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      Best 6,000 BTU portable air conditioners

      A 6,000 BTU portable unit really cools about 150-250 sq ft.

      The most efficient of the 11 rating profiles (560 model numbers) is 6,450 BTU single-hose portable AC, 7.4 CEER at 7.4 CEER. A typical one draws about 909 W and costs about $123 a year to run. A box marked 8,500 BTU can certify at 6,000 SACC: the larger number is the older ASHRAE rating, not what the unit delivers.

      Compare all 11 rating profiles

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      11 rating profiles, ranked by CEER (efficiency). Yearly cost at 750 hours and the U.S. average electricity price.

      #Features
      16,450 BTU single-hose portable AC, 7.4 CEERe.g. Antarctic Star A011D2-10K, Auseo A011D2-10K + 31 more7.4$118Single-hose
      2BLACK+DECKER BPP06WTB2 model numbers7.3$111Single-hose
      36,250 BTU single-hose portable AC, 7.2 CEERe.g. EUHOMY PAC002-10K, simzlife PAC002-10K + 103 more7.2$117Single-hose
      4vevor OL-A016LF05N31 model number7.1$122Single-hose, Heat
      5Whynter ARC-115WG1 model number6.9$133Single-hose
      66,500 BTU single-hose portable AC, 6.7 CEERe.g. Frigidaire FHPC102AC1, Danby DPA065B6WDB-6 + 9 more6.7$131Single-hose
      76,300 BTU single-hose portable AC, 6.6 CEERe.g. BLACK+DECKER BPACT10WT, Danby DPA063E1WDB + 9 more6.6$129Single-hose
      86,000 BTU single-hose portable AC, 6.6 CEERe.g. LG LP0621WSR, Midea MAP06R1CWWA + 371 more6.6$123Single-hose
      96,000 BTU single-hose portable AC with heat, 6.6 CEERe.g. NINGPU NPL-06H/X1E, Rnice YAC-06CHPD/PL2 + 17 more6.6$123Single-hose, Heat
      10AUX A039-10K1 model number6.5$125Single-hose, Gravity drain
      11Pelonis PAP10R1BWT3 model numbers, 2 brands6.4$123Single-hose

      More about 6,000 BTU portable air conditioners

      Yearly running cost by city$16-$245

      A typical unit (6.6 CEER) against the most efficient (7.4 CEER), at each city's cooling hours and state electricity price.

      CityTypicalMost efficient
      Phoenix, AZ$236$226
      Houston, TX$204$195
      Miami, FL$245$235
      Atlanta, GA$106$102
      New York, NY$135$130
      Chicago, IL$82$79
      Denver, CO$53$50
      Seattle, WA$16$15
      What the box says and what it delivers5,800-6,800 SACC

      A box marked 8,500 BTU can certify at 6,000 SACC: the larger number is the older ASHRAE rating, not what the unit delivers. The number to size by is the SACC, the cooling the unit delivers in the Department of Energy test, after the heat it lets back in. How SACC differs from the BTU on the box.

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      Questions5
      What is the best 6,000 BTU portable air conditioner?
      On certified efficiency, 6,450 BTU single-hose portable AC, 7.4 CEER at 7.4 CEER, about $118 a year at typical U.S. use. The typical certified unit in this size has 6.6 CEER.
      How big a room does a 6,000 BTU portable air conditioner cool?
      About 150 to 250 sq ft for a unit that really delivers 6,000 BTU (SACC), with normal sun and two people, following the ENERGY STAR floor-area table. A box marked 8,500 BTU can certify at 6,000 SACC: the larger number is the older ASHRAE rating, not what the unit delivers. In a very sunny room use about 10% less area; a kitchen needs about 4,000 BTU more.
      How many watts does a 6,000 BTU portable air conditioner use?
      Between 822 and 986 watts at full power for certified models, about 909 W for the typical one. That is about $123 a year at 750 hours and 18.0¢/kWh.
      Is a dual-hose 6,000 BTU portable air conditioner worth it?
      No certified unit in this size has two hoses; all 458 models are single-hose. For two hoses you need a unit of 8,000 BTU or more.
      Is a portable air conditioner of this size as efficient as a window unit?
      No. The 9 ENERGY STAR certified window units that cool about as much have a median CEER of 15.1, against 6.6 for the typical portable unit here, so the window unit costs about $54 a year to run against $123. A portable unit is the answer when a window unit will not fit.

      The Department of Energy lists every certified model, including some no longer sold: check availability before you plan around a unit.

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