Dual hose portable conditioners are portable and compact yet still equipped to cool large rooms and spaces that have high ceilings. They provide a more effective solution than single-hose models as they prevent cool air from exhausting out of the room, and they are also more energy-efficient than traditional air conditioners.
We researched more than 20 products to help you choose the best dual hose portable air conditioner with great price-performance ratio, adjustable controls that are easy to operate, and a high performance that cools large spaces sufficiently. The Haier 14000 fitted the bill well because it has a high BTU output of 13,500 that cools rooms of up to 600 square feet, and it offers you more control with three variable fan speeds and a 24-hour timer that enables you to run the air conditioner at your convenience to save energy. The icing on the cake for our Editor’s Choice is its dehumidification function that makes this a versatile product.
Before choosing the best dual hose portable air conditioner, there are a number of key features to keep in mind for maximum value. We used these features to compile our recommended list of the top-rated models. First, we reviewed the BTU to determine the cooling capacity, and the coverage area that is ideal for large-sized spaces. Secondly, we factored in the dimensions for convenient storage and portability. Other features we assessed are warranty, and adjustable speed to customize the output. Our review also consists of a comparison table, detailed reviews of each product and an all-inclusive buying guide.
More features: dehumidification; 24-hour on/off timer
The Haier 14000 has several features that place it ahead of other models. For starters, it has 13,500 BTUs capacity for cooling large areas of up to 600 square feet at an airflow rate of 190 CFM. The dual-hose configuration is faster and more energy-efficient because it exhausts only heated air and not air that is already conditioned as is the case with single-hose models.
Our Editor’s Choice also comes with three variable speed settings and three operation modes: Cool, Fan, and Dehumidify. You can select and switch the settings with a remote controller or on the electronic panel with digital LCD display.
Other notable features are a 24-hour on/off timer, convenient on-board storage for the remote control, memory recall after a power failure, and casters that roll in any direction.
The Haier 14000 is available in a package that also includes an intake hose and exhaust hose with diameter of 5.5 and 6 inches, respectively. The window kit of this dual hose portable air conditioner fits sliding and double-hung windows that are 20 to 46 inches.
Owners like how fast and effective it is in cooling their designated spaces and the low noise level.
However, it has drawbacks such as no eco-mode or built-in heater, and the blue light stays on when the unit is running.
More features: auto restart; doubles as a heater
Our Premium Pick features a programmable thermostat and temperature range of 61 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit that can also be displayed in Celsius. The EdgeStar AP14001HS also boasts of an impressive BTU output of 14,000, which is the highest among the best dual hose portable air conditioners we have recommended in this review.
Despite its high performance, you will still save money on utility bills because this product has a high Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 11.2. EER compares the cooling capacity and the power consumption by dividing BTU by wattage.
As a dual-function unit that also doubles up as a heater, it is a versatile investment that would be useful in all seasons. However, it must be used with a separate heater, and its coverage for heating is smaller than the square footage it can cool. When using it to heat your room, you will also have to contend with frequent emptying because the water reservoir is quite small or opt for an external drain line that uses gravity. The air conditioner automatically shuts down when the reservoir is full to avoid spillage and automatically restarts after a power outage.
The EdgeStar AP14001HS cools spaces of up to 525 square feet. To install it, connect the vent hose to the back of the air conditioner, remove the cap from the included window kit and connect it to the 49-inch extendable exhaust hose.
As well as the carbon filter, customers like the quick operation and installation, although some find it heavy and noisy.
More features: eco-friendly refrigerant; less than 56dB noise level
The Whynter ARC-14S is made of eco-friendly material such as CFC-free GREEN R-410A refrigerant and lead-free RoHS compliant components. Last year, the bestseller won Consumer Report’s “Highest Score” and Good Housekeeping’s “Best Overall” for fast cooling.
As one of the best rated dual hose portable air conditioners with high speed, this model has a cooling capacity of 14,000 BTUs, CFM rate of 222, and coverage of up to 500 square feet. Once you choose your desired temperature from a range of 61°F to 89°F, the fan keeps running, but the compressor cycles off when that level is achieved to save energy.
It features the same patented advance auto drain technology as the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS, which recycles the condensate to cool air. While this greatly reduces the frequency of emptying since some of the water is also drained through the exhaust hose, high humidity rooms may necessitate manual draining. This can be inconvenient because you have to tilt the heavy 60-pound unit backwards and remove the drain plug.
Other downsides are the close proximity of the intake and exhaust vent, which emits radiant heat that could prolong the time it takes to cool your room, and the kit for window openings of 20 to 46 inches which is flimsy and leaks air around the hose connections. Several customers had to build a custom fit insert for their windows.
Although buyers appreciate the intuitive digital controls and the LED panel, this may not be the best dual hose portable air conditioner for bedrooms because the blue bright light that cannot be dimmed or turned off may be disruptive.
More features: Alexa compatible; Sleep mode
The MIDEA MAP08S1BWT is a smart dual hose portable air conditioner with an LED remote that features a sensor that detects how near you are to the unit and adjusts the temperature accordingly. It is also Wi-Fi-enabled, so you can use it with Alexa, the Company’s app, or any Bluetooth device with voice controls.
You can use the remote or the digital LED display to adjust settings such as oscillation, fan speed, temperature, and the background light.
There are three operation modes for cooling, dehumidification, and fan only, and sleep mode to minimize disturbance at night and to save energy.
A 24-hour timer lets you schedule the operation to a convenient time, and three fan speeds regulate the performance to your preference.
When you buy the MIDEA MAP08S1BWT, you will also receive a battery pack for the remote controller and installation accessories like a 59-inch clip-on drainage hose and an airtight bracket for mounting the unit on your current window frame or any hung and sliding windows measuring 26.5 to 48 inches.
This model generates 8,000 BTUs that can effectively cool rooms of up to 100 square feet at a temperature range of 62 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. You can set your desired temperature after activating auto mode, and roll the unit smoothly with the caster wheels from one room to another.
Owners also like the washable and reusable filter that removes pet dander, dust, and hair from your space, the indicator light that reminds you when to clean the filter and the quiet operation. However, a couple of buyers reported leakage.
More features: LCD display; remote control
This is a best-rated dual hose portable air conditioner by authoritative review sites such as Wirecutter, which named it the most efficient and fastest cooling portable AC and Good Housekeeping which listed it among the best portable air conditioners to buy in 2019.
The Whynter Elite ARC-122DS has a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTUs and removes up to 76 pints of excess moisture within 24 hours in up to 400 square footage of space. The patented auto drain function automatically empties the condensate.
You can set the unit’s operation to fans only, air conditioner or dehumidifier, schedule operation with the 24-hour timer, and adjust the temperature to any range between 61°F to 89°F. This can be done on the digital LCD panel or with the remote control, which also allows you to program the speed to any of the three settings, with the highest setting circulating air at 155CFM.
We like the addition of an activated carbon filter and the washable pre-filter because you can eliminate odor as well as other airborne impurities and reuse the pre-filter instead of replacing it.
Majority of users install this dual hose portable air conditioner in bedrooms, garages, workshops, and server rooms. It comes with a 46-inch plastic window kit that fits in windows with length of 20 to 46 inches, and extendable exhaust and intake hose of up to 60 inches. It is also compatible with hoses with diameter of 5.0 and 5.9 inches. Moving it to different rooms is made easy by the caster wheels and in the event of a power outage, the unit will restart automatically when power resumes.
Unfortunately, some of the units start leaking or shut down completely after a while.
In this guide, we will look at the various factors that make the best rated dual hose portable air conditioners and the advantages of investing in these cooling appliances.
Before you choose the best dual hose portable air conditioner, there are a number of key factors that you need to consider to make the right choice. We will review them in detail below so you can match them to your budget and needs.
A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the amount of heat that can increase the temperature of a pound of water by 1°F. This rating is an effective way of knowing the cooling capacity of a specific model. A high BTU rating indicates a powerful unit that can improve airflow in large rooms but also consume more power. This is why it is important to also consider the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) when choosing the best dual hose portable air conditioner. EER compares the cooling capacity and the power consumption by dividing BTU by wattage. A high EER rating of at least 10 is efficient. The EdgeStar AP14001HS has an EER rating of 11.2 and a BTU rating of 14,000.
Each dual hose portable air conditioner is designed to cover a specific size of space. This is typically denoted in the product description or on the package. Once you have identified the size you intend to cool, look for a unit that is equipped to effectively improve airflow within that space without overworking. The MIDEA MAP08S1BWT has a maximum coverage of 100 square feet while the Haier 14000 is designated for rooms with square footage of up to 600.
When choosing the best dual hose portable air conditioner for your space, other factors to consider apart from the size of your room are the presence of heat-generating devices, high ceilings, several windows, poor insulation, and high humidity levels because they may necessitate a model designed for coverage that is broader than your room size.
It is important to have variable speed that you can adjust to control the rate of airflow to suit your room and to lower the fan speed for quiet operation. The majority of dual hose portable air conditioners feature at least three speed settings to customize the output. Such models include the EdgeStar AP14001HS and the Whynter ARC-14S.
Having different modes will also make your unit more user-friendly and versatile for other functions. The MIDEA MAP08S1BWT features five modes for cooling, dehumidification, fan only, sleep mode, and auto mode where your air conditioner operates on the set temperature.
Dual hose portable air conditioners come with compressors and motorized fans to improve airflow in your room, but these components also make them noisy. Manufacturers usually indicate the noise output of their models with a decibel rating. This is particularly important if you plan to install the unit in bedrooms and nurseries. Some emit white noise that can be soothing when sleeping.
You can manage noise level by programming air conditioning to a time you are away, lowering the fan speed or activating sleep mode. The Haier 14000 runs pretty quietly on the low speed setting, generating only 50 decibels which is equivalent to a normal conversation at home or a quiet suburb. The MIDEA MAP08S1BWT features sleep mode that can be activated to minimize disruption and to save energy.
The best rated dual hose portable air conditioners come with filters that eliminate dust and other impurities from the air in your room, prevent the unit from clogging and extend its lifespan. These filters may be washable and reusable like the one in the MIDEA MAP08S1BWT, which also includes a light indicator to remind you when to clean it. They may also be replaceable carbon filters such as the ones featured in the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS and the EdgeStar AP14001HS. Although a pre-filter and an activated carbon filter would suffice for most homes, you need to look for a filter that can get rid of the specific contaminants in your space.
Seeing as we are discussing portable models, size will matter for convenient portability and storage. Knowing the dimensions will enable you to choose a dual hose portable air conditioner that will fit in the available space and connect well to windows for ventilation.
Remember you need to connect the hoses and drain pipe if you want to completely do away with manual emptying. Consider the size and weight of your intended models and the availability of wheels since some can be pretty heavy. For instance, the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS weighs 60 pounds and has dimensions of 17 x 29.5 x 16 inches.
Depending on the dual hose portable air conditioner you choose, you may get warranty for the whole unit or different periods of warranty for various components. For example, the Whynter ARC-14S offers a one-year limited warranty for the air conditioner and a limited warranty of three years for the compressor whereas the Haier 14000 comes with a limited warranty of one year for the unit and five years for the sealed system.
Controls: A dual hose portable air conditioner that can be operated with a remote controller, as well as a digital touchscreen, is convenient to use. All the models we have reviewed feature a digital screen that displays the current settings and maintenance alerts, and intuitive buttons to select and adjust multiple settings. The Haier 14000 even has memory recall capability that enables the unit to retain the settings programmed prior to a power outage.
Caster wheels: Needless to say, portable models should be easy to move around. To facilitate this, majority of the products have caster wheels for convenient transport. The Haier 14000 is an ideal example that features multi-directional wheels.
Auto shut-off: The best rated dual hose portable air conditioners automatically shut off when the reservoir is full as a safety precaution.
Directional air control: Adjusting the direction that air circulates allows you to target specific areas that may need faster or more airflow.
Timer: This is a convenient energy-saving that allows you to program the unit to turn on or off at your preferred time.
Installation kit: All the dual hose portable air conditioners in our list come with window kits and intake and exhaust hoses so you can set up the unit right away. A few may require additional tools for installation or minor adjustments. You will also need to confirm the designated windows to ensure your air conditioner fits.
Our best rated dual hose portable air conditioner is the Haier 14000, which has impressive features such as square-foot coverage of 600, multiple modes, variable speed, and memory recall. It also comes with on-board storage for the remote control and caster wheel to improve mobility.
The next best dual hose portable air conditioner in our list is the EdgeStar AP14001HS, which also has the highest BTU among our recommended products. Despite the BTU output of 14,000, this model is still energy-efficient with Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 11.2. It also secures its position among the top by doubling up as a heater and including an additional carbon filter to eliminate odor as well as other airborne impurities.
Our third pick has also been one of the best rated dual hose portable air conditioners by Consumer Report and Good Housekeeping. The Whynter ARC-14S is notable for its advance auto drain system, eco-friendly components, and digital screen and controls.
