Why opt for a portable air conditioner rather than a traditional window or in-wall unit? Portable air conditioners are easier to install. They’re easy to move from room to room when needed. They’re less expensive than a window and an in-wall unit. A portable air conditioner can use any sized window, which is important if you have issues reading a measuring tape. And they’re much easier to maintain.
Why I chose to use the DREO AC318S/AC319S
Although I have an in-wall air conditioner, when I was offered the opportunity to road test the DREO AC318S/AC319S, I jumped at the chance to try it out. At their press event, I was impressed by what I saw. An air conditioner that came up to maybe my knee provided a powerful, cool breeze and was virtually silent. In addition to their air conditioner, DREO was also showcasing their humidifier, fans, air purifiers, and a couple of small kitchen appliances. If I had a larger apartment, I would have figured out a way to take everything home.
Yes, I do have an in-wall air conditioner. You can’t survive summer without air conditioning. Every summer seems to be more brutal than the last one. I’m in the second year of my in-wall AC unit. It’s very loud and takes a while to cool down my 275-square-foot studio apartment. Due to the way my apartment is set up, I have one window at the back, and the slot for my in-wall unit is placed very low to the ground. The breeze from the unit is pushed to the floor and then up, consequently, I use more electricity, to cool down my apartment than I should. The other main issue I have with my in-wall AC unit is its placement: Basic maintenance for the unit requires me to contort my body just to remove and clean the filter.
ASHRAE
What makes the DREO AC318S/AC319S better than other portable air conditioners on the market
Earlier, I mentioned how impressed I was with the quietness of the DREO portable air conditioner during use at the event. When I inspected the demo model, I had to bend down to hear the noise. At home, it’s just as quiet. The patented Noise Isolation System keeps noise down to 45 decibels. The portable air conditioner features an LED display with a sensitive touch-screen control panel. Just a tap starts and stops the machine. While the touch screen is comprised of symbols, they’re easy to figure out. DREO’s portable air conditioner quickly cools down the room and is easy to maintain. Built into the design is the option to use it as a fan or dehumidifier.
The DREO portable air conditioner features a 24-hour programmable timer, allowing you to cool down the room before you come home. It’s a drainage-free device and very easy to clean and maintain. DREO’s AC can be paired with Siri, Alex or Google Home via the DREO app. If you prefer to use the remote control only, you can do that too.
Pros
- Very quiet.
- Can quickly be moved from room to room.
- The manual is clear and concise.
- Low maintenance.
- Took 10 minutes to install.
Cons
- I needed a box cutter to get through the thick cardboard packaging — didn’t have one, so I used everything I had to break it apart.
- It could benefit from a longer hose to place the unit in the center of a room.
Specifications
- Cooling: 8000 BTUs, temperature ranges from 61 to 68 degrees.
- Drainage: No drain required.
- Noise: 45 DBs.
- Modes: 3-in-1 cool/dry/fan mode, can be used as an air conditioner or dehumidifier.
- Installation: Kit works with vertical and horizontal windows, four window panels: 17.7”, 9”, 17.3” and 15.3”.
- Weight: 55 lbs.
- Dimensions: 15.6” D x 13.98 W x 24.”H.
- Compatibility: Works with all major home devices.
Unwrapping the DREO AC318S/AC319S
When I received the DREO portable air conditioner, it came in a tightly wrapped cardboard shipping box—unboxing it was similar to peeling an onion — layer upon layer upon layer. Individual components were also tightly wrapped and packed within the cube. I would guess that it took me approximately 45 minutes to unpack it.
Once unpacked, I had the main ac unit, a long accordion hose, remote, window guards, plug, instruction manual, and all the screws, etc., that I would need to put it together.
Installing the DREO portable air conditioner
Once I unpacked the air conditioner, I saw there are wheels on the bottom of the unit. The poet Carl Sandburg wrote in one of his poems about the fog coming into the city on tiny cat feet. The feet on the portable air conditioner are much quieter than cat feet. Yes, they’re silent.
As I moved the air conditioner around my apartment with one finger, I looked down at the white unit, and my immediate thought was that it resembled R2-D2. Robotic? Check. Moves silently? Check. Intelligent? Check. Talks back? No — thank goodness.
I quickly scanned the manual and realized how easy it was to install. The whole operation — from placing the window extension panels into the window and setting them up to securing the foam seals, attaching the hose to the portable air conditioner and then the window panel, and turning it on — took me 10 minutes.
When I installed my in-wall air conditioner unit, it took two people, and it was much longer than 10 minutes!
As soon as the DREO portable air conditioner was installed, I turned it on. The cold air quickly cooled down my apartment.
ASHRAE
In My Expert Opinion
I’ve been using the DREO AC318S/AC319S portable air conditioner for over a month, and I’ve been pleased with it. As soon as I touch the start button, it turns on and starts cooling off my apartment. It’s not noisy at all. My in-wall air conditioner, even on its first days of use, was much louder than the DREO. When it’s hideously hot outside, my apartment is comfortable and cool, thanks to the DREO portable air conditioner.
