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7 best 12000 BTU portable air conditioners: our comparison (February 2026)

Discover our ranking of the 7 best 12000 BTU portable air conditioners based on our tests.
What are the best 12000 BTU portable air conditioners in february 2026? Comparison, reviews, tests & buying guides
  1. 🏆 Dreo AC515S 12,000 BTU Review: a smart portable AC that actually stays quiet
  2. 🥈 Midea 12,000 BTU Smart Inverter Window AC with Heat Review: a quiet workhorse for one big room
  3. 🥉 LG LW1223HR Review: a practical window AC with heat that mostly just gets the job done
  4. ⭐ BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner Review: a solid, no-frills workhorse for hot rooms
  5. 🔥 BLACK+DECKER BPACT12HWT Review: a 4-in-1 portable AC that mostly gets the job done without fancy extras
  6. 💰 BLACK+DECKER BPACT12WT Review: a solid backup AC that cools well but isn’t quiet or fancy
  7. 🌟 LG 11,800 BTU Through-the-Wall AC Review: solid cooling, a few quirks you should know about

Ranking

#1 🏆 Best choice
Portable Air Conditioners, 12,000 BTU AC Unit for Bedroom with Drainage-free Cooling, 46dB Quiet, APP/Voice/Remote, 24h Timer with Fan & Dehumidifier, Smart Standing AC for Room Indoors, AC515S White 12,000 BTU

Dreo

Portable Air Conditioners, 12,000 BTU AC Unit for Bedroom with Drainage-free Cooling, 46dB Quiet, APP/Voice/Remote, 24h Timer with Fan & Dehumidifier, Smart Standing AC for Room Indoors, AC515S White 12,000 BTU

🔥 Populaire
  • Quiet enough on low/sleep mode to actually use in a bedroom
  • Cools and dehumidifies a medium-sized room reliably with 12,000 BTU capacity
  • Useful smart features (app, voice control, timer, schedules) that work consistently
The Dreo AC515S 12,000 BTU portable AC is a solid, practical choice if you’re dealing with a hot bedroom, office, or small living space and you don’t want something that sounds like a vacuum cleaner. It cools a medium room reliably, takes the edge off humidity, and the self-evaporating system means you’re not constantly emptying a tank in normal conditions. The noise level is genuinely lower than most portable units I’ve used, especially on low and sleep mode, which makes it usable at night without feeling like you’re camping in a server room.The smart side—app control, Alexa/Google support, timer, and schedules—actually works and isn’t just a gimmick. Being able to turn it on before you get home or adjust it from bed is the kind of convenience that you quickly get used to. It’s not perfect: the single-hose design isn’t the most efficient, the window kit could be sturdier, and the energy efficiency rating is just average. But as a whole package, it gets the job done well and feels thought-through enough for everyday use.I’d recommend this to people who: live in rentals, have one or two problem rooms their central AC can’t handle, work from home in a small office, or are sensitive to loud AC noise at night. You should probably skip it if you’re trying to cool a huge open space, want ultra-low energy use above all else, or hate dealing with window kits. For most typical bedroom/office setups, though, it’s a pretty solid, no-nonsense portable AC that does what it says without too many headaches.
8.4 /10
☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
🌟 Excellent See full review →
See offer Amazon
#2
12,000 BTU Smart Inverter Air Conditioner Window Unit with Heat and Dehumidifier – Cools up to 550 Sq - Ft., Energy Star Rated, Quiet Operation, Electronic Controls, Remote Control, White 12,000 BTU with Heat

Midea

12,000 BTU Smart Inverter Air Conditioner Window Unit with Heat and Dehumidifier – Cools up to 550 Sq - Ft., Energy Star Rated, Quiet Operation, Electronic Controls, Remote Control, White 12,000 BTU with Heat

🔥 Populaire
  • Very good cooling performance for a single large room (up to ~500–550 sq ft)
  • Quieter than typical non-inverter window units, with smoother temperature control
  • Inverter tech and ECO mode help reduce power usage once the room is at temperature
Overall, the Midea 12,000 BTU Smart Inverter window unit with heat is a solid choice if you want one machine to handle cooling and light heating in a larger room. It cools very well for a 400–550 sq ft space, runs noticeably quieter than old-school window units, and the inverter compressor keeps temperatures more stable and the power draw lower. The smart features and remote are nice extras, but the main win here is comfort and noise: you can actually live and work in the same room without feeling like you’re next to an airplane engine.It’s not perfect. The heat pump limitation around 41°F is real for many units, so don’t count on this as your only heat source in real winter. The side panels and weatherstripping are basic, and you’ll probably want to add your own foam or tape to seal it properly. And like any modern appliance, the long-term behavior depends partly on firmware, which you don’t fully control. That said, the overall package—cooling, dehumidifying, decent heating in mild cold, and lower noise—makes it good value for people trying to avoid or delay spending big money on central air.I’d recommend it for: apartment or house owners who need to keep a big living room, open studio, or upstairs floor comfortable, especially if noise and energy bills matter. Also good if you want zone comfort instead of cooling the whole house. I’d skip it if you live somewhere with long, hard winters and need serious heating below freezing, or if you just need a cheap unit for a tiny bedroom. In that case, a simpler, cheaper window AC or a dedicated cold-climate heat pump will make more sense.
8.2 /10
☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
🌟 Excellent See full review →
See offer Amazon
#3
12,200 BTU Window Air Conditioner with Supplemental Heat, 230/208V, Cools 570 Sq.Ft - (19' x 30' Room Size), Electronic Controls with Remote, 2 Cooling, Heating & Fan Speeds, Slide In-Out Chassis Bright White 12000 BTU Electronic 230V

LG

12,200 BTU Window Air Conditioner with Supplemental Heat, 230/208V, Cools 570 Sq.Ft - (19' x 30' Room Size), Electronic Controls with Remote, 2 Cooling, Heating & Fan Speeds, Slide In-Out Chassis Bright White 12000 BTU Electronic 230V

🔥 Populaire
  • Strong cooling and genuinely useful supplemental heat in one unit
  • Simple, easy-to-use controls with remote and 4-way air direction
  • Slide in-out chassis makes installation and future removal easier
Overall, the LG LW1223HR is a practical, no-nonsense window unit for people who genuinely need both cooling and supplemental heat in one device. It cools a medium-sized room reliably, the heat function is strong enough to be useful (not just a gimmick), and the controls are simple. Noise is reasonable for a 12k BTU / 230V unit, and the slide-out chassis makes installation less of a circus, as long as you have another person to help. For cabins, sheds, mancaves, or older rooms without central HVAC, it’s a solid all-in-one solution.It’s not perfect, though. The 230V requirement is a big practical hurdle if you don’t already have that outlet, and there are enough reports of early failures (stopped cooling after a month or two) that I wouldn’t ignore the warranty. The energy efficiency is okay but not cutting edge, and if you only care about cooling, there are quieter or more efficient options out there. I’d say this unit makes the most sense if you’re in a mild to moderately cold climate, want one appliance to cover you year-round, and are fine with a bit of installation and electrical hassle upfront.If that’s you, this LG is pretty solid for the money and does what it says without a lot of fluff. If you just want a simple plug-in 120V bedroom AC or already have strong heating, you can probably skip this and look at a simpler cooling-only model.
8.1 /10
☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
🌟 Excellent See full review →
See offer Amazon
#4
BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner,12,000 BTU, for Rooms Up To 550 Sq - Ft., Portable AC with Inverter Compressor & Window Kit, BPACT08NM, White White - 12,000 BTU+Wifi

BLACK+DECKER

BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner,12,000 BTU, for Rooms Up To 550 Sq - Ft., Portable AC with Inverter Compressor & Window Kit, BPACT08NM, White White - 12,000 BTU+Wifi

  • Strong, fast cooling for medium-to-large rooms (up to around 450–500 sq ft in real use)
  • Inverter compressor keeps operation smoother and a bit more efficient than basic portables
  • Wi‑Fi and remote control add convenience for turning it on/off and adjusting settings from a distance
Overall, the BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner is a solid choice if you mostly care about getting a hot room under control and you’re fine with a few quirks. It cools quickly, handles larger rooms better than a lot of cheaper units, and the inverter compressor keeps it from constantly slamming on and off. Noise is there, but it’s more of a steady whoosh and hum than a painful roar. For everyday use in a bedroom, office, or insulated garage, it does its main job well: it makes the space noticeably cooler and more livable.Where it falls short is on the “smart” and comfort polish. The Wi‑Fi and app are handy but not essential. The temperature control, whether you use the internal sensor or the remote’s follow-me style setup, can be a bit clumsy, leading to rooms that get colder than the set temperature. The drain design at the bottom is another weak point, especially if you’re in a humid area or using dehumidifier mode a lot. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they keep it from being a perfect, set‑and‑forget solution.I’d recommend this unit to people who: have a medium-to-large room that their main AC doesn’t handle well, want a portable unit that actually cools instead of just making noise, and don’t mind doing a bit of setup and occasional tweaking. If you’re extremely sensitive to noise, want pinpoint temperature accuracy without touching the remote, or your room layout forces the unit into direct sun, you might be happier with a different setup, like a mini-split or a quieter, more precise unit. For most home users, though, this is a pretty solid workhorse that earns its 4/5 rating.
8 /10
☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
🌟 Excellent See full review →
See offer Amazon
#5 🔥 Most popular
BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner with Heat, 12,000 BTU (8,000 BTU SACC) Cooling, 9,000 BTU Heating for Rooms up to 550 Sq - Ft., Follow Me Remote, BPACT12HWT, White 12,000 BTU + HEAT

BLACK+DECKER

BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner with Heat, 12,000 BTU (8,000 BTU SACC) Cooling, 9,000 BTU Heating for Rooms up to 550 Sq - Ft., Follow Me Remote, BPACT12HWT, White 12,000 BTU + HEAT

🔥 Populaire
  • Cools a typical bedroom/office reliably and fairly quickly
  • Includes usable heat mode plus dehumidifier and fan in one unit
  • Proven to hold up over several years with basic filter cleaning
Overall, the BLACK+DECKER BPACT12HWT is a practical, no-frills workhorse. It cools a normal-sized bedroom or office well, it can add some heat in the colder months, and it doesn’t seem to be a fragile one-season product. The smart features and Follow Me remote are useful extras, but they’re not the main reason to buy it; the main reason is simple: you have a room that gets too hot or too cold, and you want a single machine that can handle both reasonably well.It’s not perfect. The noise is noticeable, the energy efficiency is just okay, and the plastic parts (especially around the drain and hose) need a bit of care. The window kit is functional but not fancy, and you might have to improvise if your windows are non-standard. If you’re expecting silent operation or whole-apartment coverage, you’ll be disappointed. If you treat it as a serious room unit, it lines up much better with reality.I’d recommend this to people with a home office, bedroom, or small studio that gets uncomfortable and who either don’t have central air or don’t want to run it all day. It also makes sense if you want a backup heater for mild winters in that same space. If your main priority is low noise, top-tier efficiency, or cooling a huge open living area, you should probably look at other options like a mini-split or a quieter window unit. For what it is—a portable 4-in-1 unit you can plug in and forget most of the time—it gets the job done.
7.9 /10
☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
👍 Very good See full review →
See offer Amazon
#6 💰 Best price
BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner, 12,000 BTU for Rooms up to 550 Sq - Ft., Smart Portable AC with Follow Me Remote and Window Kit, BPACT12WT, White 1 Count (Pack of 1)

BLACK+DECKER

BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner, 12,000 BTU for Rooms up to 550 Sq - Ft., Smart Portable AC with Follow Me Remote and Window Kit, BPACT12WT, White 1 Count (Pack of 1)

🔥 Populaire
  • Strong cooling for bedrooms and medium rooms; can drop temps quickly
  • Simple setup with included window kit and easy-to-use controls
  • Follow Me remote and Wi‑Fi/app control add real convenience
After living with the BLACK+DECKER BPACT12WT for a full summer, my take is pretty simple: as a room-focused portable AC, it does its job well. It cools a bedroom or office quickly, handles long runs without breaking down, and the Follow Me remote plus Wi‑Fi control are genuinely useful, not just gimmicks. If your central AC can’t keep one room cool, or you need a backup for heatwaves, this unit can absolutely make the space comfortable.The trade-offs are clear, though. It’s not quiet, and the compressor cycling on and off can bother light sleepers. The build quality and window kit feel average, not premium, and the energy efficiency is only okay. Add in the fact that some people have had bad experiences with missing parts and slow customer service, and it’s definitely not a perfect purchase. You want to test everything early so you can rely on the retailer’s return policy if needed.I’d recommend this to someone who: lives in a small apartment or house with one stubborn hot room, doesn’t mind fan-level noise at night, and wants something reasonably strong from a known brand. I’d say skip it if you need near-silent operation, want to cool a huge open space, or hate dealing with any sort of DIY window setup. For what it is—a portable workhorse to keep one zone livable—it’s pretty solid, just not mind-blowing.
7.8 /10
☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
👍 Very good See full review →
See offer Amazon
#7
11,800 BTU Through the Wall Air Conditioner, 115V, Cools up to 530 Sq - Ft - for Bedroom, Living Room, Apartment, with Remote, 3 Cool & Fan Speeds, Universal design fits most sleeves, White 11800 BTU Cool Only 115V White

LG

11,800 BTU Through the Wall Air Conditioner, 115V, Cools up to 530 Sq - Ft - for Bedroom, Living Room, Apartment, with Remote, 3 Cool & Fan Speeds, Universal design fits most sleeves, White 11800 BTU Cool Only 115V White

🔥 Populaire
  • Strong cooling for medium spaces (up to ~500 sq ft) with honest 11,800 BTU performance
  • Runs on standard 115V power and includes useful modes (Energy Saver, Dry, 3 fan speeds)
  • Quieter than many older or cheaper wall units, with decent airflow and 4‑way vent control
Overall, the LG 11,800 BTU through‑the‑wall AC is a decent workhorse: it cools well, handles a medium apartment or a big bedroom without struggling, and the basic features (remote, timer, energy saver, dry mode) cover what most people actually use. Noise is acceptable for a wall unit, not whisper‑quiet but clearly better than some older or cheaper models. If you have a reasonably modern wall sleeve and you’re okay with a bit of DIY foam tweaking, it will probably serve you fine for typical summer use.The catch is mainly in installation and long‑term reliability in older sleeves. The “universal” fit is only partly true, the manual is vague, and if your sleeve is tall or oddly shaped, you’ll be improvising. The reports of CH34 overheating errors in sleeve installs are concerning, especially when a tech basically says LG units do this more than some competitors. That doesn’t mean every unit will fail, but it’s something to think about if your setup is less than ideal or you live in an area with very hot summers.If you want a 115V wall unit with strong cooling and you’re reasonably handy, this is a solid option and good enough value. If you’re looking for the quietest, most robust unit for a tricky sleeve, or you hate dealing with installation quirks, I’d look at Frigidaire or Friedrich as alternatives. This LG gets the job done, but it’s more "practical choice" than "wow, this is perfect".
6 /10
☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
👌 Good See full review →
See offer Amazon

Comparison table : 12000 BTU portable air conditioners

Overall score Value for money Design Comfort Durability Performance Presentation Effectiveness
Portable Air Conditioners, 12,000 BTU AC Unit for Bedroom with Drainage-free Cooling, 46dB Quiet, APP/Voice/Remote, 24h Timer with Fan & Dehumidifier, Smart Standing AC for Room Indoors, AC515S White 12,000 BTU
#1 Dreo
Portable Air Conditioners, 12,000 BTU AC...
See offer Amazon
8.4/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
12,000 BTU Smart Inverter Air Conditioner Window Unit with Heat and Dehumidifier – Cools up to 550 Sq - Ft., Energy Star Rated, Quiet Operation, Electronic Controls, Remote Control, White 12,000 BTU with Heat
#2 Midea
12,000 BTU Smart Inverter Air Conditione...
See offer Amazon
8.2/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ -
12,200 BTU Window Air Conditioner with Supplemental Heat, 230/208V, Cools 570 Sq.Ft - (19' x 30' Room Size), Electronic Controls with Remote, 2 Cooling, Heating & Fan Speeds, Slide In-Out Chassis Bright White 12000 BTU Electronic 230V
#3 LG
12,200 BTU Window Air Conditioner with S...
See offer Amazon
8.1/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ -
BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner,12,000 BTU, for Rooms Up To 550 Sq - Ft., Portable AC with Inverter Compressor & Window Kit, BPACT08NM, White White - 12,000 BTU+Wifi
#4 BLACK+DECKER
BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditio...
See offer Amazon
8/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ -
BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner with Heat, 12,000 BTU (8,000 BTU SACC) Cooling, 9,000 BTU Heating for Rooms up to 550 Sq - Ft., Follow Me Remote, BPACT12HWT, White 12,000 BTU + HEAT
#5 BLACK+DECKER
BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditio...
See offer Amazon
7.9/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ -
BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner, 12,000 BTU for Rooms up to 550 Sq - Ft., Smart Portable AC with Follow Me Remote and Window Kit, BPACT12WT, White 1 Count (Pack of 1)
#6 BLACK+DECKER
BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditio...
See offer Amazon
7.8/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
11,800 BTU Through the Wall Air Conditioner, 115V, Cools up to 530 Sq - Ft - for Bedroom, Living Room, Apartment, with Remote, 3 Cool & Fan Speeds, Universal design fits most sleeves, White 11800 BTU Cool Only 115V White
#7 LG
11,800 BTU Through the Wall Air Conditio...
See offer Amazon
6/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ -

Frequently asked questions

According to our tests, the best 12000 BTU portable air conditioners is the Portable Air Conditioners, 12,000 BTU AC Unit for Bedroom with Drainage-free Cooling, 46dB Quiet, APP/Voice/Remote, 24h Timer with Fan & Dehumidifier, Smart Standing AC for Room Indoors, AC515S White 12,000 BTU with a score of 8.4/10.

The cheapest 12000 BTU portable air conditioners in our comparison is the BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner, 12,000 BTU for Rooms up to 550 Sq - Ft., Smart Portable AC with Follow Me Remote and Window Kit, BPACT12WT, White 1 Count (Pack of 1).

The most popular 12000 BTU portable air conditioners is the BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner with Heat, 12,000 BTU (8,000 BTU SACC) Cooling, 9,000 BTU Heating for Rooms up to 550 Sq - Ft., Follow Me Remote, BPACT12HWT, White 12,000 BTU + HEAT with 44 028 customer reviews.

To choose a 12000 BTU portable air conditioners, we recommend comparing performance, build quality, value for money and user reviews. Our comparison table above helps you make the right choice.

We have tested 7 12000 BTU portable air conditioners to establish this ranking.
#1 Portable Air Conditioners, 12,000 BTU AC Unit for Bedroom with Drainage-free Cooling, 46dB Quiet, APP/Voice/Remote, 24h Timer with Fan & Dehumidifier, Smart Standing AC for Room Indoors, AC515S White 12,000 BTU
Dreo
Portable Air Conditioner 12,000 BTU
8.4/10 Best choice
See offer Amazon
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