The right portable air conditioner for your UK home

It depends on room volume, sun and how many people and appliances are in the room. As a guide, up to 10 m² needs 5,000 to 7,000 BTU, 11 to 16 m² needs 7,000 to 9,000 BTU, 17 to 24 m² needs 9,000 to 12,000 BTU and 25 to 32 m² needs 12,000 to 14,000 BTU. Use the BTU calculator for your exact room.

A typical 9,000 BTU unit draws about 0.9 kW, which at the October to December 2026 price cap of 26.32p per kWh is about 25p an hour with the compressor running continuously. Real cost is lower once the room is cool.

Yes. You fit a window kit, connect the exhaust hose and plug the unit into a 13A socket. No drilling or professional installation is needed, which is why portable units suit rented homes.

Yes, with the right kit. Standard kits fit horizontal sliding windows, so sash windows need a rigid panel or a kit made for vertical windows, plus a way to keep the window secure.

A single-hose unit uses room air to cool its condenser, which pulls warm air in through gaps. A dual-hose unit uses outdoor air for that job, so it cools faster in large or hot rooms but costs more.

Rated noise is typically 50 to 65 dB at one metre. Below 55 dB is quiet for a portable unit. For bedrooms, aim for about 50 dB or lower and use sleep mode.

No. An air conditioner uses a compressor to remove heat and moisture and vents the heat outside. An air cooler blows air over a wet pad, adds humidity and works poorly in humid UK weather.