There is a wide range of variety available when it comes to air conditioners, each designed for a specific purpose and installation location. Therefore, you will see different models for domestic applications whereas a different set of options is suitable for workplaces, lobbies, and other types of outdoor setups. One such option is a dual-hose portable air conditioner, which as the name suggests, is a portable option designed to be used for multiple applications.
One of the most important benefits of going with a portable model is that you can use this machine wherever you want and move it around as per your requirement. Here are some crucial factors that you should know before you buy a portable air conditioner, or any air conditioner for that matter.
- BTU Rating: Before you consider anything else, you first have to check the BTU rating of an air conditioner and see if that’s compatible with your application or not. For an air conditioner, the BTU rating is simply the measurement of the heat the air conditioner can extract from the space within a certain period of time. So, if you live in a rather hot region, you would want an air conditioner with a higher BTU rating to get the desirable experience.
- Compatible Room Size: This leads us to our next most important factor of an air conditioner, the range of compatible room sizes for the unit. As you may already know, there is not a single model available out there which can be suitable for a 500 sq. ft. and a 1000 sq. ft. room alike. With more coverage area, the required power capacity of the air conditioner also increases. So, you need to pick up the perfect option based on your room size.
- SEER Rating: The SEER rating of an air conditioner is one of its highly technical specifications which does not directly refer to the air conditioner’s performance, but rather the difference in performance in each season. As you can imagine, this is also an important factor if you want an air conditioner that you will use throughout the year. The SEER rating for a portable air conditioner usually ranges between 5 to 15, based on the model you are going with, where a higher rating means a more efficient machine.
With all that information in mind, you are now prepared to browse all the options available around you for a portable dual-hose air conditioner and pick the perfect option that suits your needs. But still, you will come across hundreds of compatible choices, which will make the decision very tricky. To save you the trouble, we have shortlisted some of the best options on our list of dual-hose portable air conditioners. On top of that, you will also find a buying guide for these air conditioners, where we will discuss some more important aspects of the unit to help you make a better choice.
Best Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner Tabulation
Best Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner Reviews
1. Whynter ARC-14S Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
As you would want your air conditioner to last long, you should always prefer people’s choice for such an appliance. For that, we are starting our list with the most popular portable dual-hose air conditioner from Whynter.
The Whynter ARC-14S ranks in the 1st position on our list of the best portable dual-hose air conditioners since it is the most popular product you will come across today. This air conditioner is rated for a power capacity of 14000 BTU and is suitable for any room ranging up to 500 sq. ft. in size. Apart from that, there are a few more reasons behind its popularity, such as the added functionality of a dehumidifier, a built-in activated carbon filter, a storage bag, and much more.
This portable air conditioner is designed to align with the environmental standards to keep running costs low and make a safer choice. There are 3 operation modes available on this air conditioner: AC, fan, and dehumidifier. It also has built-in auto-drain technology to recycle collected moisture without any additional effort. Also, this is one of the silent options on this list that operates under 56 dB noise level.
Best Features
- It has a BTU rating of 14000
- Suitable for rooms up to 500 sq. ft. in size
- It is rated for 7.69 SEER rating
- It measures about 19 x 16 x 35.5 inches in size
Pros
- Most popular option on our list
- Perfect choice for medium to large rooms
- It has a very high SEER rating
Cons
- Other options are a bit more affordable
2. Whynter Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
Since Whynter is such a popular option for an air conditioner, it has managed to secure yet another slot on our list today. The following AC from Whynter is one of its budget choices which are highly popular for smaller applications.
In the 2nd position, we are putting the most affordable choice from our picks of the best dual-hose portable air conditioners today. The Whynter ARC-122DS is a relatively smaller option from this list measuring about ‎17 x 16 x 29.5 inches in size. But with that, you are still getting a cooling capacity of about 12000 BTUs which makes it a feasible choice for a room of up to 400 sq. ft. in area. So for a compact room, this is the most practical choice in most aspects.
Despite being a cheaper choice, this AC model still has multiple functionalities, including a built-in dehumidifier. And just like our last pick from Whynter, it will offer you 3 operational modes so you can choose the best option for your requirements. This is also one of the quieter choices from Whynter which is rated to operate under 52 dB noise level and equipped with CFC-free Green R-410a for an environmentally-friendly design.
Best Features
- It has a BTU rating of 12000
- Suitable for rooms up to 400 sq. ft. in size
- It is rated for 13 SEER rating
- It measures about 17 x 16 x 29.5 inches in size
Pros
- Most affordable choice for a portable AC
- It has the highest SEER rating compared to other choices
- Energy consumption is lower than other models
Cons
- Not a suitable choice for larger rooms
3. Dreo Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
Dreo is also a renowned brand when it comes to electronic home appliances, especially for conditioning appliances such as air conditioners, tower fans, and even space heaters. Thus, we are choosing one of its portable ACs for this list.
In the 3rd position, we are placing the Dreo TwinCool Smart Inverter Portable Air Conditioner since it is one of the advanced options from our picks today. As the name suggests, this smart portable air conditioner is equipped with inverter technology to keep running costs at the lowest. It has a cooling capacity of about 12000 BTU, which is more than enough for a room of about 450 sq. ft. area. Despite being a dual hose air conditioner like other choices, this unit operates under a noise level of 42 dB.
And unlike most other portable ACs you will find out there, this model comes with 5 operational modes: cooling, fan, dehumidification, auto, and sleep. With these options, you can efficiently manage the temperature of your room at about 60-86°F. Also, since this is a smart option, it comes with iSense technology to automatically choose the perfect operational mode as per its surrounding temperature. Dreo is ensuring nearly 40% energy-saving with this portable AC model, which is a great benefit, especially if you are planning to use the AC throughout the day.
Best Features
- It has a BTU rating of 12000
- Suitable for rooms up to 450 sq. ft. in size
- It is rated for 8.9 SEER rating
- It measures about 19.52 x 16.73 x 34.05 inches in size
Pros
- It operates under 42 dB noise level
- It has a 24 hours timer functionality
- Remote control is provided
Cons
- Coverage area should have been wider
4. Honeywell Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
Now that you are aware of the best options available for compact rooms let us talk about some decent options available for relatively larger rooms. For that, we have chosen a great portable AC from the beloved brand Honeywell.
The Honeywell 101 Pint Portable Air Conditioner is yet another great option that you will find on our list today, specifically if you are looking for a portable air conditioner to install in a professional workplace or a large living room. This air conditioner offers a cooling capacity of 14500 BTU, which is the highest on our picks today, making it perfect for rooms up to 700 sq. ft. in size. And since Honeywell is a very experienced brand for home appliances, you will find multiple safeguards on this AC, such as thermal protection, overload protection, dual dust filtration, etc.
The overall installation of this portable air conditioner is as easy as a standard air cooler, offering plug-and-play type installation for ease of usage. You will also receive exhaust hose, window brackets, and AC to make the installation even quicker and hassle-free. You will also notice an elegant mirage display at the front of the AC to offer continuous monitoring of the running mode and ease of adjustments, even when using remote access.
Best Features
- It has a BTU rating of 14500
- Suitable for rooms up to 700 sq. ft. in size
- It is rated for 2.6 SEER rating
- It measures about 6 x 16.3 x 28 inches in size
Pros
- Suitable for medium to large-sized rooms
- It has a noise level rating of only 51 dB
- Added safeguards to ensure safety of the user
Cons
- Relatively expensive choice for a portable AC
5. Cooper&Hunter Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
For the last position, we have saved up yet another highly powerful portable air conditioner which you can prefer for a large room. This option comes from Cooper&Hunter, a highly innovative brand for home comfort appliances.
Finishing up our picks, we have the Cooper&Hunter Air Conditioner. The main reason behind choosing this product for our picks today is the added functionality of a heater, allowing you to use the unit in winter as well. And as no running tubes are on the air conditioner, it has a rather efficient heat exchange for added energy savings. Still, it manages to deliver a cooling capacity of about 1400 BTUs and sustain air quality within 550 sq. ft. coverage area.
The Cooper&Hunter portable AC can easily maintain the temperature of your room between 61°F to 89°F thanks to the speed inverter technology. The optimized air duct system of this portable AC also reduces the noise levels and allows the machine to operate within 42 dB sound level. This multi-functional device offers 4 operational modes: heating, cooling, ventilation, and dehumidification. Plus, Cooper&Hunter delivers all the necessary accessories for the installation, saving you extra trips to the hardware store.
Best Features
- It has a BTU rating of 14000
- Suitable for rooms up to 550 sq. ft. in size
- It is rated for 8.9 SEER rating
- It measures about 33 x 20 x 16.75 inches in size
Pros
- One of the most powerful options in terms of cooling capacity
- It has a built-in heating functionality
- Relatively sleek and efficient design
Cons
- The SEER rating should have been higher
Buying Guide For The Best Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
A dual-hose portable air conditioner is a type of air conditioning unit that is designed to be compact, portable, and easily transportable from room to room. It works by extracting warm air from the room it is in, cooling it, and then returning the cooled air back into the room, while simultaneously exhausting the hot air and moisture generated during the cooling process through another hose to the outside space. The key feature of a dual-hose portable air conditioner is that it has two separate hoses: one for intake and one for exhaust.
So, these air conditioners are highly efficient and are perfect for domestic applications, especially smaller rooms. If you are also looking for such an air conditioner, we will suggest going through our buying guide for the best portable dual hose air conditioner first and then deciding which options suit yours needs the best. In this guide, we have included some crucial factors which are usually overlooked when most buyers pick up a portable air conditioner.
1. BTU Rating
The BTU rating is one of the few key specifications of an air conditioner that directly gives you an idea about the machine’s performance and power requirements. And the same goes for portable air conditioners as well. Despite being a comparatively lower-powered system, these portable air conditioners are still a great match for domestic applications if they offer an appropriate BTU rating. Since the BTU rating of an air conditioner determines how effectively it can cool a room, you can understand that a higher BTU AC can cool a larger room efficiently or cool a smaller room more quickly than its competitors.
However, the BTU rating of a portable air conditioner also affects its energy efficiency. Higher BTU units generally consume comparatively more energy to provide higher cooling capacity. With that, it becomes important to balance the cooling needs of your room with energy efficiency considerations.
2. Compatible Room Size
As you may already know, ACs are designed to be suitable for a certain coverage area or room size to ensure an efficient cooling performance. Almost all AC manufacturers provide a compatible room size rating along with other specifications to help you find the appropriate model suitable for your room.
For example, if you are looking for a portable air conditioner for a room having around 400 sq. ft. area, it would be pointless to browse the high-power options designed for 1000 sq. ft. coverage area or more since it would be overkill. Similarly, end up with an air conditioner designed for a lesser coverage area than expected. You will not get a desirable cooling effect, making it the wrong investment in the long run.
Therefore, a properly sized portable air conditioner will provide better comfort and air quality in your room. It can also help maintain the desired temperature and humidity level more precisely, creating a comfortable living environment.
3. SEER Rating
If you are buying an air conditioner for the first time, you are probably unaware of the term SEER which stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. This is a very important aspect to consider when evaluating the energy efficiency of a portable air conditioner throughout the year, especially if you are buying an all-year model.
To measure the SEER rating, the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner is calculated throughout an entire season, including some variables such as load and temperature fluctuations, and put against the energy consumption of the air conditioner for that entire season. So, if you are going with a model with a higher SEER rating, you will find the air conditioner more efficient throughout the season than one with a lower SEER rating.
Apart from energy efficiency, the SEER rating also affects key factors such as performance, comfort, and regulatory compliance. In many regions, SEER rating is a regulatory requirement for air conditioners since air conditioners also contribute to global warming, and inefficient options are not the best options for the environment.
4. Portability
One of the main reasons one would prefer a portable air conditioner over a standard option, such as a split AC for domestic applications is its portability. And with the dual hose design, dual hose portable conditioners make it possible to install the air conditioner anywhere in the room with proper ducting for intake and exhaust. But, it is only an ideal choice if you actually find the unit portable enough to move from one room to another if needed.
Apart from that, there are a few options available on the market that you can easily transport from one location to another, such as from your home to your office in a particularly harsh summer without a lot of effort.
This flexibility ensures that you can efficiently cool specific areas as needed, rather than investing in multiple fixed air conditioning units. Another great benefit of going with a portable machine is the ease of installation thanks to its highly compact footprint. With that, you can easily set up the air conditioner in any corner of the room without making many adjustments and getting the performance you want.
5. Warranty
There are many reasons behind getting an electronic appliance with a long warranty period which a lot of you may already be familiar with. Appliances like air conditioners and space heaters comprise a lot of intricate internal components that are prone to damage.
For example, the heat exchanger, compressor, or evaporator of an air conditioner are some of its most important components that can easily get damaged if proper care is not taken. And even with proper care and attention, internal damage is still possible due to increasing surrounding temperature or improper power supply.
But, having a warranty protects your portable air conditioner against defects in materials or workmanship, giving you peace of mind that your investment is protected. If your unit experiences any issues the warranty covers during the specified period, the manufacturer or retailer will repair or replace the unit without any added cost. So buying a warranted air conditioner should be your first priority if you are willing to use the air conditioner for a long time.
Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner – FAQs
Ans: Converting a single-hose portable air conditioner to a dual-hose configuration is considered to be an impractical idea, and impossible in a lot of cases. Portable air conditioners are designed and manufactured with either a single hose or a dual hose configuration, and converting one to the other would require significant modifications to the unit’s internal components which is not a day’s job. And even if you attempt to do so, there is no guarantee of getting efficient performance from the system.
Ans: Many factors can affect the suitable size of the portable air conditioner for your room, such as surrounding temperature, general room occupancy, and most importantly, the room size. To get the best idea, you should always refer to the compatible room sizes provided with the portable air conditioner to check whether it is compatible with your room. While measuring the room size, you can neglect the area covered by furniture and only focus on the living space. However, if your room has a high ceiling, large windows, receives significant sunlight, or has heat-generating appliances, you may need to add extra BTUs to account for these factors.
Ans: Whether an air conditioner can be used as a humidifier or not generally depends on what model you are getting and whether it offers the properties of a humidifier or not. But in the case o a portable air conditioner, the functionality of a humidifier is usually missing to compensate for its smaller design. Portable air conditioners, whether single-hose or dual-hose, are designed to remove humidity from the air as part of their cooling process. If you wish to increase humidity, you must set up a separate humidifier in your room.
Ans: Remote operation is generally one of the most commonly available features with almost all electrical appliances. This feature is implemented to offer more comfort to the user without having to go to the unit to make adjustments. Therefore, almost all portable air conditioners these days support remote operation. You can also find some advanced options on the market that support WiFi connectivity and mobile app compatibility. This makes it an even smarter choice and could be controlled directly with your smartphone.
Conclusion
If you are buying a portable air conditioner, you are probably looking for an energy-efficient choice for a compact room, such as your bedroom or office cabin, where standard options do not offer the best results. First of all, the power consumption of such units would be too high for smaller applications. Secondly, you probably won’t even need a very high cooling capacity to maintain the environment of a smaller room. Therefore, we have brought you this list of the best portable dual-hose air conditioners available on the market. These options are picked based on the most crucial features of the unit which directly affects the performance of the system as well as the compatibility of the air conditioner for your applications. If you are having trouble finalizing your choice, you can refer to our buying guide for the best dual-hose air conditioner and see which option suits your needs the best. You can also go with one of our top choices for an even quicker decision.
- While portability is a major concern for these devices, a lot of buyers prefer a dual-hose air conditioner since it is an economical choice for smaller spaces. Therefore, our first suggestion would be the Whynter Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner as it is the cheapest option on our list. But, it is still a powerful option offering 12000 BTUs cooling capacity and compatibility with a 400 sq. ft. coverage area. Despite being a cheaper option, it has the functionality of a dehumidifier and activated carbon filter for better performance and air quality.
- But, if you do not want to compromise on the air quality or performance, we suggest going with the Honeywell Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner. Apart from the fact that it is coming from a highly reputed brand, this portable air conditioner offers 14500 BTU cooling capacity, making it ideal for up to 700 sq. ft. room and suitable for small to medium-sized rooms. Also, this is one of the most compact air conditioners you can find on the market right now, measuring only 13.6 x 16.3 x 28 inches in size. This ensures absolutely no problem at the time of installation.
- Lastly, we suggest the Whynter ARC-14S Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner as it brings the best of both worlds for portable air conditioners. This is the most popular choice for a portable dual-hose air conditioner right now and also offers the added functionality of a dehumidifier you will need around monsoon. This unit has a BTU rating of 14000 and is compatible with up to 500 sq. ft. coverage area. You can also use this air conditioner as a fan on a normal day as an energy-saving mode. However, the main reason behind its popularity is the CFC-free Green R-32 refrigerant and RoHS-compliant components that ensure perfect health.
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