Best Portable Air Conditioner Dehumidifiers – 2022 Guide to the Best Options

Sometimes buying an air conditioner isn’t enough to combat the formation of dense vapor in a moisture-ridden environment.

Air conditioners modulate the temperature of your home, but leave humidity unaddressed.

We’ll provide you with a list of some of the best portable air conditioner dehumidifiers, and explain which factors to assess before buying one.

Comparison of the Best Portable Air Conditioner Dehumidifiers

Factors to Consider Before Buying Portable Air Conditioner Dehumidifier

You shouldn’t purchase an air conditioner dehumidifier based on a whim or a friend’s glowing endorsement. Before reading through our product list, there are a few factors to consider.

Space and Size

Space and size are entwined elements. You’ll need the dimensions of the room that you want to cool to ensure that your air conditioner can handle it.

Usually, you’ll see British Thermal Units (BTU) indicated on the specs. It bears reference to how much the device can cool in a given area. For instance, an 8,000 BTU can cool a 300 sq. ft. room to a comfortable temperature.

Capacity

Instead of BTU, the dehumidification side of the air conditioner gives you pints per day (PPD), a measurement referring to how much moisture it can remove from the air.

While portable units aren’t as effective as industrial or whole-house dehumidifiers, you’ll still feel an effect on the humidity level. When you measure the room’s size in square feet, ensure that the device’s PPD can handle removing that much moisture from the air.

Power Consumption

Cooling and dehumidifying your home doesn’t need to send your monthly electric bill skyrocketing. Look for air conditioners that have an Energy Efficiency Rating (EER), as these devices will spare your utility expenses. 

Single vs Dual Hose

Since we’re talking about energy efficiency, you should pay attention to whether the air conditioner has a single or a dual hose. Dual hoses can cool a room more efficiently, reducing the power it needs to perform.

The primary reason is that the one hose collects the outdoor air for cooling, while the second one acts as the exhaust pipe. Single-hose devices need to work twice as hard, as it only has one pipe to perform both functions.

Ventilation of the Exhaust

Most air conditioner dehumidifiers either have a water bucket to collect moisture or a hose that connects to a window for exhaust ventilation. Not all hoses are compatible with different window frames, so try to find an installation kit with spacers or brackets.

Noise Levels

One common complaint you may read online is that on the highest fan setting, air conditioner dehumidifiers are too noisy. Of course, this makes sense considering that it’s working extremely hard to cool that moist air.

However, some devices have internal components to dampen the noise, even in extreme circumstances. Pay attention to the decibel (dB) reading in the specifications and reviews if they are available.

Review of the Best Portable Air Conditioner Dehumidifiers

Let’s get into our list of some of the best portable air conditioner dehumidifiers on the market. We’ll assess the standard specifications, pros and cons, and provide our personal review of each one.

How Does a Portable Air Conditioner Dehumidifier Work?

Now that you’ve read through our list of recommended products for the best portable air conditioner dehumidifiers, it’s time to gain a better understanding of how they work. We’ll discuss some of the top features you can expect.

Temperature Control

At its heart, the device concentrates on cooling or heating your room. It has an internal thermostat that you can set to a specific temperature, which the device then maintains by changing the air that it takes in and exhausts out.

Some models only perform the cooling function, while others have a combination feature. There are more components involved in the latter, which is why they are more expensive.

Dehumidification

The air conditioner also has condenser coils to cool the air down so far that the moisture becomes liquid. It collects the water in a bucket, alerting you to when it’s full and needs to be drained. 

However, you may have a drainage pipe attached to the portable air conditioner dehumidifier for constant drainage, saving you the trouble. You can also look into portable evaporative air conditioners if you’d like the liquid to return outside as vapor.

Portability

The primary goal of purchasing a portable unit is to move it around the house as you wish. There are wheels and carry handles to make movement more manageable, while you can also take the device with you on vacation if it fits in your vehicle.

Top Brands in the Portable Air Conditioner Dehumidifiers Space

We’ve mentioned a few of the top brands in the industry that supply portable air conditioner dehumidifiers. However, some of them are a cut above the rest with features and reputations that makes them stand out.

SereneLife

SereneLife is an American company that delivers plenty of indoor and outdoor appliances and gadgets. Its catalog includes sports equipment, electronics, lighting, gardening, beauty, baby products, and so much more.

Of course, it has plenty of air conditioners in its arsenal. While the brand may not be as famous as other names, and its products may have less variety, it doesn’t detract from the excellent performance of its portable air conditioner dehumidifiers.

Shinco

Shinco started up in 1992 as a Chinese manufacturer of electronic appliances. It has over 8,000 employees and 12 factories worldwide, including in the United States.

In China, Jiangsu Shinco Appliance Co. is one of the largest air conditioner manufacturers. It has recently established new labs for engineering and testing its new product line to ensure performance and safety.

Honeywell

Honeywell is a household name that many consumers will instantly recognize as one of the top brands for several HVAC systems. Whether you’re looking for portable air conditioner dehumidifiers, evaporative coolers, purifiers, or any other type in the AC industry, Honeywell has a product available for you.

Comprehensive warranty periods and quality customer support help Honeywell stand out in the pack. It also helps that its air conditioners are reliable and more durable than most competitors.

Benefits of a Portable Air Conditioner Dehumidifier

Portable air conditioner dehumidifiers have several advantages in the right conditions. If you’re considering buying one, here are a few encouraging reasons why you should.

Lower Humidity Levels

The dehumidification feature of the air conditioner will help reduce ambient moisture in wetter climates. When it’s sweltering outside you’ll struggle to breathe with so much humidity lingering in the air.

Having the combination of an air conditioner and dehumidifier will ultimately save you from purchasing two different units.

Powerful Cooling for Smaller Spaces

While portable air conditioners are smaller than whole-house or industrial units, it doesn’t mean that they can’t provide powerful cooling. You can get up to 14,000 BTU in some instances that cover up to 600 sq. ft.

Lower Expenses

The benefit of purchasing one device instead of two is lower monthly utility costs, while you’ll also save in replacement and maintenance expenses in the long run. If you can find a unit with a high EER, you’ll hardly use any power at all.

Cleaner Air

Some portable air conditioner dehumidifiers have an internal filter that eliminates dust, pollen, and other allergens. Besides cooling, heating, and ventilation, you can also breathe a breath of fresh air.

Temperature Control Where You Need It

If you purchase an air conditioner with a thermostat, you can set the temperature you want, and it will regulate it for you. You’ll be able to monitor it with the LED display panel or remote control.

Portable AC Dehumidifier Combo vs. Separate – Comparison Overview

We’ve mentioned that you can obtain air conditioners that have a combination of temperature control and dehumidification. Should you aim for this combo or purchase separate devices? 

Heating and Cooling

Both the combo and solo air conditioning units provide temperature management. You’ll find that both have similar cooling capacities, depending on the model and BTU that you purchase. 

You’ll also assess room size for both types, as it plays a vital role in the AC size you acquire. The standard portable air conditioner is what you’ll target if your sole focus is temperature control.

Ventilation

Another aspect that you’ll find in solo and combo devices is fan settings for ventilation. You’ll measure performance by cubic feet per minute (CFM) instead of BTU or PPD.

You’ll generally find three fan speeds, namely, low, medium, and high. The highest setting causes a soft hum in most air conditioners.

Humidity Management

One significant consideration is whether to buy the combo or a dehumidifier. While the former can cool the room and remove moisture, it’s nowhere as effective as the latter.

Portable dehumidifiers have a much larger dehumidifying capacity than the combo air conditioner, which prioritizes temperature control above all else. If you’re struggling with humidity levels making it harder to breathe at home, you may want to consider getting a dehumidifier instead.

Electrical Costs

Of course, it will cost you less to buy a portable air conditioner dehumidifier than two separate devices. Not only will it save your budget for purchase and installation expenses, but it will drop monthly utility costs, too.

Price Points of Best Portable Air Conditioner Dehumidifiers

Price doesn’t always equate to value, as you can buy products at more affordable rates with better durability unrelated to brand names. However, you can generally get a good feeling for what’s on offer based on the range. 

Here’s a quick look at the different price points and what you can expect.

$100 – $200

These portable air conditioner dehumidifiers provide the most basic functions with the lowest cooling capacity and moisture removal. At best, you can use them in small apartments or rooms. The controls will also have limited functions.

$200 – $500

Here, you have the mid-range products, offering better BTU and dehumidification. Some of the top products in our recommended list arise from this range, striking that ideal balance between price and quality. These air conditioners are suitable for medium-sized spaces.

$500+

If you’re looking for top-quality air conditioning and dehumidification with the highest performance, you’re going to pay a tidy price for it. These devices will service massive rooms and may even cover most of your house. You’ll also receive several functions and accessories.

Who Should Not Buy a Portable Air Conditioner Dehumidifier?

While we’ve given you several reasons to buy a portable air conditioner dehumidifier, it may not be the right choice for you. If you find yourself in any of these situations, you may want to reconsider obtaining one.

Multi-Story Properties

Portable air conditioner dehumidifiers only have the capacity to cover a specific area. Even if you buy a large unit, there’s a limit to how well it can perform.

If you have a massive or multi-story home, you’re better off looking at a whole-house device that can work in every open space through ducts and vents. Moving the portable unit around may become a hassle over time.

For Mold or Water Damage

While dehumidification can help eliminate mold or reduce the effects of water damage, a portable air conditioner dehumidifier doesn’t have enough power. The best it can do is reduce the moisture in the air, but it will struggle to compete with a full dehumidifier in this situation.

In Dry Climates

Dry regions suffer from a lack of moisture in the air. If you’re using the dehumidifier function, you’re effectively adding to the problem. It’s best to use a humidifier in areas with dry climates that include cooling functions.

Extreme Temperatures

Portable air conditioner dehumidifiers can only manage a specific temperature range. If it’s too cold, it might freeze. Too much heat may cause internal damage to the components. 

Dusty Locations

Some regions have loose sand and plenty of dust floating around. You may also live in an area rich in pollen. The problem is that such density can cause problems with your device, clogging up the filters. You may need a purifier with temperature control instead.

Conclusion

The choice to purchase one of the best portable air conditioner dehumidifiers is a challenging one. You’ll need to make sure that it’s precisely what you need, or you may be wasting your money or your time. We hope that this guide has helped you with your selection.

People Also Ask

While we may have answered several of your queries in this article, you may have come to our site for specific questions. Here are some of the top FAQs some of our readers ask us. If we’ve missed any, please contact us, and we’ll find you the solution.