7 portable air conditioners and coolers to help beat the heat this summer

With a 2.6kW cooling capacity, there’s no doubt this portable AC from DeLonghi will keep you cool on even the hottest summer nights.

Key features:

• Three speed functions
• Dehumidifying function (50L per 24 hours)
• 24 hour electronic timer and thermostat
• Window kit included

Also available at:

• $829 from The Good Guys

This clever Kogan portable air conditioner connects to your smartphone, Google Home or Amazon Alexa, so that you can control the temperature with your voice or the touch of a finger.

“Apart from being slightly noisy the portable air conditioner cools my bedroom wonderfully,” said a reviewer. “The delivery was really quick and the installation was quick and easy using the instructions, I would recommend this product.”

Key features:

• Dehumidifying capacity (28L per 24 hours)
• Ideal for rooms up to 20sqm
• Cooling temperatures 16-30° Celsius
• Three modes – air conditioner, fan and dehumidifier 
• Control via the remote, control panel or the free Kogan SmarterHome app
• Compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa
• One-year warranty

Your air will be chilled in no time with Rinnai’s portable air con. It has a bunch of great features, including an in-built timer, various operating modes, a washable filter, a convenient water alarm, and you don’t even have to empty the water tray because it eliminates condensation through the exhaust duct.

Key features:

• 4.1kW cooling capacity
• Adjustable temperature control
• Multiple speed fan
• Washable filter
• Sleep mode
• Inbuilt timer
• Two-year warranty

Also available at:

• $869.98 from Big W

With three fan settings to choose from, a timer and a nine-litre tank capacity, this evaporative cooler is a great way to keep cool whenever and wherever you want.

“This product is fantastic,” said a reviewer. “We use it in our large bedroom and lounge room when the days are 35-40. It has a remote control which is super convenient and 3 settings to play with. We brought some extra ice blocks from Woolworths to rotate them only [on] the really hot days. If you’re expecting this to cool your whole home you have to be realistic but its a fantastic addition.”

Key features:

• 9L water tank capacity
• Three speeds
• 15-hour timer
• Remote control
• Easy to move from room to room
• Eco-friendly

With almost 2000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this evaporative cooler is perfect for popping on your desk when the office temperature just won’t cooperate. You can even use it to cool a small bedroom or space.

“I thought this might have been another one of my failed purchases but it does exactly what it says,” wrote a reviewer who left five stars. “It can cool a small room – even my study that gets the afternoon Australia Summer sun was noticeably improved.”

Key features:

• Three-in-one cooling
• Reduces outgoing temperature by up to 14° Celsius
• All natural from basalt fibres
• Energy-efficient and cost-saving
• Powered by patented evaBREEZE technology
• One-year warranty

Enjoy the perfect temperature in your home with this small air conditioner, which effortlessly connects to Amazon Alexa and Google Home through an app. It also features a built-in fan and dehumidifier with adjustable temperatures from 16°C to 31°C.

“I bought it about a month ago and it simply met all the needs,” said a reviewer. “Easy to assemble and move through the environments. All functions work perfectly. I highly recommend it.”

Key features:

• Cooling temperature of 16-31° Celsius
• Wifi enabled
• Three speed settings
• Timer
• Sleep mode
• Digital display
• Self evaporative
• One-year warranty

Also available at:

• $529 from Kogan

This unit is solid proof that good things can come in small packages. It’s lightweight, easy to transport and works extremely hard to keep your space nice and cool on those stinking hot days.

“Solid, somewhat lightweight unit that can deliver a powerful cold air current (in addition to dry and fan modes), perfect for cooling down a small bedroom. Has a light-off feature that helps when sleeping.”

Key features:

• Quiet operation
• Application Area: 18m²
• Operating Temperature Range: 17–35°C
• Water level sensor
• Dehumidifying function
• Multi-directional caster wheels