5 Best Smart Portable Wi-Fi Air Conditioners [#2 Works with Alexa]

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In this article, I review everything you need to help you compare the best smart portable wi-fi air conditioners. One of them even works with Amazon Alexa.

I’ll include some killer tips for choosing the right model. We’ll take a look at the top brands and the “coolest” features.

And of course, I’ll give you my recommendations on the five best smart Wi-Fi portable air conditioners you can buy today.

I’ll even include a handy comparison table to sum things up nicely.

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The Best Smart Portable ACs You Can Buy

So what are the best smart portable Wi-Fi air conditioners? Here are five top-rated models:

#1: Whynter Elite RC-122DS 12,000 BTU (Dual Hose)
#2: Rollibot RolliCool 14,000 BTU
#3: Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU (Dual Hose)
#4: Frigidaire Cool Connect 12,000 BTU
#5: LG LP1417WSRSM 14,000 BTU

Feeling cooler already? I am too! Let’s chill. I’ll go into detail on each of these ACs below and follow that up with a handy comparison table so you can compare them on major features.

Not the ACs you’re looking for? Check out this post about Window units instead:
7 Best Smart Window ACs [that Work with Alexa].

How To Choose a Portable Wi-Fi Air Conditioner

There are essentially two main things you need to think about when buying smart portable air conditioners.

What are they?

THING 1 and THING 2 (Dr. Seuss)

Thing #1: Understand Your BTU Requirements

First, you need to make sure you purchase a unit that is powerful enough to cover your space.

The efficacy of an air conditioner (portable, window, etc.) is measured in BTUs or British Thermal Units. BTUs measure thermal (heat) energy, or more specifically, the amount of energy needed to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at sea level.

When used relative to AC systems, the measurement is expressed in terms of how many BTUs per hour the unit the can remove from the air. In simpler terms, the removal of BTUs from the air is what causes the room to cool down.

So why should you care?

Selecting the right BTU coverage is essential to make sure your new AC will give the proper amount of cooling coverage.

Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right amount of BTU coverage for your space:

8,000 BTU will cover around 350 square feet.
10,000 BTU will cover around 450 square feet.
12,000 BTU will cover around 500 – 550 square feet.
14,000 BTU will cover around 600 – 700 square feet.

In order to keep this review focused on the broadest audience, I will mainly cover 12,000 to 14,000 BTU smart portable air conditioners in this article. However, I will also indicate which products have alternative BTU/coverage options.

According to The Exhaustive Guide to Heating and Cooling Your Tiny Home, the higher the number of BTUs, the larger the capacity for either heating or cooling a given space, but bigger doesn’t always mean better. Make sure to size your air conditioner accordingly to the space it needs to cool. Using a unit that is too big for your space could result in moisture and mold problems.

If you have a different room size—or need help choosing the right model for you—contact me (Tim) at oneSmartcrib@gmail.com and I can provide a specific recommendation.

Thing #2: Decide on Single vs. Dual Hose

Second, you will need to determine whether you want a single or a dual hose system.

Most smart portable air conditioners are broken into two categories based on their configuration: single hose and dual hose.

A single-hose AC unit uses the same hose for both air intake and air exhaust. Therefore, they have to work harder than dual hose units and are not as efficient. However, they tend to cost less and provide a good solution for smaller rooms, such as a bedroom or a small studio apartment.

A dual-hose AC unit has both an intake hose and an exhaust hose. With two separate hoses, these types of smart portable air conditioners are usually more energy-efficient. They can generally cool a room up to 40% faster than single-hose units. Consequently, these are the preferred choice for cooling larger rooms.

All portable ACs come with window venting kits. Typically, you would vent one or both hoses out of the same window. We suggest you purchase a unit with self-evaporating technology that gets rid of the condensation produced by the unit. Otherwise, you’ll have to empty a tank regularly.

Best Smart Portable Wi-Fi Air Conditioners Buying Guide

Of course, you will also need to determine your budget relative to the best smart portable Wi-Fi air conditioners features that are important to you. Here is a checklist of questions you can ask yourself to help get the juices flowing:

What is the maximum amount I want to spend on my new smart portable air conditioner?
Do I want to control the AC from my smartphone device?
Do I want to use Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Home Kit to control my unit?
Does the smart air conditioner have a complex installation and/ or ventilation requirements?
Is energy use a consideration?
Is noise a consideration? Pro Tip: The best way to gauge potential noise issues without actually purchasing the unit is by reading customer reviews on Amazon.

Now that you have a better understanding of your requirements, let’s move on to have a look at some of the best air conditioners you can buy today.

Not ready to ditch that old clunker AC just yet? Check out this post How to Make Your Dumb AC Smart [Window, Portable or Central].

#1: Whynter Elite RC-122DS 12,000 BTU (Dual Hose)

Why You Will Love It

Whynter is coming…to cool you down for the summer! Smaller and lighter than similar units in its class, this smart portable air conditioner from Whynter provides the best cooling out of all the models we reviewed. While there is no built-in wi-fi connectivity, it does come with remote control.

Wi-Fi connectivity can be achieved using a product like Sensibo Sky – Air Conditioner Controller. Pairing the Whynter Elite with Sensibo Sky will make the unit compatible with Amazon Alexa & Google Home, and it supports smart device control for iOS & Android.

The Whynter Elite has a dual hose for faster cooling. It also comes complete with a digital readout, remote control, three fan speeds, a carbon air filter, and a washable pre-filter.

Learn more and check the latest price over at Amazon here.

Video Review

Thanks to our friends at O!Technology for the helpful video review:

The Whynter ARC-122DS portable air conditioner is the ideal solution for the warm spots in your bedroom, home office, server room, or another space-constrained area. Portable and easy to set up, this portable air conditioner offers cooling relief for any area where excess humidity and heat cannot be remedied by traditional air conditioning.

Sizing It Up

Dimensions: 17 x 29.5 x 16 inches,

Product Weight: 60 pounds

Also available in 14,000 BTU model for more powerful cooling. (See our review below. )

The Cool Pros

Compact size and lighter than other units reviewed.
A Dual-hose system facilitates more efficient cooling.
Customers have reported they are happy with the noise level and some have gone so far as to say they can’t tell it’s running.
Patented auto drain function fully exhausts condensate automatically in most environments.
Three operating modes: Cool, Dehumidify, and Fan, plus activated Carbon Filter and Storage bag.
Advanced self-evaporating technology facilitates maintenance (upper and lower direct drain option for continuous operation)

The Not So Cool Cons

No built-in wi-fi compatibility, which means no native smartphone app or compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. However, wi-fi capabilities can be achieved using an add-on product like Sensibo Sky – Air Conditioner Controller.
Some users have reported challenges with installing the dual ventilation hoses, but this is par for the course for any portable AC.
Some users have reported challenges with getting in-home service from Whynter.

Whynter Elite 12,000 BTU

$346.11

While it doesn't have wi-fi capability built-in, you can pair it with Sensibo Sky. This will give you the ultimate in smart control with Alexa and cooling power .

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

03/07/2024 05:43 pm GMT

#2: Rollibot RolliCool 14,000 BTU

Why You’ll Love It

If Wi-Fi and Alexa integration are your things you crave it the best smart portable wi-fi air conditioners, Rollibot’s RolliCool is definitely worth a look. What makes RolliCool, well cool? It will let you control your portable air conditioner via smartphone, remote, AND Amazon Echo devices natively.

The RolliCool app is available via the Play and App Stores and provides a user-friendly way to adjust temperature or climate. You can switch between the climate pro option with a tap on your smartphone or remote buttons. If connected to Echo devices, the COOL 100H’s temperature also adjusts via voice command. The app is superior to the other apps I looked at.

Customers who own this AC swear by it.

You can read the latest customer reviews over at Amazon here.

Video Review

Here is the Rollibot ad spot showing off RolliCool’s awesome integration with Amazon Alexa:

Sizing it Up

Dimensions: 15.2 x 13.4 x 28.1 inches

Product Weight: 62 pounds

The Cool Pros

Unlike some of the other products we’ve looked at, the mobile app is incredibly responsive and among the best of the products that I reviewed.
The app is easy to set up and works over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. WiFi is required to set up the app, even if you only plan to use the Bluetooth feature.
Documentation is well written, with clear infographics, and comprehensive step-by-step instructions and feature references.
12 feet of flexible tubing allows you to move the Rollibot around the room, and the window insert allows you to remove the tube fairly easily if you plan to transport the unit to another location.
The unit is compatible with Amazon Alexa. After pairing with your Alexa compatible ac unit, Alexa responds to voice commands to help keep your home comfortable.
Displays current room temperature as well as set temperature.
Comfort All Year Round – This powerful 14,000 BTU air conditioner cools, heats, dehumidifies, or circulates air in your space. Switch between three fan levels or cut sleep mode on and doze off to fan sounds. (Note: On COOL mode, exhaust tube must be installed properly to vent heat air out through window/wall.)
Easily Move It to Any Room – The sturdy and portable design of this air conditioner and heater to prevent accidental falls and allows the air cooler to roll into living rooms, bedrooms, offices, and more.
Eco-Friendly Refrigerant – Go green and stay cool with this small air conditioner’s eco-friendly R410A refrigerant and reusable filters. Wash* the filters, pop them back in, and enjoy a cozy, odor-free environment

The Not So Cool Cons

Some users have complained that the unit is loud, especially on its highest settings. However, the unit has fewer overall noise complaints than others I reviewed.
The included CARBON FILTER is not washable, despite conflicting instructions on the packing. The bottom line is: DO NOT WASH THE CARBON FILTER. Rollibot has confirmed it is not washable. The other two filters in the unit are washable.

Pro Tip: If you do wash the filter by accident, Rollibot will send you a free one due to the instructions being incorrect. Good on them.

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