Black & Decker 6,000 BTU SACC/CEC (10,000 BTU ASHRAE) Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control

I put this Black+Decker portable AC to work during a humid stretch in a small bedroom and a slightly larger home office, both with poor airflow from central air. It’s a compact unit with modest SACC ratings, so I went in with realistic expectations: spot-cooling and dehumidification in rooms up to about 250 square feet. That framing turned out to be exactly right. Used within its limits, it’s a practical, easy-to-live-with cooler that punches above its size.

Setup and installation

Out of the box, the parts are familiar: the main unit, a collapsible exhaust hose, window slider kit, foam seals, locking screws, and a drain hose. I let the unit rest upright for a few hours before powering on—good practice after shipping to let the refrigerant settle. The window kit is designed for double‑hung and sliding windows. I installed it in a bedroom double‑hung window in under 20 minutes with a screwdriver and a bit of patience.

A few tips from my install:
- Keep the 4.9‑ft exhaust hose as short and straight as possible to reduce back pressure and improve performance.
- Use the included foam strips to seal gaps; add extra weatherstripping if your window has odd profiles.
- The power cord is about 71 inches; measure to make sure you can reach an outlet without an extension cord.

The slider kit doesn’t block my entire sash, which I appreciated. On cool days, I could crack the upper sash for fresh air without disturbing the panel.

Cooling performance

Cooling capacity is listed as 6,000 BTU (SACC/CEC) or 10,000 BTU (ASHRAE). The SACC number is the one that matters in real-world conditions, and it’s appropriate for bedrooms, offices, and dens up to roughly 250 sq. ft., depending on ceiling height, insulation, sun exposure, and occupants.

In my 12 × 12 bedroom (144 sq. ft.), the unit dropped the temperature from 78°F to 72°F in about 25 minutes on high fan, then maintained 70–72°F easily. In a larger office around 220 sq. ft. with afternoon sun, it stabilized at 73–75°F when set to 72°F, which is respectable for a single‑hose portable. The top outlet pushes a concentrated stream of air; placing the unit to blow across the bed or work area yields the quickest perceived relief.

The spec sheet claims a minimum setpoint of 61°F. I rarely need to go that low, but setpoints in the upper 60s are achievable in smaller rooms. As with all single‑hose portables, keep expectations in check in open floor plans or heavily sun‑exposed spaces.

Dehumidification and comfort

This model is bucket‑less and self‑evaporating. In cooling mode, it exhausts most condensate with the hot air. On swampy days, some water can still accumulate; the unit includes a drain hose for continuous drainage if needed, and the dedicated Dehumidify mode can pull up to 60 pints per day. I used Dehumidify prior to a heat wave and dropped room humidity from 68% to 52% in a couple of hours, which made the following cooldown feel much faster.

Noise and sound profile

Portable ACs are never silent. On high fan, Black+Decker lists around 52 dBA for a comparable variant. My meter showed roughly 53–56 dBA at 1 meter on high and around 49–51 dBA on low, with the compressor adding a soft thrum when it cycles. The character is “broadband” white noise rather than a whine. I found it sleep‑friendly on low, especially with the fan set to continuous so the on/off compressor changes weren’t as noticeable.

Controls and “Follow Me” thermostat

You get two ways to control it: a top‑mounted LED panel and a handheld remote. The panel is straightforward—mode (Cool/Fan/Dehumidify), fan speed (High/Med/Low), temperature up/down, and a 24‑hour on/off timer. The remote mirrors these controls and, on the variant I tested, adds a “Follow Me” function: the remote acts as the thermostat. In practice, this helped avoid the common portable‑AC issue where the unit measures temperature near the floor and shuts off too early. With the remote on my nightstand, the unit maintained a steadier room temperature.

One note: the remote takes two AAA batteries that aren’t included.

Airflow and distribution

Airflow is rated at 184 CFM on high, 148 CFM on medium, and 132 CFM on low. In use, high feels like a focused stream rather than a wide wash of air. The outlet louvers let you tilt the throw upward, which helps distribute air across the room rather than chilling your shins. There’s no motorized sweep; plan the placement so the airstream crosses where you sit or sleep.

Portability and build quality

The unit rides on smooth casters and has side handles, so moving it from bedroom to office was manageable even on low‑pile carpet. The overall fit and finish are what I expect at this price: a plastic chassis, a flexible but sturdy exhaust hose, and a functional but basic window slider kit. The hose had a noticeable “new plastic” odor on day one that dissipated after 24–48 hours of use; letting it air out by a window before installing helps.

Energy use

There’s no CEER listed here, but the 6,000 SACC class typically draws around what a hair dryer does when actively cooling. In practice, the unit cycled enough in the bedroom to keep average consumption reasonable. As with any portable, good sealing and minimal hose length do more for efficiency than anything else.

Maintenance

Maintenance is simple:
- Rinse the washable filter every couple of weeks during heavy use. Dust buildup hurts performance and noise.
- Inspect the exhaust connections periodically; reseat with a twist if you notice warmer air or reduced airflow.
- In very humid climates, attach the drain hose for Dehumidify mode or if you see frequent condensate alerts.
- Store the unit upright in the off‑season and clean the filter and hose before packing away.

R32 refrigerant is used here. It’s more climate‑friendly than legacy blends and has become common in modern portables.

Limitations and trade‑offs

• Single‑hose design: It’s convenient and simple, but it does draw some indoor air out of the room, which can pull warm air in from adjacent spaces. That’s why door and gap sealing matter.
• Window compatibility: This kit is for double‑hung and sliding windows only. Casement or awning windows will require DIY panels or a different solution.
• Placement constraints: The 4.9‑ft hose limits how far you can place the unit from the window. Measure first.
• Noise: While acceptable for me, light sleepers who need near‑silence should consider that even on low you’ll hear airflow and compressor cycles.

Who it’s for

• Small bedrooms, nurseries, and home offices up to about 250 sq. ft.
• Renters and anyone who can’t install a window unit.
• Homeowners looking to “spot boost” a room that central air doesn’t quite reach.
• Users who prioritize simple setup, easy mobility, and effective dehumidification.

If you need to cool a big, open living room, or if your space has only casement windows, this won’t be the right match.

Tips for best results

• Pre‑cool the room and lower humidity before peak heat.
• Keep doors closed to avoid chasing heat from adjacent rooms.
• Seal the window kit thoroughly and minimize hose length and bends.
• Use the timer to start cooling an hour before you need the room.
• If you have the Follow Me remote, place it near where you sit or sleep.

Bottom line and recommendation

Used where it’s intended, the Black+Decker portable AC delivers. It cools a 12 × 12 bedroom quickly, holds comfort in a medium‑size office, and takes the edge off humid days without forcing you to empty a bucket. Noise is present but even, the controls are intuitive, and the rolling base makes it easy to reposition. The window kit is straightforward and doesn’t monopolize the entire sash, which is a nice touch.

I recommend this unit for small rooms, renters, and anyone needing a supplemental cooler to support or fine‑tune central AC. It’s not a miracle worker for large, open spaces, and you’ll want to be thoughtful about sealing and placement. But if your expectations match its 6,000 SACC rating, you’ll get reliable spot cooling, solid dehumidification, and a portable package that’s easy to live with.