With temperatures dropping and winter well on its way, buying one of the best air conditioners probably isn't at the top of your shopping list. But while most of us are reaching for the electric heaters, some savvy shoppers are already thinking ahead to next summer, and Black Friday could be the perfect opportunity to get prepared.
It might seem a little premature, but there's some logic to buying an air conditioner in November. When the next heatwave inevitably rolls around, demand for cooling appliances tends to soar, and finding one in stock, never mind a decent deal, can become much harder. Rather than waiting until temperatures become unbearable, why not take advantage of the Black Friday sales to snap up an air conditioner for less?
Black Friday officially falls on 27 November this year, but retailers are already rolling out early discounts across everything from TVs and laptops to household appliances. So, here are our top picks for early air conditioner deals.
Read more: Best early Black Friday deals
Best Black Friday portable air conditioner deals
Pro Breeze 5000 BTU 3-in-1
While this portable air conditioner isn’t one we’ve tested, Pro Breeze is one of our tried and tested brands. This unit is designed for rooms up to 12m², with three modes for cooling, dehumidifying and circulating air. It can cool rooms down to 17°C. It also has two fan speeds and a sleep mode, letting you adjust it to suit your needs.
Buy now £279.99, Argos.co.uk
Pro Breeze 9000 BTU 3-in-1
If you need something with a little more cooling power, the 9,000 BTU model is on sale, too. Designed for larger rooms, it can bring temperatures down to as low as 16°C, with two fan speeds and a dehumidifying mode to help tackle excess moisture. There's also smart Wi-Fi and voice control, plus a sleep mode that gradually reduces the fan speed before switching off.
Buy now £379.99, Debenhams.com
More portable air conditioners available
While the following portable air conditioning units haven’t been discounted for Black Friday – yet – they are firm favourites that have largely been out of stock since the heatwave this summer. Now back on the shelves, the IndyBest team will keep a close eye to see if any drop in price throughout Black Friday.
Blyss A018I-09C 9000BTU portable air conditioner
Our best budget air conditioner (in our guide to the best portable air conditioners) is back in stock, but not yet on sale. When reviewed, Joanne Lewsley wrote that this unit was “straightforward, no-fuss.” It cools, has a fan, and dehumidifier modes, as well as three fan speeds and a 24-hour timer. She added that it’s the installation that sets it apart, however. She explains: “Alongside a standard window kit, you also get a permanent wall fixture and cap, which is pretty unusual at this price and gives you more long-term setup options if you don’t want to keep wrestling with a window hose.”
Buy now £289.99, Screwfix.com
Meaco meacocool MC series pro 8000 BTU portable air conditioner
Our best portable air conditioner for convenience is also back in stock. In her review, Lewsley called it “one of the easiest to get up and running.” It has a handy window kit with a conveniently long hose, strong airflow, and a “fairly attractive” design, meaning it doesn’t stick out quite so much in your home.
Buy now £380, Argos.co.uk
Air Pro 3-in-1 5000 BTU
This compact 5,000 BTU portable air conditioner sold at Tesco is designed for smaller spaces, including bedrooms, flats and home offices. It combines cooling, dehumidifying and two-speed fan functions, with adjustable louvres to direct airflow where you need it. You can control the settings using the LED display, remote or Wi-Fi. And during Black Friday, you can collect triple Clubcard points when you purchase this unit.
Buy now £299.99, Tesco.com
I’ve spent 10 years covering Black Friday – here are my top tips
