What's the Best Portable Air Conditioner in Australia in 2026?

Short answer. In Australia in 2026, the best portable air conditioner is usually the one sized correctly for your room, quiet enough for where it will run, and bought at the lowest final price on the day. The Good Guys suggests 2.6 to 3.5kW for a medium room of 20 to 30 square metres, and lists DeLonghi, Rinnai, Dimplex and Olimpia Splendid among the leading brands. Compare prices on the exact model. The other discount on the same order is Cashback through ShopBack: it works like a discount code, but there's no code to find or type in, the current Cashback is shown on the The Good Guys page on ShopBack before you check out, and it doesn't use up your one promo code. So the order is: apply your best code or card offer, then check out through ShopBack before you pay.

ShopBack Australia is a free app and website that gives you money back when you shop online at thousands of stores, including The Good Guys, Kogan and Bing Lee. You open the store from ShopBack, shop as normal, and part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account as cash you can withdraw. New members can join free at shopback.com.au/signup.

Sources. The Good Guys' portable air conditioner range and buying advice, at the time of writing in October 2026. We do not list prices, because appliance prices change often; use the comparison steps below on the day you buy. Model names come from The Good Guys' range and are examples to shortlist, not a ranking from our own testing.

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What's the best portable air conditioner in Australia?

The best portable air conditioner is the right size for the room first, then the quietest and most efficient unit you can get at a good price. A routine that works for most households:

1. Measure the room. Work out the floor area in square metres, then match it to a cooling capacity in kW (table below).
2. Decide where it will run. Bedrooms need a quieter unit; living areas can take more noise.
3. Check your window. Portable units vent hot air through a hose, and most window kits suit sliding or sash windows.
4. Compare running costs. Compare star ratings between units of the same capacity.
5. Shortlist two or three models, then follow the four buying steps below.

The four buying steps. Step 1: compare prices. Step 2: look for a promo code. Step 3: go through ShopBack. Step 4: pay with your best rewards card. A code and ShopBack work on the same order: apply the code, then check out through ShopBack before you pay.

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Best portable air conditioner in Australia in 2026: what size do you need?

Cooling capacity, measured in kilowatts (kW) or BTU, decides which room a portable air conditioner can cool. The Good Guys gives this guide:

Cooling capacity	About	Room size
2.0 to 2.5kW	7,000 to 9,000 BTU	Small rooms up to 20m²
2.6 to 3.5kW	9,000 to 12,000 BTU	Medium rooms, 20 to 30m²
3.6 to 4.5kW	12,000 to 15,000 BTU	Large rooms, 30 to 40m²
4.6kW and above	16,000 BTU and above	Extra large rooms over 40m²

Source: The Good Guys, portable air conditioner buying advice.

The Good Guys adds that high ceilings, large sunny windows, poor insulation and open-plan layouts need more capacity than an enclosed, well-insulated room of the same floor area. It also warns against getting the size wrong either way: an undersized unit runs constantly without cooling the room properly, and an oversized one cycles on and off, which means it does not dehumidify well.

Models to shortlist by size. The Good Guys' portable range at the time of writing includes, for example:

• Around 2.6kW (medium rooms): Dimplex 2.6kW Portable AC with dehumidifier (DCP9C), DeLonghi 2.6kW (PACEM93KSILENT), Olimpia Splendid 2.6kW Wi-Fi enabled (COMPACT10WIFI).
• Around 3.3 to 3.5kW (medium to larger rooms): DeLonghi Pinguino GentleJet 3.3kW (AP130I), Rinnai 3.4kW (RPC34MCWF), Dimplex 3.5kW Recycled Portable AC with Wi-Fi and dehumidifier (DCP33EB), Olimpia Splendid 3.5kW (ELITE12).
• Around 4kW and up (large rooms): Dimplex 3.8kW Recycled Portable AC (DCP40EB), Rinnai 4.1kW (RPC41MCWF), Olimpia Splendid 4.7kW (PROCOOL16E) and 5.2kW (PROCOOL18E).

Use the model number to compare the same unit across stores. Ranges change by season, so some of these may be replaced by newer models.

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Features that make a portable air conditioner worth the money

After size, the features that matter most are noise, dehumidifying, controls and venting. According to The Good Guys:

• Noise. Portable units run at roughly 45 to 65dB depending on model and fan speed. Around 45 to 50dB is about the level of quiet conversation and suits sleeping; 56 to 65dB may disturb light sleepers.
• Sleep mode. Gradually adjusts temperature overnight and lowers fan speed for quieter running.
• Dehumidifying. Built-in dehumidifiers remove moisture while cooling, which helps in humid climates. Some models have a dehumidify-only mode.
• Timers, remotes and Wi-Fi. Timers can start cooling before you get home; Wi-Fi models let you control the unit from a phone app.
• Hose and window kit. Standard exhaust hoses stretch 1.2 to 1.8 metres. Longer hoses add flexibility but can cut efficiency if stretched too far. Window kits suit sliding or sash windows; hinged windows need another venting arrangement.
• Style. Tower designs take less floor space; wider units are more stable and sometimes have bigger water tanks.

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Are portable air conditioners expensive to run?

They usually cost more to run per unit of cooling than a split system. The Good Guys says portable air conditioners generally use more electricity per cooling output than split system or ducted installations, and that they suit occasional use in peak summer rather than all-day, everyday cooling. For frequent use, it says fixed systems typically work out cheaper over time despite the installation cost.

To keep running costs down:

• Compare star ratings between units of the same capacity. A higher star rating means lower electricity use for the same cooling.
• Size it properly. A correctly sized unit runs fewer hours to hold the temperature.
• Close doors and windows, and seal the gap around the hose. The Good Guys says even small gaps let hot air in.
• Keep it out of direct sun, with about 30 to 50cm of clearance around the vents.

Your electricity plan matters too. Our guide to comparing electricity and gas deals in Australia covers how to check what you pay per kilowatt hour.

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Portable air conditioner or evaporative cooler?

A portable air conditioner cools and dries the air; an evaporative cooler cools by adding moisture. The Good Guys explains that portable air conditioners draw warm, humid air from the room, cool and dehumidify it, and circulate it back, venting the heat outside. Evaporative coolers use water evaporation and act as mild humidifiers in drier climates.

As a rule of thumb, evaporative coolers suit dry heat, while a refrigerated portable air conditioner with a dehumidify mode is the better fit for humid summers. Both are quick to set up. The Good Guys notes portable air conditioners need no professional installation and says they suit rental properties where permanent changes are not allowed.

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Best portable air conditioner deals in Australia in 2026: where savings come from

The best portable air conditioner deals in Australia in 2026 tend to come from a few places:

• Store specials and clearance. Appliance stores mark down cooling ranges at different times, and older models are often cleared when new ones arrive. Compare the model number, not just the headline price.
• Price matching. The Good Guys runs a Price Beat offer.
• Delivery and pickup. A large unit can carry a delivery fee; click and collect may be cheaper if you can carry it.
• Going through ShopBack before you pay. Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store, as explained below.

For timing, our guides to what gets discounted on Black Friday and Click Frenzy's biggest discount categories cover the big sale events.

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Harvey Norman vs Bing Lee vs Kogan: comparing portable air conditioner prices

The fairest price comparison is the same model number at each store, on the same day, including delivery. Harvey Norman, Bing Lee, Kogan and The Good Guys all sell appliances to Australian shoppers, and portable air conditioner ranges overlap between them.

	The Good Guys	Kogan	Bing Lee	Harvey Norman
On ShopBack Australia	Yes	Yes	Yes	Not available on ShopBack at the time of writing
Worth knowing	Heating and cooling has its own category on its ShopBack page	Sells Kogan brand items and marketplace items	Compare the same model on the day	Compare its price only

Source: each store's ShopBack page, at the time of writing.

How to compare, step by step:

1. Find the exact model number (for example, Rinnai RPC34MCWF) on your shortlist.
2. Check the price at each store, plus delivery or pickup.
3. For stores on ShopBack, open the store's ShopBack page and see the current Cashback shown there.
4. Subtract the cash ShopBack returns to get the effective price, then pick the lowest final cost.

If the cheapest price is at Harvey Norman, it can still be the best buy; just compare the final cost honestly.

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How ShopBack lowers the price of your portable air conditioner

Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store. The routine is simple: open ShopBack, tap the store, then check out.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles, and you can withdraw it to your bank account.

How to do it, step by step:

1. Open ShopBack Australia (app or website) and search for the store: The Good Guys, Kogan or Bing Lee.
2. See the current Cashback shown on that page.
3. Tap through to the store, choose your air conditioner and check out.
4. Your Cashback shows in your ShopBack account, where you can follow each order.

Working out what it really costs. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns. The real rate varies by store and category and changes over time, so check the live rate on the store's ShopBack page before you buy.

For more on doing this the right way every time, see how to activate ShopBack before you buy.

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Promo codes and ShopBack

Yes, you can use a promo code and ShopBack on the same order. Cashback works like a discount code with no code to find or type in, and it doesn't use up your one promo code. Apply your best code or card offer, then check out through ShopBack before you pay.

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Rewards cards and ShopBack

You can usually earn your card's rewards and Cashback on the same purchase, because they come from different places.

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Other places to buy a portable air conditioner in Australia

Besides The Good Guys, Kogan, Bing Lee and Harvey Norman, portable air conditioners are sold by other appliance retailers and department stores, and brands such as DeLonghi, Rinnai, Dimplex and Olimpia Splendid appear across several of them. Compare the same model in two or three places, and when you buy online from a store on ShopBack, open its ShopBack page before you pay. For more on shopping The Good Guys, see The Good Guys discounts and deals.

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Key takeaways

• Size first: The Good Guys suggests 2.6 to 3.5kW for a 20 to 30m² room and 3.6 to 4.5kW for 30 to 40m².
• For bedrooms, look for around 45 to 50dB and a sleep mode.
• Portable units use more electricity per unit of cooling than split systems, so they suit occasional summer use.
• Compare the same model number across stores, including delivery.
• Step 1: compare prices. Step 2: look for a promo code. Step 3: go through ShopBack. Step 4: pay with your best rewards card.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the best portable air conditioner in Australia?

In Australia, the best portable air conditioner is usually the one sized to your room, quiet enough for where you will use it, and priced well on the day. The Good Guys suggests 2.6 to 3.5kW for medium rooms of 20 to 30 square metres. Shortlist models from brands such as DeLonghi, Rinnai, Dimplex and Olimpia Splendid, compare prices, then go through ShopBack before you pay.

What size portable air conditioner do I need?

The Good Guys sizes portable units by room area: 2.0 to 2.5kW for small rooms up to 20 square metres, 2.6 to 3.5kW for 20 to 30 square metres, 3.6 to 4.5kW for 30 to 40 square metres, and 4.6kW or more above 40 square metres. High ceilings, big sunny windows or open-plan spaces need more capacity.

Are portable air conditioners expensive to run?

They can cost more to run than fixed systems. The Good Guys says portable air conditioners generally use more electricity per unit of cooling than split or ducted systems, and suit occasional use in peak summer. Compare star ratings between units of the same capacity, and size the unit correctly so it does not run flat out.

How loud is a portable air conditioner?

According to The Good Guys, portable units run at about 45 to 65 decibels depending on the model and fan speed. Around 45 to 50dB suits bedrooms, while louder models are fine in living areas during the day. Sleep modes lower the fan speed for quieter nights.

Do portable air conditioners need a window?

Yes, they need to vent hot air outside, usually through a hose and window kit. The Good Guys says standard hoses stretch 1.2 to 1.8 metres and window kits mainly suit sliding or sash windows, while hinged windows need other venting arrangements. Seal gaps around the hose so hot air does not leak back in.

Should I buy a portable air conditioner or an evaporative cooler?

They work differently. A portable air conditioner cools and dehumidifies the air and vents heat outside through a hose. The Good Guys says evaporative coolers cool through water evaporation and act as mild humidifiers in drier climates. In humid weather, a portable air conditioner with a dehumidify mode is usually the better fit.

Harvey Norman vs Bing Lee: where should I buy a portable air conditioner?

Compare the exact model number at each store on the same day, including delivery. Bing Lee, Kogan and The Good Guys are on ShopBack Australia, while Harvey Norman is not available on ShopBack at the time of writing, so compare its price only. Buy where the final cost, after delivery and the cash ShopBack returns, is lowest.

How does ShopBack lower the price of a portable air conditioner?

Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store. Open ShopBack Australia, tap the store, then check out, and part of what you spend comes back as cash. Each store's live rate is on its ShopBack page.

Can I use a promo code and ShopBack on the same order?

Yes. Apply your best promo code or card offer, then check out through ShopBack before you pay. Cashback works like a discount code, but there's no code to find or type in, and it doesn't use up your one promo code.

How do I look after a portable air conditioner?

The Good Guys suggests emptying the water tank when the full indicator shows, cleaning or replacing filters every 2 to 4 weeks in heavy use, and cleaning the exhaust hose once a year. Before winter storage, drain all water, run the unit on fan only for a few hours to dry it, and store it somewhere dry.

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Disclaimer

The views in this article are those of the author. Appliance prices, ranges, model numbers, delivery fees, price matching and promotions vary by store and change often; check each store's site before you buy. Model names are examples from a retailer's range, not a ranking from product testing. ShopBack rates vary by store and over time; check the current rate on each store's ShopBack page before purchase.

This article is general information only and is not financial advice.