portable air conditioner reviews

The Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner is a powerful portable air conditioning unit designed specifically for medium to large rooms. It is a great choice for people who live in apartment buildings which do not have built-in air conditioning. The unit is built out of a hard sleek plastic shell with a black stripe down the center of the machine.

It has a very modern and sleek design and it is relatively small – can fit nicely in a corner of a room. This portable air conditioning unit is one of the most powerful portable air conditioning units on the market. Of course, it is slightly more expensive than most air conditioning units but it is well worth the price.

So if you are looking for a great high quality portable air conditioning unit and you don’t mind spending some extra cash; the Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner is for you.

Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner Review

Pros

All in all this is an excellent portable air conditioning unit for larger rooms. You can even use it for small apartments. The fans are very powerful and the air conditioning mode produces clean filtered cool air.

The device is very quiet even when on max settings and on air-con mode. The window kit is simple and easy to install on almost any window frame. The unit is very user friendly and easy to configure and the design is sleek and modern.

Cons

The device is quite heavy and the dehumidifier can be quite loud at times. The screws are not very effective – they are too short and can pop out of the case at times. If you want to mount it onto a window frame it is recommended to tape the screws into the plastic casing.

Best Choice

Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner

Our rating: (3.8 / 5)

This is an Excellent A/C that I've bought. It works great as advertised - and even better with hoses insulated. I highly recommend it!

Check Price

Operating Modes

Like most air conditioning units this particular model has three modes of operation: fan, air-con, and dehumidifier. The fan mode simply blows room temperature air into the surrounding area. It is recommended to use the fan mode if the temperature is not too hot – you will save electricity in the long run.

Additionally, the ARC-14S has a high quality Carbon filter which filters out dirt from the air – it can even help remove odors from the air as well. In other words, if you want to freshen up a room, place the ARC-14S inside, and either turn the air con or the fan on and the room should air out in a relatively short period of time. The air-con mode consumes a considerable amount of electricity but it can cool down a room in a matter of minutes of the power level is set to max.

Each mode of operation has 3 levels – 3 is the max level. You can schedule each of the modes for a 24 hour cycle if you want; there are many different ways that you can configure the ARC-14S. Additionally, the dehumidifier mode is exceptionally useful when it comes to absorbing moisture from a particular room.

Atmospheres with high levels of moisture can be very uncomfortable and they can cause mold to grow on clothes or walls. The dehumidifier mode will efficiently absorb up to 101 pints of water from the air per day. You can configure each of the modes by using the remote control that is shipped with the device or by tinkering with the buttons on the device itself.

A bright LCD screen on the device will help you configure it’s settings with relative ease. The dehumidifier is also equipped with an auto-drain technology.

Temperature Controls

The ARC-14S is very user friendly and it is very easy to change the temperature settings on the device. There are two ways to change the temperature settings on the ARC-14S: use the remote control or use the buttons on the device.

It is generally recommended to use the remote control instead of tinkering with the buttons on the device. You can choose to set the machine to automatic settings (automatically detects which settings are optimal) or manual settings (you have to configure all the settings individually).

Each mode of operation has three fan speeds. It is very easy to switch between fan speeds and modes if you use the remote control that is shipped with the machine. The vents will also bend in different directions. The device automatically shut down once the room temperature is at the desired setting.

Coverage Area

As I mentioned earlier this particular model was specifically designed for larger rooms. It has a BTU capacity of 14000 and it utilizes a dual hose air conditioning system. The vast majority of portable air conditioning units use a single hose system – dual hose is much more effective.

The coverage area is approximately 500 square feet; in metric units that is around 46 square meters; the average size of a living room or master bedroom. The ARC-14S has excellent coverage and when the air-con mode is set to max fan speed cold air will blast out of the vents and cool down the area in a matter of minutes.

The fan speed is very strong when it is set to max settings but it can consume a lot of power so be careful not to leave it on for too long or you will be faced with a large electricity bill.

Noise Level

The noise level in this particular unit is not much different from most portable air conditioning units. You would expect that it will be much louder than regular units but that is not the case. The fans are built with state of the art noise reducing technology which allows the machine to produce large amounts of cold air will operating at a quiet noise level.

If you have never slept with a portable air conditioner in your room it may take some getting used to. The machine is at its loudest when the dehumidifier turns on. You can program the dehumidifier to turn on during the day time so you don’t have to worry about it disturbing your sleep. The noise level has been rated at 56 decibels.

Power Consumption

Since this portable air conditioner is quite powerful it requires a considerable amount of electricity. The most demanding mode of operation is the air-con mode. The other modes are less demanding but still require a significant amount of electricity. The maximum amount of electricity this unit consumes on max settings is around 1250 watts.

I mentioned earlier, if you want to avoid a large electricity bill it is recommended to either use the fan mode or simply turn on the unit only when the heat is unbearable.

Size, Dimensions, and Weight

The ARC-14S is slightly larger than most portable air conditioning units but small enough to find a spot in the room for it to fit comfortable.

It has the following dimensions: 19″ x 35.5″ x 16″ and it weighs approximately 95 pounds. It has a set of wheels on the bottom of the case to make it easy to move the machine around the house.

Additional Features

The Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner contains several features that make it unique. For instance, the auto-drain feature is exceptionally useful as it eliminates the need to manually empty the water basin.

It is also equipped with a Carbon air filter and a washable pre-filter to guarantee that the air the device produces is top quality. It will also auto restart when a power outage occurs and you can control all of the settings digitally.

Accessories

The ARC-14S is shipped with a window attachment kit and a remote control. The window attachment kit is designed to fit windows of all sizes. Of course, if you need to set the unit on a window make sure to read the manual before you begin the operation.

You may have to purchase an additional exhaust hose depending on the distance from your window to the machine.

Consumer Reviews & Ratings

Overall positive; the Whynter 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner certainly does its job at cooling down rooms to a comfortable temperature. It is a great powerful air-con unit that is great for small apartments. If you don’t mind spending some extra cash this unit is the right unit for you.

It will keep your apartment nice and cool during those unbearable heat waves. You can even use a regular house fan to distribute the cold air throughout your home.

The Whynter 12,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner is a portable air conditioning unit designed for medium sized rooms.  It is an older Whynter model but it is still very effective at cooling down medium and small rooms.

This particular air conditioning unit is slightly more expensive than most air conditioning units because it is built to be as eco-friendly as possible. In other words, the device is designed to be very power efficient – it does not consume a lot of electricity.

The unit is built with a sturdy sleek white plastic shell which looks great in almost every type of apartment building or household. There is a black streak running across the device’s surface to add a nice modern day feel to the machine.

This model was designed to be as energy efficient as possible while still being able to cool down medium sized rooms.

Whynter 12,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner Review

Pros

The best thing about this particular unit is the fact that it saves electricity and it blasts extremely cold air through its vents. Some people have claimed that this unit has a 14,000 BTU capacity instead of a 12,000 BTU.

In general, customers have state that this device will in fact cool down a medium sized room in a very short period of time. It is also very quiet and will not disturb your sleep.

Cons

Some consumers have complained that the exhaust hose is too short and looks ugly. Of course, if you are not very picky this problem should not bother you. The device itself is also quite large and heavy but once it is in your apartment you can just roll it from room to room.

The drainage pipe is rather shallow – sometimes you will have to drain the excess water on your own which can be quite difficult considering how flat the pipe is.

Also Great!

Whynter 12,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner

Our rating: (4 / 5)

This is the simply the best portable AC there is. Works very well and price is low, too

Check Price

Operating Modes

The Whynter 12,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner has three operating modes: fan, dehumidifier, and air conditioning. Each mode has three speeds – you can control the speed of each mode with the remote that is shipped with the air conditioning unit.

When the fan is switched on air will be sent through the ARC-12SD’s state of the art filters which will improve the overall air quality within your home which will benefit people who suffer from asthma.

The ARC-12SD uses a Carbon air filter as well as a washable pre-filter to effectively filter out smog from the air. This model does not contain a built in heater.

The dehumidifier is very effective and utilizes an auto drain feature which evaporates water when the air conditioning is switched on. The dehumidifier is capable of absorbing a maximum amount of 96 pints of water from the atmosphere per day – several pints less than the popular Whynter ARC-14S model. However, the dehumidifier is quite loud when it switches on.

The air conditioning mode is excellent – a dual hose 12,000 BTU system; which is perfect for small to medium sized rooms. If you want to considerably cool down a particular room set the unit to maximum settings and close all the doors and windows; in a hour or two the room should be at a comfortable temperature. The machine will also automatically switch off once the room temperature is at the desired temperature.

Temperature Controls

It is relatively easy to control the temperature settings on the Whynter 12,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner. The entire device is very user friendly and a remote control is shipped with the machine – once you plug the unit into the wall and find some batteries for the remote; setting up the temperature controls is very simple.

There are three speed for each mode; you don’t usually have to turn the air-con to max settings unless you are in desperate need of some cold air. The vast majority of customers have state that this particular model blows extremely cold air – it can cool down a small room in a matter of minutes.

You can also set up a timer to turn on the air-conditioning at certain times of the day. It has full thermostat control.

Coverage Area

The ARC-12SD was designed to provide cool air for a large area while consuming as little power as possible. It has an excellent coverage area: the dual hose 12,000 BTU air conditioning system has a maximum coverage area of 400 square feet.

Of course, there are several factors that will have an effect on the efficiency of the system. For example, if your room is larger than 400 square feet and all the windows are shut and your room does not get a lot of sunlight – the ARC-12SD will be very effective.

However, if your room is smaller than 400 square feet but has a lot of sunlight and is located in a particularly hot spot of your house or apartment complex the ARC-12SD will not be as efficient.

Regardless, this model is very powerful and can cool down a room in a matter of minutes if it is switched on to highest settings.

Noise Level

The noise level of this unit is practically the same as most portable air conditioning units. However, the compressor is relatively quieter than other portable air conditioning units. On a low setting you can barely hear the device at all.

The unit is at its loudest when the dehumidifier kicks in; it is recommended to program the dehumidifier to start when you are awake. The decibel rating is 56 dBA for indoors.

Power Consumption

I mentioned earlier that the ARC-12SD was designed to be as power efficient as possible. It is considered to be a very eco-friendly air conditioning unit. When set to max settings the unit will consume a maximum of 1100 watts and the amperage is 10.5A.

The most demanding mode of operation is the air conditioning mode – switch it off if you want to save electricity. In fact, it is generally recommended to only use the air conditioning mode when you absolutely need it. Even though this particular model was designed to be as energy efficient as possible the air conditioning mode is still quite demanding.

Size, Dimensions, and Weight

The ARC-12SD is quite large – it resembles a mini refrigerator. If you want to keep it in your living room you will probably have to move some furniture around. It has the following dimensions: 20 x 34 x 16.5 inches.

The overall look of the unit is quite fashionable – it is very sleek and modern. However, it is quite heavy, about 71 lbs; especially if the dehumidifier collected a considerable amount of water.

Regardless, once you get the machine into your house you can simply roll it around your house; wheels are attached to the bottom for easy mobility.

Additional Features

The ARC-12SD has several features that were not mentioned earlier. For instance, the device is entireCFC and lead free. The air passes through two high quality filters before it leaves the machine.

Each filter is washable – you should clean them on a regular basis. The machine will also auto restart during a power outage and you can program a 24 hour cycle between all three modes.

Accessories

The Whynter 12,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner comes with one window kit mount and a remote control. The window kit is designed for most window sizes. However, if your window is particularly high you may need to purchase an additional exhaust hose.

The window kit includes an instructional manual and all the necessary pieces of equipment to mount the unit onto the window. The wheels are already attached to the bottom of the device – you don’t need to worry about scratching the floor whenever you want to move the unit.

The remote control can work from quite a far distance away if the batteries are fully powered.

Consumer Reviews & Ratings

All in all, this particular portable air conditioning model is excellent for hot climates and medium sized rooms. It will also save some electricity in the long run if you don’t overuse it. The device is a bit more expensive than most portable air conditioning units but it is well worth it in the long run – very few units can compare to this one.

The Koldfront PAC1401W Ultracool 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner is an excellent air conditioning unit recommended for large rooms. It is a very powerful unit and it can cool down rooms to a desirable temperature in a matter of minutes depending on the size of the room – smaller rooms will cool down faster.

The Koldfront PAC1401W Ultracool 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner is often compared to theWhynter ARC-14S since both air conditioning units have similar specs. The most noticeable difference between the two air conditioning units is the color and design; the PAC 1401 is white and wide and the ARC-14S is white with a black stripe and thin.

Additionally, the PAC 1401 is considerably lighter than the ARC-14S model.

Koldfront PAC1401W Ultracool 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Review

Pros

The pros of this model are quite simple: it is very powerful; it can cool down a small room in a matter of minutes. It does not require a lot of electricity (unless you use max settings of course). It is very user friendly and easy to set up and the remote control gives you complete control over the machine’s temperature settings and operation modes.

Cons

The unit can be quite loud at times and the window kit may be difficult to install if your window too far from the floor. You may need to buy an additional exhaust hose if your window is not close to the floor of your apartment or house.

Also Great!

Koldfront PAC1401W Ultracool 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

Our rating: (3.9 / 5)

This is a great AC with this pirce. It works great and help me saved during the summer

Check Price

Operating Modes

This model has three operating modes: dehumidifier, fan, and air conditioner. The dehumidifier is very effective and it can dehumidify about 30 pints of water per day. However, it is important to note that in atmospheres with a high level of moisture the PAC-1401W may collect an unusually large amount of moisture forcing you to empty the water dish regularly.

The dehumidifier is equipped with an auto-drain function but sometimes you will have to replace the water in the bowl manually. The air conditioning mode is very powerful – a dual hose 14,000 BTU system blasts out vents of freezing cold air into the surrounding area. Each mode of operation has three speeds. This model does not have a built in heater mode.

Temperature Controls

The PAC-401W is a very user friendly portable air conditioning unit. You can set a 24 hour cycle in a matter of minutes. You can change the temperature settings by using the remote control that is included with the device. Once the room is at the desired temperature the thermostat will put the machine into sleep mode until the room needs to be cooled down again.

You can program almost every aspect of this air conditioning unit. There is no need to worry if your settings will be lost if the machine un-expectedly shuts down; the unit will automatically load all of your previous settings the next time it turns on.

Coverage Area

The PAC 1401 is an extremely powerful portable air conditioning unit and it is recommended for large rooms. It has a coverage area of approximately 500 square feet. Of course, the efficiency of this unit depends on a wide variety of external factors.

In other words, there are many different factors that can have affect how efficient the machine is at cooling down a particular room. Regardless, this particular unit is great for living rooms or master bedrooms. Naturally, it will be much more effective in a small room.

Noise Level

Due to its size this unit can be quite loud but not loud enough to disturb your sleep unless you are an incredibly light sleeper. The noise level is about the same as other portable air conditioning units that have the same BTU capacity. Generally, the loudest this machine can get is about 56 decibels.

Of course, the machine will be very quiet if you use it at a low fan speed. You usually will not need to use the air conditioning mode on maximum settings unless you really want to cool down the air in a room in a short period of time.

The air the machine produces on a low setting is acceptable for most customers. Naturally, if the machine is too loud you should set a 24-hour program that sets the machine on a low setting during the hours that you need to get some rest.

Power Consumption

The PAC 1401W consumes more electricity than most portable air conditioning units. The reason for that is because the air conditioning system is very powerful (rated at 14,000 BTU but some tests have shown higher results). The maximum power this machine consumes has been rated at 1480 watts. Of course, that number represents the amount of electricity this unit consumes when it is set to maximum settings.

If the air conditioning unit is set to a low fan speed (one or two for instance) the unit will not demand nearly as much electricity. So generally speaking, this portable air conditioning unit demands a lot of electricity for its maximum potential. In order to save electricity, avoid using the unit on max air conditioning settings.

Size, Dimensions, and Weight

The PAC-1401 is quite large and has the following dimensions: 19 x 32 x 16 inches. It was designed primarily for larger rooms. Regardless, the model is still an acceptable size and it will fit nicely against a wall in your living room.

The model is built out of a hard plastic glossy material which gives the unit a great modern look; it will match almost any interior décor. However, this particular unit is considerable heavy; it weighs approximately 75 pounds.

Additional Features

There are several features that the PAC 1401 is equipped with that are worth mentioning. For instance, both filters on the unit can be replaced and washed.

It has two main filters: a washable pre-filter and a replaceable carbon filter. You should clean the filters on a regular basis. The unit is also equipped with directional air louvers which help distribute cold air evenly throughout the room.

Accessories

The PAC-1401 portable air conditioner unit is packaged with the following accessories: one remote control, one user manual, one window kit, screws to install the window kit, and a window kit installation manual.

All you have to do to get the machine running is plug it into an electrical socket, sling the exhaust pipe out of a nearby window, and switch the machine on.

Consumer Reviews & Ratings

Overall, consumers are very satisfied with this product. Some consumers have complained that the machine can be loud at times but the overall quality is good; the air conditioning mode is very powerful and can keep a large room at a comfortable temperature for a long time.