Top Of The Line Garage Air Conditioners Review Guide For 2022-2023

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Top Of The Line Garage Air Conditioners Review Guide For 2022-2023 – While garages are great for the obvious purpose of stowing cars away safely, they can also be used as an extra office, workshop, and so much more.

If you spend a lot of time in your garage, chances are you’ve experienced a time where it was unbearably hot or muggy in there.

Sometimes, a fan just doesn’t cut it. What you need is one of the top of the line garage ac units, so we’ve done the research to bring you the most popular models on the market this year!

To see them keep reading our Top Of The Line Garage Air Conditioners Review Guide For 2022-2023.

SereneLife Compact Freestanding Portable Air Conditioner

Starting things off on the right foot, we bring you what’s often considered to be the best garage AC unit: the SereneLife Compact Freestanding Portable Air Conditioner.

Ideal for spaces of up to 300 square feet, it’s perfect for garages as well as a home office, bedroom, and living room.

As it’s so compact and lightweight, it’s extra portable for easy movement between spaces in your home.

With 10,000 BTU cooling power and rated at 920W, it’s powerful yet surprisingly quiet.

So quiet in fact, that it’s no louder than a quiet conversation or a dishwasher running.

This means that you’ll be able to sleep or work with complete focus while it’s operating.

3 operating modes allows you to use it for cooling, dehumidifying, and fan. It’s quite easy for garages to become humid and musty, so all of these features ensure that yours will stay clean and at a comfortable moisture level.

The automatic swing mode with moving wind vents offer excellent air circulation, on top of that!

Feel free to stay where you are to change any of these settings, as it comes with an included remote. The push-button control panel right on the top of the unit looks sleek and modern.

It’s very user-friendly, including an LED display which lets you change the mode and temperature unit.

SereneLife Compact Freestanding Portable Air Conditioner at a Glance:

• BTUs: 10,000
• Remote Control: Yes
• Cooling Area: 300 sq. ft.
• Other: Very quiet, 57 dB

Product Details:

• 10, 000 BTU COOLING POWER: With 920W rated power and 10, 000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 6,000 BTU (SACC) cooling power, the cold air can cover a room up to 300 sq. ft.! Air flow is rated at 360 m3/hr., moisture removal/dehumidifier at 1. 2 liters/hr. w/ an operating noise level of only 57 dBa
• 3 OPERATING MODES: The ac unit portable room air conditioner features a simple electric plug-in operation and has 3 modes – cooling, dehumidifier, and fan. Also features automatic swing mode w/ moving wind vent for maximum air circulation
• BUILT-IN DEHUMIDIFIER: you don’t only get the cooling effect of the portable AC but also helps reduce humidity levels, a huge financial and space saving!
• REMOTE CONTROL: This stand up air conditioner portable AC unit features push-button control panel w/ led display & comes w/ a remote control so you can easily adjust the mode, time, temperature & fan speed & select the temperature unit (°C / °F)
• FREE STANDING DESIGN: The portable air conditioning unit features a free-standing design w/ modern style, sleek body housing & can be used in any bedroom, living room or garage at home or office. Also has rolling wheels & includes window mount kit
• Power Source Type: Corded Electric

Whynter ARC-14S Portable Air Conditioner

Next up is the Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner. This one also features the ability to dehumidify and fan, which means your garage will stay at a level that’s never too dry nor too humid.

If you are looking for a more robust, powerful AC unit then this is an excellent option.

Earning awards from both Good Housekeeping and Consumer Reports, it’s not just us who was impressed by the ARC-14S’s performance!

If you’re searching for a portable AC that’s capable of cooling up to a 500-square-foot space, this one should be one of your top choices.

This is a sleek, modern AC that features a style which almost looks like a throwback to vintage models with the platinum-and-black colorway.

At the top front of the unit, you’ll see a nicely-sized blue LCD screen with all user controls.

You can also control everything with the included remote control, for added convenience.

With a dehumidifying capacity of up to 71 pints per day, it’s perfect for more humid climates.

The eco-friendly, CFC-free green R-32 refrigerant is a much more feasible option if you’re looking for an air conditioner that is healthier for our planet and your family’s well-being.

The auto-drain technology also uses and recycles moisture which is gathered while in use.

Whynter ARC-14S Portable Air Conditioner at a Glance:

• BTUs: 14,000
• Remote Control: Yes
• Cooling Area: 500 sq. ft.
• Other: Uses CFC free Green R-32 refrigerant

Product Details:

• 14,000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 9,500 BTU (SACC) cooling capacity
• Award Winning: 1. Good Housekeeping’s “2020 Best Overall” and “can cool down a room faster than other portable units” 2. Consumer Report’s 2020 Highest Score; UL listed
• Dual hose operation; Cools up to a 500 square feet space(ambient temperature and humidity may influence optimum performance); Dehumidifying capacity: 71 pints per day; Air Flow (at high speed): 430 m3/h / 253 CFM; 3 fan speeds
• Three operational modes: Air conditioner, dehumidifier or fan; Cooling capacity 14000 BTU (ASHRAE-128 Standard) / 9500 BTU (DOE+ 2017 Standard); Maximum power consumption: 1300 W / 11.6 A. Noise level (dBA): <56
• Eco-friendly CFC free Green R-32 refrigerant; Extendable exhaust hose (up to 60″); Window kit dimension: 6.5″ W x 20″ L (minimum), 46″ (maximum); Unit dimensions: 19″ W x 16″ D x 35.5″ H

BLACK + DECKER BPACT12WT Portable Air Conditioner

Black + Decker is definitely a household name recognized for creating high-quality, user-friendly appliances.

Their BPACT12WT Portable Air Conditioner is exemplary of that, offering good looks, easy use, and efficient operation. Much like our last model, this one also features a nice balance of power and quiet functioning.

With a 12,000 BTU capacity, you can count on being cool and dry, even during the muggiest seasons. This one is perfect for significantly smaller garages, as it’s made to cool spaces up to 150 square feet.

If you’re someone who also needs a cooler for your RV or bedroom, it’s very effective.

Installation is required with this model, though isn’t all that difficult. In fact, it’ll very likely take you less than 30 minutes to have it up and running.

Much like the others, you have the same 3 modes: cool, fan, and dehumidifying. All focus on energy efficiency, and along with a 24-hour timer you can make sure it turns off and on exactly when you need it to.

We loved the ease of cleaning the filters instead of having to buy and waste disposable ones. Simply take it out at least twice a month, rinse it under water, and put it back!

We also love B+D for their overall excellent build quality that’s made to last. You can count on having yours for many years to come.

BLACK + DECKER Portable Air Conditioner at a Glance:

• BTUs: 12,000
• Remote Control: Yes
• Cooling Area: 500 sq. ft.
• Other: 24-hour timer

Product Details:

• QUIET & POWERFUL – Our 6,500 DOE DOE (12,000 BTU ASHRAE) compact air conditioner (17.1 x 13.8 x 28.1 in,) will keep you cool and comfortable all summer. An adjustable fan speed cools the air to 65°F at the coolest setting. Sleep mode makes it extra quiet while you rest, Auto Water Evaporation
• PERFECT FOR SMALL ROOMS – This floor-standing portable AC unit provides steady, fast, effective cooling for rooms up to 300 sq. ft. It’s the ideal small air conditioner for dorms, apartments, cabins, campers, offices, bedrooms, or living rooms
• SIMPLE & QUICK TO INSTALL – Just wheel this portable air conditioner into any room with a double hung or sliding window. Attach the included hose (4’ 11”) & window adapter, & plug it in to an outlet! At the end of the season, just unhook & store
• EASY TO USE & CLEAN – The simple remote control & top-mounted LED display with 24-hour timer allow you to precisely control the air temperature. To clean the filter, just slide it out twice a month, rinse it thoroughly under running water, & put it back
• 3-in-1 FUNCTIONALITY – Combines 3 energy efficient functions for all of your cooling & ventilation needs with cool, fan, & dehumidifying modes all in one machine. Bucket-less, self-evaporating operation makes your living space cool, clean and dry

Shinco Portable Air Conditioner

The best portable air conditioner for garage use is undoubtedly the one that’s lightweight, powerful, and easy to use.

The Shinco 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner definitely fits the bill, with its handy dehumidifier and fan function, and so much more.

The all-white design is basic and comes with a user-friendly LED display for quick and seamless operation. Ideal for spaces of up to 400 square feet, this model is nice for bigger garages and rooms.

Most of us have experienced those sluggish AC units that take forever to cool a room after you turn it on. You don’t have to melt waiting around – this unit cools quickly.

Once it reaches your desired temperature, simply switch it to the first speed level or all the way off. You can create a more streamlined process by simply using the included remote control or the 24-hour timer which will turn the air conditioner off and on as you wish.

Noise production does vary, depending on what speed level you have it set on. However, this is the case for just about any model. Overall, it’s actually one of the quieter ones in this price range!

You may not need an AC unit that stays just in one place. If you’d like to move it to different locations within your garage or to different locations around your home, there are castor wheels that facilitate this.

Shinco Portable Air Conditioner at a Glance:

• BTUs: 12,000
• Remote Control: Yes
• Cooling Area: 400 sq. ft.
• Other: Very quiet, 52 dB

Product Details:

• 【EASY-COOL】- Compact 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Unit, Delivers Fast, Cooling for Spaces Up to 400 Sq. Ft. in Home, Bedroom, dorms, apartments, cabins, campers, offices, bedrooms, or living rooms. When the room is cool, switch to the first speed level, this air conditioner will become quiet(Noise ≤52dB), maintain the temperature while you are sleeping.
• 【3-in-1 FUNCTIONALITY】- It has 3 modes to choose from – cooling, dehumidification and fan. Air conditioner cools your room; 3-speed fan satisfies your needs. With 43.2L/day dehumidifying capacity. Bucket-less, self-evaporating operation makes your living space cool, clean and dry. It needs 110V-120V power supply.
• 【EASY-TO-USE】- LED display and simple selections panel, full-featured remote, 24-hr timer, plus a quiet ＜52dB output on Low speed mode for disturbance-free nights. Four castors wheels make it easy to move from place to place, You can place it on bedroom, study, living room, kitchen, small office, RV, party and etc.
• 【QUICK INSTALLATION】- Your purchase includes: Portable Air Conditioner, Window Mount Kit, Manual. Move your air conditioner to the preferred cooling area, attach the 59″ hose and adjustable window brackets (the standard configuration is 37in-50.2in. If you need shorter or longer size, please contact us), turn the unit on and let your cooling begin! No extra tools are needed for assembly. Installation instructions are simple and can be done by anyone.
• 【Perfect After Service】- Window is mandatory and necessary for it to work. All of Shinco Portable Air Conditioner Units are covered with 30-Days Money Back, 1 Year Warranty and lifetime expert tech support. If you have any problems, please contact our team to get help. we will reply to you within 24 hours and help you solve the problems.

DeLonghi Portable Air Conditioner

It’s always nice knowing that your products are made with real, high-quality materials. DeLonghi is a company which places special focus on keeping things in the US, where they’re located.

Their PACEM370 WH Penguino Portable Air Conditioner is a great example of quality and attention to detail taken in both appearance and functionality.

This model comes in both 11,000 BTUs and 11,500 BTUs, but we had the pleasure of using the latter as it covers up to 500 square feet instead of 400.

We found it to distribute cool and conditioned air evenly over larger garages. Its intuitive controls and 3-in-1 settings mean that even the least tech-savvy person will be able to operate it without a hitch.

If you’re someone who places a special focus on eco-friendly products, then you’ll definitely want to take a look at the Penguino.

It’s been reported to be up to 17% more effective than other models in this price range, which will help you save money on your electricity bills.

A washable dust filter means that you won’t be using disposable ones, which can really add up. Simply wash it in your sink for a no-mess experience that will clean everything up.

The noise on this one also varies, though even at the higher levels it’s still pretty quiet.

DeLonghi Portable Air Conditioner at a Glance:

• BTUs: 11,500
• Remote Control: Yes
• Cooling Area: 500 sq. ft.
• Other: Washable air filter

Product Details:

• Powerful, Versatile Cooling
• POWERFUL COOLING FOR 500-SQ FT. ROOMS. Indulge in the simple luxury of cool air and less humidity with 3-in-1 settings. A handy remote and intuitive controls let you find your custom comfort level for every day and night.
• ENERGY-SAVING AND EFFICIENCY-BOOSTING. With Less Wasted Energy, this energy-efficient model is up to 17% more effective than previous models, helping you drive down energy usage over time.
• A QUIETER COOL. Choose the low setting for quiet operation and peaceful cooling.
• WASHABLE DUST FILTER. Reduce dust and allergens that can circulate through the air with the BioSilver filter, which can be easily washed in your sink for hassle-free cleaning.

hOmelabs Portable Air Conditioner

hOmelabs is one of those brands that are forward-thinking and visually eye-catching. Their 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner comes in a very unique, all-white design that doesn’t mess around with bulkiness or unnecessary extras.

If you’re on the hunt for the best portable AC for garage use, you have to give this one a serious look.

The portable AC is very compact and lightweight, including wheels that make it a breeze to move around wherever you need it.

All you have to do is attach the hose and window slide adapter, plug in the power supply, and you’re ready for liftoff!

One of our favorite features was undoubtedly the horizontal auto-swing feature. Once you turn it on, the air outlet door opens up all the way.

Simply press the “swing” button and it will start moving from side-to-side. This is great for more even air distribution as well as making sure it doesn’t dry any one spot out.

This quiet air conditioner is perfect if you need to use it while sleeping or focusing on something that requires a lot of attention.

The full-feature remote control comes included and lets you change the AC settings to your liking without getting out of bed or off your seat.

hOmelabs Portable Air Conditioner at a Glance:

• BTUs: 10,000
• Remote Control: Yes
• Cooling Area: 450 – 600 sq. ft.
• Other: Washable air filter

Product Details:

• PORTABLE, QUIET ENERGY-EFFICIENT AIR CONDITIONER – Experience a cool and relaxing day at home with the hOmelabs portable air conditioner. It cools quietly and is perfect for 450 to 600 square feet room with horizontal window opening. Equipped with an automatic vertical swing function that evenly distributes airflow throughout the room
• EASY TO INSTALL, NO HEAVY WINDOW UNIT TO LIFT – Our portable AC measures 17.9 x 15 x 30.7 inches and has wheels so it can be easily moved to any room that has a window accessible. Simply attach the hose and the window slide adapter, plug in the power supply and you’re good to go. Most customers are able to install in 8 minutes or less. At the end of a season or when you don’t need it, simply unhook the unit and store in your closet, basement or garage
• WASHABLE AIR FILTER AND REMOTE CONTROL – Keep your air clean and your portable AC running efficiently with the included washable filter. The filter indicator light will illuminate to remind you when to clean the air filter. We recommend you clean the filter approximately once every two weeks. The unit also comes with a remote control to quickly set your desired temperature, fan speed, change cooling modes or activate the sleep feature

Hessaire MC37M Portable Evaporative Cooler

The Hessair MC37M Portable Evaporative Cooler is certainly a unique one in terms of looks and power. The all-gray color scheme looks industrial yet simultaneously modern and trendy.

While the Hessair is not an actual air conditioner, it uses evaporative cooling instead but it definitely packs a punch with its ability to cool up to 950 square feet.

Due to its super-charged cooling capabilities, you can expect it to be a bit less portable. This one weighs 39 pounds, so it’s more well-suited towards stationary or semi-stationary garage use.

However, it does come with 4 tough, locking caster wheels if you’d like to roll it around anywhere.

With 3 fan speeds and oscillating louvers, you can expect cool and conditioned air to be distributed evenly, with wide coverage.

You get manual and continuous fill options here, simply by hooking up a household hose with the included float adapter.

This means you never have to hassle with watching and filling up the water tank.

You’ll find 3-sided, rigid, high-density cooling pads in this unit which make for enhanced evaporative surface area.

This results in even more cooling efficiency! 3 rotary controls let you change the speed and oscillation motor, though you also get an included remote control to do so from a distance.

Hessaire MC37M Portable Evaporative Coolerat a Glance:

• BTUs: N/A (Evaporative Cooler)
• Remote Control: Yes
• Cooling Area: 950 sq. ft.
• Other: Continuous fill option with a household hose

Product Details:

• PORTABLE – 4 heavy duty locking casters for cooling home, patio or workshop spaces up to 950 square feet
• COMPACT YET POWERFUL – 37x17x24 inches; 3, 100 Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM); 3 fan speeds and oscillating louvers to ensure even distribution, wide coverage and comfort
• EASY TO OPERATE & SIMPLE TO MAINTAIN – 3 simple rotary controls allow the fan (Off, Hi, Med, Low), pump (On, Off) and oscillation motor (On, Off) to be controlled independently
• MANUAL & CONTINUOUS FILL – Utilize the Continuous Fill option by attaching a household hose with the included float adaptor, eliminating the need to manually watch and fill the water tank
• SUPERCHARGED, ECONOMICAL COOLING – 3-sided rigid high-density cooling pads for increased evaporative surface area generating cooler air
• Power source type: Corded Electric
• Voltage: 115 volts
• Wattage: 250 watts
• 3100 CFM

Top Of The Line Garage Air Conditioners Buying Guide For 2022-2023

How to Choose the Best Garage AC Unit

Now that you’ve read through all of our reviews of garage AC units, have you decided which one is right for your garage? If not, then we’re here to help.

We know it can be challenging trying to narrow it down to just 1 model when there are so many great ones on our guide.

However, that’s exactly what we’re going to do with the following buying guide. We’ll take you through each step that you should consider when choosing the right type.

Size/BTU Rating:

Before anything else, you need to be looking at the size or cooling capacity of the air conditioner. To do this, it’s important to know the size of your garage first!

Don’t just take into consideration the width and length; you need to be looking at the height as well!

This is because air fills up an entire space and trying to cool it is going to be difficult if the AC isn’t rated for the right size.

The cooling capacity of an air conditioner is measured in BTUs, or “British Thermal Units”. This is only a guide:

For a 1-car garage you will want around 7,200 BTUs. For 300 square feet, 9,000 BTUs. For a 2-car garage, 13,200 BTUs is ideal. For a 500 square-foot garage, go to around 15,000 BTUs.

If you can’t find a model that suits your garage size exactly, it’s absolutely better to go for the more powerful option.

Noise:

The noise of these models are all pretty similar, though there is a bit of variation. Noise may not be that big of a deal, depending on what you’re using it for. If it’s autobody work, for example, you’re probably not going to even notice.

However, if you’re using a garage for tasks that require your utmost attention or you’ve converted the garage into a spare bedroom, then keeping things quiet will be more essential.

You want an AC unit that is between 42 to 68 dBa, though if you can get it in the 50s range or lower, that’s ideal. Remember that you can always keep things quiet by running the unit on the lowest speed level.

Portability:

What are you going to use your air conditioner for? If it’s really only for keeping it in one spot in your garage, then portability won’t make that big of a difference.

However, if you’re going to use it in the garage, your bedroom, kitchen, home office, etc. then portability will play a much bigger role.

Take a look at how much the unit weighs, first. Anything under 40 pounds will be pretty simple to move around – more so if it comes with castor wheels.

There are some models that weigh around 80 pounds, which makes a big difference in portability.

Also take into consideration the bulkiness of the unit, and if the model comes with any handles that would further facilitate movement.

Energy Efficiency/Rating:

Whether you care about the planet or simply your energy bill, you’re going to want a more energy-efficient machine.

The more efficient an AC unit is, the more you’re going to save and the smaller your carbon footprint will be.

If applicable, select a model with a good SEER or EER rating. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) measures how efficient an air conditioner operates over a season, while the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) is a standardized measurement of the efficiency of an air conditioner. The higher the ratio is, the more efficient the unit.

These ratings means that the air conditioner uses less energy to function so nothing goes to waste.

Generally speaking, portable garage air conditioners tend to use the most energy, though it’s not an absolute rule.

Modes:

You may notice that the vast majority of these models come with 3 different operational modes. These modes are typically: Cooling, Dehumidifying, and Fan.

Of course, this depends on your climate and garage as well. If you don’t have any issues with humidity for example, you probably will only want cooling and fan.

You may not want fan, either, as you may find cooling to be enough! Musty garages (and most) typically benefit from all 3. It all comes down to your own personal preferences and condition of your garage.

There’s an extra feature that we love, and that’s the 24-hour timer.

The 24-hour timer lets you select the time when you want your AC unit to turn on and off, without actually having to be there to set it up. This is really great if you’re using the AC unit while you’re working or sleeping.

User Panel/Remote:

The panel of the unit will obviously let you change up the modes, temperature, and more.

However, not every one is the same. You want one that is easy to see in the light and the dark, responds quickly to touch, and is overall user-friendly.

We also recommend getting yourself an air conditioner that comes with a remote control, so you don’t have to get up and walk over to the unit itself to change settings or turn it off/on.

Maintenance:

As with all appliances, garage air conditioners need to be properly maintained to keep them working as they should but also to extend their lifespan as long as possible.

The good news is that garage air conditioners are pretty easy to maintain, as long as your garage is relatively clean, as well.

If you have all kinds of sawdust, dirt, dust, etc. flying around then you’ll obviously need to clean it more often.

Many units feature easy-access filters which can simply be slid out and washed in the sink whenever grime starts building up.

Many come with built-in indicator lights to give you a visual alert when it needs to be cleaned.

Price:

How much are you willing to spend on a good portable ac for a garage? Remember that it will offer you years upon years of cooling and comfort.

Whatever the budget is that you have set for yourself, we’re confident that we have at least one model that will fit nicely into it.

However, also make sure you’re taking a look at the included warranty as a product may look more affordable upfront, but will come with a much shorter warranty than the more expensive one.

A good warranty can save you a ton of time and money!

FAQs About Garage Air Conditioners:

Q: How many BTUs does it take to cool a 2 car garage?
A: Two car garages can vary in sizes of course but we feel that approximately 13,000 BTUS should be sufficient.

Q: Should you insulate a garage?
A: It’s not a bad idea at all. Insulating your garage can help minimize the transfer of heat from the exterior of your home to the inside of your garage. It can also keep cool air in better!

Q: What should I look for when buying a portable air conditioner?
A: Well, you obviously want it to be portable and effective at cooling! It should be versatile in operation modes, move side-to-side if possible, have a remote control, and be energy-efficient.

Q: Which is best, a portable AC or split AC?
A: For a garage, you’re almost always going to be better off with a portable air conditioner. Split AC units are also awesome, but they’re more well-suited for even larger spaces than garages typically are. If you need to move your AC around, then it’s going to be pretty difficult doing so with a split.

Q: Is it worth buying a portable air conditioner?
A: Absolutely! You can use it not only in your garage but in every room in your home. If you have a large shed you could also use it there as well, assuming you have electricity.

Tips For Choosing Garage Air Conditioners:

1: Make sure you know if your garage has insulation or not.
If your garage doesn’t have any insulation, then you need to add on 2,000 to 4,000 BTUs to the size that is recommended for your garage size.

2: Replace any insulation/insulating strips around your garage door.
Have you ever felt how hot garage doors get in the summertime? Garages can contribute a ton to the heat of a garage, so make sure you have proper insulation around it.

3: If you have a window in your garage, consider blacking it out. That is, if you don’t use the window or like the light coming in. If you like your window, then definitely just keep it as is!

Conclusion:

Now that you know probably everything you could ever want to about some good portable garage air conditioners, have you decided which model is right for you?

We hope that our guide was able to help you pick the perfect one.

Just remember, that whichever one you select, you’ll be receiving one of the best in the world.

Thanks for taking the time to read our Top Of The Line Garage Air Conditioners Review Guide For 2022-2023.