Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP Portable Air Conditioner & Heater Review

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Are you looking for a portable and powerful air conditioner to cool a large room?

The Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP Portable Air Conditioner is suitable for spaces up to 400 square feet.

Its high BTU rating and dual-hose design enable it to cool large areas without affecting the high energy efficiency.  

And the dual-hose design means you won’t get that air-sucking negative pressure feeling when the AC is turned on.

Because the Whynter Elite is compact, you can put it almost anywhere you want. As a result, it is convenient to store in a closet when it is not in use.

The Whynter Elite AR-122DHP can efficiently heat a room in addition to cooling and dehumidifying it.

Continue reading our Whynter portable AC conditioner review to learn more about this incredible machine.

Pros

Cons

Best Features

Whynter Portable Air Conditioner

12,000 BTUs: Great for Large Rooms

The ARC-122DHP is small but packs a lot of power.

The unit has 12,000 BTUs and can cool large rooms (max 400 sq. feet) without leaving hot spots.

This is a mid-range portable air conditioner that’s powerful and reliable.

This unit is suitable for a bedroom, living room, family room, or home office.

Setting it up in the basement is also possible if you have a window that allows for exhaust.

Other areas where you can set it up can be the garage, workshop, or server room.

The ARC-122DHP portable AC can cool a room that is larger than 400 square footage. However, it will struggle to cool the space and won’t be as efficient.

We recommend the Whynter ARC-14SH Portable Air Conditioner 14,000 BTU for larger rooms. It can cover a space as large as 500 square feet (20×25).

The ARC-122DHPAC is not for small rooms (less than 200 sq. feet). Instead, you might consider a smaller unit, such as the LG 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner.

Our updated buying guide contains all the latest information about portable ACs.

Four Modes

You can select from four comfort modes by using the control panel located at the front.

Cool – This is the standard cooling mode using which the unit removes warm air from the room and replaces it with cooler air from outside.

Heat – The unit has a built-in heat pump that can blow warm air into your room. You can use it even when it gets cold.

Dehumidify – like most portable air conditioners, the Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP can also function as a dehumidifier. It extracts water from the air and either evaporates it or drains it through a drain tube.

Fan – This mode is similar to any other fan and is the best option for moderate cooling.

Highly portable

The Elite ARC-122DHP AC weighs in at 60 pounds. It is very portable, and the attached casters help move it from one room to the next unless you plan to climb or descend the stairs.

It is also more portable, making it easier to use. It can be moved from one room to the next without any complicated installations, unlike traditional ACs. In addition, you can use the unit in multiple rooms at different times of day, as per your family’s needs.

Since these casters are plastic, they can damage your flooring and break if moved around too much.

Easy to Use

The Elite ARC-122DHP is simple to use.

The setup is the only tricky part, especially the installation of the window kit. However, once that is done, it is easy to operate the unit.

The control panel is composed of a small LCD and many buttons.

The power button located on the right-side switches the unit on or off. The fan speed button switches between fan speeds. The arrow buttons control temperature and timer.

The mode control button on the left side switches between the four modes. A timer button allows you to set up an auto-timer. The downwards arrow button controls temperature and timer.

Below the control panel, you will find a “water full” warning light.

You don’t need to press all the buttons. You can set your preferred comfort level using the remote.

Auto Drain

The Elite ARC-122DHP doesn’t require a water drain in areas with low to moderate humidity. Instead, it removes any moisture collected outside. This is called Auto drain by the manufacturer.

If there is a lot of moisture in the air, the tube provided will help you to drain it. When there is a need to drain water, the alert light will flash on the control panel.

Limitations

Whynter Portable Air Conditioner

It takes time to install a window kit.

Installation of the window kit is the most challenging part, according to many owners-reviewers. It will likely take some cutting to make it fit in your window.

It’s not silent.

This AC emits a low level of noise at 52 decibels. It is about the same noise level as modern refrigerators.

This unit will only be audible in your bedroom or office if you use it.

Specifications

Summary

The Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP Portable Air Conditioner has a heater function, one of its best features.

We love the 3-speed fan and that it has two drainage options.

The Whynter Elite is a compact, portable AC-heater/combo unit that’s powerful and lightweight.

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