Recs.
Updated
The Whynter ARC-122DHP is a great portable AC unit, offering efficient and quiet cooling. It's ideal for keeping your home cool, even during specially hot days.
Specs
Pros
Pro Efficiently cools or heats the room
The Whynter ARC-122DHP is efficient in spaces of up to 400 square feet - it offers 12 000 BTU cooling and 10 000 BTU heating output. The angle of the deflector on this unit is adjusted so that the air shoots forward, going up at about 40 degree angle - this way the cool/warm air gets spread evenly around the room.
Pro No manual water draining required
This unit self-evaporates most condensate under average conditions, but if it's really humid, an automatic internal condenser pump for continuous drainage kicks in. You can connect the drain tube to the exhaust tube and direct the water outside, or just put a bucket beside the unit and let the water drain there. This way the water tank never gets full, which means that the compressor won't shut off on its own.
Pro Relatively quiet
The ARC-122DHP is one of the quietest portable AC units available - it does not exceed 52 dB, approximately the level of a calm conversation at home. The loudest part is when the compressor cycles on and off, but it is mostly not audible over the fan. However, if installed in the bedroom, it can still wake you up if you're a light sleeper.
Cons
Con Awkward window kit installation
The window kit comes in two lengths - 26''-28'' and 36''-38''. It rarely fits the window perfectly, most people need to cut the plank and add air conditioner foam weather stripping, used for window units. The instruction manual doesn't help much, because it's poorly written (lacks some information on how to connect the hose and how to detach connector from the window kit).