I tested this compact and budget-friendly air conditioner during one of the hottest weeks of the year (so far) – and it held its cool

The ElectriQ 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, RRP £439.97 from Appliances Direct is one of the brand's mid-range models – packing more power than its 7000 and 8000 BTU units, but without the bulk or price tag of the 14000 and 16000 BTU models.

Promising to cool rooms up to 28 sqm quickly and effectively, it's designed to work best in living rooms, bedrooms and home offices. In addition, it can also be used as a fan and dehumidifier. I put it through its paces during the hottest week of the year so far – testing its ease of use, performance, cooling power and noise levels.

So did it give the best portable air conditioners a run for their money? Read on to find out.

Specifications

• Model: SF12000
• Dimensions: H76 x W34 x D36cm
• Recommended Room Size: 28sqm
• Cooling Capacity: 10000 BTU
• Weight: 25kg
• Power Cord Length: 1.8m
• Power Consumption: 1100W
• Sound Level: <56 dB (A)
• Modes: Cool | Fan | Dehumidify | Sleep
• Timer: 24hrs
• Remote Control: Yes
• Refrigerant: R290
• Window Kit: 1 x standard window kit included
• RRP: £279.99

How I tested

Rebecca Lawton

I write freelance content for Ideal Home and I'm always on the lookout for home upgrades that make my home life smoother (especially with three young children!)

I tested the ElectriQ 10000 Portable Air Conditioner in my family home for two weeks. I was sent the product but this did not influence the outcome of the review. I followed Ideal Home's dedicated testing process to compare the product to the bestselling air conditioning units from other leading brand names to see how well it performed against the best-in-class.

In a nutshell

If you're after an affordable, effective option to cool down, the ElectriQ 10000 BTU is certainly worth considering. Designed for rooms up to 28sqm, it's simple to use, has impressive cooling power for mid-size living spaces, and it's relatively cheap to run (around 33p per minute on cooling mode). The fan and dehumidify options are a cheaper option when you don't need the full chill.

It's not flawless though – it is pretty noisy and without a universal window kit, the unit does struggle to cool down a space on particularly hot days. While it's not the heaviest portable air conditioner out there, and it has built-in caster wheels and carry handle groves to make moving it about easier, it might not be the most suitable option if you plan on moving it up and down stairs frequently.

Overall, if you want a compact, easy-to-use, affordable that can cool rooms down fast, I'd say this is a solid choice.

Unboxing the product and first impressions

The ElectriQ 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner arrived in a large, brown cardboard box – and let's just say I worked up a bit of a sweat unboxing it. At 25kg, it's heavier than I expected, so it's worth having an extra pair of hands when it's delivered.

That said, it's by no means the bulkiest model on the market (but if you're looking for a super lightweight unit, the MeacoCool MC Series 7000BTU weighs only 20kg).

It wasn't the quickest unboxing process either – the packaging was impressively secured with strapping tape and strong sellotape, so it took some determination (and a sturdy pair of scissors!) to get inside.

The cardboard packaging slides upwards, thankfully sparing me from having to awkwardly lift the unit out of the box.

It's fair to say the ElectriQ 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner was exceptionally well-packed and protected. Once I opened the box, I was greeted with a polystyrene cube, further plastic strapping tape, and inflatable air column cushions for added protection.

The air conditioning unit was standing on a polystyrene base, ready to be wheeled into position. Of course, that meant my living room was covered in bits of plastic, polystyrene and cardboard by the time the contents were unpacked.

Once I'd tackled the unboxing stage and I could take in the air conditioning unit in its full glory, I was initially impressed with how it looked. The unit is slimline enough that it doesn't look too clunky or out of place in any room.

Included in the box with the air conditioning unit are an exhaust hose, an exhaust fan outlet, a window kit, a remote control with two batteries, and a booklet of instructions.

The top of the unit has a digital control panel and LCD display which enables you to quickly select the functions, fan speeds and temperature settings. I appreciated the fact it has groves on each side for carry handles and wheels to help move it from room to room.

Assembly and set up

To set up the air conditioning unit, I started by attaching the fishtail connector to one end of the hose. This part was a bit fiddly as it involved extending the hose end and twisting the connector until it slots onto the groves properly, and it took a few attempts because it kept falling off at first.

Once that was secure, I connected the other end of the hose to the exhaust outlet at the back of the unit, Thankfully this step was more straightforward – it was just a matter of sliding it to lock in place.

A window kit – made up of two plastic slide panels, one of which features a cut-out to secure the fishtail adapter – is included with the ElectriQ 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner. Rather annoyingly though, it's only designed to be installed with sliding windows or doors – something I don't have in my house.

The fishtail adapter which is included can still be used with most windows or doors, but you'll need to make sure the opening in the window is as small as possible to prevent as much heat from entering from outside. You can purchase a universal window seal, but it is worth factoring that into the overall cost.

Design

Appearance-wise, the ElectriQ 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner strikes a balance between being both functional and sleek. While it's not the most aesthetically pleasing to look at (but let's be honest, not many air conditioning units are), its slim design and sleek round edges help it to blend into most living spaces and can be easily tucked into corners if you don't want it on show too much.

Size-wise (at H76 x W34 x D36 cm) the unit is on the slimmer and more compact side than a lot of other models (by comparison the MeacoCool MC Series 7000BTU measures H70 x W47 x D38 cm).

A control panel sits discreetly on top of the unit, with touchscreen buttons that allow you to turn the unit on and off, and alter the setting.

After setting up, I was ready to put the unit through its paces on all of its different modes and settings to test its ease of use, cooling powers, noise levels, and portability.

Ease of use

There are two ways to turn on the ElectriQ 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner – either directly using the touch-sensitive LED panel on top of the unit, or with the remote control (this takes 2 x AAA batteries which are also included). Having a remote control is a really handy feature, especially if you're using it a night (and you don't want to be stumbling across the room in the dark to switch it off!).

The touch-screen control panel is laid out neatly and you simply turn the power on and start by selecting the mode button and the indicator for the desired mode lights up.

Switching between the different modes and settings is really straightforward.

On Cool mode, the temperature can be set between 16 and 32 degrees using the + and - buttons, and the fan speed can be changed using the speed button.

On Fan mode, you can adjust the speed to high or low, and there is an Auto mode which automatically adjusts the fan speed based on how much cooling is required. If you manually change to fan speed, the unit moves into cool mode.

Dry mode, is the dehumidifying option and the unit needs to be operated without the vent hose and with the unit set up for continuous drainage to remove moisture from the air. The unit will operate at low fan speed.

It also has a 'Swing' function, which signals the louvres on the front of the unit to move up and down and help circulate cool air more evenly throughout the room.

The Timer function is handy too and can be set for up to 24 hours (using the + and - buttons to set the duration). Finally, the Sleep mode can be activated by pressing the button three times (or there is a dedicated sleep button on the remote control). The lights on the unit turn off and it operates at a low fan speed.

Cooling powers

The unit is designed for rooms up to 28sqm. The first place I put it to the test was in my living room which is approx 17sqm, so comfortably within the recommended range.

One thing that stood out was the difference between cool and fan mode. In fan mode, the unit effectively circulates the air in the room and it instantly feels breezier – so it's perfect it you want a bit of airflow.

But when you switch over to cool mode, the compressor kicks in and runs the air over the refrigerant cools to actively pull heat from the room and push it outside through the exhaust host.

I did really put the cooling power to the test on one of the hottest days of the year (temperatures had reached 28 degrees). Although the room did feel significantly cooler after 10 minutes, the overall temperature was struggling to drop and the digital display was still hovering between 27 and 28 degrees an hour later (the digital temperate display alternates between the target temperature and the actual room temperature).

I tested it on a cooler day, when the room temperature was sitting at 21 degrees and within 30 minutes the room had dropped to 19 degrees. So although it was a steady drop, after leaving the room and returning it definitely felt significantly cooler.

A big variable was the window kit. Without it, hot air from outside seeps back into the room, reducing the unit's efficiency. I did find though that keeping the doors and other windows shut made a difference.

Energy use

The ElectriQ 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner uses 1100W, which makes it a fairly energy-efficient choice for its size and power. Based on an average UK electricity rate of 30p per kWh, running the unit costs approximately 33p per hour in cooling mode. This makes it a relatively affordable option for regular use. It's also worth noting it doesn't need to be running constantly, as the room did cool down pretty quickly (except when it was a heatwave).

In fan mode, the power draw is much lower, and the running costs reduce to just a few pence per hour. Dehumidify mode does use slightly more energy than fan mode, but still less than cooling so this is a good cost-effective option for managing humidity without the full chill.

Compared to similar models, the ElectriQ 10000 BTU performs well. The Russell Hobbs RHPAC11001 Portable Air Conditioner (which draws around 1200W), uses more power due to its higher cooling capabilities. And on the other end of the scale, the MeacoCool MC Series 7000BTU Portable Air Conditioner – the most energy-efficient portable air conditioner we've tested – uses just 780W of power but arguably has a trade-off when it comes to its cooling power.

The ElectriQ 10000 BTU is a smart middle-ground option, especially if you’re mindful about using the timer and switching to fan mode when you can.

Noise levels

The ElectriQ 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner runs at a noise level of 56dB – so while it's not whisper-quiet, there are units out there which make a lot more noise.

That said, it did take a little getting used to – particularly when I needed to use it on the highest setting during the height of a heatwave. In the living room, I found myself turning the TV volume up to compensate for the noise, but I wouldn't class it as a dealbreaker.

Night-time proved more of a challenge. With temperatures of 27 degrees at the kids' bedtime, they were desperate for some relief from the heat but they complained about the noise of the fan and didn't want it in their room. As a solution, we set the air conditioner on a timer before bed to cool the room so they could fall asleep comfortably without the noise being a disturbance. It took 10 minutes to cool the room down.

The noise personally didn't bother me – it sounds similar to white noise, which for someone who's used to falling asleep with it anyway, I found quite soothing.

Portability

The ElectriQ 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner is a fairly average weight (for its BTU category they can range from 23kg to 32kg), but like most air conditioning units, it's not exactly lightweight.

At 25kg, it's just about manageable to move around. Its built-in wheels save any heavy lifting if you're moving it from one room to another, and the carry handles are handy too, but if you have carpets (especially thick ones), it might be a struggle to roll it.

Moving the unit upstairs is a different story. I managed to lift it by myself, but I wouldn't recommend doing so unless you feel confident carrying heavy loads. If you know you'll be shifting it between rooms frequently, it's worth considering a lighter model or even an air cooler, which tends to be much lighter to handle.

There is a small plug clip at the back of the unit, which is a handy little feature. It helps to keep the plug tucked neatly away when you're storing or moving the unit.

Cleaning and maintenance

The manual states you should clean the filters at least every two weeks to prevent dust from accumulating, which could reduce the effectiveness of the air conditioner.

Although after two weeks, the filters barely contained any dust or fibres, the process was really easy. The filters are simple to remove – they just slide out of the unit – and can be cleaned with warm soapy water.

If you plan on storing the air conditioner away for periods, it's advised to remove water from the internal tank. You can do this by removing the rubber stopper from the drainage hole, emptying the internal tank, and switching the unit to low fan mode for half a day, until the conduit is dry. Bear in mind if you don't do this regularly, it's worth protecting the surface underneath (and avoid your carpets getting wet!).

How does it rate online?

At the time of review, the ElectriQ 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner has a 3.9 star rating out of 31 reviews on Amazon. Of these reviews, 48% are 5 star rated with customers crediting it for successfully cooling the room, with one reviewer commenting: 'I have been using it for two summers. It keeps the room cool, as long as you have some means to put the hose out of a window.'

Less favourable reviews pointed to the noise levels and the remote control not working properly.

Comparatively, on Appliances Direct the reviews are more extensive, with 235 reviews and a slightly higher rating of 4 star overall. Many users were impressed with the price compared to similar models and said it effectively cooled the room. The most common issue again was the noise factor, with customers noting how loud it gets, especially on the high setting.

How does it compare to similar models and its predecessors?

The ElectriQ 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner builds on previous models from the brand which were lighter and more compact (like the Slimline 7000 BTU and the SF8000E).

Older versions were also less powerful and designed to cool rooms up to 21 sqm – whereas the 10,000 BTU version covers up to 28 sqm, making it more suitable for medium-sized rooms. It also has a self-evaporating system to reduce the need to empty the water tank – a function many previous models don't have.

So, how does it stack up against similar models? One of the most popular portable air conditioners, the MeacoCool 10000 BTU, is widely praised for being quiet and energy efficient, but it also comes at a higher price tag.

Then there is the ElectriQ SupremeCool 10000 BTU which takes things up a notch – adding wifi connectivity, SmartCool mode and SmoothAir technology for gentler airflow. It also includes heating, but it's bulkier at 29.5kg and more expensive.

Should you buy the ElectriQ 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner?

If you’re looking for an affordable and effective portable air conditioner the ElectriQ 10000 BTU is well worth considering. It's compact enough to fit neatly into medium-sized rooms, yet powerful enough to bring relief when temperatures rise.

With three modes (Cool, Fan, and Dehumidify), a timer function, remote control, and swing option to distribute airflow more evenly, it's got just enough features to feel versatile without being overcomplicated.

During testing, it handled summer heat effectively, but it’s worth noting that it's a steady cooler, not an instant one. On particularly hot days, especially without a sealed setup using the window kit, it took longer than expected to bring the room temperature down significantly. That said, once the space was properly closed off and the unit had time to work, the cooling effect was definitely noticeable.

Noise is probably its biggest compromise. When the unit is in cool mode and on high speed, it’s loud but manageable. That said, if you're planning to run it in a bedroom overnight and struggle with background noise you may need to factor that in.

Overall, the ElectriQ 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner delivers on its promise of accessible, effective cooling for medium-sized spaces. It’s compact and sleek in design, straightforward to set up, and reasonably energy-efficient to run. It’s also affordable so all-in-all delivers solid results where it matters.