Best Air Conditioners 2018 – Buyer’s Guide

The first domestic air conditioning unit to achieve an A++ energy efficiency rating, this Pinguino model will run effectively without making too much of a dent in your energy bills.

It is also a great improvement in technology compared to its predecessors. The climate light indicator gives the user a constant update on the conditions of the room via the LED display. There are also three light stages – orange for uncomfortable conditions, green for acceptable and blue for optimal.

You can use this unit on dehumidify-mode only, making it versatile for whatever you need. Handles and castors also make it very easy to move around, despite it being on the heavier side.

The included bio-silver filter will remove pollutants and allergens from the air, making it ideal for hayfever sufferers in the summer months.

Low noise emissions are guaranteed even when it is on the maximum setting, so if you want to leave it running overnight, it will not disturb your sleep. The maximum cooling capacity is very high, so it won’t leave you struggling in the heat.

It is the most expensive of our picks by far, but if an air conditioner is vital and you want the best of the bunch, then this is your top pick.

For a mid-priced model, this Electrolux is surprisingly efficient. It guides the cool air to wherever the remote is situated, so you have full control over the direction.

The energy output is high at 9000 BTU, and it also operates at 1000W, so will have no struggles in removing the hot air. There is also a sleep mode, so you can pause the unit and carry on where you left off later.

With the ability to cool a room with a maximum size of 18m², it will likely be suitable for any room in your house. The exhaust hose length is 1.3m, which is generous too.

Electrolux is a leading name in the electronics industry, and this product shows why.

With oscillating vents, this VonHaus model will keep your whole room cold no matter its shape.

There are three modes – cool, dehumidify and fan – so you have freedom of choice no matter the conditions. For even more choice, there is a 1-24-hour timer, so you can set the device up to keep your room cool well ahead of time.

The four castors make it transportable between rooms, and it is also on the lighter side so will be relatively effortless to carry up and down stairs.

Operated with a remote control, there is also an LED display screen for full control.

This monoblock air conditioner from Trotec is compact and slimline for a product of its type, making it perfect if you want to fit it in any little niches out of eyesight.

It is on the lightweight side, so can be transported between rooms with little effort using the four wheeling castors. There is also a handy little cable tidy and remote-control storage caddy so that you won’t lose any vital pieces on the way.

Not only does it have the ability to cool down a room up to 65m² to 16°C, but it can also be used as a dehumidifier or aerator without using the cooling function.

The hose is 1.5m long, which is good for most rooms and placements.

This portable unit is not only small in size but fully flexible, with a duct which the user can fit to various window styles.

With three modes to choose from (cool, fan only and dehumidify), the appliance can also be adjusted to suit your needs. The former will act as a traditional air conditioner, reducing the temperature of the room and allowing you to choose your desired fan speed. The latter will perform at 0.75L/h.

There is a drain tube to make emptying out any excess moisture easy, which the owner should perform periodically.

Recycling warm air into cold air, the Challenge 5K provides enough power for a room size up to 7~10m².

The self-evaporative system will draw excess moisture from the air, helping to keep the ideal temperature. Omni-directional castors make it easy to move between rooms, so you have complete freedom wherever you wish to spend your day.

Controlling the appliance is made easy with an LED display, 1-hour timer function and remote.

It is supplied with a 150cm hose, which should be long enough for most windows and external ventilation options.