A parent working from home during a brutal heat wave tested the EcoFlow Wave 3 portable AC unit—and now swears by it. With kids underfoot and temperatures hitting triple digits, they call it a "necessity" rather than a luxury.

Editor’s Note: As heat waves become more intense and frequent, portable ACs are shifting from "nice-to-have" to essential for many households—especially those juggling work, kids, and energy costs. This firsthand account cuts through the hype with real-world stakes.