8 Best Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioners in 2022 – Reviews & Guide

Last Updated on December 11, 2021

Best Dual Hose Portable ACIt’s nice to be able to cool off on a hot day — and even nicer when you don’t have to go to the grocery store to find an air-conditioned area. Portable air conditioners are the perfect alternative to cool down within your home. They are cost-effective and can be energy efficient too, if you just need a system to cool a few rooms each day.

The idea of an air conditioner began to take effect in the 1840s by a doctor who wanted something to cool hospital rooms. This concept didn’t move forward until the early 20th century, when an air conditioning system was introduced to the people at the World’s Fair in 1904.

Thank goodness for modern advances! Now we can cool our stifling hot homes in the scorching heat of summer. This article focuses on dual hose portable air-conditioners, a great option that offers many positive features.


A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Whynter Air Conditioner Whynter Air Conditioner
  • Remote
  • Programmable timer
  • 3 operational modes
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Avallon Air Conditioner Avallon Air Conditioner
  • Lightweight
  • 24-hour timer
  • Intelligent auto mode
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Friedrich Air Conditioner Friedrich Air Conditioner
  • 3-in-1 system
  • Indoor air not vented
  • Higher-grade materials
  • Haier Portable Haier Portable
  • Filters cleanable
  • Covers a large area
  • Three cooling functions
  • EdgeStar Air Conditioner EdgeStar Air Conditioner
  • Dehumidifier
  • Fan capable
  • Auto restart
  • The 8 Best Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioners – Reviews 2022

    1. Whynter Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner – Best Overall

    Whynter ARC-14S

    The Whynter Dual Hose Portable model has a sleek modern style that will fit well in any home. It’s great for cooling an area of 500 square feet, and we love how it has three operational modes: air conditioner, fan, and dehumidifier. These options can reduce home allergens, and the fan-only function can reduce energy bills.

    The digital screen is located on the front of the unit and features a 24-hour programmable timer and thermostat control from 61 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit that is adjustable by remote as well. The back light goes off after a few minutes, which is conducive for sleeping. It has an activated carbon air filter and a washable pre-filter.

    It comes with a full installation kit that includes an upgraded plastic window kit. It offers both continuous and manual drain options. It weighs 80 pounds and uses 115 volts, and the airflow capacity is 222 CFM. There is a one-year warranty on the unit and three years for the compressor.

    Pros
    • Cools a large area
    • Dual hose
    • Three operational modes
    • Programmable timer
    • Remote
    Cons
    • Difficult to install

    2. Avallon Portable Air Conditioner – Best Value

    Avallon APAC120S

    The Avallon is the best dual hose portable air conditioner for the money. It has the capability to dehumidify and cool a space up to 425 square feet. It has self-evaporating technology that eliminates the need to drain the unit. It can also be used as a single or dual hose.

    There is a 24-hour timer with an intelligent auto mode that will automatically adapt the fan speed and other settings to cool an area to the set temperature. It comes with a remote control that works well from across the room. The control panel on the top of the unit has a digital display and is easy to understand. The temperature has a nice adjustment range of 61 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit.

    It is one of the lighter models, weighing 68 pounds. It comes with a full installation kit and is easy to set up. The warranty is one year on parts and five years for the compressor.

    Pros
    • Three capabilities
    • Intelligent auto mode
    • 24-hour timer
    • Digital display on top of unit
    • Lightweight
    • Good warranty on compressor
    • No draining required
    Cons
    • For smaller areas

    3. Friedrich Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner – Premium Choice

    Friedrich P12B

    The Friedrich brand of air conditioner is produced from higher grade materials, so it is higher priced. This fan has three speeds, all of which we found to adequately cool a small room. It is a three-in-one system: air conditioner, dehumidifier, and a fan. It offers a 24-hour timer and remote control.

    It has a self-evaporative condensate system, which means there is no bucket to empty. Instead, there is a built-in drain pump. A unique feature is that the indoor air does not vent to the outside but is conditioned and returned to the room.

    The Friedrich comes with an installation kit that fits both vertical and horizontal standard windows. Air capacity is 235 CFM, and the cooling capacity is at 12,000 BTU. It weighs 72 pounds and has castors for easier portability. Unfortunately, it is not programmable nor Energy Star listed. There is a one-year warranty for this unit, however.

    It sits in the third spot due to the high cost, as the Avallon and Whynter both offer similar features with a more budget-friendly price tag.

    Pros
    • Made of higher-grade materials
    • Three-in-one system
    • Indoor air not vented
    • Castor wheels
    Cons
    • Not programmable
    • Pricey

    4. Haier 14000 Dual-Hose Portable

    Haier 14000

    The Haier 14000 modern-looking dual-hose air conditioner is also a three-in-one system. It has an electronic control panel with a digital temperature and timer display. This fan is designed for rooms up to 600 square feet and has 13,500 BTUs.

    There is a full-function remote that is easy to use. It has multi-directional caster wheels for easy portability, and there are three cooling settings and three fan settings. The air flow capacity is 190 CFM, and the filters are cleanable.

    The unit weighs 73.3 pounds and comes with a quick-install window kit. Before you purchase, make sure it will fit your window dimensions. There is a one-year warranty on this product.

    Pros
    • Three-in-one system
    • Covers a large area
    • Remote control
    • Three cooling functions
    • Filters cleanable
    • Caster wheels
    Cons
    • Does not install in all windows
    • Difficult installation

    See our recommended outdoor floor fans of the year


    5. EdgeStar Portable Air Conditioner

    EdgeStar AP14001HS

    The Edgestar does a fair job at cooling a larger room up to 525 square feet. The design is sleek and modern, similar to the Whynter. It weighs 75 pounds, but with the caster wheels, it isn’t an issue to move it around.

    A unique function on the Edgestar is its ability to cool and heat, but at 8,600 BTUs, it will take a little more time to cool a room. There are three fan speeds, and we found it was no louder than many other air conditioners.

    It has an auto-restart function that stores your selected settings in the event of a power outage. Once the power returns, it will restart from the previous setting. What’s nice is that you can set the timer to have the unit run only when needed, which will save on energy costs.

    The digital display on the front of the unit offers temperature adjustment and a programmable timer. This unit can be used as a dehumidifier or set to fan only, and it comes with a remote and a window kit with an extendable exhaust hose. There is a one-year warranty on this unit.

    Pros
    • Heating capabilities
    • Cool large area
    • Caster wheels
    • Auto restart
    • Remote control
    • Dehumidifier and fan capable
    Cons
    • Heavy
    • Low cooling BTU

    6. Toyotomi Portable Air Conditioner

    Toyotomi TAD-T40LW

    The Toyotomi offers heating, as well as dehumidifying and cooling capabilities. One difference is that the cooling function is great at 14,000 BTUs. This model offers a self-evaporating system that will remove most condensate.

    The style may seem outdated to some, while others may prefer the simplicity of this white unit. Caster wheels will handle the 77 pounds, and there is an LCD remote control and a 12-hour on/off timer. We liked the controls on top of the unit — they are large and easy to understand, with no glaring light to interrupt sleep during the night.

    On the negative side, the drain plug was difficult to maneuver due to its location. It comes with a decent manufacturer’s warranty at one year on parts and a limited five years on the compressor, evaporator, and condenser.

    Pros
    • Heating capabilities
    • Remote
    • Timer
    • Good warranty
    Cons
    • Heavy
    • Not easy to drain

    7. Honeywell Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner

    Honeywell MN12CEDWW

    The Honeywell air conditioner will cool a room up to 550 square feet; it runs at 12,000 BTUs so it works quickly. It offers a classic design and can dehumidify up to 69 pints. There is a washable filtration system that will prevent dust, pet dander, and hair from entering the unit.

    The 24-hour timer and a full function remote are nice features. It’s easy to control the room climate with the thermostat system, and the digital controls located on the front of the machine are clear in their function. Caster wheels help with maneuverability.

    Installation is easy with the included kit, though the hose length is only four feet in length. There is a one-year limited warranty.

    Pros
    • Quick cooling
    • 24-hour timer
    • Remote
    • Easy installation
    • Dehumidify and fan capability
    • Caster wheels
    Cons
    • Short hose
    • Heavy

    8. Ivation Portable Air Conditioner

    Ivation IVAPACDH12KBTU

    The Ivation is more compact and lighter than other portable air conditioners on our list. Its clean design will appeal to those who prefer simplicity. Its BTU rating is 12,000, and it can adequately cool an area up to 450 square feet. It has dehumidifying capabilities within its five functional modes.

    You can program the temperature from 62 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and there is an on/off timer that’s adjustable from 0.5 to 24 hours and an auto-restart that will return to its previous function setting in the event of a power outage. A remote is included, but we found that you have to be in the right location for it to work effectively.

    You can adjust the vent to further direct the air circulation, and there is a drain alert that will sound an alarm when the water has reached the maximum level. On the negative side, this unit is louder compared to the others on our list. An installation kit is provided, but the hoses are short, making it difficult to install. Also, the window screen may not fit wider windows. There is a one-year limited warranty on this unit.

    Pros
    • Compact
    • High BTUs
    • Timer
    • Auto restart
    • Adjustable vent
    Cons
    • Loud
    • Ineffective remote
    • Short hoses
    • Short window screen

    Buyer’s Guide

    There is much to consider when purchasing a portable air conditioner. You know that you need a unit that will cool a designated space in your home, but you want to make sure it’s the right one. This section discusses considerations and buying tips that will help you through the process of choosing a dual hose portable air conditioner.

    Considerations

    Noise: Motorized fans and compressors can be loud. Certain features will help reduce noise, such as speed adjustments and sleep modes. You will notice that each conditioner has a decibel rating at each fan speed. This will give you a general idea of how loud it is. Keep in mind that a decibel of 61 to 80 is considered annoying, while greater than 80 is potentially damaging.

    Maneuverability: Most will be quite heavy, so having caster wheels on the base will make it easier to move it to different areas of your house.

    Energy use: Take notice of the Energy Efficient Ratio (EER) to determine how efficient it is. A higher number indicates more efficiency. Unfortunately, portable air conditioners aren’t efficient enough to qualify for Energy Star ratings.

    Cost: Portable units are more money than your traditional window units, as they are bigger, which allows them to cool larger areas. The more BTUs the unit has and if it can double as a heater or a dehumidifier will drive the cost upward. Quality and a well-known brand will also make a difference.

    Size: Determine the square footage of the room where you intend to place the unit. An air conditioner that is too small for the room won’t cool it adequately, while one that is too powerful will leave the room muggy, since it will shut down before it has time to remove the excess moisture.

    Aesthetic: You want a unit that is pleasing to the eye and fits well with your décor. Everyone has different tastes, so there is no right and wrong style — just find the one that suits you.

    Installation: Make sure it is properly installed away from heat-generating devices such as a lamp or a TV. Installation should be straightforward and not too troublesome, as long as you have the correct kit to fit it to your window.

    Best Dual Hose AC

    Features

    • Programmable thermostat: This will help you adjust your settings and conserve electricity, as well as give you the flexibility to fine-tune the temperature to your comfort level.
    • Remote control: This is an added convenience, allowing you to adjust the settings from anywhere in the room.
    • Heat/Cool Combo: Some have the capability to heat in the winter, which is a nice feature for those who live in cool climates. Besides the convenience of being able to use the unit year-round, it will save you money from having to purchase a separate product.
    • Dehumidifier: All units will remove a certain amount of moisture from the air, though the best ones will have a separate dehumidifying function.
    • Filter: There is typically one or two built-in air filters, but better units will have a washable filter and an additional carbon filter.

    Final Tips

    Window ventilation: Make sure you have a window in the room you plan to cool because portable air conditioners must be vented to the outside. Most units will come with a window kit for easier installation. But first make sure it is compatible with your window size and type.

    Water tank: Since air conditioners pull extra moisture from the air, you should know if the unit has a self-evaporative system or if you will have to manually drain the water tank or install a drain hose.

    Outlets: Make sure the outlet you plan to use can handle the electrical load. Standard use is a 115-volt AC, and an extension cord is not recommended.

    Ease of use: Is the display easy to read and are the buttons easy to push? Consider how much ongoing maintenance will be required, such as cleaning the unit and replacing the filters.

    Warranty: Some brands will offer better warranties than others. Most are one year, though certain ones can offer up to five years. Know what warranty is offered on the product and the specifics of what it covers before buying.

    Conclusion

    The Whynter is number one on our list since it can cool a large room and has three operational modes. The best value was the Avallon, as it offers features that higher-priced models boast but is more budget friendly. The premium choice is the Friedrich because of its high quality and brand history of building a great product.

    There are many benefits to having a portable air conditioner in your home: It is simple, versatile, and easy to install. The right air conditioner will cool your room thoroughly and efficiently, with no extra concerns on your part. Hopefully, this article will help you choose the best one for your home.