LG LP1025WHSM Review

Initial Analysis

The LG LP1025WHSM is a 14,000 BTU portable air conditioner according to older ASHRAE guidelines for measuring cooling capacity.

It’s a 10,200 BTU air conditioner according to newer DOE guidelines for measuring (seasonally adjusted) cooling capacity.

The LG is one of the three portable air conditioners we tested recently that have approximately 10,000 BTUs of seasonally adjusted cooling capacity. The other two models are the Frigidaire FHPC142AA1 and the Whirlpool WHNP141AW. Both of these models have exactly 10,000 SACC BTUs. The LG, of course, has 200 more SACC BTUs.

These 200 (SACC) BTUs did make a difference in our tests.

Among these three models the LG performed the best in two of our three cooling tests.

In the first test, at an outdoor temperature of 83° F the LG performed second best. It cooled our 100 sq. ft. test space from 86° F down to 72° F in 20 minutes. The Whirlpool was fastest. It did the same in 18 minutes. The Frigidaire took 22 minutes.

After cooling the room down to 72° F we let each unit run until it cooled for one full hour. We then measured the room’s temperature after one complete hour of runtime.

The LG cooled the room to 67.3° F, the Whirlpool cooled it to 66.9° F, and the Frigidaire cooled it to 68.4° F.

In the second test, at a higher outdoor temperature of 89° F, we first see the LG’s 200 extra (SACC) BTUs make a difference.

It cooled the room from the 86° F down to 72° F in 29 minutes. The Whirlpool took 36 minutes and the Frigidaire took 33 minutes. The LG cooled the room to 70.2° F in one hour, the Whirlpool cooled it to 70.7° F and the Frigidaire cooled it to 70.5° F.

We also see the LG outperform the other two models in our third test, at an even higher outdoor temperature of 91° F. In this test, the LG took 46 minutes to cool the room from 86° F down to 72° F. The Whirlpool took 56 minutes and the Frigidaire couldn’t cool the room to 72° F in the hour allotted for this test.

The LG cooled the room to 71.6° F in one hour in this test. The Whirlpool cooled it to 72.0° F and the Frigidaire cooled it to 72.7° F.

The LG is also slightly more energy efficient than the Whirlpool and Frigidaire. It has a combined energy efficiency ratio (CEER) of 7.9. The Whirlpool and Frigidaire both have a CEER of 7.8.

These manufacturer specifications for energy efficiency match our own test results.

The LG was tested to draw slightly more power (1393 watts) than the Whirlpool (1370 watts) and Frigidaire (1371 watts) but it cooled better and faster in our tests. We think the difference in cooling performance is more significant than the increase in power draw – so the LG is more energy efficient than the other two models overall, according to our testing.

The LG only has two fan speeds and there’s not much of a difference in noise output between them. The LG was measured at 61.6 dB on low and 62.8 dB on high.

We see much more of a delta between low and high fan speed with competitors. The Whirlpool, for example, was measured at 58.2 dB on low and 62.3 dB on high.

Overall, competitor models can get much quieter on low but don’t get much quieter on high.

The LG is actually slightly smaller and lighter than most 10,000 SACC BTU competitors despite having slightly more cooling capacity. The LG is only 27” tall and weighs only 64 lb. The Frigidaire, for comparison, is 31” tall and weighs 81 lb.

When it comes to build quality, all three 10,000 SACC BTU models we tested recently appear to be built much the same with very similar quality parts and materials. We did notice a squeaking noise at the handles though picking up the Whirpool off the ground. Other models didn’t make this noise.

When it comes to value, the LG has a SACC to $ ratio of 18.9. The Whirlpool’s SACC/$ ratio is 18.2 (slightly worse) and the Frigidaire’s ratio is 25.0 (much better).

The LG and Whirlpool are very similarly priced – they usually retail in the mid to upper $500 range. The Frigidaire is much cheaper – it usually retails for about $400.

Pros and Cons

The LP1025WHSM's evaporator (1/4). Scroll to the right to see more.

The filter that covers the unit's evaporator (2/4)

The same filter standing up next to the AC unit (3/4)

There's also a removable filter that covers the condenser. Here it is standing up next to the AC unit. The condenser is also visible (4/4)

Conclusion

The LG LP1025WHSM is a good portable air conditioner. It does have some limitations (like its limited window kit) but it cools faster and its more energy efficient than direct competitors.

It accomplishes this with only 200 extra SACC BTUs. The LG, again, offers 10,200 SACC BTUs while the Whirlpool and Frigidaire offer exactly 10,000 SACC BTUs.

If all three of these models – the LG, Whirlpool, and Frigidaire – were all priced the same we would recommend the LG as the best model.

But, that’s not the case.

The Frigidaire is usually $150 to $200 cheaper than the LG.

And we don’t think the difference in cooling performance between the LG and the Frigidaire is worth an extra $150 to $200.

So for most users, we would recommend the Frigidaire over the LG because it’s a significantly better value.

If you want as much cooling performance and energy efficiency as possible, we would recommend upgrading to a 12,000 SACC BTU model.

The top rated Midea Duo is usually only $50 or so more expensive than the LG, and it cools much better and is much more energy efficient than the LG.

In our toughest cooling test, at an outdoor temperature of 91° F the Duo took only 17 minutes to cool the room from 86° F down to 72° F. Recall the LG took 46 minutes. After one hour the Duo cooled the room down to 65.7° F. The LG cooled the room down to 71.6° F.

So, bottom line – the Frigidaire is much cheaper than the LG and is only marginally worse at cooling. The Duo is only slightly more expensive than the LG but is much better at cooling.

We recommend the Frigidaire over the LG if you’re on a limited budget.

We recommend the Midea over the LG if you’re looking to buy the best portable AC unit in the same approximate price range.

Additional specifications and notes

The two window panels included with the LP1025WHSM (1/4). Scroll to the right to see more.

The two window panels connected to each other (2/4)

The extension panel can be secured to the primary panel with this (included) plastic pin (3/4)

Included weather stripping (4/4)

Number of Window Panels – 2 (primary panel with hose cutout + one extension)
Minimum Window Width (one panel) – 20 1/2” (length of primary panel)
Minimum Window Width (two panels) – 30 7/16” (primary panel + extension)
Maximum Window Width (two panels) – 39 15/16” (primary panel + extension)
Weather stripping included – 4x adhesive foam seal (2x long + 2x short pieces), 1x non-adhesive foam seal (long)

Notes

The LG comes with only two window panels and their both relatively long. So you get a big jump in minimum window width between one panel (20 1/2”) and two panels (30 7/16”).

Top rated models like the Midea Duo have several extension panels all of a different length, and at least one short extension panel. So you can install one panel (19 1/8” for the Midea) and there’s no jump in minimum window width for two panels (19 2/8” for the Midea).

In other words, you’d have to cut the LG’s long extension to fit it into a window between 20 1/2” and 30 7/16”. You don’t need to cut the Midea’s short extension (it’s already short) to fit it into windows this size. And if you have a wider window you can just use a longer extension.

Another negative for the LG is that combining its two panels allows for a maximum window width of 39 15/16”. The top rated Duo has four extension panels that can be installed next to each other, for a maximum window width of 63 4/5” – much wider than the maximum width for the LG.

Of course, your window may be just the right size that the LG’s kit fits perfectly into your window. The point though, is that the LG’s kit is not nearly as flexible as that of top rated options like the Midea Duo.

The exhaust hose attached to the back of the AC unit (1/5). Scroll to the right to see more.

The exhaust hose removed from and standing up next to the AC unit (2/5)

The square end of the exhaust hose that connects to back of the AC unit (3/5)

The other end of the hose that connects to the primary window panel (4/5)

The exhaust hose connected to the primary window panel (5/5)

End Adapters – pre-installed? - no
AC Side Hose Connection – slide hose into place
Window Kit Side Hose Connection – push hose into place
Hose Length Min/Max – 19 to 60"
Hose Diameter – inner diameter was measured at 5.25”

Notes

You will have to twist end caps onto this model’s exhaust hose during first-time installation (a process some users might find difficult). Many competitors have these end caps pre-installed.

Otherwise, connecting the exhaust hose, and the hose’s length and diameter are fairly standard for a portable AC unit in this size class.

The unit's control panel (1/2). Scroll to the right to see more.

The included physical remote control (2/2)

Modes – cool, dry, fan, heat
Set temp range - 60 to 86° F
Fan speeds - low, high
Swing – yes
Smart – yes

Notes

The LP1025WHSM we tested for this review also comes with a heating mode. Competitors like the Whirlpool WHNP141AW and Frigidaire FHPC142AA1 don’t have this functionality, though there are versions of these models that add the heating option.

The version of the LP1025WHSM that doesn’t heat is the LP1025WSSM. The LP1025WSSM is priced very similarly to the LP1025WHSM though, so there really isn’t much of a benefit to buying it over the heating model.

The top drain outlet - used on "dry" mode (1/3). Scroll to the right to see more.

The bottom drain outlet (overflow on cooling mode). You can also see the drain outlet for heating mode on the left side of this photo (2/3)

The included drain hose (3/3)

Dehumidifier mode pints/day – 96 pints/day
Drainage options - 3x drain outlets – the first outlet higher up on the back of the unit is used on “dry” (dehumidify) mode. You can connect a garden hose to this outlet to continuously drain the unit on this mode.

The second outlet near the bottom of the unit is used on heating mode. You connect one end of the included hose to this outlet, and you connect the other end of the hose to a small cutout in the primary window panel. Two extra notes: (1) you have to connect the hose on heating mode (the manual explains that this isn’t optional) and (2) you can also drain into a bucket instead of through the window panel if necessary.

The third outlet is right at the bottom of the unit. This outlet is used to drain the unit if condensate builds up on “cool” mode. In highly humid environments the LG may not be able to self-evaporate fast enough. Condensate will pool up in the internal tank at the bottom of the unit and then it will flash an error message (“FL”) to let you know that you need to drain it before you can continue cooling.

Drain hose – included

Top filter (over evaporator) - very easy to remove – clips in with no screws
Bottom filter (over condenser) – very easy to remove – clips in with no screws