No one understands how uncomfortably hot a garage can become quite like the machinist who spends hours each day working in these conditions, and that’s exactly why we have created this ultimate review of the best garage air conditioners available.
Keep reading to learn more about how to choose an air conditioner for your garage.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Garage Air Conditioners
- OUR TOP PICK: Senville SENL-24CD
- RUNNER-UP: PIONEER WYS036G-17
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: LG LW6017R
Comparison of the Best Garage Air Conditioners
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Why Did These Air Conditioners Make Our List?
We chose the following garage air conditioners because of their size, affordability, ease of installation, and garage adaptability.
Size
We have included both large and small BTU garage air conditioners on our list so that there is an option for everybody. We know that some garages may be attached to the home and only cover a few hundred square feet, while other garages may be detached, large workspaces. This is why we have included sizes from 9,000 BTU to 24,000 BTU.
Affordability
Not only did we make sure to include an option on our list that is the best for the money, but we also considered affordability when choosing each model. We believe that a garage air conditioner shouldn’t break your bank just to keep you cool, but it should also save you money in the long run by preventing you from installing a central air conditioning system.
SereneLife SLACHT108
Ease of Installation
We chose to include garage air conditioners on our list that are easy to install because we understand that your entire day shouldn’t be spent in your garage installing an air conditioner.
Adaptability in the Garage
Finally, we made sure we included garage air conditioners that can adapt to the garage's conditions. This includes windowless garages, garages with windows, and ductless garages.
Review of the Best Garage Air Conditioners
After reading through this list of the best garage air conditioners, we have no doubt you will be able to find the exact garage air conditioner you need for your workspace.
Best Overall:
Senville SENL-24CD
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers all say that this unit produces exceptionally cold air in a relatively short amount of time. It can quickly cool a large garage up to 1,500 square feet because of the high-output 24,000 BTU. It is stylish and installs in the wall of the garage without being noticed. It also comes with a remote control so that you can easily adjust the fan or temperature setting from across the room.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Senville SENL-24CD stands out to us because it is extremely effective, relatively affordable, and has various functions for you to choose the exact cooling temperature or setting you need.
We also like that it has a heater option to use it in the winter or during those late nights or early mornings that are cooler than others. This makes it more functional, more versatile, and a more practical option for spending the money to buy a garage air conditioner.
Finally, it is extremely energy efficient with an EER of 17. This means you don’t have to brace yourself when opening your monthly utility bill after using the Senville garage air conditioner during the previous month.
Bottom Line
The Senville SENL-24CD is the best overall because it is affordable, effective, energy-efficient, and can cool an area up to 1,500 square feet.
Runner-up:
PIONEER WYS036G-17
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers who have recently purchased the PIONEER WYS036G-17 are most impressed with how well the unit cools while remaining quiet for such a large BTU. Buyers also agree that the unit is relatively easy to install but recommend using an HVAC professional to ensure it is installed correctly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The PIONEER WYS036G-17 stands out to us because it is extremely energy efficient with a SEER rating of 16. This means you don’t have to worry about a large utility bill during those hot months of using the unit.
We also like that it has a powerful air outflow and can quickly and easily cool a large room up to 2,000 square feet. This makes it perfect for detached garages that easily get hot during the summer.
Finally, we feel it is worth mentioning that the unit is recognized as ultra-silent, especially having such a powerful cold air output.
Bottom Line
The PIONEER WYS036G-17 is our choice for runner-up because of its powerful ability to cool a large garage in a short amount of time. While it’s a little pricey, it’s well worth the investment.
Best for the Money:
LG LW6017R
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users agree that this unit is extremely effective in cooling small areas up to 260 square feet. Installation is easy among users, and there is a window installation kit included with the unit if your window is too big for the unit.
Users are also most pleased with the remote control that is included with the unit. It makes the unit easy to control without having to walk across the room, which is especially important for those times you are working in a garage and can’t leave what you’re working on.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The LG LW6017R is extremely affordable and effective, which is why it made our list. While it’s not the largest unit with the most output, it is extremely effective in cooling a room up to 260 square feet. This makes it ideal for daylight garages that are smaller and have windows to accommodate the unit.
Bottom Line
We recommend the LG LW6017R as the best for the money because it is effective, easy to install, and easy to use. It includes a convenient remote control that allows you to control the unit from across the room. For the money, it’s the best garage air conditioner for the job.
Best Portable Air Conditioner for Garage:
SereneLife SLACHT108
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers all agree that installation and setup are extremely easy with this unit. Once the unit is installed, it is easy to use and performs various functions to cool quickly and efficiently. The attached wheels also make the unit easy to move from one location to the next.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit by SereneLife is affordable, effective, and easy to install. This is what makes it our choice for the best portable garage air conditioner.
Working on your garage shouldn’t require taking time out of your day to install an air conditioner, and that’s exactly what this unit prevents you from doing. It’s easy to install and even easier to use once it’s installed.
With 10,000 BTU, it cools an area up to 350 square feet and has a high output of 290 cubic meters per hour. This means your garage can easily become completely cooled in an hour or less.
Bottom Line
The SereneLife SLACHT108 is the best portable garage air conditioner because of its overall affordability and effectiveness. It can easily be moved from one location to the next because of the wheels built onto the bottom of the unit, which is an extremely convenient feature to have on a garage air conditioner as you are moving around.
Best AC Unit for Garages With No Windows:
Black + Decker BPACT12WT
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers like this unit because it is easy to install and can easily move from one location to the next with the built-in wheels on the bottom of the unit. While the unit doesn’t produce a powerful airflow, it quickly cools a small area up to 150 square feet, making it ideal for small windowless garages.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We like that the Black + Decker BPACT12WT is affordable and efficient. You don’t have to spend more money than necessary when cooling a small garage with no windows, but you also don’t have to worry about cutting any corners when choosing an affordable option.
We also like that it comes with a long 7’ power cord. Many portable air conditioners have short cords around 5’ in total length, making the 7’ cord stand out to us.
The unit also comes with a self-evaporating draining system. This means no buckets, drain pans, etc. This was another selling feature that made it stand out to us as the best air conditioner for garages with no windows.
Bottom Line
The Black + Decker BPACT12WT is the best option for garages with no windows because it is easy to install, requires no additional equipment to use, and can adequately cool an area up to 150 square feet - all at an affordable price.
Best Ductless AC for Garage:
MRCOOL A-12-HP-C-230B
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers who have recently purchased the MRCOOL A-12-HP-C-230B are all impressed with how quiet the unit runs when in cool mode. It is also powerful and can quickly cool large spaces up to 600 square feet.
The most difficult aspect of the unit is the installation. The instructions are tricky, especially for someone with minimal HVAC experience, so it’s important to have someone install the unit who has experience.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We chose the MRCOOL A-12-HP-C-230B as our choice for the best ductless AC for garages for various reasons.
First, it is extremely effective in cooling spaces up to 600 square feet. This makes it ideal for garages that can quickly become hot in the summer.
We also chose this unit because it has a “Follow Me” setting built into the unit. This setting will read the temperature of where the remote is located (which will typically be close to you) rather than the temperature of the air surrounding the unit.
This is an important feature because the unit will cool you down if you’re across the room in a warmer area rather than think that the room has reached its ideal temperature because of the air that surrounds the unit.
Bottom Line
The MRCOOL A-12-HP-C-230B is a great AC unit for ductless garages because it is energy-efficient, extremely effective, and is one of the more quiet units on the market today.
Best Window AC for Garage:
MIDEA EasyCool MAW12R1BWT
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers who have recently purchased the MIDEA EasyCool MAW12R1BWT are most pleased with how quickly this unit will cool down a large room. While it can be noisy when cooling, it is virtually unnoticeable when using it in a large, loud garage.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We like that the MIDEA EasyCool MAW12R1BWT has a powerful cooling output and can cool a room up to 550 square feet. It comes with a window installation kit that allows it to fit most windows, which is another reason we like this unit by MIDEA.
The unit is also easy to install, making it quick and easy to unbox and install for near immediate use. It also includes a remote control, which allows you to control the unit from across the room.
All in all, it is a great window unit for moderately-sized garages because of how easy the unit is to install and use.
Bottom Line
At an affordable price with a powerful output, we chose the MIDEA EasyCool MAW12R1BWT as the best choice for garages with windows.
What Size of Air Conditioner Do I Need For My Garage?
Air conditioner sizes are determined by BTU (British thermal unit) output. Without getting too technical, a BTU is what measures the change in temperature of one pound of water by 1°F. This translates to mean that lower BTU air conditioners will adequately cool smaller rooms, while larger BTU air conditioners will be able to cool larger rooms.
Here is a simple chart you can refer to when you need a quick reference BTU reference guide:
Room Size (sq. ft) | BTU |
100 up to 150 | |
150 up to 250 | |
250 up to 300 | 7,000 |
300 up to 350 | |
350 up to 400 | 9,000 |
400 up to 450 | |
450 up to 550 | |
550 up to 700 | |
700 up to 1,000 | 18,000 |
1,000 up to 1,200 | 21,000 |
1,200 up to 1,400 | 23,000 |
1,400 up to 1,500 | 24,000 |
1,500 up to 2,000 | 30,000 |
When is It Time to Replace My Air Conditioner?
Air conditioners typically last about 10 years, with some well-maintained units lasting closer to 15. If you’ve had your unit for nearly 10 years and is beginning to have issues, it is likely time to replace your air conditioner. Air conditioners that are nearly 10 years old are generally more affordable to replace than repair.
Air conditioners that frequently have issues with the motor or compressor cooling properly are the number one reason you would need to replace your air conditioner. An air conditioner with a faulty compressor won’t create cold air, which will render your air conditioner useless.
If your air conditioner is several years old and is experiencing compressor issues, it is time to replace the unit.
Dos and Don’ts of Buying an Air Conditioner For Your Garage
Here are some helpful tips for using an AC in your garage.
Do
Make Sure You Have Proper Ventilation
Whether you choose an indoor, outdoor, or window air conditioner, you will need to make sure it is installed correctly to have proper ventilation. Ventilation is important when using an air conditioner because it removes the hot air that is created from the compressor of the unit when cooling the air.
Without proper ventilation, you will essentially pump hot air back into your garage, which will defeat the purpose of using an air conditioner in your garage.
Use the Correct Size Air Conditioner
You will need to know the area of your garage before choosing an air conditioner. Air conditioners are sized by BTU, and the BTU amount will determine the overall size air conditioner you need for your space.
To determine what size air conditioner you need, you will need to find the area of your garage. You will do this by multiplying the room's length in feet by the width of the room.
For example, a 30’ x 30’ garage will be 900 square feet. Using our chart at the beginning of this article, we know that a 900 square foot room will be best cooled with an 18,000 BTU air conditioner.
Hire a Professional
If you choose to add a mini-split air conditioner to your garage, you should have it professionally installed by an HVAC installer. A mini-split air conditioner will work similarly to your home’s central air conditioning system. This means it will need to be installed correctly for it to work properly, which can mean hiring an HVAC professional for the job.
Don’t
Don’t Use Your Home’s Central AC
Using your home’s central air conditioning system can cause fumes from the garage to be pumped back into the home. This can be dangerous and create a toxic environment within the house.
Don’t Use Too Small of an AC
You will need to make sure you use the right size AC for your garage. An AC that is too small will run virtually nonstop with very little results to show for it except a hefty utility bill.
Conclusion
No matter what type of garage you have, a garage air conditioner is worth the investment. An AC for your garage will help you stay cool and comfortable during the hot summer months, and as you can see from our list of best garage air conditioners, the unit you choose doesn’t have to break the bank.
People Also Ask
You may still have questions swimming around your head as you continue to narrow down your choice for the best garage air conditioners. If so, read through our brief FAQ below for more valuable information.
How Much Does it Cost to Install an Air Conditioner in a Garage?
Installing an air conditioner in your garage can be a DIY project as long as the unit comes with an installation kit and the proper tools needed for the job. These types of units typically don’t have any additional costs, as the unit comes with the equipment needed for the job.
However, it’s when you need to hire a professional that can cause the cost to creep up. An HVAC technician charges an average rate of $26/hour. Keep in mind that if you are using a technician to install a garage air conditioner, you will have to factor in an additional cost for the technician's fee and labor and any additional parts the technician uses.
Can a Portable AC Cool a Garage?
A portable AC is an easy and affordable way to cool your garage, which is why we made sure to include one on our list. Just remember that a portable AC will need to be properly ventilated to ensure that any hot air generated from the unit will be properly removed from the garage and not add to the hot air in the garage that you are trying to cool.