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

Why I reached for this portable AC

My central air does a fine job—until it doesn’t. The back bedroom in my house runs several degrees warmer than the rest, and on sticky afternoons it’s the difference between sleeping and staring at the ceiling. I set up the Black & Decker portable AC as a dedicated cooler for that space and lived with it through a mix of mild and muggy days. It’s a compact unit with a realistic 6,000 BTU SACC rating (10,000 BTU under the older ASHRAE method), and it’s aimed squarely at bedrooms, home offices, and small living areas up to about 250 square feet.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, the unit rolls easily on its casters, and the side handles make it simple enough to position without wrestling. I let it stand upright for a while before powering on—a good practice with any compressor-based appliance that’s been shipped—then assembled the window kit. The kit is designed for sliding or double-hung windows. In my double-hung window, the panel seated securely, and a bit of included foam weatherstrip helped seal gaps. Expect the usual 10–15 minutes of measuring and adjusting; it’s straightforward if you’ve installed a portable AC before.

The exhaust hose twists into place cleanly. It’s roughly five feet long, which is common but worth noting if your outlet window sits far from the floor or you plan to tuck the unit deep into a corner. Keep the hose as short and straight as possible—sharp bends and extra length hurt performance.

One small note: there was a light plastic odor from the hose on day one. It dissipated after a few hours of running and a night with the window cracked.

Cooling performance in real rooms

Black & Decker’s SACC rating of 6,000 BTU tells the honest story: this is a bedroom and office machine, not a whole-living-room cooler. In my 12-by-12 bedroom (doors closed, shades down), it pulled the temperature from 80°F to 73°F in just under half an hour and held there without straining. In a larger, open living area around 230 square feet, it maintained comfort but needed a head start—turning it on before the afternoon sun hit kept it from playing catch-up.

If your room has poor insulation or full afternoon sun, expect more gradual cooldowns. I found the best results by:

• Starting the unit earlier in the day to keep heat from building up.
• Closing doors to keep the cooled air where you want it.
• Using blackout shades to cut radiant heat.
• Ensuring the window panel is sealed snugly.

The thermostat allows a setpoint down to 64°F. Realistically, most users will aim for 70–74°F for sustained comfort without overworking the compressor. Like all single-hose portable ACs, this one draws some makeup air from elsewhere in the home, which can slightly reduce efficiency. If you demand maximum performance, a dual-hose design is more efficient—but also more complex and usually pricier.

Noise and sleep friendliness

Noise is the trade-off with most portable units, and this one lands in the “audible but manageable” bucket. On low fan, I’d call it consistent white noise: a steady fan rush plus a soft compressor thrum when cooling. Medium and high push more air and, unsurprisingly, more sound. Sleep Mode helps by dialing back the fan and dimming the display. If you’re a very light sleeper, plan on low or sleep overnight. I watched TV on moderate volume in the same room without raising voices.

Controls, display, and the Follow Me remote

The top-mounted panel is intuitive: big buttons for mode (Cool, Fan, Dry), temperature up/down, fan speed, timer, and sleep. The display is bright and legible from across the room. The 24-hour timer is useful for pre-cooling or shutting down after bedtime.

The standout is the “Follow Me” feature on the remote. Press it, place the remote where you’re sitting or sleeping, and the unit modulates based on the remote’s ambient temperature rather than the air right at the AC. In practice, this avoided the classic short-cycling you get when the unit thinks the room is cool because the air near the exhaust is cold. A few notes for good results:

• Keep the remote within signaling range and pointed generally toward the unit.
• Don’t park the remote in a hot window or right under a draft; it will skew readings.
• If you move rooms, bring the remote and re-enable Follow Me.

Dehumidifying and self-evap operation

On muggy days, the Dry mode strips moisture effectively. In cooling mode, the self-evaporating system handled condensate without me having to drain anything. That’s typical in moderate conditions. In very humid stretches, plan for the possibility of draining—either occasionally via the lower drain port or with a gravity drain hose, depending on your setup. The manual’s guidance here is clear, and the ports are easy to access.

Portability and build quality

This isn’t a back-breaking machine; it rolls easily and doesn’t feel top-heavy. The shell is mostly matte plastic that wipes clean, and the fit and finish are what I expect at this price point: not premium, not flimsy. The window panel is rigid enough to hold a seal without bowing, though extremely tall windows may need a supplemental extension panel or creative foam work. The included washable filter pops out for a quick rinse—a two-minute job I try to do every few weeks during peak season.

Maintenance tips for better performance

• Clean the filter regularly. A dusty filter suffocates airflow and makes the machine louder.
• Keep 18 inches or so of clearance around the unit; don’t block the side intakes.
• Check the exhaust hose for kinks and reseat the window adapter if the seal loosens.
• At season’s end, drain any residual water, wipe the interior with a dry cloth, and store the hose loosely coiled to avoid cracks.

What I liked

• Effective, realistic cooling for bedrooms and small offices.
• Follow Me remote makes the setpoint feel “true” where you sit or sleep.
• Sleep mode and dimmable display are bedroom-friendly.
• Simple, tidy installation for sliding and double-hung windows.
• Self-evaporating operation removes day-to-day hassle in typical humidity.
• Easy-to-clean washable filter and smooth-rolling casters.

What could be better

• The single-hose design is convenient but less efficient than dual-hose units.
• The exhaust hose is short; placement can be fussy in some layouts.
• Noise is present on medium and high; light sleepers may prefer low or sleep mode.
• Limited to sliding and double-hung windows without DIY modifications.

Who it’s for

• Renters and homeowners who need spot cooling for a small-to-medium room.
• Bedroom users who will benefit from the Follow Me remote and sleep-friendly controls.
• Anyone who wants a fast, no-permanent-install solution with minimal maintenance.

Who should look elsewhere

• Those cooling large, open-plan spaces or poorly insulated rooms in extreme heat.
• Users with casement or awning windows who don’t want to DIY a custom panel.
• People who prioritize near-silent operation over cooling capacity.

Recommendation

I recommend this Black & Decker portable AC for small bedrooms and home offices where central air falls short or isn’t available. It cools credibly for its 6,000 BTU SACC rating, installs without drama, and the Follow Me remote genuinely improves comfort at the spot that matters—you. Noise is the main compromise, as with most portable units, and the single-hose layout is inherently less efficient than dual-hose designs. If your expectations align with its size and you set it up thoughtfully with a good window seal and a short hose, it’s an easy-to-live-with cooler that earns its floor space. For larger rooms or ultra-quiet needs, consider stepping up in capacity or to a dual-hose model; otherwise, this one hits a sweet spot of performance, simplicity, and portability.