To help, these are the best cheap air conditioners for your home or business this year.
While shopping for your home, consider our picks for the best smart thermostats, the best space heaters, and the best home office cooling solutions!
The Windmill Air Conditioner may not be the cheapest on our list, but it is our top pick for the best cheap air conditioner, given the fully loaded benefits this model provides. It is a smart air conditioner that goes right into your window, its sleek design requiring a very small footprint. It comes ready to go right out of the box, so you can save the time and heartache of set-up. A convenient guide is included to steer installation in the right direction.
8,000 BTU powerFor no larger than 150 square feetCompact unit24-hour timerCost: Starts around $310
The Black+Decker Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control is a great pick for those smaller rooms, like your bedroom or office. The unit is designed for areas no larger than 150 square feet for maximum performance. It is a corded model, so it can only go so far, but there is a handy remote control that comes included to help you control the unit from across the room. Thanks to an unobtrusive design, it is a compact unit in white that seamlessly blends in with most home decor. Still, this air conditioner packs in some extra features. It boasts a fan speed that you can easily adjust to your liking with a convenient LED display. The coolest setting will bring the room to a brisk 65°F, plus there is a 24-hour timer option that can help you save money on those monthly bills. While this is not one of the noisiest units out there, it is not the quietest, either, so users are sure to appreciate the option of a quiet fan mode at night. The unit also features a built-in dehumidifier to combat those pesky humid summer days.
USB-poweredFor rooms as large as 21 square feetNight light featureCost: Starts around $67
The Evapolar evaCHILL is one of the most popular models for the best compact air conditioner, and it is also one of the cheapest, making it our pick for the best budget air conditioner. At just two pounds, this is a USB-powered unit that is super easy to transport wherever you like in just the palm of your hand. It is energy-efficient with a 5 Star Energy Star rating, and its battery is enough to power for up to six hours. Despite its diminutive size, this is a unit that is very capable, holding its own in rooms as large as 21 square feet. Of course, it is not the pick you want when you are looking to cool bigger spaces, but for your typical school or office desk, it could be the perfect reprieve you have been needing in your room, office, or dorm. Simply touch to control the unit, and choose the feature you want between cooling and humidifying. There is even a night light feature to help you find your way, whether it is to your home or to your dreams.
AffordablePortable and stylish designMade of biodegradable fibers
8,000 BTU powerTotal coverage area of more than 215 square feetBuilt-in dehumidifierCost: Starts around $310
The SereneLife Powerful Portable Room Air Conditioner packs some power with an 8,000 BTU unit and a built-in dehumidifier to combat those humid nights. It can rest on the floor and has wheels attached for added convenience, but you will need to plug the unit in for use. Set up is made simple so you can start using your air conditioner right away. Once ready, there are two different fan settings that you can use based on your changing needs. There is also the option to choose your temperature, plus a timer that will automatically turn itself off after 24 hours. A digital remote control helps simplify operations, but there is also a digital touch button control panel. Despite all of its features, this model is affordably priced at $310, making it a far more affordable and economical pick than many of the other options out there. It also is capable of cooling rooms much larger than other units can, giving a total coverage area of more than 215 square feet.
12,000 BTU powerCoverage of up to 400 square feetBuilt-in dehumidifier24-hour programmable timerCost: Around $414
When you have a large area to cool, the Whynter Elite Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner can be a great choice, thanks to its coverage of up to 400 square feet. At almost $465, its price tag belies its power with maximum 12,000 BTU coverage, the largest of any unit on our list. Despite a conveniently portable size, this unit features a dual-hose system that allows for cold air to spread more evenly and quickly throughout your space. It easily works in conjunction with your home or building’s A/C unit to better facilitate the movement of cold air, so you can better enjoy the effects of your area’s built-in air conditioning. This unit is one that is easily portable and offers a simplified set-up process to get you started. Whynter claims the built-in dehumidifier can remove 76 pints of excess moisture each day. To help save money, use the 24-hour programmable timer, so your unit only runs when you need it the most.
Coverage area: The best cheap A/C units can vary significantly in their cooling capability. While some are better suited for smaller areas, there are other larger units that can tackle much larger spaces. We include air conditioners with a range of coverage so you can choose the most appropriate solution for your situation. BTU rating: BTU, or British Thermal Units, also helps determine the air conditioner you need. The rating is based upon square footage, letting you know which unit is appropriate for your space. Noise level: Air conditioners can be quite noisy, so it is critical you consider how loud each unit will be in your designated area. Even a quieter machine can seem loud when it is next to you, so be sure to watch out for noise issues. Air conditioners use decibels to measure sound, so the lower the dB rating, the quieter the unit will be. Price: Cost is always a concern, so we look for cheap air conditioners that suit a variety of different needs and budgets. Our top picks for the best cheap air conditioners range in price from less than $100 to over $400 per unit. Convenience: Things like built-in timers and remote controls can be an enormous help when you are not within arm’s reach of your air conditioner. Consider what extras may accompany your machine to simplify your life and get the most use out of your cheap air conditioner.
Be sure to consider your specific needs and room requirements before choosing the best cheap air conditioner for your space.
