The Danby 12,000 BTU portable AC is an extremely affordable unit that will cool and dehumidify any medium- to large-sized room in your home.
This portable AC unit can operate in three different modes: fan, cool, and dehumidify. The remote control or control panel allows you to select the mode.
Continue reading for our complete review of the Danby 3-in-1 portable AC conditioner.
Check out our other top pics in our recently-updated portable AC buying guide.
Pros
- Easy to set up and use.
- Multiple cooling modes
- Enough power for for large and mid-sized rooms
- Outstanding value.
Cons
- No display on remote control.
- It's a little loud.
- No heating function.
Best Features
12,000 BTUs Cooling Power
The Danby AC’s power is superior to portable ACs since it can cool up to 550 square feet with its 12,000 BTUs.
It is very large and can cover all rooms in most homes.
It is convenient to place it in an open-plan living space or in your bedroom to cool it as you sleep.
It is also ideal for garages, home offices, and baby nurseries.
3 Climate Control Modes
The AC portable has three climate control modes.
Cooling is its primary mode.
The remote control or control panel uses arrow buttons to select a temperature target between 64F-90F.
The dehumidifier is useful if the house feels a little too humid. The AC will extract moisture from the air and expel it outside, along with the warm air in the house.
You cannot choose a target humidity level as the AC does not have one.
You can also choose to have the fan-only mode, which is useful if you want a gentle breeze during moderately warm days or nights.
This is an excellent way of conserving energy when the temperature isn’t too high. In addition, you can adjust fan speed (maximum/medium/low) depending on how strong or quiet you prefer the breeze to blow.
Self-evaporative
It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to drain the AC through a bucket or connect a drainpipe.
It will usually direct moist warm indoor air outside through the exhaust vent.
On the extra-humid day, the AC might not be able to remove enough water. So the tank may be full if you see the FT error code. To drain the water, connect the drain hose.
It might be easier to keep your drain hose connected if you live in an area with high humidity.
24-Hour Timer
After a few hours, you can turn the AC on or off. You can set the timer to run for up to 24 hours.
Easy Installation
The Danby portable AC installation kit includes everything you need. The package consists of the slider kit and vent hose, adaptor, and foam seal.
This manual contains detailed instructions for installation.
Most people are able to install this AC easily – on average, it takes half an hour.
The venting kit works with windows and opening of many sizes.
This portable AC is easy to use once you have it set up. You will find buttons to adjust the settings and modes on the control panel, as well as a display that shows you the current settings.
The remote control does not have a display to indicate the temperature or time setting, however. But the LED display is large and bright enough to see from a distance.
Caster wheels
Caster wheels make it easy to move the AC from one room to another.
Limitations
It is not an air conditioner that you can use all year round. Also, it doesn’t have a heater, so it won’t be of any use in cold weather.
This means you will need to turn on your main AC in winter.
The noise is another issue. The AC can make quite a lot of noise when the fan speed is at its highest.
If it’s too hot, there’s not much you can do. To make it quieter at night, select the lowest fan speed.
Specifications
- Room size: 550 square feet
- BTU rating: 12,000
- Drainage: Manual and automatic
Summary
The Danby 12,000 BTU portable AC efficiently cools and dehumidifies any medium to large-sized room. It is easy to use and very budget-friendly.
This is also the least expensive 12,000 BTU portable air conditioner sold.
It’s a great buy!
I’m a degreed ME (mechanical engineer) who is passionate about machines of all kinds. I created MachineWonders.com as a way to connect with others who love machines like me – or need help choosing one for their needs, application, or situation.
