Fight the heat with these portable air conditioners for every budget
During the recent (unexpected) heatwave it seems the entire eastern states realised that now is the time to prepare for the long hot summer coming our way.
If you haven't invested in a portable unit yet, today is the perfect time.
If installing an air conditioner isn't a possibility in your household, a portable unit might be the solution you're after. We've rounded up some of the highest-rated ones on the internet for your perusal, all at varying price points, so get ready to embrace a much cooler, comfortable space.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Beauty Nymph Portable Air Conditioner
Designed to sit right beside you on your desk or bedside table, the Beauty Nymph Portable Air Conditioner could be the affordable cooling option you need. This small unit works as a three-in-one – an air conditioner, humidifier and desk fan. With three speeds, you can choose an air-con setting to meet your needs along with a freely adjustable 'wind guide' that alters the air supply. Small but mighty, this is perfect for the kids' room to make sleeping easier, or for cooling your work-from-home space. You can buy one on sale today for $29.99.
Portable Air Conditioner and Cooler
Another small, affordable unit, this portable air conditioner uses ultrasonic atomisation technology to atomise the water inside its tank into ultra-fine molecules, which are then blown out by the fan. With three speeds and 120° adjustable blowing direction, you can create a cooling zone just for yourself, whether tucked up in your room or typing away at your desk. Just like the Beauty Nymph model, it's portable via an attached handle, and rechargeable via a USB.
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De'Longhi Evaporative Cooler
Using water to create a cooling effect in your space, the De'Longhi Evaporative Cooler works best with outside air circulating your room and can even be used outside. It has a 4.5L tank that can cool the space for up to six hours and has three power mode settings: natural, normal and sleep. It is also built with an ioniser and dust filter to help improve the air quality and comes with a remote control to manage to timer, speed and oscillation.
Dimplex Evaporative Cooler
The Dimplex Evaporative Cooler is built with a 7L water tank and is designed for use in rooms up to 30m2. You can set your cooler to oscillate vertically and horizontally and choose from four power settings on the LCD display: natural, normal, sleep and smart. A single tank refill can last up to eight hours.
Shinco BTU Portable Air Conditioner, with Cooling, Dehumidifier & Fan
This unit from Shinco works via remote control and triples as a dehumidifier, air conditioner, and fan. At 68cm high, this one will take up more space than a smaller desk unit, but can be rolled from room to room, and can cool an area up to 15 square metres. Now $394.99, you can score an $85 discount when you use your Amazon coupon at checkout.
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Costway Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier & Fan
This unit from Costway is a game changer, only one stop short of an installed AC unit. Covering anywhere between 18-30 square metres, you'll be able to keep whole sections of your house cool, or comfortable if you want to use the dehumidifier function instead. When in dehumidifier mode, the unit can dry the air by taking 56 litres of moisture out of the air per day. There's also a simple fan mode, with three blowing speeds, which are perfect for warmer nights. While this one is more of an investment, it comes highly rated and will last you for summers to come.
InstaChill V2 Evaporative Cooler
The InstaChill V2 Evaporative Cooler is designed to be used in spaces up to 15m2 and can last up to 12 hours on a single refill of the 10L water tank. It has three cooling speed settings and can also be used as an air purifier, humidifier and even a mosquito repeller.
Olimpia Splendid Silent 10 Portable Air Conditioner
Extremely innovative, the Olimpia Splendid Silent 10 Portable Air Conditioner uses Blue Air Technology – this creates a higher and deeper air jet flow to help defuse the temperature in the space greater than a standard air conditioner or cooler. This air conditioner has a 12-hour timer and four power settings: auto, fan, sleep and turbo. These can be operated on the touchscreen LCD display, via remote control or on your smartphone using the OS Comfort app.
Omega Altise Portable Air Conditioner
Also acting as a dehumidifier, the Omega Altise Portable Air Conditioner uses aqua chill technology that recycles the humidity in the air surrounding the air conditioner, making it more energy-efficient. It also has two speed settings, touch controls and a 24-hour timer.
Rinnai Portable Air Conditioner
This Rinnai Portable Air Conditioner is designed for rooms up to 20m2 in size, it has three speed settings, adjustable temperature settings and climate control options. It also has a built-in timer, washable filter, a sleep mode setting and it also evaporates water through the exhaust duct so there is no need to empty or clean the water tray.
De'Longhi Pinguino Care4Me Portable Air Conditioner
Standing 75cm tall, the De'Longhi Pinguino Care4Me Portable Air Conditioner is able to cool a space up to a massive 110m3. It uses cool surround technology for completely cooled surroundings not just in the direction the air conditioner is facing and EcoRealFeel technology so you can set your cooling preferences to your comfort levels which can save on energy consumption.
It is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant making it hands-free and able to have the geofencing feature set so it can automatically turn on before you get home so you open the door to a cool house. It is built with a 24-hour timer and can also be used as a dehumidifier and air ventilator.
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