The Best Portable Air Conditioners for Large Rooms (UK 2026)

By the Arctic Pick editorial team · Updated 2026 · How we test & score

Large and open-plan rooms need a high-BTU portable air conditioner - typically 12,000 BTU or more - to actually bring the temperature down. Undersize it and the unit runs flat out without ever cooling the space.

What to look for

Our top picks

Frequently asked questions

How many BTU for a large living room?

Around 12,000-14,000 BTU suits most large living rooms, and 14,000+ for very large or open-plan spaces with lots of sun. Bigger rooms and south-facing windows push the requirement up.

Bottom line

Our top pick is the DOMANKI BTU (our score 8.6/10) - A practical portable air conditioner (14000 BTU) for proper, portable cooling around the home..