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Top 5 Portable ACs In 2024
Last Updated: January
Struggling to stay cool during the sweltering summer months? The persistent heat can make your home uncomfortable, and turning up the AC often leads to higher energy bills. For those without a built-in cooling system, finding relief can be even more challenging.
Fortunately, there’s a practical and budget-friendly way to stay comfortable. Portable air coolers offer an energy-efficient solution designed to keep you cool wherever you need it.
To make your search easier, we’ve tested 2024’s most popular portable air coolers and selected the top 5. Read on to find the perfect cooling solution for your needs!
Editor’s Choice
9.8
“Outstanding”
User Ratings (6,354+)
ChillWell 2.0
Price: $89 $179.99
Fast & Efficient Cooling
Zero Installation Costs
Energy Efficient – Can Help Reduce Power Bills
Built In Water Tank Lasts Up To 8 Hours
Silent Operation (Perfect For Sleeping, Working or Studying)
Built-in Humidifier Function
4 Cooling Intensity Levels
60 Day Money Back Guarantee
Only Available Online
2
9.2
“Excellent”
Evapolar evaSMART
Price: $229.00
3 In 1 Cooling
Decent Energy Efficiency
Portable Design
Alexa Support
Sleek Design
Some Customers Report App Connectivity Issues
Some Customers Report Short Run Time
The Evapolar evaSMART is a versatile 3-in-1 device that cools, humidifies, and illuminates your personal space. This mini air conditioner utilizes evaporative technology, making it ideal for hot, dry climates. With its 44 oz removable water tank and full-spectrum LED light, it can be controlled via a mobile app or smart home services, offering modern convenience.
The evaSMART efficiently cools within a 3-5 feet range, providing a pleasant breeze perfect for desks, bedside tables, or small personal areas. Its energy efficiency is a major plus, consuming only 12.5W, which significantly reduces electricity bills. Additionally, it can work in tandem with an AC unit to prevent air dryness and lower energy consumption.
However, the cooling range is limited, making it unsuitable for larger spaces. The 44 oz water tank requires frequent refilling, which might be inconvenient in very hot or dry conditions. The full-spectrum LED light can be too bright for some, with no dimming option available.
3
8.9
“Great”
Gorilla Gadgets Cooler
Price: $279.99
Minimal Assembly Required
Strong Cooling Power
Can Refill With Hose (Not Included)
Large Water Tank
3 Cooling Speeds
Bulky
Requires Regular Maintenance
The Gorilla Gadgets Portable Swamp Cooler is a versatile and efficient solution for cooling indoor spaces up to 800 cubic square feet. With a powerful 5300 CFM airflow, this unit promises to cool your living room, bedroom, or workspace effectively. One of its standout features is the dual option for filling the water tank: you can either manually fill the top reservoir or use a hose for continuous filling. The inclusion of ice packs further enhances its cooling capabilities.
This air cooler boasts a generous 7-gallon tank, which reduces the need for frequent refills and allows for extended cooling sessions. The built-in timer, adjustable between 1 to 12 hours, adds to its convenience. Its modern design, combined with a lightweight body and caster wheels, makes it easy to move from room to room while blending seamlessly with your home decor.
However, there are some downsides to consider. The unit requires regular maintenance, especially if using the hose for continuous water supply, to prevent any potential leaks. While the air cooler is effective, it may not match the cooling power of a traditional air conditioner in extremely hot climates.
Additionally, the remote control has a limited range of 6 meters, which may not be sufficient for larger rooms.
Our Editor's Choice
9.8
“Outstanding”
User Ratings (6,354+)
ChillWell 2.0
Price: $89 $179.99
Fast & Efficient Cooling
Zero Installation Costs
Energy Efficient – Can Help Reduce Power Bills
Built In Water Tank Lasts Up To 8 Hours
Silent Operation (Perfect For Sleeping, Working or Studying)
Built-in Humidifier Function
4 Cooling Intensity Levels
60 Day Money Back Guarantee
Only Available Online
We Bought & Tested the Most Popular Portable ACs, Here's Why ChillWell 2.0 Is Our Favorite.
Hot summer days can feel unbearable, especially when traditional air conditioning units are bulky, expensive to run, and often confined to a single room. That’s where portable ACs like the Chillwell Portable AC come in—they provide a compact, cost-effective, and versatile cooling solution.
After testing the most popular portable air coolers in 2024, Chillwell stood out as our favorite for its superior performance, sleek design, and ease of use. Read on to see why it topped our list.
Setup
Our Chillwell Portable Cooler arrived within days of ordering—quick delivery is always a good start. The unboxing process was straightforward, and setting it up took less than five minutes. All we had to do was fill the water tank, plug it in, and press the power button.
1. Soak (& freeze) Cooling Cartridge
2. Insert the Cooling Cartridge into ChillWell
3. Fill the water tank, & turn the unit on
We tested the Chillwell Air Cooler in various conditions, from scorching afternoons to stuffy evenings, to evaluate its cooling capabilities. Here’s what we found:
Efficient Cooling – The Chillwell Portable AC uses advanced evaporative cooling technology to quickly lower the temperature in a small to medium-sized room. Testers noted a significant drop in temperature within minutes, providing fast relief from the heat
Energy Saving – Unlike traditional AC units that rack up high electricity bills, the Chillwell is energy-efficient, making it a budget-friendly option for everyday use.
Silent Operation – Even on its highest setting, the Chillwell Portable AC operated quietly, making it perfect for use during work, sleep, or relaxation.
Multiple Cooling Speeds – ChillWell 2.0 has 4 different cooling settings, ranging from low to “Turbo-Chill” for the especially hot days.
Works As A Humidifier – Not only will it cool you down, fast, but you can use ChillWell 2.0 to add much-needed moisture to the air in your room. It’s a great solution for dry air and stuffed sinuses.
Long-Lasting Operation – With one full water tank we were able to get a whole 8 hours of use out of the ChillWell device.
Portable Design – Despite being very powerful, ChillWell 2.0 is quiet light and easy to carry via the handle.
We put countless other portable ACs through the same tests, and while some were decent, ChillWell 2.0 really stood out from the rest. We were very impressed.
Glowing Customer Reviews
Another thing we loved about ChillWell is just how great their customer service is. You can reach them via email or phone if you need any help. We called anonymously multiple times and the average wait times were just 3 minutes.
ChillWell claims to take their customer satisfaction seriously and it certainly shows. Here are some reviews we found online:
I like that it cuts down on electric bills. Much more efficient since I live alone. The cooling cartridge is simply genius! I never even noticed that the air conditioner was drying out my skin until I started using this cooler!
Jack M. – Austin, TX
Loving it since the first day I use! I’ve been using my chillwell portable air cooler every day for the past 2 months, and it hasn’t let me down yet! Super cool, even in the hottest heat!
Janice L. – Miami, FL
Sure wish I’d gotten this sooner! First heard of the Chillwell from a friend and he said it’s much better than window-type ACs. Tried it myself, and wow! Really fast and extra cold. Would recommend.
Dennis O. – Sacramento, CA
So, What's The Verdict?
Everyone in our office who has tested the ChillWell 2.0 unanimously agrees; this is a must have product for anyone who wants to cool down their space fast at a fraction of the cost.
How To Get Your ChillWell 2.0
You can order your ChillWell 2.0 Air Chiller directly from their official website.
Click To Visit ChillWell’s Official Site >
If you’re still on the fence, ChillWell 2.0 has a 60 day money back guarantee (no questions asked) meaning that you could always buy one and return if if you don’t like it.
Frequently Asked Questions
With the rise in popularity, our readers have emailed us many questions about the ChillWell 2.0. Here are some of the most commonly asked ones:
No, it works directly out of the box and is really simple to use. You’ll start cooling down in under a minute.
Absolutely yes. The device is extremely quiet, it’s perfect for use in the bedroom.
Yes! It’s lightweight and easy to transport from room to room.
ChillWell ships from local US/CA warehouses in around 3-5 days.
How Can It Be So Affordable?
The big name brands spend billions on fancy advertising (e.g. $6.5 Million for a 30 sec SuperBowl Ad) and bonuses for their greedy CEOs. Guess who’s paying for that in the end? The customer!
Instead, ChillWell 2.0 doesn’t run many ads and instead relies on word of mouth referral sales from their customers. That and selling mostly through their online store allowed them to keep costs lower than the competition.
Purchase Process
To take advantage of the current 50% discount and order simply follow these steps:
1. Visit the official website to check stock
2. Select the amount of devices you want to purchase
3. Fill your shipping information and payment method
Meet Our HVAC Expert, Mike.
Mike Jones is an esteemed author and expert in the realms of cooling, heating, and home improvement. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Mike has honed his expertise through hands-on projects and extensive research. Graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he has since dedicated his career to revolutionizing the way we approach comfort and efficiency in our living spaces.
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