Best portable air conditioners in the UK
Portables are the right call for renters and occasional-use cooling — see portable vs split if you're still deciding. Match the BTU rating to your room: ~9,000 BTU for rooms up to about 20 m², 10,000–12,000 BTU for larger rooms, and don't bother with anything under 7,000 BTU for a real bedroom. Use the calculator if unsure.
Our picks by use case
| Pick | Category | Roughly | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| MeacoCool MC Series 9000CH | Best all-rounder | ~£350–£400 | Strong cooling for the size, comparatively quiet, and includes a heating mode for shoulder seasons. UK-based support is a genuine plus. |
| De'Longhi Pinguino (PAC EM82 class) | Most trusted brand | ~£400–£500 | The long-running benchmark portable. Solid build, reliable dehumidify mode, easy spares availability. |
| Budget 9,000 BTU own-brand (e.g. Argos/AO ranges) | Cheapest that works | ~£250–£320 | Fine for a couple of heatwave weeks a year. Expect more noise and plastickier build — that's the trade. |
| 12,000 BTU class (Meaco/De'Longhi larger models) | Larger rooms (20–28 m²) | ~£450–£600 | The sensible ceiling for portables. If your room needs more than this, a split system will serve you far better. |
Prices move around, especially during heatwaves — check current listings before buying.
What actually matters on the spec sheet
- BTU rating — the capacity figure. Size to the room, not the price tag.
- Noise (dB) — portables run 50–65 dB; anything under ~53 dB counts as quiet for sleeping. Manufacturers measure optimistically, so read owner reviews.
- Window kit quality — a badly sealed vent hose undoes half the cooling. Sliding-sash windows need a proper seal kit; factor £20–30 if it's not included.
- Dehumidify mode — genuinely useful in muggy UK summers, sometimes more than full cooling.
- Energy label — an efficient unit saves real money at 25–35p per running hour.
What to avoid
"Air coolers" and misting fans marketed alongside real AC — they're evaporative devices that add humidity and do almost nothing in muggy weather. If it doesn't have a BTU rating and an exhaust hose, it isn't air conditioning. Also be wary of no-name imports with implausible BTU claims at half the going rate.
Buying for every summer, not just this one? A wall-mounted split costs more up front but roughly a third as much to run — get free installation quotes and compare the five-year cost before you commit.