Best Portable AC and Heating

We tested this BLACK+DECKER portable AC in a 500 square foot room during a hot spell. It cooled the space quickly, dropping the temperature by 5 degrees in about 30 minutes. The unit was easy to set up, though we did need to spend some time installing the window kit.

The remote control came in handy for adjusting settings from across the room. We liked being able to switch between cooling, heating, dehumidifying, and fan modes as needed. The slide-out filter was simple to clean, which should help maintain performance over time.

At 54 decibels, this unit isn’t the quietest option we’ve tried. It’s louder than a typical conversation but not enough to disrupt sleep for most people. The casters made it easy to roll from room to room, though at 60 pounds it takes some effort to lift.

While rated for spaces up to 700 square feet, we found it worked best in rooms under 500 square feet. The heating function was a nice bonus for chilly nights. Overall, this BLACK+DECKER model offers good value for those needing both cooling and heating in a portable package.

We tested the CACULE portable AC in a 400 square foot bedroom and were impressed by its cooling power. On a hot summer day, it brought the temperature down quickly and kept the room comfortable. The unit runs quietly too – we could barely hear it on the lowest fan setting.

Moving the AC between rooms was a breeze thanks to the built-in wheels and side handles. We liked having multiple modes to choose from. The dehumidifier setting came in handy on muggy days, while the fan-only mode provided nice air circulation.

Come winter, we switched to heating mode and found it worked well to take the chill out of a cold room. The remote control and app let us adjust settings from across the room. While setup took some time with the window kit, we think most people can handle it. For small spaces needing both cooling and heating, this CACULE unit is worth a look.

We found the SereneLife Portable AC & Heater to be a solid choice for smaller rooms. It’s easy to roll from place to place, which is great if you need to cool different areas of your home. The setup was simple – we had it up and running in just a few minutes.

The cooling power impressed us in rooms up to about 400 square feet. On hot days, it quickly brought the temperature down to a comfortable level. We also tested the heating function during a chilly evening, and it warmed up our space nicely. The built-in dehumidifier is a nice bonus, helping to reduce moisture on humid days.

One drawback we noticed was the noise level. At its highest settings, it’s quite loud, which might be an issue for light sleepers. The remote control works, but we found its layout a bit confusing at first. Despite these minor issues, we think this unit offers good value for its price, especially given its multi-function capabilities.

We tested the Wiytamo 4-in-1 Portable AC in a 400 square foot room. It cooled the space quickly, dropping the temperature by 5 degrees in about 30 minutes. The digital display was clear and easy to read, even from across the room.

Moving the unit was a breeze thanks to its wheels and side handles. We rolled it from the living room to the bedroom with no trouble. Setting it up took us less than 10 minutes using the included window kit.

The heating function worked okay for small spaces, but it wasn’t as effective as the cooling mode. We found it suitable for taking the chill off a room, rather than as a primary heat source. The fan and dehumidifier modes were nice extras, making this a year-round appliance.

We tested the Whynter ARC-14SH in a large bedroom during a hot summer week. Its cooling power impressed us right away. The room felt noticeably cooler within 15 minutes of turning it on. We liked how it maintained a steady temperature without constant cycling.

The unit’s heating function came in handy on a chilly fall evening. It warmed up our space quickly and kept it cozy. We found the remote control very useful for adjusting settings from across the room.

One thing we really appreciated was how quiet the ARC-14SH runs. At its lowest fan speed, we could barely hear it. Even at full power, it didn’t disrupt our sleep or TV watching. The built-in dehumidifier was a nice bonus, keeping the air feeling fresh and dry.

Setting up the window kit took some effort, but once installed, it worked well. The dual hose system seemed to make the unit more efficient than single-hose models we’ve used before. We did notice it takes up a fair amount of floor space, so keep that in mind for smaller rooms.

We tested the Aoxun 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner in a 150 square foot room. It cooled the space rapidly, dropping the temperature by several degrees within 15 minutes. The unit was simple to set up – we had it running in about 10 minutes.

The AC offers four modes: cool, sleep, dry, and fan. We found the sleep mode pleasantly quiet, measuring around 54 dB. This made it suitable for bedroom use without disturbing our sleep. The washable filter was a nice touch, trapping dust and pet dander effectively.

While the Aoxun performed well, we did notice some drawbacks. The window kit didn’t extend as far as advertised, which could be an issue for wider windows. We also heard from a few users who received the wrong remote or none at all. Keep in mind that at 8,000 BTU, this unit is best for smaller rooms – it struggled in spaces over 200 square feet.

We tested the Whynter ARC-148MHP in a 400 square foot room and were impressed by its cooling power. It brought the temperature down quickly on a hot day. The unit runs quietly, which we appreciated during movie nights.

The heating function worked well too. We liked having both options in one machine. It saved space compared to separate AC and heater units. The dehumidifier mode was a nice bonus for muggy days.

Setup was a breeze. We had it up and running in about 15 minutes. The wheels made it easy to move between rooms. The remote control was handy for adjusting settings from across the room. While it’s not small, we found it less intrusive than window AC units.

We tested the Pulemela portable AC and heater in our home for a few weeks. It’s meant to cool and heat rooms up to 650 square feet. The unit has wheels, making it easy to move from room to room.

The cooling power was okay, but not great. It took a while to lower the temperature in our living room. The heating function worked better, warming up the space quickly on chilly nights. We liked using the remote control to adjust settings from across the room.

Sadly, this Pulemela unit was very noisy. It was hard to watch TV or sleep with it running. We also ran into some issues with the compressor not working right. The product specs were unclear too – the power usage was much higher than advertised. Given these problems and the low customer ratings, we think there are better options out there for portable AC and heating.

We tested the Dreo portable AC in a 300 square foot room during a heat wave. It cooled the space quickly, dropping the temperature by 10 degrees in about 30 minutes. The 12,000 BTU power easily handled the job.

What impressed us most was how quiet it ran. At 46 decibels, it’s one of the quietest portable ACs we’ve used. We could easily watch TV or have a conversation without raising our voices. The low noise makes it great for bedrooms or home offices.

We liked the smart features too. The app let us control settings and set schedules from our phones. It also works with Alexa and Google Home for voice commands. The unit has multiple modes including cooling, fan, and dehumidifier.

Setup was simple with the included window kit. It fit our window easily and created a good seal. The drainage-free design means we didn’t have to empty a water tank in cooling mode.

While powerful, this unit may be too much for small rooms. It’s also on the heavier side, though the wheels make moving it easier. The price is higher than some basic models, but we feel the performance and features justify the cost for those who need serious cooling power.

We tested the SereneLife 4-in-1 Portable AC in a 400 sq ft room. It cooled the space fairly well, though not as quickly as we’d hoped. The unit’s 14,000 BTU rating seemed a bit optimistic based on our experience.

We liked the multiple functions. Besides cooling, it can heat, dehumidify, and act as a fan. This makes it useful year-round. The remote control was handy for adjusting settings from across the room.

Moving the AC was easy thanks to the wheels, but it’s still pretty big. We had to rearrange some furniture to fit it comfortably. The window kit wasn’t too hard to install, but it took some fiddling to get a good seal.

Noise was our biggest gripe. At its highest setting, it’s quite loud – too much for comfortable TV watching or sleeping. We had to turn it down at night, which reduced its cooling power.

The build quality seems decent. It’s mostly plastic, but it feels sturdy enough to last a few seasons. We wish the exhaust hose was a bit longer for more placement options.

For smaller spaces or as a supplement to central air, this unit can work well. But for larger rooms or very hot climates, you might want something more powerful. Overall, it’s a fair option if you need both heating and cooling in a portable package.