6 Best Portable Air Conditioners Under $350 in 2026
We compared six Portable Air Conditioners Under $350 on cooling capacity, room size, noise and features.
By Daniel Brooks
Updated October 31, 2026
Portable air conditioners under $350 now include inverter compressors, drainage-free cooling and Wi-Fi. We compared six models from Midea, ZAFRO, Shinco, TCL, Garvee and LG on SACC capacity, efficiency, noise and smart features. Every unit was listed under $350 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 12,000 BTU ASHRAE Inverter Portable Air Conditioner | Overall | 12,000 BTU ASHRAE (8,000 SACC) | Up to 350 sq ft | Single hose | Inverter, SmartHome app, 48 dB |
| ZAFRO 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner | No drain needed | 12,000 BTU (8,000 SACC) | Medium rooms | Single hose | 72-hour drainage-free, app, 47 dB |
| Shinco SPU2-14CW 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner | Large rooms | 14,000 BTU (10,000 SACC) | Up to 700 sq ft | Single hose | 3-in-1, remote, 60°F to 86°F |
| TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner | Compact smart | 10,000 BTU | Up to 450 sq ft | Single hose | App, Alexa, Google, 14.1 x 16.05 inch footprint |
| Garvee 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner | Living rooms | 14,000 BTU | Up to 750 sq ft | Single hose | 3-in-1, 48 dB |
| LG 6,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner | Small smart rooms | 6,000 BTU DOE (8,000 ASHRAE) | Up to 250 sq ft | Single hose | Wi-Fi, voice control, 2 fan speeds |
| 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 12,000 BTU ASHRAE Inverter Portable Air
|
7.0/10 | Buy | |
| Best Budget |
ZAFRO 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
|
8.1/10 | Buy |
Shinco SPU2-14CW 14,000 BTU Portable Air
|
7.5/10 | Buy | |
| Best Value |
TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner
|
8.3/10 | Buy |
| Best Premium |
Garvee 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
|
8.9/10 | Buy |
| Best Overall |
LG 6,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner
|
9.1/10 | Buy |
Midea 12,000 BTU ASHRAE Inverter Portable Air
This portable air conditioner from Midea delivers 12,000 BTU ASHRAE (8,000 BTU SACC) cooling for rooms up to 350 sq. ft. Its inverter compressor and smart controls make it a practical choice for those seeking efficient, app-enabled cooling without permanent installation.
Pros
- Inverter technology for efficient cooling
- Smart control via app and voice
- Easy roll-away installation with wheels
- Quiet operation at 48 dB
- Covers rooms up to 350 sq. ft.
Cons
- No heat mode for winter use
- Heavy at 52.9 pounds
- One-year limited warranty
ZAFRO 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
This portable air conditioner delivers 12,000 BTU (8,000 BTU SACC) cooling with three operating modes and four fan speeds. Its self-evaporating system eliminates the need to drain water, and smart controls via app, Alexa, or Google Home add convenience. With a quiet sleep mode at 47 dB and compact design on casters, it suits bedrooms and small spaces where low maintenance and remote operation are priorities.
Pros
- Quiet sleep mode at 47 dB
- Self-evaporating, no draining needed
- Smart app and voice control
- Compact with casters for easy movement
- 24-hour programmable timer
Cons
- Heavy at 59.3 pounds
- No inverter compressor
- No heat mode
Shinco SPU2-14CW 14,000 BTU Portable Air
This portable air conditioner delivers 14,000 BTU (ASHRAE) and 10,000 BTU (SACC) cooling for rooms up to 650 square feet. It combines cooling, dehumidifying, and fan modes with a remote control and quick window installation. While budget-friendly, some users report leaking issues that may affect long-term reliability.
Pros
- Powerful cooling for medium-sized rooms
- Built-in dehumidifier and fan modes
- Easy window installation included
- Remote control and timer functions
- Portable with smooth-rolling casters
Cons
- Reported leaking issues from some users
- Heavy at 68 pounds for one person
- Single-hose design may reduce efficiency
TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner
This portable air conditioner from TCL offers 10,000 BTU SACC (14,000 BTU ASHRAE) cooling for rooms up to 450 square feet. Its 3-in-1 operation includes fan and dehumidifier modes, while Wi-Fi and voice control add convenience. The compact footprint and included installation kit make it a practical choice for bedrooms, living rooms, and offices.
Pros
- Compact design fits in tight spaces
- Smart app and voice control
- 3-in-1 AC, fan, and dehumidifier
- Washable filter for easy maintenance
- Easy mobility with handles and wheels
Cons
- No inverter compressor
- Single-hose design
- Noise level of 51 dB
Garvee 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
This portable air conditioner offers a high 14,000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 10,000 BTU (DOE) cooling capacity for its budget price, making it a strong choice for large rooms up to 850 sq. ft. It includes a dehumidifier and fan modes, but buyers accept a non-inverter compressor, a 48 dB noise level, and a short 30-day warranty.
Pros
- High BTU output for the price tier
- Covers rooms up to 850 sq. ft.
- Includes dehumidifier and fan modes
- Portable with rolling wheels
- Remote control and timer included
Cons
- No inverter compressor
- 30-day warranty only
- No smart or Wi-Fi controls
LG 6,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner
This portable air conditioner from LG delivers 6,000 BTU (DOE) / 8,000 BTU (ASHRAE) cooling for rooms up to 250 square feet. Its built-in Wi-Fi enables control through the LG ThinQ app, Google Home, or Alexa, and quiet operation at 50 dB makes it suitable for bedrooms and home offices. The compact design and rolling casters simplify placement, while the included window kit allows quick setup.
Pros
- Quiet operation at 50 dB
- Smart controls with app and voice
- Compact design fits small spaces
- Easy rolling casters for mobility
- Includes remote and window kit
Cons
- Exhaust hose takes up window space
- Wi-Fi only supports 2.4 GHz networks
- No inverter compressor for variable speed
Top 3 Portable Air Conditioners Under $350 Reviewed
#1 Midea 12,000 BTU ASHRAE Inverter Portable Air Conditioner: Best Overall
Why We Picked It
Midea’s 12,000 BTU ASHRAE inverter portable air conditioner uses a variable speed compressor that Midea says saves more than 66 percent energy compared with the federal standard, and it adds full app control.
For an apartment where the AC runs most of the day, the inverter makes a real difference. It varies the compressor speed to hold your set point, which cuts power use and keeps noise down to a listed 48 dB. Midea rates it at 8,000 BTU SACC for spaces up to 350 sq ft, which suits a bedroom, a studio or the main room of a one bedroom apartment. It cools, dehumidifies and runs as a fan. The SmartHome app lets you switch modes, set schedules and adjust it from anywhere, and it works with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. Because portable units are often allowed where window units are not, it is a good fit for renters whose building restricts window ACs.
Key Specifications
- Cooling: 12,000 BTU ASHRAE, 8,000 BTU SACC
- Coverage: Up to 350 sq ft
- Compressor: Inverter
- Efficiency: Over 66 percent savings vs federal standard (Midea claim)
- Controls: SmartHome app, Alexa, Google Assistant, remote
- Noise: 48 dB
- Refrigerant: R-32
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Things to Consider
Midea rates it for 350 sq ft, so it suits one room rather than a whole open plan apartment. Check your lease and window type before you buy.
Best For
This portable air conditioner is best for apartments where the AC runs for many hours a day.
Check the current price and availability of the Midea 12,000 BTU ASHRAE Inverter Portable Air Conditioner on Amazon.
#2 ZAFRO 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner: Best Drain-Free
Why We Picked It
ZAFRO’s 12,000 BTU portable air conditioner, rated at 8,000 BTU SACC, runs up to 72 hours without draining and adds app, Alexa and Google Home control.
Drainage is a real issue in apartments, where you may not have a floor drain or want a hose across the floor. ZAFRO’s self-evaporating design lets it run up to 72 hours without draining in normal conditions. It offers cooling, dehumidifying and fan modes, four fan speeds including auto and an automatic mode, and precise temperature control from 61°F to 86°F. The ZAFRO app, Amazon Alexa and Google Home provide smart control, so you can schedule it around your workday. ZAFRO lists the noise at 47 dB, which suits a studio where the unit shares a room with your bed. Child lock and sleep mode are included, and the remote and window kit come in the box.
Key Specifications
- Cooling: 12,000 BTU, 8,000 BTU SACC
- Drainage: Up to 72 hours drainage-free
- Controls: ZAFRO app, Alexa, Google Home, remote
- Fan speeds: 4 including auto
- Temperature range: 61°F to 86°F
- Noise: 47 dB
- Extras: Child lock, sleep mode
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Things to Consider
ZAFRO does not list a coverage area for this model, so size it by the 8,000 BTU SACC rating. It suits one room rather than an open plan apartment.
Best For
This portable air conditioner is best for studios and apartments without a convenient drain.
Check the current price and availability of the ZAFRO 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner on Amazon.
#3 Shinco SPU2-14CW 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner: Best Large Room
Why We Picked It
Shinco’s SPU2-14CW is a 14,000 BTU ASHRAE portable air conditioner rated at 10,000 BTU SACC for up to 700 sq ft, a straightforward high-capacity unit for a garage or workshop.
Shinco states its capacity with an unusual level of detail: 14,000 BTU ASHRAE and 10,000 BTU SACC, with a stated tolerance of 5 percent between measured and nominal capacity. That gives you a dependable figure for sizing a garage or a basement workshop. The 3-in-1 design cools, dehumidifies and runs as a fan, and the set range runs from 60°F to 86°F. The remote control and installation kit are included, so you can fit the window panel in a garage window and run the unit from your bench. Shinco lists the noise at 57 dB, louder than living room units, but in a garage or workshop that matters far less than capacity. It uses R-32 refrigerant and rolls on casters for positioning.
Key Specifications
- Cooling: 14,000 BTU ASHRAE, 10,000 BTU SACC
- Coverage: Up to 700 sq ft
- Capacity tolerance: 5 percent (Shinco claim)
- Modes: Cool, Dehumidify, Fan
- Temperature range: 60°F to 86°F
- Noise: 57 dB
- Refrigerant: R-32
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Things to Consider
At 57 dB, it is too loud for a bedroom, but that is less of an issue in a garage. Close the main door and vent the exhaust outside.
Best For
This portable air conditioner is best for garages, workshops and basements.
Check the current price and availability of the Shinco SPU2-14CW 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner on Amazon.
Other Models Worth Considering
TCL 10,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner. TCL’s 10,000 BTU smart unit cools 450 sq ft from a 14.1 by 16.05 inch footprint and works with the app and voice.
Garvee 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner. Garvee’s 14,000 BTU unit cools up to 750 sq ft with cool, dry and fan modes on smooth casters, with a listed 48 dB.
LG 6,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner. LG’s smart 6,000 BTU DOE unit cools 250 sq ft and adds Wi-Fi app and voice control.
What to Expect from Portable Air Conditioners Under $350
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 inverter portable air conditioners and self-evaporating portable air conditioners. The product cards above show the current price for each model.
How to Choose Portable Air Conditioners Under $350
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 $350
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 $350 and weighed efficiency and 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 12,000 BTU ASHRAE Inverter Portable Air Conditioner is the best Portable Air Conditioner Under $350 for most people, with an inverter, app control and a 48 dB listing. For drainage-free cooling, choose the ZAFRO 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, and for a large room, the Shinco SPU2-14CW 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner.
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.