6 Best Portable Air Conditioners Under $250 in 2026
We compared six Portable Air Conditioners Under $250 on cooling capacity, room size, noise and features.
By Daniel Brooks
Updated October 31, 2026
Portable air conditioners under $250 cover everything from smart bedroom units to 14,000 BTU large room models. We compared six from Midea, Garvee, COSTWAY, SereneLife and TCL on SACC capacity, coverage, noise and smart features. Every unit was listed under $250 when we checked; prices change, so confirm on the product cards.
To browse every model we cover, visit our Single-Hose Portable Air Conditioners page.
All Products Compared
| Product | Best For | Cooling | Room Size | Setup | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midea 10,000 BTU ASHRAE Portable Air Conditioner | Overall | 10,000 BTU ASHRAE (7,100 SACC) | Up to 300 sq ft | Single hose | SmartHome app, Alexa, Google |
| Midea 9,000 BTU ASHRAE Portable Air Conditioner | Smart small rooms | 9,000 BTU ASHRAE (6,000 SACC) | Up to 250 sq ft | Single hose | SmartHome app, Alexa, Google |
| Garvee 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Remote | Large rooms | 14,000 BTU ASHRAE (10,000 SACC) | Up to 750 sq ft | Single hose | 3 speeds, 24h timer, sleep mode |
| COSTWAY 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner | Budget 10,000 BTU | 10,000 BTU | Medium rooms | Single hose | 4 modes, 2 fan speeds, washable filter |
| SereneLife SLPAC19B 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner | Compact 10,000 BTU | 10,000 BTU | Up to 400 sq ft | Single hose | Compact, 3-in-1 |
| TCL 5,100 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner | Tiny footprint | 5,100 BTU | Up to 150 sq ft | Single hose | App, Alexa, Google, 10.8 x 10.6 inch footprint |
| Award | Product | WikiCooling Score About WikiCooling ScoreThe WikiCooling Score is our own rating from 0 to 10, based on the criteria described on our How We Review page. It reflects research, not laboratory measurement, and is never influenced by manufacturers, retailers, or affiliate commissions. Learn more › | |
|---|---|---|---|
Midea 10,000 BTU ASHRAE Portable Air Conditioner
|
7.2/10 | Buy | |
| Best Value |
Midea 9,000 BTU ASHRAE Portable Air Conditioner
|
7.6/10 | Buy |
Garvee 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
|
Buy | ||
| Best Overall |
COSTWAY 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
|
8.0/10 | Buy |
| Best Budget |
SereneLife SLPAC19B 10,000 BTU Portable Air
|
7.8/10 | Buy |
| Best Premium |
TCL 5,100 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner
|
6.8/10 | Buy |
Midea 10,000 BTU ASHRAE Portable Air Conditioner
This portable air conditioner from Midea provides 10,000 BTU ASHRAE (7,100 BTU SACC) cooling for rooms up to 300 sq. ft. It features smart home control through the SmartHome app and voice assistants, a washable filter, and a 24-hour timer. Suitable for those seeking a connected, multi-mode portable AC with dehumidification and fan-only options.
Pros
- Smart home and voice control
- Washable, reusable air filter
- 3 operating modes (cool, dehumidify, fan)
- 24-hour timer and remote included
- Quiet operation at 52.8 dB
Cons
- Single-hose exhaust design
- Heavy at 50 pounds
- Low SEER rating of 6.92
Midea 9,000 BTU ASHRAE Portable Air Conditioner
This portable air conditioner from Midea delivers 9,000 BTU ASHRAE (6,000 BTU SACC) cooling for rooms up to 250 square feet. It includes smart home compatibility, a remote control, and a washable filter. The unit also functions as a fan and dehumidifier, making it a versatile option for small spaces.
Pros
- Smart app and voice control
- 3-in-1 cooling, fan, dehumidifier
- Washable and reusable air filter
- Easy rolling installation
- Compact design for small rooms
Cons
- Non-inverter compressor
- No heating mode
- Filter needs weekly cleaning
COSTWAY 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
This 10,000 BTU portable air conditioner from COSTWAY is designed for small to medium rooms up to 350 square feet. It offers four modes including cooling, dehumidifying, fan, and sleep, with a remote control for convenient operation. Its budget-friendly price and compact size make it a practical choice for apartments or offices.
Pros
- Effective for small rooms up to 350 sq ft
- Simple controls and remote
- Quiet sleep mode
- Good dehumidification
- Budget-friendly price
Cons
- No heating mode
- Non-inverter compressor
- Window height range limited to 25.5-26 inches
SereneLife SLPAC19B 10,000 BTU Portable Air
This portable air conditioner from SereneLife delivers 10,000 BTU of cooling power for rooms up to 320 square feet. It combines three functions in one unit: cooling, dehumidification, and fan-only mode. With a compact footprint, castor wheels, and a full installation kit, it suits bedrooms, offices, and apartments.
Pros
- Three-in-one cooling, dehumidifier, and fan modes.
- Includes window installation kit and remote control.
- Compact footprint with castor wheels for easy mobility.
- Eco-friendly R32 refrigerant.
- 24-hour timer and adjustable thermostat.
Cons
- Heavy unit at 47.3 pounds.
- No inverter compressor for variable speed operation.
TCL 5,100 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner
The TCL 5,100 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner combines cooling, fan, and dehumidifier functions in a compact unit designed for rooms up to 150 sq. ft. Its smart app and voice control add convenience, while the washable filter and easy-roll wheels simplify maintenance and mobility. However, some units have reported app connectivity issues and inconsistent compressor operation.
Pros
- Compact footprint for small rooms
- Smart app and voice control
- Washable, reusable filter
- Quiet operation at 49 dB
- Easy to move with wheels and handles
Cons
- Non-inverter compressor
- Low efficiency (SEER 6.1)
- App connectivity issues reported
Top 3 Portable Air Conditioners Under $250 Reviewed
#1 Midea 10,000 BTU ASHRAE Portable Air Conditioner: Best Overall
Why We Picked It
Midea’s 10,000 BTU ASHRAE portable air conditioner is rated at 7,100 BTU SACC for 300 sq ft and adds the SmartHome app plus Alexa and Google voice control.
Midea’s honest sizing helps here: 7,100 BTU SACC for 300 sq ft is a realistic match for a home office with a computer, a monitor and a person working for hours. It cools, dehumidifies and runs as a fan. The SmartHome app lets you switch modes, set a schedule and adjust it from anywhere, so the room can be cool when you sit down in the morning and the unit can switch off at the end of your day. Alexa and Google Assistant handle voice commands. Digital controls and an included remote cover use on the unit, and Midea lists the noise at 52.8 dB, so set it to a lower fan speed during calls. The filter is reusable, which keeps running costs down.
Key Specifications
- Cooling: 10,000 BTU ASHRAE, 7,100 BTU SACC
- Coverage: Up to 300 sq ft
- Controls: SmartHome app, Alexa, Google Assistant, remote
- Modes: Cool, Dehumidify, Fan
- Noise: 52.8 dB
- Filter: Reusable
- Display: Digital
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Things to Consider
At 52.8 dB, it is a little louder than the DREO in this list. Use a lower fan speed or place it away from your microphone during calls.
Best For
This portable air conditioner is best for home offices that need realistic capacity and app scheduling.
Check the current price and availability of the Midea 10,000 BTU ASHRAE Portable Air Conditioner on Amazon.
#2 Midea 9,000 BTU ASHRAE Portable Air Conditioner: Best Small Smart
Why We Picked It
Midea’s 9,000 BTU ASHRAE portable air conditioner is rated at 6,000 BTU SACC for rooms up to 250 sq ft and adds full app and voice control, which is rare at this size.
Midea lists both ratings clearly: 9,000 BTU ASHRAE and 6,000 BTU SACC, so you know what to expect in a real room. It cools, runs as a fan and dehumidifies, and the SmartHome app for iOS and Android lets you switch modes, set schedules and check the unit from anywhere. It also pairs with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. On the unit, an easy-to-read LED display and digital controls keep things simple, and a compact remote is included. Midea lists the noise at 51 dB, a reasonable figure for a non-inverter portable, and it uses R-32 refrigerant. For a bedroom, a small office or a guest room, it offers smart features usually found on larger and more expensive models.
Key Specifications
- Cooling: 9,000 BTU ASHRAE, 6,000 BTU SACC
- Coverage: Up to 250 sq ft
- Controls: SmartHome app, Alexa, Google Assistant, remote
- Modes: Cool, Fan, Dehumidify
- Display: LED
- Noise: 51 dB
- Refrigerant: R-32
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Things to Consider
Its 250 sq ft rating is modest for a 9,000 BTU ASHRAE unit, because Midea sizes it by the more realistic SACC figure. Choose a larger model for a living room.
Best For
This portable air conditioner is best for bedrooms and small offices where you want app and voice control.
Check the current price and availability of the Midea 9,000 BTU ASHRAE Portable Air Conditioner on Amazon.
#3 Garvee 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Remote: Best Large Room
Why We Picked It
Garvee’s 14,000 BTU ASHRAE portable air conditioner is rated at 10,000 BTU SACC for up to 750 sq ft, and Garvee lists garages and gyms among its intended uses.
Garages need real capacity, and a 10,000 BTU SACC rating gives this Garvee enough to cool a one car garage or a workshop corner when the door is closed. The set range runs from 64°F to 90°F, and the 3-in-1 design adds a dehumidifier mode that helps in damp garages and basements as well as a fan mode for circulating air on mild days. Three fan speeds, a sleep mode and a 24 hour timer cover the controls, and the remote means you can adjust it from a workbench across the room. It measures 17.72 by 15.55 by 33.86 inches and weighs 71.5 pounds, and it rolls on casters so you can push it close to where you work. Vent the exhaust through a window or a wall port for the best results.
Key Specifications
- Cooling: 14,000 BTU ASHRAE, 10,000 BTU SACC
- Coverage: Up to 750 sq ft
- Temperature range: 64°F to 90°F
- Modes: Cool, Dehumidify, Fan, Sleep
- Fan speeds: 3
- Timer: 24 hour
- Weight: 71.5 pounds
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Things to Consider
In a garage, the single hose design pulls in warm air through gaps, so close the main door and seal openings. Spot cooling the area where you work is more realistic than cooling the whole space.
Best For
This portable air conditioner is best for garages, workshops and home gyms.
Check the current price and availability of the Garvee 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Remote on Amazon.
Other Models Worth Considering
COSTWAY 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner. COSTWAY’s 10,000 BTU unit is a simple 4-in-1 model with two fan speeds and a washable filter.
SereneLife SLPAC19B 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner. SereneLife’s compact 10,000 BTU unit cools up to 400 sq ft and offers cool, dry and fan modes in a small footprint.
TCL 5,100 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner. TCL’s 5,100 BTU smart unit fits a 10.8 by 10.6 inch footprint, cools 150 sq ft and runs at 49 dB.
What to Expect from Portable Air Conditioners Under $250
A portable air conditioner is a complete refrigeration unit on wheels. It pulls warm room air across a cold coil, sends the cooled air back into the room and pushes the heat it removed outside through an exhaust hose that runs to a window. Because the hot side and the cold side share one cabinet indoors, a portable unit works harder than a window unit of the same rating, but it needs no permanent installation and can move from room to room.
For more options, see our guides to budget portable air conditioners and smart portable air conditioners. The product cards above show the current price for each model.
How to Choose Portable Air Conditioners Under $250
ASHRAE vs SACC Ratings
Portable AC boxes often show two numbers. The larger ASHRAE figure is measured under ideal lab conditions and does not account for the heat that leaks back from the exhaust hose. The smaller SACC figure, which the Department of Energy uses, reflects real-world portable use. Compare units by their SACC or DOE rating when a listing gives one, and treat the ASHRAE number as a ceiling.
Match the Unit to the Room
Start with the room size the manufacturer lists, then adjust. Sunny rooms, high ceilings, kitchens and rooms with several people need more capacity, while shaded rooms need less. An undersized unit will run constantly without catching up, and an oversized unit cools quickly but removes less humidity, so the room can feel clammy.
Check the Noise
Every portable AC has its compressor in the room with you, so noise matters. Look for a decibel figure on the listing, a sleep mode that slows the fan and dims the display, and an inverter compressor, which ramps up and down instead of cycling hard on and off. Quiet settings usually mean less airflow, so a slightly larger unit run on low can be quieter than a small unit on high.
Drainage and Self-Evaporation
Every air conditioner pulls water out of the air. Many portable units evaporate most of it and blow it out with the exhaust, so in normal conditions you rarely need to drain them. In very humid weather or in dehumidifier mode, water can collect in an internal tank, and the unit will stop when it is full. A drain port that accepts a hose lets you run it continuously into a floor drain or bucket.
Controls and Smart Features
Nearly every portable AC now includes a remote, a timer and several modes such as cool, dry and fan. Smart models add Wi-Fi control from a phone app, schedules and voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant, so you can start cooling before you get home. A remote with its own temperature sensor helps the unit cool the spot where you sit rather than the air right around the cabinet.
How We Evaluate Portable Air Conditioners Under $250
We rank these units on manufacturer specifications and listing details: cooling capacity, the room size the maker lists, noise, controls, setup, power use and price. We kept only new, in-stock units and left out accessories, renewed listings, color duplicates and listings with too little data. For this list we kept only units listed under $250 and weighed SACC capacity first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I trust the ASHRAE or the SACC rating?
Use the SACC or DOE rating to compare portable units. It accounts for real-world heat losses and is always lower than the ASHRAE number printed on the box.
Does a portable air conditioner need a window?
Yes, in almost every case. The exhaust hose has to send the heat outside, usually through a window, a sliding door or a wall vent. A unit with nowhere to vent only moves heat around the room.
How much power does a portable air conditioner use?
Larger units use more power, and running time matters as much as size. Energy saver modes, timers and inverter compressors all reduce the daily total.
Is a single hose portable AC good enough?
For bedrooms, offices and moderate climates, yes. Dual hose units cool faster in very hot weather and large rooms, but single hose models are lighter, cheaper and simpler.
Final Verdict
The Midea 10,000 BTU ASHRAE Portable Air Conditioner is the best Portable Air Conditioner Under $250 for most people, with realistic sizing and app and voice control. For a smaller room with smart control, choose the Midea 9,000 BTU ASHRAE Portable Air Conditioner, and for a large room, the Garvee 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Remote.
About the author
Daniel Brooks is a home cooling editor at WikiCooling, covering window, portable, through-the-wall and mini-split air conditioners, fans, and dehumidifiers. He researches cooling capacity, energy efficiency, noise levels, installation requirements, and buyer feedback to help homeowners choose the right unit for their room size, climate, and budget.