As the UK prepares to swelter through another upcoming heatwave, it’s no surprise that we’re all on the lookout for cooling solutions for our homes.
And with another wave of muggy, sleepless nights on the horizon, the best portable air conditioners have been flying off the virtual shelves. In fact, many of our top-rated models are already fully out of stock across key retailers. All is not lost, though.
If you’re quick, there are still some solid-performing units worth snapping up.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
I’ve been tracking the product availability of our most popular models like Meaco, AEG and Russell Hobbs, and it’s clear that demand has outpaced supply. However, they may well return as demand shifts. If you’ve got your heart set on one of these, though, it’s worth signing up for stock alerts at major retailers and bookmarking our guide, too.
After checking stock across major retailers this morning, I’ve managed to find a handful of highly rated options that are still available, including models we’ve either tested ourselves or have been shortlisted based on user reviews or value for money.
Here are my picks of the air conditioners you can still buy now.
Delonghi Pinguino Care4Me EL112
The Delonghi Pinguino Care4Me was recently tested by one of the team, who found it has real cooling power. Its plethora of functions makes it perfect for home offices and bedrooms.
electriQ 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Our reviewer says that this affordable air conditioning unit cools rooms steadily but effectively in mid-size spaces, and it’s super compact too.
B&Q Malay local air conditioner 9000BTU
Black+decker Portable 7000 Btu 3-In-1 Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier and Cooling Fan
Black+Decker is a super reliable brand and this versatile air conditioner can be used as a cooler, dehumidifier, and fan for all-year-round use. It’s got good reviews online and uses Class A energy efficiency, so it has a low environmental impact and running costs.
electriQ Slimline 7000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
We haven’t reviewed this particular unit but we recently reviewed another electriQ 10000 BTU air conditioner which was really effective. This model is slimline and budget-friendly and gets great reviews online.
Black+decker Bxac40008gb Portable 3-In-1 Air Conditioner
We haven’t yet reviewed this Black+Decker model, but we’ve included it in this round-up because it consistently gets good reviews across multiple retailers, and stock availability is currently good.
With demand showing no signs of cooling off, if you’re considering a portable air conditioner, don’t hang around. The next hot spell could see the remaining models above disappear just as quickly. There are, of course, lots of others on the market too, but hunting them out can be a challenge.
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Just remember what to look out for: Check the BTU rating: this tells you how powerful the unit is; look for quiet modes or sleep settings, especially if you plan to use it in a bedroom; and don’t forget a window kit: Most models include a window sealing kit, but make sure your window style is compatible.
And if your quest for buying the ultimate cooling gadget has been unsuccessful, we’ve also rounded up the best fans for staying cool this summer.
If you’re in the market for a new vacuum cleaner, you’ll be happy to know that July is prime time to grab a bargain. Not only is Amazon Prime Day around the corner, but many brands are also slashing their own prices – including one of my favourite vacuum cleaner brands, Miele.
Coming in three colourways, this powerful stick vacuum is sleek, sophisticated, and easily transforms into a handheld. It also comes with three tools for cleaning awkward areas.
I’ve previously tested the pet model of the Duoflex HX1, the Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog, and gave it a very impressive 4.5-star out of 5 review – but I have to say that the non-pet version is right up my street.
Coming in three different colourways, including Nordic Blue, Sunset Yellow (my personal favourite), and Terra Red, this vacuum breaks the vacuum mould and offers something a little brighter than your average black or white appliance.
(Image credit: Future/Lauren Bradbury)
It’s also extremely powerful, and just as powerful as a conventional Miele vacuum cleaner, such as the Miele Guard M1, which is the more traditional corded cylinder vacuum for which this big brand is known. Plus, it offers up to 55 minutes of running time and is nice and light at just 3.1kg.
Like the best Shark vacuums and the best Dyson vacuums, this Miele stick vacuum also benefits from auto-adjusting power, which means it’ll adjust the suction depending on the dirtiness of your floors, while also making sure it doesn’t damage them in the process. At this price point, however, it’s significantly cheaper than these bigger brands.
But don’t just take my word for it. The Miele Duoflex HX1 also has a 4.6-star rating on the website, with customers loving the powerful suction, various colourways and the build quality. And this is something to be expected from Miele.
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(Image credit: Future/Lauren Bradbury)
However, while the brand is known for its impressive German engineering, its long-lasting products (our Content Director for Ecommerce’s mum has been using her Miele vacuum for 8 years and counting, and it’s still going strong), Miele is typically at the more expensive end of the vacuum cleaner spectrum.
Alongside this, they rarely have sales, so the fact that this promotional event is even happening – and that the sleek, sophisticated, powerful (and colourful) Duoflex HX1 is included – is a pretty big deal.
Another perk? It also comes with a 100-day trial – so if you find that it’s not quite the right vacuum cleaner for you, you can return it without losing any of your money within that 100-day period.
You’ll have to be quick if you want to snap up this deal, though, as it ends on the 8th July, and there’s no guarantees that it will ever be this cheap again.
Alternative Miele vacuum cleaner deals
Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog Flex
If you prefer the more traditional cylinder Miele vacuums, this one is also discounted. It offers four cleaning modes, an Active AirClean filter to neutralise unpleasant odours, and it’s also super durable and has been tested for up to 20 years of use.
Miele Triflex HX1 Facelift
Although it’s slightly more expensive, this cordless model comes with patented 3-in-1 design for exceptional flexibility, so you can configure it in a way that suits not only your home, but also your own comfortability. It also offers up to 60 minutes of run time.
Miele Boost CX1 Cat & Dog PowerLine
Designed with hygiene in mind, this vacuum offers a HEPA filter and vortex technology to ensure every speck of dust is picked up. You don’t need to worry about this corded vacuum veering off course either, as it has TrackDrive technology to keep it where you need it.
So, will you be picking up this Miele vacuum cleaner deal? I wouldn’t wait if I were you!
Are you feeling the heat? I know I am, which is why I’ve dedicated my week to finding the best cooling hacks, and this one is too good not to share. What if I told you you could make your own DIY air conditioner unit for free? You can, and here’s how.
Owning one of the best portable air conditioners is an absolute game-changer when the temperature is roasting. But these handy units can be pricey, so if you’re not looking to part with your cash, a free cooling hack can do the trick.
Making your own DIY air conditioner couldn’t be easier. All you need is one of the best fans and a bowl of ice. Here’s everything you need to know, plus the safety warnings to be aware of if you plan on trying this hack.
How to make a DIY air conditioner
The hack is one of the simplest I’ve seen to cool a bedroom or any other room in the house, as all you need to do is place a bowl of ice in front of your fan.
(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Brittain)
‘Placing a bowl of ice or a frozen water bottle in front of a fan is a popular DIY cooling hack, especially during heat waves. The idea is that as the fan blows air over the ice, it cools the air slightly, creating a mini air conditioning effect. While it’s not as powerful as a proper air conditioner, this method can provide some relief in small, enclosed spaces,’ explains Dr Farah Ahmed, a GP with over 20 years of experience in the NHS.
As the air blows over the ice, the ice evaporates and cools the air, making the stream of air feel like the blast of cold air you get from an air conditioner. Only this hack costs considerably less.
‘While air conditioning is more powerful, this method offers a cost-effective way of remaining cool without creating a huge strain on your energy bills,’ says Kudzai Chinembiri, Energy Expert at Love Energy Savings.
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Warning
While this ice cooling hack is effective, it is important to remember that ice and water don’t mix, and if you plan on using this hack, you have to ensure the ice is a safe distance away. Experts at the consumer safety charity, Electrical Safety First are warning of the increased risk of electric shock if you use this hack.
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)
‘Whilst we would not recommend this hack, it offers a far lower level of risk of electric shock as the ice is nowhere near the electrical components of the fan,’ Luke Osborne, technical director at Electrical Safety First, comments.
‘Even if you do try this hack, you’ll likely remain hot, as a bowl of ice won’t offer enough relief to continuously cool a room. Make sure the ice is sufficiently far enough away from the fan to avoid the device coming into contact with moisture if it’s knocked over.’
If you need short-term relief, this DIY air conditioner hack can be used if practised safely. However, for best results, we’d recommend investing in one of these cooling products instead.
Shark
Shark Flexbreeze Hydrogo Cordless Fan
This powerful fan creates produces ultra-fine droplets, showering you in a cool mist. But this mist is so delicate, you don’t have to worry about it wetting any surfaces. Just sit back and stay cool.
Midea
Midea 5l Air Cooler
This three-in-one machine acts as an air conditioner, humidifer and tower fan. The 75° automatic oscillation feature allows for even air distribution throughout the room, ensuring everyone is blessed with a cool breeze.
Silentnight
Silentnight Restore Body Cooling Gel Mattress Pad
If you want to cool down fast at night, this cooling gel mattress pad can help you get to sleep in the heat.
Do you have any tried and tested ways to beat the heat?
You probably don’t need me to tell you that it’s hot. It’s sticky and sweaty, and, if I’m totally honest, inside is no better. Thankfully, B&Q’s new GoodHome 8″ 24W Remote Controlled Table Fan, £39.99 has helped me cool down my home fast over the weekend – and it seems as though I’m not the only one obsessing over it, as it’s selling out fast.
The best fans come in so many shapes and forms, but I must admit that I have a soft spot for the best desk fans. They’re more compact, they’re super portable (but still powerful), and they’re generally a lot more affordable. And at £39, B&Q’s new fan is one of the cheapest of the lot.
GoodHome 8″ 24W Remote Controlled Table Fan
Coming in a grey or black colourway, B&Q’s own-brand GoodHome 8″ 24W Remote Controlled Table Fan is strikingly similar in appearance to the Meaco Sefte 8″ Portable Fan and the viral Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo. But at half the price, it’s a more affordable option that’s also readily available. After all, you can reserve your fan via Click+Collect and pick it up from your nearest store in less than 15 minutes.
And I highly suggest you do. I’ve been using this fan all weekend, and I couldn’t recommend it more, especially as the only fan I currently have in my house is the Shark TurboBlade Multi-Directional Cooling Fan.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Lauren Bradbury)
And while I love this fan and swear by it to keep my bedroom cool, it’s too big to be moved around the house. So, I keep it in the bedroom and use the B&Q fan to carry from my living room to my home office and even my dining room.
For such an affordable table fan, it still has oodles of features to take advantage of. It has three modes – Normal, Comfort, and Sleep – as well as 12 fan speed settings, a mood light setting, and an oscillating and tilt function.
Personally, I’ve found the oscillating function to be a lifesaver in my hot house, as I find that opting for an oscillating fan over a still fan always makes a room feel cooler. In fact, it’s whirring away next to me at my desk, and despite the 30-degree heat outside and the sweltering temperatures inside my house, I feel as cool as a cucumber.
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(Image credit: Future PLC/Lauren Bradbury)
(Image credit: Future PLC/Lauren Bradbury)
(Image credit: Future PLC/Lauren Bradbury)
As if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a remote control so you don’t even have to get off the sofa to change the setting. So, it really does have everything you need.
If noise is something you’re concerned about, you’ll also be happy to know that this bad boy is pretty quiet. For such a budget fan, I really did think it would sound loud, clunky and irritating, but as someone who needs complete silence to get my work done, I can tell you that it’s whisper-quiet and unobtrusive.
But with temperatures set to get hotter over the next few days or so, I really don’t expect this B&Q fan to stick around for long, especially with so many impressive features on offer. It’s already become one of the brand’s bestselling fans over the weekend, and I predict more and more people will be snapping it up.
GoodHome Black 8″ 24W Remote Controlled Table fan
If grey doesn’t quite suit your home, you can also buy the budget B&Q fan in black. It’s exactly the same and offers the same impressive cooling power, just in a different colourway.
Meacofan Sefte® 8” Rechargeable Fan With Replaceable Battery
If you have a little more cash to spend, our Senior Digital Editor, Jenny, loves this Meaco fan – especially as it’s cordless. It offers 11 to 17 hours of run time depending on the setting you choose, and it’s super stylish too.
Shark Flexbreeze Hydrogo Misting Fan Fa050uk
This misting fan has gone viral on social media, and it seems as though people can’t get enough of it. It’s the pricier of the three, but it is cordless and comes with a misting function that can be used both indoors or outdoors.
So, will you be picking up this bargain fan before the heatwave ends?!
A charity is warning against the use of a cooling hack that is going viral on TikTok due to risk of causing electric shocks.
When temperatures soar, I’m the first person willing to try anything to keep cool. If you don’t have one of the best fans or best portable air conditioners, stifling heat can soon become unbearable.
It can be tempting to search for a hack to try and beat the heat at little cost, but consumer safety charity, Electrical Safety First, is warning Brits to avoid a popular TikTok that involves placing frozen or damp towels on a fan due to increased risks of electric shocks.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The warning
Going viral on TikTok, the hack consists of freezing tea towels or bath towels, or even just wetting them with cold water, and placing the towel over the front of the fan.
The idea is that the fan has to blow air through the towel, which, being freezing cold, results in a blast of cold air. It sounds easy, cheap and effective, right? While you may get slight relief with colder air circulating around your room, experts say the dangerous risks of this cooling hack far outweigh any benefit.
‘Water and electricity don’t mix,’ says Luke Osborne, technical director at Electrical Safety First
Anything that is frozen will eventually melt, and a towel will potentially drench your fan in water. This water risks not only coming into contact with the motor but any surrounding plug sockets and will really increase the risk of an electric shock. Much like other ineffective hacks, a frozen towel won’t offer enough energy to cool down a room.’
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Luckily, there are other cooling hacks you can try without combining electricity and water/ This loft cooling hack only requires you to open your loft hatch, while this fan positioning hack uses clever positioning and an open window to create a funnel of cool air.
Affordable, lightweight and compact, energy efficient and easy to use, this is Ideal Home‘s best-rated portable air conditioner.
Bush
Bush White Tower Fan
An oscillating fan distributes cold air more evenly around a room helping to cool it faster.
Jialexin
Jialexin Bladeless Personal Fan,
This clever fan wraps around your neck to provide instant relief from hot, humid conditions.
It can be tempting to try social media-approved hacks, especially when the heat is really getting to you, but if it involves using wet towels or water, it’s safe to say the hack is a big no-no.
