Dehumidifiers, portable ACs and window ACs compared on the certified rating, not the box headline.
Water-removal capacity, integrated energy factor, DOE seasonally adjusted cooling capacity (SACC) and combined energy efficiency ratio (CEER). CoolPick reads official ENERGY STAR and U.S. Department of Energy certification records and ranks dehumidifiers, portable air conditioners and window air conditioners with the weights printed on every page. 3 categories, 112 products, 32 head-to-heads.
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Portable dehumidifiers, portable air conditioners and window air conditioners, scored from official certified ratings.
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Buying guides
How it works
1. The maker's spec table
Every scored figure comes from an official ENERGY STAR certified-product record or a U.S. DOE Compliance Certification (CCMS) record, linked on the product card. If a figure is not published we show "Not listed" and score it at the category minimum, so an unpublished number never outranks a published one. Marketing BTU and older pint claims are quoted only when we can label them separately from the certified rating.
2. Different jobs, different weights
Dehumidifiers are weighted toward official Appendix X1 water-removal capacity and integrated energy factor, plus ENERGY STAR Most Efficient status. Portable air conditioners emphasize DOE SACC, CEER and whether the unit was certified as dual-duct. Window air conditioners emphasize CEER, certified cooling capacity and Most Efficient status.
3. Match it to your water
Size the unit to the room or moisture load, not the largest number on the box. Follow the maker's installation and electrical instructions, use the correct voltage, and treat R-32 or R-290 refrigerant as a sealed system — do not puncture it. Window units need a secure mount; portable ACs need a window kit and a clear condensate plan. Then check the price on Amazon. Commissions never change the order.