Ventless portable air conditioners offer a convenient cooling solution for homes where traditional AC units or exhaust hoses aren’t practical. These windowless air coolers use evaporative cooling (also known as swamp cooling) to lower room temperatures without needing a vent, making them ideal for dry climates and indoor/outdoor use.
Below we review the top picks – from compact quiet units to high-powered coolers – all available on Amazon.
| Model | BTU | Noise | Dimensions (W×D×H) | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honeywell (CL30XC) Evaporative Cooler | N/A | Up to 64 dB | 18″ × 13.8″ × 33.7″ | 320 sq ft |
| Hessaire MC18M Swamp Cooler | N/A | 53 dB | 20″ × 10″ × 28″ | 500 sq ft |
| FANCOLE 2100 CFM Windowless AC | N/A | ≤ 60 dB | 20″ × 13″ × 35″ | 700 sq ft |
| Grelife 3-in-1 Evaporative Cooler | N/A | 42 dB | 9.1″ × 11.0″ × 22.4″ | 400 sq ft |
| CENSTECH 4-in-1 Swamp Cooler | N/A | 50 dB | 10″ × 11″ × 23″ | 300 sq ft |
| MYICY 35″ Tower Cooler | N/A | 30 dB | 6.2″×5.3″×34.8″ | 300 sq ft |
| Hessaire MC37M Evaporative Cooler | N/A | 59 dB | 17″ × 25″ × 37″ | 950 sq ft |
#1 Honeywell Portable Evaporative Air Cooler
Honeywell Portable Evaporative Air Cooler is a reliable option to provide comfortable cooling without the need of any exhaust hose.
It is ideal to cool living rooms, bedrooms or dens as this unit cools rooms measuring up to approximately 320 sq ft using a fan and water evaporation. It has a strong airflow (approximately 525 CFM) and oscillating louvers that spread a cool breeze all over. Its silent running is lauded by users and professionals alike, as it does not have the loud compressor of an AC, and it just makes a soft fan noise (about 64 dB at high, significantly less at lower settings). Honeywell cooler has a large water tank of 7.9 gallons to ensure long run time, a remote control, a timer, and a low-water alarm. It also acts as a humidifier (adds moisture to dry air) and it has a washable dust filter to make the air clean.
This Honeywell evaporative cooler is well constructed to last long but is easy to transport on caster wheels.
All in all, it is a high-end ventless portable air conditioner alternative that is ideal to those who want a reliable, silent cooling system and easy to use at home.
#2 Hessaire MC18M Portable Swamp Cooler (1300 CFM)
Hessaire MC18M Portable Evaporative Cooler is a high capacity ventless cooler that has a strong airflow and sturdy construction.
This swamp cooler comes with a 1300 CFM fan that can cool open spaces of up to 500 sq ft and is, therefore, suitable in garages, workshops, patios, or bigger living rooms. Although it has a high cooling capacity, the Hessaire MC18M is only 53 dB or the sound of a moderate fan, so it will not deafen you.
This model has a reservoir that can store approximately 4.8 gallons of water; it can cool several hours with each fill; a garden hose connection is optional to ensure unlimited water supply throughout the day. It is simple and rugged: three high-density cooling pads and a 2-speed fan that is controlled by rotary knobs (no complex electronics).
They adore the fact that it is easy to transport (only 16 lbs dry weight) with in-built wheels and a carry handle, thus you can roll it to any place where cooling is required. The Hessaire is the best in hot and dry conditions as it provides a significant decrease in temperature and a comfortable rise in humidity.
It does not have any extras such as a remote or a timer, but its no-nonsense performance and reliability make it one of the best ventless air coolers to use at home, when you need serious cooling power without having to install an AC.
#3 FANCOLE 2100 CFM Windowless Air Conditioner
FANCOLE Windowless Air Conditioner (Evaporative Air Cooler) is a powerhouse ventless AC unit that is capable of cooling large spaces of up to 700 sq ft.
With an impressive 2100 CFM airflow, this unit can circulate a lot of air and is therefore suitable in large spaces such as open plan living areas, garages or even outdoor patios. The FANCOLE cooler has a huge 8-gallon top-loading water tank, which lasts up to 10 hours on a single fill, and you will not have to refill it too often throughout the day. It can add four ice packs to the water to enhance cooling when there is a heatwave. The FANCOLE is a relatively low-noise machine in spite of its size and output (its low-noise design keeps the sound levels in the mid-50s dB range on lower settings, a comfortable level to hold a conversation). The model also has convenient features like full-function remote control and a 7-hour programmable timer so that you can set it and forget it. It also has 3 fan speeds and 2 cooling modes, and a 120 o oscillation feature to cool the air to a wide area.
The FANCOLE 2100 CFM cooler is constructed on a strong wheeled base and can be moved both inside and outside easily.
In case you require an evaporative cooler that performs high-performance cooling without a vent, the FANCOLE is one of the best options to keep large residential spaces cool and comfortable on hot days.
#4 Grelife 3-in-1 Portable Evaporative Cooler
Grelife 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner (Evaporative Cooler) is a cheap, feature-rich swamp cooler that can be used in medium-sized rooms.
Its small size (only 22.4 inches tall) does not mean that it cannot cool a room of up to 400 sq ft since it has the capabilities of a fan, humidifier, and air cooler all in one. Grelife cooler blows air with a maximum wind speed of 30 ft/s and a 1.72-gallon water tank to emit cool refreshing moisture. The first is its silent performance: on its lowest level it operates at about 42 dB, so it is perfect in bedrooms or offices where you want to have a quiet atmosphere. The cooler also has 4 reusable ice packs to increase cooling when the temperatures are extreme. It has 3 fan speeds and 8-hour timer, and also a complete 360 degree oscillation feature which aids in the circulation of cool air in the room.
It has an LED display and a convenient remote control to allow you to change modes even when you are on the other side of the room.
The Grelife 3-in-1 is just under 9 inches wide, which makes it easy to fit in small spaces and even transport it between rooms due to the caster wheels.
On the whole, it is a versatile and energy-saving product to overcome the heat, which is ideal when you want to have a quiet, small-format ventless AC that could be used at home.
#5 CENSTECH 4-in-1 Evaporative Swamp Cooler
CENSTECH 4-in-1 Portable Evaporative Air Cooler is a well-known cheap ventless AC that provides much cooling at its cost.
Having a high airflow (up to 1620 CFM) and a coverage area of approximately 300 sq ft, this unit can provide relief to bedrooms, living rooms, or office spaces without the need to have any ventilation through the windows. It has a 2 gallons water tank that can give up to 20 hours of cooling on a single fill- perfect to run through the night. The CENSTECH has four modes (one of them is a natural breeze mode and the other one is a sleep mode) and three fan speeds to adjust to your comfort. It is whisper-quiet (~50 dB) at low speed so it will not keep you awake or distract you at work.
The design of this swamp cooler is also focused on convenience: it features a simple touch control panel and is supplied with a 17-ft range remote control that allows making adjustments across the room.
It is also possible to have an automatic shut-off timer of 15 hours to save energy.
The unit swings 120 o horizontally (vertically adjustable louvers are manually adjustable) to distribute cool air uniformly.
Although the CENSTECH cooler has a large cooling capacity, it is portable: it is mounted on smooth-rolling casters and has a small footprint.
The CENSTECH 4-in-1 is a good option when you want an indoor evaporative cooler that is simple to operate and can be used at home on a daily basis.
#6 MYICY 35″ Windowless Tower Air Cooler
MYICY 35″ Windowless Air Conditioner Fan is a thin evaporative tower cooler that is used to cool the individual and small rooms.
It is a sleek bladeless-tower design that stands approximately 35 inches tall, which makes it ideal in cases where you require a ventless cooling system that does not occupy a lot of space, such as bedrooms, dorms, RVs, or a home office. MYICY cooler is virtually silent; the sound is about 30 dB on the lowest mode, which is hardly a whisper, thus it is perfect to use at night. It also has a small 1.2-liter (0.32 gallon) water tank incorporated into the base, which will give a few hours of cooling before requiring a refill (the unit will automatically switch to fan-only mode when it runs out of water). This tower cooler has 3 fan speeds and a 7-hour timer and 70 degrees oscillation to expand its cooling area.
It has included ice packs that can be placed in the water compartment to enhance the cooling capability during a few hours.
The MYICY is most suitable in arid climates or dry indoor spaces where moisture is beneficial to comfort due to its smaller water capacity.
It is very light and has a built-in handle, and thus it is easy to carry it in and out of the living room during the day and the bedroom at night.
In brief, the MYICY 35″ offers ultra-quiet, gentle cooling of personal areas, which is an excellent alternative to a ventless AC when you need a cooler ambiance at your desk or bedside and do not want to install anything
#7 Hessaire MC37M Portable Evaporative Cooler (3100 CFM)
Hessaire MC37M Indoor/Outdoor Evaporative Cooler is a heavy duty ventless cooler, which provides maximum cooling in large residential areas.
This unit has a high airflow of 3,100 CFM, which can efficiently cool a space of up to 950 sq ft, which is quite impressive and ideal when it comes to large living rooms, workshops, warehouses, or patios in the backyard during parties.
The Hessaire MC37M is a performance-oriented model: it has 3 thick cooling pads and a strong 3-speed fan that can reduce temperatures by a lot in dry hot environments.
It has a good power level, but its noise level is sensible (approximately 59 dB at full speed, which is comparable to a big fan). Among its major strengths is an enormous 10.3-gallon water tank, which will give you 3 to 4 hours of constant cooling on high (and much longer on lower settings); and it has a float valve so you can connect a standard garden hose to it to supply it with water continuously, which is necessary when you want to use it all day or outdoors.
This cooler has four heavy-duty casters and has integrated handles, as it weighs ~40 lbs (and much more than 100 lbs) when empty (and much more when filled with water).
It is made to last and is easy to operate with manual knob controls of fan and pump.
The Hessaire MC37M is also very good in hot, low-humidity conditions, such as turning a garage gym or a covered patio into a comfortable place when it is hot outside
Ventless Portable Air Conditioner Buying Guide
When choosing the best ventless portable air conditioner (evaporative cooler) for your home, it’s important to understand how these units work and which features matter most for your needs.
Ventless ACs do not use refrigerant or external exhaust; instead, they cool the air by evaporating water. This fundamental difference gives them distinct advantages and limitations compared to traditional air conditioners. Below, we break down key considerations to help you make an informed decision.
How Do Ventless Portable ACs Work?
Portable air conditioners that do not use a vent are basically evaporative air coolers, also known as swamp coolers. They work by attracting warm and dry air and forcing it to go through water-wetted cooling pads. The water evaporates and in the process, it removes the heat in the air, thus cooling the air. This cooled and humidified air is then blown back into your room by a fan.
Due to this mechanism, such units do not need a compressor or a hot air exhaust hose – hence ventless. They only require water (and sometimes ice) to bring a cooling effect. It is a natural process that puts moisture in the air in exchange of taking out the heat.
Conversely, a conventional portable AC has a refrigerant cycle to absorb heat and has to release the heat outside through a vent. This is why regular ACs require a window hose or a ventilation of any kind. When you have ventless coolers, you do not have that limitation and this allows you a lot more freedom in terms of placement.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that evaporative cooling works best in specific conditions and this brings us to our second point.
Climate and Room Ventilation
The ventless portable air conditioners are highly dependent on the surrounding humidity. Such coolers are most effective in hot and dry climates. In a region of low relative humidity (preferably below ~50%), an evaporative cooler may significantly reduce the temperature, and make the air feel cooler, sometimes by several degrees.
They are very popular in arid areas (southwestern U.S., for example) both indoors and outdoors.
Their cooling capacity is however limited in humid climates. The air is already saturated with moisture, so it can not absorb much more moisture by evaporation, so the effect of a swamp cooler will be small and the extra humidity may even make you feel muggy. A ventless cooler will not work as well as a compressor-based AC in case your local humidity is consistently higher than 60-70%. It can still be a little relief as a fan and by evaporating sweat on your skin by spot-evaporating, but it cannot cool an entire room to a significant extent. In very humid regions, it may be possible to use these coolers in a well-ventilated room (or with a door/window partially open) to permit some of the humidity and heat to escape. Such a cross-ventilation may assist the cooler to work more efficiently by introducing drier air.
In addition, consider the room or space that you need to cool.
Ventless units are ideal in open areas, e.g. a strong evaporative cooler in an open garage, or on a patio, will be like a fresh breeze. In the house, you can open a window to release humid air in case the air is too wet. In essence, evaporative coolers require air circulation; they do not recirculate the sealed indoor air as it is the case with ACs, they operate by exchanging air with the surroundings. Some planning on how you ventilate the space can help them cool the space to the maximum.
Cooling Capacity and Airflow
Airflow (CFM) and suggested coverage area are the factors to consider when purchasing a ventless portable AC. The greater the CFM (cubic feet per minute of air moved) the more air it can cool and force into your space.
The bigger CFM units (such as 2000+ CFM) are able to cool large living spaces or several rooms that are connected to each other, and a small personal cooler may be less than 500 CFM, which is adequate to cool a single individual or a small room. The manufacturers usually give an approximate square footage that the cooler can cover e.g. 300 sq ft, 500 sq ft etc. This is just a general guide, to get the best results get a model rated slightly higher than the space you have, particularly in a borderline humid region or where the space has high ceilings. In our reviews above we have included the CFM (where available) and the approximate room coverage to allow you to compare.
Remember that evaporative coolers do not use a standard BTU rating such as air conditioners, since they do not remove heat directly. So you will not compare these by BTUs.
Rather, compare CFM and design. The amount of air that the unit can cool is mostly dependent on the physical size of the unit and the fan.
As an example, the large Hessaire models with multi-inch thick cooling pads and large fan blades move a lot of air (and therefore cool a large area), but a skinny tower cooler is designed to be quiet and blow gently to cool the individual.
Water Tank Capacity and Runtime
Since ventless ACs are dependent on water, the water tank size is a significant feature. Bigger tanks imply that the cooler can last longer without being filled.
In case you intend to operate the cooler overnight or over a long period, you should find a model with a tank of several gallons. An example would be that a 2-gallon tank would last approximately 8-12 hours on low and a 8-gallon tank could last all day. Most units will specify a maximum run time (e.g. up to 20 hours per fill) which is typically at low fan speed with a full tank.
Other premium portable evaporative coolers have an option of a hose hookup. This is very handy when it comes to constant use, you can hook up a garden hose, and a float valve will ensure the tank is filled up. Such models as the Hessaire coolers possess this feature, which is wonderful when you are outdoors at a party or in a workshop where you do not want to interrupt and refill.
Smaller indoor units (such as tower coolers or economy models) on the other hand tend to have tanks that are less than 1 or 2 gallons and will require more frequent maintenance.
The good part is that most of them are top-fill (you pour water in the top) or have removable water tanks which can be filled at a sink.
Also, think of the convenience of draining and cleaning of the tank.
In case you intend to relocate the unit, it is useful when it has a drain plug at the bottom to drain water that is not used. It should be cleaned regularly (to avoid mineral build-up or mould), so a design that makes it easy to get good access to the tank and cooling pads will make cleaning easier.
Fan Speeds & Modes
Ventless portable coolers are also fan systems and therefore the fan speed settings are the most important to adjust comfort.
The majority of products have 3 or more speeds (Low, Medium, High). Low speed is less noisy and less forceful, and is appropriate at night or in a smaller space, high speed provides the greatest cooling effect and air circulation (at the expense of more noise and faster water consumption).
Other coolers have additional modes such as a mode that oscillates the fan speed to create a natural wind pattern (such as a mode called Nature or Breeze), and modes that slowly reduce the fan speed over time (such as a mode called Sleep). These are good to be comfortable, particularly at night.
In addition to speeds, certain evaporative coolers may be operated in fan-only mode (i.e. you can switch off the water pump and operate it as a normal oscillating fan).
This is convenient in case the air is already humid and you do not need to add moisture, but only circulate air.
On the other hand, some models have a specific humidify mode, basically the regular cooling mode, which could be emphasized to be used during dry winter months to provide humidity.
However, any evaporative cooler will become humidifying when the pump is running
Size, Portability, and Placement
Mobility is one of the excellent benefits of ventless portable ACs. Look at the size and weight of the unit so that it can fit your space and can be moved around when necessary.
Smaller indoor units may weigh less than 20 lbs (dry) and may have small footprints, which make them easy to roll around the rooms.
Bigger coolers can be 40-50 lbs empty, and hundreds of pounds when full of water, so although they might be on wheels, you will want to use them in more permanent locations (or drain the water first).
Think about where you are going to keep it when it is not in use; most are thin enough to fit in a corner.
Consider location to perform: evaporative coolers must be located in a position to attract dry air.
In case of indoors, it may be close to an open window or door (on the intake side) with the cooler blowing to the occupied space. In case you are outside, simply make sure it is in a well-ventilated area. They are not all made to splash water but you will want it on a level surface so that it does not leak.
Tower coolers are excellent in a cramped space (small footprint, higher height to distribute air at body level), and boxy swamp coolers require more floor space but usually cool more air.
Noise Level
All fans produce some noise, however evaporative coolers tend to be more quiet than compressor AC systems.
There will be no loud compressor switching on, but only the fan motor and the drip of water.
The noise level may be variable: a large high-CFM unit at full blast may be as high as 60 dB (conversation or background music level), whereas a small tower unit on low may be in the 30-40 dB range (very quiet).
When you are going to use it in a bedroom or near a TV you might want to consider a model that is specifically mentioned to be quiet or has a sleep mode to reduce the noise.
We added noise ratings to our comparison table; those figures are relative: about 50 dB or less is quiet, 55-65 dB is moderate (you will definitely hear the fan, but it might become part of the background noise after some time).
Finally, when you are sound sensitive, get a cooler with lower noise spec or use the lower fan speeds when you want quiet.
Controls and Convenience Features
Contemporary ventless coolers are usually accompanied by numerous convenience options.
A remote control is virtually standard on mid-range and larger models – allowing you to control speed, mode and oscillation at the other end of the room.
This is awesome when you are lying or sleeping and you do not want to wake up to adjust settings.
Another feature that is common is timers: having the unit turn off after, say, 2, 4, or 8 hours can save water and power, particularly at night.
Even some models can be preset to turn on after a delay (though this is less common).
The current settings are able to be displayed on digital displays and some smart models may display the current room temperature or have touch controls.
The importance of oscillation is in the distribution of cool air.
The majority of evaporative coolers swing side to side (left-right).
Others have movable vertical louvers (manual or automatic) to blow air upwards or downwards.
When you need a full-room coverage, select a model that has a broad oscillation angle (90 or more).
You may not need oscillation at all, depending on what you are doing; you may find it more effective to concentrate the airflow in a single direction when you are in one place (spot cooling).
Other things to watch out:
Ice compartments or ice packs: Most coolers have ice packs or a tray that you can add ice.
This may provide a blast of cooler air, but remember it is normally short lived and only has a slight effect on the outgoing air temperature as opposed to a drastic effect on room temp.
Water level indicator: A transparent window or indicator to indicate the amount of water left is handy so that you can tell when to fill it up at a glance.
Low-water shut off: Better units will automatically shut off the pump when water runs out (to avoid damage) and then run in fan-only mode. It is a nice safety and life feature.
Filters: Others are equipped with dust filters or carbon filters to purify the air that enters. This can be an advantage in case your surrounding is dusty (do not forget to clean or change filters when necessary)
