Most versatile portable air conditioners out there are both cooling units and dehumidifiers rolled into one – which is good news for those of us with an allergy problem. Excessively humid conditions create the perfect breeding grounds for several types of allergens, be it mold, dust mites, insects and more, and inhaling these all day does us no favors, so having a moisture-regulating device which keeps humidity at a more desired degree is a godsend. Add to this the in-built filters in a good portable cooling unit, and you’ll have an air conditioner sieving out pollen, dust mites and other allergens irritating your sinuses. More or less all portable air conditioners double as dehumidifiers, some allowing you to exclusively use the device to dehumidify without switching the cooling on, but if you’re specifically on the lookout for one that’ll take it easy on your allergies, here are a couple of our top picks.
KEN’S PICK
Friedrich ZoneAire PH14B
The ZoneAire is an air conditioner, a dehumidifier, a fan and a heater all packaged in one sleek, attractive device. The dual hose system makes this unit 40% faster at cooling, since it doesn’t waste energy pumping recycled air out – the exhaust vent releases heat, the dual hose mechanism recycling indoor air, conditioning it and releasing it back into the room it’s being used in. This cuts down the air and the energy wasted, making it a brilliant energy-efficient choice for your home.
This unit also comes with a self-evaporative system, venting condensate outside through the bracket via the exhaust, so you don’t have to worry about emptying out a water tank once the device has sucked in too much moisture. If the weather is excessively humid and too much moisture accumulates, the device is designed to switch off so the convenient drain outlet can be used to empty it. The unit’s in-built filters are washable and anti-microbial, so you won’t have to worry about pathogens and allergens being circulated around in the air. Meanwhile, the unit comes with up to 13,500 BTUs (referring to British Thermal Units of heat per hour that the device can remove or add), making it perfectly suitable for cooling and maintaining the humidity of rooms up to 550 square feet in size, ideal for attics, basements, smaller bedrooms and offices.
The unit is both remote-operated, and equipped with a digital interface of controls on the unit itself. The window installation panel is perfect for setting up both vertically and horizontally, suited for window openings between 26 and 46 inches and can be cut down to set into smaller windows, too. Caster wheels fitted under the unit make it easy to maneuver and position where you need it.
KEN’S BUDGET PICK
Honeywell MN12CES Portable Air Conditioner
At 12,000 BTUs, this air conditioner works perfectly for areas between 450 to 550 square feet. A compact and contemporary unit, this 3-in-1 air conditioner, fan and dehumidifier has a dehumidification capacity of up to 75 pints per day, capable of maintaining the optimum humidity of areas up to 2,000 square feet, so you can rest assured that there is no excess moisture in the air fattening up dust-mites and other allergy causing bugs or inciting a mold outbreak. Temperatures can be set anywhere between 61 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit with the push of a button, while the fan mechanism comes with three available speeds. Additionally, a washable filter removes dirt from the air when cooling and circulating it. With a self-evaporative system, moisture is vented outside, but if there is a build-up of moisture inside the unit, it can be discharged via a garden hose.
Gliding caster wheels let you easily move the unit into position close to your chosen window – and an easily accessible power socket. The unit comes with an easy-to-install window panel for setting up your venting system, adjustable from about 20 to 47 inches, usable both horizontally and vertically.
The unit is controllable via touch-sensitive LED and remote controls, and uses the Chlorofluorocarbon-free R-410A refrigerant, making it an eco-friendly option as well.
RUNNER-UP
Honeywell MN10CESWW Portable Air Conditioner
A slightly smaller version of our Budget Pick, this unit nonetheless packs all the features we love in its cousin. 10,000 BTUs make this the right sized air conditioner and dehumidifier for rooms up to 400 square feet. Also a fan with three adjustable speeds, this versatile, eco-friendly unit has a dehumidification capacity of 68 pints a day, capable of collecting moisture over areas up to 2,000 square feet, making it the type of heavy-duty dehumidifier you’d want to use in any part of your home subject to high degrees of allergen-breeding humidity. The self-evaporating system does away with the need to constantly empty out tanks of moisture gathered from the air.
An intuitive digital control interface and remote operation lets you set the unit to cool at temperatures between 61 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit. Caster wheels make the unit easy to move around and situate where it’s needed, an installation kit included to let you set up the venting mechanism using a window bracket adjustable between about 20 and 47 inches, installation possible both vertically and horizontally. The bracket can be removed when you’re not using the unit, so you can enjoy the view out of your windows without anything obstructing it.
RUNNER-UP
Whynter ARC-14S Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
Another dual hose entry in this list, this unit is not just energy-efficient, but also environmentally friendly too, with its Chlorofluorocarbon-free, R-410A refrigerant and lead-free, Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliant parts. Quick to chill, the unit features 14,000 BTU cooling – just right for rooms as large as 700 square feet – as well as a dehumidification capacity of an impressive 101 pints a day, perfect for any room or rooms experiencing too much humidity. Two layers of filtration, with a pre-filter and carbon air filter, trap dirt and allergens in the air rather than spewing them back out, so you can rest easy that you’re breathing in safe, anti-allergy-provoking air.
The unit can be adjusted to temperatures between 61 and 89 degrees Fahrenheit, the fan with three speed modes, digital and remote controls letting you select your preferred settings. Caster wheels allow for easy maneuverability, while the window installation kit is adjustable to a maximum of 46 inches.
SOURCES
- Friedrich: https://www.friedrich.com/
- WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/how-weather-affects-allergies
- Whynter: https://www.whynter.com/