5 Best Portable Aircons in Singapore [2024 Guide]

Image: Close Comfort

Fighting the summer heat is never easy, so many people choose to invest in a high-quality portable aircon. The main benefit is the versatility of the unit, especially since a fixed unit in each room can be extremely difficult and expensive.

Portable air conditioners are an excellent choice if you want to relocate the unit as you wish, take it with you wherever you go, and there is no effort required. This is why you should consider the following five best portable aircons in Singapore [2024 review]. Keep reading to find out more about buying a portable aircon and which model suits you best!

Things to consider when buying a portable aircon

There are several things you need to consider before buying a portable aircon that suits your needs. First, most people need to determine their preferences according to the following factors, so you will avoid purchasing an aircon that you don’t need.

1. Size and BTUs

One of the most important aspects is the size. If you are looking for a portable aircon, you may need to determine where you want to place it. The portable aircon needs to be powerful enough to cool down your room. Similar to fixed air conditioners, portable units come in different sizes and with varying amounts of BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour.

In short, the higher the BTU number, the more powerful your aircon is. However, if your room is relatively small, you do not need to invest in a unit with too many BTUs. Choosing the appropriate size for your needs will help you cut down unnecessary energy costs while keeping your room cool.

If you have rooms with standard ceilings (8 ft), you can use this quick estimation guide. For a room of up to 200 square feet, you need a unit with 8,000 BTUs. For each 100 sq feet extra, add 2,000 more BTUs. For instance, if your room is 300 sq. ft, you need 10,000 BTUs or 400 square feet with 12,000 BTUs, and so on.

This is only a rough estimation that can be affected by other environmental factors. For example, if you plan to use the portable aircon in a room with numerous appliances or devices that produce heat simultaneously, you need more BTUs.

Assume that you have a room of 300 square feet, so you need 10,000 BTUs according to the instructions above. However, if your room is a kitchen on the second floor (as higher levels are always warmer) or is exposed to plenty of sunlight during the day, you should consider a unit with at least 12,000 BTUs.

2. Noise Level

Similar to any other device, portable aircons generate noise. An excellent portable aircon should generate a maximum of 55 dB (decibels); otherwise, it may disturb you.

It also depends on the room you want to cool down. For instance, if you place it in the kitchen or living room, a higher noise level may not be so unbearable. However, if you want to cool down your home office or bedroom, a high noise level can become very disturbing.

3. Maintenance

As with most of our household items, portable aircons also require maintenance. Most models collect water in a tank, so you need to empty it frequently.

If you find this uncomfortable, you may want to invest more into a unit with an auto-evaporation system. Other models are usually placed next to the window or another area that allows you to put the expeller hose in a safe place to drain the water continuously.