Portable air conditioners review 2008

03.Product profiles

Profiles - the best

Kelvinator KPK35CRA

Price: $849

Good points

• Very good overall.
• Very good cooling performance.
• Good installation aids: the window kit has foam for sealing and a grille to cover the exhaust, and there’s a duct cap for wall installation.
• Easy to drain: the water tank is removable and the bottom drain plugs are secured by straps.

Bad points

• The heaviest in the test, and awkward to lift.
• One of the noisier ones with the fan on high.
• (A) Discontinued, but may still be available in some stores.

Tecoair TAC1319C

Price: $879

Good points

• Very good cooling performance.
• The condensed water is used in the cooling process, so there’s minimal drainage required (no hose is supplied).
• Duct cap for wall installation.
• Automatic mode and sleep mode (but no information about the latter).

Bad points

• Low handles make it difficult to lift.
• Back wheels make it difficult to manoeuvre into a small space.
• One of the noisier ones with the fan on high.
• The remote control has no display and is difficult to use.
• Failed the cord anchorage test.

Convair SUPERCOOL TRB

Price: $799

Good points

• Very good cooling performance.
• Automatic mode.
• Good installation aids: the window kit includes a rubber grommet for the water drain, a wing nut to hold the extension and a grille for the exhaust.
• Well secured lower drain.

Bad points

• Heavy and awkward to lift.
• Removing the filter requires excess force.
• Problems with the remote control: the labelling is confusing, the display is difficult to read and its compartment on top of the unit is difficult to open.
• The drain plug is positioned too close to the ground, making it difficult to fit a container underneath for drainage.

Convair SUPERCOOL FR

Price: $999

Good points

• Automatic mode.
• Good installation aids: the window kit includes a rubber grommet for the water drain, a wing nut to hold the extension and a grille for the exhaust.
• Well secured lower drain.

Bad points

• Heavy and awkward to lift.
• Removing the filter requires excess force.
• Problems with the remote control: the labelling is confusing, the display is difficult to read and its compartment on top of the unit is difficult to open.
• The drain plug is positioned too close to the ground, making it difficult to fit a container underneath for drainage.
  

Profiles - the rest

Delonghi Pinguino ECO PAC T120

Price: $899

Good points

• The filter is easy to remove, and it has a spare filter element.
• Removable water tank.
• Duct cap for wall installation.
• Good remote control.
• Automatic mode and sleep timer with auto temperature adjustment.
• Five-year warranty for compressor parts.

Bad points

• Awkward to lift due to its weight, bulk and low handle position.
• Window kit has no grille and the hole for the retaining pin is in the wrong position.

Delonghi Pinguino PAC C100

Price: $699

Good points

• The most lightweight unit in the test.
• Duct cap for wall installation.
• Five-year warranty for compressor parts.

Bad points

• No drain hose outlet, so the tank needs to be emptied regularly at the drain — the tank is non-removable.
• Removing the filter through a narrow opening could lead to dirt spilling into the unit.
• Window kit has no grille.