The 5 Best Garage Gym Air Conditioners, Tested by Editors
Our trainers recommend air conditioners from Mrcool and Whynter.
Reviewed by Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S.
Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?
A GOOD GARAGE gym is a cool one, where overheating is an impossibility. Sure, summer is slipping away but the heat is going to last. And in a home gym, heat management is a year-round job, as your body will be producing it even when it's snowing outside.
That makes an air conditioner a priority in the garage workout zone. Without one, conditions can get stuffy at the very least. At the worst, the garage is straight up uninhabitable, at least during the warmer months. Some models throw heat too, making them useful when you need a boost of energy on a cold January morning.
Best Garage Gym Air Conditioner
Our editors tested these models during the sweltering first half of summer and came away with some real favorites. The panel included Fitness and Commerce Editor Charles Thorp, NASM, along with Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel, CSCS. We tried a plurality of models out, in conditions ranging from dry and arid to humid and muggy. We gauged their mobility, examined how they fit into their respective environments, and weighed power by trying them in different sized rooms.
In the end, we came away with five promising models.
What to Consider
As with all appliances, there are considerations to weigh with garage gym air conditioners.
Dimensions
Size matters. If it's too big or heavy, it's not going to work. Space comes at a premium in garages, whether you're in a tight apartment or you just have a lot of clutter (that's what garages are for). Nailing the dimensions can be the difference between a streamlined experience where all you really notice is the cool climate and a device you're constantly bumping into.
Portability
A good garage AC unit should move around pretty freely, unless you have a designated gym area. That way, it can follow your workout around or even double as climate control in different parts of your dwelling. The most portable air conditioners can be wheeled around or are light enough to carry. Options like mini-splits are essentially permanent fixtures post-setup.
Related Tech
We're not in the 20th Century anymore. That said, the AC units of today should offer some useful tech, whether that's related apps or useful settings. Sometimes that's a sleep mode that gets up when you do or it could be a built-in sensor that monitors efficiency.
Setup
Read the marketing material of most models and you'll likely see "easy setup" listed. Well, we tested them for you to be sure and that's not always the case. Setup should be easy, as you're not installing central air, you're just plugging in a unit en route to a great garage workout.
Strength
These air conditioners can offer some serious power, if that's what you're after. But the last thing you want is one that's not mighty enough to cool your space or so strong that it's a nuisance. Work around the square footage of your gym space for best results. The main measure of an air conditioner's power—is the BTU, which measures the cooling capacity. “BTU” stands for “British Thermal Units.” That’s the amount of energy required to raise one pound of water by 1°F. Basically, it tells you how powerful the A/C unit is. Depending on how many square feet you want to cool, BTU ranges can vary. But, higher is not always better. Your first instinct might be to go for the highest BTU available, but you may end up using more energy than needed (and we all know you don't need a higher energy bill). So be sure to look at how many square feet a model will cool down within an hour and how it compares to the area of the room you're shopping for.
In general, Thorp says standard home gyms (around 300 square feet) will need an air conditioner that has at least 10,000 BTU. For bigger spaces, Thorp recommends an air conditioner with at least 14,000 BTU.
How We Selected
Our editors tested more than a dozen models, using the criteria above as a compass. The best versions excelled in one or all of these categories, and even went the extra mile with traits like high functionality, quiet running noise, and clean aesthetics that complement your gym space.
The best models proved to be intuitive and user-friendly, as well as relatively easy to get going. They brought near-instant relieve to our workout spaces, which ranged from dens and garages to home offices, and made the reps we put in later all the more enjoyable.
Here are the very best garage gym air conditioners.
Pros
- Cool and hot functions
- Practically runs on its own
- Reliable
Cons
- Tricky setup
When you shell out a bit more, you get a lot more. While nobody is going to say this model is cheap, the cost is justified given everything that it does. And it does EVERYTHING.
Samuel described the unit as amazing and super-reliable. "It's powered my garage gym for two years," he says. "It does heat and cold and I leave it at 70 and it handles everything. The only caveat on the above: They say it's DIY, but I actually had it professionally installed. Needed new electric wiring in house to support it. So the DIY part is a bit shaky, unless you are super handy."
Installation aside, the unit is fantastic. But the end result product is spectacular, he says. "For two years it's kept the place cool in summer and hot in the winter and it's still humming with zero maintenance. Haven't even changed the batteries in the remote I barely touch."
Essentially automated, with the most power on the list and the ability to set up a big room to the exact degree, this is a bonafide winner. All editors agreed that this was the best all-around model of the bunch.
Read more: Best Wearable Air Conditioners
| Dimensions | 42.5 x 8.9 x 13.2 in. |
|---|---|
| Portability | High |
| Related Tech | App, leakage detection, follow me function, position memory |
| Setup | Moderate |
| Strength | 18,000 BTU |
Whynter Portable Air Conditioner
Pros
- Good value
- Incredibly quiet
- Very easy setup
Cons
- Clunky design
This model is not about to win any beauty pageants, but what it lacks in looks it more than makes up for in functionality and value. For a pretty average room size of about 500 square feet, the Whynter does a fantastic job. The casters roll nicely, especially on harder surfaces, and we liked how the thing barely hummed, meaning we could even fall asleep without any trouble while blasting the AC. The three settings are nice, including a dehumidify function, and you get the same number of fan settings. And setup could not be much easier, fit with a window exhaust kit that actually makes sense.
| Dimensions | 35.5 x 19 x 16 in. |
|---|---|
| Portability | High |
| Related Tech | Remote control, various settings |
| Setup | Simple |
| Strength | 14,000 BTU |
LG SACC Portable Air Conditioner
Pros
- Energy efficient
- Modern design
- Ultra mobile
Cons
- Not ideal for larger spaces (above 500 square feet)
"Every big air conditioner says that they are easy to set up, but I've found many times I've needed to call professional help," Thorp says. "This LG unit actually follows through on that promise, which means you can start cooling your space and training in it immediately." In his extensive testing, Thorps says he really liked how quiet the unit is in my space. "I don't have to worry about a hum or drone drowning out my gym playlist over the speakers," he says.
There are some brand features too that are quite attractive. Because it's LG, the technology and app is next level. "I can easily turn on and control my AC when I'm elsewhere in the house if I'm gearing up for a workout," he says. Meanwhile the wheels on the unit make it super easy to move around the gym when he's trying to move great around. "The LG is also super energy efficient compared to other models on the market, so I can save money for more gym gear," says Thorp. Plus, we have to talk about the aesthetic. The sleek, clean design looks great in any room, and adds a luxe touch to our home gym.
| Dimensions | 30.43 x 19.4 x 18.11 in. |
|---|---|
| Portability | High |
| Related Tech | App, dry mode |
| Setup | Simple |
| Strength | 10,000 BTU |
Pros
- Alexa compatible
- Cools and heats
- Powerful fan for fast cooling
Cons
- Quite heavy
Stare at this model long enough and you might think it's a paper shredder. But therein lies the beauty, as it's pretty compact and inconspicuous, making itself at home wherever you need it most. And during the occasional cool summer morning, we appreciated the heat function. The model switches back and forth between the two effortlessly and is pretty quiet in either mode.
We liked the dust filter and while the double hose technology seemed like pseudo science, the unit really did throw a lot of cool air, in healthy gusts. The only real hangup was the weight, nearly 80 pounds.
| Dimensions | 34.48 x 19.53 x 16.73 in. |
|---|---|
| Portability | Average |
| Related Tech | Smart remote controller and useful app |
| Setup | Simple |
| Strength | 14,000 BTU |
Pros
- Cools and heats
- Great LED display
- Small yet powerful
Cons
- Not very tech-driven
Another model boasting good value, this one ought to be (as most things are from the trusty brand). We liked the stress-free install and four-in-one system featuring cold, hot, dehumidify, and fan functions. That kind of flexibility is great if you live in a place with a big diurnal shift (hot days, cool nights).
We noticed it struggled a bit moving around on carpet and the lack of any real advanced tech was something of a letdown. However, for the price, the model does a lot in a straightforward, no-fuss kinda way. There's enough strength here that it can handle a larger room, especially if you position it well.
| Dimensions | 27.09 x 14.06 x 16.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Portability | High |
| Related Tech | Remote control |
| Setup | Simple |
| Strength | 14,000 BTU |
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Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., is the fitness director of Men's Health and a certified trainer with more than 10 years of training experience. He's logged training time with NFL athletes and track athletes and his current training regimen includes weight training, HIIT conditioning, and yoga. Before joining Men's Health, he served as a sports columnist and tech columnist for the New York Daily News.
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