Black+Decker isn’t just a power tools manufacturer; they’ve got a line of awesome portable air conditioning units to keep you comfortable during sweat-inducing summers. Today, we’re going to compare four of their most prized portable ACs, all with odd names. But what isn’t odd about them is how well they perform. Let’s see which of the four deserves a spot in your home.
Black+Decker BPACT08WT
8,000 BTUs
When deciding on which portable AC unit to get, one of the very first things you need to take into account is the size of the room. The larger the room, the higher the AC’s BTU rating needs to be to optimally cool down a room. The BPACT08WT is an 8,000-BTU unit designed for small spaces of up to 100 to 150 square feet. Bedroom, yes. Living room, maybe not.
Cool, Fan, Dehumidifier
This and the BPACT10WT are 3-in-1 portable air conditioners. Not only do they cool down a room by removing heat, but they can also circulate air with using the gas refrigerant (i.e. a simple fan). Also, it has a dehumidifying mode that condenses and removes a tiny amount of water from the air every 24 hours. It’s also self-evaporating so condensed moisture vapor never spills onto your floors.
24-hour Timer
This and every other Black+Decker model has a 24-hour energy-saving timer. Users can program their portable AC to automatically shut off after the timer has expired, keeping costs low while also cooling a room down for however long you need it. The timer is adjustable by tinkering around with the electronic controls and LCD display.
Trimmable Window Kit
All four of these models come with the all of the necessary equipment needed to install in under 30 minutes. The window kit covers the sizes of most standard windows and can be trimmed down to size. If your windows are larger, a piece of cardboard is a cheap but effective solution, or you can purchase additional window kits.
Black+Decker BPACT10WT
10,000 BTUs
The BPACT10WT is the second smallest portable AC unit of the bunch. Rated at 10,000 BTUs, this portable AC unit is made to reduce the temperature in rooms of between 150 and 250 square feet. This makes this the perfect option for master bedrooms, hobby rooms, workshop garages, and other room where you escape to.
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Easy to Maintain
Black+Decker is most notable for making easy-to-maintain portable air conditioners. All four of these models hardly require any effort to ensure the best performance. The sleek plastic louvre can be wiped clean with a moist cloth, and a water drain hose will take all condensed moisture from the machine and dehumidifier function and toss it outside or into a plant pot.
75-dBa Noise Output
But what the company isn’t known for is making whisper-quiet machines. The BPACT10WT produces a constant buzz of around 75 dBa or about the same volume as a flushing toilet, and that’s when it’s on sleep mode! If you’re a heavy sleeper, this probably won’t be a problem, but for any of you light sleepers out there, you should definitely make use of SLEEP mode.
Black+Decker BPACT12HWT
12,000 BTUs
Next, we have the BPACT12HWT, a 12,000-BTU portable AC unit that has a maximum reach of between 150 and 250 square feet. We know what you’re thinking: how come this unit has the same coverage as the BPACT10WT? To be honest, 2,000 BTUs isn’t going to make a ton of difference, especially if the unit has a built-in heater.
Cool, Fan, Dehumidifier, Heater
You heard us right. Not only does the BPACT12HWT (and BPACT14HWT) offer the same three cooling modes as the two previous models, but it also serves as a heater to keep you nice and toasty during autumn and winter. Basically, this means the BPACT12HWT will never have to go into storage during the colder months. It’s useable all year long!
Vertical Swing
All four of these Black+Decker models have vertical louvers that can swing up and down. It’s nothing too special, but it does help in circulating air to reach all four corners of a room. Swing mode can be turned on and off on the onboard control panel and the remote control.
Freon 410A
The refrigerant used in every Black+Decker portable AC unit is R410 or Freon 410A. This is an environmentally friendly refrigerant that does no harm to the ozone while also posing very little risk to humans and animals. The freon should last the entire lifespan of your portable AC.
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Black+Decker BPACT14HWT
14,000 BTUs
The BPACT14HWT is the largest portable AC of the pack. Rated at 14,000 BTUs, the BPACT14HWT can cool down rooms between 300 and 350 square feet. This unit also works as a useful space heater during the cooler months by raising the temperature in spaces of up to 375 square feet.
Washable Filter
All four of these units come with washable filters. The filters aren’t particularly special—they’re not going to trap microscopic allergens like dander and pollen from dirtying the air—but they are reusable for up to six months. The filters can be accessed by opening a front panel and pulling them out. A quick wash and rinse will have them working as good as new (almost).
Single-Hose Unit
We would also like to point out that all four of these Black+Decker portable AC units are single-hose models. This means is partly the reason why they have such tiny coverage capacities compared to other units on the market. A single-hose portable AC is easy to install and does a proper job at cooling a room by sucking in warm air, passing it through a set of chilled coils, then shooting out air and water vapor through the hose to the outdoors or another room.
68-pound Build
Despite being a portable AC, the BPACT14HWT (all of these units, really) shows a very different picture. Weighing in at nearly 70 pounds, lifting this unit up and down stairs may require an extra set of hands, but its castors help it glide easily across smooth floors and carpets.
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Last Update: 2024-04-18 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
