Head-to-head · Best Portable Air Conditioners

Black+Decker BPACT12HWT vs Whynter ARC-14S

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.

The short answer

Whynter ARC-14S comes out ahead by a narrow margin (3.9 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about Hot-climate buyers who want strong dual-hose cooling at a lower price than the Midea Duo and don't mind a heavy, louder unit. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Portable Air Conditioners

Black+Decker BPACT12HWT

3.9

2 sources1 derived$539.99as of Aug 1

The Black+Decker BPACT12HWT is the year-round pick, a 4-in-1 unit that adds a heater to the usual AC, dehumidifier, and fan, covering rooms up to 550 sq ft. Installation is easy on this single-hose design, and casters and handles make it simple to move. Real SACC cooling capacity is modest (~6,000 BTU) despite the 12,000 BTU ASHRAE label. For a buyer who wants heating and cooling in one affordable, portable box, it fills a niche nothing else here does.

Strengths

— 4-in-1 unit adds heating for year-round use, not just summer cooling
— Cools and heats rooms up to 550 sq ft
— Quiet once the room reaches the set temperature

Watch-outs

— Single-hose design is less efficient than dual-hose units
— Real SACC cooling (~6,000 BTU) is far below the 12,000 ASHRAE claim
— Can be loud while actively cooling

$539.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Portable Air Conditioners

Whynter ARC-14S

4.0

2 sources$436.37as of Aug 1

The Whynter ARC-14S is a long-running dual-hose portable AC that cools hard for hot climates, though reviewers are candid that its real SACC capacity (~9,500 BTU) falls far short of its 14,000 BTU ASHRAE claim. ConsumerAnalysis now recommends the Midea Duo over it on efficiency. It is still a solid dual-hose option, but at over 80 lbs with no handles, plus louder and less efficient operation, it trails the newer inverter units.

Strengths

— Dual-hose design cools more efficiently than single-hose units
— Strong cooling output for hot climates
— Eco-friendly CFC-free refrigerant and recognized brand

Watch-outs

— Real SACC capacity (~9,500 BTU) is well below its 14,000 BTU ASHRAE claim
— Very heavy at over 80 lbs with no handles, hard to move
— Loud and less energy-efficient than the Midea Duo

$436.37 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Black+Decker BPACT12HWT

The only unit here with a built-in heater, making it the year-round choice the cooling-only Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL, LG LP1419IVSM, Whynter ARC-14S, and LG LP0621WSR lack. As a single-hose unit it is less efficient than the dual-hose Midea Duo and Whynter ARC-14S, and its real cooling capacity is closer to the small-room LG LP0621WSR than its 12,000 BTU label implies.

Whynter ARC-14S

The other dual-hose unit alongside the Midea Duo MAP12S1TBL, but older and without an inverter — so it is heavier, louder, and less efficient than the Duo. Its dual-hose design still makes it more efficient than the single-hose LG LP1419IVSM, LG LP0621WSR, and Black+Decker BPACT12HWT in principle, though its real SACC capacity is lower than its rating suggests.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Black+Decker BPACT12HWT	Whynter ARC-14S
BTU	12,000 ASHRAE / 6,000 SACC	14,000 ASHRAE / ~9,500 SACC
Coverage Area	Up to 550 sq ft	Up to 500 sq ft
Functions	AC, heat, dehumidifier, fan	—
Energy Star	No	No
Hose Count	Single	Dual
Heater	Up to 10,000 BTU	—
Drain	Auto evaporation	Self-evaporating
Controls	Remote + LED panel	—
Wattage	1400 W	—
Voltage	115 V	115 volts
Dimensions	14.06"D x 16.5"W x 27.09"H	19"D x 16"W x 35.5"H
Noise	—	~59 dB
Modes	—	AC, fan, dehumidifier
Weight	—	80+ lbs

← See the full ranking of best portable air conditioners