Black+Decker BPACT14WT Review

The Black+Decker BPACT14WT is an all-around solid performer with impressive cooling capability and an especially quick and intuitive setup. We also appreciated some of its finer details, like a generous latitude for directing airflow through the adjustable vent louvers and the grate on the end of the exhaust hose meant to keep animals from sneaking in.

Cooling

A portable air conditioner's primary task is to cool down the air in a given space, which is why our cooling metric weighs so heavily in the total score for every product. The 14,000 BTU Black+Decker BPACT14WT tested well here, finishing near the top of the pack.

For this metric, we simulated consistent summertime heat inside and outside of the space that was going to be air-conditioned. When the temp of our test room finally reached 82.1 degrees Fahrenheit, we turned on the BPACT14WT and let it do its thing. One hour later, the air temperature dropped to 73.85 degrees Fahrenheit. That's an impressive 8.3 degrees of change and one of the best results we saw in this category.

Portability/Install

The Black+Decker BPACT14WT was an average scorer in this metric overall, but it did excel in some areas. It weighs in at just over 64 pounds, with the most weight tipped toward the front left of the unit. It's not terrible to carry around compared to some others, but we wish the handles were a little bit deeper for more comfort and confidence when lugging it up stairs. Rolling resistance is higher on this unit than others, but it does track reasonably straight. It did fine rolling across hard surfaces, but when we got to the medium-long pile carpet traverse, we felt there was a high risk of tipping the unit over if we weren't careful.

Initial installation of the Black+Decker BPACT14WT's window kit is among the quickest and most straightforward we tested. It takes five to ten minutes to set up the first time, and you'll just need basic hand tools to dial in a good fit with the window interface. There is some cutting and trimming of foam involved to get a good seal with your window and the window interface panel; then you clip in the pre-assembled hose assembly — overall, it is a much better experience than with some other units.

Likewise, packing the Black+Decker BPACT14WT up for storage is easily done and among the best units tested in this regard. Both the hose and window kit are designed for quick removal by twisting and unclipping pieces by hand, without the need for tools. The only thing separating this unit from the best is that it lacks convenient onboard storage features. All you get with this one is a velcro strap to tie down the power cord.

Noise

This metric scores the level of noise the portable AC produces while the fan is set to its highest (and loudest) setting. The Black+Decker BPACT14WT was slightly quieter than the average for all portable ACs we tested.

The Black+Decker BPACT14WT delivered 58.9 dBa, running a few feet from the SPL meter. We noticed a loud hum coming from the compressor on this one. Overall, the BPACT14T was a pretty average portable AC in terms of its noise level compared to the test group.

Energy Consumption

This metric scores power consumption. Units with lower power consumption are better for the power grid and our wallets, which is why energy efficiency is so important. The 12,000 BTU Black+Decker BPACT14WT turned out to be a power hog compared to the rest of the class, scoring well below average.

At 90 days with 12 hours of use per day, the Black+Decker BPACT14WT is projected to consume 1371.6 kWh for approximately $221.38 in electricity costs, making it one of the more inefficient and expensive units to operate.

Convenience

This metric rates each portable AC unit on the quality of its onboard features and how helpful they actually are. The Black+Decker BPACT14WT was pretty average here.

We appreciated the adequate range of vertical motion with the vents, which can blow air lower than many other units, and the ability to move the vents left and right. We also found the display to be above average and easily viewable from a moderate distance and many angles. Mode selection was above average on the Black+Decker BPACT14WT as well, due to the incorporation of a handy dehumidifier setting.

Everything else about its features was standard. There's a remote, child lock, and a basic timer, but no mobile app or other smart features to compare to the models that scored highest in this metric.

Should You Buy the Black+Decker BPACT14WT?

The Black+Decker BPACT14WT was a middle-of-the-road performer across most of our metrics, but it excelled where it mattered most: in cooling capability and its straightforward setup. If you aren't looking for a unit with fancy features and can handle a below-average energy efficiency, you could do much worse than the BPACT14WT.

What Other Portable Air Conditioner Should You Consider?