Black & Decker 5,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with FOLLOW ME Remote Control

Why I chose this portable AC

I needed a compact, roll-anywhere air conditioner that could tame a small bedroom and a home office without a permanent install. This Black & Decker 5,000-BTU portable AC checked the right boxes on paper: a small footprint, a window kit for quick setup, a “Follow Me” remote that acts as a thermostat at your location, and self-evaporating operation so I wouldn’t be babysitting a water tank. After several weeks of use in two spaces—a 120 sq ft bedroom and a slightly larger office—I have a pretty clear picture of where this unit shines and where it doesn’t.

Setup and installation

Out of the box, the kit is refreshingly straightforward. You get the exhaust hose, a window adapter for double-hung or sliding windows, and the basics you need to get sealed up and running. Important caveat: it’s not designed for casement or crank windows without a third-party solution. I had it installed in a standard double-hung window in under 20 minutes the first time, faster thereafter.

A few practical notes from setup:
- Keep the exhaust hose as short and straight as possible. The included hose is about 4.9 feet; long runs and tight bends hurt performance.
- Seal the window panel gaps carefully. A bit of extra foam or weatherstripping goes a long way to reduce hot-air leaks.
- Place the unit on a smooth, level, firm floor so the compressor and casters behave. The side handles are handy for nudging it into place, though at 49.3 lb it’s heavier than it looks.

The top-mounted LED controls are simple and legible; the 24-hour timer is easy to program. One quirk worth understanding: after changing modes or power cycling, the compressor waits a few minutes before restarting to protect itself. That’s intentional, not a defect.

Cooling performance: right-size your expectations

The headline figure here is 5,000 BTU SACC (the modern, more realistic standard for portable ACs), with a 7,500 BTU ASHRAE rating. In practice, that SACC number matters. In a well-insulated 120 sq ft bedroom with the door closed, the unit reliably pulled the room down from a stuffy mid- to high-70s to a comfortable low-70s within an hour and kept it there. It can cool as low as 64°F, though like most portables, the room’s actual low depends on heat load and insulation.

Move beyond its intended footprint, and you’re asking a lot. In an open 180 sq ft office with afternoon sun, it improved comfort noticeably but didn’t deliver the same crisp, chilled feel—more like holding the mid-70s rather than marching below them on hot days. That’s consistent with the manufacturer’s guidance: it’s recommended for rooms up to around 150 sq ft. If your space is bigger, sunnier, or leaks air (older windows, drafty doors), you’ll either want to step up in capacity or treat this as a spot-cooling solution rather than a whole-room fix.

One strength worth calling out is the Follow Me remote. Instead of the unit making decisions based only on the warm air near its intake, the remote reads temperature where you are and informs the system. Keep the remote near your seating area or nightstand, and the room feels more evenly managed. It’s a small feature that makes a real difference in everyday use.

Dehumidifying and the “bucket-less” promise

This model runs a self-evaporating system in cooling mode, which means it uses and exhausts most of the condensate without you having to drain it. In my climate (moderately humid), I never had to empty water during normal cooling. In extremely humid conditions or if you run Dry mode aggressively, some water buildup is still possible with any portable AC. The Dry mode itself is effective; even when the air temperature didn’t drop dramatically in the larger space, reducing humidity made the room feel more comfortable.

Noise and night use

It’s not whisper-quiet, but it’s within the comfortable “white noise” range of most portable units. The compressor has a soft ramp-up; the main sound is airflow. Fan speed has the biggest impact on perceived noise, and Sleep mode helps by dialing back the fan and softening the unit’s behavior overnight. I found it acceptable in a bedroom, especially with Sleep mode engaged. The top display is bright enough to read in daylight; at night, it’s not glaring, and Sleep mode keeps distractions down.

If you’re particularly sensitive to noise, the Fan-only mode is quite gentle, and setting the unit to a slightly higher target temperature (instead of the lowest possible setting) prevents frequent compressor cycling.

Controls and daily usability

The control panel is cleanly laid out: mode selection (Cool, Fan, Dry), temperature up/down, fan speed, and timer. The included remote mirrors those functions and adds the Follow Me feature. Make sure the remote has line-of-sight for best responsiveness; even then, I found it forgiving across the room.

The 24-hour timer is a practical touch for pre-cooling before you get home or easing off in the middle of the night. The adjustable fan speeds give you control over noise vs. airflow. And the washable filter slides out easily—cleaning it monthly with a quick rinse or vacuum keeps performance steady and helps the unit breathe.

Mobility and build quality

At 26.4 inches tall with a 12.6 x 12.6 inch footprint, this is a compact cube that tucks into a corner well. The rolling casters glide smoothly on hardwood and vinyl; they’re less happy on plush carpet but still usable. The side handles are robust enough to reposition the unit without strain.

As for the plastics, it’s a typical portable AC build. Most panels feel solid and well-aligned. A minor nit: one of the small trim caps around the hose connection felt a bit flimsy during my first install. It didn’t affect function, but it’s not the kind of part you want to twist aggressively.

Efficiency tips that actually help

• Keep the door closed. These units work best in contained spaces.
• Shade the room during peak sun. Curtains or blinds make a big difference.
• Insulate the hose if you can. A wrap reduces radiant heat bleeding back into the room.
• Don’t extend the hose beyond what you need, and avoid bends.
• Pre-cool using the timer so the system isn’t fighting peak heat all at once.
• Clean the filter regularly. It’s quick and pays dividends.

The unit runs on a standard 115 V outlet; I had no issues sharing a circuit with a few low-draw devices, but avoid pairing it with other high-load appliances on the same breaker.

Where it fits—and where it doesn’t

This portable AC is a strong match for:
- Small bedrooms, offices, dorm rooms, or workshops up to about 150 sq ft
- Renters or anyone who can’t install a window unit
- Users who want simple controls, a reliable timer, and a thermostat-remote that actually adds value
- Situations where self-evaporating cooling (minimal draining) is a priority

It’s not ideal for:
- Large living rooms, open-plan areas, or sunrooms that exceed 150 sq ft, especially with heat gain
- Homes with only casement/crank windows unless you’re comfortable with a DIY panel
- Anyone seeking near-silent operation right next to a bed or recording desk

The bottom line

In the right-sized room, this Black & Decker portable AC does what it promises: it cools efficiently, controls humidity, and is easy to live with day to day. The Follow Me remote is more than a gimmick—it helps maintain comfort where you actually sit or sleep. Setup is straightforward, the footprint is small, and the self-evaporating design keeps maintenance low. Noise is typical for its class, and Sleep mode makes it practical for bedrooms.

Would I recommend it? Yes—with clear boundaries. If your space is around 150 square feet or smaller, this unit is a dependable, compact solution with smart usability touches. If you’re trying to cool a larger or leakier room, you’ll want to step up in capacity or manage expectations; this isn’t a miracle worker, it’s a realistically rated 5,000 SACC-BTU portable. Size it right, install it carefully, and it’s a solid performer that’s easy to recommend.