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. One evaporative cooler that showed up in this search snuck in without real dehumidification or a true compressor, so I left it out rather than misrepresent it. If you are searching for the best portable 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. SereneLife Portable Air Conditioner with Dual Motor, Dehumidifier & Fan, 8,000 BTU
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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
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. Midea 8,500 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
This went into a smaller guest bedroom around 150 sq ft, and dehumidifier mode alongside the SmartHome app let me schedule it to start before bedtime. Installation was the fastest of any portable unit I tested this season, and the 24 hour timer covered basic dehumidifying schedules without needing to touch the app.
Pros:
- Fast, easy setup with an adjustable window bracket
- App scheduling makes it easy to pre cool or dehumidify a room
Cons:
- 150 sq ft coverage too small for larger bedrooms
- Washable filter needs weekly cleaning to keep performance steady
9. 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
10. SereneLife Portable Air Conditioner with Built-in Dehumidifier, 8,000 BTU
The metal control box on this one is a detail I have not seen on other SereneLife models, and it added a real sense of durability compared to the all plastic housings elsewhere in this lineup. The self evaporative system reduced drainage needs during a stretch of humid testing, and universal casters made it easy to relocate as needed.
Pros:
- Metal control box adds durability and a safety margin
- Self evaporative system reduces manual drainage needs
Cons:
- Noise level runs slightly higher at 54 dB
- 350 sq ft rating is on the optimistic side for humid basements
11. Shinco 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
The highest rated dehumidification capacity in this entire lineup at up to 43.2 liters a day without a bucket, and that showed during a genuinely humid stretch when I never had to think about drainage. The swing function combined with the 24 hour timer gave more scheduling flexibility than the smaller Shinco model above.
Pros:
- Highest dehumidification capacity tested, up to 43.2 liters a day
- Swing function combined with 24 hour timer adds flexibility
Cons:
- Heavier at over 56 pounds compared to similarly rated competitors
- No smart app or voice control
12. SereneLife 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier and Heat
The largest and most capable SereneLife unit I tested, with dehumidifying and supplemental heat for shoulder season use in the same unit. Having all four modes together 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 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
13. DREO Portable Air Conditioner 515S, 12,000 BTU
The true drainage free system on this one worked exactly as promised below 90 percent humidity, and DREO’s patented noise isolation kept it quiet at 45 dB even while dehumidifying actively. The app let me monitor humidity levels directly rather than just guessing based on how the room felt, which was a genuinely useful data point during testing.
Pros:
- True drainage free operation below 90 percent humidity
- App shows real humidity data rather than just temperature
Cons:
- Higher price point than most units on this list
- Mid range coverage not suited to very large rooms
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 8,500 BTU and SereneLife 8,000 BTU models handled moisture well without excess cost. For larger spaces or genuinely humid basements, the Garvee, Shinco 12,000 BTU, 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 515S 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.
