5 Best Mini Air conditioners Reviews and Buying Guide
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A mini air conditioner is a cooling system with ergonomic features and compact size. The cooling system is specially designed for small rooms. Despite their small size, they work as well as bigger air conditioners. Also called portable air conditioners, mini systems are quite affordable, and new models consume less energy than older models. They have become the ideal cooling system of the decade because they are energy-efficient, space-friendly and quite affordable.
Below, we review some of the best portable air conditioners Monty can buy, so please do well to browse our list, and we are sure you will definitely find a brand you can afford that will offer you maximum interior cooling.
Best Mini Air Conditioner for tight spaces: Ontel Arctic Evaporative Personal Air Cooler
Best Affordable Mini Air Conditioner: Black + Decker BPT05WTBA Portable Air Conditioner
Best High Power Mini Air Conditioner: SereneLife Compact Air Conditioner
Best Mini Air Conditioner for Windows: Midea 5,000 EasyCool Window Air Conditioner
Air conditioners are meant for conventional rooms and not places like arctics and basements. But what if you could find an air conditioner that’s so small it could fit into an arctic? Wouldn’t you go for it? That’s exactly what Ontel can give you.
This cooling system provides chilling temperatures that cover your entire room with no hot spot left out. Amazingly, for a device so small, it has a 4-speed air vent which is quite impressive. Ontel is so small that one would mistake it for something else, not an air conditioner, but it is really a cooling system. Its portable size makes it ideal for tight spaces and small rooms. Ontel will turn hot air into cold air in a matter of minutes and sustain the temperature for as long as it remains on. As long as the water tank contains water and there is a power supply, nothing can stop it.
Ontel is suitable for dorm rooms, campers, RVs, work offices, and small homes. Its sleek and compact design makes it a convenient cooling system to have around. It is lightweight and extra quiet when it is working. The hydro chill technology sucks in the hot air in the room through the filter and converts it into cold air before pushing it out. You will also be pleased to note that it is easy to set up by just following the installation set-up in the user manual.
Pros
Ontel is user-friendly because it is compact, ergonomic, and lightweight. It is very easy to use and will fit even rooms with extremely tight spaces.
Cons
This air conditioner is not ideal for average or large-sized rooms.
Black + Decker is a household name as far as home appliances are concerned, and the portable air conditioner of theirs is one of the best in the market. If you are looking for a mini air conditioner that represents value for money, Black + Decker is one system to go for. This air conditioner is ideal for a small room as it provides cooling coverage of 150sq feet. It cools and dehumidifies the room before circulating the cold air. No matter how not the summer temperature may be, when Black + Decker kicks into gear, heat varnishes.
It has a special remote control for regulating output, and its 5000 BTU system is excellent for small spaces. The LED controls blast a bold display so you can track temperature release at all times. Furthermore, when it is working, it makes very little noise, so your sleep will not be disrupted if you choose to install it in your bedroom.
This mini air conditioner is also quite flexible since you can install it in any place you choose. You may decide to install it in a freestanding position or on your windows. For freestanding installation, you just have to make sure that the floor is firm to reduce noise and vibration. Lastly, it has three modes which are cooling, dehumidifying and fan modes, so you get the best of all three in this single system. Even the follow me function that allows you to regulate the temperature to fit your meds is another function you will enjoy with this system.
Pros
Black + Decker is a fantastic home and office cooling system per excellence. It has a powerful thermostat for optimal cooling and is space-friendly. The remote control also allows you to regulate output effortlessly.
Cons
Black + Decker has a strong vibration when working, which some may find discomforting. Also, the compressor is delayed for three minutes before it starts working.
Nothing beats the power of this 8,000 BTU compact cooling system by SereneLife. For something so small to pack an engine so powerful is amazing. SereneLife SLPAC8 has a built-in dehumidifier and fan cooling modes that will bring you temperature respite during the hot summer months. It also has a quiet operation that makes very little noise; you will not even know it is working. Also included in the package is a Window Mount for securing the system on window frames.
SereneLife is portable and very lightweight. Its sleek body design makes it a good option for those who like to move their air conditioners from one room to the next. It also has rolling wheels for easy mobility, which is another huge plus. SereneLife has three operation modes, namely dehumidifier, cooling and fan modes. There is also a unique auto swing feature that moves air from one direction to the next for optimal circulation.
SereneLife is very easy to operate. There is a remote control that has a digital touchpad that you can use to regulate the fan speed, temperature, power, and timer modes. As for the BTU cooling power, you have nothing to worry about because it is engineered to provide constant and steady cooling for as long as it remains operational. The 900W rated power can provide cold air to cover up to 215 square feet of space.
Pros
SereneLife is safe saving mini air conditioner and quite affordable. Its three power modes allow you to switch from one output to another. It is also easy to move around with its rolling wheels, and you can track temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Cons
It is a little noisy when operational. Also, it is not as energy efficient as others on this list.
Midea 5000 EasyCool Window Air conditioner is the last brand we want to review. This mini air conditioner is designed for windows, but it is very small and compact. For those with small windows, this is an ideal cooling system for tight spaces. Midea can offer a cooling coverage of not more than 150 square feet. So if you have a much larger room, you should consider something else.
Midea has 5,000 BTU and works with a reusable filter. This filter is washable to remove dirt, and as long as it stays clean, you get to enjoy clean air. For offices, rooms or apartments, Midea provides maximum comfort. It has a 7-speed temperature setting which includes 2 cooling settings, 2 fan settings and 2-way air direction.
The package includes the installation kits to set it up, and you can continue to enjoy cool air all summer long.
Pros
Midea is energy efficient and ideal for windows. It has 7 temperature settings and is very easy to install.
Cons
This air conditioner is not ideal for freestanding positions and large rooms.
A mini air conditioner is a cooling unit that uses a special chemical coolant known as a refrigerant to cool the air. This coolant works In a simple fashion by converting vapor to liquid form and passing the liquid into a special evaporative coil to reduce the temperature. Mini air coolers make use of absorbent pads to then transfer the cold air into the atmosphere.
A called a portable air conditioner, they have become very popular in recent times because of how light and compact they are. You can fit one into a tight room, and it will not take up too much space. Another good news about them is that they work as well as any other type of air conditioner, but not as big. Furthermore, mini air conditioners can be moved around because they have a wheel. You can just wheel them around rather than drag or carry them.
Considered to be one of the best cooling systems in the market today, a mini air conditioner will make life very comfortable in the summer or dry season when humidity is at its highest. This unit is affordable and available in different specifications and at affordable prices.
A mini air conditioner is designed to reduce the temperature in a room. If the room is confined with the doors and windows closed, the cooling will be affected depending on the BTU capacity of the unit. The main design function of mini air conditioners is to draw the air in the room into its compartment. By extracting hot air and releasing cold air into the room, the temperature will begin to drop.
The basic components of a mini air conditioner are the compressor, condenser, and evaporative coil. The compressor is responsible for raising the chemical refrigerant for condensation. The condenser coil serves to cool down the hot refrigerant while the evaporative coil cools the air. The fan is the main catalyst that moves the air around.
When in operation, the fan pulls in hot air from the room into the unit. Then the coils inside the chamber cause the air to drop and also extract water through a process called condensation. This process is carried out by the condenser coil. Afterward, the air is transferred back to the room by the fan.
For this process to work, the refrigerant has to be active because this is the chemical that cools the air before it is released back into the room. The refrigerant simply absorbs the hot air, but not all of it is transformed and released. The remaining is released into the external atmosphere via an exhaust hose that is connected to the unit, and the other end is directed outside through a window.
This is why a mini air conditioner cannot function without an exhaust hose since this is the conduit it uses to release hot air or air waste, as some like to call it. A portable air conditioner not only removes hot air though; it can also remove excess moisture from the room through a process known as dehumidification. The best mini air conditioner is both a cooler and a dehumidifier.
Have you ever thought of buying a mini air conditioner? If you have, there is a lot to enjoy with this modern cooling device. Here are some of the benefits of using a mini air conditioner.
The first benefit of using this cooking unit is the low price. Cooking systems comes in different sizes and specifications, and they are quite expensive. If you cannot afford a central cooling unit or your house does not have a wide window to accommodate a window air conditioner, you can go for a mini air conditioner. Mini Air conditioners are affordable and offer the same value as bigger units, albeit on a smaller scale. It can cook a single room effectively as any other unit can.
Did you know that you don’t have to hire an expert to install it for you? This alone will save you a lot of money. It is simple to install by following the user manual. In a few steps, your mini air conditioner should be up and ready for action. They are sold with the installation kit, so you don’t have to spend extra money on a kit.
This type of cooling unit is installed in a free standing position, so it is very compact. You don’t have to make room for it by moving other items out of the way since it only takes up very little space in the room. For those with small windows and little ground floor, this is one unit you want to have around you. As a result of their caster wheels, they can be moved around. As long as the room has access to a window or even a sidings door for the exhaust hose, you have nothing to worry about.
Just like your ceiling or standing fan, a mini air conditioner never goes out of action unless it is faulty; and that rarely happens because it is durable. It will serve you consistently regardless of the weather. This is because it is both a cooler and a warmer. The best mini air conditioner will provide cool air when the weather is hot, but during the cold season, it will warm the room if you change the setting.
The functions of this unit is another thing to be thrilled about. Most of them have heat mode for winter and cold seasons. No matter how cold the world gets, you can always retreat to the safe haven of your home to enjoy the warmth. If the weather is hot with rising temperatures during summer, the unit is always on standby to cool the room.
You can also activate the fan-only function if you just want air to circulate in your space. And there is also the dehumidifier function to remove excess moisture from your room. All these functions make this device a valuable one.
Now that you know what a mini air conditioner is and how it works, wouldn’t you want to know how to pick the right one for your home? With so many brands selling numerous units at different prices, finding one that will suit your requirement is not as easy as it should be. It is true that an abundance of options is a good thing for you as a buyer, but making a choice becomes a tricky affair.
To help you out, we make a review of the essential attributes and functions to look for. Here they are.
The capacity is the mini air conditioner will determine just how well the unit will work. In case you didn’t know, mini air conditioners are rated in BTU, which stands for British Thermal Units. This rating basically shows how much cooling power the air conditioner can offer. Units with higher BTUs will provide more cooling than units with lower BTUs. When deciding on the perfect rating to go for, you need to do your due diligence, so you don’t buy a unit that is too big for your room, so you don’t waste your money and energy bills. Subsequently, you don’t also want to buy a unit that is too small for the room either.
In rooms of 200 square feet or less, a unit with 5000-8000 BTU will suffice. 300 square feet BTU will do for a 300 square feet room. If your room is 400 square feet, you just might want to go for a 12000 BTU unit, but for rooms with 500 square feet and above, you will need a 14000 BTU unit and above.
Another thing you should consider is the size of the unit. Mini air conditioners are known to be very small and compact, but you still want to be sure that the available space you have prepared for it is enough. The best place to install it is close to a window so you can easily pass the exhaust hose through. You also want to ensure that the plug is long enough to connect to the outlet nearby. Lastly, mini air conditioners should not the kept in a tight spot where they will have little to no access to air. This is why it is important to get the sizing right before you bring one into your home.
Remember that you will always need to maintain it regularly, so it does not break down, but how much maintenance does it require? While most mini air conditioners only require regular draining of the excess water and a filter wash, some may require more than that. If you buy a complicated unit, you may need to hire an expert to maintain it regularly, and this will cost you money. This is something you want to avoid, so we advise you to go for an evaporative version or q version that doesn’t required expert maintenance services that will cost you more money.
Conventional Mini air conditioners make far less noise than standard units, but we do know that some brands make more noise than others. If your peace matters to you and you hate the humming sound of standard units, you should review the noise level of any unit you are planning to buy. Noise is rated in decibel terms, and the higher this rating, the more noise the unit will make when it is working.
We recommend that you look for a unit with whisper technology or one that is lower than 59dB. If it has a Sleep mode function, the better as that will mean that the noise will reduce even more when it is activated.
We can’t talk about a mini air conditioner without talking about energy efficiency. The standard energy rating of the best mini air conditioner is either in energy efficiency ratio or energy star. Also known as EER, the energy efficiency ratio indicates how many BTU is used for cooling for each watt. Air conditioners with more BTU consume more power than units with less.
While this alone cannot be used to make a purchase decision, you should factor in how many BTUs your room requires so you don’t go for a high one that will consume so much power but offer you excess cooling that you don’t need.
Secondly, you need to consider the energy star rating. We always advise buyers to buy home appliances with an energy star rating because they are energy efficient. The average AC with energy star certification will consume 10% less power than one without this technology. Some will even consume far less. This helps you save energy costs without limiting your use of your cooling unit.
The water tank should contain at least 300 milliliters of water and above. This is important if your unit uses water. The last thing you want is t unit with a small water tank that goes dry every few hours. The larger the eater tank, the better.
Last but not least is the fan speed. Some mini air conditioners have Two speeds, but we recommend one with at least three fan speeds. That is the Low, medium, and high speed. If the speed is adjustable, you can regulate how much air is released into your room at any given time. Any mini air conditioner that doesn’t offer you this flexibility is not good enough. If you are able to switch from one speed to another, you should be able to increase or decrease air output. For hot temperatures, you can switch to high mode. For normal temperatures, the medium version should be fine. But if the temperature is fine, but you still want the AC on, you can opt for low mode.
If you want to install your mini air conditioner, here are the things you should do.
Choose your preferred location: The crucial first step is to choose your preferred location for the unit. Ensure the spot is devoid of obstruction and will have access to the entire space. If it’s an indoor unit, ensure that it is installed at 6ft above the ground minimum.
Clear the area and stabilize the condenser unit: The next step is to remove anything that will affect the smooth functioning of the condenser. Things like cobwebs, dust, and the likes will affect the unit in the future so make sure you remove them before you proceed. Also, make sure that there is a support base for the condenser to rest on. It can be a plastic pad or a concrete pad; it does not matter. Placing it on a platform is better than placing it on the floor.
Install backplates: The next stage is to install backplates. Before you do that, though, you need to install mini splits into the wall. To install wall studs, tap the wall to identify a spot with a hollow sound. Mark the areas where the studs are for drilling and drill the spots. Once you reach a wooden spot, that means you have found the studs. Then proceed to drill in the backplates. Place of on the wall and drill it into the spot you picked them; check if it is lying horizontally. Ensure the plate is secure and can carry the weight of the unit.
Identify hole location: At this point, you need to decide on the hole location for the indoor and outdoor units. The user manual will have a wall template. This will specify the location. Just use your pencil to mark the spot according to your template.
Drill hole: Now use the drill to bore a hole into the spot you marked.
Insert the sleeve: With the hole already in place, insert the sleeves into the wall and see how far it goes. The ideal pattern is for the sleeve to be as close to the wall as possible.
Position the drainage pipe and refrigerant line: On the right side of your mini air conditioner are the refrigerant line and drainage pipe. Do well to bend the pipe to form an angle of 90 degrees at the back of the unit
Mount fixed the Mini air conditioner: Now, this is the most important task of them all. Mounting the unit. Make sure you use a stable and secure ladder to get it done. Lift the unit and pass the drainage pipe and lines through the sleeve, then secure it with the indoor handler. Once the unit is resting perfectly on the sleeve, you will hear a click sound which is enough confirmation of its secureness.
Apply neoprene to the sleeve: You will have to use neoprene to secure the drainpipe hose, refrigerant, and communication lines. After doing that, go outside and bend the lines and pipe by 90 degrees so fluid and pass through the wall downward. Also, add neoprene inside the wall sleeve for further reinforcement.
Connect the drain pipe and refrigerant lines: Attach the hose to the drain pipe. If your line set is precharged with refrigerant, you don’t have to do too much work. Simply uncoil the amount you need to connect the handler to the condenser. Unscrew the colored caps on the refrigerant lines close to that indoor handler and use two wrenches to install the line set of the refrigerant lines. Do the same thing with the lines near the condenser.
Release refrigerant: With the refrigerant lines in place, you need to release the refrigerant. To do this, use a wrench to loosen the valve anti-clockwise until you reach the end to open it. Then use soapy water to check for leaks. If you see bubbles around the joint, then you know that the lines are not properly connected and should be properly fitted. If you don’t find leaks, it means the lines are properly secured. With no leaks noticed, replace the colored caps and seal the valves.
Soundproof connection: If you don’t soundproof your connections, the unit will make so much noise when it is working. For proper soundproofing, use vinyl tapes to wrap the lines. This will numb the sound.
Fix the electric connection: The last part is to fix the electric connection. We advise that you hire an expert to handle this part of the job for you.
To recharge your mini air conditioner, you first need to be sure that the compressor of the unit is functional. As it is working, regulate the thermostat to the lowest setting and wait for a minute or two. To start, connect the hose’s threaded end to the canister and gauge. Check the pressure indicator connected to the hose and recharge tank. If you see red, it means the system has major issues and needs an expert to fix them. If it shows green, it means the system has not charged properly. If it shows blue, it means the unit is properly charged, while yellow stands for too much charge.
For the green zone, you can turn on the canister for about 5 seconds and repeat the process every five minutes. Once the indicator turns blue, disconnect the hose canister from the unit, then shut it down.
If you want to choose the ideal Mini air conditioner for your room, you need to get your measurement right. This involves getting the BTU calculation right. After you are done with the BTU calculation, you should determine the size of your room. When choosing a mini-unit BTU, it is important to consider your room size.
For rooms with direct access to the sun, you need an extra 10% BTU size; for rooms with heavy sunshade, you need 10% less sun. Kitchens are significantly hotter, so you may need an extra 4000 BTUs, while rooms with a higher ceiling will need units with a 10% higher capacity.
To be on the safe side, we recommend seeking expert advice before you purchase a unit for your home or office.
The first thing you can do to make your mini split air conditioner efficient is to ensure that you pick the right model in the first place. If the unit is too small or not conducive for your space, there is nothing you can do to make it better. You should also ensure that you choose the perfect location for it. Don’t place it close to heat sources that will compromise its performance. Also, avoid areas with maximum sunlight. Any area with sunlight heating of 10-20 degrees is not good enough.
You also want to ensure that the area is properly ventilated at all times and especially when the unit is working. Consider cleaning the filters periodically.
Yes, mini air conditioners are worth it because they are Energy efficient. They provide maximum cooling without raising energy costs. Moreover, they are very easy to operate and have an extended lifespan. You can improve air and temperature quality in your interior spaces using mini air conditioners.
Portable air coolers can be moved with ease, and they cost less and consume less energy than portable air conditioners. Portable Air conditioners, on the other hand, are more effective because they provide better cooling, but they cost more. They also require installation, whereas portable air coolers do not.
A mini air conditioner holds several advantages over a window air conditioner. Mini units are easier to install, and they consume far less power than window units. So you get the same value for much less power. Secondly, they provide zone cooling, which a window unit is incapable of. The only downside to mini systems is that they are more expensive. However, you can use a single unit to cool multiple rooms.
A Mini air conditioner is not as powerful as a mini split unit. With a mini split unit, you can cook several rooms at once. Mini split units also do not have ducts that lead to energy loss. So in terms of power, efficiency, and service, a mini split air conditioner is better than a mini air conditioner, but they cost more. The only advantage that a mini air conditioner has over a split unit is the portability, and it does not require any special installation. So you can bring one into your home and use it immediately, whereas a split unit requires expert installation.
A Mini air conditioner can transform indoor living and make summer months pleasurable. All the brands we reviewed are some of the best money can buy. If you want the best high-watt system, we recommend SereneLife Compact Air conditioner. For extra tight spaces, Ontel Arctic is the one you should go for. Fitfirst leaves behind almost no waste since it doesn’t use filter, while Black + Decker represents affordability.
This post was last modified on June 28, 2023 4:25 pm