If you live in a home or apartment without air conditioning, the Australian summer can quickly become unbearable. One way you can beat the summer heat is to buy a portable fan, buy a dehumidifier, improve your home’s passive cooling capabilities, or invest in an air conditioner.
Portable air conditioners are a great option if you just need to cool one room, if you’re a renter, or if you’re not quite ready to fork out for a ducted air conditioning system. But when it comes to buying the best portable refrigerated air con or evaporative cooler for your space, it pays to consider both your budget and the climate you live in.
The difference between evaporative coolers and refrigerated air conditioners
There are two main types of portable air conditioners that you will find in stores: evaporative coolers and refrigerated air conditioners. So what’s the difference?
Evaporative coolers are usually cheaper to buy and cheaper to run but will not provide the same level of cooling as a refrigerated air conditioning unit – particularly if you live in a humid climate. In humid climates, refrigerated air conditioners are the best choice, as they remove moisture from the air as they cool.
Many evaporative coolers will require you to fill a water tank before operating it. On the other hand, refrigerated air conditioners will usually come with a window exhaust kit (basically a large pipe that forces hot, humid air outside through a window).
Now we’ve got that covered. Here are the best portable air conditioners you can buy in Australia.
Our top picks for portable air conditioners
The best refrigerated air conditioners
The Devanti portable window air conditioner offers efficient cooling with a 2.7kW capacity. Easily controlled through the LED panel or the included remote, it features 3-speed cooling, auto swing, sleep mode, and a 24-hour timer.
Also available at:
Devanti portable air conditioner with dehumidifier, $609.95 (usually $783.99), Catch.com.au
This air conditioner by Devanti has three heat-beating appliances in one: an air conditioner, a 2-speed fan and a dehumidifier. Even at the affordable price point, this unit has features, including a 24-hour timer function, remote control operation and a smart LED display.
DeLonghi 2.9kW Pinguino portable air conditioner, $1049, The Good Guys
According to Canstar, DeLonghi portable air conditioners consistently receive great consumer feedback for reliability, functionality and overall satisfaction. This machine features ‘Silent Technology’ for quiet operation while you sleep.
Omega Altise 4.1kW portable air conditioner, $800 (usually $849), Appliances Online
This unit by Omega will serve you all year round with the ability to cool and heat. The sleek design means it won’t look out of place in your home. It features directional air louvres, a timer option and four different setting modes.
Kogan SmarterHome™ 2.6kW portable air conditioner, $449 (usually $549.99), Kogan
The Kogan SmarterHome portable air conditioner boasts a 2.6kW cooling capacity and 9,000 BTU, making it ideal for rooms up to 20 sqm. With three modes – air conditioner, fan, and dehumidifier – this smart and portable unit is controllable via the remote, control panel, or the Kogan SmarterHome™ App.
The best evaporative coolers
Klika new pronti evaporative air cooler portable fan conditioner, $147 (usually $164), Myer
The New Pronti will help keep the summer heat at bay and features a 10L reservoir and durable castors. As this evaporative cooler only consumes 60 watts of power, keeping cool is often more wallet- and environmentally-friendly than with standard air conditioners.
Evapolar evaLIGHT plus in white, $239, Amazon
The small but mighty evaLIGHT Plus by Evapolar is an eco-friendly Green Product Award-winning evaporative cooler with 10 watts of power. This nifty device chills, purifies and humidifies, featuring a leakage-proof system, full-spectrum LED light, a removable water tank, and much more.
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