Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

3 portable air conditioner deals you can’t afford to miss today

It’s summertime and you know what that means? No, not spending time on the beach or doing just about anything you want outdoors (you could as long as you observe social distancing). It means sweltering days and hot sweaty nights. If you don’t have the money for centralized air conditioning and hate the fact that window-mounted air conditioners can only cool one room, you could get yourself a portable air conditioner. You can stay cool regardless of where you are at home and they won’t break the bank. We’ve scoured Amazon and Best Buy and found the Black & Decker BPACT08WT, GE APCA09YZBW, and hOmeLabs 12,000 BTU portable air conditioners on sale for as low as $300.

Black & Decker BPACT08WT – $300, was $330

The Black & Decker BPACT08WT’s cooling capability is a bit underwhelming, but its 3-in-1 functionality is very enticing. The problem is the uninsulated exhaust pipe which works against the perfectly fine cooling function. Best wrap a blanket around it. This portable air conditioner is rated at 5,000 BTUs, which means it’s suitable for small rooms up to 150 sq ft. Underneath it are four caster wheels which make it very easy to wheel around the house. It also has integrated handles so carrying it up and down the stairs won’t be a problem, although we advise you to be careful as it weighs roughly 50 pounds. As mentioned, aside from the ability to cool a room down, the BPACT08WT also works as a dehumidifier and air circulator. It has the power to extract up to 50 pints of moisture per day, which isn’t that powerful but is perfectly reasonable for a 3-in-1 machine. By the way, the air circulating function is just a fancy way of saying “it blows air around like a fan.” For a versatile and affordable way to beat the summer heat, get the Black & Decker BPACT08WT for just $300 instead of $350 at Amazon.

GE APCA09YZBW – $330, was $370

If you’ve got a medium-sized room that’s in dire need of cooling down, consider the GE APCA09YZBW instead. This portable air conditioner delivers 8,500 BTUs, making it ideal for rooms up to 250 sq ft. And just like the Black & Decker BPACT08WT, this machine has built-in dehumidifying and fan capabilities. Featuring Auto Evaporation Technology, the GE APCA09YZBW has the power to evaporate the water under most conditions with no bucket to empty. This eliminates the need to throw away a heavy bucket of water regularly. The GE APCA09YZBW comes with a digital thermostat which is very easy to operate. Through it, you can control the temperature and set up the 24 Hour Timer, or you can use the remote control. While the portable AC itself seems quite durable, the window inserts that it comes with are made of flimsy-looking plastic. It can also get rather noisy during operation, but that’s sort of expected of any AC unit. For cooling medium-sized rooms without having to spend a small fortune, get the GE APCA09YZBW for $330 (down from $370) at Best Buy.

hOmeLabs 12,000 BTU – $400, was $430

Last on our list is the hOmeLabs 12,000 BTU. As its name suggests, this portable air conditioner can cool down large rooms that are up to 450 sq ft. And just like the first two models, the hOmeLabs 12,000 BTU not only keeps the summer heat at bay but also has the power to remove 100 pints of water from the air (this is very powerful by portable AC dehumidifying standards) and comes with multiple fan modes. The hOmeLabs 12,000 BTU works by drawing in ambient air in a room and filtering the air as it’s cooled which also keeps your room smelling fresh. The standard washable filter can be easily removed from the back and it works remarkably well, based on the surprising amount of dust it gathered, although it does not include a HEPA filter. Temperature settings, switching between cooling and dehumidifying modes, and programming the 24-hour timer can be done from the comfort of your bed using the remote control. Finally, unlike other portable and window air conditioners, the hOmeLabs 12,000 BTU is very quiet as it’s designed to operate with a noise level of not more than 53 dB so it won’t disturb you while you sleep. For whisper-quiet and cooler summer nights, get the hOmeLabs 12,000 BTU for $400 instead of $30 at Amazon.

Looking for more? Check out our Deals Hub for more air conditioner deals.

Editors' Recommendations

Timothy Taylor
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Timothy is a deals writer for Digital Trends that specializes in finding the best discounts on smartphones, wireless…
The best Black Friday paper shredder deal you can shop today
best black friday paper shredder deal 2021

There's no reason to risk having your highly confidential documents compromised with the best Black Friday paper shredder deal you can find today that drops the price of the powerful Fellowes Powershred from $106 down to $90. It's one of the best Black Friday deals you'll find on a shredder, and with the increasing focus on privacy, it's likely to be in high demand for small businesses and home offices. If you need a shredder, don't hesitate to pick up this fantastic device right now.

Today's best Black Friday paper shredder deal

Read more
Best Amazon early Black Friday tech deals you can shop today
Apple AirPods Pro.

It might not be a good idea to wait until Black Friday deals come out to grab tech products. That's why we want to share these fantastic early Amazon Black Friday deals on our favorite tech gadgets -- so you can get your shopping done before the incoming feeding frenzy. Last year, there were tons of supply chain issues with many items immediately running out during Black Friday, and that's likely to repeat this year. Even if you do manage to get lucky and snag some things on the day, there's a chance that they won't arrive in time for the holidays.

There's not a significant price advantage either. Apple products, like Black Friday iPad deals or Black Friday AirPods deals, are some of the most in-demand items on Black Friday. However, the discounts on these items are already so good that it's better to get them right now at slightly higher prices. What're a few extra bucks off if you can't even enjoy your purchases over the holidays?
Beats Studio Buds -- $125, was $150

Read more
This is the AirPods deal you’ve been waiting for — up to $50 off today only
apple airpods pro white in case on a white background

Ready to take the plunge on a pair of AirPods? There's a reason that Apple's wireless earbuds have become so popular since their release. With Bluetooth connectivity and easy pairing to your Apple device, these headphones are perfect for the gym, the office, your commute, and anywhere else. Listen to music and podcasts streaming from your iPhone or iPad, or pair them with your MacBook to attend online classes or Zoom meetings. Right now, you can join the ranks of AirPod lovers and save up to $50 everywhere with these great AirPods deals going on at Staples. Whichever you choose, you'll enjoy amazing immersive sound and reliable performance from these Apple earbuds.
Apple AirPods 2nd Generation Earbuds with Charging Case -- $129, was $159

Right now, you can get the original Apple AirPods (2nd-generation) wireless Bluetooth earbuds for just $129, saving you $30 off their regular price of $159. These in-ear headphones connect to your Apple devices via Bluetooth for uninterrupted streaming of your favorite music, podcasts, and more. Make and receive calls, change songs, and even get directions using Siri paired with these AirPods. Get up to five hours of listening time on a single charge, and then pop your headphones into the wireless carrying case to charge them on the go for an additional 24 hours of playback time.

Read more