If you hate summer or just run hot year-round, a window air conditioner installed 365 days a year may be the perfect solution. But if you live in a small space and want access to your window seasonally, an affordable portable air conditioner is a better compromise between power and flexibility.
The best portable air conditioners typically cost more than a window unit, sometimes in the five to six hundred dollar range. We spoke with appliance experts to narrow down the bare necessities of portable air conditioners and help us find the best options for under $400.
SKIP AHEAD Top-rated portable air conditioners under $400 in 2024 | How to shop for a portable air condition under $400
How we picked the best portable air conditioners under $400
The experts we spoke with highlighted the most important features to look for when shopping for a portable AC on a budget. Using their expertise as guidance, we selected top-rated models based on the following criteria:
- Price: We only included portable air conditioning units that cost under $400. $400 is a good sweet spot between value and brand recognition. Many portable ACs are available for less, but they are typically rated for very small rooms and may come from obscure brands.
- Room size: We picked portable air conditioners fit for small to medium-sized rooms ranging from 150 to 450 square feet. Units rated for spaces larger than 450 square feet typically cost more than $400
- Portability: We only included units with built-in wheels, which make them easier to move and store.
- Top-rated: We only selected portable AC units with at least a four-star average rating from customers on Amazon.
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Best portable air conditioners under $400 in 2024
Many of our picks are from the brands we recommend in our guide to the best portable air conditioning units, such as Black+Decker, Shinco and Midea.
For most spaces: Black+Decker 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
This unit from Black+Decker is best suited to rooms up to 350 square feet — think bedrooms, offices, kitchens and more. Like all our picks, you can adjust between cool, fan and dehumidify modes and three fan speeds using the on-unit buttons or remote control. This model also has a timer, sleep mode and auto mode, making it versatile for all spaces.
It comes in several different models, but this 8,000 BTU version is the cheapest.
Modes: Cool, fan, dehumidify | Cooling power: 8,000 BTUs | Room size: Up to 350 sq ft | Speeds: 3 | Weight: 52.9 lbs | Dimensions: 15.3 D x 14 W x 24.8 H in
For large spaces: Frigidaire 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
This Frigidaire model is rated for spaces up to 450 square feet, the largest on our list. It’s a good fit for living rooms and kitchens, and it has a wireless remote that controls the unit and displays the current temperature.
The unit has a few extra modes missing from cheaper competitors, like a swing mode that oscillates the fan grille up and down to distribute better cool air, a customizable timer mode and a sleep mode that gradually increases the temperature throughout the evening, according to the brand.
Modes: Cool, fan, dehumidify | Cooling power: 10,000 BTUs | Room size: Up to 450 sq ft | Speeds: 3 | Weight: 62 lbs | Dimensions: 14 D x 16.5 W x 28 H in
Most affordable: Shinco 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
If you are okay with sacrificing some features, this unit from Shinco can cool small spaces on a budget. It has a swing mode that better distributes cool air and like other other picks, you can control the AC via the on-unit controls or the wireless remote.
The low price does mean some missing features: there is no smart connectivity and the remote does not have a temperature readout like our picks from Black+Decker and Frigidaire. While this AC is powerful for the price, light sleepers may want to avoid it — some reviewers on Amazon say it is loud, even on low fan settings.
Modes: Cool, fan, dehumidify | Cooling power: 8,000 BTUs | Room size: Up to 200 sq ft | Speeds: 3 | Weight: 46 lbs | Dimensions: 13.4 D x 14.7 W x 37 H in
For smart connectivity: Midea 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
This is the only unit on our list that connects to Wi-Fi. Once connected, it can be controlled with the Midea Air app and voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Outside of smart connectivity, this unit is similar to our other picks, with multiple modes, a remote controller (with temperature) and a washable air filter. It is rated for spaces up to 200 square feet, making it a good fit for a high-tech office or media room. Just be aware that it weighs nearly 68 pounds, the heaviest on our list.
Modes: Cool, fan, dehumidify | Cooling power: 10,000 BTUs | Room size: Up to 200 sq ft | Speeds: 3 | Weight: 67.9 lbs | Dimensions: 13 D x 17.1 W x 28.3 H in
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How to shop for a portable air condition under $400
Before you buy a portable AC, you may want to grab a tape measure, measure your space and check for electrical outlets, according to our experts. Below are a few things to keep in mind before adding any of our top picks to your cart:
BTUs, or British Thermal Units
An AC’s cooling power is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs): the higher the BTUs, the larger the space the AC can cool. On average, an air-conditioning unit needs about 20 BTUs per square foot of space to keep things cool, says Dr. John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards — an organization that works with brands and manufacturers to improve indoor air quality science and standards. To figure out how many BTUs you need for your room size, multiply the square footage of your room by 20.
Below is a breakdown of the number of BTUs needed to cool different-sized spaces. These calculations are averages—it’s still important to refer to the square footage rating on an AC unit.
- Up to 250 square feet: 5,000 to 6,000 BTUs
- 250 to 350 square feet: 7,000 to 8,000 BTUs
- 350 to 450 square feet: 9,000 to 10,000 BTUs
- 450 to 550 square feet: 12,000 BTUs
- 550 to 700 square feet: 14,000 BTUs
These numbers are not ironclad — you may need more or less BTUs depending on your exact room, says Carl Prouty, a tech expert at electronics and appliance retailer Abt. For a room that gets little to no sun, you can get by with a unit with 10% fewer BTUs than the square footage requirement. For a room that gets sun daily, add 10% more BTUs than required. If you place the unit in a kitchen, add 4,000 extra BTUs to combat the heat appliances produce, says Prouty.
Placement and maintenance
Portable air conditioners need to be placed near a window and electrical outlet. You will also need to drain water from the unit, especially if using the dehumidifier mode frequently. McKeon recommends draining the water and cleaning the air filters every few weeks to prevent mold growth. Make sure you have enough space around your unit to complete maintenance easily.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards — an organization that works with brands and manufacturers to improve indoor air quality science and standards.
- Carl Prouty is a tech expert at electronics and appliance retailer Abt.
Why trust NBC Select?
Harry Rabinowitz is a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology including guides to fitness trackers, air purifiers and streaming devices. To better understand the nuances of portable air conditioners, he spoke with industry experts and used their advice to help pick top-rated options across price points.
Justin Redman is a former reporter at NBC Select.
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