Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable AC
VerifiedMPNs: ACPAC205CB and ACPAC205SG12 reviews
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Honestly a bit disappointed. I had their heater in winter and had high hopes for the AC. I have it in my small closed bedroom with everything shut and it struggles to get things to 23° overnight on high.
Works well enough, wouldn't pay full price – First and foremost, the overall look of this portable AC in black is gorgeous. It's nice to have an option that isn't the typical white! I was disappointed that the remote doesn't match in colour though, that would bring the look together a bit more. The set up was easy, but the listing on AusClimate's website is misleading. None of the pictures… Read more
online actually show the window install kit, or the thick hose that runs between it and the AC. As it's a mandatory part of the installation, I expect that it should be in every photo, otherwise it feels misleading to consumers. The fact that it needs to connected to the window with that hose definitely affects the portability and limits where you can set up the AC. Performance wise, it works, but it doesn't cool my room as effectively as I'd expect for the RRP. The coldness just didn't seem to properly circulate through the room, no matter how long I ran it. It did feel nice being directly in front of it though, and has helped in the recent heatwave. There's only 2 fan speeds, which also feels very limited at this price point. I wouldn't consider it quiet, the noise is very noticeable, even from outside the room. The unit I received actually had a cosmetic manufacturing flaw, which is ALSO disappointing to see given the price point. Basically, there was warped plastic on one side where the front panel meets the side, as per the photos I've uploaded. I have to give it a 3 because it works well enough to help me through the summer, but I expected more for the RRP of the device, and was disappointed to get a unit that must have slipped through quality control. Not including the window kit in product photos is a huge oversight on behalf of the company.
Cool baby! – The Ausclimate 2.05 kw portable air conditioner was provided to me as part of the ambassador program for review purposes. Please find my unbiased views as follows. The AC (air conditioner) stands 70cm high and 35cm wide and 34cm deep. The unit I received is grey and has a fabric front panel, making it one of the best looking units in the market.… Read more
It looks substantially better than the standard “appliance white” that most other brands utilise. The unit operates in three modes, humidifying, fresh air and of course AC. In the humidifying mode, it up to 17 litres of moisture per day, reducing humidity levels and helps prevent mould.The humidifying function does result in the necessity to empty water from the unit. I am in a dry climate so did not use this mode but it would be very useful in more tropical environments. The fresh air mode effectively operates like a fan, turning over the air and the AC mode operates very effectively with its lowest setting being 18C degrees. A 36 month warranty applies, which I think is pretty reasonable. The controls on the unit are very easy to navigate and straight forward, and a remote control is also included, which is very useful particularly if running during sleep hours. A downloadable app is available for wifi connection to your phone or Alexa/Google assistant. The unit has a 2 speed fan, directional louvres, castors for easy moving from room to room, and is supplied with exhaust hose and a window kit. All Acs operate on a heat transfer method, drawing heat from the air to lower the temperature. The hot air produced has to go somewhere hence the exhaust hose and window kit. These allow the hot air to be blown outside. For those who have not used a portable AC before, all brands utilise the same method. The hose is typically 100mm or 125mm in diameter, so it is sizeable. All portable ACs are noisier than a split system. I have used 2 other brands in the past, one with a “silent mode” and the Ausclimate unit is the quietest by far. At full speed and lowest temperature setting, I measured the sound at 70 decibels, standing 1 metre away. This is equivalent to a conversation, so it is not whisper quiet but quiet enough to sleep (at least for me) with the unit running. The AC effectively cools a small to medium room, but struggles in large rooms as all 2.05kw units will. Having had some very hot weather recently, the unit has definitely made sleep possible on a number of nights. The main draw backs of the unit are: • the length of the exhaust hose limits positioning the unit very close to a window • the window kit does not work very well on wind out windows. These require a different solution The Ausclimate portable air conditioner is extremely well built and is a quality unit. It operates quietly compared to other portable air conditioners I have used and just does its job really well. I would definitely purchase one if I was in the market for a portable solution.
- +4
A Smart, cool unit, with a few things needing consideration before purchasing – The Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Ac is a good, effective portable air conditioner. The unit is very smart and stylish looking, I've got the light grey model. Nice and plain, curved edges and a fabric finish to the front is nice. Touch buttons on the top and a remote for easy use. The unit doesn't stand out like a sore thumb, would look good… Read more
in the corner of your living room, or large bedroom. It cools really well, the fan force is quite strong, I found the lowest speed a little too strong for a child's bedroom, but great for the living room. In fact, the bedrooms where our grandchildren and guests sleep are about 10m2 and I think it felt a bit big for these rooms. A bit disappointing as I really wanted this for the bedrooms because the main aircon isn't always great in these back rooms. Just our experience though. I was really hoping this unit would also be our answer to the problem where one section of the house is warmer at night than the rest of the house. Where it's not necessary to have the whole house cooling, just one room would be ideal, for the one or two people in a room in the hotter part of the house.
But, the main drawback was the window kit for the exhaust pipe. The portable AC has to get rid of hot air coming out of the back via an exhaust pipe. It's not very long really, and hard to bend in the right configurations too, we had it popping off at the back of the unit, then popping off at the window kit as well. We didn't realise it has to have the air pumping out of a window to work properly. Then we discovered that the window kit, while it is adjustable, was way too short for the height of our sliding windows. The instructions tell you to tape it up, or maybe find something to block the hole where the gap is. Sorry, but this is not desirable at all. AND, it's telling me you already know it's not going to fit a lot of windows. We couldn't get it to stay in the window gap anyway, it kept falling in-between the window and the fly screen. It was hopeless. A very flawed design. We have awning windows in the other bedrooms and as far as I'm concerned, that would be even harder to fit this window kit. The fly screen is on the inside of the window for a start, then you have the sides to try and block, and they open outwards, so are you meant to have pieces of board cut out and stuck all around the outside of the window? Not the ideal set up. THE MOST IMPORTANT thing that bothered me with not being able to fit the exhaust window kit was actually the SECURITY aspect. I'm sorry, but in today's world, security in the home is of utmost importance. I really don't think I could sleep at night knowing the window exhaust kit is just taped into the gap of the sliding window, with a bit of cardboard at the top because the kit isn't even long enough for the window. And, the roller shutters wouldn't be able to be fully down because the air won't flow out properly if they were. Very disappointed that the unit can't be used in any of our bedrooms because of the windows in the house. Check the height of your windows before you buy it. We also can't use the portable AC unit in our living room because of the large openness of our living, dining and kitchen area. We have large stacking sliding doors to the alfresco area, so the exhaust pipe can't be vented out of there. And the sliding windows of this large area are actually even taller than the bedroom ones. Once again, the window kit wouldn't fit, it was too short AND just kept flopping in the gap between the window frame and the fly screen. I'm not taping it all up every day so I can use the AC. Lastly, I wasn't happy with what seems to be a zero energy rating as well. Leading me to believe that this unit could be very expensive to run, unless you've got solar panels and can calculate that their won't be any problems. Overall, you really need to work out if this unit can be used where you want it to. I'm a bit disappointed really.
- +3
More suitable for student accommodation and have the correct type of window – I was super excited to try out the Ausclimate Portable Air conditioner for our medium sized bedroom. It would be great to cool a single room down on hot evenings without having to cool down the whole house. It comes with 2 years warranty that is extendable to 4 years. It has a compact design; it is stylish with 2 colour choices that would suit… Read more
the design of most houses (Stone Grey & Charcoal Grey). It has rotating wheels with handle on sides for easy transfer. The machine itself has a digital display screen and response touch buttons. It comes with adjustable temperature settings (16C to 32C) has a child safety lock, 2-fan speed and also allows you to set a timer.
The Noise level is acceptable during daytime, but it is quite loud when you sleep. (I did tried to upload a short video on the noise level, however for some unknown reason it didn't work)
It comes with an old style remote without 2 x AAA batteries, which was a hassle if you don’t have batteries on hand. I think it should be standard to come with the batteries for the convenience. The remote does not have any digital display so you are not sure what settings you are on, and if the machine has received any changes you made from a distance. The other option is to use the APP which you can down load on your phone which is only available to use when you are at home.
It is suitable for medium size rooms (larger rooms will be ineffective) It is not suitable for small rooms as you will need a minimum distance of 1 meter from the front, side and back of the machine. Surprisingly it did cool down the room quickly and efficiently.
According to the website it shows uplifting windows, however the instruction shows slide open windows, so I found out you can use for both window types.
Here comes the challenge with the window kit. You would need a minimum 64cm window width to use with uplifting windows; unfortunately for our house designed in 1920’s the windows are not wide enough. We ended up having to cut short the window kit in order to fit onto our window, with some modification required so it stays.
I do have the safety concern about leaving your window open to have the window kit stay in place. Otherwise you will need to fit it on every time you want to use it, and remove it every time you finish which I thought was a hassle.
I personally found the vent pipe is way too bulky. It is also quite short, so you will need to position the aircon close to the window but also close to a power outlet, since it is not recommended to use extension cord or power board.
Another thing to remember is the air filter needs to be cleaned every 2 weeks and the condensation try needs to be emptied regularly to ensure the aircon function properly. Which is quite a maintenance involved.
It might be good for student accommodation or rental property that does not have aircon. Overall it is not my preferred method due to the steps involved to put on and remove the window kit every time you need to use it, and the maintenance involved.
- +3
Excellent portable air conditioning unit – The recent heatwave in Brisbane was a perfect way to test out the capabilities of the Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner (2.05kw) unit. We live in a post-war weatherboard house with zero wall insulation, basic roof insulation, and wooden floors, so my expectations were fairly low. Honestly, paired with 37 degree celsius heat the… Read more
Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner had a lot to contend with.
Stylistically, I was really impressed with how the Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner looked. I opted for stone grey but it also comes in a darker charcoal grey. I really liked that the front panel was covered in a complementary coloured tweed-like material. I'm not sure whether this has a function but I appreciated how it looked. The unit itself is approximately 70cm tall and 30cm wide and has smooth action wheels, allowing it to be stored and moved easily.
The Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner requires a window to expel the resulting hot air while in use. Thankfully, the Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner comes boxed with everything you need including an exhaust hose, a hose connector, flat connector and an expandable window kit. The length of the exhaust hose itself might be limiting to some depending on the set up of the room. At its most compact it measures about 24cm, but once expanded it reaches approximately 155cm. Given that the Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner is designed for medium sized rooms, this worked well for my room. The window kit was also adjustable, fitting windows from 65cm to 127cm. Note that the kit provided is designed to be used with sliding style windows.
The Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner not only cools but also has dehumidifier (collecting up to 17 litres of moisture in a 24 hr period) and fan functions. When using the dehumidifier option there's the choice of draining the collected fluid via a permanent drainage hose or collecting it manually. I didn't really have anywhere to put a drainage hose for my set up so opted for the manual collection method and found the process relatively easy.
The top of the Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner is dedicated to the control panel with digital display. Functions available using touch controls include:
- Temperature control ranging from 16 to 32 degrees celsius - 24 hour timer - Sleep mode (not available when using the fan or dehumidifier functions) - 2 fan settings - low and high (not available when using the sleep or dehumidifier functions) - Child safety lock
I found the touch controls very responsive and easy to use. Alternative methods for controlling the Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner are through the use of a basic remote control (included in the package without the necessary 2 x AAA batteries) or through the use of an app from the Google Play or Apple App stores (requires 2.4Ghz wifi channel). One of the biggest cons is the Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner is that the remote control has no digital display, which means that I need to stand in front of the unit to make sure it has registered any change in temperature or mode I request, and if I have to do that then what is the point of the remote? I don't really see the point.
The app however is useful. I was able to download the app to my smartphone (Apple), and pair the Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner to my device allowing me to control functionality remotely. Sadly, the voice control functionality is restricted to Android devices using Google Assistant or Alexa at this time which meant I couldn't connect it to my Apple HomePod. I should also point out for Apple users, the instruction manual only provides instructions on how to access the app for Android customers. I wasn't even sure whether I had access until I searched for "Ausclimate" in the Apple app store.
One issue I was a little concerned about was the energy rating of the Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner. I am pretty energy usage conservative and usually seek out appliances with the highest energy ratings possible. The Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner has an energy rating label which states that location changes the efficacy of the appliance with the three categories of location (hot, average and cold) all of which receive a zero energy efficiency rating. The label states cold climates use 425kWh per year, average climates 655kWh, and hot climates such as Brisbane, 1753kWh per year. Based on my current electricity plan this means I would be paying $578 to operate the air conditioning in Brisbane. That is a little too high for me and would mean I would think twice about using the unit (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). When in use (cooling) the unit draws down approximately 560 watts, and in standby mode draws down 1.6 watts.
So how did the Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner function in my barely insulated home during a heatwave? Well, I can say I was pleasantly surprised by how well it coped. I was surprised by how quickly the cooling started. I'd say within a minute I started feeling cooled air and in the room I had set it up in, the temperature reached very pleasant levels without too much waiting. I did find that when I moved it to a larger room with more windows that the unit didn't perform quite as well but as I mentioned at the start of this review, the Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner had its work cut out competing with 37 degree celsius temperatures.
Overall, I think the Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable Air Conditioner is a good option for those who don't have access to more energy efficient options such as split system air conditioners. The fact that the unit can be easily relocated to other rooms is a plus, however potential buyers should consider their room configurations, cost of operation, and the unit's energy efficiency rating. Additionally, as an Apple user, I'd love to see increased compatibility with non-Android smart devices such as the Apple HomePod and Siri assistant.
Keep cool and carry on! – Surviving an Aussie summer without some form of air conditioning is a challenge, but we’re not all lucky enough to live somewhere with built-in aircon. Enter Ausclimate’s Smart Compact portable air conditioner, designed for medium sized rooms. Before going any further, I think it important to define “portable” in this instance. The unit is heavy,… Read more · 1
but size-wise relatively petite at around 70cm tall, with each side around 31cm wide. Plus, as well as side handles it has wheels – so far so good! However, what isn’t so clear from the pictures on the packaging and online is that it needs to be tethered to a window to expel hot air. There is tubing and an adjustable adaptor to attach the unit to a sliding-type window – where part of the frame pulls up or sideways leaving an opening - included, although the tubing isn’t particularly lengthy. So, at least when you want to use it, you will need to position the unit close to a window, and when stored also find somewhere to keep the window kit. As for attaching to other types of windows, you may be able to jerry-rig something that works, but I’m not going to guarantee it. With this heads-up out of the way, on to the features! The unit itself is available in two colours, a lightish ‘Stone Grey’, and a very smart-looking darker ‘Charcoal Grey’. The front panel features a matching fabric covering. The top panel features touch controls, as well as a digital display. You’ll find the typical power and temperature up/down functions (a range of 16-32oC), along with speed (low or high), a sleep mode, child lock, 24-hour timer, and mode select. As well as functioning (rather well) as an air conditioner, this smart little unit can also do duty as a dehumidifier if you have a swampy abode, claiming the ability to suck up 17 litres of moisture per day. When we say “smart little unit” we mean it in two ways, for it is indeed smart home enabled via Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only), with the ability to hook into Google Assistant and/or Alexa. There’s also smartphone control via app. But if you prefer more old school ways, there’s a handy remote control unit included, although a display to mimic that atop the unit would have been nice. While not designed for large open living spaces, such areas can be serviced if you are sitting fairly close to the unit – adjustable vanes helping to further target the coolness. Where the unit thrives is in – as advertised – medium sized rooms, such as bedrooms, or more traditional lounge/living areas. In operation, naturally there’s noise, however it wasn’t as invasive as we expected, although ramping it up to high also involved increasing the TV volume – sorry neighbours. In our medium sized bedroom we were surprised at how quickly it went from sweat box to cool room, and when you don’t need the full force of aircon you can use the unit just as a fan. Another thing to note is the need for maintenance. Water is collected within the unit and needs to go somewhere. You can attach a drainage hose and have it drain into something or empty it regularly. The air filter inside also needs cleaning every couple of weeks or so, to keep the unit doing what it does so well, erm, well! While it isn’t as simple to setup as it may sound, if you need a cooling solution with some degree of versatility - and you’re prepared to do the admin to look after it - then the Ausclimate Smart Compact Portable AC is a keenly priced, unobstrusive beacon of cool.
Stylish, quiet, powerful, and smart; what more could you want? – This portable air conditioning unit has exceeded my expectations. Its black fabric exterior is not only stylish but also unique compared to other units I have seen. The fan noise is surprisingly quiet, almost soothing, allowing for peaceful sleep. The setup process was straightforward, and the smart app integration is a notable feature.… Read more · 1
Controlling the unit with voice commands through Google Home adds a touch of convenience.
The unit's performance is exceptional. It cools the room quickly and efficiently, even during hot weather. Despite initial concerns about portability affecting its power, it functions as effectively as any window unit I have used.
Overall, I am highly satisfied with this purchase. It is stylish, quiet, powerful, and user-friendly. I strongly recommend this product.
NOT HAPPY – is it just me or is this unit a cooler only ?? this unit is blowing cool air out of my window, definately not making my 4x4 room cold, i have tried everything, my ceiling fan does a better job, would not recommend at all , absoulutely returning this so called air condition, what a waste of time, effort and money, not to mention the inconvience of having to return it !!!! Show details
This is a great portable air conditioning unit. A welcome addition this summer – This is such a great portable unit. These are the things we really like about it. -Very easy to unpack and set up -Smooth portability - Quiet operation - The window kit adapter has very good adjustability making it so easy to connect and seal to our window frame. - Includes 3 great modes which includes a dehumidifier mode which works well in… Read more
our bedroom plus of course there is a cooling mode which cools quickly and a fan mode. - Functions include a timer and sleep mode which are easy to set and often used in our house. - Also includes a child lock function. - Touch pad is light touch and responsive - Unit looks great in the room - Remote included - Cooled a large lounge room on a 34 degree day which was a welcomed surprise. - Easily cooled a medium size room - Perfect for our master size bedroom and a welcome addition - Changing of settings are very user friendly and responsive.
Here are some of the cons. - The exhaust hose that attaches to the window kit adapter could have been a bit longer - You can’t see what mode you are on from the remote. - This model is not available in the app which wasn’t obvious until I was trying to set it up. - Does require manual drainage or fitting of permanent drainage that needs to drain outside. Not really a con because this is expected but a bit of maintenance required.
- +1
Compact air conditioning that's portable and powerful – This is a portable air conditioner in a box with smart features via your own device. With a sleek pleasing design can this product deliver cool air on a hot summer day keeping you comfortable and suit your home? The ausclimate smart compact 2.05kW air conditioner is not an evaporative cooler type air con that tend to make the air moist but a… Read more
proper air conditioner containing R290 refrigerant gas. Rated at 2.05Kw the unit is stylish with a fabric finish on the front. Our system came in black and hides well in the corner of a room. You will need to allow 300mm space around all sides minimum.
If you’ve transported the unit home from the store it is advised to let the air conditioner stand for 2 hours before using to let the refrigerant settle.
This is an air conditioner unlike older window type temporary units that were noisy and would be lucky if they could cool a shoebox. Standing just under 700mm tall with a 350mm square footprint thereabouts, this is a free standing unit on wheels, with clearly marked operation buttons on the top. The unit can be operated with ease, or if you prefer via a smart app on your own device or via the remote control. Included in the box is the air conditioner, basic manual, remote control, air duct pipe, condensation drainage hose, flange for window kit, window kit and a metal bracket.
The air conditioner needs to be vented to the outside. After all this is cooling the air and that exchange of heat has to go somewhere. This is where the window kit comes in handy allowing you to vent to hot air to the outside. With the windows in our home this is a challenge as we have window winders that open the bottom part of the window with the top being hinged, an awning window. This would work better if we had sash windows or sliding window or sliding door to vent the hot air from the room. We have used the included kit and plugged the rest of the window to help keep the cool inside. The air conditioner is not be used to cool a room smaller than 7m sq. We used this to effectively cool a room 20m sq to a more comfortable temperature with an outdoor temp of 36º. Our home is an 80’s build BV home with the thermal properties of a tent. We have ceiling insulation and insulation paper in the walls but thats about it. We were surprised that the unit did make a difference in a closed room. If you have an open floor plan type home you may find this struggles to cool a large area. Operating the air conditioner right out of the box is a breeze. Buttons are clearly marked with their function. BUTTONS (from Left to Right)… Sleep (unavailable dehumidify and fan mode when using sleep mode) Lock (Child safety lock - hold for 3 secs) Timer/WIFI (1-24 hours to turn the unit on/off) Temp Up (16º to 32º) Basic display Temp Down (Lowest max setting 16º C) Fan (2 Speed fan) Mode Button (Cool, Dehumidify or Fan) Power (On/Off)
LED’s indicate the functions. To note some functions are unavailable when the unit is in dehumidification mode as the unit controls the optimal settings for best results.
There are 2 air filters that require attention for optimal performance. These prevent dust, hair and fluff being sucked into the air conditioner and are easily removed for cleaning via vacuuming and washing. The manufacturer recommends this be done every 2 weeks. It is surprising how much these filters capture in a clean home. This is not an air purifier type filter.
The remote control is basic and does not come with batteries! What? In this day and age? Batteries would have been a good inclusion if you’re not into using an app. The remote takes x2 AAA batteries, so have spares on hand if you want to use the air con remote control. The buttons on the unit control the unit easily for first time users if you don’t have batteries ready.
The app is available for Apple iOS and Google Play. You are required to register with the app. Why should there be a need to register? Use your email address and pair your smart device to the unit. The app links the following data (as reported in Apple App Store), Location, Contact Info, User Content, Identifiers, Usage Data, and Diagnostics.
This air conditioner is moving a lot of air and air is noisy. The sound level is quoted at 65dB(A) - so it won’t over power a normal conversation. It's not going to drown out the TV when you're stuck indoors on a scortcher of a day.
This air conditioner is on wheels making it easy to move about BUT remember there is the window vent ducting you have to consider and a handy power point needs to be close by. It is not recommended the use of an extension lead or power board. This is stipulated in the easy to read instruction booklet. Turning the unit to direct airflow to or from you is easy enough. Our use of this ausclimate portable air conditioner yielded results we’re happy with given our home and it's thermal shortcomings. We enjoyed the sleep feature on a hot night to cool our bedroom for a comfortable night. The unit is stylish but not overbearing or cutting edge in design making this blend into our room aesthetics. No outlandish colours, no crazy design, it's just a neutral coloured box.
After the summer season you can prepare the unit for storage by draining the condensation tray (you'll need to do this periodically throughout the summer season anyway), clean the filters and removing the window exhaust kit. This is small enough to sit in a cupboard when not in use with the small foot print already mentioned of around 350mm sq and around 700mm tall.
For under $600 at the time of writing this review the ausclimate smart compact air conditioner offers value for money and lives up to it’s promise of providing healthy indoor climate solutions.
With the pleasing design that’s not outlandish or cutting edge, the ausclimate smart compact 2.05kW air conditioner delivers on the promise of delivering comfort for an affordable price and portability that makes it perfect if you share a room in a house, have an apartment with insufficient cooling or just want to cool a space with a compact cooler consider this compact air conditioner for your requirements. We used this to cool spaces in our Melbourne home and supplement cooling another area with this unit and have been happy with the results we have been able to achieve.
No thanks – This unit is noisy quite bulky and the exhaust, which is not displayed in any advertising is comparable to an adult elephant leg. It’s also very short , limiting the location of the unit to being next to windows only. The unit does work but does not suit our needs for our room. The remote I received does not work at all despite multiple new… Read more
battery installations. When I asked to exchange the unit I was told (eventually) that I’m not permitted to exchange once it had been used. Bad service. My advice sadly is, don’t buy from Ausclimate. Was a big waste of my time and money.
Hi Mark, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are truly… Read more
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Hi Theresa, We’re sorry to hear about your… Read more