NewAir AC-10000E

Bottom Line

The 10,000-Btu NewAir AC-10000E is the best-rated portable air conditioner we found for smaller rooms (up to 250 square feet). Most owners praise its cooling performance (though a few disagree), and users say it's easy to install. One feature users like is its self-evaporation technology, which reduces the need to drain the unit by hand; however, this feature doesn't work well in humid climates. Other problems include noise and an annoyingly bright display.

Performance

Cools well in most cases. The NewAir has an energy efficiency rating (EER) of 11.6, the highest we've seen for a portable air conditioner. This means that, compared to other units its size, it will deliver more bang for your cooling buck. Most owners say this unit packs a good cooling punch -- even in spaces larger than the 325 square feet claimed by the manufacturer. However, a few reviewers disagree, saying it's only effective in the smallest of rooms. Many users also complain about the air conditioner's noise level. While some reviews say it's no louder than a fan, others say it's more like a vacuum cleaner.

Ease Of Use

Self-evaporation saves hassle. One feature users appreciate is NewAir's self-evaporative technology, which exhausts moisture along with heated air. In dry climates, this can entirely eliminate the need to drain the unit by hand. In more humid areas, however, drainage is still required, and users say the process can be a real nuisance. Other than that, users generally say that the NewAir is very easy to set up and use. However, many owners complain that the lights on the display panel are far too bright, making it difficult to sleep at night. Several say they were forced to cover the panel with cloth or electrical tape.

Value

Good performance for the price. At around $400, the NewAir AC-10000E costs about the same as other portable air conditioners in its size class. However, no other unit this size gets nearly as many positive reviews. The one possible downside is that the unit's warranty covers it for only one year, and it has a fairly long list of exceptions. Shipping costs are not covered. We did not see many complaints about the NewAir's durability, but those who did have problems generally say they showed up soon after purchase.