or nothing, the Mideas inverter-powered compressor can operate at a continuously variable speed, so the unit has a lot more flexibility in how it reaches a desired temperature in a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions. With an SACC rating of 8,000 Btu per hour, its not quite as powerful as an inverter model, but its still better than any of the other non-inverter portable ACs we tested. Anecdotally, we could feel that physical difference in the room, too. (Even after turning it off in the app, we still had some trouble with the Quick Glance Light annoyingly flashing in the middle of the night to warn us that the filter needed a rinse.). If you have to live with a portable AC in the room, this is the coolest roommate you could ask for. We didnt hear anything like that in our own tests, although we did measure a small spike in volume that occasionally popped up around the 9,900 Hz to 10,500 Hz range, and then again between 14,500 Hz and 15,000 Hz. This is great if you think you might enjoy listening to an amateur White Stripes cover band with a snake on lead vocals, but it might not be the best if you want to sleep or get any work done. Its drain port works like the others, as well: You can screw it open when you need to empty the unit of condensation or attach a hose to it. After another round of testing, we still stand by all of our picks. The Duos efficiency advantage is clearly demonstrated in the changing standards for measuring portable AC power output, as well. The Whynter Elite ARC-122DS used to be our top pick. It is energy-efficient with a 5 Star Energy Star rating, and its battery is enough to power for up to six hours. These are a few of the options that almost made our list: While shopping for your home, consider our picks for thebest smart thermostats, thebest space heaters, and thebest home office cooling solutions! But even so, it gets the job done, and its a fine choice if you need a portable AC at something closer to a window-AC price. Our bigger gripe with the app concerns the lengthy registration process, which requires you to give Frigidaire all of your contact information, including your home address and the units date of purchase. But if you need more cooling power, Midea also makes a 12,000 SACC (14,000 Btu) model, the MAP14S1TBL, as well as another portable inverter AC that provides heating in addition to cooling.