Most consumers have said, "not really." However, tough times force consumers to ask tough questions when making purchases. It may be time to revisit these choices. To make the right choice its best to understand the differences between the two air conditioning solutions.

The easiest distinction between the two types of air conditioning is that one is stationary in a window and the other moves around on wheels. Depending upon the size and type of windows you have, a portable may be a better choice. For example, most window air conditioners are built to fit traditional double-hung windows. Some buildings don't allow window air conditioners to avoid a potentially unattractive aesthetic.

Even with portable air conditioners, you need to get the hot air out. Portable units come with kits that allow you retrofit an existing window for this purpose. Dual hose systems allow for air intake and venting. Either way, you will need to decide on placement of the unit, in the window or by it. Before choosing a portable for its portability, consider that wheeling it into a different room more than a few times a season is just not practical. Just removing and replacing the hose/window apparatus is inconvenient, albeit less inconvenient that removing and relocating most window units.

Consumer feedback has generally been that BTU for BTU, window air conditioners cool better. Advances, such as dealing with the condensate by redistributing into the system to aid in the cooling process, are closing the cooling gap. A side benefit is that by cooling more efficiently, it draws less electrical energy. Typically, a portable air conditioner draws more electricity than a window air conditioner. This also addresses a common inconvenience with traditional portables, and that's emptying the water bucket that collects the condensate.

The other dig that even the best portable air conditioners get is that they are noisier than window units. It makes sense. With window air conditioners, the condenser and other moving parts are hanging outside the window. With portable units, it's all in the room with you. Advances in technology are making this less an issue that it has been, making portables worth a second look.

Finally, it is hard to compare products without comparing prices. The price ranges are similar, and follow similar paths, the higher the BTUs, the higher the price. The more feature-rich a unit is (remote control, quiet operation, condensate handling), the more expensive it is. From a few hundred to a few thousand, the choices are vast and each type of product has it's premium and bargain brands. The best advice to follow is shop around. Don't ignore online shopping options. there are some real bargains to be found.

So, do they compare? In a word: yes! The advances in portable air conditioners now make them a viable alternative to window air conditioners. They can each overcome obstacles the other can't. And while window units may still cool better than the average portable, the gap is closing enough to have another look at portables.