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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 buying an air conditioner.
The best portable air conditioners are very effective, energy-efficient, and look good while colling down the room. Don’t suffer more than you already have!
TL;DR: The #1 Portable Air Conditioner for Most People 👇
This portable air conditioner arguably offers the best bag for buck while still performing admirably in modest-sized rooms. It won’t cool an entire house, but if you need to cool a room down, then this guy is more than capable! 🙌
The Best Portable Air Conditioners to Buy Today in Australia
- Best Portable Air Conditioner for Large Rooms: De’Longhi Pinguino Air-to-Air Portable Air Conditioner
- Best for Most People: Costway 12000 BTU 4-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
- Best Portable Air Conditioner for the Money: Devanti Portable Air Conditioner
- Best Portable Air Conditioner for Humid Climate: Shinco 7000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
- Best Portable Air Conditioner for Apartment: Costway 7000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
- Best Portable Air Conditioner for Caravan: Evapolar evaCHILL EV-500 Personal Evaporative Cooler
1. Best Portable Air Conditioner for Large Rooms: De’Longhi Pinguino Air-to-Air Portable Air Conditioner
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Introducing our number one pick for the best portable air conditioner – the ! 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 62dB 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. Best for Most People: Costway 12000 BTU 4-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
Why we like it:
- Selectable modes for added convenience
- Timer function for energy efficiency
- Fitted with castor wheels for easy portability
- Durably built to give you long-lasting service
What customers say:
“Bought as a supplement to my split unit for the stinky hot Adelaide days, together they don’t have to run at highest (coolest) settings, slight noise is not a bother, easy operation, couldn’t be happier.”-Chris Reynolds
The Costway 12000 BTU 4-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner is the perfect unit for bringing some relief from the sweltering summer heat. It is equipped with four casters that allow for easy movement to the spaces that need cooling.
Additionally, it features 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 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. This not only prevents the air conditioner from overheating but can also help you lower your utility cost.
As the name suggests, this unit has four modes that you can choose from based on your needs. What’s more, it is very easy to operate, so just about anyone can use it. And since it comes with a remote, you can adjust the settings without having to stand up.
When used correctly, this appliance can cool the air in your room down to 16 degrees Celsius. It’s also quiet compared to most portable air conditioners in its class, so you can place it in your bedroom, office, living room, and other spaces that may need cooling without worries.
3. Best Portable Air Conditioner for the Money: Devanti Portable Air Conditioner
Coming in at the number two spot – the Devanti 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 15m², 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!
4. Best Portable Air Conditioner for Humid Climate: Shinco 7000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Why we like it:
- Adjustable fan speed for customised cooling
- It has a timer for hands-free operation
- Durably built to give you long-lasting service
- Has a sleep mode
What customers say:
“This is easy to operate and cools well. The only downside is it is quite noisy, even on the lowest of the two fan speed settings. I was hoping this would be ok to leave on while sleeping but it is too noisy for that.”-Rob Gibson
The Shinco 7000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner is also another reliable AC that you can consider buying. This unit has all the features that you may look for in a portable air conditioner, so you can add it to your list knowing that it will deliver great results.
It has a cooling power of 7000BTU, making it a great choice for cooling small to medium-sized rooms. In addition to this, this air conditioner comes with washable filters, meaning you won’t spend your dough on costly filter replacements.
Also, it offers three modes that you can use in different scenarios. It even has a dehumidification function that can help keep the moisture levels in your room at a minimum. But that is not all; there are selectable fan speed settings that you can use depending on your cooling needs.
And like most units with a similar design, Shinco’s portable air conditioner features four castor wheels for easy mobility. This means you can move it from one room to another without straining yourself. If you are looking for a high-performance portable air conditioner that is reasonably priced, this unit can be a great pick.
5. Best Portable Air Conditioner for Apartment: Costway 7000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Why we like it:
- Comes with a remote control for wireless customisation
- LED display for easy operation
- Automatic defrost function
- Features a built-in handle
What customers say:
“Great value for money, easy to set up. Powerful little thing, can get a little noisy but you get used to it and you stop noticing.”-Brooke Lawrance
The Costway 7000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner has a long list of features that you will find helpful in different situations. This unit not only cools but can also dehumidify your room to create a healthy environment for your family.
It is fitted with a large-capacity water tank for uninterrupted run time. With 2 fan speed settings to choose from, you can customise this unit according to your preference. More to this, there are three operation modes that you can employ when using this air conditioner.
The large vent holes will ensure there is maximum airflow when the unit is running, thereby delivering an instant cooling effect. Besides, you can adjust the louvres to direct airflow to the area that you want to cool.
With the backlit LED display in place, you can monitor this device with ease. Plus, the included remote control will give you quick access to all cooling functions, thus making it even more convenient.
6. Best Portable Air Conditioner for Caravan: Evapolar evaCHILL EV-500 Personal Evaporative Cooler
Why we like it:
- Lightweight and compact for easy portability
- Four fan speeds for customised airflow
- The attached handle makes it easy to carry
- 7.5W cooling system for reduced energy consumption
What customers say:
“I had very little faith in this one, but after using it for the past few weeks in the Australian summer I must say I love it…”–Rita
The Evapolar evaCHILL EV-500 Personal Evaporative Cooler is lightweight, compact, and powerful. It is one of the best personal air conditioners currently available on the market, so you can go for it knowing that you are buying a device that will keep you cool when the ambient temperature rises.
Despite its size, this unit offers four fan speeds for customised cooling. The good thing about this air conditioner is that you can use it in the office without interfering with those around you.
It is designed in such a way that it only directs airflow in one direction, making it n great pick for anyone who wants to cool their personal space. And because it uses the evaporative method, the Evapolar evaCHILL EV-500 can double as a humidifier.
As such, it won’t dry your skin and hair even if you sit close to it. The evaBREEZE material on this portable air conditioner is made of high-quality inorganic basal fibres to inhibit the growth of mould and bacteria.
You will be happy to know that you can place this evaporative portable air conditioner just about anywhere. Moreover, it is very affordable and can be an ideal choice for those on a tight budget.
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 and best selling portable air conditioner brands in Aussie.
For this step, we consulted Canstar Blue-one of of Australia’s most trusted product comparison websites. Additionally, we visited local e-commerce stores like The Good Guys, Harvey Norman, Bunnings, and Appliances Online. We shortlisted 36 portable air conditioners we found down to a list of the top 20 portable ac units.
Our team then compared and assessed the air conditioners based on value-for-money, cooling power, energy efficiency, aesthetics, and additional features. Based on these results, we’re confident that the above list truly represents the best portable air conditioners Australia has to offer.
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 |
Energy efficiency
If you are looking to lower your electricity bill, you should consider buying a portable air conditioner that is energy efficient. Most of the units in this guide can run for long hours without increasing your utility cost.
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 2025-07-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
