Updated Portable AC units are popular recently because it's summer and a bathtub outside, and because they don't block your entire window. Also they are more cost-effective than central air as they only air condition the rooms that you are using. There are so many types of portable air conditioners available, and each have their own ways of simplifying the steps of condensation removal, dehumidification, water-tray emptying frequency, filter cleaning, and remote operation, so choosing the right one can be daunting.Based on Comparaboo's analysis of over 90,000 customer reviews, expert articles, brand, and product reputation, the best portable AC unit is the Honeywell MM14CCS 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control.This portable air conditioner is 65.5 lbs and can cool, dehumidify, and fan areas of up to 550 sq ft. The unit dehumidifies up to 79.2 pints a day, and air flows at 265 CU ft per minute. The fan has a choice of three speeds, and the cooling temperature can be set from 61° - 89°Fahrenheit.

The portable unit sits on wheels, may be remote control operated, may be run on a timer, and has an auto-evaporation system that uses an easy-to-install window venting kit and flexible exhaust hose that reduce the need for water drainage. This window venting kit can be used in front of a metal screen and the exhaust will not melt the screen.This is the window installation kit it comes with. Everything snaps together and set up should take 5-10 minutes. This is how an older model looks with the exhaust hose and window kit set up. (The Honeywell MM14CCS has a digital LED display.)The auto-evaporation system is designed to not drip, comes with a condensation tray that does not have to be changed frequently, and its pull-up filter is easy to remove and washable. This shows the pull-up filter feature.This portable AC unit does not leak, and user reviews raved about their lower electricity bills and having to empty the condensation tray infrequently.The parts it comes with are: Cooling unitWindow bracket kitWindow bracket panel adapterPlastic pins (no screws!)

HoseHose connector__Check out the Best Portable AC Units 2015 list to see what else made the Top 10.Written I have found them all about the same(not that great). I used to rent a house and the central air conditioner just wasn't enough. A street facing window unit was out of the question. Therefore, I decided to try a portable unit with the "dryer" like vent.My ExperienceThe room was cooler. However, I experienced a lot of issues. Over a period of 2 summers, I purchased 4 different brands. I found the following to be true for all of them.Regardless of how quiet it says it is, it is going to be extremely loud.All of them leak like crazyThey never reach the desired temperature and had to run constantly to keep the room coolNot a very attractive addition to any roomWhy Purchase 4 Units?Every model I purchased started leaking at some point. I had one model that collected the water and when full you emptied. However, it still leaked. Another model was supposed to take care of the water itself and had a backup collection system.

This unit also leaked.At the time, I went online and researched the subject and if other people were having problems with leaks. I found match after match of people with the same issue. There seemed to be no fix. You could replace the unit. I did this too and it had the same exact problem.I finally purchased a hot water heater drip pan and placed under the unit. This collected the water, but it was a nightmare and I still ended up with major water damage.how much for outside ac unitLiving in Atlanta, Georgia, I wasn't sure if the high humidity caused problems or what. what does it cost to replace a ac unitI finally abandoned the units.window ac units installationMy RecommendationIf you can afford just a little bit more money, I would strongly encourage you to look into split systems.

It's like a conventional unit, doesn't have any duct work to install, isn't that loud, doesn't need any venting and keeps the condenser on the outside.It has 3 parts. First, there is the inside part which hangs on the wall like a register or vent. Second, there is a small pipe and connection which runs outside. Finally, there is a small condenser on the outside.While more expensive, the price is not that much higher than most portable units.Written Not as cheap a window unit, but a split coil that’s indoor unit is wall mounted would be best. runs much like central air but is made for one area.Read Jason’s answer below.I moved into a new apartment back in November. It’s a beautiful place from the 1920’s with a riverfront view; but with all its charm, it still has no air conditioning. It was cold when I moved in, so not having air wasn’t really an immediate concern. Earlier this month, however, it started getting a little toasty and soon a little muggy. Two things that do not mix well are over one hundred-year-old buildings and humidity.

It was hot and stuffy – not exactly what you want to come home to after a long day of work. So, I began the search for an air conditioning unit that would suit my needs. I thought it was going to be a simple process, until I learned that there are actually several different types of AC units. What’s the difference between a portable air conditioner and an evaporative cooler? What does ductless mini-split mean? How does a through-the-wall air conditioner even work? From window units to swamp coolers, I’ve laid out the ins and outs of the most popular AC units. Check out the pros and cons to see which ones works best for your cooling needs. Window Air Conditioning Unit Aside from central air, the window unit is the most common AC system. It’s specially designed to be installed in your window. It works by pulling in the air from your space, dehumidifying and cooling it, then pushing back out the now cold air. The remaining hot air is pushed out the window from the hot air exhaust system.

They take up less space. Having the unit in your window keeps it off the ground and out of your way.A window unit will still run you $200 and up, but they are cheaper than the $500+ wall units. They can be hard to install. These things are very back heavy, and since you have to stick the back out the window, they can be dangerous. Some don’t quite fit your window just right either, so even with folding panels, you’ll still need to screw them into the window. They can be seen as a liability. Since these things are heavy, if it were to somehow fall out of your window, it could really hurt someone. Many apartment complexes are moving away from these models, to avoid the risk. If you’re renting, check with your management to see if they allow window units. Through-the-Wall Air Conditioning Unit These through-the-wall AC units are similar to the window units, except they’re made to be installed into your wall in a chassis sleeve. They still work the same, but they need the chassis to support the weight of the unit.

Most sleeves can simply slide in and out to help with installation. They don’t take up space. These units can be installed inline with your wall, so they don’t stick out at all. They can be very discrete. Through-the-wall AC units tend to come with a higher cooling capacity. While they’re typically used to cool one room, they can cool a larger room. They have a higher price point. Through-the-wall air conditioning units will run you $450 and up. Unlike the window units, these don’t have venting, which lowers their cooling efficiency. The through-the-wall units tend to be heavier. Unless you already have a hole in your wall, these units aren’t a quick installation. Ductless Mini-Split System Air Conditioners The ductless mini-split system is unique to the air conditioning units, because it is not a self-contained unit. The system is generally made up of two parts; the larger condenser unit, which sits outside, and the blower system that is mounted on the wall indoors.

There is no ducting on the system; instead, it uses refrigeration lines from outside, which travel though an insulated tube into the blower system. The blower then pushes the cold air out into the room. These systems are quiet. Many air conditioning units are noisy, but since the condenser actually sits outside, you don’t get as much noise inside the house. The wall mount makes the mini-split system unobtrusive. You can have wall mounts in different rooms, and control them each individually. While they can be used in the home, this also makes them popular choices in offices. They are harder to install. Being that there are two pieces, not one self-contained unit, it’s harder to set everything up, especially if you have multiple wall units. They have the highest price point, running you anywhere between $600 on the lower end, into the $2,000 range. Portable Air Conditioning Units Much like the window unit, a portable AC unit has ducting that sucks in the air in your space, pushing out the hot air while dehumidifying and returning cold air.

Uniquely, these air conditioners are free standing pieces. Although they stand alone, they still need to be set up to blow hot air out through a window. To do this, they come with a window kit and a hose that will allow the hot air to travel out of your apartment.You just connect the hose, set up the window piece and you’re ready to cool down in no time!With the window units, a lot of apartments see them as a risk that could hurt someone if they fall. The freestanding unit eliminates that risk, but still dehumidifies and cools your place down.While portable air conditioning units aren’t as cheap as window units, they’re only $50 or so more, so they’re still pretty affordable.Since the whole unit is inside your space, the noise is louder than other models.Since they are freestanding units that sit on the floor, they are definitely a little more in the way.Not surprisingly, you’ll need to clean the air filter, but what you might not think about is the water tray underneath.

Since the unit is dehumidifying the air as well, it needs somewhere to store that water. It collects in a tray that you’ll need to empty from time to time. Evaporative Coolers (Swamp Coolers) If you live in a drier climate, you’ve probably heard of these before. An evaporative cooler (or swamp cooler as they’re more commonly known) can be a freestanding or window unit that cools and humidifies the air. It uses evaporation technology to cool water and fan it out into the room. Essentially, it pulls in hot dry air and sucks it through damp pads to cool the air, then it fans it back out into the room. It cools like the other AC units but in a completely different and unique way, perfect for people in dry areas.These are the least expensive AC units on the market. They’ll cost you between $100 and $200. Ideal if the air in your house is dry. It humidifies while keeping you cool and comfortable. Easy to set up. Comes in a free standing model or a window unit.