How-to
Window and portable air conditioners
A portable air conditioner cools one room in a heat wave where a window unit won’t fit, which matters most for older people.
Used for: Heat waves
Our pick
Best overallOur score 7.8/10 out of 10
Midea Duo 12,000 BTU DOE Smart Inverter Portable Air Conditioner
Our overall pick for cooling a room through a heat wave: an inverter portable with a hose-in-hose duct and a window kit for openings from 19.1 to 63.8 in, so sliding windows are fine too.
Portable, dual or hose-in-hose · 12,000 BTU/h · rooms up to 550 sq ft · 1-yr warranty
See prices and specs- Type
- Portable, dual or hose-in-hose
- Cooling capacity (DOE)
- 12,000 BTU/h
- CEER
- 13.8
- Inverter compressor
- Yes
- Room size (maker)
- 550 sq ft
- Noise, lowest
- 42 dB(A)
Before you buy
- Use the DOE figure Compare SACC on the EnergyGuide label; the bigger ASHRAE BTU number on the box is measured differently.
- Check the window Measure the window width and height, and whether it slides up or sideways.
- Mind the circuit Plug it into a wall outlet on a circuit without other big loads.
Heat out, pipes frozen or AC down?
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We don’t store what you type.
Air conditioner questions
Window unit or portable air conditioner?
A window unit if your window takes one: it sits half outside, so less heat comes back in. A portable suits sliding or casement windows and renters. If you choose a portable, a dual-hose or hose-in-hose model pulls less warm air into the room than a single-hose one.
How should I use an air conditioner in a heat wave?
Health Canada suggests turning it on before it gets hot, and with a window unit cooling one room you can go to for relief. If you have no air conditioning, spend a few hours somewhere that does, such as a library or mall.
Is a fan a substitute for air conditioning?
Not in extreme heat. Health Canada says fans don’t cool the body at temperatures above 35 °C, though they can make you feel more comfortable below that. Check on older neighbours and anyone living alone.