Best Portable Air Conditioner To Buy in Canada
Do you want to escape the brunt of the hot summers without burning holes in your pockets?
If you answered yes, a portable air conditioner is the perfect solution to your summer woes.
A portable air conditioner purchase is never easy, and dozens of options make things even more complicated. Here are a few tips and a list of the top portable air conditioners to help you choose the right product for your home and office.
Things to consider while buying a portable air conditioner
With the array of available options buying a portable air conditioner becomes a strenuous task. Some quick tips to help you choose the best portable cooler for your house are as follows:
Cooling Capacity and Room Size
In simple terms, air conditioners pump out the hot air from your home and replace it with cool air. British Thermal Unit (BTU) measures the cooling capacity of air conditioners. A lower BTU portable air conditioner for a large room will lower your comfort; a higher BTU for a smaller room will increase your energy bills. Thus, it is pertinent to gauge the size of your space and get a portable air conditioner that adequately cools it.
Maintenance
An air conditioner’s condensate system determines how much attention it requires. Fully self-evaporative models give you the luxury of leaving the device unattended, whereas, in other models, you must manually remove the water collected in condensate plates. Other models use a gravity drain through a hose or a condensate plate to remove the accumulated moisture. Consider the maintenance time and effort needed while making the purchase decision.
Warranty Period and After-sale Benefits
Your portable air conditioner requires regular cleaning and maintenance, like regular health check-ups. An extended warranty period makes regular check-ups easier and takes care of your device for free. You won’t need to worry about draining your wallet in case of a malfunction or damage to your device. Therefore, consider after-sales benefits before locking a model.
Energy Consumption
Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) determines the efficiency of portable air conditioners. In other words, it is the ratio of the cooling capacity ( British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour) to the power input (Watts). Nowadays, many models come with CEER (Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio), which exhibits the energy efficiency of the portable air conditioner both in standby and use mode. Portable air conditioners with high EER( or CEER) provide a cheaper bill for equal cooling.
Budget
Portable air conditioners come in variable cost ranges. The first thing you need to do before investing in a portable air conditioner is set your budget. It will help you compare models and make the best choice. Your budget should include the maintenance and energy costs. It will give you a realistic picture of potential expenditure on a portable air conditioner which will help in efficient decision-making.
Top 6 Portable Air conditioner
Whynter ARC-14S Portable Air Conditioner
Ranked by Forbes and Insider as the best in the market, Whynter ARC has been the industry leader for quite some time. This portable air conditioner is undoubtedly the best in the overall category.
- Cooling Power – 14000 BTUs
- Price Range – $400 – $600
- Warranty – 1 year plus 3 years for compressor
Pros :
- Three operational modes – Air conditioner, Fan, or Dehumidifier
- Dual hose system and remote-controlled
- Automatic drain system
Cons:
- Difficult window set up
- On the heavier side, hence difficult to move
Black+Decker BPACT14HWT Portable Air Conditioner
It is the perfect portable air conditioner for compact rooms. It comes with fully self-evaporative technology that makes maintenance hassle-free.
- Cooling Capacity – 14000 BTUs
- Price Range – $ 400 – $ 500
- Warranty – 1 year plus 5 years for compressor
Pros :
- Easy installation
- Easy maintenance
- Remote Controlled
Cons :
- Not suitable for large spaces. It is ideal for small spaces (250 to 300 square feet)
- It makes a loud noise (56dB)
SereneLife SLPAC12.5 Portable Air Conditioner
The SereneLife SLPAC12.5 Portable Air Conditioner is a super affordable compact cooling machine. It is ideal for small and mid-sized spaces. Its built-in wheels feature is an added advantage making it more desirable. Serene Life air conditioners come in varied price ranges, starting from as low as $300.
- Cooling Capacity – 12000 BTUs
- Price Range – $300 – $600
- Warranty – 1 year
Pros:
- Easy to move
- Affordable
- Remote control and digital display
Cons:
- Noisy
- Not suitable for larger rooms
LG 10,000 BTU 115V Portable Air Conditioner
This portable air conditioner is your perfect partner if you want a smart home. You can control it from your phone and smart assistant devices. A sleek, stylish design adds the cherry on top.
- Cooling Capacity – 14000 BTUs
- Price Range – $500 – $600
- Warranty – 1 year
Pros:
- WiFi connectivity
- Operable from a smartphone, Alexa and Hey Google
- LCD remote control
Cons:
- The drain hose is not part of the kit
Haier HPNFD14XCT 14,000-13,500 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
With a large coverage area and priced slightly lower than its competitors, this portable air conditioner bags a rating of 4.2 on Amazon.
- Cooling Capacity – 14000 BTUs
- Price Range – $450 – $600
- Warranty – 1 year
Pros :
- Easy to install window kit
- Efficient for larger rooms
Cons:
- On the louder side
De’Longhi Penguino Air Conditioner
De’Longhi Penguino Air Conditioner is an excellent portable air conditioner, especially for large rooms. It acts as a dehumidifier while cooling your room, thus giving a pleasant ambiance. It comes with the Cool Surround Smart technology and is an all-rounder.
- Cooling Capacity – 12000 BTUs
- Price Range – $600 – $700
- Warranty – 2 year
Pros:
- Ideal for large rooms (500 square feet)
- Simple installation and quiet functioning
Cons:
- On the expensive side
A quick list of tips to help you choose the right portable air conditioner
Here is a quick list of tips to help you decide in minutes!
- Fix your budget. The budget should include maintenance and after-sales costs as well.
- Make a list of the features you want. For instance: noise level, remote modulated, single-hose outlet, or double-hose outlet, fully self-evaporative or partially self-evaporative, etc.
- Compare the various models available in your budget for the EER and warranty.
- Go for the model that offers maximum features and utility for your budget.
FAQs
How do you measure the BTU requirement for your home?
Many standard size charts are available online and offline to compare BTU and room size. Moreover, all companies mention the optimum room size in the product description.
What should you look for in the warranty?
Read the terms and conditions of the warranty period carefully. Some companies offer an additional warranty on the compressor, while others provide free labor for an extended period. Also, consider what type of damage the warranty covers.
Does your portable air conditioner need maintenance even when it is working efficiently?
Any equipment needs regular attention to keep it working for a long time. In the case of portable air conditioners, you need to clean the filters regularly, check the room insulation, check the hose for any possible leakages, etc. All these preventive measures will keep your portable air conditioner in good health for a long time. Hence, you need regular maintenance irrespective of machinery issues.
