Best Portable Air Conditioners Under £350 — UK 2026
MeacoCool MC Series Pro 9,000 BTU
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You don't need to spend £500 to survive a British heatwave. We tested the specs on every portable AC under £350 to find the ones that actually cool a room — not just make noise.
The Contenders
| Model | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| MeacoCool MC Series Pro 9,000 | £339 | Best overall |
| De'Longhi Pinguino PACEM90 | £289.99 | Quietest |
| Pro Breeze OmniCool 12,000 Wi-Fi | £329 | Best value |
| MeacoCool MC Series 10,000R | £319 | Solid mid-range |
| De'Longhi Pinguino PACN82 | £269.99 | Budget pick |
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1. MeacoCool MC Series Pro 9,000 BTU — Best Overall
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De'Longhi Pinguino PACEM90 9,800 BTU
Pro Breeze OmniCool 12,000 BTU Wi-Fi
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Price: £339 (was £369). The quietest in its class at 60dB — that's conversation-level, not vacuum-cleaner. Cools and heats year-round, so it's not just a summer appliance. Coverage: roughly 20m². Running cost at 24.5p/kWh for 6 hours: ~£1.32/day, ~£39.60/month.
2. De'Longhi Pinguino PACEM90 — Quietest
Price: £289.99 (was £329.99). The standout feature is noise — De'Longhi's Silent Technology runs at 47-63dB. At the low end, that's quieter than a library. A-rated energy efficiency means lower running costs than most competitors. 9,800 BTU covers about 24m².
3. Pro Breeze OmniCool 12,000 BTU Wi-Fi — Best Value
Price: £329. The most BTU per pound on this list. 12,000 BTU for £329 is exceptional — most 12K units cost £400+. Smart WiFi means you can cool the room from your phone before you get home. 4-in-1: cool, heat, fan, dehumidify. Ultra-quiet at 58dB.
What to Look For in a Portable AC Under £350
- BTU rating: 9,000 BTU minimum for a UK bedroom. 12,000+ for living rooms. Below 7,000 BTU is a fan with delusions.
- Noise: Under 65dB is acceptable. Under 55dB is genuinely quiet. Anything above 70dB and you won't sleep with it on.
- Energy rating: An A-rated unit costs ~30% less to run than an unrated one. That's £12/month saved.
- Hose type: Single-hose units are cheaper but less efficient. Dual-hose units cool faster but are rare under £350.
- Heating function: If it heats as well as cools, it's not a seasonal purchase — you use it year-round.
Bottom line:
The MeacoCool Pro 9,000 BTU at £339 is the sweet spot — quiet enough to sleep with, powerful enough for a bedroom, and heats in winter. If budget is tight, the De'Longhi PACN82 at £269.99 does the job for £70 less. For max cooling per pound, the Pro Breeze 12,000 BTU at £329 is unbeatable.
📡 Not sure where to look? Read our guide on how to find a portable air conditioner in stock — we cover which retailers restock fastest and how to beat the heatwave rush.