Midea 10,000 BTU ASHRAE (7,100 BTU SACC) Portable Air Conditioner, Smart Control, Cools up to 300 Sq. Ft., with Dehumidifier & Fan mode, Easy- to-use Remote Control & Window Installation Kit Included

A few sticky spring nights pushed me to try a portable air conditioner rather than commit to another window unit. After a week of setup tinkering and daily use, the Midea portable AC has become my go‑to way to tame a 250–300 sq. ft. office/guest room without tearing up a window or wrestling a heavy chassis each season.

Setup and installation

Unboxing was straightforward: casters preinstalled, a 5 ft exhaust hose, and an adjustable window kit that covered my double-hung window with room to spare. The plastic parts are light and snap together without tools, but they do benefit from gentle handling. I had it running in about 15 minutes.

A few setup tips that made a noticeable difference:
- Seal the window kit. I added foam and a perimeter of gaffer’s tape for an airtight fit, which improved cooling and reduced outside noise.
- Keep the hose short and straight. Kinks and long runs kill performance. The included 5 ft hose is adequate for most windows; avoid extending it.
- Insulate the exhaust hose. The hose radiates heat. A simple insulated sleeve kept more of the cold in the room rather than fighting against the unit.

The window kit fit my 30-inch opening cleanly; the slides will accommodate roughly 26.5 to 48 inches. If you’ve got a slider or casement window, plan on a third-party panel or a DIY solution.

Cooling performance

On paper, this is a 10,000 BTU ASHRAE unit with a 7,100 BTU SACC rating. In real use, SACC is the number to pay attention to. In my 280 sq. ft. room with average ceiling height and afternoon sun, the Midea brought the temperature down from 78°F to 72°F in about 30 minutes and held 70–72°F without drama once the room stabilized.

For spaces up to 300 sq. ft., it’s a solid match. Beyond that—open floor plans or rooms with big west-facing windows—you’ll still feel cooler in front of the unit, but it may not pull the entire space to your setpoint on very hot afternoons. That’s the nature of single-hose portables: they cool well locally but induce slight negative pressure, which can draw warm air from adjacent areas. Close doors, shade windows, and keep the hose run clean to get the best results.

Air throw is strong, and the louver’s vertical adjustment helps aim cooling where you need it. I found “Cool” mode on medium fan kept the room comfortable without constantly cycling.

Smart features and controls

Midea’s app setup was painless on my 2.4 GHz network. Once paired, I could:
- Turn the unit on/off remotely
- Change setpoints (62–90°F)
- Switch modes (Cool, Dry, Fan)
- Set schedules and a 24-hour timer
- Check current status and Wi‑Fi connectivity

Voice control through Alexa worked as expected for basic commands. The remote mirrors the on-unit controls and is a nice touch for quick adjustments.

One quirk: Auto mode chooses fan speed for you and doesn’t let you override it. I mostly stuck with manual fan control to avoid blasts of noise when the compressor kicked on.

Noise and comfort

Portables are rarely whisper-quiet, and this one is no exception. Using a simple phone meter at about a meter away, I saw roughly mid-60s dB with the compressor running—noticeable, but not shout-over-it loud. The tone matters as much as the number: the fan is a smooth whoosh, while the compressor has a firmer hum and a distinct start-up thump. If you’re placing it in a bedroom, low fan helps, and the steady-state hum becomes easy to ignore after a while. For a home office or living room, I found it perfectly workable.

If you’re extremely sensitive to noise, position matters. A corner placement with the louver aimed across the room both improved mixing and dampened perceived volume.

Dehumidification and drainage

In “Dry” mode, the Midea strips moisture quickly, which is excellent on sticky days. In cooling mode, it self-evaporates a good portion of condensate, but in high humidity you’ll need to plan for drainage. I used the included drain port and a short length of tubing into a small bucket; on muggy days it accumulated steadily, so I emptied it every evening. For a more set-and-forget approach, run a hose to a floor drain or shower if the layout allows.

It’s worth noting: if your room’s humidity starts out high, expect the unit to focus on moisture removal for a while before the air temperature really dives. This is normal—and often makes the room feel comfortable sooner than the thermostat suggests.

Efficiency and cost to run

With a 6.92 SEER rating and a 7,100 BTU SACC, the Midea is typical for a single-hose portable: not a sipper, not a hog. Over several afternoons of testing, my smart plug showed draw in the 700–900 W range with compressor on and much lower when it cycled. Scheduling matters. I had the best experience pre-cooling the room 30–45 minutes before I needed it, then maintaining rather than fighting a steep temperature drop from a hot start.

Set realistic expectations. If energy efficiency is your top priority and your building allows it, a high-efficiency window or mini-split will beat any single-hose portable. If flexibility is your priority, this strikes a good balance.

Maintenance and build

The washable filter slides out easily from the back; a weekly rinse during heavy use kept airflow strong. The exterior is light plastic, and while it doesn’t feel premium, the casters roll smoothly and the handles make repositioning easy. The power cord is a reasonable length; plan your placement so you’re not relying on an extension cord.

The LED display is bright and readable across the room, and the buttons have a positive click. I appreciated the 24-hour timer for overnight runs and morning pre-cool.

What I’d change

• Fan control in Auto mode: Let me set a max fan speed while keeping temperature automation.
• Smoother compressor ramp: The on/off thump is noticeable at night.
• A thicker, better-insulated exhaust hose out of the box: It would save buyers an extra accessory and help performance.

Who it’s for

• Renters and condo owners who can’t install a window unit but want legitimate spot cooling.
• Home offices, bedrooms, and small rec rooms up to about 300 sq. ft. with doors you can close.
• Anyone who values app control, scheduling, and simple seasonal setup.

Who should look elsewhere? If you need to cool a large open-plan space, demand ultra-quiet for light-sleeper bedrooms, or want maximum efficiency, consider a dual-hose portable, a high-SEER window unit, or a mini-split.

Practical setup tips

• Seal and insulate: Tighten the window kit fit and insulate the hose to reduce heat bleed.
• Short hose, straight run: Keep bends to a minimum to maintain airflow.
• Pre-cool and maintain: Start 30–45 minutes early instead of forcing a rapid cool down.
• Manage moisture: In humid climates, set up a continuous drain to a floor drain or shower when possible.
• Clean the filter weekly in peak season: Keeps airflow high and noise lower.

Final recommendation

I recommend the Midea portable AC for small-to-medium rooms where installation flexibility, smart control, and straightforward setup matter more than whisper-quiet operation or absolute efficiency. It cools quickly for its SACC rating, the app and voice control are genuinely useful, and with a few setup tweaks—good sealing and hose insulation—it delivers reliable, comfortable cooling. If you’re trying to tame a 250–300 sq. ft. space without committing to a window unit, this is a practical, well-rounded choice.