hOmeLabs 14000 BTU Portable AC Product Overview
We've reviewed many hOmeLabs products, from their highly impressive dehumidifiers to their HEPA filter personal air purifier. Like these other appliances, their portable AC comes with many features that make it highly usable in different situations.
hOmeLabs has a huge line of air conditioner products, including window units and even portable evaporative coolers. For their portable AC line, there are four options - 10,000 BTU, 12,000 BTU, and 14,000 BTU.
This largest rated AC (14,000 BTU) comes with all the same features as the lower-rated models, including on/off timer function, dry mode, fan-only mode, two fan speeds, sleep mode, and features an adjustable output angle. So, what's the difference?
Well, aAside from the BTU rating, the most significant difference is that the 14,000 BTU model can cool areas as large as 600 square feet.
hOmeLabs, a New York-based company with manufacturing plants worldwide, has a reputation for making quality home products that are more reasonably priced than the competition. Their 35-pint dehumidifier proved to be one of our favorite products, but how does their AC measure up?
Keep reading to see our full hOmelabs 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner review and find out if this product is worth the purchase.
How The hOmeLabs 14000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Performs
I had a chance to try out the hOmeLabs 14,000 BTU Portable AC in my own home. I was impressed not just by its cooling performance but also its many features.
Cooling Performance
The cooling performance of this AC is evident from the moment the compressor kicks on. It puts out an impressively cool stream of air at an equally impressive rate. With the fan on high, this unit will quickly cool just about any room.
I was able to test the cooling power in a 150 square foot room (with the door open). It dropped the temperature by 6 degrees in less than ten minutes. For a bedroom or living room, it'd have no problem keeping you cool on even the hottest days.
If you're wondering how to get the most out of your AC, check out our air conditioner tips.
Noise Level
This AC is marketed as being "quiet" with an advertised noise output of "no more than 53 dB." While it was quieter than many competitors, we didn't find the noise output was as low as advertised.
When the compressor was on and the fan was set to low, it put out about 55.5 dB. With the fan on high, that jumped to about 57.7 dB. Neither of these outputs would qualify this AC for our quietest portable air conditioners list, but they aren't horribly loud, either.
You certainly wouldn't want this AC sitting right next to you while you're trying to watch TV. But, stationed on the other side of the room, it likely wouldn't cause too much of a disturbance. Overall, we'd give this AC above-average marks for noise output.
Build Quality
This is a sleek-looking AC that will blend well with most decorative aesthetics. The outer shell is made entirely of plastic but seems durable enough to put up with normal household use.
One issue I did have about the build was with the removable parts. All three removable filters are a little difficult to pop in and out, and I could see a plastic tab popping off if you weren't careful. The duct is easier to secure, but it also relies on plastic tabs that could easily break.
Overall, I like the look of this unit but have some reservations about how long the parts could last with a less-than-careful owner.
Ease of Use
Learning to use all the various modes of this AC will likely take you a bit of time, but all that functionality more than makes up for the extra work.
Here is a quick rundown of all the features you'll find on this AC:
- Four quick start operating modes - cool, dry (dehumidifier), fan only, and auto (alternates between fan and cool to keep room at target temperature).
- Three fan settings - high, low, and continuous
- Sleep/eco mode - target temperature rises one degree each half-hour for seven hours before returning to the original target temperature.
- On/off timer mode - schedule when the unit will turn on and/or off
- Swing door angle - adjust what angle the air flows out of the machine
- Remote control - control all features via the included remote
- Flexible/collapsible duct - 76" duct and window installation kit
Note: In addition to all these useful features, the body of this AC has three removable, washable screen filters, which makes maintenance a breeze.
Overall, this unit is very easy to use and has a ton of functionality, just expect to have to take some time to get to know it first.
Energy Efficiency
The one area that the Homelabs 14,000 BTU AC does come up short of is energy efficiency. Unlike the company's ENERGY STAR-certified dehumidifiers, this portable AC does not have energy-saving certifications. This is not surprising since, as of date, no portable air conditioners are ENERGY STAR certified.
Info: The Department of Energy (DOE) has released energy conservation standards for portable air conditioners. The new standard was released in 2020 and is for compliance starting January 10, 2025.
This unit's ASHRAE energy efficiency rating (EER) is 9.52, which is considered an above-average score. But when you take into account the new CEC rating of 10,000 BTUs, the adjusted EER is only 6.80, which is about average for portable ACs but not considered energy efficient.
Note: The unit does have many energy-saving features, however. These include sleep/eco mode, timer features, and auto mode.
homelabs Portable Air Conditioner Alternatives
The hOmeLabs 14000 BTU Portable AC is a great choice for mid-sized rooms and people who want cooling flexibility and control. But, if you're in the market for a more energy-efficient unit or one that's a little quieter, there are some better options out there.
If you're set on getting a portable AC but want something more energy-efficient, the LG Smart Dual Inverter Portable AC is about as good as you're going to find. This unit has an adjusted EER of 7.30. It has many of the same great features as the hOmeLabs but does cost a bit more.
If quiet operation is most important to you, the SereneLife 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner is your best option. This unit puts out between just 52 and 56dBs, depending on the setting. Plus, it has many of the same great features as the hOmeLabs unit.
Things To Consider Before Buying a Portable AC
With so many available features and different ratings, it can be hard to find the right portable AC to meet your needs. Before you commit to any one product, here are some additional things to consider.
- BTU Rating - All portable ACs come with two BTU ratings that tell you how powerful the unit is. The DOE or CEC rating tells you more than the ASHRAE, and both together give you an idea of the unit's efficiency. To learn more about how BTU is measured and what it means, check out our article, What Is BTU?
- Room Size - Try to find an AC that is rated for the size of room you plan to use it in. Getting one that is more powerful than you need will needlessly drive up your energy costs without much added benefit.
- Energy Efficiency Rating - Finding out the EER of an appliance can be difficult, but this info is worth tracking down. ACs with high EERs will save you money month to month but cost more upfront.
- Functionality - Do you need an AC you can simply turn on and off as needed, or do you want one that can be programmed to a schedule and set to various modes? There is a lot of variability in what these appliances offer, so be sure to do your research before committing.
Conclusion
Portable ACs can help you beat the heat during those long summers by cooling only the rooms you are using.
The hOmeLabs 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner provides excellent cooling power while brimming with useful features such as an on/off timer, sleep mode, and built-in dehumidifier. It is moderately energy efficient for a portable unit and decently quiet, and certainly well priced for all you get.
To learn more about hOmeLabs's portable AC, or if you want to learn more about the air conditioner for yourself, click here.
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