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Portable Air Conditioners
Buy the best portable air conditioner online at Appliances Online and beat the Aussie heat. Shop brands like Dimplex, TCL, DeLonghi, Omega Altise and Rinnai offering the best cooling solutions on the market. With Appliances Online you can find a great deal on portable air conditioners, complete with our price match guarantee and free next-day delivery. Want more portable cooling options? Appliances Online stocks a wide range of fans, dehumidifiers, air purifiers and evaporative coolers from leading brands like Dyson and Shark.
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How to Choose the Best Portable Air Conditioner for Your Space
Portable air conditioners can be an excellent cooling solution when permanent air conditioning installation of a split system wall unit or window air conditioner isn’t available or practical - but choosing the right model depends on more than simply picking the highest kW rating. The best portable air conditioner for your home will balance cooling power, noise level, room size, portability and features such as dehumidifying or smart controls.
If you’re cooling a bedroom or study, quieter operation may matter most. For larger open spaces, cooling capacity becomes the priority. Some models also offer Wi-Fi connectivity, advanced sleep modes, or stronger dehumidification for humid climates. By matching the unit to how and where you’ll use it, you’ll get far better performance and comfort from your purchase.
Portable Air Conditioner Size Table Guide : Recommended Cooling Capacity per Room Size
Portable air conditioner sizing is one of the most important factors in getting effective cooling. A unit that is too small may run constantly without reaching the right temperature, while an oversized unit can cool unevenly and waste energy. Check out our helpful table guide below, which will should give you a great idea on what cooling capacity you should be aiming for.
When in doubt, it's always better to overshoot on size (you can always set it to a lower setting) than undershoot (the air con may not be able to completely cool the room and you'll just have it running non-stop at that point, using much more energy). This is especially true when it comes to rooms that have larger windows, exposure to the sun coming in from the west (hottest parts of the day), higher than normal ceilings or poor insulation, it is much more beneficial to go a size up to make sure you can combat these common situations.
Room Type | Recommended Cooling Capacity |
|---|---|
Small Bedroom / Study (up to 20m²) | 2.0 - 2.6kW |
Medium Bedroom / Office (20-30m²) | 2.6 - 3.5kW |
Living Room / Large Bedroom (30-40m²) | 3.5 - 4.5kW |
Open Plan / Large Areas and Rooms (40m²+) | 4.5kW+ |
More Than Just Cooling: Key Features to Look For
Many of our best models are true all-rounders. Units from brands like TCL and De'Longhi often include fan-only and dehumidifier modes. The dehumidifying function is a lifesaver on those sticky, humid days, as it pulls excess moisture from the air to create a fresher, more comfortable environment without necessarily making the room colder.
For ultimate convenience, look for a model with Wi-Fi control. Rinnai’s range of portable air conditioners are a customer favourite for this very reason, allowing you to turn the unit on and adjust the temperature from your smartphone before you even get home. Most models also come standard with a remote control and a 24-hour timer, so you can schedule your cooling to fit your routine perfectly.
While all portable air conditioners make some noise, some are built to be less disruptive. De'Longhi’s Pinguino range features models engineered with Silent Technology, making them a great choice for keeping a bedroom cool overnight or for maintaining focus in a home office. Many units also have a 'Sleep Mode' which runs the fan at a lower speed for a quieter night's sleep.
You don't need a professional installer for these units. Every portable air conditioner comes with an easy-to-install window venting kit to exhaust hot air outside. Upkeep is just as simple, with brands like TCL and Rinnai featuring washable filters that you can easily rinse under a tap to keep the air fresh and the machine running efficiently.
Top Brands You Can Trust
- De'Longhi: Known for their clever Italian design and advanced features, De'Longhi's Pinguino and GentleJet ranges offer powerful, efficient, and often quieter cooling. They're a brilliant choice for anyone wanting premium performance.
- Rinnai: If you love smart-home tech, Rinnai is the brand for you. Their models consistently offer Wi-Fi connectivity for app-based control, earning strong praise from our customers with an average rating of 4.2 stars.
- TCL: Offering fantastic value and 3-in-1 functionality, TCL models are a practical and popular choice. Highly rated by Appliances Online customers, their units are praised for being effective, easy to use, and reliable.
- Omega Altise & Goldair: These brands deliver straightforward, no-fuss cooling you can count on. They provide all the essential features you need to stay comfortable, making them a solid choice for reliable, everyday use.
Save more when you buy your Portable Air Con from Appliances Online
Getting your new air conditioner home and ready for a heatwave is simple with Appliances Online. With our Free Next-Day Delivery service in most metro areas, you can order today and be enjoying a cooler home as soon as tomorrow. On the day of delivery, you’ll receive an SMS with a link to our Live Driver Tracking map, so you can see exactly where your driver is and when they’ll arrive. We’ll even take away your old, disconnected appliance for free, so you don’t have to worry about a trip to the tip. And if you have any questions, our Aussie-based support team is here to help 24/7.
So if it's quick and flexible cooling you're after, a portable air conditioner is a great option. However, if you’re looking for more energy efficiency or a permanent solution, consider split systems or window box units. Need a little more help finding the best portable air conditioner for your home? Read through our dedicated Portable Air Conditioner Buying Guide. You’ll also find a range of air treatment devices to suit your home. You can keep your home cosy with heaters or cool down with window reverse cycle air conditioners and evaporative coolers. Beyond room temperature, you can keep your space more comfortable with humidifiers and air purifiers. Certain models also have Wi-Fi and smart home compatibility for seamless connectivity.
Whatever heating or cooling needs you have, Appliances Online has you covered! Seen a better price elswhere? Give us a call and take advantage of our Price Match Guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a simple DIY job that usually takes less than 15 minutes. All you need to do is attach the exhaust hose to the back of the unit and connect the other end to the supplied window slider kit, which fits into most standard vertical or horizontal windows to vent the hot air outside.
Yes, they all need to send the hot air they've removed from your room somewhere else. The most effective way to do this is through a window using the included venting kit. Without proper venting, the unit would just be pushing hot air back into the room it’s trying to cool.
The cooling area depends on the unit's capacity, measured in kilowatts (kW). A 2.6kW model is typically ideal for a small bedroom or office up to 20m², while a more powerful 4.1kW unit is better suited for cooling a larger living area of 30m² or more.
Most modern portable air conditioners are self-evaporating, meaning they release the collected moisture as water vapour through the exhaust hose along with the hot air. In extremely humid conditions, some water may collect in an internal tray, and the unit will alert you if it needs to be emptied.
They do make a sound similar to a fan, as they contain a compressor and fan to cool and circulate the air. However, many brands focus on reducing noise. For example, some De'Longhi Pinguino models feature Silent Technology for quieter operation, and most units offer a 'Sleep Mode' that runs the fan at a lower, less disruptive speed.
