3 Best Air Conditioners for Grow Tent and Grow Room (2024)

ByDhruvir Zala Updated on
Best air conditioner for grow tent and grow room

Your grow room can easily overheat for several reasons, such as grow lights, poor ventilation, high humidity, and high outside temperature.

Air conditioners help you achieve and sustain optimal temperature and humidity levels.

There are various types of AC available to suit different grow space sizes.

So choosing the right one for your needs is key.

We did extensive research—watched YouTube videos, read blog posts, and even participated in Reddit discussions.

And now, we have the top-rated options for you.

How we picked

  • Cooling capacity
    You need enough BTUs to handle the size of your space and the intensity of your grow lights. Oversizing is better than undersizing here.
  • Humidity control
    Excess moisture breeds mold and mildew, which can wreck your crop. So having an AC with a dehumidifier feature is a must.
  • Energy efficiency
    Grow gear eats up electricity, so we look at the EER and SEER ratings to find the most cost-effective AC.
  • Noise level
    Constant loud noise can stress your plants, so we chose quieter models.
  • Cost and warranty
    You want the best value, not the cheapest option. And warranty coverage provides peace of mind. We prioritized both.
  • Installation requirements
    We focused on air conditioners that are easy to install and mount, so you won’t have any unnecessary hassle.
  • Maintenance
    Regular maintenance is important to keep your AC running efficiently. We looked for models with easy-to-clean filters.

Everything we recommend

Best Portable AC

SereneLife SLPAC12.5 SLPAC 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner

SereneLife SLPAC12.5

It is a powerful yet quiet 12,000 BTU portable AC. It has a built-in humidifier and a remote control. You can easily move it around on caster wheels.

Buying Options

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Best window AC

Midea 12,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner

Midea EasyCool

With 12,000 BTUs, it cools rooms up to 550 sq ft, lowers electric bills, and keeps rooms chilly.

Buying Options

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Best mini-split ductless AC

MRCOOL - DIY-36-HP-230B25 DIY 36k BTU 16 SEER Ductless Heat Pump Split System 3rd Generation - 230v

MRCOOL – DIY-36-HP-230B25

Powerful AC for commercial grow rooms, up to 1,500 sq ft with 36,000 BTUs. Variable-speed compressor, smart Wi-Fi capability, and more.

Buying Options

Check Amazon Price

Why You Can Trust Farmingram

I spent many hours researching the best air conditioners for grow tents and grow rooms.

I considered all types of ACs to cover the diverse needs hydroponic gardeners may have. We are talking about portable, window, mini-split ductless, and commercial AC.

This guide aims to save you time and equip you to make the best possible AC purchase.

Best Portable Air Conditioner

Portable AC for a grow tent or grow room

A portable air conditioner is a small unit that cools and controls humidity in small indoor gardens.

Some things you should know about a portable AC:

  • Ideal for: Small grow tents or rooms and can cool rooms or spaces from 200 sq. ft. to over 1,000 sq. ft.
  • Portability: Easy to install, and you can move it from room to room.
  • Ideal location: Place the portable air conditioner outside the grow tent and use a duct to bring the cool air into the tent.

SIDENOTE: Some growers also use portable AC units in their lung rooms or rooms with tents in them to regulate the temperature and humidity levels.

1. SereneLife SLPAC12.5

Best portable AC for growing spaces of up to 450 sq. ft.

SereneLife SLPAC12.5 SLPAC 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner_
BTU12000
Weight62 pounds
Floor area450 square feet
Noise level56 dB
Warranty1 year
SEER2.6

Reasons To Buy

  • Easy to move around on wheels. Good for a grow tent that may need to be relocated. Takes up less space.
  • It functions as an air conditioner, dehumidifier, and fan. This means it can cool the air, remove moisture, and circulate air in the tent or room.
  • Rated at 56dB, which is quieter than many portable ACs.

Reasons Not To Buy

  • Temperature and settings are not displayed on the remote. Have to go to the unit to check.
  • The SEER of 2.6 is comparatively lower. Not recommended if energy saving is your topmost priority.

This handy unit packs a serious 12,000 BTU punch, which means it can easily cool spaces up to 550 square feet.

That’s more than enough power to tackle even large grow tents.

It’s got three different modes—air conditioner, dehumidifier, and fan.

The built-in dehumidifier is a great feature since humidity control is crucial for healthy plants. And it’s nice and quiet, unlike some portable ACs that sound like a jet engine.

It’s got caster wheels, so you can easily roll it wherever you need it, and the exhaust hose, window mounting kit, and remote control are all included.

The remote is super convenient for adjusting settings without leaving your tent.

Installation is a breeze—just roll it in place, plug it in, attach the window venting, and you’re good to go.

Maintenance is easy too thanks to the washable air filter.

Check Current Price on Amazon

Best Window Air Conditioner

Window AC for a grow room or a grow tent

A window AC is installed in a window and used to cool the air inside the grow space.

Some things you should know about a window AC:

  • Ideal for: Small grow tent or grow room that is located near a window or in a larger room with good air circulation.
  • Ideal location: Near the top of the tent or room, as hot air rises and cool air sinks. Placing the AC unit near the top will help to circulate cool air throughout the space (source).
  • Efficiency: Window AC is generally considered more efficient than portable AC (source).
  • Type of compressor: There are two types of compressors in window ACs: rotary and reciprocating. Rotary compressors are quieter and more energy-efficient while reciprocating compressors are more affordable (source).

2. Midea EasyCool

Best window AC for growing spaces of up to 550 sq. ft.

Midea 12,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner
BTU12000
Weight74.8 pounds
Floor area‎550 square feet
Noise level‎55 dB
Warranty1 year
SEER12

Reasons To Buy

  • Cools rooms down fast and keeps them cold.
  • Can handle cooling large rooms up to 550 sq ft.
  • Lower electricity bills compared to other ACs.
  • Useful features like remote, timer, and dehumidifier.

Reasons Not To Buy

  • Noisier than expected, especially for bedrooms.
  • May not keep up as well in extreme heat over 100°F.

This Midea AC is a pretty solid window unit for the price. It’s got 12,000 BTUs, so it can handle cooling medium to large rooms up to 550 square feet.

It cools rooms down quickly and keeps them nice and chilly. Many reviewers said it cooled their entire floor or even their whole house!

People also liked the energy savings—some said their electric bill went down after installing this AC.

It’s got useful features like a remote, timer, and dehumidifier modes.

As for downsides, a common complaint was that the unit arrived damaged or dented from shipping (transportation problem). That’s annoying to deal with.

Some felt it was louder than expected, despite being shown to be at a sound level of ‎55 dB.

For the money, most seem happy with the cooling abilities. I’d say it’s worth considering if you need to cool a medium to a large room on a budget.

Just be prepared in case you need to exchange it if it arrives looking rough.

Check Current Price on Amazon

Best Mini-split Ductless Air Conditioner

Mini-split ductless AC

A mini-split ductless AC is an air conditioner that doesn’t need ducts to cool indoor growing areas.

Mini-split ACs consist of an outdoor compressor unit and one or more indoor air handlers. They are small, flexible, and offer much more power for cooling larger or hotter areas.

Some things you should know about a mini-split ductless AC:

  • Ideal for: They are suitable for the grow room or grow tent of all sizes, thanks to the single-zone and multi-zone configurations.
  • Ideal location: Place the mini-split AC unit high up on the wall, preferably near the ceiling, to ensure that cool air is distributed evenly throughout the grow tent or room.
  • Energy efficiency: They consume 40% less energy than window AC, as they don’t need ductwork to distribute cool air.
  • Quiet operation: Mini-split ductless ACs are known for their quiet operation, as the compressor and fan are located outside the grow room or grow tent.

3. MRCOOL – DIY-36-HP-230B25

Best mini-split ductless AC for large commercial grow rooms

MRCOOL - DIY-36-HP-230B25 DIY 36k BTU 16 SEER Ductless Heat Pump Split System 3rd Generation - 230v
BTU36000
Weight‎285 pounds
Floor area1500 square feet
Noise levelN/A
Warranty7 years for the compressor. 5 years for parts.
SEER16

Reasons To Buy

  • Variable-speed compressor adjusts cooling efficiently.
  • 16 SEER energy rating helps save on electricity costs.
  • 25ft pre-charged line set enables DIY installation.
  • Smart Wi-Fi allows remote monitoring and control.
  • Extremely quiet operation won’t disturb your grow room.

Reasons Not To Buy

  • May want a professional electrician for wiring.
  • 25ft line could be too long for some spaces.
  • Customer support response times can be slow.
  • App connectivity and controls can be glitchy.

The MRCOOL DIY-36-HP-230B25 is a very powerful AC unit. It can handle even the hottest commercial grow rooms.

This mini heat pump cools up to 1,500 square feet with 36,000 BTUs, perfect for plants.

It’s got a variable-speed compressor that automatically adjusts its output based on the current conditions in your grow room.

Which is great for your electricity bill!

Speaking of efficiency, it has an impressive 16 SEER energy efficiency rating. So you can keep your grow room icy cold while still keeping your energy costs significantly lower.

Installation is made easy with the included 25-foot pre-charged line set. No special tools or skills are required!

Just connect the quick-connect fittings and you’re good to go.

You’ll love being able to control the AC right from your smartphone with the smart Wi-Fi capability. Adjust the temp, set schedules, and monitor it all remotely with the app.

And it runs ridiculously quietly—we’re talking whisper-quiet operation both indoors and out. You’ll hardly know it’s on, and your plants certainly won’t mind.

It even comes with a 7-year warranty on the compressor for some nice peace of mind.

Overall, this thing is a beast!

Check Current Price on Amazon

Conclusion

Now that you know everything, it’s time to make a decision.

Consider your budget, the size of your grow space, and the features that are most important to you.

Whichever air conditioner you choose, you can be sure that your plants will thank you.

FAQs

When it comes to cooling your grow tent, it is typically more effective to blow hot air out of the tent than to try to blow cool air in. It is recommended to use an active exhaust fan to bring in cooler air from outside your grow tent.

According to Valley Comfort Heating and Air, allocate 20 BTUs to every square foot of space inside your home.

For example, if you have a room that is 200 square feet, you would require an air conditioning system with a BTU rating of 4000 BTU.

A window AC is considered better than a portable AC for various reasons including, but not limited to, efficiency, prevention of light leakage through the vents, and ease of use.

Dhruvir Zala

Meet your guide
Dhruvir Zala

Through rigorous self-learning and in-depth research on indoor farming, I created Farmingram to share my experience and expertise with farmers and indoor agriculture enthusiasts.

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