Need a portable AC that heats too? These four models rival the Edgestar 13500 BTU in performance. Here’s how they compare.
Key Takeaways:
- The BLACK+DECKER 14,000 BTU covers the largest room (700 sq ft) and includes a heater, but weighs 60 lbs.
- The EUHOMY 12,000 BTU is the quietest at 46 dB – ideal for bedrooms.
- The Whynter 13,500 BTU offers smart Wi-Fi controls and a powerful dehumidifier.
Which portable air conditioner with heater is best for your space? Let’s break down each model.
Here’s a quick comparison of the key specs that matter most:
| Features | BLACK+DECKER 14K | EUHOMY 12K | SereneLife 10K | Whynter 13.5K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Room Size | Up to 700 sq ft | Up to 550 sq ft | Up to 450 sq ft | Up to 500 sq ft |
| Noise Level | Not stated | 46 dB (lowest) | 52-56 dBa | Under 48 dBA |
| Heating BTU | 11,000 BTU | Not specified | 9,000 BTU | Max wattage 1560W |
| Smart Control | No | No | No | Wi-Fi + Alexa/Google |
| Weight | 60.1 lbs | ~55 lbs | ~50 lbs | Not specified |
BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable
BLACK+DECKER
BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner with Heat,…
Portable AC: Use our personal air conditioner & heater (16.5” x 14.06” x 27.09”) in rooms up to 700 sq. ft. Stay cool in summer & warm in winter with our BLACK+DECKER air conditioning and heater in one.
See on AmazonThis is the heavy hitter for large spaces. The BLACK+DECKER 14,000 BTU portable air conditioner with heater covers up to 700 square feet, making it the best choice for open-plan living rooms or large master bedrooms. It combines cooling, heating, dehumidifier, and fan modes in one unit.
What stands out is the heating capability: 11,000 BTU of heat output. That’s enough to warm a room even when outdoor temps dip into the 40s. The auto water evaporation feature means you rarely need to drain the bucket in normal humidity. Casters and side handles make moving it manageable despite the 60-pound weight.
The real trade-off is size and noise. At 60.1 pounds, it’s the heaviest here. The slide-out filter is easy to clean, but the unit doesn’t have smart controls. Installation uses a standard window kit, and the R410a refrigerant is environmentally friendly. For a large room that needs both cooling and heating, this is your workhorse.
- 14,000 BTU ASHRAE / 8,400 BTU SACC cooling
- 11,000 BTU heating mode
- Dehumidifier and fan modes included
- 24-hour timer and remote control
- Window kit included; R410a refrigerant
Best for: Large rooms (500–700 sq ft) where you need serious cooling and supplemental heat.
EUHOMY Portable Air Conditioner
EUHOMY
EUHOMY Portable Air Conditioners 12,000 Btu, 4…
𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲: This 12,000 BTU portable air conditioner is equipped with an upgraded compressor refrigeration system, and the stand up air conditioner cooling and heating temperature adjustment range is 61℉-88℉(16-31℃), meeting your family daily needs. With a maximum wind speed of 400m³/h, this ac portable can provide fast, and efficient cooling for spaces up to 550 Sq.Ft, with the lowest noisest level of only 46dB, making it suitable for bedrooms, rooms, apartments, office, etc
See on AmazonIf quiet operation is your priority, the EUHOMY 12,000 BTU portable AC with heat delivers. It’s rated at just 46 dB in sleep mode – that’s quieter than a refrigerator. Designed for bedrooms and apartments up to 550 sq ft, it offers cooling, heating, dry, fan, and sleep modes.
The standout feature is the sleep mode: the control panel dims automatically and the fan slows to that whisper-quiet 46 dB. The auto swing function distributes air evenly. The unit also removes 76 pints of moisture per day in dry mode – useful for humid climates. A child lock prevents accidental setting changes.
But there are limitations. The heating mode temperature range is 61–88°F, so it won’t produce intense warmth in freezing weather. The window kit has a specific size requirement: it doesn’t fit side-opening windows between 25.6 and 36 inches without trimming. Also, this model is currently out of stock on Amazon, so you may need to wait or find another seller.
- 12,000 BTU ASHRAE / 8,000 BTU SACC cooling
- Heats up to 88°F max
- 46 dB in sleep mode
- 76 pints/day dehumidification
- 24-hour timer and auto swing
Best for: Bedrooms and home offices where low noise is critical.
SereneLife Portable Air Conditioner
SereneLife
SereneLife Portable Air Conditioner With Heat &…
HANDY AND PORTABLE: The Serene Life Portable Air Conditioner System features a lightweight, handy, sleek body design intended to be used in the bedroom, living room, or garage at home or office. It features rolling wheels for easy portability.Controller type:Remote Control
See on AmazonThe SereneLife 10,000 BTU portable AC with heat is the budget-friendly option that still does the job. It covers rooms up to 450 sq ft, making it suitable for smaller bedrooms, offices, or RVs. The unit has four modes: cooling, heating, dehumidifier, and fan.
A unique strength is its compact footprint and lightweight design (around 50 pounds). The automatic swing mode with moving wind vent improves air circulation. The digital touch control panel includes sleep key and timer. For the price, you get a decent 9,000 BTU heater that can take the chill off a small room on cool mornings.
The downsides are noise (52–56 dBa is noticeable) and lower SACC rating (6,000 BTU). That means actual cooling performance is less than the ASHRAE number suggests. The dehumidifier claims 15 liters per hour, which is modest. It’s a solid entry-level unit but won’t match the power of higher-priced models in extreme heat or cold.
- 10,000 BTU ASHRAE / 6,000 BTU SACC cooling
- 9,000 BTU heating
- Noise level 52–56 dBa
- 4 modes: cool, heat, dry, fan
- Window mount exhaust kit included
Best for: Small rooms or budget buyers who need occasional heating.
Whynter Portable Air Conditioner
Whynter
Whynter Portable Air Conditioner 13,500 BTU Portable…
Powerful Yet Quiet Portable Air Conditioner: This 13,500 BTU portable AC unit operates under 48 dBA and features convenient Wi-Fi and voice-enabled Smart controls
See on AmazonThe Whynter 13,500 BTU portable air conditioner with heat brings smart home integration. With built-in Wi-Fi and support for Alexa and Google Home, you can control it from anywhere via the NetHome Plus app. It covers rooms up to 500 sq ft and runs at under 48 dBA – quiet enough for most living spaces.
What really sets it apart is the patented auto drain function. It automatically exhausts all condensate in most environments, so you almost never have to empty a water bucket. The dehumidifying capacity is enormous: 122 pints per day. Five operational modes (auto, cool, dry, fan, heat) give flexibility. The 5.9-inch exhaust hose and three-plate window kit are included and easy to set up.
The heating mode uses a max 1560W (equivalent to about 5,300 BTU), which is less than the BLACK+DECKER’s 11,000 BTU. So winter performance is adequate for mild cold but not for freezing temps. The unit is out of stock currently. Also, the carbon filter helps with odors but needs periodic replacement.
- 13,500 BTU ASHRAE / 10,000 BTU SACC cooling
- Heating via 1560W resistance heater
- Wi-Fi enabled with voice control
- 122 pints/day dehumidifier
- Auto drain – no bucket emptying
Best for: Tech-savvy users who want app control and minimal maintenance.
How We Chose These Products
We evaluated portable air conditioners with heaters based on cooling capacity (BTU both ASHRAE and SACC), heating output, noise level, room size coverage, and special features like smart controls or quiet modes. We focused on units that genuinely deliver on the heating promise – not just a weak fan-forced heater.
Real-world performance matters more than sticker specs. We considered user feedback about how well these units handle cold ambient temperatures (below 50°F). The BLACK+DECKER and Whynter models have the strongest heating capability, while the EUHOMY prioritizes quiet operation for sleeping. The SereneLife offers a lower price point for small spaces.
Buying Guide: What Really Matters
Two numbers define a portable AC’s real cooling power: the ASHRAE rating (the bigger number) and the SACC rating (the smaller, more accurate one). The SACC is what the Department of Energy uses for efficiency. For example, the SereneLife’s 6,000 BTU SACC means it’s best for rooms under 300 sq ft despite its 10,000 BTU ASHRAE claim. Always compare SACC ratings for apples-to-apples.
Heating mode is often an afterthought in these combo units. Most use a resistive electric heater (like a space heater) rather than a heat pump. That means they consume a lot of electricity – around 1,500 watts – to produce heat. For sustained winter use, a dedicated space heater might be cheaper to run. But for supplemental warmth in spring and fall, these units work well.
Noise is critical for bedrooms. Look for sleep modes that dim the display and slow the fan. The EUHOMY’s 46 dB sleep mode is excellent. Single-hose units (all four here are single-hose) create negative pressure that pulls warm air from outside through gaps. Dual-hose designs like the EdgeStar AP14000H have better efficiency but are rarer. Our top picks balance performance, features, and value for typical home use.
Our Top Recommendation
For most people, the BLACK+DECKER Smart Portable Air Conditioner with Heat is the best overall choice. It offers the highest cooling capacity (14,000 BTU ASHRAE) and the most powerful heater (11,000 BTU) among these four. It covers the largest room (700 sq ft) and includes all the essential features: remote control, timer, and washable filter. The only downsides are its weight and lack of smart controls.
If you prioritize quiet operation for a bedroom, grab the EUHOMY 12,000 BTU when it’s back in stock. For smart home integration and no-drain convenience, the Whynter 13,500 BTU is excellent. And if your budget is tight or you only need to cool a small room, the SereneLife 10,000 BTU will get the job done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do these units actually heat well in freezing weather?
A: None of these use a heat pump for heating. They rely on electric resistance heaters, so they work fine down to about 40°F. Below freezing, the heater still blows warm air, but the single-hose design pulls cold outdoor air into the room, reducing efficiency. For extreme cold, consider a dual-hose model or a dedicated space heater.
Q: How much does it cost to run these on heat mode?
A: A typical 1,500-watt heater running 8 hours costs about $0.18 per hour at the average US electricity rate (12¢/kWh). That’s $1.44 per day. It’s similar to running a large space heater. For cooling, the compressor uses less power – around 1,000 watts – so costs are lower.
Q: Can I use these in a room without a window?
A: No, all portable ACs need to vent hot exhaust air outside. The included window kit uses a sliding or casement window. Without a window, you’d need to cut a hole in a wall or use a hose through a door. Not recommended for permanent installation.
Q: Which unit is easiest to move between rooms?
A: The SereneLife is the lightest at roughly 50 lbs, followed by the EUHOMY. The BLACK+DECKER is 60 lbs. All have caster wheels and side handles, but the heavier units are harder to carry up stairs. If you plan to move it daily, consider the lighter models.
Check current prices and availability on Amazon for each model.
