Best garage air conditioners

The best air conditioners for your garage will be determined by different factors, but there are different mini-split, window, and portable units with high ratings to choose from.

Air conditioning your garage can be a great way to make the space more comfortable, especially if you spend a lot of time in it.

There are mini-split, window, and portable air conditioners that work well in a garage and the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

What you need to know about air conditioning in your garage

It is common for garages to be extremely hot during the summer and extremely cold during the winter.

Even-though this may not be an issue for people who only use their garages to park their cars or store things, if you spend a lot of time in your garage, this extreme heat or coldness can become quite unpleasant and uncomfortable.

This is why you should consider installing an air conditioner in your garage if you have a refrigerator or freezer in there, if you use your garage as a workshop or gym, a storage space for food and supplies, or if you just spend a lot of time in that space.

Best garage air conditioners

In order for any space to be cool and comfortable, it needs to be well-ventilated and well-insulated. It is vital that you focus on these factors before you even start choosing between the different kinds of air conditioners.

Ensuring that your garage is well-insulated with insulation on the doors, weather stripping on the windows, and expanding foam on any large holes or cracks, and well-ventilated, by adding a window vent kit to your air conditioner of choice if it is required, will help your air conditioner work more effectively and efficiently.

Best garage air conditioners Best garage air conditioners Should air conditioner vents be closed in winter? Best garage air conditioners
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When it comes to the best air conditioners for garages, ductless mini-split units, window units, and portable units all have pros and cons to take into account, such as the following:

Type of air conditioner Pros Cons
Mini-split
  • Can be used in bigger garages
  • Very energy-efficient
  • No ducts or vents required
  • Expensive
  • Not many smaller options
Window
  • Compact
  • Affordable
  • Need to be installed in a window
Portable
  • Flexible and versatile
  • Come in a variety of sizes
  • Need to be vented
  • Need to be drained periodically

In this case, the best option for your garage will be determined by your budget and needs, but it can also be useful to look at the customer ratings of various models within these groupings to help you find the best of the best air conditioner for your garage.

Best mini-split air conditioner for garages

Mini-split air conditioners are the best choice with regard to convenience. However, it can be difficult to find a unit that is appropriately sized for your garage and that can cool a space of 250 to 450 square feet in size.

Some of the best choices for mini-split units and their customer ratings can be summarised as follows:

Mini-split air conditioner Cooling capacity Price Customer rating Available on Amazon
DAIKIN Wall-Mounted Ductless Mini-Split Inverter Air Conditioner Heat Pump System 9000 BTU for garages of up to 400 square feet $1070 4.4/5 from 80 customer ratings
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Commercial Cool Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner with Heat 12000 BTU for garages of up to 550 square feet $899.99 4.2/5 from 10 customer ratings Best way to heat and cool a 40x60 shop
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A mini-split air conditioner is usually the most expensive option, but it does not require that you install any additional ductwork or vents.

Best window air conditioners for garages

Installing a window air conditioner requires that you clear space on the window sill of your garage to install the unit and this also means that you block some of the air and the light coming in through that window.

However, these units are the best if you want an affordable and effective option, as is shown below.

Window air conditioner Cooling capacity Price Customer rating Where to buy
Midea EasyCool Window Air Conditioner 12000 BTU for garages up to 550 square feet $449 4.4/5 from 13913 customer reviews Midea 12,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier and Fan
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LG Window Air Conditioner with Supplemental Heat 7500 BTU for garages up to 320 square feet $549.99 4.6/5 from 321 customer reviews Best garage air conditioners
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Best portable air conditioners for garages

A portable air conditioner is the best option if you want flexibility, as these units can be moved around and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they will all need to be vented, such as:

Window air conditioner Cooling capacity Price Customer rating Where to buy
Whynter ARC-14S Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner 14000 BTU for garages up to 500 square feet $600 4.3/5 from 10887 customer reviews Best garage air conditioners
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BLACK+DECKER BPACT10WT Portable Air Conditioner 10000 BTU for garages up to 450 square feet $379.99 4.3/5 from 38022 customer reviews How many rooms can a 14 000 BTU air conditioner cool?
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