10 Best Portable Aircons in Singapore

Singapore’s mid‑year heat can feel relentless—sweltering rooms, sticky sheets, and fan blades spinning away uselessly. If your flat can’t accommodate a fixed air-conditioner, or if you’re renting, a portable aircon might be your only option. Let’s face it—we’d all love an inverter split, but not everyone needs or can install a full air-conditioning system.

Portable air conditioners offer a convenient alternative for renters, those living in older buildings without existing infrastructure, or anyone who just wants to cool a single room on demand. They’re especially handy for HDB bedrooms, home offices, or rooms where installing an external compressor just isn’t feasible. Plus, because they’re freestanding, portable aircons can be moved between rooms or even taken with you when you relocate.

That said, they tend to be less powerful and noisier than built-in systems, and most need regular draining or venting. Still, for those with limited space, budget, or permission from landlords, a portable unit is often the most accessible and flexible solution.

There are three main types of portable aircons in Singapore:

• Single‑hose units: Affordable and simpler to install, but less efficient.
• Dual‑hose units: Better cooling for larger rooms, more power, but pricier, noisier, and cumbersome to move.
• Self-evaporative portable aircons (also known as swamp coolers): These are portable air conditioners without hoses, because they evaporate the collected condensation internally— making them a good option for spaces where venting isn’t possible. (Note: they are however not as efficient in very humid climates like Singapore’s, and may require manual draining more often)

Keeping these factors in mind will help you choose the best portable aircon that balances performance, budget, and convenience for Singapore’s hot, humid weather. To further help you with your shopping, here are the 10 best portable aircons in Singapore according to online reviews.

Novita Coolplus 3-In-1 Portable Air Conditioner NAC14000UV-i, $698

Best 3-in-1 portable air conditioner in Singapore for living rooms and allergy-prone households

Running at 14000 BTU, this single-hose portable aircon unit from popular homegrown brand Novita can cool a pretty large space (like a large master bedroom or a medium-sized living room up to 290 sq ft) relatively fast. It’s made it into my top 10 shortlist mostly because of its built-in air purification and UV-C sterilisation capability—a feature that, honestly, not many portable units offer. Compared to other models in the same price range, this one actually feels like it’s worth it—it’ll do more than just blow cold air around.

The CoolPlus NAC14000UV-i also has some other neat features like “Blue-Fin cooling technology” (which means high efficiency cooling), fogging technology (which means that you don’t have to manually empty the water tank), the 3-in-1 “Cool.Dry.Fan” function (which means it offers fan mode and dehumidifier mode, on top of aircon mode), an intuitive full-featured remote control (for easy, convenient operation), and smart programmable modes (which means the machine can automatically regulate temperature, or switch on and off whenever you’ve programmed it to).

Its main draw for me is the UV-C LED sterilisation part though, which means the aircon can also eliminate microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, mould and more. In fact, this machine is a double mould buster, given both its dehumidification and UV-C sterilisation capabilities. If you’ve got allergies or pets or a mould problem, this is a huge bonus. Despite being labelled a 3-in-1, it’s a 4-in-1 in reality—since it cools, dehumidifies, fans, and purifies. (And let’s face it, in Singapore’s hot, sticky, humid and dusty climate, we really do need all four.)

The unit also comes with easy-roll castor wheels, so even though it’s on the heavier side (34.3 kg), you can still roll it from room to room without too much trouble. It’s also pretty quiet at 53 dB maximum.

In terms of energy usage, 14,000 BTU will naturally consume more electricity than smaller models. Novita lists this model as having a rated power of 1650 W, and its energy efficiency rating label shows one tick (well, nothing is perfect). It’s probably not the cheapest to run if you’re blasting it all day, but if you only use it for a few hours each evening, it should be manageable. You can also activate sleep mode to bring down the fan speed and noise levels when the room has been cooled down and you want to save some energy.

The Novita Coolplus™ 3-In-1 Portable Air Conditioner NAC14000UV-i is priced at $698 from Novita.

EuropAce EPAC 20A 20000 BTU 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner, $1,499

Best powerhouse evaporative portable aircon in Singapore for large living areas and open-concept spaces

If you’ve got a big living room or an open-concept layout and you’re sceptical about whether a portable air conditioner can actually keep up, I think the EuropAce EPAC 20A is probably one of the best options out there right now. With a massive 20,000 BTU cooling capacity, this beast is designed for large spaces up to 400 sq ft, and it’s one of the most powerful portable aircon units you can get.

What really sold me on this was not just the power, but the fact it’s evaporative—which means no finicky hoses. Another plus: it features automatic oscillating louvres, a fan and dehumidifier mode, 24-hour timer, and large screen display. It’s also surprisingly sleek-looking for something that packs so much punch—looking more like a tall minimalist box than a bulky old-school unit. And although you’d expect something this powerful to be noisy, it’s reasonably quiet even on high (45 – 54 dB).

Power-wise, you do need to factor in a slightly higher energy consumption, given the wattage required to generate 20000 BTU—the rated power on this is 2400 W. It’s also 42 kg, but that’s really to be expected of a heavyweight like this.

The EuropAce EPAC 20A 20000 BTU 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner is priced at $1,499 from Lazada and $1,599 from FairPrice.

Midea MPPF-09CRN1 9000BTU Portable Air Con, $399

Best budget compact portable aircon in Singapore for small bedrooms and tight spaces

Compact, budget-friendly, and surprisingly effective—the Midea MPPF-09CRN1 is one of the more accessible portable air conditioners you can buy in Singapore. At 9,000 BTU, it’s designed for small to medium bedrooms (around 150 sq ft), making it a solid choice for HDB bedrooms, dorms, or even home offices that get stuffy in the afternoons.

I personally like how compact and easy to manoeuvre it is. Weighing 25.5 kg, the unit comes with rolling casters, and its petite minimalist white design blends well in most modern homes. At this price, you’re getting basic but useful functions: a self-evaporative system with an ioniser to boot… self-diagnosis and auto-protection, auto-restart, auto swing, sleep mode. It also comes with a remote control.

It’s not the quietest unit out there at 57 dB— if you’re a light sleeper, you’ll notice a low hum. But for the price and performance, it really holds its own. Cooling is efficient in smaller spaces, and it will do well in small rental flats, studios, and even pet rooms.

Power-wise, it consumes 940 W, and has an energy efficiency rating of 2.81, which is fair. It also has a “no bucket design”, being a self-evaporative system that recycles and reuses the condensate water. Altogether, this is a very decent model worth contemplating if you need something for a small space.

The Midea MPPF-09CRN1 9000BTU Portable Air Con is priced at $399 from Lazada.

Coolzy Pro Personal Air Conditioner, $549

Best personal portable aircon in Singapore for extremely energy-efficient cooling

Australian-invented Coolzy has been winning awards in the portable AC segment for consecutive years. Dubbed “America’s best low power portable A/C”, it really is low power indeed—this is not a tall claim. It’s also so easy to use out of the box, and so… “personal”. I was really intrigued by this one because it’s so unconventional—this doesn’t claim to cool rooms, it cools people.

It works by creating a bubble of cool air around you (whether you’re sitting at a desk, on the sofa, or lying in bed), so it doesn’t waste energy cooling the entire room. That means much lower electricity bills, because it only uses 340W of power (shocker), which is a mere fraction of what your typical portable aircon uses.

If you’ve ever wished for a truly user-friendly portable air conditioner that doesn’t need any setting up—no exhaust hose, no water drainage, no pipes, no ice, no water, and no need to keep it near a window, the Coolzy Pro might just be your dream come true.

This thing is also fairly quiet at 46-54 dB. It rolls on castor wheels and weighs only 15.4 kg. It’s super easy to port around, and it’s safe to use outdoors under sheltered areas (think patios or covered balconies). It even works with batteries and small generators, so it’s possible to take this camping.

Admittedly, it’s not for everyone—if you’re expecting to bring a room down to 22°C, this isn’t for you. But if you need a personal cooling solution that’s energy-efficient and low-maintenance, the Coolzy Pro is definitely worth considering.

The Coolzy Pro Personal Air Conditioner is priced at $549 from Shopee.

iFan 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner IF9012, $468

Best budget portable aircon in Singapore with built-in fan and dehumidifier

If you’re after a no-frills, wallet-friendly portable aircon that still delivers the full package, the iFan 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner from local brand PowerPac ticks a lot of boxes. At 12000 BTU, it’s powerful enough to cool most bedrooms and small living rooms, and yet compact enough also to fit into tight spaces.

Another major selling point is how versatile it is. At this price, the fact that it also functions as a fan and a dehumidifier is pretty cool—especially for sticky, humid days in Singapore where all the extra moisture in the air makes you feel hotter than it actually is. This also has oscillating louvres and comes with a remote control, which honestly should be standard but surprisingly isn’t always.

Design-wise, it’s sleek and basic, with 360° wheels that make it pretty easy to move around (despite weighing 27 kg). It does require venting via an exhaust hose, so it needs to be set it up near a window. Like most budget models, it’s a bit louder (65 dB) than the high-end ones, and less energy-efficient (1340 W)—but for the price, that’s probably to be expected.

The iFan 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner IF9012 is priced at $468 from Shopee.

Mistral MPAC1800R 18000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, from $699

Best smart portable aircon in Singapore for large rooms or small living spaces

I was quite surprised to find an 18000 BTU portable air conditioner at this price point—and from a trusted Australian brand, no less, and then even more pleasantly surprised to find it selling for $300 less on Shopee than major retailers. The Mistral MPAC1800R stands out immediately because it offers powerful cooling performance, making it suitable for large bedrooms, smaller living/dining areas, and small offices.

It also comes in a chic noir, which is a refreshing change from all the white portable aircon units we’ve seen. Its sleek black design sits atop castor wheels for mobility (otherwise 33.3 kg), and it also has a remote control for convenience. My favourite part about this Mistral is the ability to wi-fi control it via a smart app, so you can control this even when you’re not at home (and pre-cool the room in anticipation of your arriving home)! It can also be linked to Google Home and Alexa for seamless voice control.

Function-wise, this unit has 3 key functions: air conditioner, fan, and dehumidifier, which makes it a reliable all-in-one appliance especially for Singapore’s humid climate. But it also has a UV sterilising function, which uses ultraviolet light to eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms in the air—huge win for households with respiratory sensitivities.

In terms of installation, it needs to be vented out the window, so that’s one consideration. Power-wise, it’s rated 1940 W, which is to be expected for an 18000 BTU. It offers sleep mode for overnight energy conservation though, as well as smart mode for temperature regulation, and turbo mode for rapid cooling (which I imagine would become a little noisy). But if you’re prioritising performance, this trade-off is understandable.

The Mistral MPAC1800R 18K BTU Portable Air Conditioner is priced at $699 from Shopee and $999 from Mega Discount Store.

EuropAce 4-in-1 Air Cooler with Aircon Compressor EHAC25DH3WH, $2,499

Best powerful hybrid energy-saving portable aircon in Singapore for outdoor or large living spaces

This EuropAce 4-in-1 hybrid is one of the more interesting units I came across while searching for the best portable aircon in Singapore—mainly because it’s a hoseless aircon as well as a hybrid design, which is super rare. It has an inbuilt air conditioner compressor, yet it doesn’t require window exhaust like typical portable aircons do—unless you use it in a small indoor space. According to EuropAce, you’ll still need to install the exhaust hose if you use this in a small bedroom or living room.

It offers 4 modes—aircon, air cooler, aircon + air cooler (freeze), and fan, and comes with a remote control. This hybrid unit combines a 15000 BTU aircon compressor with water cooling to produce a combined 25000 BTU cooling power, and uses only 1400 W in this manner (saving up to 53% energy). It produces up to 7 times more powerful air flow at 1,800³/h, up to a 5m distance, making it suitable for large open spaces. The water tank has a large 50 L capacity so you won’t be topping it up that often.

It’s 34 kg, tall and slim with vents positioned at the ideal blowing height, and easily moved on wheels. I think it’s a brilliant option if you live in a heritage unit or large studio apartment with weird window placements. You won’t need to fuss with exhaust ducts, which makes this one of the easiest portable ACs to move from room to room. And it still delivers actual cooling, not just air movement like a fan or swamp cooler.

The EuropAce 4-in-1 Air Cooler with Aircon Compressor EHAC25DH3WH is priced at $2,499 from Gain City.

Novita Coolplus 3-In-1 Portable Air Conditioner NAC12000UV-i, $598

Best combo 3-in-1 portable air conditioner in Singapore for master bedrooms and allergy relief

This little sibling of the Novita NAC14000UV-i is almost exactly like it, except smaller, and more energy-efficient. At 12000 BTU, this single-hose portable aircon unit is perfect for master bedrooms or spaces up to 258 sq ft. Like the NAC14000UV-i, it has UV-C sterilisation, Blue-Fin cooling technology, fogging technology, the 3-in-1 “Cool.Dry.Fan” function, a remote control, and smart programmable modes.

Its star feature for me is still the UV-C LED sterilisation feature, especially since Novita is a well-known and reliable local brand for its air purification products. This portable aircon does much more than just cool the room, it will purify the air of harmful microorganisms, protecting you and your family form bacteria and viruses and mould—a must-have if you have allergies or pets or mould in the house. On top of being an aircon, fan and air purifier, this little combo package even dehumidifies!

It’s not much lighter than the NAC14000UV-i though, at 33.7 kg (0.6 kg lighter) but also comes with castor wheels for easy rolling—you won’t have trouble moving this from room to room. It’s also quiet at 50 dB. Energy-wise, it has a rated power of 1300 W (notably less than NAC14000UV-I’s 1650 W), and this scores two ticks instead of one, making it more cost-effective for daily use.

The Novita Coolplus 3-In-1 Portable Air Conditioner NAC12000UV-i is priced at $598 from Novita.

Amazon Portable Air Conditioner Evaporative Air Cooler with 3 Wind Speeds, $73.62

Best personal mini portable air cooler in Singapore for camping, fishing, car, desktop, bedside, or office use

At the time of writing, this Amazon’s Choice product costs under $80, and could become your perfect companion for camping or fishing in Singapore. If you were looking for something nifty like this the whole time (and not like any of the unwieldy portable aircons we’ve been looking at), well—here it is. Portable in the truest sense of the word, this little evaporative cooler can follow you wherever you go, and be placed anywhere you like.

With a fairly large water tank (470 ml) which you can fill with water (and ice cubes for an even cooler effect), this unit can spray cold air continuously at you for 6-8 hours. It even has a neat “Water Shortage Protection Function” which will revert to a natural wind function once the water runs out, so you don’t have to worry about anything overheating if you fall asleep.

I like the sleek design and LED touchscreen controls, and this has three wind speed and three timer modes. It’s a mini contraption, really small, but if you keep your expectations realistic (i.e. by not hoping to cool the entire bedroom), it can be a very decent desk or bedside table companion. It definitely won’t replace an air conditioner, but it should help take the edge off the heat within a close radius.

No, it won’t work miracles in a humid Singaporean living room, and it’s not suitable for large areas, but if you just want a little breeze blowing on your face while you’re at the desk, or some airflow when you’re gaming or doing your makeup, this is a good alternative to bulky fans. Plus, it’s USB-powered, which makes it great for portable use—all you need is a power bank.

In terms of power usage, it consumes so little energy—comparable to a light bulb. Of course, since it doesn’t use a compressor, this isn’t an air conditioner in the traditional sense. But it’s super lightweight and easy to clean.

The Portable Air Conditioner Evaporative Air Cooler with 3 Wind Speeds is priced at $73.62 from Amazon.sg.

EuropAce EAC601DUV 6000 BTU Inverter Casement Air Conditioner with UV Air Purification, $842

Best inverter portable aircon in Singapore with air purification for small bedrooms

When it comes to compact cooling solutions that don’t hog your floor space, I think the EuropAce EAC601DUV might be one of the best casement aircon units available in Singapore—with air purification capabilities to boot. Marketed as “ideal for compact bedrooms with smaller windows”, this powerful all-in-one unit should fit neatly into a window or casement.

At 6,000 BTU, it’s suitable for smaller spaces—think bedrooms or compact home offices. What sets it apart, for me, is the built-in UV air purification function. Given our recent obsession with indoor air quality (thanks to coronaviruses and formaldehyde scares), this little extra helps offer some peace of mind—especially for kids and the elderly.

It has five modes: Cooling, Dehumidify, Fan, Automatic and Sleep, and a 24-hour timer. It’s also an inverter unit, which means better energy efficiency—quicker cooling, less temperature fluctuation, quieter operation and better durability. It’s got a rated power of 600 W, earning it two ticks, but it’s so small it shouldn’t make a huge dent in your electrical bills. This offers good value for people who want fixed cooling in a small room without paying the price for a split unit system.

The EuropAce EAC601DUV 6000 BTU Inverter Casement Air Conditioner with UV Air Purification is priced at $842 from Shopee.

What is BTU and how much BTU do I need?

British Thermal Units (BTU) are units of measurement for thermal energy required to change temperature, and simply put, reflects the cooling power of your aircon. This means that a 10000 BTU air conditioner can remove more heat from a room than one that is 5000 BTU.

To find out how much BTU you need, you can calculate your room area by multiplying the room’s length by its width (in feet), before multiplying the answer (in square feet) by 25 BTU. This will give you the approximate minimum cooling capacity for your room, meaning you’ll need an aircon with at least that much BTU. Some general guidelines suggest 20 BTU per square foot, but in hot, hot Singapore, you’d more likely need 30 to 50 BTU per square foot to stay cool. In reality, 50 BTU per sq ft is closer to what manufacturers recommend.

The better matched an aircon’s BTU is to your room size, the more efficiently it will cool down your room. However, note that other factors also come into play, such as the number of room occupants, the height of your ceiling, the size of your windows and sunlight exposure, room insulation (which is notably poorer in older HDB flats), etc.

Aircon BTU vs Room Size

Note: BTU recommendations can vary substantially. According to local furniture stores like COURTS Singapore and Megafurniture Singapore, HDB common rooms require 9000-10000 BTUs, HDB master bedrooms require 11000-12000 BTUs, 4-room HDB flat living rooms require 16000-18000 BTUs, while 5-room HDB flat or open-concept living rooms require 22000-24000 BTUs.

What to consider when buying a portable air conditioner in Singapore:

Room Size & BTU Rating: It’s important to select the correct BTU rating for your room. A higher BTU means stronger cooling, but overcooling isn’t good either—it can waste energy and lead to poor humidity control. Undercooling, on the other hand, is ineffective.

Energy Efficiency: Look for models with energy-saving modes or inverter technology, which will save you money in the long run. In Singapore, those highly-visible yellow-and-green Energy Labels help you compare items effectively, with five ticks signifying “Excellent” energy efficiency, and one tick representing “Low” energy efficiency.

Hose Configuration: Single-hose models can create negative air pressure and draw in warm air from outside. Dual-hose designs are more efficient as they draw in air from outside to cool the condenser, and expel warm air more effectively.

HEPA or Air Filtration: Some portable aircons double as air purifiers with built-in HEPA filters, removing dust and allergens while cooling the air. This is a bonus if you’re concerned about indoor air quality, especially in dusty environments or allergy-prone households.

Water Drainage & Dehumidifying: Most portable air conditioners also act as dehumidifiers. Look for self-evaporating models or ones that let you connect a hose for continuous drainage if you don’t want to be manually emptying the tank often.

Noise Level: Pay attention to the decibel rating (dB). 50–60 dB is average, but quieter models (<55 dB) are preferable for bedrooms and nurseries.

Portability & Size: Consider the unit’s weight and footprint, especially if you’ll be moving it between rooms. Models with caster wheels and a compact frame are easier to manoeuvre in tight HDB spaces.

Smart Features: Wi-Fi connectivity, remote control, and programmable timers can enhance convenience, especially if you plan to run the aircon only during certain hours.

Window Compatibility: Ensure the exhaust hose fits your window—most portable aircons are designed for sliding or casement windows. If your windows open outward, check if an adaptor kit is provided or compatible, or if venting through a wall, ceiling or door is possible. Otherwise, consider the evaporative portable cooler.

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