Whynter Eco-friendly ARC-12S
- Cools well, most owners say
- Simple installation
- No need to drain condensed water
- Loud
- Vents can't be pointed upward
- Some complain that it broke or didn't work
The Whynter Eco-friendly ARC-12S ranks just behind the top-rated NewAir AC-12000E (*Est. $430) in reviews of portable air conditioners designed to cool large rooms (350 square feet). On paper, the two portable air conditioners look a lot alike: Both boast the same cooling power (12,000 BTU) and are about the same size, with remote controls, energy-saving on/off timers and self-evaporation features that owners say work well (you won't have to empty buckets of condensed water). On the downside, neither one is very quiet, reviews say. Some owners say the noise isn't too bad, but others say the racket keeps them awake at night.
The main difference is that the Whynter Eco-friendly ARC-12S draws more customer complaints than the competing NewAir portable air conditioner. Although most owners are satisfied, a sizable minority says their Whynter portable A/Cs either died quickly or couldn't cool the room at all. In fact, this happened to one out of four reviewers at Amazon.com.
The Whynter Eco-friendly ARC-12S gets plenty of owner reviews at HomeDepot.com, Amazon.com, Meijer.com and Target.com. Although all of these sites post both positive and negative reviews, those at Amazon.com are the most critical.
| Whynter ARC-12S 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, Platinum | |
(66 reviews) In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping |
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Our Sources
1. HomeDepot.com
The Whynter Eco-friendly ARC-12S is one of the top-rated portable air conditioners here, earning a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars with more than 20 reviews posted. Only one owner rates it below 3 stars, saying it couldn't cool the room in 95-degree-plus weather. Others complain that it's noisy or that the vents only move from side to side -- you can't point them up to make the cold air rise. Still, almost 80 percent say that they would recommend it to a friend.
Review: Whynter 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Dehumidifier and Remote, Contributors to HomeDepot.com
2. Amazon.com
Owners at Amazon.com give mixed reviews to the Whynter Eco-friendly ARC-12S portable air conditioner. Most of the approximately 20 that weigh in say that it cools well, but about one in four gives it a very low rating of 1 or 2 stars. Critics say it can't cool the room, it's loud or it broke quickly. Even some who like the ARC-12S are irritated that the vents can't be pointed upward.
Review: Whynter ARC-12S Eco-Friendly 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, Platinum, Contributors to Amazon.com
3. Meijer.com
With more than a dozen owner reviews posted here, the Whynter ARC-12S earns a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Most say it cools well, but several find it loud. More than 85 percent of owners say they would recommend the portable air conditioner.
Review: Whynter ARC12S Eco-Friendly 12000BTU Portable Air Conditioner, Contributors to Meijer.com
4. Target.com
Six out of seven owners award a perfect 5 stars to the Whynter Eco-friendly ARC-12S at Target.com. One demotes it to 4 stars, saying it cools well but it's noisy and "a bit of an eyesore."
Review: Whynter Eco Friendly 12000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner -- Platinum, Contributors to Target.com
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