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The best portable air conditioners to buy for staying cool this summer – approved by the GHI
Keep cool in the heat of summer
Unsurprisingly, the Country Living office has spent much of this week discussing the best ways to keep our homes cool. From sleep-revolutionising fans to clever heatwave hacks, we’ve covered just about every trick for making the heat in our homes more bearable, but now we’re asking whether it’s finally time to invest in air conditioning.
For many of us, the thought of installing a fixed wall-mounted unit feels expensive, impractical or simply too much hassle, particularly in period homes or rented properties. Thankfully, portable air conditioners have come a long way in recent years. Like a trusty fan, they can be wheeled out during stifling summer heatwaves and tucked away once temperatures cool down again.
The question is: which ones are actually worth buying? Thankfully, the experts at Good Housekeeping have put the latest models to the test. So, if you’re considering investing in portable air conditioning this summer, these are the ones worth your money.
De'Longhi De'Longhi Pinguino AP98 Gentle Jet Portable Air Conditioning Unit, 11500 BTU/h, For Rooms up to 100m3
De'Longhi De'Longhi Pinguino AP98 Gentle Jet Portable Air Conditioning Unit, 11500 BTU/h, For Rooms up to 100m3
This air conditioning unit is easy to assemble and use, with strong airflow, multiple modes and relatively quiet operation on lower settings, while remaining fairly energy efficient for its power. It's great for cooling larger, open-plan spaces. Instead of a cold blast, it has Arctic Gentle Surround technology which diffuses cool air into the surroundings.
This portable air conditioner is designed for smaller spaces and offers incredible convenience through smart technology which can be linked to your phone. The temperatures are adjustable between 16℃ and 30℃ and it runs surprisingly quietly too, thanks to DREO’s noise isolation system, making it a good fit for bedrooms or home offices. Alongside cooling, it also works as a fan and dehumidifier, with a drainage-free system that automatically evaporates excess moisture in humid conditions.
Pro Breeze 12000 BTU Portable Air Conditioning Unit
Pro Breeze 12000 BTU Portable Air Conditioning Unit
With rapid cooling and a powerful air flow, this unit is perfect for chilling rooms fast. It also offers three fan speeds, as opposed to the typical two of other models, which can be controlled through an app on your phone.
The Meaco Cool MC 8000CHBTU is designed as a year-round option for smaller spaces, combining cooling, heating, dehumidifying and fan modes in one unit. Suitable for rooms between 16–26m², it runs relatively quietly from 51dB and has an A energy rating to help keep running costs lower.
It can be controlled either through the Meaco app or with the included remote, making it an easy, flexible option for managing room temperature through both warmer and colder months.
Designed for smaller spaces, this portable air conditioner delivers quick cooling in rooms up to 215 square feet, making it well suited to bedrooms, home offices, kitchens or cabins during warmer weather. It offers two power settings, depending on how much cooling is needed, alongside fan and dehumidifying modes for more flexible everyday use.
This air conditioner is a more affordable option that offers up great benefits but is on the larger side so putting it away in the winter requires good storage space.
This portable air conditioner does the basics well, combining cooling, fan and dehumidifying functions in one unit. There’s also a sleep mode, which lowers the noise level and dims the display lights overnight. Features like the 24-hour timer and child lock add a bit of practicality for everyday use, ensuring you're only using energy when needed. Installation is straightforward, particularly for renters, as the included window kit fits most sliding windows without the need for drilling or permanent fixtures.
Daisy Bendall is the Houses Editor at Country Living and House Beautiful, where she spends her days sourcing some of the most inspiring homes across the country. Prior to specialising in real homes, Daisy worked for Good Housekeeping, Red, Elle Decoration and Prima, styling shoots, covering the latest decorating trends and hunting down the best buys for your home.
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