The Australian Summer is the envy of the world but for Aussies without AC it’s unbearable. If you’re one of the unlucky ones without air conditioning it’s time to consider picking up a portable air conditioner. The best portable air conditioners are very effective, energy-efficient, and look good while colling down the room.
How We Research The Best Portable Air Conditioners
We’ve spent dozens of hours identifying, researching, analyzing, and comparing the best portable air conditioners in Australia so that you don’t have to.
We did this by searching the net, including all major retailers, marketplaces, and independent companies to identify the highest-rated units, we then shortlisted the 36 portable air conditioners we found down to a list of the top 20 portable ac units.
We compared value-for-money, cooling output, energy usage, aesthetics, and additional features. Based on these results, we’re confident that the list below truly represents the best portable AC units that Australia has to offer.
The Best Portable Air Conditioners Currently Available in Australia.
1. De’Longhi: Pinguino Air-to-Air 2.9 KW Portable Air Conditioner
Introducing our number one pick for the best portable air conditioner – the Pinguino Air-to-Air 2.9 KW Portable Air Conditioner! This portable air conditioner is impressive to say the least and does an excellent job at combing powerful cooling ability in a relatively small package all while maintaining energy efficiency and a quiet operation.
It’s perfect for taming the hot sweltering summer nights with its “quiet mode” which tops out at just 64dB and operates as quietly as 47dB. So if you’re a light sleeper suffering from sweat, it’s hard to find a more suitable air conditioner.
There’s also the added bonus of the included dehumidifier which is much better than the ones found in other portable air conditioners. It uses Cool Surround Technology to track the humidity and adjust in accordance with the target level set. The same is also true for the temperature, where the Pinguino Air-to-Air adjusts in real-time to keep the room exactly how you want it.
As the name implies, it is portable and is in fact very well designed for the purpose. It has high-quality caster wheels that are smooth and solid making it easy to roll from room to room. And to save you getting up each time to adjust the settings, simply set them on the included remote control, which looks a bit strange but it actually very well designed
This isn’t the cheapest portable air conditioner on the market, but it’s certainly money well spent. It ticks every single box and is effective even in rooms as large as 110m³.
2. Devanti Portable Air Conditioner
Coming in at the number two spot – the Pinguino Air-to-Air 2.9 KW Portable Air Conditioner! It’s time to say goodbye to uncomfortable, sweaty days and hello to cool conditioned air. The Devanti air conditioner is an all-in-one solution for summer days that are too hot and humid.
There is no reason to sweat and suffer in the heat. A portable Air Conditioner from Devanti has all of your possible cooling needs covered. This lightweight portable air conditioner can dehumidify up to 160L/hr, as well as rapidly deliver cool breezes across almost any sized room.
With a large built-in water tank, you’ll never have to worry about drying out or having insufficient cooling power again! A convenient remote control and Wi-Fi connectivity means you’ll be able to control everything from just about anywhere while the LED display ensures everything is clearly displayed.
Get yourself the Devanti Portable Air Conditioner and be cool! This portable air conditioner will help you beat the heat while still giving you all of the cozy. Enjoy cooled rooms up to 30m², complete with an automatic water vaporisation system for no stopping or emptying, plus 20°C-26°C temperature control at your fingertips on any device with Wi-Fi connectivity!
3. Advin Portable Air Conditioner
The perfect unit for bringing some relief from the sweltering heat. The Advwin Portable Air Conditioner is equipped with four casters that allow for easy movement to the spaces that need chilling. And it includes a quick-install window kit so you can take advantage of any horizontal or vertical opening window to exhaust the hot air outside and enjoy some crispy cool evening breeze.
You could set it on continuous mode to sweep in refreshing breezes all day long or use its 24-hour programmable timer to automatically turn off the AC when you’re not at home (seriously folks, save money!).
For those seeking relief during the hot summer days(or nights), the Advin Portable Air Conditioner is ideal. It can cool air down from 31 degrees Celcius, has a dehumidifier, and does it all quietly.
4. Omega Altise Portable Air Conditioner
The Omega Altise Portable Air Conditioner is the perfect companion for those long Aussie summer days. Use its 14000 BTUs to generate fresh air and cool down your home or office with 3 adjustable settings and 4 modes that suit different cooling needs.
Thanks to the included remote control you can take control of the temp without moving.! With this luxury appliance, you’ll be air-conditioned wherever life takes you – no sweat!
Get this portable air conditioner and enjoy a cooling breeze from anywhere in your home. It’s fast, efficient, and convenient with its 3 variable speeds, 4 operating modes, remote control features, and 24-hour timer. Choose this portable AC for a more comfortable summer.
5. COMFYHOME 2-in-1 Air Conditioner Fan
No matter how hot it gets, you can always stay comfy inside your home with the new COMFYHOME! It’s got some pretty awesome features: evaporative cooling to bring down room temperature by 11 degrees Fahrenheit, humidification to keep things moist and prevent dry air symptoms during the heatwave, and a water reservoir that can last up to 24 hours for easy relief. All of this without any installation or ducting required.
The COMFYHOME Tower Fan is at its best in the Summer. With 3-speed settings, 40° automatic swing, and 4 modes available (natural mode, sleep mode, cooling mode), it’s an easy controller that provides comfort where you need it most: your bedroom or living room.
This portable air conditioner has 20 feet of range and a 5-hour timer with automatic shutdown intervals from 1 to 15 hours.
What are you waiting for?
6. QVCQ Portable Air Conditioner
Introducing the QVCQ PortableMmini Air Conditioner. This is the perfect cooling assistant for your overheated office or home during those hot summer days or nights. It’s really small and light so you can take it anywhere with you during work, at a BBQ, on vacation, you name it!
The QVCQ micro portable evaporator cooler provides a win-win solution to keep you cool and save your wallet. This 2.5W/m – 9W/m air conditioner is designed with energy-saving features for an economical way to fight the heat, especially when the climate becomes warmer and hotter. The auto shut-off triggers after 8 hours of continuous use; and with its small size at only 11” x 13” x 6”, you’ll be able to conveniently take it anywhere without a hassle!
This portable air conditioning fan with a large 400ml sealed and detachable water tank means you rarely need to worry about running out of water or having leaking water all over your cooling device and floor. You can remove the dust net at any time for a quick daily clean up which makes it perfect if you have pets or live in an area where insects flourish!
7. Evapolar EvaLIGHT Plus EV-1500 Personal Evaporative Air Cooler
Evapolar evaLIGHTplus is the premier evaporative air cooler for your home, office, or restaurant. The device will run for around 5 hours on a full tank of water before it needs to be refilled, and then last between 8-20 hours afterward depending on how much you decide to have running at once!
Quickly create cold, cool air with the Evapolar EvaLIGHT Plus EV-1500. Use this innovative technology to keep your room at a comfortable temperature. Thanks to the evaporative air cooling system, no freon-like liquids and heat exhausted are created by just water! It’s eco-friendly, a natural way of cooling, and perfect for anyone who wants a hassle-free solution and affordable solution.
So if you want to cool down your room without breaking the bank and without the fuss, consider the Evapolar EvaLIGHT.
Portable Air Conditioner Buyer’s Guide
Buying a portable air conditioner is a big deal. They’re expensive, they’re big and they fill an important household role, keeping you comfortable. With that in mind, it is imperative to make an informed purchase. To help with this, we have written a portable air conditioner buyer’s guide.
What are the Benefits of a Portable Air Conditioner?
Portability
Let’s get the obvious benefit out of the way, they’re portable. This means they can be moved to wherever you need cool air. For houses with limited AC units, this is incredibly useful as it can be moved from the bedroom to the office to the guest room when required.
Great for Renters
If you’re not a homeowner and can’t install AC in your rental, then you should consider a portable AC unit. Just take it with you when you leave or sell it. Simple.
Easy to Install
If you’ve got a window, some spare time, and a basic understanding of tech in general, then you won’t have any issues setting up a portable air conditioner.
What are the Health Implications of Using Portable Air Conditioners
Air conditioner manufacturers claim certain benefits and advantages associated with the use of air conditioners but are they true, and if so, to what degree?
One such claim is that air conditioners are able to improve the air quality by filtering out particulate matter and therefore improving the air quality. This is shown to be true in multiple scientific and peer-reviewed studied.
According to the paper “Adverse Health Effects of Particulate Air Pollution“, air conditioners do contribute to better air quality to an extent that it benefits people’s health. The conclusion for their study was:
“Communities with higher AC prevalence had lower PM effects. Associations were observed for cardiovascular hospitalizations and central AC. Each additional 20% of households with central AC was associated with a 43% decrease in PM2.5 effects on cardiovascular hospitalization. Central AC prevalence explained 17% of between-community variability in PM2.5 effect estimates for cardiovascular hospitalizations.”
Another claim made by some air conditioner brands is that air conditioners with HEPA filters can help reduce asthmatic symptoms in children. This is shown to be true in numerous studies, with a prevalent study titled “Effectiveness of heating, ventilation and air conditioning system with HEPA filter unit on indoor air quality and asthmatic children’s health” concluding the following:
“These results indicate that air cleaning in combination with ventilation can effectively reduce symptoms for asthma sufferers.”
How Does a Portable Air Conditioner Work?
At a high-level portable air conditioners work by drawing in warm air, removing the heat, and replacing it with air at the designated temperature. Some units are also dehumidifiers and will remove moisture as well.
At a more detailed level, the warm air is cooled by cold coils which the warm air condenses onto. The heat is then transferred to a refrigeration fluid which turns into a gas, which is then expelled through the exhaust. The resulting cooler air is then fed back into the room.
For a more detailed explanation, read the following guide: https://www.explainthatstuff.com/airconditioner.html
How To Choose the Best Portable Air Conditioner
Size
Make sure you buy a unit that is suitable for your living space. Consider both the physical size of the unit and where it will be positioned but also the size of the room and the volume of air. Measure the size of the largest room you plan on using the device in. Calculate in square meters by multiplying the length and width of the room. Add in the height if you have high ceilings.
Below is a guide to help determine the AC capacity requirements for different-sized rooms:
| 20 to 30sqm | 2.8kW |
| 40sqm | 4.2kW |
| 50sqm | 5.6kW |
Key Extra Features
Dehumidifier
Many of the more premium air conditioners have a built-in dehumidifier which is an excellent feature in some climates. If you do reside in a humid climate, this is a must-have.
Programmable Timers
Runnin AC units can be expensive financially and for the environment. Programmable timers solve these problems by allowing you to set the times and temperatures you want the AC unit to run at. Don’t buy one without this feature as it will cost you more in the long run anyway.
Reverse Cycle
Portable AC units with a reverse cycle feature can not only cool the air but can also warm it too. Perfect for those who live in locations with a high degree of temperature variation.
You may also be interested in:
- The Best Air Purifiers in Australia
- The Best Essential Oil Diffusers to Buy in Australia
- The Best Dehumidifiers in Australia
Last update on 2022-01-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
