Should You Buy a Portable AC?
Portable air conditioners are the only cooling option for renters who cant install split systems. Theyre also useful for homeowners who need cooling in rooms without existing AC (home offices, garages, granny flats). However, theyre significantly less efficient than split systems and noisier — they should be a last resort, not a first choice.
Honest truth: Portable ACs are expensive to run (2-3x the electricity cost of a split system for the same cooling), noisy (50-65dB — noticeable in a quiet room), and less effective. A $500-800 portable AC cools a small room adequately but wont cool an open-plan living area. If you own your home or have a cooperative landlord, a split system ($1,500-3,000 installed) is a far better investment. Portable ACs make sense only when installation isnt possible.
Top Picks
| Model | Price | Cooling (kW) | Room Size | Noise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeLonghi PACAN140HPEWS | $1,099 | 4.0 kW | Up to 45m² | 52 dB |
| Dimplex DCPAC14C | $799 | 4.0 kW | Up to 40m² | 55 dB |
| Midea MPPD14HRN | $649 | 3.5 kW | Up to 35m² | 56 dB |
| Kogan 3.5kW | $449 | 3.5 kW | Up to 30m² | 58 dB |
Running Costs
A 3.5kW portable AC running 8 hours per day costs approximately $4.20-5.60 per day in electricity (at 30c/kWh). Over a 90-day summer season: $380-500 in electricity alone. Compare this to a split system of similar cooling capacity: $1.40-2.10 per day, or $130-190 per season. The portable AC costs 2.5-3x more to run.
Over 3 summers, a portable AC costs $1,150-1,500 in electricity + $450-800 purchase = $1,600-2,300 total. A split system costs $400-570 in electricity + $1,500-2,500 installation = $1,900-3,070 total. After 3-4 years, the split system is cheaper to own. If you plan to stay in your home 3+ years and can install a split system, do it.
Tips for Maximum Effectiveness
- Seal the exhaust hose window gap properly — the included window kit is critical. Hot air leaking back in defeats the purpose.
- Close the room door — portable ACs work best in enclosed spaces. Cooling an open-plan area is largely futile.
- Pre-cool the room before the hottest part of the day. Running the AC from 10am is more effective than starting at 2pm when the room is already 35°C.
- Place the AC as close to the window as possible to minimise exhaust hose length (shorter hose = less heat re-radiation).
- Empty the condensation tank regularly (or connect the continuous drainage hose to a bucket).
- Clean the filter fortnightly during heavy use — a dirty filter reduces cooling by 20-30%.
Bottom Line: If you can install a split system, do that instead. If you cant (renting, body corporate restrictions), the DeLonghi PACAN140HPEWS ($1,099) is the best portable option — quietest, most efficient, and includes heating for winter. For budget: the Kogan ($449) does the job in a small bedroom but expect more noise and higher running costs.