Portable air conditioners used to rely on a remote control, a dial, and hope that you set the temperature right before you left for the day. Testing the LG LP1022FVSM with ThinQ app connectivity and the Dreo AC515S and its easy-to-use app changed how I think about smart features on portable A/C units. Ahead are the best A/C models that earned their spot based on real-world smart features that really work. From there, I researched models across price points, prioritizing units with smart features that add real-world value. A smart portable A/C that struggles to cool a room isn’t a smart buy no matter how good its app is.