A portable air conditioner that fits in your car will help you keep your car cool during summer. There are many types of portable car ACs: battery powered air conditioners, which operate off-grid, 12V plug-in evaporative coolers, and USB mini fans.
We compare the best ones that can be used on the road or when parked below. All the suggested units have their own cooling power, portability, and sources of power to meet various needs.
The comparison table will give you the main characteristics of the products in a glance, and the detailed reviews will provide you with more information and advice on how to select the best portable car AC.
| Portable Car AC Unit | Type | Power Source |
|---|---|---|
| USB Personal Evaporative Cooler | Evaporative (Water) | USB (5V) |
| 12V Car Fan Cooler | Evaporative (Water) | 12V DC |
| MightyKool K2 Cooler | Evaporative (Water) | 12V DC |
| IcyBreeze Cooler & AC | Ice Chest Air Cooler | Battery or 12V DC |
| 2400 BTU Portable AC Unit | Compressor AC | Battery (Add-on) or AC 25.5V |
| Zero Breeze Mark 2 | Compressor AC | Battery (24V) or AC Adapter |
| EcoFlow Wave 2 | Compressor AC + Heater | External Battery or AC 120V |
Types of Portable Car Air Conditioners
Battery-Operated AC Units:
These are actual air conditioners that have a compressor, and provide the greatest cooling capacity (measured in BTU). They operate on in-built or auxiliary batteries and are able to cool a car or tent without having to start the engine.
Examples are the Zero Breeze and EcoFlow Wave 2, which offer significant cooling even in humid environments as they are based on refrigerant cooling (no extra moisture). ACs that run on batteries are perfect when the vehicle is parked or when one is camping off-grid, although they are more expensive and heavier than others. They usually last a couple of hours on a charge and can also be operated through a car outlet or generator to use longer.
Plug-In Evaporative Coolers:
These are small units which blow cooled air using water or ice and a fan. They go into the 12V DC accessory outlet (cigarette lighter) of your vehicle. Evaporative coolers (swamp coolers) add moisture to the air, and thus they are most efficient in dry climates .
They are cheap and consume very little power (usually less than 50W) and can be used in the car without overloading the alternator. They however do not reduce air temperature as much as a compressor-based AC does, usually they just give a cool breeze to the driver or pets, not cooling the whole cabin. They need to be filled with water/ice now and then.
USB-Powered Personal Coolers:
The smallest type are mini evaporative coolers or fans that operate on 5V USB power (via a car USB port or power bank). They are very portable (desktop size) and they offer localized cooling to a single individual.
USB coolers are convenient and energy-efficient, but they have a small cooling area: they are most useful when spot-cooling your face or torso on hot days. They are useful in a car when you want a bit more of the breeze blown on you, but do not think that they will cool down the interior of a car.
Ice Chest Air Conditioners:
This is the same as the IcyBreeze, but it is also a cooler and an air chiller . You put ice and water in the cooler and a fan built in blows air through a cold coil or ice water to create cold air. These units are able to produce surprisingly cool air (usually 20-30 degrees below ambient) and do not add humidity (they use a heat exchanger).
They are 12V powered or battery powered and so can be used in driving and camping. The disadvantage is that you require a source of ice to keep them chilling and as the ice melts the chilling effect goes away. They are more bulky because of the cooler form factor, but they have two functions (air cooling and food/drink cooling).
How to Choose the Best Portable Car AC
- Cooling Power: Take into account the cooling power (BTU) (in the case of compressor ACs). The greater the BTU the quicker and more powerful the cooling. As an example, 2,300 BTU is enough to cool a small cabin or tent, whereas 5,000+ BTU is sufficient to cool larger spaces or cool faster. Evaporative coolers are not rated in BTUs, so consider fan speed (CFM) and cooling type (water/ice) as a measure of performance.
- Power Source Compatibility: Make sure that the unit is compatible with your intended scenario with regard to powering. When you require cooling when the engine is not running, then a battery-powered AC or an ice cooler with battery is the best. A 12V plug-in model or a USB model that uses low amperage is safer in case you intend to keep it running all the time when you are driving. Ensure that the device (amps) is within the current (amps) capacity of your car 12V outlet. Other high-power AC models need inverter or additional battery to operate.
- Cooling Method and Climate: Find the right technology to your climate. Evaporative coolers are efficient and energy-saving in dry areas (they increase the humidity that in fact cools the air down on your skin).
- Noise Level: In case you will be using the portable AC at night (car camping or in an RV), seek noise ratings or user reviews about the sound. Units based on compressors sound like a home AC, e.g. 50-55 dB is typical (EcoFlow Wave 2 is quieter than its predecessors, and it is easier to sleep next to it). Fan-based coolers tend to be less noisy, but even high fan speeds may generate noise. Most of the units have several modes
- Run Time and Battery Life: In case of battery-powered ACs, you should see how long the device can work with one charge.
Top Portable AC Units for Your Car
1. USB-Powered Personal Cooler (Evapolar evaCHILL)
The evaCHILL by Evapolar is a pint-sized evaporative cooler, which is ideal to use in a car on a personal level.
It is a 7-inch cube, which is powered by USB, so you can connect it to your car USB port or a power bank.
This mini AC consumes just 7.5 watts, which is extremely efficient and safe to use over a long period of time (it does not drain your car battery even when the engine is switched off). To use, you fill its 800 mL water tank, the device works by evaporative cooling the air that blows out. In arid climate, it can reduce the apparent temperature by a few degrees in the locality. Install it on your dash board or center console to have a cool breeze on your face when you are driving in hot weather.
The evaCHILL is small but it brings a significant level of comfort to an individual. It is basically a swamp cooler pad in a plastic case. Remember that it will make your car a little more humid (not a problem unless you are already in a very humid climate). It is a localized cooler, so it will not cool the whole cabin of a large SUV, but it is a great spot-cooler of the driver or passenger.
The other advantage is the soft ambient LED light that it possesses which can also be used as a soft night light when camping. It is also very silent (about 50 dB or less when the fan is at low speed), and will not disturb music or conversation.
Pros: Very small and light; up to 8-9 hours of running on a single tank of water; can be charged with USB (use a car charger or power bank); no installation is required, just add water. It also cleans and moisturizes the air and makes it more comfortable in dry heat. It is very good in the individual sense and is a common option among people who desire to have a personal AC at the driver seat.
Cons: Short cooling radius- can only cool within a radius of 3-4 feet. It has little cooling effect in high humidity (it is unable to reduce air temperature below dew point)
2. 12V Car Evaporative Cooler Fan (Plug-In)
It is a typical 12V portable car air conditioner fan that most motorists use as a cheap cooling solution. It is a black vented box that is placed on your dashboard or armrest and is inserted into the cigarette lighter socket. Internally it contains water (or ice water) and a small fan pulls air through a wet cooling pad, blowing a stream of cooler air out the front vents.
Although it is a basic feature, it can create a significant difference to the driver and the front passenger during hot days. These are popular among many truckers and RV owners who want to keep cool without running the engine.
The unit draws 12V DC at about 3~4 amps, or about 35-50W, very low power compared to the electrical system of a car. It does not drain the vehicle battery after hours of use (though you should not leave it overnight with the engine switched off).
It is simple to set up: you fill the inbuilt tank with water (some users add ice to provide additional cooling) and direct the adjustable vents to you. You get a cooler, humidified breeze as the fan blows. This can be a life saver in a parked car to keep pets or passengers a little cooler when the engine and AC are not on (remember to always have some windows cracked open to allow airflow, as advised). The cabin air temperature will not plummet as it does in our experience but the perceived temperature is far more comfortable with the directed cool airflow.
Pros: Extremely cheap and easy to use: just add water and plug it in. It is light and can be carried easily across cars. It does not require any refrigerant or complicated components because it is an evaporative system, and hence there is not much that can go wrong.
It gives you immediate relief when it is aimed at you, and it can be applied in convertibles, older cars without AC, or even in a golf cart or boat (with 12V power). It is easy to maintain: just fill in water and clean the filter every now and then.
Cons: The cooling effect is only on the airflow path; it will not really cool down the whole interior in hot weather, particularly in humid weather .
3. MightyKool K2 Personal 12V Cooler
The MightyKool K2 is a notch higher in the 12V evaporative coolers, and it is specifically meant to be used in vehicles and small rooms. The K2 is a long-lasting gray cooler box manufactured by a US company (Swampy) and has two circular vents. It is powered by 12-volt and consumes approximately 1.7 amps (roughly 20W), but it can blow air at speeds of up to 25 mph through both of its vents .
Such high airflow can mean a huge difference in comfort: aim one vent at your face and another at your torso, and you will get a constant stream of cooled air. According to the users, the K2 can lower the heat stress of a driver or pet in a parked car by a great margin, it will not cool the air of the entire car but will make you feel cooler.
This unit does not take ice, it is an evaporative water cooler that has a 1-gallon tank. It has an 8-hour or more capacity when full, which makes it perfect when you need to spend the night in a sleeper cab or on a long trip. Due to its effective design, K2 is usually preferred by RVers, truck drivers, and even small airplane pilots who require personal cooling.
It has a 12V plug and a cord and it can also be powered by a portable power station or solar system since it is low wattage. It is important to note that, as any swamp cooler, it is most effective in dry air. It will be a small effect on a humid Florida afternoon (it may seem like a fan with little cooling), but in dry heat it can be as good as an AC at low.
Pros: Well made and water efficient – one gallon of water lasts many hours of cooling. The twin adjustable vents enable you to direct cool air to where it is required. It is portable (has a handle) and is fairly small (approximately 10 x 8 x 11 inches) and can be placed on a seat or in a floorboard. It is easy to maintain, simply add water and every now and then clean the cooling pads inside.
The K2 works great in ventilated and dry conditions, it can lower the perceived temperature by 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit to the individual in its airstream.
Cons: Price – the MightyKool K2 is more expensive than generic 12V coolers due to its special design and quality. It does not however have any cooling compressor and therefore in extreme heat it cannot reach the comfort of a true AC.
4. Zero Breeze Mark 2 Battery-Powered AC
Zero Breeze Mark 2 is commonly referred to as the portable air conditioner of choice when it comes to off-grid and automotive applications.
It is a futuristic-looking sleek unit that weighs approximately 16.5 lbs and is specifically designed to be small but effective. It has a cooling capacity of 2,300 BTU, which will not make your car an icebox, but it will definitely make a hot day more bearable.
Indeed, in a small closed area (such as the rear of an SUV or a camper van), the Mark 2 can reduce the temperature of the air by about 10-30F with time . It does this through an in-built compressor and a 24V rechargeable battery (in case you choose the Plus package) which is fitted at the bottom of the unit. You will have about 3 hours of cooling on max, or up to 5 hours on low settings on one battery.
The Zero Breeze has several fan speeds and cooling modes (including a sleep mode when the fan is quieter at night). It also includes a flexible exhaust hose kit, to use it effectively in an automobile, you would run the exhaust hose out a window (and preferably use the intake hose to pull outside air as well). As an example, there are van owners who install the hoses by using a floor vent or a window insert.
In a car, you can open a window and blow the hot air out using the hoses so that you are recirculating cooler air inside. The Mark 2 has a huge selling point, and that is portability: you can carry it by the handle and use it anywhere, in your car, in a tent, on a boat or even outside next to you. It is used by many people when camping in SUVs or tents and it is not possible to run a generator or a car engine throughout the night. It is not as loud as a regular window AC with approximately 52 dB of noise, so it is easy to sleep close to it.
Pros: Actual air-conditioning that takes away the humidity- the Zero Breeze will make the air perceptibly drier and cooler, which implies no sticky heat discomfort. It is fully portable and self-contained, even more so when the battery is attached (no need to be plugged in a few hours). In a car, it is easy to set up: place it on a flat surface, connect hoses to a slightly opened window, and you will have the cooling on demand.
The Mark 2 has an LED lighting strip as well and it is remote controlled. It is intended to be used outside, so it has such characteristics as low-power consumption (240W max) and a protective case. The battery can be charged using AC adapter or even solar panels/portable power stations, which makes it convenient to live off-grid. On the whole, it is regarded as one of the best options to use car camping and emergency car AC backup.
Cons: The primary disadvantage is the cost level, it is an investment, and it may be as expensive as a mid-range window AC, with much less BTU (you are paying to be miniaturized and have battery power). The cooling range is small: it works best in confined areas of less than 50 square feet.
Finally, it may be difficult to use it in a moving car since you have to vent it, you may have to open a window that allows some heat to enter. It is most effective when the vehicle is parked or during a camping situation. Routine maintenance involves cleaning the air filter and making sure that the condensate drains correctly (the Mark 2 evaporates most of the condensation out the exhaust). Nevertheless, it is the only solution to a problem that many people have, which is to have real AC on the go.
5. IcyBreeze V2 Portable AC Cooler (with Battery)
IcyBreeze v2 is a smart combination of a conventional ice cooler and a portable air conditioner. It appears to be a rugged 38-quart rolling cooler at first sight, and it is one, but it also has an inbuilt cooling fan system. Put ice and some water into the cooler and the IcyBreeze will blow out very cold air (down to 35 degrees below ambient and a few hours) through its vent or optional hose attachment.
This qualifies it to be used when camping, tailgating or when you have pets in your car during pit stops. Notably, the air in the IcyBreeze is dehumidified (it is not blowing water into the air), and therefore it works even in humid climates, unlike evaporative units.
The v2 Pro model has a rechargeable battery pack (optional sizes) which gives approximately 4-6 hours of cooling at low fan. It is also possible to operate it through a 12V car outlet or AC adapter should you want to. It has three levels of fan speed with the fastest one creating a strong breeze of about 25 mph through the vent .
It is like sitting in front of an air conditioner vent on a hot day to blow this icy breeze on you. Since it is basically melting ice to cool the air, you will have to add ice after a couple of hours of use (the rate of use depends on the heat and the fan speed). The thick insulation of the cooler has the capacity of keeping ice up to 5-7 days without the AC feature, but with the fan on the ice will melt quicker. It can also be used as a regular cooler and this is excellent during road trips.
Advantages: Multi-purpose use: it can be a drink cooler and an air cooler. It delivers valid cold air production, and is thus one of the few options that can indeed cool the air in a small area (as opposed to blowing air around). The air will not fog your car or make it humid since it is dry. It is cordless and has the battery, so you can put it in the back seat to keep pets or transfer it between your car and a tent without any problems.
The IcyBreeze is also not so difficult to use: you put ice in it and switch it on. It has wheels and a handle, and that makes it very portable, even though it weighs around 16 lbs empty (more when full of ice). It is easy to maintain since it only requires draining of water and drying it after use.
Cons: The primary trade-off is the necessity of ice. You will need to keep ice or a means of acquiring ice on trips, which increases the continuous expense and labor. It is also bigger than other car AC devices- it will occupy space that is equal to a medium cooler.
In case you have a small car, it may not be easy to fit this unless you place it in the trunk and use the extension hose to pipe the cool air to the cabin. The battery is an extra weight and cost; the unit itself is an investment, and extra batteries may be expensive (but you can run it off car power to save battery). Lastly, it does cool air, but not as well as a compressor AC, and on a very hot 100 o F day, the coolest you will get out of it may be in the 65-70 o F range at the vent, which is cool but not refrigerating a large volume of air in a hurry. The air can be slightly warmer with time as ice melts until it is refilled.
6. 2416 BTU Compact Portable AC (Mid-Range, 12V/24V Operation)
This 2416 BTU camping air-conditioner is a good compromise between high-priced premium units and cheap air-conditioners that do not work in a car or van. Sold under many brands (typically a generic design), it is a small compressor-based AC that operates on 24V DC (it typically includes an adapter to use it on AC power, and can be connected to an appropriate battery or power station to use it portably). It weighs around 14 lbs, which is amazingly small, considering that it is a sleek gray box with a carry handle, about the size of a toolbox.
This unit has a cooling capacity of approximately 2,400 BTUs, which will cool an automobile cabin or tent significantly, considering that its insulated space is approximately 4050 square feet. It even has a wireless remote control to change the settings such as temperature and fan speed.
It is not as strong as the Zero Breeze or EcoFlow, but this portable air conditioner can still cool the interior of a car by a few degrees and eliminate humidity. It is perfect in cases where evaporative coolers are not sufficient such as in humid climate or in an enclosed vehicle cabin.
You can use it to pre-cool your car or in addition to the in-built AC of your car in case the car AC is weak. Many use it by connecting it to a portable power station (roughly 240W) e.g. a 500Wh battery pack can power it at 2+ hours. You might power it with an inverter in the car, if you are driving. It has two ducts (one to draw in warm air and one to blow out) and you will get the best results by venting the hot exhaust out a window (usually it is supplied with hose attachments). It gives real chilled air when placed in a car with good ventilation just like a window AC at home.
Advantages: Cools much more than any evaporative cooler, in fact it cools the air. This implies that it is functional in any weather. It is not very big and can be transported easily, thus can be transferred to your car, a tent, or even be used at home in a small room.
It has a user friendly design, LCD display and remote control to adjust your preferred temperature. The other advantage is the dual purpose; some models even have a heating option or at least fan only. It is energy-efficient at ~240W consumption of the cooling it offers (modern inverter compressors). When well ventilated, it is capable of rapidly cooling the interior of a car, e.g. 90F to a more comfortable 75F inside a sedan, given time and insulation.
Cons: It is not a small price, even though it is cheaper than the premium models, and you may have to spend more money on a power solution to make it truly portable (e.g. a 24V battery or a Jackery/EcoFlow power station). To use it in a car you have to crack a window or otherwise route the exhaust hose out, which is a bit cumbersome when you want to be stealthy or keep the car sealed up, a window left ajar is needed to vent the hot air.
It also causes condensation of water which normally evaporates away with the exhaust (in very humid conditions you may have to occasionally drain water). Another thing is noise: as a compressor AC, you should anticipate a hum and blower noise (usually about 50-55 dB). It is not very loud but it is louder than plain fans. Finally, it is 2500 BTU, which is ideal in small rooms; bigger SUVs or vans may require a higher BTU unit or several units to provide meaningful cooling.
7. EcoFlow Wave 2 Portable AC/Heater
EcoFlow Wave 2 is a powerhouse that can provide maximum cooling (and heating) in a portable form.
It is the second iteration of EcoFlow portable AC and has 5,100 BTUs of cooling, which is about twice as much as the Zero Breeze. This implies that it is capable of cooling bigger vehicles, RV interiors or tents in a shorter period of time.
During testing, the Wave 2 has been able to cool a 10 m 3 area (such as a small camper or large SUV) by 90 to 72 F in 5 minutes . It does this using a powerful compressor system (240V refrigerant) and can also operate as a 6100 BTU heater, and is therefore a four season device. The Wave 2 lacks an internal battery as the Mark 2 has, and instead must be plugged into an EcoFlow add-on battery, wall outlet, or generator/solar system. EcoFlow also sells an optional 1kWh battery pack that clips onto it, providing approximately 3-8 hours of run time depending on mode (3 hours cooling on max, or up to 8 hours on Eco mode).
The Wave 2 is physically a little larger and heavier (about 32 lbs) than some of the others, which is appropriate to its increased capacity. It remains portable with inbuilt handles but you may not carry it around as easily as a smaller unit. It is supplied with duct hoses to either blow cold air or exhaust. To use in a vehicle, you would do the same as the Zero Breeze: run the exhaust hose out a window (or sunroof, etc.) to vent the hot air, and optionally run outside air in to provide intake.
Among the most notable features, there is smart control, which allows controlling and monitoring the Wave 2 through a smartphone app (Bluetooth/WiFi), and adjust temperature or switch between cooling and heating without touching the device. This is quite convenient when you are lying somewhere away from the unit or when you do not want to wake up a sleeping baby or pet in the car.
Pros: Best-in-class cooling capability – it is probably the most powerful portable AC in its size. It keeps you warm and cold, and protects you against every weather. Wave 2 is constructed with the quality that EcoFlow is known to deliver: it looks good, the display is clear, and it is relatively quiet considering the power (about 44-52 dB in various modes, which is quieter than most gensets or older ACs).
Internal evaporator system implies that there is no need of water drainage under normal circumstances (it auto-evaporates condensate). It also has an Eco mode to increase runtime by automatically balancing performance and power consumption. It is good to have the flexibility of power sources: run it on AC, car outlet (with inverter), solar, or the dedicated battery. A lot of van lifers combine the Wave 2 with an EcoFlow Delta power station and solar panels to have a fully renewable cooling system.
The other advantage is that it is durable and safe: it is rated IPX4 water-resistant and will turn off to save the battery in case of low power.
Cons: The Wave 2 is the most expensive one on this list, at least when you include the battery. It is aimed at the enthusiasts or the people who actually require its high performance. It is heavy and bulky so it is not something you would just take to the beach (unless you have a wagon) but rather it would be more at home in a van, RV or as emergency home backup AC.
