Whynter ARC-1230WNH

The Whynter ARC-1230WNH is hands down my favorite portable AC and heater combo, and it’s what I happen to use in my own home. 

I bought this Whynter model for my finished basement, which is primarily where my family watches football games and movies but doesn’t have the comfortable airflow as the rest of our home. 

The specs are similar to the other Whynter model on my list, the ARC-14SH.

While both are among best dual-hose models featuring 14000 BTU cooling and 13000 BTU heating, I find that the Whynter ARC-1230WNH takes the lead for two specific reasons:

These two details alone make the ARC-1230WNH one of the quietest traditional portable air conditioners on the market, with a decibel rating as low as 42.5 dB, which is really important for when I’m hosting game day. 

I also really appreciate the WiFi controls on this Whynter model. 

It has a very intuitive NetPlus Home app that I can control from anywhere, which is nice when I’m away from home and want to get the room ready before I arrive. 

It also works with voice controls and can be paired with Amazon Alexa or Hey Google. 

The Whynter ARC-1230WNH is one of the few models that impresses me just as much with its heating mode as it does with its cooling. 

The powerful heating is an excellent supplement to my home’s furnace, and I have really only used it on low-fan mode. 

The EER of this Whynter model is 10.79. It’s not as energy-efficient as most window AC models, but still impressive for a portable model.

This is the most expensive model I’ve included and retails for just over $600. However, it tops my list for a reason. 

All these premium features check all the boxes for cooling and heating large spaces of up to 600 square feet.

Related article: Best 14000 BTU air conditioners

SereneLife SLACHT108 SLPAC

This is one of the smallest portable ACs with a heater combo. With a 10,000 BTU cooling capacity rating, SLACHT108 efficiently lowers the temperature in medium-sized rooms of up to 350 square feet to the low 70s.

More impressively, it heats the same space less than 30 minutes to 80-82 degrees.

(And it's 12,000 BTU big brother does an even better job.)

It won't be a great addition to larger rooms like the Whynter ARC-1230WNH, which can cover up to 600 square feet, but this is the model I recommend for smaller areas.

Also, the SLACHT108 is energy-efficient. Its EER of 10.4 is on par with the most efficient items on this list. It's more than good enough for regular use, and it shouldn't add more than $12-15 to your monthly electricity bill.

Now, the built-in dehumidifier function is a game-changer for me.

I cook at least twice a day, and SereneLife air conditioner removes excess moisture as quickly as any air conditioner I've ever tested, up to 77 pints per day.

To be fair, I don't have a drain to connect the AC unit to, so I have to use a bucket, which can be annoying if you live in a humid environment.

After reading countless reviews, I noticed many people complaining about the noise levels, but in my experience, when running the fans on low, this portable AC won’t exceed the manufacturer's noise levels of 52-56 dB.

In that respect, the noise level is very similar to the Costway model. It's not as quiet as the dual hose models on my list, but the white noise is pleasant.

Another great feature of the SereneLife air conditioner is its compact design. It is one of the smallest portable ACs in terms of the floor space or the volume it occupies. 

This thin unit has solid design features, such as cable hooks on the back, for seamless cable management.

Setting the whole thing up took me less than 5 minutes, including unpacking.

You'll get a window kit you can mount both vertically and horizontally, which means it will fit essentially every window.

Also, the hose is excellent. It'll keep its shape no matter how many times you extend it and put it back.

Finally, you can rest assured that you'll be covered with a 1-year warranty. I've read about a few instances in which people got their unit replaced within two weeks, even if it was just slightly nicked during delivery.

Overall, I really can't say I dislike anything about this product in any way, shape, or form - especially at this price point.

COSTWAY FP10348US-WH

If you’re looking for sheer power in a portable AC and heater combo, the Costway FP10348US-WH is the heavy hitter on my list.

With 15,000 BTU cooling and 11,500 BTU heating, this unit easily handles spaces up to 800 square feet—making it the highest-capacity model I recommend for larger areas.

I tested this one in my friend’s oversized living room, which always seems to trap heat in the summer and feel like an icebox in winter.

Let’s just say, after about 10 minutes of running the Costway, we had to turn the cooling down a notch—it’s that powerful.

Normally, I’d be wary of a single-hose unit in a space this large, but this model surprised me. With an EER of 12.02, it’s one of the most energy-efficient non-inverter portable AC and heater combos out there. 

It won’t compete with my Whynter ARC-1230WNH in terms of quiet operation or dual-hose efficiency, but for its category, it holds its own.

One of the things I really appreciate is its smart control options. It comes with a remote and digital panel, and I found the Smart Life App to be smooth and responsive—a must-have for adjusting the temp without getting off the couch. 

However, unlike the Black+Decker model, which features auto-evaporative technology, the Costway requires more attention to condensation buildup. That said, it does have an option for continuous drainage, so if you set it up properly, you won’t have to manually empty the tank too often.

If you need serious cooling and heating power for a large space, the COSTWAY FP10348US-WH is an excellent choice—especially given its efficiency for a single-hose model.

While it lacks some of the premium features of my Whynter ARC-1230WNH, its cooling capacity and energy efficiency make it a top contender for big rooms.

Black + Decker BPACT12HWT

First things first, the Black + Decker BPACT12HWT portable air conditioner, with its 12,000 BTU capacity, won't effectively cool up to 550 square feet - despite what the listings say.

Instead, I found Black + Decker BPACT12HWT more efficient for 350-400 square foot spaces.

To be fair, it heats and cools more effectively than the SereneLife SLACHT108.

From my measurements, it will spew out 43-44 degrees air when you put it on high, so it will be at most 20 minutes before the room is nice and cool.

On the other hand, I didn't find the heating as impressive, but it will warm up your space to 75-76 degrees in most cases. I just wouldn't rely on it during really cold months.

For those freezing months, I'd probably have you go with a 14,000 BTU version of this Black + Decker.

While this one is supposedly running at 52 dB according to the guide, I found that to be untrue. It is significantly louder than the Costway model, and on high, I registered it at over 70 dB. 

This isn't unreasonable for a portable AC, but it's not exactly pleasant, either.

On the bright side - the dehumidifier on this model is very good.

Not only will it handle the moisture in the air, but it auto-evaporates the liquid it pools from the room, so you don't have to drain it or empty the tank, which is pretty neat if you live someplace humid, such as Florida.

Finally, the Black + Decker portable air conditioner is not the most energy-efficient in its price bracket, drawing 1.4 kWh at max.

Its EER is 10.43, which is still impressive for a portable AC.

That still shouldn't affect your electric bill much. On average, that'll be like $15-20 per month, depending on usage.

Related article: Recommended 12000 BTU air conditioners

Midea Duo MAP14HS1TB

If it weren’t for the steep price tag, the Midea Duo MAP14HS1TB would be much higher on my list.

This unit is packed with premium features and delivers an outstanding performance in both cooling and heating, making it one of the most well-rounded portable AC and heater combos I’ve used.

Much like my top choice, the Whynter ARC-1230WNH, this model features a dual hose within a hose design, which significantly improves efficiency and airflow.

It also happens to be one of the quietest portable air conditioners I’ve used, running at just 42.5 decibels—which makes a huge difference when you’re trying to watch a movie or get some sleep.

One standout feature is its self-evaporative technology, which does a solid job of handling condensation without requiring constant draining.

However, I put it to the test last July in North Carolina, and let’s just say the humidity won that round. When we hit peak summer moisture levels, I did have to empty the basin more frequently than I expected, though it wasn’t a dealbreaker.

With an EER of 10.77, it's pretty energy-efficient, and the difference is marginal compared to my Whynter pick. It also has smart features and can even be linked to your Amazon Alexa or Google Home. 

What really impressed me is that the heating power feels nearly as strong as the cooling, which isn’t always the case with portable AC and heater combos. The warmth output felt consistent and powerful, making it a great option for year-round use.

At the end of the day, the Midea Duo MAP14HS1TB is a fantastic machine that checks nearly every box—if you’re willing to pay for it.

If you want the best of the best with premium features, ultra-quiet operation, and strong year-round performance, this model is worth considering.

What uses more electricity, heaters or portable AC units?

Space heaters usually use more electricity than portable air conditioner units. You can see this in combo units if you have the means to compare the energy consumption in both cool and heat modes.

Is buying a heater and portable AC separately more expensive than a combo unit?

Buying a heater and portable air conditioner separately is often more expensive than purchasing a quality air conditioner and heater unit. The standalone AC will be slightly cheaper but heaters vary and to get a similar output will be 50-75% on top of the combo units price.

Do I need to vent a portable air conditioner heater that is in heat mode?

You need to vent a portable air conditioner heater in heat mode. However, you should remove the intake hose from a double-hose unit during wintertime to avoid unnecessary water condensation in the drainage tank.

What happens if you don't vent a portable air conditioner?

If you don't vent a portable air conditioner, it will keep recirculating hot air back into the room, reducing its effectiveness to that of a mere fan.