Best Portable Air Conditioners in Canada

Our Reviews of the 5 Best Portable Air Conditioners in Canada (September 2023)

Best Overall - Editor’s Choice — SereneLife SLPAC12.5 Portable Air Conditioner

Starting the list of the best portable air conditioners in Canada is the SereneLife model, our Editor's choice. This unit is perfect for small spaces and can be easily moved from room to room. 

It features three fan speeds and remote control so the user can adjust the temperature to their liking. The swing feature adds extra circulation, and the digital display panel makes it easy to see the current temperature.

The SereneLife also has a dehumidifier function, perfect for humid summer days. With quiet operation and the three operating modes, this unit marks its place as one of the best portable air conditioners in Canada.

This AC unit comes with an enviable cooling power of 12 000 BTUs per hour and can cover an area of up to 450 square feet. This implies that it is ideal for small to medium-sized rooms.

The unit is also very easy to install as it comes with an installation kit that includes the accessories for a quick installation. So, if you are looking for a versatile and efficient AC unit, then this is the perfect unit for you.

Based on Our Tests

My high point with reviewing the SereneLife SLPAC 12.5 was the ease of navigation and control it offered. I was able to wheel the portable AC into my room, and adjusting the dials was done from the comfort of my mattress (all thanks to the remote controlled settings).

Best Compact Air Conditioner — Danby Portable Air Conditioner

Why You Should Trust Me

I have spent years testing small appliances and understanding trends in the home appliance industry. For air conditioners, my tests are quantitative, measuring factors like how noisy the air conditioner is, how quickly the tank fills, and how effective it is at cooling a large or small space. I also look at how easy it is to install and how intuitive the controls are.

The best portable air conditioners in Canada tend to be quiet, effective and don’t require much handling. I tested and looked for these features the most when reviewing my air conditioners. The ones that excelled in my tests were placed higher on my list and would best suit your home as a portable air conditioner. You can learn more about how I test air conditioners and home appliances here.

Main Types of Portable Air Conditioners

Now, even though there’s an extremely wide variety of top-quality portable air conditioners in Canada, they can all be grouped into 2 main categories. Understanding this division and familiarizing yourself with the main differences between the two types can help you make the right choice when shopping.

So, the two types of portable air conditioners include:

• Single-hose models. Such air conditioners use only 1 hose for both air intake and exhaust. This type is usually quite cheap, which makes it a perfect choice for people on a budget. However, because there’s only 1 hose for 2 tasks, the unit is forced to work harder and the results may not be that impressive. I mean, for a smaller room or even a studio, a single-hose air conditioner will work just fine. But for larger spaces (or regions with temperatures above 32.2 degrees Celsius, for that matter) you would need the second type.
• Dual-hose units. As you have probably guessed, such air conditioners have 2 separate hoses for air intake and exhaust. These models are more powerful and work great for larger rooms and warmer climates. They are around 40% faster than single-hose ACs. However, keep in mind that dual-hose models are usually larger and may be a bit more challenging to move. Additionally, they are typically pricier.

Now, if we get a bit more technical, we can also divide the portable air conditioners into 2 more types:

• Evaporative. As the name implies, such air conditioners blow the air over cold water and evaporate it, thus cooling the air in the process and “returning” it to the room. This type of portable ACs makes the air more humid. It is perfect for dry climates.
• Non-evaporative. Such air conditioners cool the air faster and help dehumidify the room. This type is more widespread on the market since it is faster and more efficient. However, it makes the air in the room dry, which might not be suitable for some users.

For better results, you should put your portable air conditioner away from the walls. This will ensure better airflow and faster cooling in the room.

How to Pick the Right Portable Air Conditioner

Picking an excellent portable air conditioner for your place depends on price, energy consumption, installation, room size, type, multi-function, BTUs, heater, humidity, programmability, water drainage, mobility, aesthetics, and some other factors.

Now, even though there’s an extremely wide variety of top-quality portable air conditioners in Canada. 

While a good portable AC can change the environment in your apartment, the process of picking it may become hectic. After all, we live in the golden age of shopping, when we are offered an endless number of options. Naturally, it’s easy to get lost in the process.

However, knowledge is power. Once you familiarize yourself with the main and most important features, you will be able to find a suitable portable air conditioner in Canada much more easily.

So, here are the main factors you need to consider:

• Price. Of course, price will always be a factor when choosing products and portable air conditioners are not exempted. Generally, the more powerful the air conditioner, the more cost it attracts. While the better portable air conditioners will attract more price, the trick actually lies in getting value for cost. The expensive ones tend to have all the extra functions and are even more durable. However, you may end up spending more to replace parts than with less expensive portable conditioners.
• Energy Consumption. Air conditioners consume energy and it's only right to consider the ones with energy efficiency, especially if you are mindful of how much energy is expended cooling the room. Although there are reviews on the energy consumption of the popular brands of portable air conditioners, it is better to opt for portable conditioners with customizable thermostats that can help regulate the air conditioner once the desired room temperature is achieved.
• Installation. Every portable air conditioner is advertised as easy to set up. Sadly, this is not true for all. The least you should do is to read up on reviews on the ease of installation, especially with the window kit, so as to know what you are bargaining for.
• Room size. You need to know your room size to get an appropriate air conditioner. Typically, manufacturers warn what room size their portable ACs are the most suitable for. If you get a model that’s too powerful for your small room, you will waste electricity (and will pay more for it, accordingly). At the same time, if your new air conditioner is not powerful enough for your big room, it won’t cool it down effectively.
• Type. As I’ve mentioned before, there are general common types of portable air conditioners, such as single-hose and dual-hose, evaporative and non-evaporative. Each of them is suitable for a certain environment. For instance, if you live in a very hot, humid climate, you might want to check non-evaporative dual-hose models.
• Multi-function. We all know portable air conditioners are primarily designed to cool the room. However, this primary function may not be what is needed sometimes, so it is imperative to watch out for portable ACs with double or more functions. For example, a portable AC with a fan or a dehumidifier can also work to reduce the humidity or can simply help with airing out the room. While these kinds of portable ACs can attract extra costs, they are a bargain in the long term.
• Noise. Since a ventilator and a compressor are located in the same unit in portable AC systems, such air conditioners can be quite noisy. Of course, some just run in the background and aren’t that noticeable. But some are frankly obnoxious. Therefore, it’s important to check the noise levels beforehand. Typically, portable air conditioners range from 48 to 60 dB. To give you a rough idea, a regular fridge is around 50 dB, while a dishwasher rates around 70 dB. 
• BTU. This abbreviation stands for British Thermal Unit and defines the cooling capacity of an air conditioner. The higher the number is, the larger volume of air an AC can cool in an hour. For instance, a rating of 8,000 BTU means that the AC can effectively cool down an area of around 300 square feet.
• Heater. Some models have a heating function as well. This allows for all-year-round use. However, keep in mind that such air conditioners may cost a bit more. Plus, not all of them offer an equally good level of heating and cooling. Therefore, it’s always better to check the reviews first.
• Humidity. This factor depends on the environment you live in. If your home feels too humid, an AC with a dehumidifier function would be helpful.
• Controls and programmability. Timer, sleep mode, night mode, remote operation, or temperature adjustments will make using your new portable air conditioner much more comfortable. However, these perks might make you spend a bit more, so think in advance whether you need them.
• Extra features. Many portable AC units come with bells and whistles such as Wi-Fi connectivity, digital interface, heating, chord storage, etc. Of course, more extras would mean a higher price.
• Water drainage. Think about how often you would prefer to drain your portable AC. If you want a model that would require minimal maintenance, you can check the AC units that have a special system that uses the condensate for cooling. Such an approach results in less water to be drained and requires users to do that more seldom.
• Wheels. Portable AC units can be quite heavy and challenging to move, so a set of good wheels would come in handy if you require improved portability. The wheel quality can be determined by their size and material. You can also read other shoppers’ reviews to find out how easy (or challenging) to move the AC unit is. 
• Aesthetics. Aesthetics shouldn’t be a primary reason for choosing portable air conditioners. Still, you may be surprised by how many people consider how a portable AC affects the aesthetics of their interior decor. Since portable ACs come in different designs, you might want to consider colors, shapes, and sizes before acquiring one. However, a mobile AC's functionality must take precedence over its beauty.

Be careful when choosing the air conditioner BTU. An overly powerful model for your room may increase your electricity bills without making too much difference in terms of cooling (when compared with a less powerful model that is still suitable for the room size). At the same time, a model with a lower BTU than your room requires may fail to do its job as you expect it to.

Also read: Best Dehumidifiers in Canada

How Do Portable Air Conditioners Work (And Do They Always Require a Window)?

The way portable ACs work is pretty simple. They draw the warm air in, move it through a cooling component, release the heat outside through the hose, and return the cool air into the room.

Needless to say, portable air conditioners always require a window (or a vent) to function. Otherwise, they would simply release the hot air back into the room, which would defeat their purpose.

How Much Do Portable Air Conditioners Cost?

Luckily enough, portable air conditioners come in all price segments, so there’s a suitable model for pretty much any budget. Quality AC units, however, typically range from $400 to $1,000 and up.

A higher price often means quieter performance, faster cooling, a larger range of operation (suited for bigger rooms), extended warranty, and quality parts.

Are Portable Air Conditioners as Good as Traditional Window Units?

In general, window units tend to be more efficient than portable air conditioners. At the same time, portable ACs are a better option for those users who need to move the unit from room to room. They also tend to be cheaper than window ACs (and much easier to install). 

Clearly, portable air conditioners have a lot of benefits to offer. But the best solution (a window unit or a portable one) would depend on the particular needs of the shopper.

F.A.Q.