China's Midea Air Conditioner Sells Out Across Europe as Heatwave Fuels Buying Frenzy

Chinese home appliance maker Midea has seen its PortaSplit air conditioner sell out across parts of Europe as an early summer heatwave pushed temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, triggering an unprecedented rush for cooling equipment in a region where air conditioning remains relatively uncommon.

The portable split-unit air conditioner, designed specifically for the European market, has become one of the continent's hottest products this summer. The unit requires no drilling or professional installation, allowing users to install it themselves in about 10 minutes while complying with Europe's strict building and refrigerant regulations.

The surge in demand has emptied store shelves in Germany, France, Austria and several other countries. Originally priced between 699 and 900 euros (US$820-1,060), the model has been resold on secondary markets for as much as 2,679 euros, with some listings fetching more than 70 percent above retail price.

The buying frenzy comes as Europe experiences another spell of extreme heat. Since late May, temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in countries including France, Spain and Italy, while Paris reached 38.4 degrees.

Despite increasingly frequent heatwaves, residential air-conditioning ownership remains relatively low across Europe, reflecting the region's historically mild summers.

Midea said the heatwave had significantly boosted sales, particularly for the PortaSplit model, which has sold out through some retail channels. In May, the company's sales through German e-commerce platforms rose about 37 percent from a year earlier, while shipments to Spain and France jumped 108 percent, according to China Central Television.

The shortage has prompted unusual measures by consumers. An X user, identified as Denis Yurchak in Vienna, drove 200 kilometers to buy a unit after spending days searching for stock. He said he had deployed three AI agents to monitor inventory and had even considered driving to Hungary to purchase one before finally locating a machine.

Others have turned to technology as well. A German developer created a subscription website, braucheklima.de, that charges users 2.49 euros for three months of real-time inventory alerts. Even so, the site's nationwide stock map continues to show almost all participating retailers as sold out.

Industry data also reflects the broader trend. Market research firm ChinaIOL estimates China's exports of household air conditioners to Western Europe rose 9.7 percent year on year during the first five months of 2026, while exports of portable air conditioners surged by more than 70 percent. The firm said many retailers across Western Europe have struggled to keep up with demand, with consumers lining up to buy cooling units, according to Caixin.

Midea's PortaSplit was developed specifically to overcome obstacles that have long limited air conditioner adoption in Europe. Unlike conventional split systems, it requires no permanent installation, uses pre-charged refrigerant, hangs its outdoor unit from a window frame without altering building exteriors, and complies with European F-Gas regulations governing refrigerants. According to industry observers, comparable products are not currently offered by major European brands such as Bosch and Siemens or Japanese manufacturers, including Daikin and Panasonic.

The product's innovative design also earned international recognition after being named one of TIME magazine's Best Inventions of 2025, highlighting how Chinese manufacturers are increasingly competing through engineering tailored to overseas markets rather than price alone.