Choosing a portable air conditioner isn't so complicated once you know 4 key terms. Here's what to look at — and what you can ignore.
1. Power: BTU / hour
BTU (British Thermal Unit) measures cooling power. Simple rule of thumb: about 1,000 BTU per 2.5 m² in a well-insulated home. A 9,000 BTU unit comfortably covers 20 to 25 m² with a standard ceiling height. Beyond that, plan for a second unit rather than an oversized model.
2. Noise: decibels (dB)
A portable air conditioner runs at around 55 to 68 dB. Below 60 dB, you can sleep in the same room without issue. Above 65 dB, it's better placed in an adjoining room with the door open.
3. The window kit
This is the most often forgotten part. A portable AC vents hot air through a duct, so you need to seal a slightly open window; otherwise you're expelling heat… which comes right back in through the same window. A good kit accounts for 30% of the perceived performance.
4. Energy class
Over a short usage period (10 to 30 days), the bill difference between class A and class C is small. But a class A unit also emits less heat while running, so it cools better at the same rated power. Choose A if you can.
The right reflex
Before buying, ask yourself: how many days will I really use it? If the answer is "fewer than 20 a year", renting is almost always the better choice, financially and environmentally.
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