Best air conditioners for bedrooms: quietest AC for 2026

Most British houses just aren’t built to cope with heatwaves. Whether you live in a Victorian-style terrace or a modern two-bedroom apartment, it’ll take more than keeping your curtains closed to keep your bedrooms cool this summer.

Stifling hot days and extreme temperatures are becoming increasingly common, with 2026 predicted to be one of the hottest years on record. After last summer's heatwave, many Mumsnetters took the plunge and invested in the best air conditioner their budget allows, ranging from portable air con units to professionally installed mini split systems.

More effective than using an air cooler or even a quiet fan, adding one of the best air conditioners for bedrooms to your home can keep you and your family cool and comfortable during your slumber.

In addition to checking their suitability for your room size, when choosing the best air conditioners for bedrooms it’s also worth looking for specialist ‘sleep’ modes, with super low noise levels that won’t disturb your sleep. Most portable air conditioning units need venting, so consider your window type and whether window kits are included.

If the cost feels like a luxury, it’s worth remembering that many air conditioners double up as fans or dehumidifiers, making them a wise investment for year home all year round.

Due to the current UK heatwave, portable air conditioners are selling out quickly. We’re updating this page regularly to replace out-of-stock models with the best currently available options.

Best air conditioners for bedrooms at a glance

Best air conditioner for bedrooms overall: DELONGHI Pinguino ES72 8300 BTU Air Conditioner & Dehumidifier, £449

Best small air conditioner for bedrooms: Daewoo 5000BTU Portable Air Conditioner, £459
Best 3-in-1 air conditioner for bedrooms: AEG Comfort 6000 Portable Air Conditioner, £499
Best smart air conditioner for bedrooms: Meaco MeacoCool Pro Series 10000 Portable Air Conditioner, £500 - SOLD OUT
Quietest air conditioner for bedrooms: Bosch Cool 4000 Portable AC - 3-in-1 Air Conditioner, £599
Best air conditioner for large bedrooms: VonHaus High-Performance Air Conditioner - 4 Modes – 12000BTU, £350
Best split system air conditioner for bedrooms: electriQ iQool Plus, £530

How we chose the best portable air conditioners for bedrooms

We combined real recommendations from Mumsnet users with expert research and verified buyer reviews to identify versatile, reliable portable air conditioners that are efficient, easy to use and suitable for a range of budgets.

Recommendations from real Mumsnet users	We start on the Mumsnet forum, scanning recent threads about surviving heat waves and keeping your home cool in summer. The air conditioners for bedrooms that Mumsnet users consistently praise in their own homes are added to our longlist for deeper review.
Expert input and desk research	We compare each air conditioner based on key features – BTU level, functions, portability, energy use, timers, sleep modes and how easy it is to set up. Where relevant, we cross-check the brand’s claims against independent tests and expert reviews.
Verified-buyer feedback	We scrutinise verified reviews across major UK retailers (including Amazon, Argos, AO.com and Very), looking for feedback after long-term use on everyday performance.

We haven’t tested every air conditioner for bedrooms in this guide in-house, but we only recommend models that consistently perform well across all of these sources. Where we have run hands-on tests, we clearly say so in the review. For more details on how we choose and test products on Mumsnet, see our How we test page.

What are the best air conditioners for bedrooms in 2026?

1

Best air conditioner for bedroom overall

DELONGHI Pinguino ES72 8300 BTU Air Conditioner & Dehumidifier

Buy now from Currys

What we like

Cools the room quickly
Three-in-one product with fan and dehumidifier options
Can set the timer to turn off automatically after a specified duration
Uses R290 refrigerant
Remote control and 24-hour timer

What we don't like

The hose length could be longer
Heavy
Costly

Key specs

What Mumsnet users say

NeverDropYourMooncup · Recommended product

Weighs a ton but once it's upstairs, it's really easy to move around. It's really noisy when actively cooling, but stick it on a noise absorbing mat like one for underneath a washing machine and when you get to night time, it's a lot quieter on the sleep setting. I loved being able to set a timer for it so that I'd get home and head for the bedroom where it had been running for about 45 mins before I got in - bliss. Also usable as a dehumidifier in winter for clothes.

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Canthelpmyselffromjoiningin · Recommended brand

We've had a delonghi pinguino for about 4 years which I thoroughly reccommend. You do need to put the vent hose out of a window, but its very effective at cooling and the air feels better too as its also a dehumidifier. Worth every penny when the weather is like this.

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Getupat8amnow · Recommended brand

We have a portable DeLonghi air con unit. It is amazing. In 2023 when parts of the UK hit 40° our area was 40° and our living room was 24° with the air con on. We actually didn’t use it at all last summer as it didn’t get hot enough but just the thought of having it made the heat more bearable. If it gets too hot this summer I am thinking of getting it taken upstairs to use at night. The hose will be a pain though.

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Our verdict

A great all-rounder that offers efficient cooling for smaller bedrooms, home offices and living spaces, the De’Longhi Pinguino ES72 Portable Air Conditioner is designed to cool rooms up to 60m³. As well as helping rooms feel more comfortable during hot weather, it also doubles as a fan and dehumidifier, making it useful year-round for reducing excess moisture in the home.

We love the addition of a remote control, so there’s no need to get out of bed to adjust the settings when temperatures rise overnight. You can choose from three fan speeds, as well as an auto mode that helps maintain a comfortable room temperature while keeping noise levels lower on gentler settings.

While some users may find the exhaust hose a little restrictive depending on room layout, this portable air conditioner comes with a window kit included, so you have everything needed to get set up. The unit is also fairly heavy, but integrated handles and castors make it easier to move between rooms when needed.

Read next: Best neck fans

2

Best small air conditioner for bedrooms

Daewoo 5000BTU Portable Air Conditioner

Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Currys

What we like

Remote control
Portable design on wheels
3-in-1 design suitable for use all year round

What we don't like

Less suitable for large rooms
The power cable is relatively short
Window kit not included

Key specs

Our verdict

If you’re seeking a more affordable option, the Daewoo air conditioner offers excellent value for money, retailing at less than £200. Despite its budget-friendly price tag, this 3-in-1 design includes a cooling fan, air conditioner and dehumidifier, making it ideal for year-round use.

While it's best suited to smaller rooms (up to 12m2), its portable design and castors make it easy to move around your house. Weighing just 15kg, it's also light enough to carry downstairs to cool your surroundings when working from home. It's worth noting that the window kit is not included, and the power cable is relatively short, so you’ll need to choose your positioning carefully.

Once set up, we love the convenience of the remote control, allowing you to turn it on, navigate between the two speed settings or trigger the built-in timer with minimal effort.

Read next: Best handheld fans

6

Best 3-in-1 air conditioner for bedrooms

AEG Comfort 6000 Portable Air Conditioner AXP26U339CW

Buy now from AO

What we like

Uses modern eco-friendly R290 refrigerant gas
Smart operation via the AEG smartphone app or a compatible device
Quick and easy to set up
Clever auto mode

What we don't like

Hose length is shorter than some portable designs
The window kit is sold separately
Heavy

Key specs

What Mumsnet users say

MrsHemswoth · Recommended brand

I have a portable AEG one for when it's too hot - life saver!

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Paaseitjes · Recommended brand

I have an AEG. It can get our North facing 6x4m bedroom down by 3° and the south facing living 6x8m room down 1.5°. I couldn't bring myself to pay for the Pinguino for 3 days per year. The matching expensive window fitting is useless for outwards opening windows, it assumes you have no handles. Drawing the insulated curtains round it works well. The pipe is really noisy, it will annoy your neighbours so you can't use it overnight unless you live over a main road

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Wizardonabroom · Recommended brand

We have two AEG portable units. They are bulky and need venting out of a window but make a huge difference to the room temperature. Ours have a phone app so you can turn them on and off, set a timer, child lock it, set the temperature etc. We tend to keep one downstairs and one upstairs then move them to the garage when no longer needed. Ours have a dry feature so can also be used as a dehumidifier which is great for when washing is hanging inside in the winter.

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Our verdict

Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full AEG Comfort 6000 Portable Air Conditioner review

If you’ve been relying on a tower fan but are struggling to find a non-sticky starfish sleeping position, it may be time to upgrade to a smart portable air conditioner for your bedroom. The AEG Comfort 6000 Portable Air Conditioner is a great example. While the window kit is sold separately on the AEG website, it's quick and easy to set up without requiring professional installation.

With a powerful 12000 BTU rating, it efficiently cools spaces of up to 36m². Along with impressive energy efficiency, this modern design also uses the more sustainable and environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant gas to cool your surroundings.

With slightly higher decibel levels than some portable air conditioners, our tester found this air conditioner too noisy to have on while she slept (although the white noise may be helpful if you struggle to switch off at night). That said, she was really impressed by its performance when pre-cooling her bedroom, simply turning it off when it was time to sleep. She also rated the smart functionality of this 3-in-1 design, triggering the settings remotely using the AEG app.

Related: The best neck fans, as recommended by Mumsnetters

4

Best smart air conditioner for bedrooms

Meaco MeacoCool Pro Series 10000 Portable Air Conditioner - SOLD OUT

Buy now from B&Q

What we like

Includes two types of window kit for quick and simple set-up
Dedicated sleep mode with dimmed light and low running volume
Child lock for peace of mind
Control via the Meaco app or smart home appliances

What we don't like

Reviewers felt it was noisier than the specifications suggest
Despite having castors, it’s pretty heavy to move between rooms

Key specs

What Mumsnet users say

Superworm24 · Recommended brand

We bought a portable unit this year. It's a Meaco one and it's brilliant. We have a newborn baby, and I'm breastfeeding. Where most adults can just put up with the heat, it's a little more stressful when you have a baby or family member who cannot regulate their own temperature properly. Heatwaves kill.

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Our verdict

Tested by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full MeacoCool MC Series Pro 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner review

Highly rated amongst Mumsnet users, Meaco is a trusted brand that produces some of the best fans and dehumidifiers on the market today. The MeacoCool Pro Series 10000 is a popular portable air conditioner, with multiple functions including a cooling fan and dehumidifier.

Thanks to its innovative features, you don’t need to move a muscle to cool down the temperature of your bedroom. As well as operating via the MeacoCool app, you can sync this air conditioner via wifi to your Alexa or Google Home, triggering it instantly by voice command if your room starts to feel like a sauna.

Two types of window kit included, making setting up the MeacoCool simple and stress-free. Our tester Poppy noted however that the unit felt quite heavy, so while the castors make it easy to move between rooms, carrying up and down stairs may feel like a little more of a chore.

With a specialist sleep mode for overnight use, we love the quiet operation. With a 24-hour timer, you can set it to turn off automatically or simply set it for a few hours to pre-cool your kid's room before bed.

Related: Best cooling blankets

5

Quietest air conditioner for bedrooms

Bosch Cool 4000 Portable AC - 3-in-1 Air Conditioner

Buy now from Amazon

What we like

Impressive cooling and dehumidifier performance
Portable unit with 360-degree castors
Quiet running volumes for overnight use
Intelligent Auto mode

What we don't like

Costly
Heavy (but portable)

Key specs

Our verdict

While it certainly doesn’t come cheap, the Bosch Cool 4000 air conditioner is super easy to use. The intelligent auto setting automatically adjusts and controls the cooling performance to suit your surroundings, so you won’t get cold if temperatures suddenly drop during the night.

A 3-in-1 model recommended for rooms of up to 35m2, this compact and portable design combines an air conditioner, dehumidifier and fan. Using inverter technology for improved energy efficiency, Bosch claim uses 30% less energy compared to traditional portable designs and runs at just 44dB, with no frustrating stopping and starting sounds to contend with while you’re trying to nod off.

We love the specialised sleep mode, dimming the lights and running on the lowest noise levels possible, so you won’t need to turn it off to guarantee a good night's sleep. If your home is humid or damp during winter, you’ll also love the powerful dehumidifier mode, capable of removing up to 50 litres of moisture daily

Read next: Best cooling mattress

8

Best air conditioner for large bedrooms

VonHaus High Performance Air Conditioner 12000BTU

Buy now from Amazon

What we like

Powerful BTU rating cools even larger rooms
Four modes including sleep mode
Three ways to operate (manual, remote or app)

What we don't like

Costly

Key specs

Our verdict

If you’re lucky enough to sleep in a generously sized bedroom, you’ll need a more powerful air conditioner to make your space more comfortable.

This high-performance air conditioner from VonHaus has an impressive 12000 BTU rating using R280 refrigerant, capable of quickly lowering the temperature in rooms up to 35m2. A 3-in-1 design featuring air con, a two-speed fan, and a dehumidifier, it offers a quiet sleep mode for use during those unbearably hot summer nights.

This portable air conditioning is simple to set up in minutes, with a long, pre-attached hose and window kits included. There are also three ways to operate, from the LCD display to a remote or mobile app – handy for triggering the air con prior to heading up to bed.

7

Best split system air conditioner for bedrooms

electriQ iQool Plus

Buy now from Appliances Direct

What we like

Doubles up as heating during winter months
Discreet wall-mounted design
Excellent energy efficiency
Low running volumes with specialised automatic sleep mode
Follow Me" function adjusts the temperature based on the location of your remote
UVC steriliser to stop germs, viruses and mould from recirculating through your home

What we don't like

Requires expert installation by an F-Gas qualified AC engineer

Key specs

Our verdict

If you’re prepared to spend a little more and don’t mind paying extra for professional installation, split system air conditioning is the way to go. By far the quietest and most energy efficient choice for bedrooms, split air conditioning has two units - a discreet internal wall-mounted unit and another on the external wall.

We love the Electriq iQool Plus, which offers powerful cooling of 12000 BTU and doubles as a heater for the colder winter months. This energy-efficient design is self-cleaning and features a UVC steriliser to stop germs, viruses and mould from recirculating around your home.

With a designated sleep mode and quiet running volumes as low as 32dB, it’s much more peaceful than your average portable air conditioning unit. The smart ‘follow me’ feature also adjusts the temperature automatically based on your location when using the remote.

What size air conditioner do I need for my bedroom (BTU guide)?

To choose the best air conditioner for your bedroom, you should consider the BTU - British Thermal Unit. This is a measurement that describes how much heat an air conditioner can remove from a room per hour.

As a general rule, the larger your bedroom, the higher BTU rating you’ll need:

Small bedrooms (up to 14m²) - 4000-6000 BTU
Medium bedrooms (up to 23m²) - 6000-8000 BTU
Large bedrooms (up to 35m2) - 8000-10000 BTU
Extra large bedrooms (up to 42m2) - 10000-12000 BTU

You may also want to choose a higher BTU if your bedroom is on the top floor of a 3 story house or gets strong direct sunlight during the day.

What’s a “quiet” air conditioner for bedrooms (and what dB can you sleep through)?

Portable air conditioners generally aren’t what you would call ‘quiet’, running at between 40 and 65dB which can make them feel too loud for overnight use. That said, many have designated sleep modes for overnight use, using low fan speeds for quieter ‘white-noise’ during use.

For the quietest air conditioners, you’d need to consider a split-system like the ElectriQ iQool above, running as low as 33dB

Are portable air conditioners safe to run overnight?

Yes, most portable air conditioners are safe to run overnight as long as you set them up correctly.

Its important that you vent them correctly using a window kit and that the hose is free from kinks.

Its also worth considering how water is drained. Self evaporating models are safe to run all night long, whereas other models use tanks or draining tubes to collect the expelled water - this will limit how long they can run before you need to drain the collected water.

Most modern units have overheat protection and automatic shut off if tank gets full – great for piece of mind. If you’re reluctant to leave it running over long periods, you could also take advantage of their built-in timer, shutting off the air con automatically once you’re asleep.

Do portable air conditioners need to be vented out of a window?

Yes, portable air conditioners need venting out of a window or patio door to remove the hot air from your room down the exhaust hose.

Most portable air conditioners come with window kits, including options for sliding and sash windows.

How much does it cost to run a bedroom air conditioner overnight in the UK?

The exact cost of running an air conditioner overnight will depend on the type of unit, whether it has an auto shut-off timer and its overall power consumption. You can calculate the energy use by multiplying the wattage, electricity rate and number of hours it's running.

According to recent testing by consumer champion Which?, the average cost of running a portable air conditioning unit is 22p per hour.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.

Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.

About the author

Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.

Lucy loves scrutinising kitchen appliances and has written several SwearBy posts about laundry management, including the best heat pump tumble dryers and best quiet washing machines. She also owns and rates our top choice Samsung and can be found regularly dancing around her kitchen to the end-cycle tunes.