8 Best Ventless Air Conditioners For Cool Summer Days (2024)

Written By

Josh Mitchell

Expert Reviewed By

Holly Curell

Last Updated On

June 6, 2024

The Coolzy Pro is not only my top choice for a ventless air conditioner, but it’s also the only product on my list that I’d be willing to call a “true” air conditioner.

Just like a traditional portable AC, the Coolzy is compressor-driven and can be vented out of a window or door.

Unlike traditional portable ACs though, the Coolzy doesn’t have to be vented.

It won’t cool an entire room like a traditional AC, but it will cool 1-2 people sitting in front of it, with warmer air blowing out the back and directed by a unique design.

My favorite thing about the Coolzy is its plug-and-go operation, which has made it the ideal camping solution for me (as long as I’m at a site with an electricity hook-up).

Unlike the Hessaire models, I don’t have to keep refilling it with water to get the desired effect.

The Coolzy also won’t increase the humidity around me, which after a long day of hiking, is honestly the last thing I want.

A product like this seems almost too good to be true, but it’s just the first (and only) of it’s kind, so be wary of knock-offs. The Coolzy was designed by Australians looking for a solution to beat the heat in the harsh outback.

Given all its functionality, I was impressed that the Coolzy weighs only 35 lbs, which made it easy for me to move around on my camping trip.

Some ventless ACs can be really heavy, like the Portacool model, which is already 99 lbs before adding water!

Overall, I love that the Coolzy has served me in many different scenarios from camping to supplementing my home AC to cooling me down on the porch on a hot summer night.

For those choosing the evaporative cooler route, I highly recommend the Hessaire MC18M.

On top of being one of the most affordable items on my list (about half the price of the Hessaire MC37M), it’s also the most reliable.

I've had the MC18M in my workshop since 2020, and it has outlived most of the evaporative coolers I've had over the years.

Personally, I've mostly used it on high cooling mode because I've hooked it up to a hose, and I exclusively use it in a workshop, which tends to get pretty darn hot.

On the other hand, I'd say that if you plan on using it in your bedroom or a living room - fan-only on high or cooling on low should do the trick.

The water tank on the Hessaire MC18M is 4.8 gallons, which I thought was on the lower side compared to Vagkri’s 8-gallon reservoir.

That said, I highly suggest placing this model where you want it and then filling it with water because it’s very heavy when filled up completely. (Don’t ask me how I know!)

Performance-wise - there’s more than meets the eye here. The fan can go up to 1300 CFM, so unlike the Coolzy, I can actually feel the cool air even when I’m standing 10-15 feet away.

Also, the MC18M can comfortably cool down 300-350 sq ft for up to four hours, but the space is right; you could probably feel the difference up to 500 sq ft.

As with any indoor use with a ventless air conditioner, I highly recommend keeping a window open and running a dehumidifier simultaneously to prevent moisture build-up on the walls.

In fact, the instructions for this model even state that when you’re done using the unit on cooling mode, you must set it on fan-only mode and run it for at least 30 minutes to dry the internal filter and prevent bacteria and mold from growing.

Hessaire is a company that I know and trust when it comes to evaporative cooling, so you’ll actually see them pop up three times on my list here.

The Hessaire MC37M is the big brother to theMC18Mabove and is suitable for spaces of up to 950 square feet, which is really impressive.

I recently recommended this model to a customer in Northern Michigan who was looking to cool the second story of their home during the peak summer months of July and August.

The setup I came up with included positioning the Hessaire MC37M at one end of the upstairs floorspace and having a window fan blowing outside on the opposite end.

This really helped promote air circulation and also helped prevent humidity from building up in the space.

While this worked fantastically in Northern Michigan, the Hessaire MC37M is not made for very humid environments. The same setup in South Carolina, for example, would probably yield poor results.

The tank size on the MC37M is 10.3 gallons, and when set on a low setting can run continuously for about 4 hours.

It does have the option to attach a hose on the back for continuous use, which I have found is a great setup for outdoor use, such as on a pool deck.

The MC37M is about twice the price of its smaller sibling, the MC18M, but I’d also argue that it’s about twice as powerful and more aesthetically pleasing as well.

At this price point, I only wish it came with more advanced features, such as a timer and remote control, like the Vagkri model I reviewed below.

The Dreo IceWind isn’t an evaporative cooler like the Hessaire or Honeywell models, but I’m including it on my list of ventless air conditioners because it’s an item I recommend to customers looking for overnight cooling in their bedrooms.

The Icewind is essentially a tower fan like most of us have somewhere in our homes but with an upgraded twist.

By inserting two ice packs into the console, an even cooler breeze is created.

The company doesn’t specify a particular coverage area but does note that the breeze can be felt from 21 feet away. I love putting product claims to the test, and can tell you that this is true!

It’s made a huge difference in my sleeping temperature in my 300-square-foot bedroom. I have it supplementing my central AC so that I can just keep my bedroom cool without turning the thermostat down overnight.

The price of the Dreo IceWind is a bit more than I would typically spend on a tower fan, but it’s functionality is well worth the price.

And given that it’s often out of stock online, others seem to agree with me.

For those who are not ready to spend $400+ on the Coolzy, I would say the Dreo IceWind is an excellent place to start. It’s also the only product on my list that comes with color options – black and white.

I love that this Dreo model comes with a remote and a timer that let me have full function of its features without having to get out of bed.

Of course, the only downside is that I have to remember to take out the ice packs and refreeze them each morning.

On the occasion that I forget, the tower fan still works well, but those ice packs sure do pack an extra punch.

If my Hessaire MC18M ever stops working, I'm switching over to VAGKRI 2100CFM evaporative cooler in an instant for my workshop.

It’s what my brother uses, and I’ve become really impressed with the value of this ventless AC.

Firstly, this one's the king of the energy-efficiency ratio. It draws 105 watts per hour, meaning running it day and night for a whole year will only cost $150-200.

This puppy has a 2100 CFM fan and a pretty large 8-gallon water tank, with a small open tank on top for ice trays (included with the AC unit) to further enhance its cooling performance.

From what I’ve seen, the Vagkri can comfortably chill a room up to 600 sq ft, and if the conditions are right, the manufacturers’ 700 sq ft claim isn’t too far-fetched.

This option would be perfect if you’re looking for an option that’s somewhere between the Hessaire MC18M and Hessaire MC37M.

This ventless air conditioner also comes with three separate fan speeds and an oscillating fan, meaning you can set the desired speed and cooling and allow yourself to be gently grazed by the cool air instead of being blasted by it at all times.

I found this particularly useful when we sat in front of it, and I never once got that familiar uncomfortable feeling you get when you sit or lie down in front of a fan or a cooler, and I just love that.

I also love it when ventless units come with remote controllers, timers, and other bells and whistles, and this one does. With only a few button pushes, I can turn this one on straight from the lawn chair and have it shut off automatically later.

The only thing I dislike about the Vagkri is that it does look quite industrial. My brother uses it in his workshop just fine, but I can’t imagine his wife letting him bring it into the living room unless the AC is totally broken.

I want to start by saying that if you're looking for a ventless air conditioner for inside your home, this isn't the one.

The other Hessaire models I’ve listed above will suit those scenarios, but the Hessaire MC61V is too powerful for in-home use.

Instead, I recommend the Hessaire MC61V for large open spaces. I recently found this to be the ideal solution for a neighbor looking to cool his pole barn while out there working on cars.

This is truly one of the best ventless air conditioners I have had the pleasure of using.

In terms of keeping the temperature down in a spacious workshop or a garage, this one can go toe-to-toe with some traditional units while leaving a smaller carbon footprint since it's only drawing 430 W at max.

Its 5300 CFM fan is more than powerful enough to cool down up to 1500 sq ft without feeling too overpowering if you maintain the distance. The pole barn we used it in is 1200 square feet.

Upon setup, the temperature in the pole barn was a brutal 97 degrees on a hot August day, but this puppy managed to drop the temperature by 29 degrees, making it a breezy 70 F for my neighbor.

In other words, whether you’re chilling (pun intended) on the patio, working on your bike in a garage, or just barbecuing with your friends in your backyard - this ventless AC unit will make the summer afternoon feel like a pleasant summer night.

Despite its 14-gallon tank, this beast of an evaporative cooler has never gone beyond five hours for me, regardless of the fan speeds (which there are three, by the way).

On the bright side, this one, just like the Hessaire MC18M, comes with a brass hose connector so that you can enjoy continuous use for those long days at the workshop.

Just remember, this one is not suitable for indoor use.

Some of my customers feel better off using products with brand names they already trust, and I understand that.

For my customers looking for ventless air conditioning in small outdoor spaces (up to 150 square feet), I recommend the Honeywell CS10XE.

This is a 300 CFM ventless air conditioner has a 2.6 gallon capacity, so it’s much smaller than even the smallest Hessaire model ( MC18M), but it has an excellent 4 to 5-hour runtime.

I actually use this model in my kitchen during the summer months, when it’s hot but I still want to cook up a nice hot meal!

Unlike most of the options on my list, such as the Coolzy or Hessaire models, the CS10XE is not rated for outdoor use.

However, in small and medium rooms, up to 150 sq ft, you will experience a refreshing gust that should make the heat more bearable.

I recently discovered that I can achieve even greater cooling success by filling the water tank first with ice and then water.

Since this is a fairly gentle ventless unit, it doesn’t make much noise, so napping alongside it should be a breeze (intended pun). I registered it at 57 dB at high speed, which is typical for a personal cooling fan.

Also, this Honeywell option comes with all the features I could want in an indoor unit, such as a timer, carbon filters, a remote controller, and four fan speed settings.

As long as you keep water in the tank and the intake vents clean of debris and dust build-up, you will most likely never have an issue with this ventless air conditioning unit until it just wears out years down the road.

The only bone I have to pick with it is the price. It’s even more expensive than the Dreo fan, which is more powerful overall.

That said, if you’re a Honeywell fan, this one will work nicely for small spaces. If your space is over 150 square feet, I recommend sizing up to the Honeywell CS10PE, which covers up to 280 square feet.

They also have a larger indoor/outdoor model (Honeywell CO30XE) that can cover up to 320 square feet, but I honestly don’t have much experience with it yet.

Occasionally I’ll be ask to outfit a large storage warehouse with cooling.

Warehouses are tricky, because they often have large truck doors open all the time, and their limited insulation can really make them a toaster in the summer.

For these situations, I always recommend the Portacool brand. They have a lot of commercial-grade options for ventless cooling, but the product I find myself using time and again is the Jetstream 230.

The Jetstream 230 is a monster of an evaporative cooler. At 7.5 feet tall, it is powerful enough to cool over 5,600 square feet at a velocity of 26 miles per hour!

It has a 65-gallon water tank but can keep your employees cooler all day long when hooked up to a continuous water supply.

For places with a smaller footprint, Portacool hassimilar options, starting at 500 square foot coverage.

Obviously, the high price is often the turn-off for most of my clients. Still, when you’re talking about cooling such a massive open space, I think the $4700 price tag is pretty reasonable.

What sets my mind at ease a bit is that Portacool offers a lifetime warranty on the Jetstream 270’s housing, and a full three year warranty on all the electrical components.

All the components are assembled in the USA. To further protect your investment, I would highly recommend purchasing one of their universal covers for protecting components in the off-season.

The coolest setup I have used the Portacool Jetstream for is a July soccer tournament in North Carolina. We had one of these set up on each of the 8 fields, keeping players cool during play.

The only downside of the Jetstream (as well as any industrial appliance) is the noise. On high speed, this guy produces 80 dB of sound, so you’re definitely going to want to keep it far from anyone who has a stationary workspace (or give them some earplugs).

FAQs

While it is possible to use a ventless air conditioner in a room without a window, it is not something you should do.

Since ventless air conditioners continuously use the same air, it won’t be long before the air becomes too humid, rendering it too damp to cool down while also making the space uncomfortable to reside in.

The heat from a ventless air conditioner doesn't "go" anywhere. The ventless air conditioner cools the air in the room through the process of evaporation.

As the cooling medium (water or ice, in this case) evaporates, it absorbs heat energy from the surrounding air, effectively reducing its temperature.

1. https://jacobsheating.com/blog/seer-rating
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_thermal_unit
3. https://www.sylvane.com/swamp-cooler-buying-tips.html
4. https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/evaporative-coolers-work-best-dry-areas-us-area-a
5. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/evaporative-coolers
6. https://www.danby.com/blog/single-hose-vs-dual-hose-portable-air-conditioners/
7. https://portacool.com/question/how-much-moisture-will-an-evaporative-cooler-add-to-the-environment/
8. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/what_noises_cause_hearing_loss.html
9. https://brennanheating.com/how-to-adjust-ac-fan-speed-and-why-it-may-be-necessary/
10. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/do-swamp-coolers-work/