Are you seeking the best portable air conditioner for your garage? Do you spend enough time in your garage and feel brutally hot?
So, you need a cooling gadget that helps you ventilation and offers the dehumidifying feature. You need a portable air conditioner with a smart assistant feature and even heating modes in winter.
When buying a portable air conditioner for your garage, you need to check out the British thermal units (BTU), which helps you identify the power of your air conditioner.
The higher the BTU count, the better your air conditioner is for your entire space. Conversely, if the air conditioner does not have enough BTU, it won’t offer enough cooling efficiency.
So, choose wisely. To help you get sorted, we have reviewed the best air conditioners for your garage.
Table of Contents
Best Portable Air Conditioners For Garage Reviewed
1. Best Overall: hOmeLabs Portable Air Conditioner
Are you planning to buy an air conditioner for your garage? Experience a relaxing cool day in your garage with the Homelabs portable air conditioner.
You will love this air conditioner because it works perfectly and quietly. In addition, it covers an entire area of around 300- 450 square feet and window coverage.
The best part about this air conditioner is that it comes with an automatic vertical swing function which helps in even distribution of airflow all over the room.
If you are wondering about the measurements of this portable AC, then it comes with 17.9x15x30.7 inches. Moreover, it comes with wheels that allow the users to move this air conditioner from one room to another with an accessible window.
You need to attach its hose connecting with the windows slide adaptor. Next, plug in your power supply, and you are ready to use this air conditioner.
The installation process of the air conditioner is straightforward, and it just takes around 6 to 8 minutes. Once the summer season is over, you can unplug the unit and easily unhook your unit.
Next, put it in the closet, garage, or basement to keep it safe and sound for the following summer.
Enjoy clean air with this portable air conditioner that features a washable filter. This filter comes with an indicator light that illuminates, reminding you about the air filter cleaning.
Air conditioner filters need cleaning after almost every 2 weeks. This unit also features a remote control that immediately sets the desired temperature, changes the cooling and fan speed modes, and activates the eco-friendly feature designed in this air conditioner.
Pros
- Features automatic swing function
- It comes with wheels for moving around
- It comes with easy installation
- Quiet and efficient
- It covers an area of around 300-450 square feet
Cons
- It needs to be attached near the window
Summary:
Overall, it’s an easy-to-use and easy install of an air conditioner that can cool around 300-450 square feet.
2. Runner-Up: Vremi 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Next in our list of best portable air conditioners for the garage includes the Vremi12,000 BTU portable air conditioner.
Cooling your garage is a daunting task, but not with this portable air conditioner. You will love this air conditioner because it efficiently cools a room of around 350 square feet.
The built-in wheels in the air conditioner make it a practical choice for the buyers allowing them to move it from one place to another without lifting it based on their needs.
The best part about this air conditioner is its modern design with refined elegance, making an excellent addition in your garage or any other room where you wish to place it.
Another good feature of the air conditioner is its various operating modes allowing you to meet the preference. Moreover, it features a remote control that offers extra convenience to the users.
To get rid of dust and dirt from the filter, you can clean it by removing it and washing it in your basin underneath the faucet.
For this air conditioner, it is recommended to perform weekly cleaning of the filter to enhance the air conditioner’s lifetime and its performance. In this air conditioner, you get a fan, dry, calm, and sleep mode, plus you can also set a 24-hour timer.
Pros
- Great functionality and controls
- Great convenience
- Easy to install
- Incredible design
Cons
- Noise level not that great
Summary:
This AC will get different modes, filters, and fan settings. It also comes with a one-year warranty for the users allowing you to be 100% satisfied.
3. Eco-Friendly: Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
Whynter 14000 BTUs dual hose portable conditioner for garage comes with an eco-friendly design. It is very gentle for the environment and is budget-friendly.
You will love this air conditioner because it comes with quiet operation and efficient cooling power, making it an extraordinary choice for the users.
The best part about this air conditioner is that it covers around 500 square feet of the area, making it comfortable for the entire year.
It comes with cooling and heating modes which means you can enjoy it in both summers and winters. This model came with two filters, including the pre-filter and activated carbon filter, to eliminate all the particles, dust, and odors.
This dual hose air conditioner features an air intake and air exhaust hoses. The air intake hose extracts all the air inside to cool it using the compressor plus the condenser coil. This results in hot air generated from the air conditioner through the exhaust hose.
This air conditioner comes with an eco-conscious construction that has a minimal impact on the environment. The ecological cooling of the air conditioner uses CFC-free refrigerant and lead-free RoHS compliant parts.
Next, this air conditioner comes with the latest auto drain technology, using recycled moisture to enhance the entire cooling process.
The auto drain feature in the air conditioner automatically exhausts the condensate for most environments. Cool the entire space immediately with reduced energy consumption using this air conditioner, making it a great choice.
The air conditioner has multiple operating modes, including cool, dehumidifier, fan, and heat. The cool mode is compelling and entirely cools the space.
The dehumidifier mode dehumidifies completely and removes excess water from the space. In the fan mode, it circulates airflow using three different fan speeds, including low, medium, or high.
You can enjoy around 13000 BTUs heat during each hour in the heat mode.
Pros
- It comes with a remote control
- Highly portable
- It comes with an auto shut-off feature
- It comes with a programmable timer
- Features auto drain technology
Cons
- Dual hoses might seem a hassle at times of installation
- Heavy in terms of weight
Summary:
It is one of the portable air conditioners which is eco-friendly. It is self-evaporative and has an efficient cooling capacity—the heating capacity for areas measuring around 500 square feet.
4. Best For Smaller Garages: Frigidaire 8,000 BTU Portable AC
Frigidaire is a portable air conditioner that comes with 8000 BTUs. It is a perfect choice for offices, bedrooms and so on. So, get your hands on this versatile air conditioner, a perfect solution for cooling the entire area.
What you’ll love about the air conditioner is that it’s user-friendly. You can easily use a Programmable timer according to your customized schedules with operating modes in this air conditioner.
The best part about the air conditioner is you can cool the entire room measuring around 350 square feet. It works in various operating modes in almost all seasons. This air conditioner comes with auto, cool, dry, and fan modes.
This air conditioner comes with an installation kit allowing you to easily and quickly manage. You can fit it into windows measuring around 26.6x 52.5 inches in width. It works well for horizontal, vertical, and double-hung windows.
This air conditioner features a touch control panel with remote control, allowing you to access it according to your preference.
Moreover, it comes with a 24-hour timer. So, you can automatically turn it on and off according to your preference.
Enjoy using this easy-to-move air conditioner with an auto-restart feature during a power outage. You can easily conserve energy with the sleep mode that can be turned on during sleep.
This air conditioner comes with filters that can be easily removed and washed to maintain them in high quality.
Pros
- Versatile performance
- Easy installation
- Easy to move around
- It comes with an auto-restart feature
- Features sleep mode
- It comes with a touch control
Cons
- It does not support Wi-Fi
Summary:
Overall, you can easily utilize this air conditioner for the garage, bedroom, offices making your summers comfortable and relaxed. Enjoy the easy installation process with an air conditioner.
5. Best Mini-Split Garage AC: Senville SENL-24CD Air Conditioner
Senville Leto 24000 BTU air conditioner makes your life easy working as a perfect heating and cooling solution for your home, basement, or office.
If you wonder about a comfortable solution that efficiently cools the environment, dehumidifies the air, and offers the perfect heating solution, then this is one.
It’s easy to use and is highly powerful, making the entire environment comfortable for the users.
That’s not all!
It also comes with a touch and remote control, allowing you to easily set the timer and the temperature according to your needs. The best part about the air conditioner is that it comes with an efficient inverter cooling technology.
The compressor used in the air conditioner graduates speeds to utilize less energy when the air conditioner is turned on and off.
The energy rating for the air conditioner is 17 for the seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. However, it’s 8.8 for the heating seasonal performance factor, which means it’s a perfect energy saver for users.
With this air conditioner, you get Eco mode which reduces the energy consumption to set the temperature to the optimal, efficient settings.
The best part about this air conditioner is you can utilize it for the entire year making your summers and winters comfortable.
The heat pump built into the air conditioner offers more heat to the users. The dry mode helps remove extra moisture from this place.
The additional features in the air conditioner include insulation materials, sleep function, automatic mode, a Turbo setting, multiple fans with the auto-restart feature, and angled airflow.
Pros
- It comes in various sizes
- It covers an area of around 800 square feet
- Feature air conditioner combined with heat pump
- It is the quietest system
Cons
- You might find difficulty in installation
Summary:
Get your hands on the air conditioner because it comes with a user-friendly operation making it easy for you to utilize it. You just need to press the button and choose the operating modes, fan speed, airflow direction according to your choice.
6. Best Window AC for Garage: Frigidaire 12,000 BTU Window AC
Using the energy-star certified Frigidaire 12000 BTUs portable air conditioner, prepare to beat the summer heat. This window-mounted air conditioner is perfect for cooling down an area measuring around 550 square ft.
This air conditioner comes with a Programmable timer and a sleep mode setting to cool the entire area.
You will love this window-mounted conditioner because it works with the energy-saving feature, plus it comes with various fan speeds. You can enjoy an easy-to-read display and multiple other features incorporated into this air conditioner.
The Programmable features kick the compressor off when you don’t need cooling and start on when you want to cool the room.
It comes with an auto fan and auto cool mode. This portable air conditioner comes with 4 different modes: sleep mode, cool mode, fan only, and dry mode.
No more investing extra money in your bills as this conditioner is energy star certified. In addition, this air conditioner comes with easy and fast installation.
The additional features included in the portable air conditioner have a remote control to select fan speed and room temperature.
It also comes with a remote-control sensor function that accurately sensors your space temperature.
This air conditioner also comes with an adjustable design and a Programmable timer allowing you to set it as per your preference.
If you wonder whether you can wash this air filter, you can easily wash it, plus they are antibacterial. It comes with the filter indicator, which turns on at times of cleaning required.
Pros
- It is energy-star certified
- Highly efficient in terms of energy
- Comes with additional features like remote control, timer
- Comes with a one-year warranty
Cons
- With extra usage, you might find its fan loose
Summary:
Enjoy a cooling area of around 550 square feet with energy-efficient cooling by this air conditioner.
7. Best Evaporative Cooler for Garage: Hessaire MC37M Evaporative Cooler
Hessaire MC37M portable air conditioner is another adaptive and versatile solution to your cooling needs. It is perfect for all environments.
It comes with evaporative fans, perfect for cooling the air in areas with low dry humidity. The evaporative fans designed and included in this air conditioner are meant to pull all the dry, hot air using the water-soaked filter, reducing the ambient temperature.
Moreover, it is highly portable. It comes with 4 heavy-duty lock casters perfect for cooling the entire patio, garage, home, or workshop space measuring around 950 square feet.
However, this air conditioner is compact, but it is extremely powerful, covering an entire area of around a hundred cubic feet each minute. In addition, the three different fan speeds in the air conditioner evenly distribute the air.
The best part about this air conditioner is that it’s easy to maintain, and you can efficiently operate it. It comes with three simple control systems to set the fan at different speeds, including off, high, medium, or low.
You can also switch on and off the pump and an oscillation motor as per your needs. With this air conditioner, you can use the continuous fill option by attachment with the household combined with a float adaptor. There is no need to wash and fill its water tank manually.
Pros
- Comes with highly dense cooling pads
- Features quick, easy installation
- Three different fan speeds
- Economical
Cons
- Loud than other units
Summary:
Overall, it’s an economical cooling solution that is supercharged. It comes with three-sided high-density rigid cooling pads to enhance the evaporator surface.
Portable Air Conditioner For Garage Buying Guide
What Type Of Air Conditioner Is Best For a Garage?
Mini-split AC units are the best choice because they don’t come with any ducts and deliver around 30,000 BTU S cooling efficiency covering the entire area.
Apart from Mini-split AC units, you can choose a portable air conditioner. They are the best choices. You can move them around in the entire space to enjoy the cooling efficacy.
How to Increase Garage Air Conditioner Efficiency?
The efficiency of air conditioners for the garage can be increased by following the simple measures as listed below:
Make your garage comfortable and cool with the following options. You can insulate or seal the large gaps according to the living space measures given by the energy star government.
For seal use vapor barrier or the weather-resistant barriers which serve as the weather insulation majorly covering the doors and windows. Sealing and insulation of gaps will save you money, making air conditioners an energy-efficient choice for your space. Adding insulation serves as the perfect return on investment over the air conditioners.
Another important thing to increase the efficacy of air conditioners in the garage is to invest in an efficient, powerful, oversize air conditioner. Still, it effectively covers the entire square footage of your garage.
Next, you can get rid of all the hot air if the garage is shut for the entire day or a few months. Then, we just need to get rid of all the warm air and raise your garage door so that the hot air blows out of the windows and fresh air moves in.
Garage Ac BTU Calculator:
Square Feet | Garage Size | BTUs Recommended |
150 – 250 | 1 Car | 8,000 |
250 – 350 | 1.5 Cars | 10,000 |
350 – 450 | 2 Cars | 12,000 |
450 – 550 | 2 or 2.5 Cars | 14,000 |
550 – 650 | 3 Cars | 16,000 |
650 – 750 | 3 or 3.5 Cars | 18,000 |
750- 900 | 3.5 or 4 Cars | 20,000 |
Features to Look for in a Portable Garage Air Conditioner
Size (Cooling Capacity)
Size is an important factor that you should consider while buying a portable air conditioner. They offer multiple BTU ratings and DOE standards, which are difficult for buyers to understand.
When buying a portable air conditioner, the easiest option to consider is to check the capacity to cool the entire room size.
If you buy a small air conditioner, it won’t meet your cooling needs. However, the large air conditioner might cool down the space excessively, resulting in dry air and muggy space.
Dive in to look at which size of a portable air conditioner is appropriate for which space accordingly.
For a small space measuring around 350 square feet, you can opt for the air conditioners, which quickly cool down the area like one car garage, bedroom, or small offices.
You can choose the air conditioner to cool around 350-700 square feet for medium-sized areas. This air conditioner is perfect for cooling workshops, offices, or living rooms.
If you consider buying air conditioners for large spaces, buy the commercial-grade portable air conditioner, perfect for cooling manufacturing facilities, outdoor events, or large service homes.
You can also increase the power and size of your portable AC if you have enough windows or you reside in a humid, warm state.
You also need to consider the size if you have a less insulated space like a workshop garage or if your room comes with high ceilings.
Noise Levels
The noise level of a portable air conditioner is essential to consider because they come with compressor systems and motorized fans which circulate air around you.
Most buyers are concerned about the background noise when buying the appliances. If you are worried about the room’s noise, purchase portable air conditioners that feature minimal sound.
Choose the air conditioners which come with sleep mode, a programmable timer, plus multiple speed options. When buying the portable air conditioner, check out the decibel rating with the system to compare it with other appliances.
Other factors can affect the sound level around you, like the positioning of your air conditioner, carpeting, type of furniture used, and fan speed.
Portability
Portability is also an important factor when buying air conditioners. You won’t be using these air conditioners only for the garage, so invest in the air conditioner that you can easily move from one room to another.
When buying the air conditioners, invest in those that come with wheels and locking casters, allowing you to move them from one place to another.
Energy Usage
Usage of your air conditioner depends on your use of the air conditioner. Energy Star certified air conditioners are best when buying portable air conditioners.
They are energy efficient and don’t cost you much when paying your bills. In addition, they come with a Programmable timer that automatically switches on and off when your desired temperature is reached.
Maintenance Required
Maintaining the portable air conditioners should be effortless. Most systems come with the formula of just setting it and forgetting it. You don’t need to keep it regularly like normal air conditioners.
However, if you want to make the most out of your air conditioners, you should generally maintain them to enjoy a longer lifespan. To maintain the air conditioners, you can clean the air filters once every summer.
Make sure that you installed it correctly to enjoy maximum efficiency. Drain the portable air conditioner before storing it before its next use. Make sure to check the warranty of different parts of your air conditioner.
FAQs
Can I use a portable air conditioner in my garage?
Yes, you can use a portable air conditioner in your garage. You need to properly maintain the ventilation and have enough windows to eliminate all the hot air from inside to outside.
How many BTU air conditioners do I need for my garage?
As a rule of thumb, it’s advised to get 20 BTUs for each square foot area when sizing the air conditioners for your garage. Moreover, check the chart mentioned above.
How can I cool my garage cheaply?
You can easily cool your garage cheaply by having fans in your garage, using the humidifiers, closing the doors during hot weather, avoiding parking the hot car within your garage, and removing all clutter.
Will 8000 BTU cool a garage?
Yes, 8000 BTU air conditioner will cool a garage if your garage comes with a 1 car capacity.
Conclusion
Get your hands on the portable air conditioner now offering a supplemental cooling solution to make your garage bearable in exhausting summers. No need for permanent installation with portable air conditioners.
You just need a window to offer ventilation with the portable AC. Check the maximum cooling capacity, the venting configuration, additional features such as operating modes, operation through remote control, air filters, a programmable timer, and the energy-efficient feature.
So, what are you waiting for? Buy the best portable air conditioner for your garage and beat the heat.