Mobile air conditioner sales in Germany more than double as heatwave brings record 41.7°C

Record heatwave hits Germany

At the end of June, a severe heatwave swept across Germany. The German Weather Service measured 41.7°C in East Brandenburg, a new negative record. The extreme heat caused roads to buckle, pushed emergency services to their limits, and led to an increase in heat-related deaths. With more hot days forecast, many households turned to air conditioning for relief.

Sales surge across first half

The heatwave triggered a boom in mobile air conditioner sales. According to market researcher NIQ, 387,100 portable units were sold in Germany in the first half of 2026, a jump of 219,000 units or 130% compared to the same period last year. The monthly figures show the acceleration: in May, sales reached 79,700 units, up 238% from 23,600 a year earlier. June saw an even sharper absolute increase, with 290,200 units sold, 159,100 more than in June 2025, a rise of 121%. Both the June figure and the half-year total were the highest recorded since the start of 2023, the earliest data available to NIQ.

What consumers are buying

The data covers two types of portable devices: monoblock units that vent warm air outside through a hose, and portable split systems that have separate indoor and outdoor components. Fixed, professionally installed split air conditioners were not included. The average price of the tracked devices in June 2026 was around 354 euros, slightly up from 342 euros a year earlier.

Julia Kalkowski, an expert for technical consumer goods at NIQ, noted that mobile units offer quick availability, require no fixed installation, and have low upfront costs. However, she pointed out that they fall short on efficiency and comfort compared to fixed systems. Portable split units, which are typically more powerful, are gaining ground: they accounted for 16.5% of sales in the first half. Unlike permanently installed systems, these do not need to be fitted by a professional because no refrigerant-carrying lines have to be connected.

Supply running short

The surge in demand has left many retailers out of stock. A recent dpa survey of several retail chains found that mobile air conditioners are sold out in many locations. With further hot spells expected, the pressure on supply chains is likely to continue.