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The best air conditioner can be a fantastic source of comfort in any home, especially for tackling sweltering heat during the summer. Many even come with heat settings to keep you toasty during winter.
The question is, how do you choose the ideal product from so many available options? With countless factors to consider, from size to control options, making a decision is tough. Fortunately, this list of leading air conditioners will help you find what you need.
How We Compared Air Conditioners
To find the right air conditioners we considered multiple factors, including:
- Size
- Ease of Use
- Heating and Cooling Functions
- Energy Rating
- Noise Level
Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.
Air Conditioner Reviews
Inventor Magic Portable (Editor’s Choice)
Achieving the perfect indoor atmosphere can be difficult at any time of year. This 5-in-1 air conditioning device makes achieving exceptional comfort simple. With a range of functions to explore, you can heat or cool your rooms or simply circulate the air. There’s even a “dry” mode to remove humidity from the atmosphere.
The wireless remote control included with the Inventor Magic makes it simpler to manage your air quality anywhere. There are also various customisation options to choose from. Using the LED display, you can select from 3 fan speeds. Alternatively, you can use the 24-hour timer to determine when you want the heating and cooling functions to start.
An expandable exhaust hose fits in virtually any standard slider. There’s also a window kit included with the box for convenient installation. As an added bonus, the natural R290 refrigerant is more eco-friendly than other gasses.
Pros:
- Eco-friendly R290 refrigerant
- Expandable exhaust hose and window kit
- Compact space-saving design with wheels
- Wireless remote control and LED display
- 5-in-1 multi-functional performance with three fan speeds
Cons:
- It might be a little noisy at times
- The remote may not have the best connection
De’Longhi Pinguino Eco (Luxury Choice)
If you don’t have much space for a bulky air conditioner in your home office, this could be the product for you. This air conditioning unit is sleek, stylish, reliable and designed to fit seamlessly into most rooms. The device even comes with a fantastic Class A energy rating.
This battery-powered air conditioner from De’Longhi is one of the more compact options on the market. Though small and stylish, it comes with plenty of power. A 3-speed fan allows you to choose between maximum power or minimum noise. There’s a thermostat for choosing your ideal temperature and a remote control included.
An electronic timer ensures you can set heating and cooling requirements in advance. This model also uses natural high-efficiency gas. The R290 gas has no greenhouse emissions to keep your carbon footprint low.
Pros:
- Powerful dehumidifying function
- Control your temperature and fan speed
- Electronic timer included
- Natural high-efficiency gas
- Low energy consumption
Cons:
- It could be noisy when performing at top speed
- The exhaust hose might be too short for some
Inventor Chilly 9000BTU (Best Value)
Take your air conditioner with you anywhere with this portable, high-efficiency machine. Designed to improve any environment quickly, this AC comes with three convenient modes. There’s a cooling mode, fan mode for airflow, and dry mode for dehumidification. The device also has a class A energy efficiency rating, so you can keep bills low.
The Inventor Chilly 9000BTU cooling efficiency system chills rooms quickly. Compact and stylish, the modern unit fits well into a range of home and office spaces. The digital display also makes it easy to control your AC. A multi-functional control panel and remote control mean you can set temperature and switch modes fast.
This air conditioner comes with an expandable exhaust hose designed to fit a range of spaces. The device also comes with omnidirectional casters if you need to move your system. Like many top conditioners, this AC also uses eco-friendly natural refrigerants.
Pros:
- Eco-friendly R290 refrigerant
- Compact and portable design with omnidirectional casters
- Powerful cooling efficiency with a Class A Energy rating
- 3-in-1 performance for cooling, airflow, and dehumidifying
- Easy to use remote and interface
Cons:
- This model might not be ideal if you want heating as well as cooling
- It may consume more energy without an automatic switch-off feature
NETTA 8000BTU (Best Compact)
Keeping the entire home or office cool during hot summer months is tough. Moving your single unit can be complex if you can’t invest in a full-house conditioning system. Fortunately, this portable and compact air conditioner unit solves this problem. The device is especially suited to small to mid-sized rooms. There’s even a set of casters, so you can easily roll the AC to any room.
The NETTA air conditioner combines power and efficiency and is stylish and reliable. This multi-functional unit comes with three modes: fan, cooling, and dehumidifying. You also have the option to choose between two fan speeds. A 24-hour timer ensures you can pre-set heating and cooling times, and a compact remote control and touch panel let you control the device like a breeze.
This unit is built to fit into any space, so it will blend easily into your home or office décor. There are even handy indentations on the sides to help you lift your device.
Pros:
- Easy portability with built-in casters
- Two fan speeds and three modes to choose from
- 24-hour timer function
- Remote control and touch screen operation
- Compact and stylish design
Cons:
- The system could be difficult to install
- It might be too noisy for some users
Black+Decker 3-in-1 (Most Versatile)
Using different devices to improve air quality, cool your home, and keep moisture levels low is complex. With this 3-in-1 air conditioning device, you can access all the features you need in one package. The AC comes with dehumidifying, cooling, and air conditioner features for complete atmospheric control.
The Black+Decker air conditioner comes with easy-to-use programmable controls. The LED display has a 24-hour on/off timer and energy-saving mode. There’s also a remote control for adjusting the temperature from anywhere in your room.
The dehumidifying function on this device is particularly impressive. It can remove up to 15 litres of extra moisture from a room per day. Alternatively, you can use the two-speed fan to keep air circulating easily. There’s even an active carbon filter for better air quality.
Pros:
- Active carbon filter and dehumidifying feature included
- 24-hour on/off timer function and energy-saving mode
- Simple electronic screen and remote control
- Window kit adapter and exhaust pipe included
- Portable design with built-in casters
Cons:
- It could be loud when using the cooling function
- It might be complicated to install
De’Longhi Pinguino PACAN112 (Best Eco Option)
It’s often difficult to find the balance between improving air quality and keeping energy low. The last thing you want is an air conditioner that consumes too much electricity or harms the planet. Fortunately, this eco-friendly device could be the perfect solution. With an A+ class energy rating, you can keep electric bills to a minimum.
The Pinguino PACAN112 from De’Longhi comes with an innovative LED display for easy control. You can also change your device’s settings from anywhere with an included remote. There are three fan settings, so you can choose how much power you want to use. With a 24-hour timer, you can also pre-set heating and cooling sessions throughout the day.
This air conditioner also comes with an energy-efficient R290 coolant, which is more ecologically friendly than traditional alternatives. Plus, the compact device minimises sound on lower settings.
Pros:
- Eco-friendly design with an A+ Class rating
- LED display and remote control
- 24-hour timer function
- Three fan settings to choose from
- Compact and portable design
Cons:
- This model might be a little too loud on higher settings
- The remote control may have some connectivity issues
BLU-09CO 9000 BTU (Best for Easy Setup)
Worried about setting up your own air conditioner? This simple AC product could be the perfect solution. The device comes with a complimentary window kit to get you up and running fast. There’s also an expandable exhaust hose. Plus, a self-evaporating function reduces the need to remove water from the system regularly.
Eco-friendly and efficient, the BLU-09CO air conditioner can cool rooms up to 20 square meters in size. The device uses natural high-efficiency gas (R290) to reduce greenhouse emissions. What’s more, by recycling condensed water, the unit can run more efficiently for longer. With a window sheet included for UK windows, you can start cooling your rooms in no time.
This model comes with a convenient LED display for mode control. You can also adjust temperatures using the remote control. A set of included rolling casters makes it easy to move your conditioner when needed too.
Pros:
- Excellent self-evaporating function
- Easy to set up with a full hose kit provided
- R290 refrigerant for eco-friendly performance
- Cools rooms up to 20 square meters
- Convenient digital screen and remote control
Cons:
- It might not be suitable for both heating and cooling
- Some could find it quite loud, even on the low fan setting
How to Choose an Air Conditioner
There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for choosing the right air conditioner.
Your ideal device will depend on what you want to do with your air quality. Some products allow for heating and cooling, while others focus on cooling only. Some devices can also help with dehumidification and airflow.
While choosing the factors you consider when choosing your air conditioner will differ depending on you, there are some key points to think about:
Size
The size of your air conditioner will make a huge difference to its performance. Larger devices can often control the temperature of a bigger space. If you need to condition a larger room or office, you’ll need a device with enough reach.
At the same time, it’s worth thinking about the space you have available for an AC unit. A more compact device will fit easily into a wider range of spaces.
Ease of Use
An air conditioner should always be easy to use. Look for a device with a clear and simple digital display, where you can change temperatures and modes fast. It can also be helpful to invest in a machine with remote control functionality.
When considering ease of use, remember to think about setting up your device too. The best air conditioners come with a kit to get you up and running as quickly as possible.
Heating and Cooling Functions
Do you want an air conditioner that can heat your home or office, or are you just interested in cooling? Different devices allow for varying levels of air control. It’s worth checking whether both heating and cooling are options. You may also want to consider things like dehumidification features if you suffer from high humidity.
It’s worth looking at AC units with different fan levels too. Choosing between fan settings means you have more control over your atmosphere.
Energy Rating
Like any electronic device, an air conditioner can use a lot of energy. Looking for a more efficient device will help you save on your electric bills. An A+ Class energy rating also means you can reduce your environmental impact.
Automatic switch-off and timer functions can also help to boost energy efficiency.
Noise Level
It can be challenging to focus in your home office when all you can hear is your air conditioner. While it’s difficult to find an AC unit that’s completely silent, you can prioritise low noise. Look for a device which allows you to choose between high fan performance and low noise levels.
Summary
Our number one choice for the best air conditioner is the Inventor Magic Portable. This portable AC unit has multi-functional temperature control and a compact, space-saving design. The 5-in-1 functionality also means you can heat, cool, or even dehumidify your rooms. With plenty of great features to explore, this eco-friendly device will fit well in any space.
Rebekah is a writer who loves to explore new products and find hacks that make life easier. She has a knack for all things home improvement, health and fitness. So you’ll often find her on Pinterest or browsing Houzz for ideas.
She’s always looking for the next thing to fix up around the house or what gadget might be just right for her lifestyle. Rebekah enjoys exploring new recipes, taking care of her family, and making sure she stays healthy with regular workouts at the gym.