Small Portable Air Conditioner

For those who want to take cool air with them on camping trips, this portable mini AC is ideal. It is the slimmest portable air conditioner and fits in a 4-man tent or campervan without taking up much floor space.

It is also lightweight, energy efficient (CEER rating) and has a high BTU per cubic inch compactness factor.

Evaporative Cooling

Air conditioners cool by pulling in the air, adjusting it to your set temperature by extracting heat from the refrigerant, and blowing cooled air back into your space. Evaporative coolers work differently, cooling by evaporating water into the air using the fan. They are best used in dry environments like a home or workshop.

The Honeywell CO48PM Portable Evaporative Cooler uses this method to provide a cooling boost for spaces up to 610 square feet. The outdoor-rated model features a GFCI plug for safety, an easy-to-fill water tank plus a continuous fill option, and four fan speeds. A top-loading ice compartment and an integrated drainage system add to its functionality.

While a remote control makes it easy to adjust settings, users note that the opening for adding ice is small, making it hard to add a lot at once. Some also report that it’s difficult to vent this unit through sliding windows, as standard exhaust hoses aren’t long enough. For those in need of a quiet and efficient cooling solution, though, this evaporative cooler is an excellent choice. In fact, Glenn Wiseman, RASDT, of Top Hat Home Comfort Services, recommends this model to anyone looking for a compact and affordable evaporative cooler. He notes that “it’s important to consider the size and portability of a unit, as it will be much easier to move around than a larger window air conditioner.” He also stresses the importance of selecting a model with a timer function or a remote control.

Water Tank

All air conditioners generate condensed water that needs to be drained. In window air conditioners, this is easy as the hose is outside and all that condensation simply drips down the drain. Small Portable Air Conditioner With portable ACs, this is more complicated. Most portable ACs have a built in water tank that is filled during the cooling process and must be emptied when full.

Some models use an inbuilt self evaporation technology that eliminates the need for a drain hose. This enables the AC to get rid of most of the water by itself during the venting process. Most of the time this works great, but in humid climates, you will still need to empty the tank at some point.

If you want to skip the hassle of having to empty the tank, you can go with a dual hose air conditioner that will take in and expel air simultaneously. This allows the unit to cool a room much faster than single hose portable air conditioners.

Be sure to keep the exhaust hose as short as possible. Extending the hose may damage the machine and cause it to overheat. It is also important to never plug in a power cord with the hose extended.

Condensate Drain

Aside from cooling a room, portable air conditioners also dehumidify it. This means that they will collect a fair amount of water from the room air during operation, which must be vented somewhere. Older portable units usually have a built-in condensation tank or pan that can drain the excess water into a draining bucket or hose. The accumulated condensed water may also run out of the back of the AC via an exhaust hose that vents the moisture outside or into a drain elsewhere in your home.

Newer portable air conditioners are more user-friendly and often have a drain hose that automatically empties the condensation from the air. They are typically connected to a float switch that will shut off the unit once the tank is full, alerting you when it’s time to drain. Alternatively, they may use a drain pump that continuously pumps out the moisture and directs it to a floor drain or drain hose that leads outside.

If your portable air conditioner does not have a built-in drainage system, it’s best to use a hose that attaches to the drain and is directed outside. This will prevent the water from building up inside the air conditioner and causing mold or other damage to your home. If you do decide to use a manual drain method, make sure that the hose is connected correctly and the plug is removed from the bottom of the unit before draining.

Remote Control

With a remote control, you can adjust settings from anywhere in the room. The temperature sensing LCD remote control automatically monitors and sets the optimal cooling level for your space, and features a sleep mode and programmable 24-hour timer to help you get a good night’s rest.

This is a great choice for small homes, apartments, dorm rooms and RVs. It has a compact footprint and is easy to install. It has three Small Portable Air Conditioner modes – AC, dry and fan-only. It’s also self-evaporative, so you won’t have to empty a water tank often. It comes with a window kit and dehumidifier hose for easy venting.

The ARC-102CS is a portable air conditioner that is designed to be an all-in-one solution for any space. It has a direct drain option for continuous use year round, and it uses and recycles the condensation as it cools the air. Its patented advance auto drainage technology helps to eliminate the need for manual draining, and it’s safe for any space.

This is one of the best portable AC units for small spaces because it can be used in a variety of applications, including as a fan and dehumidifier. It has a small footprint, and it’s easily transported thanks to the rolling casters. It’s also quiet, and it’s a great option for camping or if you need a small air conditioner for your home or office.