Skip to main content
Discover our ranking of the 5 best portable air conditioners for hot climates based on our tests.

Ranking

#1 🏆 Best choice
Air Conditioner 9000 BTU, 4-in-1 Portable Air Conditioning Unit, Dehumidifier, Cooling Fan with 2 Fan Speeds, Digital Display, Remote Control, 24 Hour Timer & Dual Window Venting Kit

Emperial

Air Conditioner 9000 BTU, 4-in-1 Portable Air Conditioning Unit, Dehumidifier, Cooling Fan with 2 Fan Speeds, Digital Display, Remote Control, 24 Hour Timer & Dual Window Venting Kit

  • Cools medium rooms (around 12–25 m²) effectively within 30–60 minutes
  • Simple controls with remote and timer, easy to use once installed
  • Reasonable running costs for a 9000 BTU unit with Class A efficiency
The Emperial EM-AC-02 9000 BTU portable air conditioner is basically a solid workhorse: it cools a medium-sized room properly, doesn’t destroy your energy bill if you use it sensibly, and is straightforward to operate. It’s especially handy if you’re dealing with a few nasty heatwaves every year and just want your bedroom or living room to feel liveable again. The dehumidifier mode and timer add some flexibility, and the included window kits mean most people can get it running without calling anyone in.On the downside, it’s not quiet. The compressor and fan are very noticeable, especially in a bedroom at night, and sleep mode doesn’t magically fix that. The window kit is a bit of a faff the first time, and there are a few reports of small water leaks, so you do need to pay attention to drainage and setup. The build is okay but nothing special, which matches the price point.If you want a practical, reasonably priced portable AC that gets the job done in rooms around 12–25 m² and you can live with some noise, this is a good option. If you’re a very light sleeper, want near-silent cooling, or plan to run it all day, every day for months, you might want to look at quieter or more premium systems. For most people who just want to stop sweating through summer nights without spending a fortune, it’s a decent, no-nonsense choice.
8.3 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
🌟 Excellent See full review →
See offer Amazon
#2
9000 BTU WiFi Portable Air Conditioner, 4-in-1 Cooling, Dehumidifier Fan Modes & Sleep Mode, 24H Timer, 2 Window Venting Kit Included, Air Conditioning Unit For Rooms Up to 20㎡ (Black) 9000 BTU Black

Devola

9000 BTU WiFi Portable Air Conditioner, 4-in-1 Cooling, Dehumidifier Fan Modes & Sleep Mode, 24H Timer, 2 Window Venting Kit Included, Air Conditioning Unit For Rooms Up to 20㎡ (Black) 9000 BTU Black

  • Cools small to medium rooms noticeably within 1–2 hours
  • Includes two window kits and WiFi/app/remote control out of the box
  • Reasonable running cost and mid-range price with UK warranty support
If you boil it down, the Devola 9000 BTU WiFi portable air conditioner is a loud but effective way to make a small to medium room actually comfortable in hot weather. It cools properly, not just “a bit of a breeze”. In a 15–20 m² room, you can see a real temperature drop within an hour or two, and during a heatwave that makes a big difference to sleep and general mood. The noise and the big exhaust hose are the main trade-offs, but that’s the case with pretty much any portable AC in this category.It’s best suited for people in flats or rentals who can’t install a fixed split system but still want real cooling: top-floor apartments, home offices in stuffy rooms, or bedrooms that turn into ovens at night. If you’re okay with pre-cooling the room before bed and living with a bit of humming in the background, you’ll probably be happy with it. The WiFi and app control, plus the included window kits, help justify the price and make daily use a bit easier.Who should probably skip it? If you’re extremely sensitive to noise, want totally automated thermostat-style climate control, or have very large open-plan spaces, this won’t be ideal. You’ll either find it too loud or not powerful enough for big areas. But if you’re realistic about what a 9000 BTU portable unit can do and you just need a reliable way to drop the temperature in one room, this Devola is a solid, no-nonsense option with a few rough edges.
8.2 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
🌟 Excellent See full review →
See offer Amazon
#3
Portable Air Conditioner 12000 BTU, 5-in-1 Air Conditioning Unit, Smart WIFI App Control with Heat, Cooling, Fan, Dehumidifier, Auto Mode, Sleep Mode with 24H Timer, Remote Control, Window Kit 12000 BTU+Heat

KOMORE

Portable Air Conditioner 12000 BTU, 5-in-1 Air Conditioning Unit, Smart WIFI App Control with Heat, Cooling, Fan, Dehumidifier, Auto Mode, Sleep Mode with 24H Timer, Remote Control, Window Kit 12000 BTU+Heat

  • Strong 12,000 BTU cooling and 9,000 BTU heating suitable for roughly 18–23 m² rooms
  • 5‑in‑1 functions (cooling, heating, fan, dehumidifier, auto) plus WiFi and remote control
  • Easy to move on wheels with side handles and practical cord storage at the back
This KOMORE 12000 BTU KOMORE portable air conditioner with heat is a practical, fairly powerful all-rounder. It cools a medium-sized room properly, heats it reasonably well, and doubles as a decent dehumidifier. The WiFi control and remote make it easy to live with, and the auto and sleep modes are handy once you get used to their quirks. It’s not small, it’s not silent, and it won’t replace proper central heating, but it clearly improves comfort in both summer and the shoulder seasons.It’s best suited for people in flats or rentals who can’t install a split system, and for those who want one device to handle several jobs: cooling, extra heating, drying out a damp room, and general air circulation. If you accept the usual portable AC compromises – hose through the window, some noise, and a chunky footprint – it offers good value for money and feels more flexible than many basic 9000 BTU cool-only units. On the other hand, if you only need light cooling for a small bedroom a few weeks a year, or you’re extremely sensitive to noise while sleeping, you might be better off with a smaller, quieter unit or a fixed AC system.
8 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
🌟 Excellent See full review →
See offer Amazon
#4
9000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, 3-in-1 AC Unit with Cooling, Dehumidifier, Fan, 2 Speeds, 24H Timer, Sleep Mode, Remote, Window Kit for Home & Office Up to 300sq.ft [Energy Class a] 9000BTU

Lidzopas

9000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, 3-in-1 AC Unit with Cooling, Dehumidifier, Fan, 2 Speeds, 24H Timer, Sleep Mode, Remote, Window Kit for Home & Office Up to 300sq.ft [Energy Class a] 9000BTU

  • Cools small to medium rooms effectively for a 9000 BTU unit
  • Relatively affordable compared to big-brand portable ACs
  • Simple controls with remote, timer and multiple modes (cool, dry, fan)
After using the Lidzopas 9000 BTU portable air conditioner through a few hot days, my opinion is pretty clear: it cools well for the price, but it’s noisy and feels cheap in places. If your priority is simply to get a small room down to a bearable temperature during a heatwave, it does that job. The cooling power is in line with the 9000 BTU spec, the dehumidifier mode helps with muggy UK weather, and the remote plus timer make day-to-day use fairly practical.The downsides are just as clear: the noise level is high, even in sleep mode, and the window kit and plastic parts don’t inspire much confidence. This is not the kind of unit you move around roughly or install and uninstall every day. It’s better as a seasonal tool you set up once and handle gently. For the price some people paid (around £160–£170), I’d say it’s decent value if you can tolerate noise and basic build quality. If you’re very sensitive to sound or want something that feels solid and polished, you’ll probably be happier paying more for a better-known brand with quieter operation.So, who is this for? It’s for someone in a small flat or house who hates the summer heat, has a limited budget, and mainly wants cooling for a bedroom or living room during the evening or daytime. Who should skip it? Light sleepers who expect to run it all night next to the bed, people who want a robust window kit that can handle constant moving, and anyone who gets annoyed by flimsy plastics. If you accept those limits, it’s a functional but imperfect solution that will still feel like a big step up from just using fans.
6 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
👌 Good See full review →
See offer Amazon
#5 💰 Best price
Portable Air Conditioner, 4-in-1 Evaporative Air Cooler with 3 Speeds and 120°Oscillation, 8L Large Water Tank, 45dB Quiet Cooling Fan, Energy-Saving Portable AC with Wheels for Home, Office, Bedroom

GLOWITE

Portable Air Conditioner, 4-in-1 Evaporative Air Cooler with 3 Speeds and 120°Oscillation, 8L Large Water Tank, 45dB Quiet Cooling Fan, Energy-Saving Portable AC with Wheels for Home, Office, Bedroom

  • Quiet on low speed, acceptable for sleeping nearby
  • Very low power consumption at 60W, cheap to run
  • Big water tank and wheels make it convenient to use and move around
Overall, the GLOWITE BW108 is basically a modest evaporative cooler dressed up as a “portable air conditioner”. If you judge it as a fan with a water tank, it’s okay: it’s fairly quiet on low, the airflow is decent up close, the big tank means fewer refills, and the remote/timer make it simple to live with. For spot cooling in a dry room, especially if you sit or sleep within 1–2 meters of it, it brings a bit of comfort and costs very little to run at 60W.But if you’re buying it expecting real room cooling, like what a proper mobile AC with a compressor can do, you’re likely to be disappointed. It struggles to noticeably cool an entire bedroom, the ice packs are too small to make a big difference, and in humid conditions it mostly feels like a slightly moist fan. Add to that the light, budget feel of the plastics and the relatively high price it’s often sold for, and the value isn’t great.Who is it for? People in dry climates
5 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
😐 Average See full review →
See offer Amazon

Comparison table : Portable air conditioners for hot climates

Overall score Value for money Design Comfort Durability Performance Presentation Effectiveness
Air Conditioner 9000 BTU, 4-in-1 Portable Air Conditioning Unit, Dehumidifier, Cooling Fan with 2 Fan Speeds, Digital Display, Remote Control, 24 Hour Timer & Dual Window Venting Kit
#1 Emperial
Air Conditioner 9000 BTU, 4-in-1 Portabl...
See offer Amazon
8.3/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
9000 BTU WiFi Portable Air Conditioner, 4-in-1 Cooling, Dehumidifier Fan Modes & Sleep Mode, 24H Timer, 2 Window Venting Kit Included, Air Conditioning Unit For Rooms Up to 20㎡ (Black) 9000 BTU Black
#2 Devola
9000 BTU WiFi Portable Air Conditioner,...
See offer Amazon
8.2/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ - ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ -
Portable Air Conditioner 12000 BTU, 5-in-1 Air Conditioning Unit, Smart WIFI App Control with Heat, Cooling, Fan, Dehumidifier, Auto Mode, Sleep Mode with 24H Timer, Remote Control, Window Kit 12000 BTU+Heat
#3 KOMORE
Portable Air Conditioner 12000 BTU, 5-in...
See offer Amazon
8/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
9000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, 3-in-1 AC Unit with Cooling, Dehumidifier, Fan, 2 Speeds, 24H Timer, Sleep Mode, Remote, Window Kit for Home & Office Up to 300sq.ft [Energy Class a] 9000BTU
#4 Lidzopas
9000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, 3-in-...
See offer Amazon
6/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Portable Air Conditioner, 4-in-1 Evaporative Air Cooler with 3 Speeds and 120°Oscillation, 8L Large Water Tank, 45dB Quiet Cooling Fan, Energy-Saving Portable AC with Wheels for Home, Office, Bedroom
#5 GLOWITE
Portable Air Conditioner, 4-in-1 Evapora...
See offer Amazon
5/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Frequently asked questions

According to our tests, the best portable air conditioners for hot climates is the Air Conditioner 9000 BTU, 4-in-1 Portable Air Conditioning Unit, Dehumidifier, Cooling Fan with 2 Fan Speeds, Digital Display, Remote Control, 24 Hour Timer & Dual Window Venting Kit with a score of 8.3/10.

The cheapest portable air conditioners for hot climates in our comparison is the Portable Air Conditioner, 4-in-1 Evaporative Air Cooler with 3 Speeds and 120°Oscillation, 8L Large Water Tank, 45dB Quiet Cooling Fan, Energy-Saving Portable AC with Wheels for Home, Office, Bedroom.

To choose a portable air conditioners for hot climates, 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 5 Portable air conditioners for hot climates to establish this ranking.
#1 Air Conditioner 9000 BTU, 4-in-1 Portable Air Conditioning Unit, Dehumidifier, Cooling Fan with 2 Fan Speeds, Digital Display, Remote Control, 24 Hour Timer & Dual Window Venting Kit
Emperial
Air Conditioner 9000 BTU, 4-in-1 Portable Air Conditioning Unit, Dehumidifier, Cooling Fan with 2 Fan Speeds, Digital Display, Remote Control, 24 Hour Timer & Dual Window Venting Kit
8.3/10 Best choice
See offer Amazon
Published on