Hesitating between a portable air conditioner and a fan? An honest comparison of price, performance, energy consumption, and noise level.
The quick verdict
Fan = moves air but does not cool it. Good for 25–28°C, useless above 30°C.
Portable air conditioner = genuinely cools the air (by up to 8°C). Essential during heatwaves.
Comparison table
| Criteria | Fan | Portable air conditioner |
|---|---|---|
| Cools the air? | No | Yes (5–8°C) |
| Price | €20–80 | €40–500 |
| Energy consumption | 50–100 W | 65–1200 W |
| Cost per hour | €0.01 | €0.02–0.30 |
| Noise level | 45–65 dB | 28–60 dB |
| Effectiveness at 35°C | Low | High |
When should you choose a fan?
- Maximum temperature of 28°C
- Budget <€50
- Room is already cool
When should you choose a portable air conditioner?
- You genuinely want to cool the air
- Recurring heatwaves
- Sleep is important (28 dB night mode)
- South-facing room
The hybrid option: the air cooler
In between the two, the Fresco 20L 3-in-1 combines a fan, an evaporative cooler, and a humidifier. It uses 65 W yet provides a genuine cooling effect of up to 5°C.
Our 2026 recommendation
For 80% of people in France living in apartments, a windowless 9000 BTU portable air conditioner costing €129.99 is the most worthwhile investment. See the Coldest Breeze™ Lite.