Whynter ARC-1230WN Review

Initial Analysis

The Whynter ARC-1230WN is a 14,000 BTU portable air conditioner according to older ASHRAE guidelines for measuring cooling capacity.

It’s a 12,000 BTU air conditioner according to newer DOE guidelines for measuring (seasonally adjusted) cooling capacity.

The Whynter ARC-1230WN was among three 12,000 SACC BTU models we tested recently. The other two models were the Mide Duo (MAP14S1TBL-A) and the GE PPHH12WWF.

All three of these models performed very similarly in our cooling tests.

In our first test, conducted in the morning at an outdoor temperature of 83° F, the Whynter cooled our 100 sq. ft. test room from 86° F down to 72° F in 11 minutes. The Midea took 12 minutes and the GE took 13 minutes.

We then let each model continue to run for one hour. After that one hour, the Whynter cooled the room to 63° F, the Midea cooled it to 63.1° F, and the GE cooled it to 63.7° F.

As you can see, results were very similar for all three models. This trend continues in the next test…

In our second test, conducted in the early afternoon at an outdoor temperature of 89° F, the Whynter took 13 minutes to cool the room from 86° F down to 72° F. The Midea and the GE both took 15 minutes in this test.

After one hour, the Whynter cooled the room down to 64.4° F, the Midea cooled it to 65.3° F, and the GE cooled it to 64.2° F.

Finally, we conducted one last test in the late afternoon at an outdoor temperature of 91° F. In this third test it took the Whynter 16 minutes to cool the room from 86° F down to 72° F. It took the Midea and the GE 17 minutes.

After one hour, the Whynter cooled the room to 65.3° F, the Midea cooled it to 65.7° F, and the GE cooled it to 66.0 ° F.

Again, all three 12,000 SACC BTU models garnered very similar results.

We really only saw big differences in performance between models with substantially different SACC BTUs.

Even 10,000 SACC BTU models performed substantially worse than the 12,000 SACC BTU models we tested.

The best (approx.) 10,000 SACC BTU performer in our tests was the LG LP1025WHSM. In our third most difficult test it took almost three times as long as the Whynter to cool the room from 86° F down to 72° F (it took the LG 46 minutes vs 16 minutes for the Whynter). The LG also left the room more than 6 ° F warmer after one hour (the LG cooled the room down to 71.6° F vs 65.3° F for the Whynter).

So, while the Whynter didn’t perform substantially better than 12,000 SACC BTU competitors in our tests, it (along with the other 12,000 SACC BTU models we tested) did perform much better than sub-12,000 SACC BTU models we tested.

The Whynter ARC-1230WN and Midea Duo (MAP14S1TBL-A) have exactly the same combined energy efficiency ratio (CEER) of 13.8. This is the highest CEER you can get with a portable air conditioner.

The GE PPHH12WWF has a slightly lower CEER of 13.0. And >12,000 SACC BTU models have a substantially lower CEER. The LG LP1025WHSM, for example, has a CEER of 7.9.

These manufacturer specifications mirror our own test results.

Both the Whynter and Midea were measured to draw less power than the GE, and even less than all of the 10,000 SACC BTU models we tested.

The Whynter was measured at 1276 watts of power draw, the Midea was measured at 1269 watts, and the GE was measured at 1396 watts.

So the Whynter and Midea draw almost 100 watts less power while performing just as well as the GE in our cooling tests, which makes them more energy efficient overall.

The most efficient (approx.) 10,000 SACC BTU model we tested, the LG LP1025WHSM was measured to draw 1393 watts in our tests. The Whynter and Midea performed much better in our cooling test and still drew less power, which makes them significantly more energy efficient than the LG (and other approx. 10,000 SACC BTU models) overall.

The Whynter ARC-1230WN was measured at 62.7 dB of noise output on high and 51.5 dB on low fan speed. Its high fan speed result is fairly average for a portable AC unit. Most of the portable air conditioners we tested were just about equally noisy on high – the vast majority were measured in the low 60s (dB), just like the Whynter.

The 12,000 SACC BTU models we tested (including the Whynter) were able to get significantly quieter than most competitors though on low fan speed. Most competitors were measured in the high 50s (dB) to low 60s (dB) on low while the Whynter (51.5 dB), Midea (52.5 dB) and GE (52 dB) were all measured in the low 50s (dB).

Note though that while the raw noise output is low on low fan speed, the quality of the noise these units produce on low isn’t great. You can hear each unit’s compressor (a buzzing noise) very clearly on low fan speed (this compressor noise is masked by more pleasant-sounding fan noise on high fan speed). These units also don’t cool as fast on low fan speed.

So, the vast majority of time you’ll likely be running the Whynter on high fan speed, and on high fan speed it’s just about as loud as every other portable AC unit we’ve tested.

The biggest negative for the Whynter ARC-1230WN is its included window kit. It comes with only three different window panels and each panel is very long.

The primary window panel (to which you connect the exhaust hose) is 28 1/4" long. If your window’s width is less than 28 1/4" you’ll have to cut the panel to fit it into your window. Top rated competitors have much shorter primary panels. The Midea Duo’s primary panel is only 19 1/8” long, for comparison.

If your window is between 28 1/4" (the length of the primary panel) and 41” you also run into trouble. The extension panels included with the Whynter are very long. So the minimum length of one extension panel connected to the primary panel is 41”. You’ll absolutely have to cut the extension panel if your window’s width is between 28 1/4" and 41” – which is very likely, at least here in the United States.

The Midea, for comparison, comes with two additional extension panels and multiple very short extension panels. So there is no cutting required for any window width between 19 1/8” (the length of the primary panel) and 63 4/5” (the length of the primary panel + all extensions) with the Midea.

The bottom line – you’re very likely to need to physically cut plastic to install the Whynter because it comes with only three equal length (very long) window panels. The top rated Midea Duo doesn’t have this same requirement - it includes a greater number of extension panels and more short extension panels for tool-free installation.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

The Whynter ARC-1230WN is one of the best portable air conditioners we tested.

It offers terrific cooling performance and energy efficiency, and it runs relatively quietly.

The problem for the Whynter ARC-1230WN is that the Midea Duo (MAP14S1TBL-A) cools just as well, runs just as efficiently, runs just as quietly, but is much easier to install.

Overall, we recommend the Midea Duo (MAP14S1TBL-A) as the best portable air conditioner on the market.

The Whynter ARC-1230WN is the best alternative option to the Midea.

Additional specifications and notes

Number of Window Panels – 3 (primary panel with hose cutout + two extensions)
Minimum Window Width (one panel) – 28 1/4” (length of primary panel)
Minimum Window Width (two panels) – 41” (primary panel + one extension)
Maximum Window Width (three panels) – 80 1/2” (primary panel + both extensions)
Weather stripping included – 4x adhesive foam seal (2x long + 2x short pieces), 1x non-adhesive foam seal (long)

Notes

The minimum window width for this model is very high (28 1/4"). Top rated competitors like the Midea Duo have a much shorter primary panel that fits into much more narrow windows (minimum window width for the Duo is 19 1/8”).

The minimum window width jumps from 28 1/4" up to 41” when one extension is added to the primary panel. If your window is between 28 1/4" and 41” wide you’ll have to cut the extension panel. Top rated competitors like the Midea Duo come with multiple shorter extensions so that you don’t have to cut any panels if your window’s width falls in this range.

One positive for the Whynter here – the maximum window width (80 1/2") for this model is very high. So if you have a very wide window the Whynter may work very well for you. The top rated Duo, for comparison, has a maximum window width of 63 4/5”.

End Adapters – pre-installed? - yes
AC Side Hose Connection – hose is permanently installed on the back of the unit
Window Kit Side Hose Connection – push into place
Hose Length Min/Max – 13 to 48"
Hose Dimensions – 7” top to bottom; 12” across

Notes

The Whynter’s exhaust hose comes pre-installed onto the back of the unit out of the box. There’s a clip on the back of the unit to which you can clip on the hose for storage.

The Whynter’s dual hose can’t extend quite as far as the single hose of single hose units (most of these units can extend their hoses up to 60” away from the AC unit).

Modes – auto, cool, dry (dehumidify), fan
Set temp range - 60 to 86° F
Fan speeds - low, med, high, cont, auto
Swing – yes
Smart – yes

Notes

This is a fairly standard set of features.

Most competitors can also cool, dry, and run on fan only mode, and have a similar set temperature range.

Most competitors also have the “swing” setting (on which their louvers automatically swing up and down) and are smart (can be controlled remotely via an app), just like the Whynter.

Dehumidifier mode pints/day – 87 pints/day
Drainage options - 2x drain outlets – one higher up on the back of the unit is used on dry (dehumidifier) mode. You can connect the included drain hose to drain the unit continuously (into a bucket or drain) on this mode.

The second outlet on the bottom of the back of the unit is used to drain the unit if the internal tank fills up on cooling mode in especially humid conditions (otherwise the collected condensate should self-evaporate). This outlet is also used to drain the unit for storage.

Drain hose – included

Top filter (over evaporator) - very easy to remove – clips in with no screws
Bottom filter (over condenser) – none require (unit pulls in air from outdoors to cool its condenser instead of pulling in room air through a filter)