In this issue, we will explain the advantages of “portable air conditioners” and the different types. We will introduce how to choose a compact cooler, such as a battery-rechargeable type for those who want to use it overnight in the car or want to use it for camping, and a quiet type for those who want to use it at bedtime. We will also show you how to choose the right one for your room.
What Is a Portable Air Conditioner?
When you are cooking during the hot season, do you ever feel that “it is too hot in the kitchen”? Also, when you are home alone, you may feel that it is a waste to turn on an air conditioner that cools the whole room.
Portable air conditioners are the solution to this problem! Although they cannot cool an entire room as well as a room-mounted air conditioner, they are very convenient when you want to cool just your surroundings.
As the name suggests, these compact, portable-sized coolers are also called “spot coolers” or “portable cooler”!
If it is a rechargeable battery-powered cooler, it can be used not only inside the house but also outdoors, and can be used for a wide range of purposes such as camping and overnight stays in the car!
Advantages of Portable Air Conditioners
Portable air conditioners have the following advantages.
- Compact and portable.
- You can cool only your surroundings.
- Can be used by simply plugging it in.
- Battery rechargeable type can be used for outdoor activities and overnight stay in a car.
Since there is no outdoor unit like an air conditioner, there is basically no need to connect an outdoor unit to an indoor unit. Compared to air conditioners, the cooling range is narrower, but it saves energy because it can cool only your surroundings, such as when you are working alone. Many products are compact, so you can move them to wherever you want to use them when you want to use them. There are also battery-rechargeable products that can be used outdoors, such as for overnight stays in a car or camping.
Disadvantages of Portable Air Conditioners
On the other hand, portable air conditioners have the following disadvantages
- They do not cool as much as air conditioners (the cooling range is narrower).
- Limited space for installation when the heat exhaust ducts are placed outside the room.
- Drainage is necessary because water accumulates.
Compact size is not good for cooling a large area. There are some that can cool a large area, but since a 7-10 mat type weighs about 30 kg, it becomes difficult to move them around easily. Also, portable air conditioners exhaust heat when they produce cool air. If used in a closed room, heat will be trapped and the indoor temperature will rise, so it is necessary to use a heat exhaust duct to exhaust the heat outside the room. And note that when using a heat exhaust duct, the installation location is limited, for example, use it near a window. Finally, the drainage tank should also be checked regularly. Drainage tanks are prone to mold growth, so please take care of them by not only dumping water but also cleaning them frequently.
Recommended Portable Air Conditioners
Yamazen Spot Cooler YEC-M03
No installation work is required like a typical air conditioner! Just plug it in and it produces cold air at -7℃. It has not only cold air, but also blower and dry modes, so it is an excellent support for room drying. It has louvers that move automatically up, down, left, and right, so multiple people can cool off. With a handle, it is easy to carry. Move it to the place you want to use it, such as the bathroom or kitchen, when you want to use it. If you want to cool it even more thoroughly, you can attach the included heat exhaust duct to exhaust the heat outside the room. The handles and feet have a stylish wood-grain finish, making it a good choice for those who place importance on design. It is available in black and white.
SB-M Table Top Cooler G-FAN06
A portable air conditioner with a built-in battery that can be recharged via USB. It measures approximately 17 x 14 x 17 cm and weighs only 840 g, so it can be placed gently on a tabletop. It is an evaporative cooling system, so it is cooler than a fan, but it does not get cold even if the wind blows directly on your body like an air conditioner. On a full charge, it can operate for about 9 hours at the lowest wind speed and about 4 hours at the highest wind speed. The noise level is 19dB even at high wind speed, so it is recommended to place it in a bedroom. In addition to cooling, it also has humidifying and air purifying functions, so it can be used all year round.
Nichidou Kogyo Portable Spot Cooler YNC-B160
Yamazen’s “Kangeki-kun” is a favorite of many people for overnight stays in their cars. Although it cannot cool the entire interior of the car, the area around the air vent can be cooled -10°C lower than the surrounding area. It can be used continuously for 5 to 6 hours, and recharges in about 2 hours. The airflow can be switched between strong and weak. The cold air side also has a duct to cool a small area. It is used not only for leisure, but also for heat stroke prevention, such as for work in factories.
Siroka Portable air conditioner with Dehumidification Function SY-D151
This portable air conditioner is compact, measuring 22 x 22 cm in size and about 40 cm in height. By simply plugging it in, you can use not only the cool air but also the dehumidification function.
Weighing only 6.5 kg, it is lightweight and easy to carry with a handle attached, so it can be used when and where you want to use it. When used in a closed room, the room temperature will rise due to exhaust heat. In this case, please use the attached exhaust heat duct to release the heat outside.
IRIS OHYAMA Portable air conditioner IPA-2821GH-W
This product has powerful cooling power among portable air conditioners and can cool 7 to 10 tatami mats. There is no outdoor unit, so no installation work is required! It makes rooms where air conditioners cannot be installed comfortable. Since it produces not only cold air but also warm air, it can be used as a heater for a room of 6 to 7 tatami mats. It has a “sleep operation” mode that reduces the noise it generates and a timer setting that makes bedtime comfortable. The main unit weighs 30 kg, but it comes with casters, so you can move it from place to place if you are indoors.
With the portable air conditioner, you can quickly cool down only your surroundings. It saves energy when working alone, such as while cooking in the kitchen or doing DIY in the garage, and it also helps prevent heat stroke. Although the type with strong cooling power that can cool an entire room cannot be used in small spaces, it can be installed without construction work, making it ideal for rooms where it is difficult to install an air conditioner. Choose a cooler that suits the scene and environment in which it will be used, such as a quiet type for use at bedtime.