I also tested the Russell Hobbs RHPAC11001 Portable Air Conditioner Unit at the same time as the MeacoCool MC Series 7000BTU Portable Air Conditioner and while both are effective units, the MeacoCool MC Series 7000BTU Portable Air Conditioner is best suited to those seeking a compact and lightweight unit that's easy to move around the house or transport. However, when a heatwave strikes, outside is often hotter than inside, so for some the extra running costs and energy consumption of a portable air conditioner will be worth the added expense for short periods of the year. A third reviewer commented on the ease of assembly and effectiveness of the cooling and value: ‘Easy instructions - window and door kit included - easy to put together - decently quiet to run on full blast (no louder than the large fan we have running). No complaints at all - even after 2 hours running you can feel the difference in the next rooms as well. Great unit for the price.’

Like all air con units, when in Cool Mode the air duct needs to be positioned out of the window so you’ll just need to make sure it’s positioned close enough to a window to do this. There are four modes – cool, fan, dry and sleep. The sleep mode reduces the speed of the fan and also the noise the unit makes – making it easier for you to cool your room and sleep soundly, however warm the night is. Its slimline design is also perfect for those who are tight on storage space, as it can easily squeeze into a cupboard, under a worktop, or behind some furniture when it's not in use. To get the best out of your air conditioner we recommend pre-cooling rooms, such as your bedroom, so that the room is nice and cool before it needs to be used. This is easy to do with the timer function allowing you to set both an on and off timer anytime between 1 and 24 hours. Combined with the use of Sleep Mode lowering the fan speed and noise level, the MeacoCool is the perfect product to allow you to get a good night’s sleep. Alas, the weather hasn’t been particularly warm during the test period so I can’t give more accurate details than this yet, but it’s a good sign that the unit managed to keep rooms cool even without the installation of a window kit.The remote control allows the settings to be changed from a distance without the need of having to directly go to the unit. The units 53dB(A) sound pressure level at its lowest fan speed makes this an easier unit to live with. The Dry setting uses the room’s ambient temperature to run the compressor and it behaves a bit like a dehumidifier, drawing moisture from the room. You can’t select a temperature in this mode because it’s all controlled by a processor. You will also need to fit the supplied drainage hose to the rear of the unit when in Dry mode so excess water can drain away. I would recommend it to anyone looking to cool down a small bedroom, home office, nursery, or similar over the summer. It doesn’t take up too much space to store either and is very easy to set up and use. Also in the box is a short pipe for draining moisture from the water collection tank and a small remote control. The latter allows you to turn the unit on and off, adjust the fan speed and temperature, switch modes and set the on/off timer. These controls are mirrored on the panel at the front of the air conditioner, along with a simple LED screen that indicates the target temperature. Introducing the brand new range of MeacoCool portable air conditioners perfect for home and office use providing personal comfort during the summer months.

Installing the window kit for the first time takes a little time and effort, but once this is done it can be kept in situ for the whole summer. And lastly, there's the unit's Sleep Mode. This is only available using the remote control and when the air conditioner is in Cool Mode. Not only does the LED display monitor dim when in this mode, but it also automatically switches to Low Fan Speed (which of course makes it slightly quieter). When in Sleep Mode, after 1 hour in Cool Mode the pre-set temperature will increase by 1 degree Celsius, and after another hour it will increase by another 1 degree Celsius. The temperature is kept constant for ten hours. Cooling powersWe’ve also designed the air conditioning unit to be as user-friendly as possible. A timer switch allows you to set the air conditioner to cool a room before you use it – perfect for bedrooms or when entertaining – and a sleep mode option reduces both the fan speed and the noise to help you maintain comfort even in the hottest weather. It also comes with a handy remote control, ensuring you’re always in charge. In Cool mode, it hovered at around 667W with the fan speed set to low and rose to around 672W with the fan at high speed. That’s with the temperature set to its coldest level of 16℃, so over time that should fall to a lower level.