Systems and methods for portable air conditioners are shown. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a description of a design is provided for a portable air conditioning unit that uses a standard 5-gallon bucket and 20 pounds of ice. In some embodiments, a 24 VDC lithium ion battery pack powers a backwards curved impeller, which draws air into an intake plenum and down through draft tubes, up thru an impeller, which slings the air radially thru exhaust duct(s) and out onto the user(s). A single push button may be utilized to turn the fan on and off and select a fan speed. In some embodiments, a neoprene insulating sleeve may be applied to the outside of the 5-gallon bucket or may line the inside of the bucket. In some embodiments, up to 7 vent wedges may be installed to duct the cool air in selectable directions. In some embodiments, the vent wedges may be removed allowing the top to seat down lower increasing the velocity of the cool air exiting radially.