Five of the best air conditioners to buy as the heatwave hits the UK

North Wales Live

11-07-2025

Wales' heatwave is underway with record high temperatures expected, but there's one effective solution to combat the sweltering temperatures, which is an air conditioner.
Portable air conditioners can be a godsendduring warm and humid days and nights. Air conditioners not only provide relief during the day but also aid in ensuring a good night's sleep by maintaining a cool and less humid environment.
However, with the heatwave said to last over the weekend, consumers may require an air conditioner that can be delivered promptly and perform efficiently.
Here's a list of worthwhile air conditioners to help cool your rooms.
Our selection includes models with varying BTU levels, from lower (ideal for smaller rooms) to higher (suitable for larger spaces), enabling shoppers to select what best suits their needs.
JML Air Cooler, Portable Fan and Humidifier - £33.99
For a small and reasonable priced cooling device, Amazon has reduced the price of JML Air Cooler, Portable Fan and Humidifier from £39.99 to £33.99 in its 15% off Amazon Prime Day deal. This device aims to cool your personal space, it has an increased power with four fan settings, and it has an evaporative, washable filter for "long-lasting cooling".
It also has a dual mist spray jets for instant cool air, it has a seven-colour LED night light, top-fill tank and adjustable air flow grill. One reviewer was "very pleasantly surprised at how powerful they are", but another customer claimed it was "very noisy" and "isn't powerful enough to cool a room".
Snap it up here.
The electriQ serves as an excellent entry-level air conditioner, ideal for cooling down smaller rooms. It effectively cools areas up to 20 sqm in homes or offices and offers four modes to choose from, including Cool and Sleep.
This model comes with a window kit for venting the unit out of a window and a remote control for adjusting the settings from afar. In terms of energy consumption, it boasts A-rated efficiency, which equates to approximately 20p per hour.
However, a word of caution - this model is designed for relatively small rooms, so buyers should make an informed decision. Reviews also indicate that while it effectively cools a decent-sized room, it can be somewhat noisy.
A critique from a buyer noted: "Cools a decent-sized bedroom well enough. Fan mode still runs the extractor fan, making it extremely noisy and that mode sort of useless. Its sleep mode doesn't make it quieter, just turns off the lights."
Buy it here.
Ideal for somewhat larger spaces, the Argo Iside portable air conditioner shines in areas up to 28 sqm including bedrooms and moderately sized rooms – though potential purchasers should double-check their room dimensions before committing. It's also designed to be compact, not hogging too much floor space.
It further features a dehumidifier function which promises to accelerate drying laundry or combat dampness and mould at home. With Wi-Fi capabilities, customers have given kudos for its effectiveness but have highlighted its notable noise level.
Snap it up here.
Amazon's EcoFlow WAVE 3 portable air conditioner was £699 but is now 6% off and priced at £659 in the Prime Day deal. It delivers 1800W cooling - which is said to be 20% more BTU than competitors - to lower temperatures by 8C in just 15 minutes. According to Amazon, its 2000W heating boosts warmth by 9C, while an automatic mode maintains ideal day/night comfort in varying climates.
In reviews, one customers described it as an "excellent product", but another claimed it had a "noisy compressor".
De'Longhi 11000 BTU Smart Air Conditioner and Dehumidifier - £700
At the top of the price scale on our review list is De'Longhi's offering, renowned for their top-tier dehumidifiers – and this model lives up to the reputation. This 11000 BTU powerhouse carries a price tag of £700 from Argos, a lofty figure, yet for those with spacious abodes, it could be the ultimate investment.
Sporting an A+ energy efficiency rating, this air cooler is engineered to keep vast living spaces up to 110 sqm refreshed while curbing summer energy costs. It boasts integrated voice command features and app connectivity for bespoke climate control.
Customers have been quick to praise the product, with one reviewer commenting: "It wasn't cheap, but I really wanted one that would actually work and this performs above my expectations".
That being said, a few buyers did express some dissatisfaction, noting that the hose attachment was a bit on the smaller side.