The Best Portable Air Conditioner - A Buying Guide

Current list of top rated portable air conditioners overall:

1. Midea Duo

The Midea Duo has replaced the LG LP1419IVSM as the most efficient portable air conditioner on the market. It is so much more efficient that the 12,000 traditional BTU submodel - the MAP12S1TBL - has a SACC of 10,000 BTUs. The 14,000 traditional BTU model - the MAP14HS1TBL - has a SACC of 12,000 BTUs.

As we talk about in this video, we always recommend that you buy the highest SACC model you can afford and so we recommend the MAP14HS1TBL over the MAP12S1TBL, though either one of these submodels should perform very well even in the most challenging environments.

2. LG LP1419IVSM

The LG LP1419IVSM (10,000 SACC BTUs) is now recommended as the second best option on the market.

3. NewAir NAC14KWH02

The NewAir NAC14KWH02 (9,500 SACC BTUs) is now recommended as the third best portable air conditioner on the market.

Alternative options for smaller and/or easier to cool rooms (low SACC units):

Additional options for large and/or challenging to cool rooms:

In this video we aim to find the best portable air conditioner on the market. To do so, we first have to discuss a new standard for portable AC cooling capacity - SACC. A clear understanding of seasonally adjusted cooling capacity (SACC) is absolutely critical to making a purchase decision. Next we discuss the pros and cons of dual hose portable ACs and how to estimate area of coverage (in sq. ft.) for a particular model. We end by going over the best options currently on the market.

0:00 - Introduction to SACC
7:20 - Dual Hose Units
13:28 - The Dual Hose Myth
15:39 - Portable AC Sizing
23:43 - Top 3

If you buy through the links above, we may earn a commission from the retailer.

Some of the links used in the description will direct you to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[TannerChung]

Always amazing in giving us just the right information to educate us on how to choose the product rather than just a video that says "THIS IS THE BEST". Helps us shop smarter. Thanks!!

[lexboegen]

Very informative review. Thank you. I've been using a portable unit in my bedroom for years, and one thing I've done has helped a great deal--I insulated the exhaust hose. I used a "duct insulation" picked up at my local home center. It's mylar foil-wrapped fiberglass that is meant for round ducting. I cut it to length to match my hose, and secured it at both ends of the hose with duct tape. I protected the thin mylar foil with heavy-duty plastic sheeting (3.3 mil) and used lots of duct tape to also secure that. I cannot detect heat loss through the sides of the hose now, and before the insulation, the hose got noticeably hot to the touch. I think this must increase the effiiciency of it in my room, although I have no way to quantify that. For a smail cost in money and time, it has been very beneficial. I move this hose daily (I can't leave the AC hooked up when not in use at night), and it has not torn or been damaged in any way. If I get another portable unit, I'll do that to the new one too.

[marcoavila]

Great video and finally I can send this to people that don't believe them when I tell them about the single hose versus dual. I still think dual is best no matter what.
Quick story:
I first purchased one back in 2005 for my Class A motor-home. The roof top units worked great but were older, power-hogs and very loud. It was mid day, the roof top A/C had been running and the interior was comfortable (and loud) as I unboxed and setup the new unit. I put it in the front area near a window and sealed up all cracks with tape as I hooked up it's single hose. I sat in front of it and felt how cold it was and how quiet. I turned off the top A/C and let the new unit take over and it seemed to be doing great. I then went further forward and sat in the drivers chair, to do some paperwork, while my fiancee laid on the couch. It was 95 outside, in the Florida swamp heat, but so much better inside. Life was good.
After about 30 minutes I found my self starting to sweat and could have sworn the unit stopped cooling. I asked my fiancee and she said it was still blowing ice cold. I went over and stood in front of it and sure enough, it was still blowing cold. I went back to the front and felt, at least, a 20 degree difference and scratched my head. I went to the mid and then the rear bedroom and it was just as hot as the front now. I quickly realized what was happening; the unit was creating a negative pressure and every-bit of the motor home was becoming an oven, except for right in front of the new unit. Life was loud again as we reverted back to the roof top unit.
Back then I just put it in my garage and eventually sold it with the warning. I had no time to research it and also figured they did not make any dual hosed units since I had never seen one for sale. Not till a decade later did I find one but no longer used the RV. It was for my garage where there used to be a wall A/C from the previous home owner. It was an actual rectangle opening in the wall (not a window rigging). I took the board that was cut to fit the opening after they removed the A/C, installed holes large enough for the two intake and exhaust hoses and began to cool my garage workshop for the first time. Life was good.

[justinhawkinson]

After three days researching thoroughly I'm buying the LG LP1419ivsm based on your recommendation. Thanks.

[Sacapuntas]

For constant use they are not very efficient. But after a hurricane and not having power for 2 weeks, these things can be life savers!

[KatsatOnmyhat]

BY FAR THE BEST REVIEW IVE SEEN. GREAT JOB. I THINK I FOUND MY AC

[jonosterman]

Dual hose units are great for small grow rooms/closet grows because you can attach/duct a carbon filter with the second hose, instead of using it as it was intended. If you do that, its best to cover the secondary compressor cooling vent so it doesn't pull in the smelly air you are trying to filter before exhausting.

[antondickerson]

You will not find a more in depth, comprehensive review. The clear revelation of the SACC score provides the critical criteria for decision making in purchasing the appropriate BTU output of a unit. I just purchased the LG 1419IVSM after scouring the country I finally found one in a Home Depot In Nogales Arizona. They have one more left as of 5/27/2020. Astoundingly thorough in considering all factors affecting the efficiency of an inherently inefficient AC unit. Very enlightening to say the least. Thank you for all of your time and effort on this subject.

[kageofkonoha]

I've noticed that between two portable ACs with identical SACC numbers the Dual Hose cool better in temps above 90 vs Single. This difference vanishes when temps are below 90.

[jermakoff]

probably the best review on youtube so far

[mikel.]

Amazing work. I didn't expect to learn so much about a portable A/C. 😀

[joeblow]

The best analysis in comparing units I have seen. It is well explained.

[Honestandtruth]

Well Explained What most important to know about portable
Thank you

[bryanbickling]

Your attention to detail and word choices.music to my ears No crazy sounds effects etc.
Great video
This is just a suggestion for another video.
Battery powered leaf blower for drying car.
Wall mount style or hand held. CFM vs. MPH
There are so many ways to dry a car now.
Keep up the good work don’t change a thing .

[frankroper]

This is a nice info video! I just bought a portable AC to keep a room cool in an instance where the primary was not working. I didn't think about the condenser being cooled by the room air you are already paying to cool. 😢

[BeeBumbleTuna]

Picked the wrong video to watch stoned, dudes math shit got me 🤯😂

[publikenemi]

I have to second Bobby Hilley. The SACC value changed my entire research trends.
Great job here and thank you ….

[Rathmullan]

This review is tremendous! I finally found it in my 3rd day of research. I almost bought a dual hose Honeywell with a SACC of 8, 000 BTU but somehow it bothered me that if Dual hose units are the only way to go why do manufacturers bother manufacturing single hose units? Well this video succinctly explained things in a way that even I could understand. Thank You so much!

[lisahumbert]

That was an AWESOME video - i was planning on buying the LG LP1419IVSM, but wasn’t yet 100% sure even after hours of research - he answered all my questions and the concerns that I had and made me aware of SACC - which i wasn’t! Thank you!!!!

[dszombieqx]

best review of portable a/c pro and cons; i was torn between a $14k deal for central a/c or potentially three portable units, but this review showed me everything i would not want to deal with ... $14k debt, here i come ...