Let Us Demystify The Myths About Portable Refrigerators As a "rule of thumb", room sizes between 300 to 450 sq. ft. can be cooled by portable units ranging from 8000 to 10,000 Btu while room sizes between 350 to 550 sq. ft. can be best enthusiastic about units your past 12,000 to 16,000 Btu range.