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Dreo 12,000 BTU Portable AC: At a Glance
Our rating : 4.8/5
Until recently , if you did n’t have a cardinal HVAC organization , your main choice for keeping cool were noisy window air conditioners or oscillating fans . Portable air conditionershave only been around for a few years , but they ’re quickly becoming the most popular go - to solution for cool off individual rooms or small space .
I testedDreo ’s new 12,000 - watt portable ACunit as part of a broader test to find thebest garage air conditioners , and it ended up take in the top spot in the batting order . However , its use is n’t limited to garage or shop cooling . This portable AC unit is well - suited for cool down any room up to 350 square base . Ahead , find out how the Dreo air conditioner execute , what I loved about it , and what I reckon would make this ready to hand cool appliance even substantially .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
What is theDreo portable air conditioner?
The AC515S standard 28.13 inches high by 17.32 inch wide by 14.37 inches thick , so it ’s a relatively compact social unit . I really wish its Alpha Geminorum bicycle , which made it promiscuous to roll from one pip to another .
The Dreo AC515S is a 12,000 BTU portable melodic line conditioner design for cooling way with up to 350 square feet of floor place . It plugs into a standard menage outlet and do with an adjustable windowpane exhaust kit that jibe three-fold - hung or slider windows with 17- to 53 - in opening night .
ThisDreo aura conditionerfeatures an light-emitting diode display on the front and can be operated manually from a line of tactile sensation buttons above the display . It also comes with a remote control and alternatively syncs to a wireless family web for commodious computer programing and monitoring . I found it unsubdivided to operate with all three methods .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Key Features
TheDreo portable ACdehumidifies for added comfort while putting out nerveless air . Most AC unit take up a measure of wet from the breeze as part of the cool process . However , the AC515S boast enhanced dehumidification , and I could select the desired humidness stratum in the elbow room . The best humidness level is probably based pretty on personal preference , but I find a level around 40 percent to be the most comfortable .
This is a single - hosepipe modelling , which means the hose that connects to the window kit is an exhaust hose , not an intake hosepipe . twofold - hose models sport both intake and exhaust system hose . I favor the single - hose conception as it ’s less to fiddle with and makes for a cleaner overall look . The air aspiration on the Dreo is on the back of the unit — it draws ambient atmosphere directly from the room .
The AC ’s Wi - Fi capacity puts it in a whole Modern category . The remote is great , do n’t get me wrong , but with the app installed on my smartphone , I was able to arrange daily schedules ; supervise the spirit level of humidness ; curb the elbow room ’s temperature ; and switch between cooling , fan only , and dehumidifying . The app induction was simple — I scanned the QR code from the Start - Up bill of fare to download the app and then stick to the whole tone to synchronise the app to the social unit .
Cooling Comfort and Efficiency
One of my favorite feature was the bent of swing louver on the upper front of the unit . Rather than blow coolheaded air in one direction , the fin overturn and fall to direct the strain in a undulation approach pattern . Compared to the other service department air conditioner I tested , the Dreo seemed to offer good circulation throughout the room .
A potential downside to this unit — and I did n’t personally know it — is the potential to produce a pressure sensation differential in the room since the air is drawn in through the unit ’s backside , and the fond fumes strain is directed through the hose out the windowpane . In theory , this could have electronegative press in a room , which could suck in tender zephyr from other rooms or from out of doors and reduce efficiency .
In my tests , the Dreo cooled the airwave in my 240 - substantial - invertebrate foot garage from 80 to 70 degree Fahrenheit in 45 proceedings . Your fourth dimension may vary , given the insulation in the wall and the outdoor temperature . Plus , the Dreo come with a ground - fault circuit interrupter fireplug designed to foreshorten power to the AC to protect users from electrical shock and ground fault .
Competitive Pricing
At the time of writing this recap , theDreo portable air conditionersells for about $ 460 at Amazon , The Home Depot , and Walmart . Other portable AC unit design to cool approximately the same amount of floor space ( up to 350 square feet ) range in price from $ 375 to $ 650 . The Dreo is right in the middle in terms of price .
I palpate the Dreo has an vantage over similar models in noise output signal . It give out just 46 dB of sound on its depressed setting , comparable to the sound of temperate rainfall . I found the phone akin to white noise . After a few second , I tuned it out , and it was more assuasive than annoying . For me , the grade of convenience Dreo pop the question via the remote and , especially , its Wi - Fi capableness makes it a proficient choice for the money .
Is the Dreo portable AC right for you?
If you need a portable social unit to cool a room 350 square foot or less , the Dreo A515S air conditioner is sturdy to overreach . It ’s especially well suitable for those who desire more control of the humidity level in a room , and its comparatively low dissonance level of around 46 dB is a plus over most windowpane AC units , which can be moderately loud .
Like all air conditioner , however , it ’s most efficient in well - isolate way and country with moderate outdoor temperature . With 12,000 BTUs , the Dreo come with more cooling mightiness than some other pop models , and I found the flap louver design help disperse the nerveless air uniformly . You will necessitate a window in the way where you intend to use it . My garage did n’t have a window , so I work up a temporary wall build in the walk - through door to suit the windowpane exhaust system outfit .
I would n’t hesitate to use the Dreo portable AC inside my home or in a workshop setting . It rapidly cools down the room temperature and reduces humidity for even great comfort .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Where to Buy the Dreo Portable AC
Buy the Dreo portable AC unit at :
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a product quizzer and writer specializing in the structure , remodeling , and literal estate manufacture . She and her husband own a oecumenical contracting society , and Taylor is have in both residential and commercial-grade edifice lotion . She essay a wide range of power pecker as well as other house advance , household , and lawn - and - garden products .
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