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Beat The Heat With The Best Small Air Conditioners Of 2022

This product guide was written by Jovana Dosenovic
Last Updated September 23, 2022
Jovana Dosenovic
Jovana is a writer and copy editor living with her lazy calico cat and thousands of (mostly unread) books. She has worked as a copywriter, fact-checker, QA analyst, and librarian, but this has been her favorite gig so far. A bit of a bookworm since she was tiny, she loves nothing more than curling up with a giant cup of coffee or tea and a good book. When not hunched over a keyboard or book, Jovana enjoys going on long walks, short hikes, and occasional camping trips. She also has an unfinished novel she’d like to publish one day. No, really.
Learn about The Gearhungry's Editorial Process
GearHungry may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn more

Need to cool down your living room, bedroom, or office space, but don’t want to invest in a central AC unit? No problem – that’s what small air conditioners are for. Available as window air conditioner units or portable AC units that you can move from room to room, small-space air conditioners are affordable, compact and easy to set up, and can help you stay cool and comfortable in your home or office without spending a small fortune.

When shopping for a small air conditioner, there are a couple of things you want to pay close attention to. The first one is the British Thermal Unit rating (BTU for short) which measures a unit’s cooling capacity. This will help you decide what air conditioner size is best for your room. The second thing to check is the unit’s energy efficiency rating. Even the best portable air conditioners are less energy efficient than central air, so we recommend sticking to models with high energy rating labels. Other features you may want to consider include the size of the unit itself, temperature settings and timer, filters, and noise level.

Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of the best small air conditioners – window air conditioners and portable units included – that will help keep you cool and comfortable no matter where you are. Now is also the perfect time to get a small air conditioner as many are enjoying discounts as Fall approaches.

Our Top Picks
  • Best Wall-Mounted AC for Medium-Sized Rooms: LG 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner
  • Best Portable AC For Medium-Sized Rooms: Black + Decker 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
  • Best Window AC for Smaller Rooms: Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner
  • Best Smart Portable AC: Midea Smart 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
  • Best Smart Window-Mounted AC: hOmeLabs 6,000 BTU Smart Control Window Air Conditioner
  • Quietest Window-Mounted AC for Small Bedrooms: Frigidaire 5,000 BTU Window-Mounted Air Conditioner
  • Easiest Window Air Conditioner to Install: GE 5000 BTU Window Air Conditioner
  • Most Powerful Portable AC: Whynter ARC-14SH 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
  • Best Evaporative Personal Cooler: Evapolar evaCHILL Portable Conditioner

The Best Small Air Conditioner

1
LG 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner

lg window mounted remote control small air conditioner

The LG 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner is ideal for medium-sized rooms, up to 340 square feet. It comes with three fan speeds, and with its removable and easy-clean air filter, you can rest assured that the airflow will always be fresh and healthy.

While this is not a smart window AC that you can control and monitor via your phone from anywhere, it does come with an old-fashioned full-function remote, allowing you to easily control it across the room. The unit has a programmable timer as well, so that it can turn off exactly when you plan it to. Importantly, the LG Window Air Conditioner also meets the standards of the energy star program (12.1 energy efficiency ratio), which translates into electricity savings.

For more excellent products like this, check out our list of the best smart air conditioners on the market right now.

Key Features:

8,000 BTUs

Cools up to 340 square feet

4-way air deflection

24-hour timer

Energy saver function

Auto restart

Full function remote

53dB in low mode

Specification:
  • BrandLG
  • ModelLW8017ERSM-P
  • Weight58 Pounds
Pros

Washable, reusable filter

Easy to install

Excellent value for money

Cons

Somewhat louder than other portable air conditioners in this guide

BUY ON AMAZON
BUY ON WALMARTBUY ON HOME DEPOT

2
Black + Decker 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

black decker portable small air conditioner

Perfect for smaller rooms, the Black + Decker 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner comes with an adjustable fan speed and cools the air to 65°F at the coolest setting. Roll this portable air conditioner in, feed the hose out of the window with the window adapter, plug it in, and enjoy the cool air. It comes with an LED display, remote control, and a timer so that you can have precise control over the temperature.

The hose of this portable AC unit is almost five feet long, so you get a bit of flexibility with positioning the unit once set up. In addition to its pretty impressive cooling capabilities, this Black + Decker model works as a fan and dehumidifier to keep your living space cool and dry. We’re also big fans of the Sleep Mode which makes the unit very quiet and auto-controls the air temperature at night.

Key Features:

10,000 BTUs

Cools up to 250 square feet

R32 refrigerant

3 fan levels

24-hour timer

3-in-1 functionality

Window venting kit included

Specification:
  • BrandBLACK + DECKER
  • ModelBPACT10WT
  • Weight26 Pounds
Pros

Compact and easy to move from room to room

Quiet and powerful, quickly cools down a room

Multifunctional, cools and dehumidifies

Easy to use and clean

Cons

The exhaust tube could be longer

Quieter than some models, but still noticeably noisy

BUY ON AMAZON
BUY ON WAYFAIRBUY ON WALMART

3
Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner

midea window small air conditioner

The Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner has seven temperature settings, along with two levels of cooling and two fan speeds, all of which are controlled by mechanical dials. As a lower-powered air conditioner, it’s meant for rooms under 150 square feet and is lighter than many other window air conditioners and easier to install.

Many reviews highlight how quiet this unit is, so it could be ideal if you are a light sleeper. It comes with a washable mesh filter to reduce bacteria, odor, and airborne particles, keeping the air cleaner. The unit has an efficiency rating of 11.0 which helps reduce the energy costs to save you money throughout the year. If you’re looking for a relatively lightweight, quiet window unit to cool a smaller room, this air conditioner is a great choice.

Key Features:

5,000 BTUs

7 temperature settings

2-way air direction

Dual operation modes

Wide range of BTU options

Specification:
  • BrandMidea
  • ModelMAW05M1BWT
  • Weight42.9 Pounds
Pros

Small but powerful

Energy efficient

Easy to install

Affordable price

Cons

No remote control

The icons on the controls are tiny so difficult to see

BUY ON AMAZON
BUY ON WAYFAIR

4
Midea Smart 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner

midea smart 3 in 1 portable small air conditioner

This small but mighty portable AC unit from Midea has built-in smart technology that allows you to control it from anywhere via an app. You can also pair it with Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant for truly effortless voice control. But smart tech is just the tip of the iceberg – the Midea Smart 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner is rated at 10, 000 BTU, so it’s ideal for medium-sized rooms, plus it allows you to choose a temperature between 62 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Midea portable AC unit has three modes to choose from — air conditioner, dehumidifier, and fan only mode — so you have complete control over the air in your room. To use this portable unit, set up the exhaust hose and window kit, and turn it on. Then you can roll it out of the way when not in use. For rooms larger than 200 square feet, this unit will fall short, however, there are models rated at 12,000 BTUs and 14,000 BTUs available as well. Overall, one of the best, if not the best portable AC in the smart category and this price range.

Key Features:

10,000 BTUs, for spaces up to 200 sq. ft.

SmartCool system with Wifi and voice control

Easy-to-read LED display

Adjustable timer

Washable air filter

3 operation modes

Remote control included

Easy installation

Specification:
  • BrandMidea
  • ModelMAP10S1CWT
  • Weight67.9 Pounds
Pros

Effortless remote control via app or voice commands

Small but efficient at cooling medium-sized rooms

Easy to set up and use

Excellent value for money

Cons

Not terribly loud but still quite noisy on medium and high mode

BUY ON AMAZON
BUY ON WALMART

5
hOmeLabs 6,000 BTU Smart Control Window Air Conditioner

homelabs window mounted air conditioner

Effortlessly cool down rooms up to 250 square feet big with this smart window air conditioner from hOmeLabs. Pair it with the accompanying app and take control of your air conditioning via your phone. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant if you prefer voice control. Equally important, the hOmeLabs 6,000 BTU Smart Control Window Air Conditioner is energy efficient and CEC, DOE, and CSA certified. Prefer old-school technologies? No problem – you can operate this unit using the included remote control.

The hOmeLabs window air conditioner is also quite multifunctional. Aside from the Cool mode which allows you to efficiently cool a room, it has Dry mode for reducing humidity, and Fan mode for getting rid of stale air. Of course, it also has a 24-hour timer and Eco mode. Overall, one of the best small window units around!

For more must-have products for the summer, make sure to browse our list of best-selling pedestal fans at the moment.

Key Features:

6,000 BTUs, up to 250 sq.ft.

62 °F to 89 °F. with 5 cooling settings

Reusable, washable filter

Energy Star certified

Wi-Fi enabled

24-hour timer

52 dB to 56 dB

23-36 inch window mount kit

Specification:
  • BrandhOmeLabs
  • ModelHME020003N
  • Weight36.5 Pounds
Pros

Effortless smart monitoring and control

Small, fits the vast majority of windows

Cools down even bigger rooms fast

Energy efficient

Cons

Relatively loud

BUY ON AMAZON
BUY ON WALMART

6
Frigidaire 5,000 BTU Window-Mounted Air Conditioner

frigidaire 5,000 btu window mounted air conditioner

The Frigidaire’s 5,000 BTU Window-Mounted Air Conditioner is perfect for small rooms, up to 150 square feet. As one of the most best-rated window air conditioners on the market, it comes with a fantastic cooling capacity and user-friendly temperature control: it maintains a preset room temperature so you can remain comfortable at all times.

This Frigidaire unit has a washable, reusable dust filter and is compatible with the brand’s mounting bracket and side panel for easy installation. It also comes with an extra long power cord so you can say goodbye to your extension cord. All in all, a pretty basic but great-quality window AC that’s best suited to small spaces. Be sure to also check out our selection of the most reliable wall AC units.

Key Features:

5,000 BTUs, up to 150 sq.ft.

Washable dust filter

Maintains preset temperature

51.3 dBA noise level

Manual control panel

Adjustable side panels

Specification:
  • BrandFrigidaire
  • ModelFFRA051WAE
  • Weight35.3 Pounds
Pros

Tiny but powerful, ideal for small rooms

Good-quality construction

Blows very cold air, cools down room fast

Easy to install

Cons

No remote control

No eco mode so not the most energy efficient

BUY ON AMAZON
BUY ON WALMARTBUY ON HOME DEPOT

7
GE 5000 BTU Window Air Conditioner

ge 5000 btu window air conditioner

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, easy-to-install window air conditioner for small rooms, offices and spaces, look no further than GE 5000 BTU Window Air Conditioner. Designed to cool 150 square foot rooms, this small air conditioner delivers a 5,000 BTU cooling capacity for maximum comfort. While pretty basic, it comes from a reputable brand, is efficient and relatively quiet.

This window AC comes with a mechanical thermostat, but that’s generally not an issue for such small air conditioners since they’re designed for smaller spaces and are an arm’s reach away, so are still easy to adjust. The unit has two cooling modes and two fan speeds as well as 10 temperature settings for flexible and optimal room temperature. It installs easily in double-hung windows with included EZ Mount window kit and fixed chassis. Here are some top-rated mini split ACs you may be interested in, as well. Be sure to browse them.

Key Features:

5,000 BTUs, up to 150 sq.ft.

Mechanical thermostat

2 cool and fan modes

10 temperature settings

Window installation kit included

Specification:
  • BrandGE
  • Model‎AHEC05AC
  • Weight36 Pounds
Pros

Ideal for smaller rooms

Quick and easy to install

Competitive price

Cons

No remote control

BUY ON AMAZON
BUY ON WALMARTBUY ON HOME DEPOT

8
Whynter ARC-14SH 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner

whynter arc 14sh 14,000 btu dual hose portable air conditioner

Enjoy ice-cold air with the Whynter ARC-14SH 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner. This little beast of a dual hose AC provides magnificent cooling capacity for large rooms – up to 500 square feet large, to be precise. Dual hose portable ACs use both an intake hose and an exhaust hose, so they’re more efficient than other portable units and the Whynter ARC-14SH definitely falls in this same heavy-duty cooling category.

This portable AC unit is also multifunctional with four modes – Cool, Heat, Dehumidify, and Fan. It’s equipped with a washable pre-filter and activated carbon filter so it provides fresh and cool air at all times. It also has digital and remote control, a timer, and an auto drain function. While heavy (80 pounds!), it’s compact so it doesn’t take up much floor space. All in all, one of the best portable air conditioners currently on the market. We just wish it had the capability to sync with an app!

Key Features:

14,000 BTUs, up to 500 sq.ft.

CFC free GREEN R32 refrigerant

Dual hose configuration

Pre-filter and activated carbon filter

4 operational modes

Timer and auto-drain function

Around 56 dBA noise level

Specification:
  • BrandWhynter
  • ModelARC-14SH
  • Weight80 Pounds
Pros

Excellent cooling capacity, ideal for larger rooms

Very cold, does not create negative pressure

Versatile and efficient 4-in-1 design

More energy efficient than similar ACs

Cons

For the price, the unit could have the capability to sync with an app

BUY ON AMAZON
BUY ON WALMARTBUY ON HOME DEPOT

9
Evapolar evaCHILL Portable Conditioner

evapolar evachill portable conditioner

If clean, fresh and cool air is what you’re after, an evaporative cooler (also known as a swamp cooler) like Evapolar evaCHILL is a fantastic choice. This small portable conditioner cools and humidifies the air using evaporative cooling technology, while the cartridge catches dust particles. Unlike other cooling systems, this one doesn’t have exhaust tubes or intake tubes – it simply uses evaporative technology to cool a space, making it ideal not only for indoor but outdoor use and travel, as well.

The Evapolar evaChill portable conditioner has a 27-ounce water tank which you need to refill every couple of hours or so, and can cool your personal space by 9-25 degrees Fahrenheit by blowing a pleasant, cool breeze. It also consumes only 7.5 W to 12.5 W so it’s incredibly energy-efficient. Mind you, this nifty machine is not designed to cool a large room – only a small personal space. This makes it ideal for keeping you comfortable while you work, relax in your tent, or cook for example, but don’t expect it to cool your entire room.

Key Features:

Uses evaporative technology

Cartridge made from basalt fibers

27 oz (800ml) water tank

Consumes 7.5W to 12.5W

Weighs 1.6 Pounds

Specification:
  • BrandEvapolar
  • ModelEV-500W
  • Weight16 Ounces
Pros

The most energy-efficient portable AC out there

No Freon-like liquids, only natural fibers

Ultra-portable, ideal for travel

Cons

Cools only a small personal space

Not suitable for humid climates

BUY ON AMAZON
BUY ON WALMARTBUY ON NEWEGG
Small Air Conditioner Buying Guide
  • Why Trust Us
  • Who This Is For
  • How We Picked
  • Features To Look For In Small Air Conditioners
  •  Small Air Conditioner FAQ

Why Trust Us

To give you the very best small and portable air conditioners, we spent three days researching the market, comparing the best-sellers, and reading customer reviews. If you're looking for a compact, easy-to-install, efficient and reasonably priced portable AC or window air conditioner, you're guaranteed to find this guide useful.

Who This Is For

This guide is for anyone looking for a quality small air conditioner. Whether you're looking for a unit to cool down your bedroom, work space, living room, or even your camping tent, you'll find it here.

How We Picked

We checked out both old and new best-rated portable AC units, read dozens of verified customer reviews, and compared the tech specs for each model (Seasonally Adjusted Cooling Capacity ratings, BTU ratings, energy star ratings, etc). To find the best models for varying needs and preferences, we made sure to include both portable AC units and window air conditioner units in our selection.

small air conditioners

Features To Look For In Small Air Conditioners

Type of the air conditioner — There are a few different types of small air conditioners. One of the popular ones is a window-mounted AC. These usually do the best job of cooling down an entire room. While they are often easy enough to install, they are large and not convenient if you plan to move them around a lot.

If you’re looking for a portable option, one you can move from room to room, opt for a portable air conditioner. These units usually come with wheels and use a hose to funnel hot air out of the room. Most people use a window, and many units have an included adapter so you can use the hose in a window.

There are also personal or tabletop air conditioners that can provide cooling without the aid of a window. These models are usually smaller than window units or portable air conditioners, and may not work as well if you are trying to cool an entire room but are great for cooling your personal space.

Cooling power — Cooling power, measured in BTUs (British thermal units), is a key factor to pay attention to. The size of your room will affect how many BTUs you should look for in an air conditioning unit. An air conditioner typically needs 20 BTUs for each square foot of living space, so if you're buying a portable AC for a 150 square feet room, you'd need a unit with at least 3,000 BTUs. In general, the larger the room, the higher the BTU rating.

Energy efficiency — Many portable AC units are not particularly energy efficient which is why it's important to stick to models with good energy ratings (we made sure to pick only energy-efficient models for this guide!). Whichever model you choose, we recommend a rating above D.

Noise level - If you're a light sleeper, keep an eye on the noise level. Conveniently, many brands advertise energy consumption and the number of decibels generated by their units. For example, many white noise machines have a volume of 45 dB, so we recommend sticking to models with a noise level between 45 to 55 dB.

Extra features — Pay attention to any additional features your air conditioner comes with as well, such as its ability to work as a fan, as a humidifier or a dehumidifier, and if it comes with added features like remote control, timers, or Wi-Fi compatibility. While these features do not make or break a small air conditioner, they can make using it easier and more pleasant.

Warranty and support — Finally, keep an eye on the warranty and support available for the model you plan to buy. There’s nothing worse than making it halfway through summer and having your air conditioner break with no way to repair it.

small air conditioner

 Small Air Conditioner FAQ

Q: What is a small air conditioner?

A: A small air conditioner is an AC unit that can cool one room at a time. Many are not fixed units and can be installed or moved around whenever you want, but there are small window air conditioner units available, too. Portable models can be carried from room to room and most can be installed by one or two people and then stored away during cold months.

Q: What’s the smallest AC unit?

A: While there will be trade-offs between size and cooling power, you can find some pretty small AC units on the market. If you're really tight with space and you cannot or don't want to bother with the installation, you may want to consider a personal evaporative cooler. These units are smaller than many fans and can help cool you down more effectively than a standard desktop fan.

Q: Can I use a portable air conditioner in a room without a window?

A: You do not exactly need a window to use a portable air conditioner. You can choose to connect its hose to a vent out of the room through a door or wall. However, that is much trickier to set up. In this case, it may be easier to use a personal cooler or even a fan as these do not require a vent.

Q: Is it safe to use an air cooler?

A: Air coolers can cool you down through the evaporation of water and the use of a fan, which is great for dry climates. There is a misconception that air coolers are harmful to your health since they add moisture to the air, but they also purify the air and, if you live in a dry climate, they are likely beneficial to help humidify and cool your room.

Sources:

  1. How to Vent A Portable Air Conditioner Without A Window - American Home Water & Air
  2. The Different Types Of Air Conditioning Systems - ActronAir
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