Lg Portable Air Conditioner Review: I've Tested Dozens Of Acs, And This Is The One I Rely On To Cool My Bedroom

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Summer is rough without AC. 

I should know — installing a window AC in my bedroom is impossible, and I've spent far too many nights sweating it out in the heat. 

Fortunately, portable air conditioners have become popular in recent years because they're easy to install and fit many window styles and sizes. I learned much more about the best portable air conditioners and their pros and cons when I tested 14 models for our guide to the best air conditioners.

While my testing was objective, my need for a solution to our hot bedroom was personal. Ultimately, I chose our top pick, the LG Dual Inverter Portable Air Conditioner with WiFi Control (LP1419IVSM), for my bedroom because of its eco-friendly dual-inverter compressor, user-friendly app, impressive cooling performance, and white noise output.

Remember that a portable AC isn't for everyone; if you're debating the merits of a portable air conditioner versus a window air conditioner, a window AC is usually best for most people. However, a portable AC might be the best bet if you have wonky windows like mine.

Our review of the LG portable air conditioner

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Energy efficiency

Unlike most AC compressor motors that just turn on and off, the LG LP1419IVSM Smart Wi-Fi Portable Air Conditioner has a dual-inverter compressor with an energy-efficient motor that varies its speed to keep your room consistently cool. 

Using a smart plug, I measured the LG portable AC's average power consumption as roughly 0.67 kWh when running full blast, making it the most efficient portable unit I tested. Based on the current average energy cost in the US (16.68 cents per kWh), that equates to a cost of about $80 if you run it on high eight hours a day all summer.

Cooling performance

The LG was also among our top performers. In two hours, it dropped the temperature of our 550-square-foot test space by 3 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, it kept my bedroom cool, even during the hottest, most humid Michigan nights. After two summers of use, I passed it on to my 21-year-old kid for their room. They generally run hot, yet the LG AC has kept them comfortable for the past two years, even when they neglect to clean the filter regularly.

Noise

I live near a hospital on a busy street, where sirens and other traffic noises are a constant nuisance. The LG air conditioner drowns out most of it with pleasant white noise, free of jarring sounds. On the high fan setting, the LG LP1419IVSM is as loud as a refrigerator, about 56 decibels from 6 feet away. 

Within the LG ThinQ app, you can adjust the thermostat, schedule, and delay. Accessing the different functions of the app was easy and intuitive.

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I liked using the LG ThinQ app to crank the AC an hour or so before bedtime so that my room was cool when I got there. You can also set a schedule or choose delay on and off functions. 

On nights when you don't want to use the portable air conditioning, you can easily uninstall it in a minute or two. Just remove the window slider from the window and put it in the helpful slider storage slot on the back of the unit. Then, wrap the power cord around the pegs and roll it out of the room.

Cons to consider

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The LG LP1419IVSM has the longest setup process of any portable AC I've tested. Figuring out the window slider took a good chunk of the 30-minute process. The unit didn't come with screws to hold the slider together, and I put it together incorrectly at first, covering up the hose hole. I spent another 10 minutes of the setup time connecting to the app. Fortunately, after the initial setup, uninstalling and reinstalling the AC only takes a minute or two.

The warranty only covers the LG portable air conditioner for one year, which is minimal when you consider you'll only use it during warmer months. However, I'm in my fourth year with the unit and haven't experienced any degradation in performance.

What are your alternatives?

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If your room has a window that will accommodate one, we strongly feel that window ACs are the best air conditioners since they have a lower upfront cost and do a better job of cooling using half as much energy. Here's a more detailed rundown of why window ACs are better.

Portable air conditioners are expensive, and the $550 LG LP1419IVSM is no exception. If you're looking for a more affordable option, we suggest the LG LP0621WSR. It is one of the most energy-efficient models we tested, suitable for cooling small rooms up to 250 square feet, and easy to install. It is not WiFi-equipped, but it does come with a remote. 

I also like the Friedrich Zoneaire Portable Air Conditioner. It did the best job of cooling in our tests and runs the quietest. It has replaced the LG as my bedroom AC. However, at $800, it's quite pricey.

The bottom line

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A portable AC unit is a strong option if your window doesn't support a window AC. The LG LP1419IVSM Smart WiFi Portable Air Conditioner is the best, most energy-efficient model I've tested. It's pricey but has lower long-term energy costs than other units.