Black+Decker BPACT08WT Review
A light and power-efficient model that is sufficient for smaller rooms
Credit: Brian Walker
By David Wise ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ November 10, 2023
Contributions From: Austin Palmer & Adam Stout
RELATED: Best Portable Air Conditioner
Our Verdict
The Black+Decker BPACT08WT is a small and highly portable 8,000 BTU unit with good energy efficiency and a super easy installation at a great price. It outperforms most other portable AC units we tested in its power range, but won't keep up with a more powerful 14,000 BTU AC for cooling larger spaces.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Black+Decker BPACT08WT | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best For Most Houses |  Best Buy on a Mid-range Budget | Best Buy on a Tight Budget | ||
| Price | $428 List Check Price at Amazon | $599 List Check Price at Amazon | $472 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $320 List Check Price at Amazon | $280 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This versatile unit goes easy on the wallet in terms of power-consumption and purchase price | With effective cooling and quiet operation, this unit is easily controlled by the companion app that offers multiple settings, so you can get just the right amount of cooling for your space | This portable AC is easy to install and even easier on the budget | This budget-focused AC was louder and had less cooling power than some other models | This 8000 BTU portable air conditioner is a solid, affordable option that is effective in cooling smaller areas |
| Rating Categories | Black+Decker BPACT08WT | Midea Duo Smart Inve... | SereneLife SLPAC10 | Shinco SPF1-08C | Costway 22783 |
| Cooling (35%) | |||||
| Installation & Portability (25%) | |||||
| Noise (20%) | |||||
| Energy Consumption (15%) | |||||
| Convenience (5%) | |||||
| Specifications | Black+Decker BPACT08WT | Midea Duo Smart Inve... | SereneLife SLPAC10 | Shinco SPF1-08C | Costway 22783 |
| Measured Noise Level | 58.6 dBA | 55.4 dBA | 61.0 dBA | 61.0 dBA | 59.1 dBA |
| Temperature Drop | 7.0°F | 7.9°F | 6.3°F | 6.1°F | 4.8°F |
| Measured Power Consumed | 0.88 kWh | 1.21 kWh | 0.96 kWh | 0.81 kWh | 0.84 kWh |
| Estimated Summer Cost | $160.43 | $220.59 | $175.01 | $147.76 | $153.14 |
| Measured Weight | 46.0 lbs | 74.0 lbs | 52.3 lbs | 41.8 lbs | 43.8 lbs |
| BTU SACC (DOE) | 4000 BTU | 10000 BTU | 6000 BTU | 4550 BTU | 5000 BTU |
| BTU ASHRAE | 8000 BTU | 12000 BTU | 10000 BTU | 8000 BTU | 8000 BTU |
| CEER | 5.4 | 14.7 | 6.6 | 6 | 6.1 |
| Energy Star Certified | No | No | No | No | No |
| Single or Dual Hose | Single | Dual | Single | Single | Single |
| Cooling Area | 150 sq ft | 450 sq ft | 450 sq ft | 200 sq ft | 230 sq ft |
| GearLab Installation TIme | 10 min | 20 min | 5 min | 5 min | 25 min |
| Wi-Fi / App Enabled | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Modes (fan speeds) | - Cold (1-3 + Auto)
|
- Cool (1-3 + Auto & Continuous)
|
- Cold (1-3)
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- Cool (Low, High)
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- Cool (Low, High)
|
| Control Type | Touch | Button | Button | Button | Button |
| Child Lock | No | Yes, for the remote only | No | No | No |
| Manufacturer Dehumidify/Moisture Removal | Not Specified | 4.1 pt/hr | 3.1 pt/hr | 1.7 pt/hr | Not Specified |
Our Analysis and Test Results
We appreciate the Black+Decker BPACT08WT for its good value. It's one of the cheapest products in this class and one of the more capable coolers in the 8,000 BTU subcategory. It's among the easiest units to set up and move around, and it has above-average energy efficiency.
The Black+Decker BPACT08WT gearing up for an hour of testing. Credit: Brian Walker
Cooling
The Black+Decker BPACT08WT demonstrated middling cooling performance overall, but it did well for a lower 8000 BTU unit.
This 8000 BTU AC cools well for a smaller single-hosed unit. Credit: Brian Walker
This unit managed a temperature drop of 7 degrees Fahrenheit after 60 minutes, from a start temp of 82.4 degrees to a final temp of 75.4 degrees, which brought it in towards the back of the pack but highest among the lower 8000 BTU units.
Portability/Install
The Black+Decker had an above-average showing in our portability tests. This unit is relatively easy to carry, with handles that are decently comfortable to grab. There is enough contouring to make them relatively ergonomic, though we wish they were a bit bigger. This is one of the lighter-weight AC units we tested, weighing in at 51.3 pounds. This also makes it very easy to roll around, offering only the slightest rolling resistance. It also maneuvers very easily, tracking straight while pushing without any pull to one side or the other.
We appreciate the quick and straightforward setup process on the Black+Decker portable ACs. Credit: Brian Walker
The exhaust duct installation requires a screwdriver to complete, but it isn't overly difficult. You use pre-drilled holes to screw the pieces together, so you don't have total adjustability in its 20.5" to 59" range, but you can always drill your own if you need to make it fit better in your window.
Noise
The Black+Decker BPACT08WT put out 58.6 dBa with the fan on high, and we noticed a loud humming from this machine that we found somewhat annoying, especially for those who would have to spend most of their time around the unit. But overall, this was fairly average in terms of its noise level compared to the rest of our test lineup.
The BPACT08WT is fairly average when it comes to noise. Credit: Brian Walker
Energy Consumption
The 8,000 BTU Black+Decker BPACT08WT scored well above average in this metric, consuming only .88 kWh in our test. Over 90 days with 12 hours of daily use, the Black+Decker BPACT08WT was projected to consume 950.4 kWh for approximately $153.39, making it one of the more efficient and economical units reviewed.
According to our watt meter, Black+Decker BPACT08WT is one of the most efficient portable ACs around. Credit: Brian Walker
Convenience
The Black+Decker BPACT08WT did respectably well in this metric. It has a nice and legible blue settings display viewable from most angles and from a moderate distance, and features a touch interface with good modes, including a Dehumidify program setting. It comes with a remote, child locks, and a pretty basic timer, but no smart mobile app that you'd find on the highest scorers in this metric.
Not much airflow adjustability on these vent louvers. Credit: Austin Palmer
The most surprising omission of the Black+Decker BPACT08WT is its poor vent adjustability. You can't move it much vertically, although the tiny shift it does allow seems relatively effective.
Should You Buy the Black+Decker BPACT08WT?
If you don't require top-notch cooling power from a larger BTU unit and high energy efficiency is important to you, it's hard to go wrong with the BPACT08WT. Not only is it the most capable of the smaller 8,000 BTU units, but it's also one of the most portable and easiest to install.
The BPACT08WT is hard at work, cooling down our test environment. Credit: Brian Walker
What Other Portable Air Conditioners Should You Consider?
If you're looking for a portable air conditioner with superior cooling power and similar energy efficiency to the BPACT08WT, go for the SereneLife SLPAC10. If you live in an extremely hot climate, we'd recommend the powerful Whynter ARC-1230WN due to its equally extreme cooling powers.
—David Wise, Austin Palmer, and Adam Stout
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