Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
GE ClearView PHNT10
Best Smart Window ACMidea Duo MAP14HS1TBL
Best Portable ACPrice
$350–$450
$450–$600
Summary
The quietest smart window AC PCMag has tested, with Wi-Fi control and a low-profile design that doesn't block your view. Great for tech-forward users who want app control.
The best portable AC for people who can't install a window unit. Dual-hose design makes it dramatically more efficient than single-hose competitors.
Pros
- Impressively quiet operation for a window unit
- Wi-Fi enabled with app and voice control
- Low-profile design preserves window view
- Strong cooling performance in testing
- Dual-hose design is far more efficient than single-hose portables
- Quieter than competing portable units
- 14,000 BTU — powerful enough for larger rooms
- No permanent installation required
Cons
- Smart features add cost over comparable non-smart units
- Less community validation than Midea U
- App reliability can vary over time with firmware updates
- Still less efficient than a comparable window AC
- Bulky unit takes up floor space
- Exhaust hose must reach a window regardless
Our take
If smart home integration matters to you and you want something that doesn't look like a gray box shoved in your window, the GE ClearView is genuinely impressive.
Portable ACs are generally inefficient, but the Midea Duo is the least-bad option by a wide margin. If a window unit isn't possible, this is your pick.
Buy
