Do Window or Portable Air Conditioner Units Work Better? Our Exclusive Lab Tests Reveal a Clear Winner

Key takeaways:

• The way portable and window AC units operate is the most significant factor that determines their cooling capabilities.
• The Windmill was the top-performing window AC unit in our tests, while the Black & Decker BPP08WTB was the best-performing small portable AC unit, and the Dreo AC516S was the best-performing large portable AC unit.
• Higher BTU (British Thermal Units) did not always translate to better cooling capabilities in our tests.

When I stepped into my first New York apartment, I was surprised at how warm it was. Sure, it was only May, but I expected at least a little air conditioning. I scanned the tiny apartment, thinking that there were only so many places a thermostat could be hiding, but then it dawned on me: there was no central air.

I guess that’s what I get for signing a lease sight unseen.

With that, I had to find an...

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