SACC, Hoses and Heat Mode: The Best Portable Air Conditioner for Awkward Windows

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The best portable air conditioner is the one sized for your room by its realistic rating, not the biggest number on the box. Most listings now give two figures: an ASHRAE BTU number and a lower SACC number from the Department of Energy test, which counts the heat that comes back into the room through the ducts and from outside air that infiltrates it. When we compare cooling power, we use SACC.

We compared six portable units from Midea, BLACK+DECKER, AC Infinity, SereneLife, GrowthWing and Garvee using their Amazon listings: a hose-in-hose inverter model, two units with heat mode, a self-evaporating bedroom pick and a big-room unit. Noise and coverage figures are the brands’ claims, and we flag what each listing leaves out. Every pick was in stock and sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store when we checked. All six cost more than $175, so they share our top price tier.

Our Top Portable Air Conditioner Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. BLACK+DECKER 14,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner (BPACT14WT): Best Overall

BLACK+DECKER’s BPACT14WT is a 3-in-1 portable air conditioner that also works as a dehumidifier and a fan. The listing rates it at 14,000 BTU ASHRAE and 10,200 BTU SACC, and BLACK+DECKER says it suits rooms up to 700 square feet. It ships with a window installation kit and a large vented outlet for the cool air.

Day to day you can run it from a top-mounted control panel with an LED display, a full-function remote or your phone. The unit connects over Wi-Fi to BLACK+DECKER’s app on iOS and Android, and it responds to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands, which helps if you want the room cool before you get home.

The remote has a Follow Me function that BLACK+DECKER says lets the remote act as the thermostat, reading the temperature where you are sitting rather than at the unit. The listing gives a body size of 16.5 x 14.06 x 27.09 inches, and the specs file lists 68.3 pounds, so it rolls between rooms but isn’t something to carry upstairs often.

It suits households cooling a large living room, a basement family room or an open-plan space where a window unit won’t fit. The listing doesn’t state a noise level or how condensate drains, and this version has no heat mode; the warranty field reads “1 year limited.”

Why we like it

• 10,200 BTU SACC, highest here
• Follow Me remote thermostat
• App and voice control

Watch out for

The listing gives no decibel figure or drainage details, and this model cools only, without heat.

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2. Midea Duo 12,000 BTU Inverter Portable Air Conditioner (MAP12S1TBL): Best Quiet Hose-in-Hose

Midea’s Duo MAP12S1TBL is a portable air conditioner built around what Midea calls an industry-first hose-in-hose design. One hose assembly both pulls air in from outdoors and exhausts hot air outdoors, and Midea says this keeps air balanced indoors so hot air isn’t drawn into the room through gaps around doors and windows. The title rates it at 12,000 BTU (10,000 BTU SACC) for rooms up to 450 square feet.

The compressor is a variable-speed inverter, which Midea says cools more with considerably less electricity than traditional portable units, and the listing claims it saves more than 40% energy compared to the U.S. federal standard. Midea also claims 2X faster and stronger cooling from the Duo hose and an optimized air duct system. Those are the brand’s figures, not ours.

Noise is the headline for bedrooms: Midea says it runs as low as 42 dB when cooling, “almost as quiet as a library.” Wi-Fi lets you control it from the Midea Air app or by voice with Alexa or Google Assistant, and a remote is included. The listing gives 1,200 watts, 115 volts and an airflow figure of 375.88 CFM.

It suits bedrooms, nurseries and home offices where quiet operation and fewer drafts are worth a premium. At a listed 72.75 pounds and 34.48 inches tall, it is big, and the warranty field reads one limited year from the original purchase date.

Why we like it

• Hose-in-hose design
• Inverter compressor
• 42 dB claim when cooling

Watch out for

It costs the most of our picks and has the weakest sales rank, and this version doesn’t heat.

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3. AC Infinity 5-in-1 Smart Portable Air Conditioner (AC-TFH8): Best With Heat

AC Infinity’s AC-TFH8 is a portable air conditioner and heater that the brand calls a 5-in-1, all-season system. The listing pairs 12,000 BTU of cooling with what AC Infinity calls intelligent heating, and names Cool, Heat, Dry, Fan, Auto and Combo settings for rooms up to 600 square feet.

Auto mode is the everyday draw. AC Infinity says the unit switches between cooling and heating on its own to hold a “true feels-like climate,” using what it calls True Comfort AI, which factors in temperature and humidity. You also get three output levels, a sleep mode, scheduling and timers, plus a wide-angle oscillator to spread the air.

For noise, AC Infinity describes a noise-isolated compressor and says the system cools and heats at 48 dB. The listing also promises drainage-free operation to reduce maintenance. Control comes from an IR remote, Alexa or Google Home voice commands, or an app with smart alerts, data charts and automations.

It suits rooms used all year: a sunroom, a converted garage office or a chilly addition. The listing doesn’t give a weight or a heating BTU figure, and it doesn’t say whether its 12,000 BTU cooling number is ASHRAE or SACC. The warranty field reads “2 Year Warranty,” and the listed size is 14.29 x 15.82 x 24.4 inches.

Why we like it

• Cools and heats with auto switching
• Two-year warranty field
• Drainage-free operation claim

Watch out for

Without a stated SACC figure, weight or heating output, it is harder to size than the others.

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4. SereneLife 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner With Heat (SLACHT804.5): Best Small Portable AC With Heat

SereneLife’s SLACHT804.5 is a compact 4-in-1 portable unit that cools, dehumidifies, heats and runs as a fan. The listing rates it at 8,000 BTU ASHRAE and 5,000 BTU DOE, the DOE figure being the lower number from the Department of Energy test, and the title says it covers rooms up to 350 square feet.

It is the smallest unit here, listed at 13 x 11 inches across the base, and SereneLife says universal casters let you roll it from room to room. Controls cover time, temperature and fan speed, with an automatic mode, a sleep mode and power failure memory, which SereneLife says brings the unit back to its settings after an outage. The listing rates airflow at 270 cubic meters per hour.

SereneLife lists 880 watts of power and R32 refrigerant, and a universal window mount exhaust kit comes in the box. The listing doesn’t give a decibel figure, a heating output or a drainage method, so check the manual for how condensate is handled in each mode.

It suits a small bedroom, dorm-style room or home office where a window unit isn’t allowed. Keep expectations matched to the 5,000 BTU DOE rating: it is a one-small-room machine. The specs file lists 40.7 pounds and a one-year warranty.

Why we like it

• Smallest and lightest pick
• Heat mode in a compact body
• Power failure memory

Watch out for

Its 5,000 BTU DOE rating is the lowest here, so size it for one small room only.

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5. GrowthWing 12,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner (HAC905WF): Best for Bedrooms

GrowthWing’s HAC905WF is a 12,000 BTU ASHRAE portable air conditioner with cooling, dehumidifying and fan modes, Wi-Fi control and a self-evaporating system. The title says it cools up to 550 square feet, and the listing describes an upgraded compressor, a wide 77-degree air outlet and R32 refrigerant.

Drainage is the low-maintenance part. GrowthWing says the self-evaporating system reduces the need for manual draining and provides up to 72 hours of drainage-free cooling in most environments. If you run it as a dehumidifier for long stretches, you connect the included drain hose.

For bedrooms, GrowthWing claims operation as low as 42 dB in Sleep Mode, and the display dims automatically at night. You can adjust temperature, fan speed, modes and schedules from the app, by voice, or with the included remote. The window kit and exhaust hose fit most horizontal and vertical sliding windows from 20.39 to 67 inches, and GrowthWing calls the setup tool-free.

It suits bedrooms and home offices where quiet nights and minimal tank emptying matter. The listing gives no SACC figure, so compare its cooling cautiously with the units that state one. The specs file lists 66 pounds and a one-year warranty, and the manufacturer field reads Rnice rather than GrowthWing.

Why we like it

• 72-hour auto-evaporation claim
• 42 dB sleep mode claim
• Wide window-kit range

Watch out for

Only an ASHRAE rating is given, so its real-world capacity versus SACC-rated units is unclear.

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6. Garvee 14,000 BTU 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner (JHS-A020B-09KR-D): Best for Large Rooms

Garvee’s JHS-A020B-09KR-D is a 3-in-1 portable air conditioner that cools, dehumidifies and circulates air as a fan. The title rates it at 14,000 BTU, with 9,300 BTU SACC, and Garvee says it provides spot cooling for bedrooms, home offices or apartments up to 750 square feet.

Controls are simple: a clear LED panel with a programmable 24-hour timer and a Sleep Mode for nighttime use, plus a remote. There’s no app or voice control in the listing. Rolling casters and side handles help you move it between rooms, which matters because the specs file lists it at 85.25 pounds.

The box includes a complete window installation kit with an adjustable exhaust hose and window panels. Garvee says it fits most double-hung or sliding windows, needs no drilling and sets up in minutes, and pitches it for renters and temporary cooling. The listing also mentions eco-friendly refrigerant and calls the unit energy-efficient without giving a rating.

It suits large living rooms, finished basements and open spaces where a buyer wants straightforward buttons and a remote rather than app-based smart features. The warranty field is empty and the manufacturer field reads JHS INC, so register the unit and keep the paperwork that comes in the box.

Why we like it

• 750 sq ft coverage claim
• Strong #2 rank in Portable
• No-drill window kit

Watch out for

At 85.25 pounds it is the heaviest pick, and the listing gives no warranty term or decibel figure.

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How We Chose the Best Portable Air Conditioners

We compared each unit’s Amazon listing, specs file and sales rank, and quoted only what the listings say:

• Cooling rating: ASHRAE and SACC (or DOE) BTU figures exactly as listed, with SACC used for comparisons and missing figures flagged.
• Hose design: a standard exhaust hose or Midea’s hose-in-hose, plus what the window kit fits.
• Drainage: self-evaporating, drain hose or not stated.
• Noise: decibel claims attributed to each brand, or “not stated.”
• Heat mode and controls: heat, Wi-Fi, voice control and remotes, where listed.
• One per brand: six brands, and nothing reused from our window air conditioner guide.
• Availability: every pick was in stock and sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store at the time of writing.

Portable Air Conditioner Buying Guide

ASHRAE vs. SACC: Which BTU Number to Trust

The federal test procedure for portable air conditioners, Appendix CC to 10 CFR Part 430, defines seasonally adjusted cooling capacity (SACC) as the cooling delivered to the indoor space under specified conditions, and it includes the heat that comes through the ducts and from infiltration air. That is why SACC is lower than the ASHRAE figure on every listing that gives both. By SACC, BLACK+DECKER leads at 10,200 BTU, then Midea at 10,000, Garvee at 9,300 and SereneLife at 5,000 (listed as DOE). GrowthWing and AC Infinity don’t state one. Coverage claims don’t track SACC neatly either: Garvee claims 750 square feet on 9,300 BTU SACC, while Midea claims 450 on 10,000.

Best Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner: Hose-in-Hose and Single Hose

The same federal appendix describes a single-duct unit as drawing all of its condenser air from the room and exhausting it outside through one duct, and a dual-duct unit as drawing some or all of that air from outside. Midea describes its Duo as a hose-in-hose design that takes in and exhausts air outdoors, and says this keeps air balanced indoors so hot air doesn’t seep in around doors and windows. The other five listings describe an exhaust hose or window exhaust kit and make no dual-hose claim. If your window can take a conventional unit, compare against our window air conditioner guide first.

Best Quiet Portable Air Conditioner for a Bedroom

Only three listings give a number. Midea says the Duo runs as low as 42 dB when cooling, GrowthWing claims 42 dB in Sleep Mode, and AC Infinity says 48 dB for cooling and heating. BLACK+DECKER, SereneLife and Garvee don’t state a figure. Sleep modes and auto-dimming displays, like GrowthWing’s, also make a difference at night. For a bedroom that only needs moving air on milder nights, a tower fan is far quieter and cheaper to run.

Best Portable AC With Heat

Two picks heat. AC Infinity’s AC-TFH8 switches between heating and cooling on its own in Auto mode, and SereneLife’s SLACHT804.5 adds a heater mode to a compact 8,000 BTU ASHRAE body. Neither listing states a heating BTU figure. BLACK+DECKER and Midea sell versions of their units with heat, but the models here cool only.

Best Small Portable Air Conditioner

The SereneLife is the smallest and lightest pick, 13 x 11 inches at the base and 40.7 pounds, rated for rooms up to 350 square feet. The others weigh between 66 and 85.25 pounds where the listing states a weight. Measure the floor space and the window opening before you buy, and remember the exhaust hose needs a short, straight run to the window.

Drainage: Self-Evaporating or Drain Hose

Portable units pull water from the air. GrowthWing claims up to 72 hours of drainage-free cooling and includes a drain hose for long dehumidifying runs, and AC Infinity promises drainage-free operation. The other listings don’t describe drainage, so read the manual before the first humid week. A dehumidify mode helps on sticky days, but for a damp basement a dedicated dehumidifier is the better tool.

Heat, Power and Your Home

A portable air conditioner is a big electrical load, and it matters most during dangerous heat:

• Plug it straight into the wall. The U.S. Fire Administration says to plug major appliances directly into a wall outlet and never use an extension cord with one, because the cord can overheat and start a fire. These listings give power draws of 880 to 1,200 watts where they state one, so treat a portable AC the same way, and don’t overload the outlet.
• Replace a damaged cord. The same USFA page says to replace an appliance that has a cracked, damaged or loose cord.
• Know the heat risks. Ready.gov’s extreme heat page says older adults, children and people with certain illnesses and chronic conditions are at greater risk, and it warns not to rely on a fan as your primary cooling device. If you have no air conditioning, it suggests finding a cooling center and checking on family members, older adults and neighbors.
• Watch for water. A full tank or a loose drain hose can leak onto floors. Whether water damage is covered depends on the cause and your policy, so ask your agent. Our Ohio homeowners insurance guide and Ohio renters insurance cost guide explain the basics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best portable air conditioner for most rooms?

The BLACK+DECKER BPACT14WT is our overall pick. It ranks #1 in Portable, lists the highest SACC rating here at 10,200 BTU (14,000 ASHRAE), and adds Wi-Fi, voice control and a Follow Me remote that acts as a thermostat.

What is the best quiet portable air conditioner for a bedroom?

Midea says its Duo runs as low as 42 dB when cooling, and GrowthWing claims 42 dB in Sleep Mode with a display that dims at night. AC Infinity lists 48 dB. The other three listings don’t state a noise level.

Is a dual hose portable air conditioner better?

The federal test procedure separates single-duct units, which draw condenser air from the room, from dual-duct units, which draw some or all of it from outside. Midea’s Duo uses a hose-in-hose design that takes in and exhausts air outdoors; the other picks make no dual-hose claim.

What is the best portable AC with heat?

The AC Infinity AC-TFH8 cools and heats and can switch modes on its own, with a two-year warranty field. For a small room, the SereneLife SLACHT804.5 adds heat to a compact 8,000 BTU ASHRAE unit. Neither listing states its heating BTU.

Can I plug a portable air conditioner into an extension cord?

The U.S. Fire Administration says to plug major appliances directly into a wall outlet and never use an extension cord with one. Treat a portable AC the same way, and follow the outlet guidance in your owner’s manual.

The Bottom Line

The BLACK+DECKER BPACT14WT is the best portable air conditioner for most larger rooms: the top seller here with the highest stated SACC rating and smart controls. The Midea Duo is the quiet hose-in-hose pick for bedrooms if the price is acceptable, the AC Infinity AC-TFH8 covers heating and cooling with a two-year warranty field, and the SereneLife SLACHT804.5 is the small, light choice with heat. The GrowthWing HAC905WF suits low-maintenance bedrooms, and the Garvee handles big rooms with simple controls.

Want to know how your policy treats a leak or an electrical fire? Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or schedule a free coverage review.