This Might Be Your Last Day to Buy a Portable Air Conditioner Before They All Sell Out — These Well-Rated Ones Are in Stock (for Now)

Keep your home looking (and feeling) cool with these portable air conditioners

portable air conditioner units
(Image credit: Duux North / De'Longhi / Zanussi)
Recent updates

11th July: Products have been checked for stock, and new suggestions included.

John Lewis has sold out of portable air conditioners. (And they’re not alone). As the third heatwave of the summer looms, and it’s safe to say it won’t be the last — if you’re going to have a unit sitting in your space for the foreseeable future, you may as well make it a good-looking one. But is that an impossible ask?

Thankfully, not these days. There are a number of brands that’ve developed reasonably stylish portable air conditioning units with more streamlined silhouettes, customizable finishes, and that are optimized for mobility, making them easy to shift and move around your space, depending on where you need it most.

"I still have my doubts as to whether air conditioning is really the best way to cool down a room if you live in the UK, especially given its environmental impact," says Livingetc's editor Hugh Metcalf, "but if you are going to buy one, getting that balance between how well it works and not being a hideous monolith in your home is what I'd care about. And it's harder than you'd think to find."

As when it comes to anything home-related, you can always rest easy knowing that the Livingetc team has spent the time scouring the internet for the best (and best-looking) portable air conditioner to buy. And we have. My top pick? The De’Longhi Pinguino AP98 Gentle Jet Portable Air Conditioning Unit, which is currently 15% off on Amazon.

Homeowners are, understandably, pretty critical when it comes to their reviews of air conditioner units — they’re hot, we get it. But when considering a new purchase, it’s important to sort through the review bombs (i.e. it was delivered late, something was damaged or missing that was later rectified) from the actual issues (for example, it doesn’t actually cool down a room). The biggest critique of portable air conditioners I came across was the noise, as well as issues with the length of the ducting attachment, so make sure you consider your space carefully.

Below are five portable air conditioners that seem to get the balance right between form and function, with an average star rating of 4 or above, and that are, most importantly, still in stock right now.

Why Do Portable Air Conditioners Need to Be Vented?

You might be thinking, do I really need that ugly hose vent for my portable air conditioner? Well, sadly, yes. Air conditioners work by taking in hot air from a room, then cooling it and releasing it back into the room. This process, however, also creates heat. Without it, the heat is released back into the room, cancelling out the cold air you've labored to create.

These units also need a way to release moisture that they remove from the air during the process, so the vent hose also acts as a way to extract this from the machine, too.

There have been some steps in creating 'ductless' portable air conditioners, such as the Morphy Richards S1, below, but their efficacy is up for debate, with many reviewers saying they are still releasing hot air into the room.


When selecting an air conditioning unit that doesn't compromise on aesthetics, it's essential to consider both design and performance. The Daikin Stylish Single Split Air Conditioning Unit stands out for its sleek design and efficient operation, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a permanent solution. There are other products on the market too, each catering to different needs and preferences, ensuring that you can find an air conditioning solution that enhances your home's comfort without detracting from its style.

Seraphina Kyprios
Contributing Editor

Seraphina is a contributing editor at Livingetc, writing Advice features on design, renovation and organisation. Seraphina is a qualified Interior Designer from KLC School of Design having worked at London-based interior design agencies Anouska Hempel and ND Studios. Seraphina has also completed her MA degree in Magazine Journalism at City, University of London, with previous experience including writing for Homes & Gardens, Women's Health, Food & Travel and Fabulous Magazine.