John Lewis has sold out of portable air conditioners. (And they’re not alone). As the third heatwave of the summer looms, and it’s safe to say it won’t be the last — if you’re going to have a unit sitting in your space for the foreseeable future, you may as well make it a good-looking one. But is that an impossible ask?
Thankfully, not these days. There are a number of brands that’ve developed reasonably stylish portable air conditioning units with more streamlined silhouettes, customizable finishes, and that are optimized for mobility, making them easy to shift and move around your space, depending on where you need it most.
"I still have my doubts as to whether air conditioning is really the best way to cool down a room if you live in the UK, especially given its environmental impact," says Livingetc's editor Hugh Metcalf, "but if you are going to buy one, getting that balance between how well it works and not being a hideous monolith in your home is what I'd care about. And it's harder than you'd think to find."
As when it comes to anything home-related, you can always rest easy knowing that the Livingetc team has spent the time scouring the internet for the best (and best-looking) portable air conditioner to buy. And we have. My top pick? The De’Longhi Pinguino AP98 Gentle Jet Portable Air Conditioning Unit, which is currently 15% off on Amazon.
Homeowners are, understandably, pretty critical when it comes to their reviews of air conditioner units — they’re hot, we get it. But when considering a new purchase, it’s important to sort through the review bombs (i.e. it was delivered late, something was damaged or missing that was later rectified) from the actual issues (for example, it doesn’t actually cool down a room). The biggest critique of portable air conditioners I came across was the noise, as well as issues with the length of the ducting attachment, so make sure you consider your space carefully.
Below are five portable air conditioners that seem to get the balance right between form and function, with an average star rating of 4 or above, and that are, most importantly, still in stock right now.
This De'Longhi air conditioner unit only has 3.8 stars out of 5 on Amazon, but there are a few extreme 1 star reviews dragging down the average, and as it has a decent number of four- and five-star reviews, it's one of the best-looking devices, and it's still in stock, it's made our list. While reviewers extol its virtues for quickly and significantly cooling down a room, its criticisms include its noise level (which might be fine if you're a white noise listener like me), and that the fins aren't adjustable to change the output of the cool air.
I was drawn by both this Zanussi unit's minimalist, streamlined looks and its 4.1 average star rating on Amazon and glowing reviews. Not too big or too small; not amazingly quiet, nor loud (do really quiet air conditioners even exist?) It has a window fixing for the vent; however, it's fabric rather than a plastic casing. Still, better than nothing. The biggest drawback I uncovered? The power cord is short, and it can't be plugged into an extension cord, so plan accordingly.
The first thing that caught my attention about this portable air conditioning unit is that it appears (and is) much more slimline than other units. It also feels quite sophisticated, with its black and white panels. In terms of specs, it can effectively cool spaces of up to 28sqm with low power consumption (reportedly for only 25p/hour), comes with a 1.8-meter hose and window kit, and has four settings: cool, fan, dehumidify, and sleep.
While there are no current reviews on this specific unit on Appliances Direct, on other retailers, customers have flagged that it can be quite noisy, the window kit is designed for sliding windows specifically, and it's quite heavy if you're intending to move it around your home — especially up and down stairs.
If you're up for investing in a portable air conditioning unit rather than a quick, impulse buy, this Duux North 9K Smart Air Conditioner has a 4.2/5-stars rating, with customers noting quick delivery from Argos (important for the impending heatwave), its easy set-up, and the design, which far exceeds many other models on the market. It's on castors, which makes it easy to move around, can be controlled from anywhere via the Duux app (so you can step into coolness as soon as you come home), and it also comes with the ability to heat your space, which will come in handy later in the year.
Some reviews note that, like other models, the 150cm ducting is quite short, it can be a bit noisy when it's on. Also, depending on the weather and size of your space, it can reportedly take a while to cool down the space, but it gets there.
Full disclosure, this isn't *technically* an air conditioner, but if you're struggling to find a portable unit that fits in your space, this air cooler has a much slimmer profile (with a fancy fluted facade, no less) and could easily tuck into tighter corners. The 5L water tank ensures maximum refreshment, while the added ice packs ensure cool relief for up to 12 hours. Select from three speeds, and with 5° automatic oscillation, it'll be sure to catch you wherever you are in the room. Plus, this 4.7/5-star Amazon Choice product is currently on sale, down from £109.99.
Why Do Portable Air Conditioners Need to Be Vented?
You might be thinking, do I really need that ugly hose vent for my portable air conditioner? Well, sadly, yes. Air conditioners work by taking in hot air from a room, then cooling it and releasing it back into the room. This process, however, also creates heat. Without it, the heat is released back into the room, cancelling out the cold air you've labored to create.
These units also need a way to release moisture that they remove from the air during the process, so the vent hose also acts as a way to extract this from the machine, too.
There have been some steps in creating 'ductless' portable air conditioners, such as the Morphy Richards S1, below, but their efficacy is up for debate, with many reviewers saying they are still releasing hot air into the room.
The S1 Pro Ductless Personal Air Conditioner not only cools the air but also has a dehumidification as well as a 3D oscillating fan mode. This product also benefits from a ductless design meaning it does not require the traditional vent placed outside of your property, a much tidier aesthetic for modern day living spaces. However, check out the reviews before you buy. Not everyone is convinced this new device actually promises on the ductless qualities it suggests.
When selecting an air conditioning unit that doesn't compromise on aesthetics, it's essential to consider both design and performance. The Daikin Stylish Single Split Air Conditioning Unit stands out for its sleek design and efficient operation, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a permanent solution. There are other products on the market too, each catering to different needs and preferences, ensuring that you can find an air conditioning solution that enhances your home's comfort without detracting from its style.
