Portable air conditioner and heater combos offer one of the best ways to solve your heating and cooling needs without having to take up too much space or invest in different individual units.
On extremely cold days, they will give you toasty warm heat and when it gets extremely hot, you’ll get refreshingly cool air. They are indeed the perfect option for ensuring an excellent and comfortable living environment for space-challenged homes.
The big question, however, is which portable air conditioner and heater combo is best?
To help you pick the right unit, we’ve selected some of the best models on the market and included a brief overview of each option below.
We’ve also included some useful information about portable air conditioner and heater combos, which will no doubt come in handy when making your decision. If you are looking to invest in one of these units, then this is one review that you should go through.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Portable Air Conditioner And Heater Combo
Comparison of the Best Portable Air Conditioner and Heater Combos
Our Top Pick
Our list below consists of some of the best portable AC/heater combos you can find on the market. However, there are several things you need to take into consideration to be able to pick the right unit according to your needs. These include:
The cooling and heating power of all portable AC/heater combos is measured in BTU’s (British Thermal Unit). Each unit has a specific capacity and your choice will mainly depend on the size of the space or room where you will be using the unit.
Therefore, you need to measure the size of your space beforehand so that you are able to correctly determine the number of BTUs required to cover the space and allow you to pick the right AC/heater combo. For instance:
In other words, the higher the BTUs, the more space the unit can cover. A higher BTU rating also means that the system is capable of cooling or heating the room faster.
Portable AC/heater combos usually utilize less energy to cool or warm the surrounding air. Still, it’s essential to buy an energy efficient model that will perform well while keeping your utility expenses down.
Therefore, you should consider the energy efficiency ratio of the unit you are getting. Generally, the higher the EER rating, the better the energy efficiency of a unit, so a unit with a rating of ten would be twice as efficient at utilizing energy as one with a rating of five.
The weight of a portable AC/heater unit will significantly determine how portable it is. The weight of most units often ranges from 45 to 95 pounds. If you are going to move the unit up and down stairs, then you want to go for a lighter model.
Having a unit that takes up less floor space is also ideal. Therefore, you should consider the depth and width of the unit. Look for something in the range of 12 to 18 inches.
An adjustable thermostat is a feature that can come in handy as it lets you adjust the heater to your desired temperature. Therefore, with a unit that features a thermostat, you get the advantage of custom settings compared to one that does not have a thermostat.
Most portable AC/heater units function as dehumidifiers to help eliminate any dampness from the air, providing a healthy atmosphere, as well as greater comfort.
Some of the units on our list have a dehumidification function built-in too. Not all models have it, so you should decide beforehand whether this is a must-have feature for the portable AC/heater unit you need or not.
Let's take a look at the top products:
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Topping our list is the Black + Decker BPACT12HWT. All things considered, there’s no doubt that this is one of the best portable AC/heater models out there, both in terms of performance and ease of use. It’s a well-built unit that offers great value for money.
This Black + Decker BPACT12HWT portable AC/heater combo features super-strong fans that are able to deliver a cooling power of 12,000 BTUs and a heating capacity of up to 10, 000 BTUs.
One of the main reasons this unit is so effective is that it’s designed to use vertical motion. This function ensures a steady and powerful airflow across the room.
It enables the unit to distribute the cold or hot air more evenly, thereby giving you almost instant results and the assurance of consistent temperature throughout the room.
It can comfortably cool rooms that are 250 sq. ft. or less and pleasantly keep rooms of up to 325 sq. ft. warm when the temperature drops. Therefore, it’s an ideal choice for small to medium-sized spaces including an apartment, home, studio, or dorm.
This model also doubles as a dehumidifier which is a big plus. It will efficiently maintain the right humidity level in your room in addition to cooling or warming it. It’s a very helpful feature, especially during those muggy days.
Operating this unit is a breeze. It has a handy control panel featuring an intuitive LED digital display that’s easy to read and use. Even better, it comes with a digital remote control which gives you access to all the functions, so you won’t have a hard time using the unit.
Another commendable thing to note is the 24-hour adjustable timer and sleep mode. You will be able to adjust it according to your needs or program it so that you can always come home to a nice and comfortable environment.
While it weighs around 68 pounds, the BPACT12HWT is highly portable. It doesn’t require much effort to move it around. It has side handles and four caster wheels at the base to facilitate easy mobility and maneuverability.
The noise level is fairly low. It generates around 75dB on the high setting but becomes pretty quiet once the right temperature in the room is achieved.
Installation is also a snap. Perhaps the only challenge you may face is setting up the window panel, as is a bit uneven. Other than that, there’s simply nothing not to love about this Black + Decker AC/heater combo.
Bottom Line
As far as performance and ease of use is concerned, the Black + Decker BPACT12HWT is the real deal. It’s a highly effective unit from a credible company and it’s built to great quality. If strong performance and versatility are what you are looking for, then this is a perfect fit.
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The Whynter ARC-14SH is one of the most powerful systems on our list and is designed to deliver impressive performance and efficiency when it comes to cooling and heating. It’s a one-stop solution with an elegant modern design that will complement any room décor.
With 14,000 BTU cooling capacity, this product is a real workhorse that’s capable of cooling a fairly large area of up to 500 sq. ft. It’s meant for small rooms, but the high cooling capacity makes it suitable as well for medium to large rooms.
The ARC-14SH also includes a 13,000 BTU heater which is powerful enough to keep you warm during those cold months. Furthermore, the unit features an adjustable thermostat with a cooling range of 61°F to 89°F and heating range of 61°F-77°F.
Like the Black + Decker product above, the Whynter ARC-14SH is also an effective dehumidifier. It can remove around 101 pints of moisture per day which is an impressive capacity and will be quite helpful if you reside in a really humid environment.
You can expect to breathe in clean, fresh air with this unit too. The air goes through a pre-filter and a carbon air filter where it’s cleaned up before being released.
You won’t have to worry about water accumulation either. The auto drain system exhausts almost all condensation and utilizes it to produce the cool air. It’s an efficient all-around system.
It’s easy to interact and operate this model. The control panel has simple selections and a full-function remote control is included for your convenience as well.
In addition, the unit is equipped with a 24-hour programmable timer that can automatically start or shut down the cooling function or heating function as per your schedule.
Weighing 80 pounds, the Whynter ARC-14SH is rather heavy but there would be no need for lifting it because it comes with four multi-directional wheels that facilitate easier movement. Thus, it’s portable and moving it shouldn’t be much of a hassle.
The noise level produced by the unit is minimal at around 56dB on high settings, so it’s not that distracting. You also won’t need exceptional skills to install it. It’s very simple and can fit in any standard window not more than 46 inches wide.
Bottom Line
The Whynter ARC-14SH is a gem on its own, designed specifically to offer consistent performance and efficiency when it comes to cooling and heating your home. Like the Black + Decker BPACT12HWT model, this is another great one-stop solution that will no doubt give you good value for your money.
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Specs
Dimensions: 17.4 x 13.4 x 32.1 inches
Performance: 12,000 BTU cooling and heating
Weight: 70.3 lbs
Volts: 120 V
Floor Area: 450 sq. ft.
Review
This portable air conditioner has exceptional performance, with 12,000 BTU allocated to cooling and heating. The other modes you can try are the fans for ventilation, dehumidification, and purification with internal filters.
While the sleek design and wheels make it easy to move around your home, you might find it heavy if you need to lift it when the bucket is filled with condensation. You also might need to make changes to your window frame if the vent kit doesn’t fit properly.
These minor issues aside, you can either control the functions with a remote or via the digital display. You’ll also enjoy TV time or sleep well with its low noise levels, as long as you don’t mind a slight hum on the fastest settings.
Bottom Line
This 12,000 BTU portable air conditioner contains most of the settings you’d look for in a combo AC. You can heat, cool, reduce humidity, blow the fan, or clear the room of dust and allergens. It delivers excellent performance while being easy to move around.
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This portable AC/heater combo selection is another well-made unit from Whynter, the ARC-148MHP model. This one stands out as the best 14,000BTU portable AC/heater combo thanks to its impressive output both in cooling and heating.
The ARC-148MHP provides a powerful 14,000 BTU cooling output which is ideal for smaller to fairly large rooms but not more than 550 sq. ft. The capacity of the heater is also 14,000 BTU which means it will cope well in the cold months.
The unit has an adjustable digital thermostat with a range of 62°F to 88°F, so you can set the temperature you want based on your comfort level.
The dehumidifying function has a rating of 71 pints a day. It’s not the highest, but it’s sufficient enough to maintain a healthy atmosphere in times of high humidity.
You can expect no moisture build-up inside the unit either. The self-evaporating function uses the moisture collected during air conditioning to produce cool air, thus reducing the need to manually drain the water tank.
The Whynter ARC-148MHP is also designed to keep the air cleaner and fresher. It features an activated carbon filter plus a silver-ion coated pre-filter which combines to clean up the air of any pollutants and dust. The pre-filter is washable.
The control panel is simple with easy-to-press buttons and a readable display. It also comes with a practical remote control, so it shouldn’t be hard to operate.
There are a 24-hr programmable timer and an auto restart function to automatically reset it to its previous settings after a power outage.
The unit is compact and weighs around 73 pounds, so it’s fairly lightweight. Plus, it has side handles and casters for easy mobility. The noise level is relatively low, reaching up to 55dB on high settings. Thereby, you can expect it to operate quietly while you take your rest.
Now when it comes to setting it up, the ARC-148MHP is a walk in the park. You can easily set it up in almost any place as long as it’s indoors. Whether it’s the living room, bedroom, server room, workshop, or garage, it will fit in easily and perform well.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for the best, highly functional 14,000 BTU unit that will deliver great cooling and heating results, then you might want to consider this Whynter ARC-148MHP model. It will certainly not disappoint.
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The MM14CHCS is a top-of-the-line unit from the reputable Honeywell brand. This multi-functional model comes in third on our list not just because of its attractive modern look but also its collection of wonderful features.
The Honeywell MM14CHCS is a jack-of-all-trades just like its counterparts above. It’s a cooler, heater, dehumidifier, and a fan all in one unit. The system boasts of a 14, 000 BTU cooling capacity which offers year-round cooling in a room of up to 550 sq. ft.
The integrated heat pump, on the other hand, can deliver 12,000 BTUs of heating capacity, so they are both powerful and can work well in small, medium-sized, and fairly large rooms. Plus, the fan is quite powerful and will circulate the air efficiently for a uniform result.
The unit has a good capacity dehumidifier that’s capable of pulling around 79.2 pints of moisture out of the air per day which puts it on par with most top units out there.
The best part is that it uses an auto-evaporation system to dispose of any excess condensation and you can set it up for either manual or automatic drainage.
Operating this Honeywell portable AC/heater combo is hassle-free. All four functions can be controlled through the digital LED display. It even includes an automatic programmable timer, so you can set the time when you want the system to turn off or on.
Like the other two models above, you can operate all the functions of this unit from a distance using a remote control.
The remote has a nice LED display too which shows the fan speed, current mode, and current room temperature. The touch buttons on the unit control panel are backlit, so they are easy to see in the dark and turn off after one minute.
The unit is relatively light, weighing around 73.85 pounds and has four caster wheels. You won’t break a sweat moving it from one room to another, but it might not be easy to carry it up and down the stairs. There are no side handles, so lifting it won’t be that easy.
When it comes to noise, the unit operates quietly for the most part, except when transitioning between cooling on and off. These two are the only flaws in an otherwise excellent overall design.
Bottom Line
As a four-in-one unit, the Honeywell MM14CHCS can serve you all year round with very minimal issues. Apart from the missing side handles and one-time noises, it’s a well-built and effective unit that we would highly recommend.
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Taking the next spot is the Friedrich PH14B, one of the quietest, high-performing, upscale models featuring a dual-hose system. This is a great option for anyone looking to spend a little cash for quality and high efficiency.
Having an impressive 13,500 BTU AC, this Friedrich unit will comfortably cool down areas of around 500 sq. ft. Friedrich claims that the unit can cover up to 700 sq. ft. but that’s a bit farfetched as it won’t be that effective in such a large area.
However, you can be guaranteed that it will be highly-effective in small to medium rooms that are not more than 500 sq. ft. One thing that makes this possible is the dual-hose system which facilitates closed-loop cooling, delivering much quicker and more efficient results.
The heating function has a capacity of 10,500 BTUs, which is not as high as the other models but it’s nearly as powerful and will manage to keep you warm during winter when it gets cold.
You can adjust the temperature from as low as 60°F on up to 90°F at the top end. The unit also doubles as a humidifier. In fact, it’s one of the most effective humidifiers on our list aside from the Whynter ARC-14SH.
It can whisk away 101 pints of moisture per day which is a very high capacity and one that will keep the humidity levels in your room well balanced at all times. There is no water bucket to empty. The self-evaporative system does well to get rid of any excess moisture. Should water accumulate, the model has a built-in back-up reservoir to hold the excess moisture and is designed to automatically shut off in case the tank gets full.
The ARC-14SH won’t present any challenge when it comes to operating it. Like all the other units we’ve reviewed, it has an easy-to-use control panel with an LED display. It features a 24-hour programmable timer as well.
Another nice addition is the auto restart function. It automatically restarts the motor after a power outage or a power failure and the unit resumes operation according to the last programmed setting.
The only drawback is its hefty weight. The whole unit weighs 95 pounds which makes it the heaviest portable AC/heater combo on our list. It might require at least two people to lift it up.
However, it shouldn’t be hard to push around between rooms thanks to the smooth caster wheels and its easy grip handles. As I mentioned earlier, the Friedrich PH14B operates very quietly, at around 51 dB on highest settings, so noise won’t be a problem.
Installation is easy and quick. Everything you might need to install it is already included in the package, so the only thing you will find bothersome is its hefty weight.
Bottom Line
The Friedrich PH14B is certainly not cheap, but when you consider its performance, build quality, and design, it actually offers great value for money. If you have an extra money to spare, it’s definitely worth buying.
