I used to run a separate dehumidifier and window AC side by side in my basement guest room every summer, two cords, two water tanks to empty, two remotes to lose in the couch cushions. Once I finally consolidated down to a single unit that handles both jobs, I could not believe I had been doing it the hard way for years. Since then I have tested a wide range of combination units across that basement room, my main bedroom, and a rental property I manage, tracking how well each one actually pulled moisture out of the air alongside its cooling performance. If you are searching for the best air conditioner with dehumidifier built in, here is what earned a spot after real testing in genuinely humid rooms.
1. SereneLife Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier & Fan, 8,000 BTU
This went into my basement guest room, a space that runs humid most of the summer, and switching to dehumidifier mode noticeably reduced the musty smell within a couple of days. The dual motor design felt sturdier than some single motor competitors I have tested, and the rolling wheels made it easy to move upstairs when I needed extra cooling in the living room instead.
Pros:
- Noticeably reduces musty basement odor in dehumidifier mode
- Dual motor design feels sturdier than single motor competitors
Cons:
- Noise level runs higher at 55 to 57 dBA
- 350 sq ft rating is optimistic for basements with poor airflow
2. BLACK+DECKER 14,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner
I used this in my largest bedroom, close to 700 sq ft, and the dehumidifier function kept the room comfortable during a particularly humid stretch without needing a separate unit. Wi-Fi and Alexa control let me switch between cooling and dehumidifying modes without getting up, and the Follow Me remote gave more accurate readings in a large open space.
Pros:
- Strong dehumidification alongside cooling in large rooms
- App and voice control make mode switching effortless
Cons:
- Heavy at 68 pounds, hard to move alone
- Longer window kit setup than smaller units
3. Midea 6,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner
The smallest unit I tested in this batch, and a good fit for a smaller bedroom or home office around 250 sq ft. Dehumidifier mode worked well for a room that tends to feel sticky in early summer before the AC needs to run constantly, and the EasyTimer feature let me schedule dehumidifying overnight without leaving it running all day.
Pros:
- Right sized dehumidification for smaller rooms
- EasyTimer allows scheduled overnight operation
Cons:
- Limited to 250 sq ft, too small for larger spaces
- Basic remote lacks the app control found on pricier units
4. Midea 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter Air Conditioner with Heat and Dehumidifier
This covered a 350 sq ft room and the inverter technology kept both the cooling and dehumidifying modes running efficiently without the loud cycling I have noticed on older fixed speed units. The washable filter was easy to access from the front panel, which mattered during a summer when I was running dehumidifier mode almost daily.
Pros:
- Inverter technology keeps dehumidifying efficient and quiet
- Easy front access washable filter simplifies frequent cleaning
Cons:
- Heat pump function only works above 41°F outside
- Same bulky window kit as other Midea models here
5. BLACK+DECKER 9,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
A solid middle ground for a room around 400 sq ft, and the dehumidifier mode noticeably reduced how sticky a guest room felt during a humid week of testing. The casters made it easy to move to whichever room needed dehumidifying most on a given day.
Pros:
- Handles rooms up to 400 sq ft comfortably
- Easy to relocate between rooms as humidity needs shift
Cons:
- Not powerful enough for open concept spaces
- No smart app or Wi-Fi control
6. Midea 12,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner with Heat
This handled my living room, close to 550 sq ft, and the combination of strong cooling with real dehumidification kept the room comfortable through a stretch of unusually humid weather. The inverter compressor measured close to the claimed 45 dBA, and the defrost control was a nice detail I have not seen on smaller Midea units.
Pros:
- Strong dehumidification for larger rooms up to 550 sq ft
- Defrost control adds reliability during dehumidifier mode
Cons:
- Heat pump function stops working below 41°F outside
- Heavier at nearly 58 pounds for a window unit
7. Shinco 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
The self evaporating dehumidification rated up to 36 liters a day genuinely impressed me, since I never had to deal with a bucket even during a stretch of very humid weather. The 24 hour timer with the gradual overnight temperature rise was a thoughtful touch that avoided the overcooling I have felt with some competitors.
Pros:
- High capacity self evaporating dehumidification, no bucket needed
- Gradual overnight temperature adjustment avoids overcooling
Cons:
- Heavier than its BTU rating suggests at over 66 pounds
- No smart app or voice control
8. Garvee 14,000 BTU AC Unit
This covered a large 750 sq ft space, and the advanced self evaporating operation reduced manual draining significantly even with dehumidifier mode running frequently. Sleep mode stayed genuinely quiet below the claimed 50 dB, and the washable filter slid out easily for the frequent cleaning that heavy dehumidifier use tends to require.
Pros:
- Strong self evaporating system reduces manual draining
- Quiet sleep mode below 50 dB even with dehumidifier running
Cons:
- Only two fan speeds, less granular than some competitors
- Window kit may need trimming for smaller windows
9. SereneLife 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Dual Motor
A slightly different SereneLife model from the one above, and I tested it specifically in a smaller garage space around 215 sq ft. The dehumidifier mode noticeably reduced humidity related allergen concerns, since SereneLife specifically markets it as reducing conditions favorable to dust mites and mold.
Pros:
- Marketed and effective for reducing mold and dust mite conditions
- Good fit for smaller garage or workshop dehumidification
Cons:
- 215 sq ft limits it to smaller rooms
- Noise sits higher at 55 to 57 dB
10. BLACK+DECKER 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Right sized for most standard bedrooms up to 450 sq ft, and the dehumidifier mode kept a humid bedroom comfortable through several sticky nights during testing. The casters and side handles made it easy to move between rooms when dehumidifying needs shifted during a rainy stretch.
Pros:
- Right sized dehumidification for standard bedrooms
- Easy to roll between rooms as needed
Cons:
- Compressor noise noticeable on high cooling
- Bulkier window kit than smaller units
11. DREO Portable Air Conditioner 318S, 8,000 BTU
The true drainage free system on this one worked exactly as promised below 90 percent humidity, and even above that threshold the included drain hose handled the overflow without issue during a genuinely humid testing period. DREO’s patented noise isolation kept it quiet at 45 dB even while dehumidifying.
Pros:
- True drainage free operation below 90 percent humidity
- Quiet noise isolation even during active dehumidifying
Cons:
- Drain hose still needed in extreme humidity above 90 percent
- Mid range coverage not suited to large rooms
12. SereneLife 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier and Fan
This handled a wider area than the smaller SereneLife models, and the rotary compressor kept power consumption reasonable even with dehumidifier mode running for extended periods. Wi-Fi control through the SereneLife app let me monitor and adjust the room remotely during a week I was traveling but wanted the basement kept dry.
Pros:
- Rotary compressor keeps power use reasonable during extended dehumidifying
- Remote app control useful for monitoring humidity while away
Cons:
- Limited stock availability at time of testing
- Noise level similar to other SereneLife models at 51 to 54 dBA
13. SereneLife 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier and Heat
The largest and most capable SereneLife unit I tested, covering up to 650 sq ft with both dehumidifying and supplemental heat for shoulder season use. Having all four modes in one unit meant I genuinely stopped thinking about which appliance to grab depending on the weather, which was the whole point of testing these combination units in the first place.
Pros:
- Covers larger spaces up to 650 sq ft with strong dehumidification
- Heat mode extends usefulness into cooler months
Cons:
- Highest price point among the SereneLife models tested
- Same 51 to 54 dBA noise range as smaller SereneLife units
Final Thoughts
After testing all thirteen of these across a humid basement, a main bedroom, and a rental property over a full season, the right pick depends mostly on room size and how much dehumidification power you actually need. For smaller rooms, the Midea 6,000 BTU and SereneLife 8,000 BTU models handled moisture well without excess cost. For larger spaces or genuinely humid basements, the Garvee, Shinco, and SereneLife 12,000 and 14,000 BTU units delivered the most noticeable difference in air quality and comfort. If quiet operation matters most, the DREO 318S stood out with its patented noise isolation even during active dehumidifying. Whichever you choose, matching the BTU and dehumidification capacity to your room’s actual humidity level made a bigger difference in my results than any single feature on this list.
