EdgeStar Portable Air Conditioner Reviews
If you have your heart set on purchasing an EdgeStar portable AC, then you probably need a few pointers on how to make the best choice. You may find that many EdgeStar portable air conditioner reviews are more concern about shoving products down your throat without really letting you know why you should purchase them. This guide, however, will help you decide whether you need it and what exactly you may need.
About EdgeStar
EdgeStar is a brand of Living Direct, a company known for a number of household electrical appliances. The 2 brands of Living Direct are EdgeStar and KoldFront, which are both designed with a focus on portability and use of limited spaces. It is no surprise therefore that EdgeStar portable air conditioners are a familiar brand and many people’s choice.
5 Best EdgeStar Portable Air Conditioner
Picture | Name | Capacity (BTU) | Editor Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | EdgeStar AP 14001HS Dual Hose | 14 ,000 | ||
 | EdgeStar AP13500G | 13 ,500 | ||
 | EdgeStar AP 12000S-KF Extreme Cool | 12,000 | ||
 | EdgeStar AP8000W Ultra Compact | 8,000 | ||
 | EdgeStar Smallest Footprint AP10002BL | 10,000 |
Recommended EdgeStar Portable Air Conditioner Reviews
EdgeStar AP14001HS14,000 BTU Dual Hose
Editor Rating:
This is probably the most complete EdgeStar portable AC I have come across. It is a dual hose so that means it will cool the room much faster and since it is 14,000 BTU, you can use it in a larger room with a maximum area of 525sqft. It also has a heater which you can use during the colder months and a dehumidifier as well as fan. Despite its complete features, it consumes less energy than other ACs in its class.
The unit is able to store your preferred settings so that if the electricity went off, it would be able to restart with the same settings once the power is back on. When it comes to price, the unit is cheaper than some single hose systems that will not cool as fast as it does. Its design is also aesthetically pleasing.
Pros
- It has a dual hose system which makes it cool the room faster and more effectively
- It uses less energy in comparison to other ACs in its category
- It has a heating function so you can use it all year round
- It looks good in the living room or wherever you put it since it has a nice design
- Its price is reasonable considering the features it has and its effectiveness
Cons
- The temperature reading on the screen seems to be that of the cool air being sucked in not that of the room
EdgeStar AP13500G13,500 BTU
Editor Rating:
If efficient is what you are going for, then this is one unit that will provide that. With 13,500 BTU, you can count on it to cool the average living room and it has a dehumidifier that will keep the room healthy and fresh, when it is not too hot you can choose to use the fan only which has 3 speeds for you to choose from.
It comes with other features like the sleep mode that will save power and the turbo mode which is effective when you want it to cool down the room as quickly as possible.
Some people have commented about it being large and bulky but that is a small thing compared to the cooling effect it delivers to an area of up to 450 square feet.
Pros
- It is highly efficient and can keep temperature between 61F and 86F
- It has a sleep mode which saves energy when it is not needed
- In comparison to other models its size, this one is reasonably quiet
- It is durable which makes it worth the cost
Cons
- It is bulky and takes up a lot of space
EdgeStar AP12000S-KF Extreme Cool 12,000 BTU
Editor Rating:
If you like to have your air conditioner turn off when it has cooled the room to the desired temperature, then you may want to purchase this one which has a thermostat. It can cool an area of 425 square feet to between 65F and 89F. You can set the temperature using the remote while you comfortable watch your favorite show on TV.
This unit has a carbon filter which I like because it can control odors and pollutants in the air. When using this portable AC, you do not need to worry about having to empty a bucket after it has dehumidified the place since it has auto evaporation. You can also choose to run the fan only and you can choose from 3 different speeds.
Pros
- It has a thermostat which means you can save energy by setting it to turn off when the desired temperature is achieved
- It is environmentally friendly so no ozone layer is destroyed while you use it
- It offers a fan-only feature which can be used in 3 different speeds
- It has a carbon filter that can regulate pollutants and odors in the air
Cons
- The exhaust hose is short so the unit needs to be very close to a window
EdgeStar AP8000W Ultra Compact 8,000 BTU
Editor Rating:
This air conditioner seems ideal for someone looking to save money of cooling a room not bigger than 250 sq ft. This unit considerably cuts the cost of running an air conditioner throughout the day and you can even save more by using the programmable timer feature which will let it run only when you need it and shut off after a certain time.
The unit is good for offices and bedrooms and it seems to be very effective. You also do not need to empty any buckets since it can evaporate moisture. It has a dehumidifier, which can remove as much as 50 pints per day and a 3 fan speed option. It costs less than 300 dollars but provides a service that seems more than what you pay for it.
Pros
- It is energy efficient which will save you from high cooling electric bills
- It can auto restart after a power blackout so even if power goes off in the night, you won't have to get up to restart it
- It is friendly to the environment since it does not use any refrigerants that can damage the ozone
- It can be programmed to start cooling the room even before you get home
Cons
- You cannot direct it to blow air sideways
EdgeStar Smallest Footprint 10,000 AP10002BL
Editor Rating:
If you do not have a lot of floor space in your home or office, this is a space saving unit you may be interested in. Of all the EdgeStar ACs it has the smallest floor coverage. But do not be fooled by its footprint because it is still able to deliver effective cooling within an area of 350 square feet. It also has a dehumidifying function as well as the fan function.
You can set this unit to work for 24 hours or program it to work only when you need it.
It also has a thermostat which means you can set it to turn off once the desired temperature is achieved. This AC is stylish and I would be happy to have it in my office or living room where many people can see it just to know I am stylish as well.
Pros
- It does not take up a lot of floor space so finding space for it should not be hard
- It saves energy using the thermostat or programmable timer
- It is sleek and well designed making it part of the decor in the home or office
- It is environmentally safe according to the set standards
Cons
- There are a few complaints about its durability
The 14,000BTU dual hose is a really impressive air conditioner with a number of features you may find useful, you may also take note of the fact that it is cheaper than the 13500BTU which is a single hose so you probably would be getting more for less. This does not mean that the 13500 BTU AC is not good because it actually is a very efficient air conditioner and fixing a single hose onto the window kit is easier than a double one. Alternatively, you may prefer the AP12000S-KF which has a thermostat so you can set it to turn off once the desired temperature is achieved, this helps to save energy and money. The AP10002BL offers you a unit with a small footprint which would be good for smaller spaces. You may also wish to note that all these portable air conditioners are environmentally friendly.
Determining if You Need a Portable Air Conditioner
It is no doubt that when it is very hot, you need to have an AC to cool down your home or room, but you can choose to have a window unit or central AC, so how do you decide if you should get a portable unit?
Consider cost: If you are trying to live on a budget, you should find a solution that will let you spend as little money as possible but still achieve a cool environment. Portable ACs are cheaper than the window units and they are also cheaper to install. You will also save on your energy bill which again saves you money. So if you are trying to save money, there is your option.
Rented apartments: Most landlords will not allow you to install a window unit in your apartment and you too may find it a burden installing something you may need to remove later on, so a portable unit would be better and easier to manage.
How many windows do you have: if you do not have a number of windows, then it makes no sense to block your window with a window unit. With a portable AC, you can still use the window while using the unit as well.
Space: If you live in a small apartment, a portable air conditioner gives you the chance to have a cool environment with less space taken up by the cooling system.
These are some of the points that can help you decide if you should get a portable air conditioner.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Portable Air Conditioner
Cost
The cost of the unit may be affected by a number of things. First of all most recognized brands known for making reliable air conditioners are going to be more costly. The strength and size of the air conditioner also is a major addition to the price, if it can cool a larger space, then it is going to be more expensive. The general price range for a domestic unit may range between 150 to 900 dollars on average while commercial ones may go way beyond that.
Extra features
You need to consider what other features you may want your air conditioner to have. Some of the common features that you should look out for include: Humidifier, remote control, auto evaporation, heater and programmable timers. Naturally, the more features it has, you are likely to have to pay more
BTU
BTU signifies the strength of the cooler just like a car may have horsepower. The higher the BTU, the stronger the air conditioner which would mean it can cool a larger area. In most cases, you should consider the size of the rooms you will be using the unit in and get the area in square feet. A simple guide to BTU in relation to room size would be: a BTU of 8,000, can cool as much as 200 sq feet while 10,000BTU will cool 300sq ft. 12,000BTU will cool 400sq ft and so on.
It is, however, important to understand that walls and doors can affect the effectiveness of the conditioner. Just because your entire house may be 400sqft, if there are walls in between the rooms, naturally the air conditioner of 12,000BTU will not be able to cool the entire house.
Energy efficiency
It is no guarantee that you will save power by using a portable unit, you need to consider how much power it consumes and then you also need to consider how much you will be using it. As you consider the features you would want, if you are trying to have a lower energy bill, it is advisable to get one that has a thermostat which will shut off when the temperature is at the desired level.
Ventilation
Since portable air conditioners let out hot air, you need to have an outlet for this. In most cases, they come with a window kit which means you need to plan to have it positioned near a window so that you can set up the ventilation system. Some people though choose to have a hole in the wall.
Hose system
There are 2 types of hose system, there is the dual hose system which has one hose to take in air and another to let out the hot air. Then there is the single hose system which has a single hose to take out hot air. While they both may do the cooling, the dual hose system is more effective while a single one needs to work harder to achieve the cooling effect. Naturally, though you would have to be ready to pay more for a dual hose system.
