Portable AC Ratings, A Repairman Ranks The Brands...
With our portable ac ratings you can cut through all the sales hype and find the best portable cooling unit for your situation. We have searched all the manufacturers' information and combined it with our air conditioner service experience to create our unique system of ratings. It truly is as if you were taking a repairman with you while you shop!
Our simple system of stars allows you to quickly compare brands of portable cooling units. Each brand receives a rating of from 1 to 5 stars. A 5* rating means that, if we were shopping for our own home, that is the brand we would choose (if it was available). When more than one brand has a 5* rating, we would choose the least expensive unit. We have ranked them in two categories cooling only units and heat/cool units.
An NA in place of stars means that the brand does not have a unit in that category or there is not sufficient data to accurately rate it.
BRAND-----------WEBSITE----------COOL ONLY----HEAT/COOL----
AIRLUX--------airlux.ca----------2*--------------NA-- This brand has an auxiliary drain pump so that you do not have to dump a tank during dehumidifier mode.
AirPac--------coolestspot.com----1*--------------NA-- The "COOLIT2000" requires you to periodically dump the condensate. It has two tanks to minimize how often they must be dumped. The unit has oscillating auto swing for improved air circulation. The remote control is optional where on most brands it is a standard feature.
AIRWELL-------airwelluk.com------1*--------------2*-- This brand is a part of the AIRWELL GROUP which is a French company that is owned by ELCO HOLDINGS. They have three cooling models and one heat pump model available. The "AELIA" series units are split portable units which means that part of the unit is located outside. (This requires connecting refrigerant lines.)
ALEN----------alencorp.com-------1*--------------NA-- These units have a water tank that must be dumped. The units have three fan speeds and a 24 hour timer.
AMBIANCE---ambianceproducts.com--1*--------------2*-- This brand is available in North America, Latin America, and the Carribean. The AMAC 1200 units feature two hoses for efficient operation as well as swing louvers for better air circulation. The manufacturers' website is not much help and does not have a stated warranty policy.
AMCOR---------amcorgroupusa.com--3*--------------4*-- The "PLM series" units have a washable mesh filter as well as an activated carbon filter for odor removal.
ARIAGEL-------ariagel.it---------1*--------------NA-- This brand is made and sold in Italy. They offer basic units in the traditional monobloc style as well as split units. The split portable air conditioners feature quick connects so that the units can be easily moved.
AUX-----------cnaux.com----------NA--------------2*-- This brand is available in 50HZ and 60HZ models. They have an anti-bacterial filter and HEPA filter. They have three fan speeds, a 24 hour timer, and remote control. They also have a sleep mode for energy savings.
BORA--------- bora-air.com ------3*--------------NA-- This brand has three operating modes (cool,vent, dehumidify) as well as three fan speeds. They use two hoses so that no condensate tanks are required to be dumped. The units are available in 60 HZ only (in the US and Canada only).
CHIGO---------chigogroup.com-----1*--------------2*-- This brand is made in China. They are available in either R-22 or R-410a and in cool only or heat/cool models. They have a remote control, a dry mode, and timer controls.
COMFORT AIRE--heatcontroller.com-NA--------------4*-- This brand is from HEAT CONTROLLER which manufactures other hvac systems as well. The units are available in two sizes (9000 and 12000 btu/hr). They use two hoses for higher efficiency and have oscillating louvers for better air circulation. The filter is a simple washable filter which does not improve the rooms' air quality.
COMFORTSTAR---comfortstarusa.com-NA--------------2*-- This brand is only available in 60HZ units and only one size (12000 btu/hr). The unit has three fan speeds, a 24 hour timer, and auto swing louvers.
CRUISE--------seagullcooling.com-1*--------------NA-- These units are manufactured in India and only available in India and the Middle East.
DAEWOO------ e-daewoo.com-------3*--------------4*-- These units have a built-in pump to empty the tank even during dehumidifying mode.
DAITSU--------daitsu.com---------1*--------------2*-- These units use R407c which is environmentally friendly. The units also have a built-in pump for water removal even during dehumidifying.
DANBY---------danby.com----------4*--------------NA-- These units have oscillating four way air deflection for superior air circulation. The water from these units must be dumped in the dehumidifying mode. The warranty on these units includes in-home service.
DeLONGHI------delonghi.com-------1*--------------NA-- The "PENGUINO Pac C100" units use R410a which is environmentally friendly. The unit has four fan speeds.
EINHELL-------einhell.com--------1*--------------NA-- This brand is only available in a 50HZ model. The NMK2700E has drying, cooling, fan only, and sleep modes. It has a three speed fan, a swing function, and uses an activated carbon filter to improve air quality. The unit has a tank that must be dumped or a hose can be connected for continuous draining.
ELECTRA-------electra.cn---------NA--------------2*-- This brand is a part of ELCO HOLDINGS. It is made in China and is available there and in Europe. They offer a split portable unit which puts the compressor section outside.
ELECTROLUX----electrolux.com.au--4*--------------5*-- This brand is available in Australia and offers two sizes of cool only units and one size of heat pump model. They feature remote control, auto swing louvers, a 24 hour timer, and a turbo mode. They are single hose models therefore not as efficient as some brands but they are backed by a very good warranty.
FEDDERS-------fedders.com--------1*--------------3*-- The Fedders brand is now a part of the Airwell Group which is a French company that is owned by ELCO HOLDINGS. These units have 3 cooling speeds as well as 3 fan speeds. The units are available with supplemental electric heat.
FRIEDRICH-----friedrich.com------3*--------------NA-- The "ZONEAIRE" units have an intake as well as an exhaust hose to improve efficiency of operation.
FUJITRONIC----fujitronic.com-----1*--------------NA-- The "WHIRLWIND FA-9000" unit has oscillating louvers and three fan speeds for good air flow. The condensate from the unit must be manually dumped.
GAF-----------gafcontrol.com.au--1*--------------NA-- These units are available in Australia. They are available in two sizes (2.5 and 3.2 Kw). They are equipped with wireless remote. The units require draining.
GE------------geappliances.com---1*--------------NA-- These units are only available at SAMS' WAREHOUSE. The condensate must be manually removed.
HAIER---------haieramerica.com---3*--------------4*-- These units have a carbon filter as well as the standard washable mesh. The units use two hoses for higher operating efficiency.
HARBOR POINT--harborpointac.com--NA--------------2*-- These units are imported to the U.S.A. from China. The units are available in two sizes (9000 and 12000 btu) and have digital controls with remote control. The condensate from the units must be dumped. The units can be ordered online and shipped or picked up at their stores in California and Florida.
HiSEER--------ymgigp.com---------1*--------------2*-- This brand is available in cool only or heat pump models. They have a three speed motor, electronic remote control, and timer operation. They must be purchased through a dealer.
KELVINATOR----kelvinator.com.au--4*--------------5*-- This brand is from ELECTROLUX and is available in Australia. They offer cool only and heat pump models featuring remote control, auto swing louvers, a 24 hour timer, and a turbo mode. They are single hose units therefore they are not as energy efficient as some brands. They are backed by a very good warranty.
LG------------us.lge.com---------5*--------------NA-- These units have the best warranty in the industry. They have 3 cooling speeds as well as up/down auto swing air flow.
MIDEA---------mideaaircon.com----1*--------------2*-- These units have a built-in water pump for condensate removal even during dehumidifying operation.
OLIMPIA SPLENDID-olimpiasplendid.it-1*-----------2*-- The ISSIMO range of units are single hose cooling only units. They feature remote controls with timer functions and a "moon function" (sleep mode). The units require 50HZ power and therefore are not available in North America. They expel the water that is removed from the air and therefore do not require you to dump a tank. The SILENCLIMA units are portable split units where the condensing unit with the compressor is located outside. This allows you comfort without the noise. The DUPPIO models are two hose units for increased efficiency and include an electric heater.
PLASMA COOL---plasmacool.com-----3*--------------NA-- The "PE14E" units have an activated carbon filter as well as the washable mesh filter.
PREM-I-AIR-- prem-i-air.com ---1*--------------3*-- This brand is made in China for EHS LTD. and is sold in Europe and Asia. They offer a wide variety of units but the PTP35D units are the top of their line. They feature two hoses for energy savings as well as a three speed fan and oscillating louvres for enhanced air circulation. They also offer split models which are quieter because the compressor is located outside.
QIDI----------qidi.com-----------1*--------------NA-- These units have both cooling and dehumidifying modes. They use two hoses for higher efficiency. There are two sizes available (9000 and 12000 btu/hr).
ROYAL SOVEREIGN-royalsovereign.com-3*------------NA-- These units have two hoses for higher operating efficiency.
SHARP---------sharpusa.com-------3*--------------NA-- The "CV-P12LX" include their "plasmacluster ion generator" but we are not impressed with the technology. The units have an auto cool mode which selects the best fan speed for the room conditions. The unit has three normal cooling speeds as well as "MEGACOOL" for rapid cooling. The unit has auto oscillating louvers and fourway air deflection for superior air circulation.
SOLEUS AIR----soleusair.com------1*--------------3*-- This brand is available in a heat pump model for increased heating efficiency.
STIEBEL ELTRON-stiebel-eltron.de-1*--------------NA-- This brand has a intake as well as an exhaust hose for added efficiency. The unit uses environmentally friendly R-410a refrigerant.
SUNBEAM-------sunbeam.com--------1*--------------NA-- The "SCA102RPC1" model unit has a smart cooling mode and four way air deflection. The condensate reservoir must be manually dumped.
SUNPENTOWN----sunpentown.com-----1*--------------3*-- The "TN-12E" unit is available in a heat pump model. The units have an activated carbon filter for odor removal but only two fan speeds.
THERMOFLO williamson-thermoflo.com 3*------------NA-- The PRA model units are two hose models for improved efficiency. They have three operating modes (cool, dehumidify, fan). They include a wireless remote and have a built in condensate pump for moisture removal in the dehumidify mode. They also have 24 hour programming.
TILI---- tili-northamerica.com --3*--------------4*-- These units use electronic control and have a 24 hour timer. They have automatic condensate removal and a remote control. They have three modes (cool, dehumidify, fan). These units use R-22 which is not environmentally friendly. The cooling only unit is only available in a 9500 btu/hr size while the heat pump unit is only available in a 13000 btu/hr size.
TOYOTOMI------toyotomiusa.com----3*--------------NA-- The "TAD-T32G" unit has a charcoal filter, washable mesh filter, and an optional purifying filter. The remote control is stored onboard and is easily detached. The unit has an intake and exhaust hose for added operating efficiency.
WHYNTER-------whynter.com--------3*--------------4*-- The "SNO ARCTICA" line has an activated carbon filter and optional heat. The unit only has two fan speeds.
WILLIAMSON williamson-thermoflo.com 3*-----------NA-- These units use two hoses for improved efficiency. They have three operating modes (cool,dehumidify,fan) and 24 hour programming. They also have a built in condensate pump for moisture removal.
WINDCHASER-windchaserproducts.com-1*-------------4*-- This brand is available in single or double hose models. The heating units are heat pumps for added efficiency. The units use R-22 which is not environmentally friendly. The units use condensate vaporization technology so no reservoir or drain provision is required.
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