Ventless units—also known as evaporative or “swamp” coolers—don’t require hoses or ducting. They cool by evaporating water, making them lightweight, portable, and energy efficient, especially in hot, dry climates. But they’re not a perfect substitute for traditional AC in humid regions
However, not all ventless models are created equal. To help you find the best ventless air conditioner for your needs, we’ve put together a list of the best ventless air conditioners available options.
Whether you’re looking for a powerful unit for a large space or a more compact model for a smaller room, you’ll find a great option on our list. And we’ve included a range of prices to fit any budget.
So if you’re ready to cool down without ductwork, read on for the best ventless air conditioners on the market.
Here is The List of Best Ventless Air Conditioners
Best Ventless Air Conditioners
1. evaCHILL Personal Air Cooler
I grabbed the evaCHILL a few weeks ago, and it’s become my go‑to desktop cooling companion. At just 750 g, it’s crazy lightweight, and the flip‑up handle makes it simple to move from desk to bedside.
The 800 ml water tank gives up to 8–9 hours of cooling, and the single-button operation with four fan speeds is refreshingly easy.
The evaporative basalt‑fiber cartridge quietly cools, humidifies, and even filters dust — making my air feel fresher.
It consumes only about 7.5 W, so it’s energy efficient and USB‑powered via power bank or laptop. Not a full room AC, but perfect for close‑range relief in dry heat.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Ultra-portable and lightweight
- USB-powered, energy efficient (7.5W)
- Cools, humidifies, and purifies
- Simple one-button operation
- Long runtime (up to 9 hours)
Cons
- Only effective in dry climates
- Cools a small personal area, not a whole room
2. Hessaire MC37M
This powerful little machine is perfect for cooling home, patio, or workshop spaces up to 950 square feet.
With 3 fan speeds and oscillating louvers, it ensures even distribution and wide coverage for your comfort. Plus, the 3 simple rotary controls make it easy to operate.
Pros
- Impressive cooling power, delivering up to 3,100 CFM, sufficient for areas up to ~950 sq ft
- Large water tank (10.3 gal) and optional hose hookup let it run longer without constant refilling
Cons
- Not power efficient
- Bulky and heavy — not practical for frequent moves or tight spots
3. Honeywell TC10PEU
This Honeywell TC10PEU cooler is perfect for cooling down your immediate area, whether it’s your couch, bed, workspace, or dining table.
And since it’s easily portable, you can take it wherever you go. Plus, it has two settings – evaporative cooling or a more gentle, fan-only breeze – so you can customise it to your needs.
Pros
- Reliable and affordable
- Cheapest good ventless cooler on the market
- Incredibly easy to use
Cons
- Low cooling.
4. Honeywell 300-420CFM Portable Evaporative Cooler
This powerful little machine is perfect for small areas in your home or office. It’s ideal for use in hot, dry climates where humidity levels are below 50%.
Pros
- Energy efficient
- Has adjustable louvers to direct cold air
- Carbon Dust Air Filter
Cons
- Not suitable for larger areas
5. NewAir Portable Evaporative Air Cooler
The NewAir AF-1000W portable evaporative cooler and tower fan come in. This little powerhouse uses clean evaporation to provide relief from the heat without all the toxic chemicals found in traditional air conditioners.
It’s eco-friendly, lightweight, and comes with a remote control for added convenience. Plus, the automatic timer ensures that you’ll never have to worry about returning to a hot, stuffy house again.
Pros
- 3 Fan speeds
- An efficiency booster that cools the compressor with water
Cons
- High Price
6. Whynter Elite ARC-122DS
With its three fan speeds and 330m3/h / 155CFM airflow, this portable air conditioner will keep you cool and comfortable all summer long!
This unit is perfect for cooling spaces up to 400 square feet and features a patented auto drain function that fully exhausts all condensates automatically.
Additionally, the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS has a dehumidifying capacity of 76 pints per day, making it ideal for high-humidity environments.
Pros
- A quiet (almost noiseless) AC model
- It looks very nice
- Convenient remote-control operation
- Useful LED display screen
Cons
- Not powerful enough to adequately cool larger spaces
7. SereneLife SLACHT128 7,000 BTU
It features four modes – cooling, heating, dehumidifying, and fanning – so you can customize your experience.
The digital touch button control panel makes adjusting settings like temperature and fan speed easy.
The remote control lets you adjust functions like unit selector and sleep mode. For maximum air circulation, the unit features an automatic swing mode with a moving wind vent.
Pros
- 8 liter/hour dehumidifying
- 380m3/h of airflow
Cons
- No energy efficiency rating
8. Frigidaire FGPC1044U1
This unit is Wi-Fi-Ready and can be controlled with the Frigidaire Smart App. It has a cooling capacity of 5,200 DOE BTUs/10,000 ASHARE BTUs and can cool a room up to 450 square feet.
It also has a 3-pint per hour dehumidification function. You can use the app to turn the unit on or off, change the temperature, and control modes, and adapt fan speeds. The noise level for this unit is 53 dB.
Pros
- Fast cooling
- Quick installation
- Built-in dehumidifier and air ionizer
- Lots of scheduling options
- Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Cons
- Pricey
- Big and heavy
- Difficult to move across carpet
9. DeLonghi Portable Air Conditioner 12500 BTU
This unit features cooling, dehumidifying, and fan modes, making it ideal for a wide range of indoor spaces.
This unit can easily cool larger rooms and open areas with a cooling power of up to 550 square feet. The 24-hour timer makes it easy to set your desired schedule and save energy.
Pros
- Inbuilt thermostat for energy-saving
- Includes dehumidifier, heater, and a remote-control fan
- Real Feel ECO technology
- Don’t make much noise
- Touch sensor panel
Cons
- Hose connector doesn’t last
- Fills the tank quickly in heating mode
FAQ
Do Ventless Air Conditioners Work?
Yes, ventless air conditioners work. They are a great option for small spaces or areas where you don’t have access to an exterior wall for a traditional air conditioning unit.
Do ventless portable air conditioners need to be drained?
Yes, ventless portable air conditioners need to be drained. This is important to keep the unit running efficiently and prevent water damage. Most ventless portable air conditioners come with a drainage hose that you can use to drain the water easily
How do ventless portable air conditioners work?
Ventless portable air conditioners work by cooling the air in the room and releasing it back into the room. This can cause the unit to run a little louder than a traditional air conditioner, but they are still an effective way to cool your space.
Swamp cooler vs Evaporative cooler
A swamp cooler is an evaporative cooler—both refer to the same cooling device that uses water evaporation to lower air temperature. The term “swamp cooler” is a more casual or regional name, often used in the U.S. southwest. These coolers pull hot, dry air through water-saturated pads, releasing cool, moist air. They work best in arid climates with low humidity. While “evaporative cooler” is the technical term, there’s no real difference in function. However, modern evaporative coolers may include advanced features like digital controls or ionizers, while “swamp cooler” may imply a simpler, more traditional design.