6 Best Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioners (2023 Reviews)

1 - Whynter ARC-14S – Our Top Dual Hose Air Conditioner

The Whynter ARC-14S is our top pick for a good reason. This portable air conditioner packs 14,000 BTUs in a sleek and slender casing that fits a lot of décor styles. It is rated to cool up to 500 square feet effectively; however, if you have tall ceilings or large windows in the room with a lot of direct sunlight, you may be better-suited measuring at 400 square feet.

With an EER rating of over 11, this dual hose portable AC unit doesn’t cost a lot to operate, either. While you will notice a spike in the summer months on your electric bill, it isn’t anything that drastic.

Some owners have found the portable AC system to be so efficient that they don’t need to run their fans or central AC units as much. This can translate into a lowering of your electric bill, which is always a good thing.

Set up is a simple process with only the window kit to assemble. You can have this dual hose portable AC out of the packaging and cooling your room in under 10 minutes. You will find that the three modes of operation will fit anything you need. Cooling mode allows you to set the temperature and maintain a constant temp all day long.

If you like to sleep with the fan on, fan mode will use less electricity and keep the consistent hum that helps you fall asleep. You also have the option to dehumidify, with a capacity to extract up to 101 pints per day, you won’t feel the muggy, sticky air in your home anymore.

Maintenance is also a breeze. With two filters (a carbon filter for air quality and a screen pre-filter), you can breathe easy knowing your air is purified and fresh.

Backed by a 1-year warranty, the Whynter ARC series is among the best in the business. If you want a year-round option, the ARC-14SH also can heat your space during the colder times.

2 - Haier HPND14XCT – Smallest Dual Hose Portable AC

The Haier portable air conditioner is one of the top-rated models available today. It is highly efficient and utilizes 13,500 BTUs to power the compressor for maximum cooling. Designed for spaces up to 600 square feet, this model is more practical at 450 square feet.

Not only is this portable AC efficient at cooling, but it will dehumidify the room as well. If the humidity is low, you won’t have to worry about draining the drip tray. However, in humid climates, when run on dehumidify, the tray can fill quickly, requiring you to empty it manually.

The castor wheels roll well on all surfaces, though two people may be needed to move it on thicker carpeting. The window kit sets up in a short amount of time, though some reports state the hose connections on the window unit are difficult to lock in place. It is advised that you attach the hoses to the window sleeve before putting it in the window.

This Haier model is also one of the quietest portable air conditioners around. On cooling mode at low fan speed, it only produced 50 dB of noise levels. This is quieter than a two-person conversation at low volume in a quiet room. On high, the noise levels can reach 54 dB, which is still soft enough to watch TV without having to increase the volume.

One of the more efficient portable air conditioners around (EER rating above 11), the Haier 14000 fits any standard outlet (110-115v) and doesn’t require a dedicated circuit. However, if you place it on a 20amp circuit, it may trip the breaker if any other devices are plugged into the same line.

The warranty is a two-part warranty with a 1-year coverage on parts and labor. A 5-year limited warranty covers the compressor (sealed component). Should anything go wrong in that time, you can contact Haier who will replace or repair the portable AC for you. Make sure you read all of the warranty information and follow all claim steps before contacting them.

If you are looking for an option with heat, the Haier HPND14XHT has all of the same qualities and features, with the added benefit of a 10,000 BTU heat mode.

3 - Whynter ARC-12SD – For Smaller Rooms

Whynter air conditioners enters our list again (and not for the last time) with the ARC-12SD. Unlike the top pick model, the 12SD uses 12,000 BTUs to cool up to 400 square feet. It isn’t as efficient as the ARC-14S and has an EER rating of only 10.5. However, for the size of the unit, this is still an excellent rating.

You can also pick this portable air conditioner up with heat included for use in the winter, spring, and summer (model ARC-12SDH). The 12S, though, on its own, will give you the option for manual or continuous draining (hose included) for use in any climate.

The wheels aren’t as durable as the top pick version, and on carpet can tend to get stuck. If you plan to roll it around when on the carpet, make sure to use two people. Tipping over isn’t the end of the world, of course, but it may spill the drain pan inside, which can cause problems with operation.

Setup is simple and should only take about 5 minutes to get the window kit installed and connected. As long as you have a sliding style window, this model will work in any room. While it isn’t whisper-quiet, at only 56 dB, you won’t be disturbed by its daily operation.

4 - Whynter ARC-126MD – Dual Hose AC With Extra Filtration

Whynter is back on our list with the ARC-126MD model. This portable AC unit deserves a place on any best-of list because of its prowess in smaller spaces. The 12,000 BTU model will effectively and quickly cool rooms up to 450 square feet in a matter of minutes.

The adjustable temperature controls allow you to set a temp and let the machine decide how much to run. This means more efficient use of the fans and airflow while maintaining a cool room all day long.

The beauty of this model is the use of a 3M Silvershield air filter. Instead of activated charcoal, the 3M filter is antimicrobial, which provides more filtering at lower microns to capture allergens, smoke, mold, and bacteria. With the ARC-126MD, you can breathe easily no matter the conditions.

The efficiency drops a little because of the extra filtration. Airflow through the unit isn’t as fast as other models, but you won’t notice unless you run two different portable air conditioners side by side. However, for those watching their electric bills closely, you may find another model easier to afford.

With remote operation and three fan speeds to choose from, this model will cool the air or help circulate as you need. Easy portability means you can take it with you to any room as long as there is a window to vent out of.

5 - Edgestar AP14001HS – Dual Hose Air Con With Heater

If you want to have a year-round option, then you should look at the EdgeStar model with heat. The air conditioner side uses 14,000 BTUs to cool up to 450 square feet (using a maximum 256CFM airflow rate). This is easily the best dual-hose portable AC with a heater on the market.

The heater side uses 8,500 BTUs but is designed as a supplemental heater, and shouldn’t be relied upon to heat a room on its own. Smaller spaces or direct heat to a specific area can be accomplished, though.

The caster wheels allow you to move and transport the dual hose AC unit to any room you like. It also works in any sliding style window up to 56-inches wide. The two hoses attach quickly, and setup takes less than 5 minutes.

One thing to note, though, is that there is a direct drain option for the drain pan. If you use this in a more permanent location, using the drain line is a great idea to help eliminate the need for manual emptying when the drain gets full.

Maintenance and cleaning are about industry average, though the drain pan can fill quickly in high-humidity climates. For the first 90 days after purchase, you are covered by full parts and labor warranty. After the 90-days, though, there is no longer a warranty on the labor, and the parts warranty extends another 12-months.

Note – this model has been recently discontinued so it is difficult to find at online retailers.

6. Avallon APAC120S – Single Or Dual Hose AC

The Avallon APAC120S rounds out our top 6 list for the best dual-hose air conditioners. This 12,000 BTU system is rated to cool up to 425 square feet of space and will do so in a short amount of time. This dual hose AC unit is simple to install and will fit horizontal and vertical slide-style windows up to 56 inches.

The medium-sized caster wheels roll easily over most flooring, too, and the portable AC unit doesn’t tip over easily, even if you move it on carpeting by yourself. With a 10.1 EER rating, this portable AC is efficient enough to be used daily (about 5 to 6 hours) or overnight while you sleep.

It isn’t the quietest machine on the market, but on high speed, in cooling mode, you can expect about 58 dB of noise. Start-up noise levels can exceed 60 dB, but usually only last about 20 seconds.

One of the best features, though, is a technology they call “Invisimist.” The drain pan is connected to a hose that ends inside the exhaust tube. The condensation is pushed through the extendable exhaust hose and forms a mist spray that is pushed out with the exhaust air. Because of this, you never have to worry about emptying a drain pan, regardless of the climate.

The warranty period is a little tricky. The included warranty covers the air conditioning unit for 5 years. However, the company will cover shipping and handling costs for the first 90 days only. After that, the consumer is responsible for shipping costs during a warranty claim. In the first 12 months, Avallon will cover all costs for any repairs to any defective part. For the remaining 4 years, they will only cover the costs of replacing the compressor.