Six picks chosen by clear rules from the 49 portable air conditioners in our UK catalogue: quietest, best budget, best for small and large rooms, best all-rounder and best with heating.
Click a model for full specs and the retailer link.
| Pick | Model | Price | BTU | Noise | Room |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quietest | Meaco MC8000RPRO | £359.99 | 8,000 | 52 dB | Up to 26m² |
| Best budget | Devola DVAC9KB | £288.99 | 9,000 | 53 dB | Not listed |
| Best for small rooms | Devola DVAC7K | £259.99 | 7,000 | 53 dB | Not listed |
| Best all-rounder | Devola DVAC9K | £288.99 | 9,000 | 53 dB | Not listed |
| Best for large rooms | Meaco MC16000 | £599.99 | 16,000 | 55 dB | Rooms Up to 40m² | Conservatories Up to 20m² |
| Best with heating mode | Devola DVAC9KH | £309.99 | 9,000 | 53 dB | Not listed |
Why it is here: Lowest rated noise among units in stock.
Why it is here: Lowest price among in-stock units of 9,000 BTU or more rated 55 dB or below.
Why it is here: 7,000 to 8,000 BTU, rated 55 dB or below, lowest price.
Why it is here: 9,000 to 10,000 BTU, rated 55 dB or below, with smart control and sleep mode, lowest price.
Why it is here: 12,000 BTU or more, quietest among units in stock.
Why it is here: Cooling and heating, lowest price among units in stock rated 55 dB or below.
It depends on the room. For a bedroom or small room, choose a 7,000 to 9,000 BTU unit rated around 53 dB or lower. For a large living room, look at 12,000 BTU or more. Our shortlist picks the best match for each case from UK retailer listings.
No. They are spec-based picks from our catalogue of UK retailer listings, chosen by the rules stated with each one. We have not tested the units ourselves, so noise figures and cooling capacity are the manufacturers’ ratings.
Most UK buyers spend £250 to £500. Under £300 you can find quiet 9,000 BTU units, but expect simpler controls. Above £450 you are mostly paying for capacity or extra features.
The unit with the lowest rated noise that is in stock is shown first on this page. Ratings are measured at one metre by manufacturers, so choose sleep mode and check our noise guide before using one in a bedroom.
Prices and stock were recorded from UK retailer listings on the date shown on this page. They change often, especially during heatwaves, so always check the retailer before you buy.
Dual-hose units cool faster in large or hot rooms but cost more. A single-hose unit is fine for small rooms and occasional use. Our single vs dual hose guide explains the trade-off.
A seven-step checklist: room size, BTU, hose type, noise, window fit, running costs and budget.
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Work out the cooling capacity your room needs from its size, sun and occupants.
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Put up to four UK models side by side on capacity, noise, size and price.
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What 45 dB, 55 dB and 65 dB actually sound like, and how to find a unit you can sleep next to.
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