These 6 WiFi-Enabled Portable A/Cs Can Help You Save Money and Stay Cool

ProsDual inverter runs more efficiently than non-inverter models Whisper-quiet in sleep modeThinQ app lets you control and monitor from anywhereConsDisplay is difficult to read from a distanceThe LP1022FVSM is my go-to smart A/C for my office and living room, and the dual inverter compressor is the reason why (with the great app a close second). Instead of cycling on and off like a standard unit, it ramps up and down smoothly, keeping the temperature steadier and cutting down on the noise that comes with constant restarts. In sleep mode, it drops to around 44 decibels—quiet enough that I can fall asleep with it running just a few feet away.As for smart features, the ThinQ app is where this air conditioner earns its smart label—and why I never walk into a too-warm room anymore. I live in a climate where mornings are cool and afternoons heat up fast, but I don’t want to waste energy by leaving the A/C running all day when I’m out. The ThinQ app lets me check room temperature and turn on the unit from my phone so the room’s cool when I get home. Beyond that, it allows me to monitor energy use, check filter status, run diagnostics, and even pull up the product manual.It also connects to Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can just ask the room to cool down if you don’t feel like pulling out your phone or using the remote. My one complaint is the onboard display. It's recessed behind the vent, so I have to walk up to it to read the settings, which makes the app or remote the better option most days.Key SpecsCoverage450 sq ftCooling Capacity10,000 BTU (SACC) / 14,000 BTU (ASHRAE)Smart ConnectivityWiFi with LG ThinQ app; works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant Noise Level44 dB (sleep mode)ModesCool, fan, dryWeight69 lbProsSmartHome app plus voice controlAuto-evaporation skips manual drainingSimple remote and LED displayConsNo inverter, so noisier cyclingThis portable air conditioner is an easy pick if you want smart features without the inflated smart-A/C price tag. The SmartHome app is friendly for users of all tech abilities; it covers the basics you’ll use most, such as adjusting temperature, switching modes, and setting a schedule, and it pairs easily with Alexa or Google Assistant if you'd rather ask out loud.It responds the same as higher-end models—the app just doesn't go much further than the basics, with no built-in energy-use tracking or diagnostic tools. I appreciate that it doesn't try to oversell itself with extras most people would never open the app to use anyway.It’s low-maintenance, too. Auto-evaporation handles most of the moisture it collects, so you don't have to think about draining a tank unless you live in a very humid location.The remote and LED display are also refreshingly simple, no manual required. But, along with the simpler app, the trade-off for the lower price is the lack of an inverter compressor. That means it cycles on and off rather than ramping smoothly, so it runs louder and less efficiently than pricier picks. For rooms 350 square feet or smaller, though, that trade-off is easy to accept.Key SpecsCoverage350 sq ftCooling Capacity12,000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 8,000 BTU (DOE/SACC) Smart ConnectivityWiFi with SmartHome app; works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant Noise Level51 dBModesCool, dehumidify, fanWeight61 lbAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsLargest coverage on this listInverter compressor keeps noise lowSix modes cover every scenarioConsNewer brand with less track record If you want to cool a big space, the Zafro handles more square footage than anything else on this list. It’s rated for rooms up to 600 square feet, thanks to its 16,000 BTU (12,000 SACC) dual-hose system. The efficient inverter compressor ramps output up and down instead of cycling on and off, but you’ll barely hear it—this unit runs at 38 decibels on its quietest setting.Its six modes, including dedicated sleep mode and an extra mode for blasting through a heat wave, cover most any cooling scenario. The app rounds things out with a 24-hour timer, filter-clean reminders, and a power-off memory feature that picks up your last settings after an outage, so you won’t find yourself reprogramming the unit every time the power blinks. I like that these smart extras are practical rather than gimmicky—nothing feels tacked on just to check a features box.If you haven’t heard of this brand, you’re not alone. Zafro is a newer name in the portable A/C space compared to manufacturers such as Whynter or Midea. But while it doesn't have the same lengthy track record, its specs stack up well against more established competitors.Key SpecsCoverage600 sq ftCooling Capacity16,000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 12,000 BTU (SACC)Smart ConnectivityWiFi with Zafro app and remote; works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant Noise Level38 dB (on quietest setting)ModesCool, dry, fan, sleep, extra, ecoWeight55.7 lbProsInverter cuts energy use notablyDual hose-in-hose designMSmartHome app plus voice controlConsHeavier than single-hose competitorsThe Midea Duo's hose-in-hose design and inverter compressor are the reasons I’m pointing efficiency-minded buyers toward it. Midea rates it at more than 40 percent energy savings over the federal standard, and independent testing on the Duo lineup backs up that claim, showing it cools just as fast as pricier large-room units while drawing less power.The MSmartHome app handles scheduling and mode switching, and it pairs with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also works with Apple Watch, which is a convenient touch if you're already wearing one and don't want to dig for your phone.The efficient hose-in-hose system has one big trade-off, though—weight. At just under 73 pounds, it's heavier than most single-hose portable A/Cs, so you may want to roll it into place once and leave it there for the season rather than moving it room to room.Key SpecsCoverage450 sq ftCooling Capacity12,000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 10,000 BTU (SACC)Smart ConnectivityWiFi with MSmartHome app; works with Amazon Alexa and Google AssistantNoise Level43 dBModesCool, dehumidify, fanWeight72.6 lbAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsOutperforms competitors on raw cooling powerFeature-rich NetHome Plus appInverter compressor still saves energyConsNoise climbs on higher fan speeds The ARC-1230WN handles big, hot rooms with ease, and independent testing puts its 14,000 BTU (12,000 SACC) dual-hose cooling ahead of almost every other portable A/C on the market. The inverter compressor also means it draws less power than most units with similar output, so your energy bills will stay lower no matter how low you set the unit’s thermostat.The full-featured NetHome Plus app includes geofencing that can trigger the A/C based on your location rather than relying on you to push a button or schedule runtimes. It also includes a Sleep Curve setting that gradually adjusts temperature overnight, plus self-diagnosis alerts and an Express Run mode for a quick blast of cooling when you want to drop the inside temperature fast.But while it claims to be whisper quiet, it can get loud at higher fan speeds. Independent measurements put it closer to 56 decibels on the high setting, which makes it average in the sound category. That said, it is very quiet on its lowest setting. Besides, I’d gladly have a high-powered but slightly noisier machine during the hottest week of summer, when cooling power matters more than hushed operation.Key SpecsCoverage600 sq ftCooling Capacity14,000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 12,000 BTU (SACC)Smart ConnectivityWiFi with NetHome Plus app; works with Amazon Alexa and Google HomeNoise Level47 dB on low, up to 56 dB on highModesAuto, cool, dehumidify, fanWeight75 lbProsAlexa, Google Home, and Siri supportSleep curve adjusts overnight automaticallyDrainage-free design skips the bucketAlexa, Google Home, and Siri all talk to this A/C, which is more than I can say for units twice its price. I didn’t expect a budget-friendly A/C to out-app pricier units on this list, but the AC515S does. If you're on a budget and want convenience and modern technology, this is one of the better bang-for-buck units I've used. Its power and features surprised me. It also packs in more voice-assistant options, on top of the Dreo app and physical remote.That said, the physical remote is so handy that I end up using it more than the app most days. It has buttons to change speed and temperature, set air modes, run the sleep timer, and turn on the auto-swing louver, and I love that the unit has a magnet on top for convenient remote storage between uses.The sleep curve function is a nice touch, too. It gradually adjusts the temperature overnight instead of holding one setting all night, and the app also tracks room temperature and humidity in real time, which comes in handy on muggy days.Manual controls on the front of the unit and the easy-to-see digital display show room temperature, mode, and fan power, so I always know what’s going on with it whether I’m using the remote, the app, or adjusting it by hand. Plus, drainage-free cooling means I don’t have to think about emptying a tank, and it has a dedicated noise-isolation system around the compressor that keeps it at a quiet 46 decibels.The only catch is coverage. At 300 square feet, it's built for a bedroom or office, not a living room or larger space, so match it to the right room before you buy.Key SpecsCoverage300 sq ftCooling Capacity12,000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 8,000 BTU (DOE)Smart ConnectivityWiFi with Dreo app; works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and SiriNoise Level46 dBModesCool, dry, fanWeight63 lbLauren Bongard is a full-time freelance writer focusing on home improvement, lifestyle, and reviews. She loves to find the details that make projects personal, practical, and purposeful. Lauren writes for Angi.com, Real Simple, trade publications, and more. When she’s not writing, she’s wrangling a herd of rescue pets, doing DIY projects, baking, and digging in her garden in the shadow of Montana’s Bridger Range.Xavier Piedra is a Senior Reviews editor at Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, and Best Products. Xavier’s previous experience includes editing shopping, home, and lifestyle content at major outlets such as Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Popsugar, and more. When he isn’t thinking about the best products for readers, Xavier is likely watching the latest flicks at a nearby AMC, or filling out his physical video game collection.