Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This was a big purchase for me. I have never owned a portable AC, and I didn't know what to expect. Reviews ranged from adoration, to loathsome, and I was nervous when I clicked the confirm order button. Let me assure you who are reading this that this was probably my highest rated purchases on amazon. My living condition is an upstairs loft in SoCal. It is a small, studio-sized room with a bathroom. The temperature, untreated, would reach up to 89 degrees inside. I was in desperate need for relief, but still hesitated at the idea of this machine. I was afraid I would be getting a loud, unruly, ineffective appliance that would plague my days to come. All these fears were blown away by the crisp, cool air this thing pumps out on the regular. Shipping -- Timely, and damage free. Instructions -- Clear and easy Setup -- Window installation may take some patience, but with minimal effort, it can be done in no time. (Remote even came with batteries included!) Cleaning -- I have not had to drain the reservoir or vacuum the filter for months now, but I could do so easily. (Shouldn't put it off, I should say) Sound Level -- If you keep it next to your bed, the sound could prove to be a hindrance, after hours. However, I keep mine at the window opposite my bed, and it still keeps the whole room cool, while I sleep in peace with barely a hum to be heard. Speaking of which... Sleep Mode -- This mode lowers the set temperature by 1 degree every hour. After 6 hours it returns to normal settings. (The lights even dim on the display! I like my room dark when I sleep, so this tiny feature was noticed, and appreciated. Commendable design feature.) Separate Modes -- Fan Mode: This mode turns the appliance into a normal household fan, with low / medium / high settings. (Again, the display is noteworthy for its easy-to-read level indicator.) Good for when you want to keep a cool room cool longer, and the output is impressive. Dehumidifier mode: I think this feature is great, but I haven't used it much. Dry climate and all. Remote -- can work in direct line-of-sight all the way across my room. Internal display is handy. Display is simple, so batteries last a long time. No issues. MAX Mode -- This is when you need immediate relief. Fortunately, this appliance can dole it out at the push of a button. Max keeps the AC on no matter what with fan speed adjusting as needed. I cannot count the number of times I walk in from a long, hard day at work and immediately search for the max button on the remote before I even drop my pack. (As Emperor Palpatine would say, "Unlimited power!!!") Timer -- This feature is hands-down my favorite part of the whole deal. You can set the AC to come on, at a preset temperature, anywhere between 1 and 24 hours. MAGNIFICENT! I set the timer for 75 degrees and nine hours before I leave for work at 5 in the morning. When I get home after 2, the machine is on diligently bringing the temperature back down from the afternoon highs. This saves electricity (those wanting to save money) and by extension energy (for all those wanting to go green, of which I was one), and keeps the room cool when you actually need it to be cool, even if you left the house/apt. ALSO, the timer can be set to turn the AC off (1-24 hour interval again). This is perfect for sleep mode on average-temperature days, or when you leave in the middle of the day, and want it to turn off when the sun goes down. And the display (I really love the display) gives you a little blinking dot at the bottom corner of the screen to let you know for sure the timer is on; this is great for self-doubters like me. (ME: Did you get that AC? 9 hours, okay? AC: I got it, bro, no worries.) All in all, I have a total of ZERO complaints about this appliance. If you are shopping for a portable AC, and are nervous about the reviews you see on all the listings like I was, I whole-heartedly recommend this product for a worry-free buy. Black+Decker, you rock, and thanks!