Best portable air conditioners for a cool girl summer

Primed and perfect for yet (another) UK heatwave...

Air Conditioners - Challenge, De'Longhi and Black + Decker

by Piper Huxley |
Updated on

If you're looking for the best air conditioner for your home, you've come to the right place. After all, a hot girl summer doesn't mean you have to be actually hot, temperature-wise (!). Especially when you're working from home, you want to be comfy when writing emails and sitting through meetings. You don't want to pop your camera on for a call - and look like you're melting in your summer dress. Not ideal.

Oh, how we love to talk about the weather in Britain; we can’t wait for summer to arrive, and when it does, it’s hot. Might be too hot. With heatwaves and rising temperatures, it can be difficult to keep up with our busy schedules in the heat – is it time to invest in an air conditioner for your home? Commuting and sleeping are the most two difficult tasks when it’s really hot, but we’re here to try to make it better. Whilst you can't take your tower fan on the Underground, we can but hope they get some air-con, tbh.

Best air conditioners at a glance:

Best portable conditioner: Black + Decker BXAC40024GB, White - view at AO.com
Budget-friendly pick: CAIKEZI 4-in-1 Oscillating Portable - view on Amazon UK
Best for silence: electriQ EcoSilent A+ Low Energy 12000 BTU - view at Appliances Direct

Buying an air conditioner can be more affordable than you think. The ones we’ve selected here are portable, so you can quickly move them around the house and get cooler air wherever you go. Think of them like a powerful handheld fan. Within a range of £15 to £400, you can get the right product that will make hot days much more pleasant. We're so ready for a cool girl summer, just saying - so, Closer has searched the web and found the best (and coolest) portable air conditioners for your home.

Best air conditioners for your home

Looking for the best air conditioners for a home in the UK? Look no further, babes. Closer is the best at finding you the best appliances for your kitchen, living room and beyond...

Best portable air conditioner

Black + Decker BXAC40024GB Air Conditioner - WhiteBlack + Decker

Sorted. This is our favourite pick. Though a little pricey, the Black + Decker BXAC40024GB, White will keep you comfy in the tropical weather we get here in the UK. Perfect for keeping overwhelming warmth and mould at bay, it doubles as a dehumidifier, easily controlled by a cheeky remote control. It's ideal for smaller rooms - such as a bedroom - when you're desperate to get some sleep and melting in the early hours from the heat. This Black + Decker pick has got your back.

Said to be a handy little appliance, the Black + Decker BXA model has earned a 4.8/5 star average from AO.com reviews. One customer said it was easy to set up (just fifteen minutes), came at a great price and beat the heat. That's what we love to hear. Other customers love how compact it is - hardly noticeable when pushed to the side of a room - and works well, with plenty of features to try. As for pain points, a few customers said it was a little noisy - despite being energy efficient for bills.

Pros

  • Uses little power - and has a cost-efficient energy rating
  • With up to three-speed settings to choose from
  • Various programmes can be operated by remote control

Cons

  • A little noisy
Dimensions20 x 30 x 30 cm
Cable Length1.8 m
SettingsThree Speeds
Noise Level56 dB
Coveragemax. 28 m²
Energy UsageA; 780W
Guarantee2 Year

Best budget pick

CAIKEZI 4 in 1 Air CoolerAmazon UK

Or, consider staying comfy with the CAIKEZI 4-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner. A versatile unit, this gadget combines an air conditioner, humidifier and LED ambient light to make sure summers are super cool. And, it's been designed with energy efficiency in mind, so your bills aren't too greatly impacted. An eco-friendly choice for a budget lifestyle, it's a great choice. Add ice, water or even essential oils to enjoy cool air, anytime. With adjustable speed and spray modes, a large water tank, an automatic shutdown timer and a portable design, it is a force to be reckoned with. Beat the heat this summer for a comfy indoor space. What are reviews saying?

With an impressive average 4.85/5 star rating from Amazon customers, we paid attention to this highly-rated gadget. Customers were pleasantly impressed by the effectiveness of this air conditioner. One customer commented that it can bring the temperature in a room - without making too much noise or needing to empty the water tank frequently. A budget-friendly gadget for the summer, it works efficiently and quietly! However, some customers found it not powerful enough for their space.

Pros

  • Features an automatic timing shutdown
  • 4-in-1 versatile pick with a dehumidifier setting
  • With a handle and USB candle for portability

Cons

  • Some customers found it not powerful enough for their space
Dimensions15.6 x 28 x 14.8 cm
Cable LengthUnspecified.
SettingsFour wind speeds, two mist modes
Noise Level38 dB
CoveragePresumably a small space
Energy UsageUnspecified.
GuaranteeN/A

Best for silence

Transform your living space with the electriQ EcoSilent A+ Low Energy 12000 BTU air conditioner. it's a smart choice for efficient, versatile, and powerful cooling. Eco and silent? Yes, please. We're intrigued. This smart 3-in-1 owner combines cooling, dehumidifying and fan to deliver the coolest room this hot girl summer. Rated A+ for its energy efficiency, it's designed to keep costs low whilst keeping you cool. Sign us up. With smartphone compatibility, advanced scheduling to save some time and money and a dehumidifier mode to keep mould away. We couldn't be happier with this choice.

Pros

  • Control from your smartphone or assistant
  • Five modes: from Sleep to Cool to Dehumidify
  • Quick, quiet and energy-saving (only 26p an hour!)

Cons

  • Not suited for extra large spaces
Dimensions72 x 43 x 37 cm
Cable Length1.5 m
SettingsFive speeds
Noise Level56 dB
Coverage30 sqm
Energy UsageA+; 26p cost per hour
Guarantee1-year warranty

Best value air conditioner

If the weather is too much, why not grab the budget-friendly Challenge 7K Air Conditioner to cool you down? You won't be breaking a sweat with this around, that's for sure. It's easy to move around with castor wheels from room to room. And, the LED display, timer function and remote give you a straightforward, relaxed way to look after your new gadget. Plus, with an auto-restart, overload protection and a fireproof control box, you'll rest easy that your new piece of kit is keeping you safe, as well as cool. Suitable for smaller rooms - like home officers - this Challenge is great value for money and comes with two speed settings to tailor to your needs. What about reviews?

From over 60 reviews, this Challenge Portable Conditioner has earned a 4.4/5 star rating average, with 82% of customers recommending it. Reviews praise the design and features, whilst performance is said to be the best feature. However, the noise is rated the lowest. One customer commented that it's great for their front room when it gets too hot and the dehumidifier is great for reducing moisture from the air when hanging out washing. However, some found it ineffective.

Pros

  • With castors for easy movement
  • Suitable for a home office
  • Versatile - with a dehumidifier mode

Cons

  • No energy usage specified.
Dimensions63.4 x 32.9 x 31.8 cm
Cable Length1.8 m
Settings2 speed settings
Noise Level62 dB
CoverageSuitable for room size up to 9-14m2m².
Energy UsageUnspecified.
GuaranteeManufacturer's 1 year guarantee.

Best user-friendly air conditioner

KGOGO 4-in-1 Portable UnitAmazon
Price: £249.99

For a versatile and budget-friendly pick, the KGOGO 4-in-1 Portable Unit comes with 7000 BTU capacity, making it ideal for small to medium spaces - whether bedroom, office or living space. A multi-functional unit, it exceeds its functionality - and can be used as a fan and dehumidifier. It comes with two speeds and a dehumidification function for optimal air quality and comfort, maintaining the perfect indoor climate. Heatwaves, be damned. This air con unit has got your back with its compact, user-friendly design. It has a real-time display and remote control, as well as four casters for easy mobility. Plus, with a 24-hour timer and sleep mode, it will grant you energy efficiency and comfort. No need to worry. The Sleep Mode is a great pick for hot nights, as it dims the LED and reduces noise.

From Amazon UK, this portable 4-in-1 unit clocks in a respectable 4.5/5 star rating, with reviews praising the performance, ease of use, quality and size of the air con unit. One customer commented that the set-up was super straightforward - and though a little heavy, it's compact and works well. It's said to make rather a general amount of noise, no more than a fan would. Another review mentions that this unit can chill the room pretty quickly, seamlessly blending in and not sticking out too much. However, there are a few niggles. Opinions are mixed on portability (it's a little heavy and the castors work better on hard floors) and noise (which is said to be standard). Overall, very user-friendly.

Pros

  • Real-time display and remote control for easy use
  • Compact, portable and easy to move around on castors
  • 24-hour timer and sleep mode for energy-efficiency

Cons

  • Opinions are mixed on portability and noise
Dimensions38 x 38 x 87 cm; 24 kg
Cable LengthUnspecified.
SettingsAir Conditioner, Dehumidifier, or Fan.
Noise Level<65 dB
Coverage7000 BTU
Energy UsageA; 760 W
GuaranteeUnspecified.

Best for energy-efficiency

Russell Hobbs RHPAC3001B Air Conditioner - Black We price match 0330 058 0020 We're always working hard to give you the best possible price, but if you do find it cheaper somewhere else, we'll price match it! Just give our sales team a quick call.Russell Hobbs

Stay cool this summer with the Russell Hobbs RHPAC3001B, Black unit, which has been designed for rooms up to 14 m². Sleek, black and versatile, this unit offers two-speed settings (a cold breeze or a powerful blast of cold air). Plus, the dehumidifying function is perfect for tackling mould and moisture - keeping your humble abode healthy. And, it can even help dry our laundry! You can easily adjust these settings and functions, thanks to the user-friendly controls. Sit back and enjoy a cool breeze without any hassle. Plus, a timer function will set the air conditioner to turn off automatically and complete with an A on the energy rating scale, this won't cost an arm and a leg to run. Stay comfy and breathe easy with this energy-saving pick. What about reviews?

Reviews have granted this Russell Hobbs unit a 4.7/5 star rating average on AO. Impressive, we know. But, what are the customers saying? One review calls this pick a "god-send" - love that. They add that it's great value for money, not noisy and cools a room down quickly. A bonus - it doesn't use too much electricity to run, either. Another customer says it's nice and compact - perfect for a bedroom, or at night time. Overall, customers are impressed by the performance. Any negatives? One customer notes that it can't be used in a room with "wooden windows", windows that have not been updated with double glazing, we assume. Some found it not too noisy, whereas, others did - so, it just depends on how many air cons and fans you've tried over the years, and how this compares to them.

Pros

  • Boasts a mould-busting dehumidifying function
  • Super simple, easy-to-use touch controls
  • A energy rating to help save on your energy bills

Cons

  • Cannot be used in homes with wooden windows
Dimensions66.4 x 32.8 x 32.2 cm
Cable Length1.5 m
SettingsTwo speeds
Noise Level64 dB
Coverage14 msq.
Energy UsageA; 670 W
Guarantee2 Year

Premium air conditioner

Relax in a perfectly cool space, thanks to the De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EM82 Portable Unit. It's stylish and efficient - designed to deliver comfort, whilst energy bills remain low and manageable. Ideal for rooms up to 80 metres squared, this air conditioner unit packs a punch and can cool down a larger space. Offering a fan function with three-speed settings and a dehumidifying function (extracting up to 43 litres of moisture per day), this powerful unit transforms your space. Set the programmes easily with the soft-touch control panel or remote control, for example, the 24-hour timer is a flexible tool to schedule usage - time and energy-saving, too. With simple installation and built-in handles and castors for easy mobility, this is a premium pick for larger spaces. This unit has you covered - and will, certainly, beat the heat. And, now, we turn to the reviews...

From Argos reviews, 95% of customers recommend this product. With a 4.5/5 average star rating, reviews commend the design and features - with the performance rating hitting an impressive 4.7. However, noise is rated lower (3.7). One customer commented that it does the job, has been designed well and can be moved from room to room. They're not sure that air cons come any quieter, but it is said to be a little noisy. Another called it a "life saver" and worth the money. However, customers note that the exhaust/vent hose is not long enough and there may be additional purchases to make sure it runs smoothly, such as a window kit.

Pros

  • Stylish and lowers energy bills
  • Easy use soft-touch control panel
  • Suitable for larger rooms 80 msq.

Cons

  • Vent hose is said to be too short
Dimensions70 x 42.5 x 34.5 cm
Cable Length1.5 m
SettingsThree speed settings
Noise Level63 dB
Coverage9,400 BTU; 80 msq.
Energy Usage1000W
GuaranteeManufacturer's 2-year guarantee.

FAQs

How do portable air conditioners work?

Portable air conditioners intake hot air from a room - and cool it inside with the motor and coils - and pop it back out, cool for you to enjoy.

How much energy is used up by an air conditioner?

Perhaps, you're dubious about the running costs of a portable air con unit. After all, we're all doing what we can to save our pennies. Well, EDF Energy has come to the rescue with its quick maths. An average unit will consume around 1.17g kWh of electricity per hour. So, they've calculated that it would cost £2.40 for around six hours of use, depending on your energy supplier and the usage of the particular gadget.

So, something to think about.

Piper Huxley is a Homes, Gardens and Wellness Product Writer for Closer, specialising in interior design and wellness. When she’s not writing about homeware trends or mindfulness, she’s at yoga or tending to her houseplants.

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