When choosing the best portable air conditioner for your home, it is important to evaluate the size of the area you intend to cool. Portable air conditioners for rooms 200 square feet or less are great for smaller spaces while portable air conditioners for rooms 400 square feet or more are ideal for larger areas. There are also many portable air cooler for medium-sized rooms, giving you plenty of cooling options.

Next, consider some of the portable AC unit features available. Integrated heater portable air conditioners can be used year-round, providing both cooling in the summer and heating in the winter. This way, you don’t need to invest in a separate space heater.

An app compatible portable air conditioner is perhaps the most convenient choice. These smart units can be controlled via your smartphone, allowing you to adjust settings, monitor energy usage and set schedules remotely, even when you’re not at home. And, if you’re setting up a smart home, you can integrate your smart portable air conditioning unit with the rest of your smart home ecosystem.

To really get the most out of your portable AC unit, start by optimizing the settings and features for maximum efficiency and comfort. If you opted for a portable air conditioner with a timer, you can program the timer to cool the room before you arrive home, which reduces energy consumption by not constantly running the unit.

If you don’t already have a standalone dehumidifier, you can take your portable air cooler and switch between cooling, fan-only and dehumidification modes as needed to adjust to changing weather conditions and humidity levels. Utilizing separate fans and keeping windows and doors closed while the unit is running helps maintain the desired temperature and prevents overworking the portable AC.

Routine maintenance is also crucial for the longevity and effectiveness of your portable AC unit. Regularly cleaning or replacing the air filters prevents clogged filters, which can impede airflow and reduce cooling efficiency. And, if you want to make your home allergy-friendly, cleaner filters can significantly help by trapping dust, pollen and other airborne particles.