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The 4 Best Portable Air Conditioners Without A Hose

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To cool down your space easily, the best portable air conditioners without a hose are technically not air conditioners at all, since the hoses are necessary for getting rid of the heat and humidity pulled by an air conditioner. However, vent-free coolers — also known as swamp coolers or evaporative coolers — are an easy way to bring down the temps. But since these units use a fan along with water or ice to operate, they tend to work best in low humidity, so they’re best suited to those who live in drier climates.

What Criteria To Consider

When shopping for a cooler, be sure to note its tank size and how much water your cooler can hold. Having a larger tank will help it operate effectively for an extended period but will also take up a lot more space and be heavier to move.

You’ll also want to investigate how many square feet your cooler can handle, and if it’s best suited for spot cooling, small rooms, larger areas, or outside.

Some features for added convenience include remote controls and timers. When it comes to outdoor models, some even hook up a garden hose so you never have to worry about the tank going empty. So consider which ones make the biggest difference for you.

Shop The Best Portable Air Conditioners Without A Hose

In a hurry? These are the best portable air conditioners without a hose that you can snag on Amazon:

  1. The Best Personal Portable Cooler: Honeywell Fan & Humidifier With Detachable Tank
  2. The Best Evaporative Cooler For Smaller Rooms: Honeywell CL201AEW Indoor Evaporative Air Cooler
  3. The Best Unit For Large Rooms: VAGKRI Evaporative Cooler
  4. The Best Indoor & Outdoor Unit: HESSAIRE MC37M Oscillating Evaporative Cooler

These evaporative coolers will help keep you and home cool and comfortable from the heat while also keeping energy bills low whether you’re looking to cool the area around your desk or a whole home.

1

The Best Personal Portable Cooler

Perfect for small rooms or spot use, this air cooler reduces temperature through water evaporation and works for spaces up to 150 square feet. It has a 2.6-gallon water tank that detaches to make it simpler to clean and refill, and it also comes equipped with an easy-to-read display and remote. Wheels make transporting the unit super convenient, while the low water-alarm offers user-friendly flexibility every time you switch it on. The manufacturer notes that it works best for spaces with less than 50% humidity.

One reviewer wrote: "I don't have air conditioning so needed something to keep me cool during the heat. This unit has done a great job for the Living Room. My favorite feature is the alarm that tells me it needs more water.”

Water tank volume: 2.6 gallons | Cooling area: 150 square feet

Also available on: Home Depot, $260

2

The Best Evaporative Cooler For Smaller Rooms

Cool your bedroom, bathroom, or other small living spaces in minutes using this powerful evaporative air fan and humidifier from a tried-and-true brand. It is equipped with four adjustable fan speeds and can cool a room up to 280 square feet. With an ice tray and a 5.3-gallon water tank that's easy to detach for simple cleaning and refilling, this wheeled device additionally comes with a remote control, energy-saving timer, and low-water alarm. It doesn’t have a lot of reviews on Amazon yet, but the Honeywell brand is well-regarded in the category.

One reviewer wrote: “Life saver for one room when AC went out [...] Ran for 10 hours with our humidity before filling water, efficient for what was needed in a room.”

Water tank volume: 5.3 gallons | Cooling area: 280 square feet

Also available on: Walmart, $280, and Home Depot, $300

3

The Best Unit For Large Rooms

With three fan speeds and three cooling panels, this powerful air cooler unit can cover rooms measuring up to 700 square feet, and even comes with a remote so you can change the settings from anywhere. It has an 8-gallon tank and can also be connected to a hose for continuous use. It has locking wheels and handles for easily transporting it when needed, comes with two ice packs, and can hold ice cubes in its water tray. The air cooler can also be set on a timer ranging from 1 to 24 hours.

One reviewer wrote: “I have seen, used and worked on a wide variety of evap coolers, both fixed and portable. This little unit rings all the bells. First off the quality of the unit is impressive. The water runs up to a tray in the top that is perfect for easily adding ice. It even comes with freezer packs to put in. It has pads on three sides giving it an advantage over units with only one. The more wet surface area the cooler it’s going to be.”

Water tank volume: 8 gallons | Cooling area: 700 square feet

4

The Best Indoor & Outdoor Unit

Great for areas up 950 square feet, this indoor or outdoor air cooler can be used in medium to large rooms. It comes with a water hose connection that will allow for continuous use. It’s equipped with a large 10.3-gallon tank as well as has four fan-only settings and two evaporative settings so you can achieve a comfortable temperature in almost any room. It also has wheels for easy transport and an 8-hour timer.

One reviewer wrote: “Very satisfied. I live in the deep south where humidity is high. Even in this subtropical climate my cooler does the job. I can now sit on my screen porch comfortably and watch tv. Arrived promptly, at first, I could not find the wheels because I never read directions, then found them in the compartment underneath. Installed easily. So satisfied that my neighbor purchased one and my sister ordered one for her screen porch.”

Water tank volume: 10.3 gallons | Cooling area: 950 square feet

Also available on: Walmart, $391, and Kohl’s, $450

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