However, after three heatwaves, hosepipe bans and red-hot temperatures this year, we expect interest in the best portable air conditioners to soar next spring and summer. This new 14,000 BTU model is ideal for rooms between 25 and 35m² and features three fan speeds and a low temperature setting of 16ºC, which is the norm for the majority of portable air con units and indeed most cars.

A BTU is a unit for estimating thermal heat and it’s an important little acronym when it comes to selecting the right air conditioner for your abode. We tested it with the rear exhaust port positioned in front of a fireplace flue rather than a window, and it worked impeccably well. If you’re likely to use the air conditioning unit whilst you’re asleep, it’s worth looking for one with an operating noise level of 60db or under. While modern AC units no longer use ozone-damaging chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), they do sap a lot more power from the grid than a humble fan and that means slightly higher leccy bills and hence more pressure on the environment. This elegant Princess 353200 Smart Air Conditioner 12000 has a hidden display with touchscreen that is only visible when the device is in use.The cooling system also improves performance and moisture levels by vapourising cool water through its honeycomb filtration system. At roughly 17cm square, the Chillmax is perfect for sitting on a computer desktop or table where the user is more likely to feel the benefits of its air-cooling technology. It uses R290 refrigerating medium weighing 212 g, with a cooling capacity of up to 9000 BTU/h and an airflow of 280 m³/h at medium speed.

The purifier is also armed with a HEPA filter, which effortlessly works to capture and remove unwanted gases and pollutants from the air. Perfect for medium to large sized rooms or as personal cooler, it generates a steady stream of cold air through evaporation. But if you’re happy just having basic buttons, consider saving a few pounds on the slightly more powerful Black+Decker 7-litre Portable 2-in-1 Air Cooler, or something else from our list of the best fans. As an example, you might set this cooler to run from the late afternoon in your bedroom, so it’s more tolerable on a hot evening, or to pre-cool your lounge as you travel back from a day out. In fact, the app is especially useful because you can cool down a room from the comfort of the car so it’s at a comfortable temperature by the time you get home.

The Apollo is one of the most attractive unit on this page though at 82cm tall and 39cm wide it’s a big old beast with quite a large footprint.

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Unless you’re a heavy sleeper and someone who can nod off in a hurricane, we would advise switching it on an hour or two before going to bed and keeping the door closed for maximum cooling potential. This is a very powerful air conditioner, and if you leave it on for long enough it can make even large rooms feel very cold – but the heat hose can get awfully warm, so you want to make sure it's going out of the window so it doesn't undo the Chillflex's hard work.A good air conditioning system in the heat is much like a big puffer jacket in the winter - essential. If you want a good night’s sleep with a portable air con in the room then you’re advised to turn it on a couple of hours before bedtime and keep the door closed. It’s also a great option for the bedside table since it’s really quiet and comes with a built-in night light.

Hence, you will need to port the heated air generated by the AC out of the home using the supplied concertina hose. The good news is that retailers seem to have realised that demand for portable air con is rising and are responding with more supply and more choice. This way you can control this Princess air conditioner from anywhere within your living area and when you are not at home. Two airflow settings allow you to choose what's best for you at the time, and you can control it all from the comfort of your seat with a remote control.Now it must be said that portable air conditioners aren’t the most attractive of household appliances – in fact most of them are damn ugly.