The Best Garage Air Conditioners for Garages and Workshops in 2024
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Tired of sweating in your garage or workshop space? Stay cool this summer with an air conditioner made to handle large spaces.
Garage air conditioners turn sweltering workshops into cool, comfortable spaces. Working in a garage or outbuilding that’s not temperature-controlled in some regions can be virtually impossible in the summertime because the space gets too hot. We’re big fans of being able to work in our shops all year round, so we researched more than 30 units and then tested four models in different categories. Based on our extensive research, we also included additional models that we didn’t get our hands on, but we think may be worth a look.
While all the air conditioners we tested did a good job keeping our garage cool, we found a favorite. The Dreo 12,000 BTU Smart Air Conditioner earned the top spot in our lineup thanks to its ability to quickly cool and dehumidify spaces up to 350 square feet—and do it quietly.
Keep reading to discover some of the nifty features today’s AC manufacturers are incorporating into their units. Plus, find out how the following models performed in our hands-on tests and earned a spot in this lineup of the best garage air conditioners.
- BEST OVERALL: Dreo 12,000 BTU Smart Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Coolblus 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WINDOW-MOUNT: LG Dual Inverter Smart Window Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DIY INSTALLATION: Keystone 14,000 BTU Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST EFFICIENCY: Senville Mini Split Air Conditioner Heat Pump
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PORTABLE POWER: Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual-Hose Portable Air Conditioner
↓ Jump to Review
Before You Buy a Garage Air Conditioner
While an air conditioner will reduce the temperature in a toasty garage, the results will vary from garage to garage due to the amount of insulation in the walls and ceiling, the humidity level, and the outdoor temperature.
For the best (and most energy-efficient) results, take simple steps to keep the cooled air in and reduce energy loss before installing a garage air conditioner. Look for holes in the structure where cold air will escape and seal them. Consider adding an overhead fan to circulate the air, and your garage will be easier to cool.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 4 |
| Time spent testing | 10 hours |
| Tests performed | 3 |
| Price range | $200 to $600 |
Our Top Picks
Whether you have a small workshop or a multicar garage, one of the following AC units can make it a more comfortable place for working on your projects. Here, you’ll find our four top tested models, plus a couple of ACs we didn’t test but are recommending based on quality, efficiency, and consumer enthusiasm.
Best Overall
Dreo 12,000 BTU Smart Air Conditioner
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Performance 4.8/5; Noise 4.5/5; Maintenance 4.5/5; Value 4.75/5
Product Specs
- Type: Portable
- British thermal units (BTUs): 12,000
- Voltage: 115
What We Like
- Efficiently cools up to 35 square feet
- Enhanced dehumidifying feature
- Just 46 decibels (dB) of noise on lowest speed
- Syncs with smartphone for advanced control
What We Don’t Like
- Garages larger than 350 square feet might need a larger unit
Dreo did it again! This is one very cool portable garage AC unit. In our tests, the Dreo AC515S reduced the indoor temperature of our garage from 80 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in just 45 minutes. We thought that was pretty good considering it was 98 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Plus, our garage isn’t insulated, so the Dreo had its work cut out for it.
This is a one-hose model, which means it has an exhaust hose designed to fit a double-hung or slider window but no intake hose. We prefer this design because it’s cleaner looking than having two hoses running out a window. The air intake on the Dreo is on the unit’s backside—it draws in air from the garage space.
This is a quiet, single-room air conditioner, and the hum that it emits is akin to white noise—it’s more comforting than annoying. It features smooth-rolling caster wheels that allowed us to move it with ease, but our favorite feature was the smart connectivity that let us sync the unit to our wireless network and control it remotely from our smartphone. It also has a separate remote control for those who aren’t techie geeks like us.
Get the Dreo garage air conditioner at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best Bang For The Buck
Coolblus 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Performance 4.3/5; Noise 4.5/5; Maintenance 4/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Portable
- BTUs: 12,000
- Voltage: 115
What We Like
- Affordable option for cooling your workshop
- Reduced temperature from 80 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in 55 minutes
- Ideal for 1-car garages
- Remote control for convenient operation
What We Don’t Like
- Not as quiet as other tested models, but not extremely loud
- Cooling results will depend on insulation and outdoor temps
You don’t have to spend a lot to get some cool relief in your workshop. The Coolblus 12,000 BTU portable air conditioner is just the ticket for an affordable AC unit for garage use. This model doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it reduced the temperature in our garage from 80 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in 55 minutes. That’s 10 minutes longer than it took the Dreo to reduce the temperature, but once it reached 70 degrees Fahrenheit, we slowed the fan speed, and it did a good job of maintaining the temperature for the next 1.5 hours.
Although Coolblus says it will keep spaces up to 550 square feet cool—approximately the size of many 2-car garages—we feel it’s better suited to a 1-car garage or up to about 350 square feet. Of course, it all depends on the structure’s insulation level and the outdoor temperature.
This is a one-hose unit with a nice window kit for exhausting the warm air, a byproduct of the condensing process. It has an LED control panel with easy-to-see buttons and room temperature. We could choose High or Low speeds or Sleep mode, which was quieter but not as quiet as the Dreo. It also comes with a remote control. This is a great little portable AC unit for garage or workshop use.
Get the Coolblus garage air conditioner at Amazon.
Best Window-Mount
LG Dual Inverter Smart Window Air Conditioner
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Installation 4.5/5; Performance 4.8/5; Noise 4.5/5; Maintenance 4.5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Window AC
- BTUs: 14,000
- Voltage: 115
What We Like
- Easy to install and remove from standard windows
- Smart hands-free operations
- Energy-efficient operation
- Multiple cooling modes
What We Don’t Like
- Requires a compatible window, which some garages do not have
- Blocks some natural light coming through the window
Window units are easy to set up for summer and remove when the hot season subsides. This LG model can cool 1- to 3-car garages or up to 800 square feet. We tested this in a 240-square-foot garage and found it to be a powerful AC. It reduced the temperature from 80 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in just over 20 minutes on High.
It was moderately loud at the highest speed but impressively quiet at the lowest speed, generating just 44 decibels of noise. This 14,000 BTU model has a combined energy efficiency ratio (CEER) of 14.7 and qualifies for Energy Star certification.
It has four different fan speeds and is also a smart model. We downloaded the app and followed the prompts to sync the appliance. A handy mobile app also acts as a convenient remote control. We didn’t have a window in our garage, so we framed a wall in the pass-through doorway to test the LG air conditioner. However, it fits standard windows with 27- to 39-inch widths and 16-inch heights.
This is an excellent garage AC kit for anyone who has a suitably sized window in their garage or is willing to frame it into a wall. It would also make a very nice indoor AC unit for a home.
Get the LG 14,000-BTU garage air conditioner at Abt.
Best DIY Installation
Keystone 14,000 BTU Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Installation 4.5/5; Performance 4.8/5; Noise 4/5; Maintenance 4/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Type: Through-the-wall
- BTUs: 14,000
- Voltage: 230 (20 Amp)
What We Like
- Filter is accessible from front panel for easy cleaning
- Multiple fan speeds help control circulation
- Removes moisture during the cooling process
- Remote control and Wi-Fi capability
What We Don’t Like
- Wall sleeve for installation must be purchased separately
- Air conditioner only; this unit does not have heating abilities
- Requires 230 volts and will not plug directly into a wall outlet
This through-the-wall model will easily cool most 2-car or 3-car garages. The Keystone air conditioner is designed to be installed within a garage wall. It’s best suited for someone who is replacing an existing through-the-wall unit where the exterior sleeve is already in place. You’ll want to purchase a sleeve separately if it’s a new install.
This 14,000 BTU AC is a powerful unit. It reduced the garage temperature from 80 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in just 20 minutes. We liked the speed and power of Keystone’s cooling, but we weren’t fans of the control panel. Rather than words, the panel features only symbols, and while some are immediately recognizable—a crescent moon signifies Sleep mode—others aren’t. Eventually, you will likely learn all the modes behind the symbols, but we wished Keystone included some words.
One thing of note here: This Keystone air conditioner for garages requires a 230-volt 20-amp outlet. We didn’t have one in our garage, but we were able to test it by plugging it into a gas-powered generator that had a 20-amp outlet. Many garages don’t have 20-amp outlets; if yours doesn’t, you’ll likely need an electrician to install a dedicated 20-amp circuit.
Get the Keystone garage air conditioner at Amazon.
More Great Options
We didn’t test the following two models, but based on our in-depth research we think both would be well suited for cooling a garage or workshop.
Best Efficiency
Senville Mini Split Air Conditioner Heat Pump
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Mini split
- BTUs: 24,000
- Voltage: 220
What We Like
- Compatible with Alexa for voice-command controls
- Also has a heat pump for warming in winter
- Uses a DC inverter for reduced energy consumption
What We Don’t Like
- Professional installation is probably necessary
- More expensive than window or portable units
Those looking for a garage air conditioner that can quickly cool just about any space will appreciate this powerful mini-split. It sits neatly on a high wall while pumping cool air into the garage. At 24,000 BTUs, it’s the most powerful option on our list.
As a mini-split, this unit takes up minimal interior space; the bulk of the unit sits outside. One thing we really like is the near-silent operation inside the workshop. If you’re a craftsperson or artist who values peace and quiet, you’ll like the fact that the Senville generates just 35 decibels at its lowest speed. That’s comparable to the sound of rustling leaves. We could totally live with that.
It comes with an installation kit for DIYers, but we suggest using a professional service because mini-split installation can be tricky, and it will need a 20-amp outlet. With hands-free operating options and powerful output, it’s an excellent choice for cooling a garage that doubles as a workspace or gym. This unit is made to work hard and handle the rigorous cooling needs of even a large garage. It has a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 18 and syncs with Alexa for voice-control commands.
Get the Senville garage air conditioner at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Portable Power
Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual-Hose Portable Air Conditioner
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Portable
- BTUs: 14,000
- Voltage: 115
What We Like
- Thermostat for set-it-and-forget-it control
- Powerful cooling abilities, plus fan and dehumidifying modes
- Has a digital panel, remote control, and 24-hour timer
What We Don’t Like
- Could be more efficient to reduce energy usage
- Reasonably quiet but noisier than some air conditioner models