The performance of a proton electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with a perfluorosulfonic-acid-based membrane is strongly dependent on the water content in the membrane. In this study, comparative performance evaluation of self-humidifying PEMFCs with short-side-chain (SSC) and long-side-chain (LSC) membranes is conducted under various operating temperatures, air stoichiometries, back pressures, and voltages. The optimal operating conditions at each voltage are determined by using response surface methodology. The self-humidifying PEMFC with the SSC membrane exhibits higher power density than that with the LSC membrane owing to higher water retention. The dominant operating parameter for the system performance changes from the back pressure to air stoichiometry with a decrease in the voltage. Moreover, based on the dynamic response tests, the self-humidifying PEMFC with the SSC membrane exhibits better reliability and settling time than that with the LSC membrane. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.