Best portable air conditioner brands
Brands ranked on the certified efficiency of their portable units. 2,676 of 2,772 certified model numbers share their ratings with another brand's, so compare models as well as brands.
Better-known brands with three or more certified models
| # | Brand | Models | Median CEER | Best CEER | BTU (SACC) range | Dual-hose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keystone | 4 | 14.2 | 14.7 | 5,000-12,000 | 3 |
| 2 | TCL | 54 | 12.0 | 12.8 | 5,000-12,000 | 30 |
| 3 | Midea | 58 | 7.9 | 14.7 | 5,000-12,000 | 17 |
| 4 | Whynter | 18 | 7.9 | 14.7 | 6,800-12,000 | 11 |
| 5 | Hisense | 28 | 7.9 | 13.5 | 5,000-12,000 | 15 |
| 6 | Whirlpool | 4 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 5,150-10,000 | - |
| 7 | Serenelife | 30 | 7.6 | 12.3 | 5,300-12,000 | 8 |
| 8 | BLACK+DECKER | 21 | 7.6 | 12.0 | 5,000-10,000 | - |
| 9 | TOSHIBA | 6 | 7.3 | 14.2 | 6,000-12,000 | 1 |
| 10 | DREO | 8 | 7.3 | 11.8 | 5,250-10,000 | 2 |
| 11 | Pelonis | 14 | 7.3 | 8.1 | 5,000-10,300 | - |
| 12 | LG | 42 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 5,000-10,000 | - |
| 13 | Frigidaire | 5 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 5,500-10,000 | - |
| 14 | Amazon Basics | 3 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 6,000-10,000 | - |
| 15 | EUHOMY | 99 | 7.2 | 12.8 | 5,000-10,300 | 6 |
| 16 | KISSAIR | 64 | 7.1 | 12.8 | 5,000-12,000 | 10 |
| 17 | Danby | 16 | 7.0 | 14.7 | 5,000-12,000 | 2 |
| 18 | PerfectAire | 10 | 7.0 | 7.9 | 5,000-10,000 | - |
| 19 | Comfort-Aire | 9 | 7.0 | 7.9 | 5,000-10,000 | - |
| 20 | GE | 6 | 7.0 | 7.3 | 5,000-8,000 | 2 |
| 21 | Insignia | 3 | 7.0 | 7.3 | 6,000-8,000 | - |
| 22 | ZAFRO | 80 | 6.6 | 12.8 | 5,000-12,000 | 14 |
| 23 | COSTWAY | 24 | 6.6 | 10.0 | 5,000-10,800 | - |
| 24 | Vissani | 13 | 6.2 | 8.1 | 5,000-10,300 | - |
Median CEER of the brand's certified model numbers; the median for all portable units is 7.3. Higher is better. A brand with several dual-hose units usually ranks high. SACC is the real cooling.
Other brands
95 marketplace brands with three or more models
- Rnice120 models · median 7.9 CEER
- Agtana78 models · median 7.9 CEER
- Fosawd78 models · median 7.9 CEER
- Tanoxo76 models · median 7.9 CEER
- Humhold75 models · median 7.9 CEER
- Temprium74 models · median 7.2 CEER
- Antarctic Star73 models · median 6.6 CEER
- Domanki72 models · median 7.9 CEER
- Electactic64 models · median 7.1 CEER
- simzlife64 models · median 7.6 CEER
- Lcxmtv63 models · median 7.9 CEER
- R.W.FLAME62 models · median 6.6 CEER
- Feelfunn60 models · median 7.2 CEER
- COWSAR57 models · median 6.6 CEER
- NINGPU48 models · median 7.3 CEER
- EnerGlow48 models · median 7.3 CEER
- Joy Pebble47 models · median 6.6 CEER
- Kamlam47 models · median 7.9 CEER
- Gleedelish46 models · median 7.3 CEER
- Kismile45 models · median 6.6 CEER
- Xbeauty40 models · median 6.6 CEER
- Auseo39 models · median 6.6 CEER
- Fornido38 models · median 6.6 CEER
- Kndko38 models · median 6.6 CEER
- Havato36 models · median 6.6 CEER
- vibekio34 models · median 7.3 CEER
- GARVEE27 models · median 6.6 CEER
- Rintuf23 models · median 7.1 CEER
- NEPO22 models · median 6.6 CEER
- ACEKOOL20 models · median 7.3 CEER
- AKIRES18 models · median 7.6 CEER
- MEPTY18 models · median 7.6 CEER
- Joy Pepple16 models · median 6.6 CEER
- AC Infinity16 models · median 12.8 CEER
- KoolSiln15 models · median 7.9 CEER
- Free Village13 models · median 7.2 CEER
- Moifoi13 models · median 7.2 CEER
- NUAGE13 models · median 7.2 CEER
- Commercial cool12 models · median 7.3 CEER
- DuraComfort11 models · median 7.3 CEER
- Mountman10 models · median 7.2 CEER
- Uthfy10 models · median 7.6 CEER
- LHRIVER10 models · median 6.6 CEER
- ACHIMCO9 models · median 7.0 CEER
- Coolblus9 models · median 7.0 CEER
- Line Blaster9 models · median 7.0 CEER
- GUNJI8 models · median 7.6 CEER
- KAIMENG8 models · median 7.6 CEER
- Kinetheme8 models · median 7.6 CEER
- MANASTIN8 models · median 7.6 CEER
- Nepsam8 models · median 7.6 CEER
- Nexaro8 models · median 7.6 CEER
- Patiosunny8 models · median 7.6 CEER
- TEHANLD8 models · median 7.6 CEER
- UrbanSync8 models · median 7.6 CEER
- DREO HOME8 models · median 7.3 CEER
- WAA8 models · median 6.6 CEER
- DENBIG8 models · median 7.0 CEER
- DELLA8 models · median 12.8 CEER
- Upstreman8 models · median 12.8 CEER
- AIR CHOICE7 models · median 6.6 CEER
- LIFEPLUS7 models · median 6.6 CEER
- vevor7 models · median 7.2 CEER
- Ocean Breeze6 models · median 7.0 CEER
- ROVSUN6 models · median 6.6 CEER
- Seasons6 models · median 7.0 CEER
- COBY6 models · median 7.3 CEER
- ECOSELF6 models · median 7.9 CEER
- Xenonlab6 models · median 7.9 CEER
- JHS5 models · median 6.7 CEER
- AIREMAX5 models · median 7.3 CEER
- Sea Breeze5 models · median 8.1 CEER
- MAGNAVOX4 models · median 7.6 CEER
- HOMCOM4 models · median 6.6 CEER
- Comfort Zone4 models · median 7.6 CEER
- Ktaxon4 models · median 7.0 CEER
- GOUKA4 models · median 5.0 CEER
- Coast air4 models · median 6.7 CEER
- GrowthWing4 models · median 7.9 CEER
- SPT4 models · median 7.9 CEER
- air master4 models · median 7.6 CEER
- Dayton3 models · median 7.0 CEER
- Dokoworld3 models · median 6.2 CEER
- Spürbar3 models · median 6.2 CEER
- Brothers3 models · median 7.3 CEER
- Keplerx3 models · median 7.0 CEER
- Moxeay3 models · median 7.0 CEER
- ZOKOP3 models · median 6.6 CEER
- KOMORE3 models · median 7.6 CEER
- AERIC3 models · median 7.9 CEER
- Airo comfort3 models · median 8.4 CEER
- Gasbye3 models · median 7.3 CEER
- Hunter3 models · median 7.3 CEER
- Mora3 models · median 12.2 CEER
- Tripp Lite3 models · median 7.6 CEER
47 brands with one or two certified models
- Cooper&Hunter1 model · 14.2 CEER
- Element1 model · 14.2 CEER
- Gsabye2 models · 13.6 CEER
- Foshan Hanyang2 models · 13.4 CEER
- EQUATOR2 models · 12.8 CEER
- Frigidaire Gallery2 models · 12.5 CEER
- Power Breezer2 models · 11.4 CEER
- ftocase1 model · 11.2 CEER
- VACOOR1 model · 11.2 CEER
- Tecxerllon2 models · 8.1 CEER
- hykolity2 models · 7.9 CEER
- KEGIAN2 models · 7.9 CEER
- Landeagle2 models · 7.9 CEER
- SUNGDOGIN2 models · 7.9 CEER
- Windmill2 models · 7.9 CEER
- Vagkri2 models · 7.9 CEER
- KOVIET2 models · 7.9 CEER
- OSLO2 models · 7.9 CEER
- Breeze332 models · 7.9 CEER
- Soleusair2 models · 7.9 CEER
- Genuine Comfort1 model · 7.9 CEER
- passky1 model · 7.9 CEER
- icyberboom2 models · 7.6 CEER
- Eaton2 models · 7.6 CEER
- AZ outdoor2 models · 7.3 CEER
- TMWING2 models · 7.3 CEER
- TMYICE2 models · 7.3 CEER
- GRIDR1 model · 7.3 CEER
- NP2 models · 7.3 CEER
- AUX2 models · 7.2 CEER
- FIOGOHUMI2 models · 7.0 CEER
- Gardencoin1 model · 7.0 CEER
- GINOST1 model · 7.0 CEER
- PQH1 model · 7.0 CEER
- AOBOSI2 models · 6.6 CEER
- LEMBERI2 models · 6.6 CEER
- PASAPAIR2 models · 6.6 CEER
- YODOLLA1 model · 6.6 CEER
- ROCSUMOO2 models · 6.2 CEER
- CASCADE1 model · 6.2 CEER
- Grelife1 model · 6.2 CEER
- JYMIPA1 model · 6.2 CEER
- VCK1 model · 6.2 CEER
- Fehom1 model · 5.9 CEER
- KESNOS1 model · 5.9 CEER
- Waykar1 model · 5.9 CEER
- YAUFEY1 model · 5.9 CEER
Questions
- What is the best portable air conditioner brand?
- Among the 24 better-known brands with at least three certified models, Keystone has the highest median efficiency (14.2 CEER across 4 models; the median for all portable units is 7.3). Rnice has the most certified models (120). A brand's median depends mostly on how many dual-hose units it sells, so compare models of your size on the ranked list.
- Are portable air conditioner brands really different?
- Less than the names suggest. 2,676 of the 2,772 certified model numbers share exactly the same ratings with a model sold under another brand, so many brands are one factory in different packaging. The certified data measures efficiency and cooling; it cannot say how loud a unit is or how long it lasts.
- Which portable air conditioner brands should I avoid?
- We rank on certified efficiency, not reliability or service, because the public data has no failure rates. The units at the bottom of each size list cost the most to run for the cooling they deliver. For reliability, read the warranty terms and recent owner reviews, and prefer a seller with a U.S. support address.