I've tested dozens of air conditioners for my job, and this LG portable AC is the one I trust to cool my bedroom

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For way too long, I suffered through hot summer nights without an air conditioner. My bedroom just wouldn't accommodate a window unit. Then, I learned about the best portable air conditioners, which work with just about any opening to the outside world, and they have improved my summer sleep immeasurably.

As I tested 15 portable units for our best air conditioners guide, the LG Dual Inverter Smart Portable Air Conditioner (LP1419IVSM) earned a long-term spot in my bedroom. It was my go-to portable AC because of its impressive cooling, energy-efficient dual-inverter compressor, and user-friendly app.

Window air conditioners are generally better for most people, though portable ACs have their place. To learn more, visit our article on portable air conditioners versus window air conditioners.

Our review of the LG portable air conditioner

Energy efficiency

Unlike most AC compressor motors that just turn on and off, the LG LP1419IVSM Smart Wi-Fi Portable Air Conditioner has a dual-inverter compressor with an energy-efficient motor that varies its speed to keep your room consistently cool. 

Using a smart plug, I measured the LG portable AC's average power consumption as roughly 0.67 kWh when running full blast, making it the most efficient portable unit I tested. Based on the current average energy cost in the US, that equates to a cost of about $79 if you run it on high eight hours a day all summer.

Cooling performance

The LG was also among our top performers. In two hours, it dropped the temperature of our 550-square-foot test space by 3 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, it kept my bedroom cool, even during the hottest, most humid Michigan nights.

Since humidity was the main source of discomfort most nights, I'd often just run the LG portable air conditioner on dehumidify mode, and that was enough to keep me cool and comfortable through the night. It's dehumidification was impressive, and I only needed to drain the water at the end of the summer.

After two summers of use, I passed it on to my 21-year-old kid for their room. They generally run hot, yet the LG AC has kept them comfortable for the past three years, even when they neglect to clean the filter regularly.

Noise

I live near a hospital on a busy street, where sirens and other traffic noises are a constant nuisance. The LG air conditioner drowns out most of it with pleasant white noise, free of jarring sounds. On the high fan setting, the LG LP1419IVSM is as loud as a refrigerator, about 56 decibels from 6 feet away. 

Other features

I liked using the LG ThinQ app to crank the AC an hour or so before bedtime so that my room was cool when I got there. You can also set a schedule or choose delay on and off functions. 

On nights when you don't want to use the portable air conditioning, you can easily uninstall it in a minute or two. Just remove the window slider from the window and put it in the helpful slider storage slot on the back of the unit. Then, wrap the power cord around the pegs and roll it out of the room.

Cons to consider

The LG LP1419IVSM has the longest setup process of any portable AC I've tested. Figuring out the window slider took a good chunk of the 30-minute process. The unit didn't come with screws to hold the slider together, and I put it together incorrectly at first, covering up the hose hole. I spent another 10 minutes of the setup time connecting to the app. Fortunately, after the initial setup, uninstalling and reinstalling the AC only takes a minute or two.

The warranty only covers the LG portable air conditioner for one year, which is minimal when you consider you'll only use it during warmer months. However, I'm in my fourth year with the unit and haven't experienced any degradation in performance.

What are your alternatives?

If your room has a window that will accommodate one, we strongly feel that window ACs are the best air conditioners since they have a lower upfront cost and do a better job of cooling using half as much energy. Here's a more detailed rundown of why window ACs are better.

Portable air conditioners are expensive, and the $649 LG LP1419IVSM is no exception. If you're looking for a more affordable option, we suggest the LG LP0621WSR. It is one of the most energy-efficient models we tested, suitable for cooling small rooms up to 250 square feet, and easy to install. It is not WiFi-equipped, but it does come with a remote. 

The LG LP1419IVSM was the top pick in our best portable air conditioners guide for a long time, but its popularity cause it to be out of stock frequently. Our new top pick is the Midea Duo Smart Inverter Portable Air Conditioner. It also has an inverter compressor and great app. The Midea Duo ran quieter, is consistently in stock, and did slightly better cooling. Still, the LG is more energy efficient. Read our full Midea Duo Smart Inverter Portable Air Conditioner review.

The bottom line

A portable AC unit is a strong option if your window doesn't support a window AC. The LG LP1419IVSM Smart WiFi Portable Air Conditioner is among the best, most energy-efficient model I've tested. It's pricey but has lower long-term energy costs than other units.