If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
With temperatures heating up, it’s more important than ever to find ways to stay cool. You could get a fan or evaporative cooler, but neither will work as effectively as an air conditioner.
We have a lot of air conditioner recommendations, whether you want a window unit or portable model, we’ve got you covered. That said, if you want to cool down without spending a lot of money, we’ve also found the best air conditioner deals.
The units below are powerful enough to cool down one room (we recommend getting a more powerful air conditioner if you have an open space) and come in a variety of styles. We also made sure to pick models that could be installed in apartments or rented homes and didn’t need any special equipment.
1. Midea 5,000 BTU Mechanical Window Air Conditioner
If you only need to cool down a small to mid-sized bedroom, Midea’s 5,000 BTU air conditioner is your best bet. The window unit is fairly basic, but that makes it easy to use. Two knobs allow you to switch between the AC’s fan and air conditioning modes, and select its intensity. Midea says its air conditioner is powerful enough to cool rooms up to 150 sq. ft. and can fit in windows between 23 and 36 inches wide. This is the cheapest option on our list right now.
2. Frigidaire Smart Window Air Conditioner
Frigidaire’s 5,000 BTU smart air conditioner is designed for medium to large rooms, up to 350 sq. ft.
Hundreds of shoppers have bought this air conditioner on Amazon in the last month alone, with reviewers raving about how quickly it cools the room and how quiet it operates (at just 52 dBA at its lowest fan setting, it’s quieter than an electric toothbrush). The touch screen can easily control the temperature or the fan settings. It’s got a washable filter too that’s both easy-to-clean and keeps your air free of any bacteria and allergens. Plus, it’s on sale for just $229 right now, so you can cool down your room for less.
3. Whynter 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
If you want to cool down multiple parts of your home with one AC unit, Whynter’s 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner is the right pick. Amazon says a whopping 8,000 people have bought this standing AC in the last month alone, and it’s currently more than $130 off.
This sleek standing air conditioner is powerful enough to cool down any space up to 500 sq. ft. much more quickly than the other AC models in this guide. There are various modes available, allowing your new air conditioner to also function as a dehumidifier and fan. It doesn’t have any smart features, but Whynter’s AC comes with a remote, so you don’t have to use the built-in buttons to switch a setting.
Don’t miss this deal if you want an air conditioner that can cool down your room very fast.
4. BLACK+DECKER 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Another great portable air conditioner is this one from BLACK+DECKER, and it’s currently Amazon’s number-one bestseller online.
It’s easy to install and is built for smaller rooms up to 350 sq. ft. It comes with a nifty remote control too, allowing you to adjust temperature settings, fan speeds, or set timers to your liking. The filter is washable too, saving you the hassle of having to replace it.
Other features include 4-in-1 functionality so your unit can cool, heat, run as a fan or dehumidify your room with the push of a button. And, it’s super compact so you’ll easily be able to store it or transport it if you need to.
5. CENSTECH 4-IN-1 Portable Air Conditioner
The best value on our list is this 4-in-1 portable air conditioner, which works as an air conditioner, evaporative air cooler, humidifier and cooling fan. Choose from three speeds, four pre-set modes and 12 different cooling styles. Unlike some of the picks on our list, this AC unit doesn’t need to go in a window or require a hose. Use the digital keypad on the top of the unit to control settings, or use the included remote.
The simple white construction helps this portable AC blend into any room decor. Don’t just take our word for it: this air conditioner boasts a 4.5-star rating out of five on Amazon, with more than 80% of shoppers giving it a full, five-star review.
