The Best Portable Air Conditioners in Canada
Is investing in an air conditioner a good idea in Canada? Considering our recent summers, it seems so. Climate change is increasing the temperature around the world at a consistent rate, and summers have been getting hotter and longer. On those hot days, it can be way too difficult to be comfortable for long indoors without cooling the room you are in.
To show you the best on the market, from larger, more powerful models to mini-sized options, we’ve sorted through a mountain of portable air conditioners and picked only the best.
Our top picks
What to look for in a Portable Air Conditioner Unit
How to choose an air conditioner
Here are some tips on the main components that everyone should attempt to look for in an air conditioner:
- Room size: Do you want to use the air conditioner in your bedroom, living room, or another space? First of all, you must know the machine’s BTU number.
– 8,000 BTUs can cover 200 sq. ft.
– 10,000 BTUs can cover 300 sq. ft.
– 12,000 BTUs can cover 400 sq. ft.
– 13,000 BTUs can cover 450 sq. ft.
– 14,000 BTUs can cover 500 sq. ft.
- Features: Dehumidifier, fan with or without carbon filter, Wi-Fi, sleep mode, digital controls… You chose according to your needs. Although the features increase the product versatility, they usually mean an additional price.
- Noise: If the noise level is your main concern, there are many great and powerful quiet options, from 50 to 60 decibels.
- Space-saving: Compact, but enough to cool your room. If you live in a small place and prefer to store the machine whenever you need it, you can look for a compact air conditioner with wheels.
- Price: Last but not least, it’s possible to find high-tech, simple models, and with regular features. All of that can affect the price of a portable air conditioner in Canada. Obviously, more complete ACs are on the higher end of things, whereas simpler portable ACs are usually on the budget side of things.
The best 3-in-1 AC
De’Longhi Pinguino DeLuxe 12000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
That is a great option if you have enough space at home to store, as it’s a large machine (39.4 x 44.5 x 74.9 centimeters) ready to cool rooms up to 400 square feet. Versatile and multifunctional, the De’Longhi Dehumidifier & Fan has features cooling, dehumidifying and a fan, being perfect for those who are looking for a solution to switch the warm feeling and sweats to a fresh sensation at home. And if your budget it’s a concern, that is a energy-saving option; you can raise your household thermostat and lower your energy bills.
Quiet, this portable air conditioner provides 50% less noise with its Arctic Whisper technology, which cuts noise in half compared to previous models, then, you can watch TV, read a good book, sleep peacefully or do any other activity without being disturb.
And to increase your comfort even more, is possible to change the air conditioner temperature from anywhere in the room, as this unique machine has a handy remote, with batteries included.
Pros
- Powerful, rated to a unite of 12000 BTU.
- Energy Saving.
- 24-Hour Timer.
- Handy remote.
Cons
- Operation is on the noisier side of things.
- The included window kit is not the best quality.
Best wi-fi portable air conditioner
Ivation 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Wi-Fi
That is a high-tech option, with Wi-Fi for rooms up to 450 Sq and climate control from any Android or Apple Device. To use all the features, this all-in-one product has you just need to download the free “My Ivation App” to adjust from your phone the temperature, mode, fan speed and timer.
Powerful, this high-quality unit delivers 12,000 BTU/Hr [ASHRAE Rating] & 8,000 BTU/Hr [SACC Rating], being the perfect match for those who are looking for cooling all the rooms, from the living room to the kitchen, up to 450 Sq/Ft. And besides being powerful, this portable air conditioner is travel-friendly, being compact, and having an Omni-directional to facilitate moving. As well, its 59” extendable single-hose can be easily installed in a window via provided panel assembly [26.5” to 50”].
Pros
- Wi-Fi enabled so you can control this unit with any Android or Apple Device.
- Powerful, 12,000 BTU/Hr performance.
- Wheels make transporting or reorganizing this unit easy.
Cons
- Not the most quiet unit.
- This powerful unit packs a big price tag.
The best Eco-portable air conditioner
Eco-Air Portable Air Conditioner (9,000 BTU)
3-in-1, this eco-design portable air conditioner has an intelligent on-off technology that enables energy consumption from conventional 0.5 W to 2 W which counts 75% of saving. So if you are looking for a high-quality air conditioner that will help you on saving and is environmentally friendly, that will fit in your budget necessities.
With important features, such as sleep mode, 24-hour timer (set the unit to start and stop automatically in a 24-hour period), and reusable, washable intake air filter, this AC unit has a little bit of everything. The Eco-Air is powerful enough – ASHRAE rating 9,000 BTU (5,300 BTU SACC Standard) – to effective cooling spaces up to 300 square feet while simultaneously providing fan and dehumidification functions in any room. Everything using electronic controls with LED display or remote control.
Pros
- Reusable, washable intake air filter.
- Energy saving.
- Easy to install.
- Quiet.
Cons
- Small window sliders.
The Best 14,000 BTU Air Conditioner
Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose
Mobile and powerful, the Whynter ARC-14S portable air conditioner has a fast cooling dual hose, which is able to keep any up to a 500 sq. ft. space comfortable and cool. 3-in1 operation including air conditioner, fan or dehumidifier, make this a truly versatile unit. Additionally, this unit has an auto drain technology, which uses and recycles moisture collected during the cooling process to produce cool air.
High-tech, the full Whynter thermostatic control (61 degree F – 89 degree F) has a digital readout, 24 hour programmable timer, remote control, dehumidifying capacity of 101 pints per day, and easy mobility. Versatile and convenient, the wheels make it easy to move on tile and manageable on carpet for the purposes of getting it to where you want.
With more than 4 stars and 5 thousand reviews on Amazon.ca, this is a great product for those who are looking for a smart solution to increase the comfort at home during high temperatures.
Pros
- 3-in-1 functionality, as an air conditioner, fan, or dehumidifier.
- 14,000 BTU, dual hose operation keep things cool in bigger spaces
- 16 degree C to 31 degree C thermostatic control.
Cons
- This is a pricier unit, coming in at more than $ 1,000.00.
- Louder than average operation.
Best air conditioner and heater
Honeywell HL14CHESWW HL Series 14000 BTU
4-in1? Yes, that is it. The Honeywell HL series comes with a heater and combines 4-in-1 technology, cooling, heating, and dehumidifying areas up to 550 square-Feet. Powerful, its 14,000 BTU cools areas up to 550 Square Ft, and its 11,000 BTU warms areas up to 400 Square Ft. Amazing, huh? That is a complete machine which provides you all the solutions for your climate problems, from summer to wintertime.
And that is not enough, It features an auto-evaporation system, which ensures that you do not have to worry about the water dripping from the air conditioner or use a container to collect the water; a reliable dehumidifying function, to adapt according to your taste; as well as a traditional three-speed fan-only function delivering optimum cooling, dehumidification, and fresh ventilation. And to make it easy-to-install, the machine comes with a window venting kit.
Pros
- 4-in-1 operation including heating, cooling, ventilating and dehumidifying.
- Rated for 14,000 BTU for cooling and 11,000 BTU for heating.
Cons
- This unit is on the noisier side of things.
The Best 13,000 BTU Air Conditioner
Haier HPNFD14XCT
According to some satisfied customers, the Haier 13, 500 BTU portable air conditioner does everything it promises. Quiet and powerful enough to cool any room of your house up to 500 square feet, the machine has 3 Cooling/3 Fan speeds, time/temperature display, dehumidify mode, 24 Hour On/Off timer, and comes with an easy to install window kit.
Besides being small-sized (38.7 x 45.1 x 74.8 centimeters), this Haier machine is a great option if you live in a small apartment or home. This high-quality machine is convenient, and you can control your comfort from anywhere in the room with a full-function remote.
Pros
- Dual hose for improved circulation and cooling.
- 3-cooling and fan speeds.
- Quiet.
Cons
- This unit is not easy to move once it is set up.
The best mini sized options on the market
Cute penguin portable air conditioner fan
If you have kids at home and are looking for some mini-sized option on the market, this is a good match. Besides its quiet noise (25-40dB), this penguin is cute and small. This unit has 3 speeds classes, such as low, medium and high. To use it, is just necessary to add water and ice to the tank, then, when the hot air passes through the cooling and filtering system, cool and comfortable cold air will be blown out. And to make it even easier, the Penguin has a rechargeable battery.
Lzellah Portable Air Conditioner Fan
The Lzellah portable Air Conditioner Fan is more like a fan than an air conditioner, according to many customers. If you work in your home office, this is a desktop friendly machine that could definitely improve your comfort while working. Although small, the tiny AC unit is versatile and has 7 soft LED light colors that can be placed on your dining or coffee table, or used as a night light. This unit is easily moved anywhere and with 3 automatic timing set (1/2/3H), this portable pick is more than practical.
YONHAN Personal Air Conditioner
As its wireless and has portable design, small size, and great to carry anywhere, that is perfect for home office, car and camp tent with a large water tank which can be used for 4-5 hours. It also includes 3 wind models, such as refrigeration, humidification, air purification – you just need to add ice cube and a little essential oil to the water to be away from warm feeling. The ultra-quiet operation of 68dB is ideal for working or sleeping at time.
Fv Mini Air Conditioner Multi-Function Fan
This light and quiet air conditioner has a good battery life which last from two to fours days depending on the use frequency.
It is affordable and small enough to be carried in a handbag for AC on demand.
Yes, the Fv Mini Air Conditioner Fan can be your best friend doing your make up, changing clothes, or for working in your home office.
With unique leafless design, it will not damage the hair when managed. It can also be used to blow on your eyelashes to keep you looking your best.
Our methodology
For this buying guide, we reviewed the best air conditioners on the market, taking into consideration specific needs, while always keeping the main criteria as a priority: high-quality machines.
To select the best unit for most needs, we went through and compared different models and reviews in more than 8 varied websites, to ensure that all it was listed below it was approved for the main customers. Our team spent over 18 hours researching and reviewing the best available air conditioners in Canada, trying to providing to our reader’s products with more than 4 stars on Amazon.ca.
Frequent asked portable air conditioner questions
What is a portable air conditioner?
A portable air conditioner is not built-in to the space, and can be moved around. What constitutes a portable air conditioner ranges from small handheld models, to larger machines.
Dual or single hose? What model to choose?
If the room you want to cool is too big, maybe a dual hose would be the best option and we can explain why.
The single hose air conditioner pulls warm air from the room, sends it past coils cooled by refrigerant, and then sends heated air and moisture through the hose and out of the house. This type of model is not ideal for larger spaces.
A dual-hose portable air conditioner works by taking in air from the outside through one hose and the hot exhaust air is expelled through the second hose. is the perfect option for cooling big places.
What are the main benefits of a portable air conditioner?
- Easy to carry everywhere.
- Increase the comfort during hot seasons.
- If you live in a apartment or a house where installment of window AC is prohibited, that is not a problem with a portable air conditioner.
- Compact.
- Easy to install.
- Enough powerful to cool your room (need to check first the m2 and BTU).
Do portable air conditioners work?
A portable air conditioner works like any other regular one. To avoid any problem with your appliance you need to check, first of all, the room size and the BTU ideal too cool this area.
How to install a portable air conditioner?
In general, most air conditioners will come with a window adapter kit, since one of the most common places to vent an AC unit is through a window. It’s usually as simple as securing your portable air conditioner’s hose(s) through a window or a door and plugging in your unit. Note that you may have to purchase extra materials (such as plexiglass) if the kit that comes with your portable air conditioner doesn’t have enough materials to fill in the gap in your open window or door. Whenever possible, you should follow the installation manual that comes with your portable air conditioning unit.
How to find the quietest portable air conditioner?
You can get a good idea by double checking the decibel information. For perspective, according to Soundproof Geek website, the decibel level 50 is as loud as a quiet conversation at home or in the office and a quiet air conditioner. 60 is fairly quiet and is also a good decibel rating for a quiet air conditioner. 70 decibels is loud as a vacuum cleaner. According to EnergyRates.ca, the quietest ACs on the market have a noise range of about 45-75 decibels.
How do portable air conditioners drain water?
Due to the process that these machines use to cool the air, water is produced as a byproduct. Some will have a water tray that you’ll need to empty out while others will have a drain hose. Some units are self-evaporating portable air conditioners, that will empty out any water that collects through the vent hose of your portable air conditioner.
How effective are portable air conditioners?
Compared to powerful central air conditioning units, the portable units are generally slower and less effective at cooling. However, using an air conditioner with the right BTU for the room it is in will effectively keep the room comfortable.
What are window kits for portable air conditioners?
The window kit includes everything you need to secure the single- or dual- hose in your window, and filling out the otherwise open space in your window so that warm air or insects don’t come in from the gap.
Where can I find portable air conditioners in Canada?
You can find air conditioners at big name stores like Best Buy, Costco, Canadian Tire, Home Depot or Walmart, however availability may vary throughout the time of the year. If any particular models on this list stand out to you, you can have any of them shipped to your doorstep through Amazon.
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