When you're shopping for the best cheap portable air conditioners under $200, it's important to keep your expectations in check. At this price point, you probably won't be able to snag a traditional portable unit (the kind that pulls air from the outside, cools it down, and disperses the now-chilled air into your space). Instead, you'll likely have to opt for an evaporative air conditioner fan, sometimes called a swamp cooler, which uses a water tank and moisture-soaked pads to cool the room.
On the bright side, evaporative fans simultaneously humidify the air while it cools, which can be great for your hair and skin. They're also usually small and don't need to be hooked up to a window with an exhaust kit, so they're much more portable than your average "portable" AC unit (which is called that because it has wheels and can technically be hooked up to another window, though not without hassle). That said, note that the smaller the evaporative unit, the smaller the water tank tends to be, and the more frequently it will need to be refilled.
If you're looking to save money and bring your source of cool air just about anywhere, these are the three best units on the market for less than $200 — plus a standard portable AC if you're willing to spend just a little bit more.
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