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The best portable air conditioners of 2026

Thijs11 JANUARY 2026
A white portable air conditioner stands next to a potted plant on a light floor against a teal wall.

Does it get hot inside quickly during the summer months? Then a portable air conditioner (or mobile air conditioner) is a good solution. The air conditioner discharges warm air through a hose, which you hang out through a window or door. At the same time, the air conditioner blows cool air in. This way you have a pleasant temperature in the room in a short time. Thanks to their wheels, you can place the air conditioner wherever you want, without a fixed installation. Read more about the best portable air conditioner for you.

What is the best portable air conditioner?

A white portable air conditioner sits on a wood floor in a room with a desk, chair, plant, and ottoman. Curtains hang by a window.

First, look at the cooling capacity. This will tell you whether a portable air conditioner is powerful enough for your room. There are other important extras that you can pay attention to: some air conditioners are extra quiet, which is nice for the bedroom; other models have useful features, such as a programmable timer, remote control, or control via Wi-Fi and an app. There are also air conditioners that can dehumidify, clean air or even heat up the room. Think carefully about which features are important to you and compare the possibilities. This way, you can choose an air conditioner that suits your needs.

Which air conditioner suits you best?

Best portable air conditioner for the bedroom

A white DeLonghi dehumidifier stands on a white surface. It has a vent on top, and a silver strip on its front.

In the bedroom, it’s often important that a portable air conditioner is quiet and easy to move around. The Tristar AC-5575 meets these conditions. This air conditioner is low in noise level and very compact. Thanks to the wheels and the light weight, you can easily roll it to another place. Moreover, the Tristar air conditioner is energy efficient and has enough cooling capacity for rooms up to 35 m². With the handy timer, you can set the air conditioner to turn off automatically when you're already asleep. Even with a tilt window, you can easily use the drain hose with a special window sealing kit. This keeps your bedroom cool.

+ Compact and easy to move.
+ Quiet in use, great for sleeping.
+ Affordable choice.
- No advanced features.

To the Tristar AC-5575

Best silent portable air conditioner

A white Duux portable air conditioner with a black top is shown, next to a smartphone displaying its control app, against a plain background.

Do you often work from home, or do you find it annoying when your air conditioner makes noise? Then the Duux North Smarth 14K BTU/h White might be for you. If you put it on the lowest setting, you can hardly hear it. This way you can enjoy coolness and silence all day long. Another advantage is the power of this air conditioner. It easily cools large living rooms or even offices up to 38 m². The device has a sleek design and useful smart features. The quiet operation makes this Duux air conditioner suitable for those who want a cool house without being bothered by noise.

+ Very quiet.
+ Powerful and suitable for large spaces up to 38 m².
+ Smart functions (app, voice, Wi-Fi).
- Relatively pricey.

To the Duux North Smart 14K BTU/h

Best budget portable air conditioner

A white Pluïe portable air conditioner stands by a large window in a modern living room with a grey sofa, table, and soft wooden flooring.

The De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EM82 has all the important basic functions of a portable air conditioner, for a competitive price. The model is easy to operate, has a timer and even a function that makes the air in the room healthier. With a cooling capacity of up to 28 m², it’s suitable for bedrooms, studies or small living rooms. At 30 kilos, this De'Longhi air conditioner is a bit heavier than other models, but thanks to the wheels, it can be moved easily. This way you get reliable cooling in your home without spending a lot of money.

+ Affordable choice for rooms up to 28 m².
+ Easy operation and timer.
+ Includes dehumidification function.
- Less suitable for large rooms.

View the De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EM82

Best portable air conditioner for a large room

A De’Longhi Pinguino portable air conditioner stands alone on wheels against a plain white background, with a compact and modern white design.

The De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EM90 Silent ensures that the cool air is well distributed in large spaces, such as the living room. That makes it the best portable air conditioner for a large space. Thanks to the smart air system, it stays nice and cool everywhere. This air conditioner works silently, so you can read a book, watch TV, or eat a meal without being bothered by the noise of the air conditioner. In addition to cooling, it can also ventilate and dehumidify the room, which is useful for muggy days. Save energy with the handy eco mode. This way you always have a pleasant temperature in your home.

+ Very powerful for rooms up to 34 m².
+ Silent eco mode.
+ Extensive functions and operation.
- Relatively heavy (30 kilos).

To the De'Longhi Pinguino PAC EM90 Silent

Best portable air conditioner for a small space

A portable air conditioner from the brand Cecotec is placed beside a grey sofa, gently blowing cool air, in a tidy and cosy living room.

The Cecotec Force Clima 12750 is an energy-efficient, portable air conditioner for small rooms up to 25 m². Think of your hobby room, home office or small living room. You can easily control the air conditioner with an app on your smartphone. This air conditioner has useful extras, such as a night mode and a dehumidification function. What makes this air conditioner extra special is the heating function. As soon as it gets colder outside, you switch on the heat pump, and your space is heated quickly and comfortably. This way you can enjoy a pleasant indoor climate all year round.

+ Compact and energy efficient with label A+.
+ With heating function.
+ Suitable for small rooms up to 25 m².
- Not powerful enough for larger spaces.

To the Cecotec Force Clima 12750

Best value for money mobile air conditioner

A black Duux portable air conditioner stands on wheels against a plain white background, featuring a modern, sleek and compact design with rounded corners.

The Duux North Smart 14K BTU/h is a standout in price-quality ratio. This model of air conditioner is suitable for almost any room in the house. With a cooling capacity of up to 38 m², it easily cools small and large rooms. With useful smart functions such as night mode and app, Wi-Fi and voice control, you can set the air conditioner completely to your liking. With the Duux app, you can even do this remotely. This air conditioner from Duux is a bit larger and heavier than other models. But the beautiful design is worth seeing. With this air conditioner, you get many smart features and quality for a sharp price.

+ Good price-quality ratio.
+ Has handy smart functions.
+ Cools small and large spaces up to 38 m².
- Heavier than more compact models.

To the Duux North Smart 14K BTU/h

Our advice on the best portable air conditioner for your home

A man in light trousers is using a white Cecotec air conditioner, which stands near green plants and copper pipes in a stylish, modern room.

When choosing a portable air conditioner, first think about which room you want to cool and how much power is needed for that. If you want the air conditioner in your bedroom or study, choose a quiet and compact model. For larger rooms, a more powerful air conditioner with more options is recommended. Also pay attention to the energy consumption, ease of use and extra functions that are valuable to you, such as a timer, night mode or smart control. Compare the advice on the different models and think about your wishes and budget. This way, you'll always find a portable air conditioner that suits your home and lifestyle.

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