Wanting one appliance that would cool you down during summer and warm you up during winter? This guide will take a look at the top portable AC heater combo systems which offer both air conditioning and heating in a single package.
We have already compared the performance, energy efficiency, and smart features of the best-rated models to assist American users in identifying the best portable air conditioner and heater combo to use throughout the year.
We have listed our best choices in a brief comparison below, and then reviewed them and provided a buying guide.
Portable AC Heater Combo | Cooling/Heating BTU | Room Size | Key Features |
---|---|---|---|
Midea Duo Smart Inverter Portable AC & Heater | 14,000 / 11,000 | Up to 550 sq. ft. | Dual-hose inverter, ultra-quiet (~42 dB), Wi-Fi (Alexa/Google) |
Whynter ARC-14SH Portable AC Heater | 14,000 / 13,000 | Up to 500 sq. ft. | Dual-hose design, fast cooling, carbon air filter, 4-in-1 modes |
BLACK+DECKER BPACT14HWT AC with Heat | 14,000 / 12,000 | Up to 700 sq. ft. | 4-in-1 unit, “Follow Me” remote sensor, easy installation |
Honeywell 14,000 BTU Portable AC Heat Pump | 14,000 / ~11,000 | Cool 700 / Heat 500 sq. ft. | Auto-evaporation (no bucket), dual filters, quiet operation |
De’Longhi Pinguino Portable AC & Heater | 14,000 / ~12,000 | Up to 700 sq. ft. | Eco Real Feel energy saver, whisper-quiet mode, premium build |
SereneLife 12,000 BTU Portable AC + Heater | 12,000 / 9,000 | Up to 450 sq. ft. | Compact size, low noise motor, budget-friendly 4-in-1 |
DELLA 14,000 BTU WiFi Portable AC Heater | 14,000 / 11,500 | Up to 650 sq. ft. | Smart Wi-Fi (Alexa, geofencing), inverter quiet (< 45 dB), auto-swing vent |
#1 Midea Duo Smart Inverter Portable AC & Heater
Midea Duo is a high-tech portable air conditioner and heater combination, which is characterized by high energy efficiency and low noise level. It has a special dual-hose inverter system, which enables it to cool and heat rooms of up to 550 sq. ft. quicker and more efficiently than the conventional models.
This is a 4-in-1 (cool, heat, fan, dehumidifier) with 14,000 BTU cooling (12,000 BTU DOE) and about 11,000 BTU heating capabilities, which is appropriate to use in large areas all year round.
- Inverter Technology: The variable-speed compressor adapts to the temperature, and saves up to 30 percent on energy and the noise is kept at the lowest level of 42 dB. It is one of the most energy-saving portable AC/heaters.
- Dual-Hose Design: The revolutionary hose system of the Duo draws the outside air to cool and releases hot air, which enhances the cooling performance and eliminates the negative pressure in your room. This implies that it will cool faster and better.
- Smart Controls: Wi-Fi is built in and compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant to control by voice or app. You are able to change settings via phone or voice command and even schedule or even monitor the unit remotely.
- Silent & Mighty: Although the Midea Duo is very powerful, it is also very quiet (like a library), which means that it will not interrupt sleep or conversations. It is also easy to read, has a remote control and wheels.
Outstanding characteristics: The Midea Duo is characterized by the combination of ultra-quiet inverter compressor and smart connectivity. It is the best choice of those who want a high-quality efficiency and smart home connectivity in a portable AC heater combination.
#2 Whynter ARC-14SH Dual Hose Portable AC/Heater
Whynter ARC-14SH is a high-powered dual-hose portable air conditioner and heater that is characterized by quick cooling and strong capabilities. It has 14,000 BTU of cooling and 13,000 BTU of heating that can comfortably accommodate rooms of up to 500 sq. ft.
This 4-in-1 appliance can cool, heat, dehumidify (up to 71 pints/day) and act as a fan, which makes it a real all-season appliance.
- Effective Dual-Hose System: Its dual-hose system attracts outside air and releases hot air to enable faster and efficient cooling compared to single-hose ones. This design reduces strain and cools rooms faster, and this can enhance energy efficiency in cooling mode.
- Large Cooling & Heating Capacity: The Whynter has full thermostatic control (61 o F-89 o F) and high-powered fan (253 CFM airflow) allowing it to cool a room or warm it up in a short time. The heat pump that is built-in is a reliable source of warmth during colder days (best when using as supplemental heat when outdoor temperatures are above ~45F).
- Air Filtration: It has a washable pre-filter and an activated carbon filter to assist in eliminating odors and dust. This two-fold filtration assists in enhancing the quality of the air indoors and prevents the internal parts of the unit to get covered with dust.
- Ease of Use: Convenience is provided by a digital display, full-function remote and 24-hour programmable timer. The unit is equipped with auto-drain capability which recycles the condensate in most conditions, which translates to less draining by the user.
Notable features: The dual-hose construction and the high BTU rating of the Whynter ARC-14SH make it a very quick cooling portable AC combo. It is one of the best options when it comes to bigger spaces or when the highest level of cooling is required, but it is also a good source of heating during winter.
#3 BLACK+DECKER BPACT14HWT Portable AC & Heat
BLACK+DECKER BPACT14HWT is a well-known and multifunctional portable AC heater combination, which has good performance and is easy to operate. It delivers 14,000 BTU (ASHRAE) of cooling capacity (10,000 BTU DOE) and 12,000 BTU of heating, with a claimed 700 sq. ft.
(ideal effectiveness is normally in medium-sized rooms of 300-500 sq. ft). It is a 4-in-1 unit, which functions as an air conditioner, heater, fan and a dehumidifier.
- Easy Installation and Portability: This model is famous with its easy installation. It has a window vent kit which can be used in vertical or horizontal windows and since it weighs ~68 lbs with rolling casters and handles, it is easy to move it around the house.
- Follow Me Remote Control: BPACT14HWT is shipped with a full-function remote control that has an in-built temperature sensor. Follow Me mode will allow the unit to cool according to the temperature at the remote location, so you will be more comfortable where you are in the room.
- 4-in-1 Functionality: Besides cooling and heating it can also be used as a fan-only (to provide basic air circulation) and a dehumidifier (removing up to approximately 50 pints/day of moisture). Self-evaporating cooling mode implies that water condensate is usually evaporated through the exhaust and there is little need to drain a tank.
- LED Display & Timer: It has a touch control LED display that allows setting temperature and mode easily. On/off times can be scheduled by use of a 24-hour timer to conserve energy. Auto-restart restores power when an outage occurs and restarts the device with the last settings.
Main advantages: The BLACK+DECKER device provides a stable operation, easy to use controls, and convenient remote thermostat option at a fair price. It is an excellent general purpose product that is easy to carry and use and can be used to cool and provide supplemental heating to people who require such services.
#4 Honeywell 14,000 BTU Portable AC with Heat Pump
Honeywell 14,000 BTU portable AC Heater (model HL14 series) is a reliable, high-performance device of a well-known brand in the field of home climate control. It provides room cooling to 700 sq. ft. and space heating to 500 sq. ft. with a high efficiency heat pump.
The 4-in-1 unit cools, heats, fans and dehumidifies, and is therefore ideal to use all year round in large rooms, living rooms or basements.
- High Cooling and Heating: This Honeywell offers 14,000 BTU cooling (ASHRAE) and about 11,000 BTU heating, so it should be able to cool and heat large spaces. It has three fan settings and an effective dehumidifier setting (up to ~111 pints per 24 hours), which is excellent in humid weather.
- No-Bucket Auto Evaporation: The AC mode is an auto-evaporation type of condensate, so in the normal cooling process, you will not have to empty a water bucket. This no-drip design recycles water to cool the coils making it more efficient and convenient. Some water collection or drainage might be required (in case of long heating or dehumidifier mode).
- Dual Filtration System: Honeywell has a washable dual filtration system which traps dust, pet dander and hair. This assists in maintaining a clean air and also preserves the internal parts, which increases the life of the unit. Maintenance of the filters is simple since they can be rinsed under a faucet.
- Digital Controls & Safety: The digital control panel and the remote that comes with it makes it convenient to change temperature and modes. The unit is safety oriented and it has thermal overload protection. It operates on environmentally-friendly refrigerant (R410A or R32 in the newer models) and is designed to the high U.S. safety standards.
The Honeywell is remarkable: It is reliable and easy to maintain. Its users like that it is a powerful unit, and it is also quieter than most of its competitors when it comes to high capacity. In case you are interested in a long-term portable AC/heater of a well-known brand, the model is a good candidate.
#5 De’Longhi Pinguino 4-in-1 Portable AC & Heater
Pinguino is a series of DeLonghi with high-quality features and low noise. Pinguino portable AC & heater (about 14,000 BTU cooling and 12,000 BTU heating) is intended to cover extra-large rooms with the area of up to 700 sq. ft.
It offers four modes, which are cooling, heating, fan and dehumidifying. Being Italian-designed, this unit has a few special features that are worth bringing to the table with a focus on efficiency and comfort.
- Eco Real Feel Technology: The model also has De Longhi Eco Real Feel technology that is smart enough to monitor the temperature and humidity and automatically adjusts the settings to provide the best comfort. It is able to save as much as 30 percent of energy by achieving the desired temperature that feels like and then turning down power consumption and still remain comfortable.
- Quiet Operation: The Pinguino is nicknamed as the Arctic Whisper because it has a special quiet mode which makes it one of the quietest portable ACs in its category. This is fantastic in bedrooms or offices where noise should be low. The insulated casing and high efficiency compressor are useful in reducing the sound level to a great extent.
- Large Airflow and Capacity: It is made to move air within a large area. The unit may also be used to dehumidify during cooling (removal of excess moisture) or fan-only mode. As a heat pump, it can be used all year round as it is a strong heat pump, which can keep you warm during cold nights.
- Features of Convenience: A complete remote control is provided (some models have a “Cool Surround” intelligent remote that detects room temperature, like Follow Me). It also features castor wheels, a washable filter that slides out and an LCD. It has a programmable timer and thermostat that enables automatic use and an additional energy-saving mode, which is called Eco.
Why this one: De Longhi Pinguino is a luxury and performance machine: it is quiet, efficient, and full of smart energy-saving features. It is a great option in case you have a big room and you care about low noise levels and automated comfort control.
#6 SereneLife 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner + Heater
SereneLife 12,000 BTU Portable AC + 9,000 BTU Heater is a small and inexpensive combo device that is suitable to use in smaller rooms, apartments, or offices (approximately 300 450 sq. ft.). This 4-in-1 device is able to cool, heat, dehumidify and act as a normal fan.
It is compact in design with a slender profile that can easily fit into a small space yet still be able to perform well relative to its size.
- Compact & Lightweight: The SereneLife is lighter than many of the larger units thus making it easier to move and store. It has a smaller footprint, which makes it ideal to use in bedrooms or small living rooms where a large unit would be excessive. The window kit that comes with it is also easy to install and has a minimum height requirement of windows that fits most of the standard windows.
- Small Space Cooling: It is a small space cooler with a capacity of 12,000 BTU (ASHRAE), which is sufficient to cool a mid-sized room. According to its users, it lowers temperature in bedrooms or studios very fast. The heat pump (heating) is a great addition on cold evenings or during winter days, to get a warm feeling in places where you do not have central heating.
- Easy Controls: It has an easy to use digital touch button control panel on the top and a hand held remote. You are able to change the mode, target temperature, fan speed and a timer. It also comes with an automatic swing vent that assists in the distribution of air more evenly (moving louvers to allow better air circulation).
- Low Noise Level: SereneLife sells a “low noise level motor” – in reality, it is just as loud as a standard portable AC on high, but many people find it quiet enough to use at night, particularly on the low fan speed or in sleep mode. It does not rattle sharply and makes consistent humming.
Pros: The best things about it are the affordability and size. The SereneLife portable AC/heater is a cost-effective option of people who require two functions in a smaller space. It provides dependable cooling and heating at the cost, and it is a common low-end choice in dorms, small apartments, or spot cooling.
#7 DELLA 14,000 BTU Smart WiFi Portable AC Heater
With the DELLA 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner and Heater, the smart technology and an ultra-quiet inverter system is now available at a low price. It has approximately 9,800 BTU (DOE) cooling capacity (14,000 BTU ASHRAE) and heat pump of approximately 11,500 BTU, which makes it suitable to medium to large rooms (up to 600+ sq. ft.).
The 4-in-1 device cools, heats, fans, and dehumidifies, and it stands out with the modern app controls and voice assistant compatibility.
- Smart Wi-Fi Controls: The DELLA unit is Wi-Fi enabled and it can be linked to your home Wi-Fi and also works with Alexa. The unit can be turned on/off, modes can be changed, the temperature can be set, or even geo-fencing can be used with the help of the DELLA app or voice commands. Geo-fencing is able to switch the AC on or off automatically depending on where you are (e.g. cooling the room when you are on the way home).
- Inverter & Quiet Operation: This is an inverter-type compressor, which is rare in its price segment, and this means that the model can change its speed. The outcome is a more even temperature control, greater efficiency and noise as low as 45 dB on low settings. It is deemed to be an ultra quiet portable AC thus it can be used in noise sensitive areas.
- Auto Swing Vent & Design: An electric auto-swing louver distributes air throughout the room, and helps to eliminate hot or cold spots. It has a modern design that is sleek and has a user-friendly digital panel. It is portable with rolling wheels and side handles, even though it has strong components inside.
- All-Season Performance: The DELLA has a powerful cooling and strong heat mode, which makes it suitable to use throughout the year. It is wonderful to the people who desire to have a single machine that is capable of cooling when there is a heatwave and also a supplementary heater during winter. The heat pump mode can be used to effectively heat a room without the dry air condition of resistive heaters provided the ambient temperature is not very low.
Distinctive features: This DELLA model is remarkable in terms of smart home integration and quiet and efficient inverter performance at a fair price. It is a great option in case you are a tech-savvy user or simply wish to have a powerful portable AC/heater that can be controlled via an app and voice.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Portable AC Heater Combo
There are a number of factors that you will need to put into consideration when purchasing a portable air conditioner and heater combo so that you can purchase a unit that can serve your needs effectively. Such two-in-one appliances (which are sometimes referred to as portable heat pumps) can differ greatly in their performance and functionality.
The most important things to consider are as follows:
Energy Efficiency
Portable AC/heater combos use a reasonable amount of power and therefore efficiency rating is a factor to consider when controlling energy bills. Consider the EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) or CEER of cooling, the higher the number the more BTUs of cooling per watt of electricity. Newer models, such as those that have inverter compressors (e.g. Midea Duo or Della) vary their speed and can save 20-30 percent energy over the conventional units that turn on/off.
And there is the design: dual-hose portables are usually more effective in cooling than single-hose, since they do not blow conditioned air out of your room. In case energy efficiency is a priority, then seek units that have an inverter, eco mode settings or have an Energy Star certification.
Smart Controls & Connectivity
Most of the current portable AC heater combinations are smart. Units with Wi-Fi connectivity give you the opportunity to adjust the settings on your smartphone or with the help of voice assistants, such as Alexa or Google Assistant. This may be quite convenient, you can switch on your AC on the way home or switch the heater without moving out of the couch.
Other intelligent models have more sophisticated scheduling, geo-fencing (location-based on/off), or smart home routine integration. In case you are a tech enthusiast, check out words such as WiFi-enabled, app control, or Alexa/Google Home compatibility. In case you do not care about smart features, you can save a bit of money by purchasing a more basic model that only has a remote control and onboard panel.
Cooling and Heating Performance (Dual-Function)
Ensure that the capacity of the unit is suitable to your room size in cooling and heating. Cooling power is usually expressed in BTU (two numbers: the older ASHRAE and the newer DOE SACC that is lower). Approximately, 300-450 sq. ft. can be covered with about 8,000-10,000 BTU (DOE), whereas 12,000 BTU (DOE) units may cover 500+ sq. ft.
When it comes to heating, you should know that these combos employ a heat pump – they are most effective when used as supplemental heaters. They are typically able to heat a room by ~14-20 o F, and are efficient relative to electric resistance heat. Nevertheless, at extremely low outdoor temperatures (below 40-45 o F), the heat pump might not work or work with difficulty. Other units have a separate heating BTU; make sure it is sufficient to your space. Also, the fan airflow (CFM) should be taken into account, the higher the airflow, the more efficiently it will be able to circulate the air, which will benefit both cooling and heating capacity throughout the room.
Ease of Use & Installation
It is a huge difference when it comes to daily use since it is portable and easy to use. Make sure the following is easy to use:
- Installation Kit: Every portable AC must have an outlet through a window or an opening. Make sure the unit is supplied with a window exhaust kit, which fits the size of your window (most of them fit standard vertically-sliding or sliding windows). The gap should be covered with adjustable panels and installation is tool-free or minimal.
- Portability: Check the weight and availability of caster wheels and handles. In case you intend to relocate it across the rooms or keep it in the off-season, a lighter unit (or a unit with good wheels) will be easier to move. There are units that have cord storage or a wrap to neatly stow away.
- Controls and Display: A digital display that is clear, indicating the temperature and settings is useful. Most units are remote controlled, make sure that it has all the functions you require. It has features such as programmable timer, sleep mode (it reduces cooling at night) and various fan speeds that contribute to ease of use. A thermostat LCD remote (to allow a Follow Me feature) is an added advantage.
- Noise Level: Noise is a practical issue, even though it is not typically included in product specifications. In case you will use it in a bedroom or TV room, check whether it has been mentioned as to the decibel (dB) level or whether it has been reviewed by users as to noise. Quieter ones will be inverter models and those that have a special silent mode. Portable ACs are usually in the range of ~50 dB (low fan) to 60+ dB (high fan) with the lower the better to be comfortable.
Maintenance & Drainage
Regular service will make your portable AC/heater last many years. The important maintenance points are:
- Air Filters: Each unit will have at least one air filter which is washable to capture dust. It is planned to rinse the filter under water (and dry it) every two weeks when it is heavily used. Other models have two filters (an additional carbon filter to remove odor, or an additional particle filter). Cleaning of filters does not only ensure quality of air but also avoids blocking of air flow that may overwork the unit.
- Water Drainage: Most of the modern portable ACs have auto-evaporation to manage condensate in cooling mode, and you do not need to drain water very often. But, when it is extremely humid or when it is in heat mode, it may accumulate water. Units normally have a drain plug at the bottom, you may have to drain occasionally into a pan or fit a hose to drain continuously. In case you will frequently use the dehumidify mode, it is worth installing the drain hose in such a way that you do not need to empty a tank every time.
- Off-Season Storage: During the time of year when your system is not in use (e.g. winter when you are only cooling and summer when you are only heating), you must drain any water and run the unit on fan-only mode a few hours to dry it out completely (no mold/mildew). Keep it in a dry storage. There are models that have storage covers or bags. Kinkless coil the exhaust hose. These measures will ensure that it is in good condition during the next season.
- Serviceability: The majority of portable AC/heaters are internally maintenance free (no user serviceable parts). Nevertheless, it is nice to occasionally check the hose to see whether it has any cracks or the window seal is not loose. And, to be efficient, brush or vacuum (light) the condenser coils at the back, when accessible.
Looking at energy efficiency, smart features, performance, ease of use, and maintenance requirements, you can get the best portable AC heater combo, which suits your lifestyle. These multi-purpose units are the best alternatives to people who require versatile cooling and heating without the need to set up permanent systems.
Make sure to make the unit fit your room, apply the window kit that comes with it correctly, and do simple maintenance and you will have a comfortable room during any season.
This is a really thorough review, thanks! I’m curious, have you looked into how these portable units, especially those with advanced filtration or humidity control features, might affect the effectiveness or necessity of certain respiratory support treatments, like those prescribed for managing air pathway inflammation? It’s something I’ve been thinking about with indoor air quality and how it interacts with health conditions.