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Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 Review

This portable AC uses a lot of power and is hard to lug around, but it does feature nice ionizing and dehumidifying modes
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Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 Review
Credit: Brian Walker
Price:  $599 List
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Manufacturer:   Frigidaire
By Austin Palmer and Adam Stout  ⋅  Nov 10, 2023
58
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#9 of 9
  • Cooling - 35% 6.8
  • Energy Consumption - 15% 4.4
  • Noise - 20% 6.0
  • Portability / Install - 25% 4.8
  • Convenience - 5% 7.2

Our Verdict

Although we appreciate its extra features, like an air purifying ionizer and a dehumidifying mode, the Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 failed to impress us when pitted against the competition. For starters, it's very heavy and cumbersome to move around for a portable air conditioner, and the initial setup process was one of the most frustrating of all the ACs tested. To make matters worse, the FHPH142AC1 was one of the least energy-efficient of the bunch. We recommend looking into other top-ranked portable air conditioners.
REASONS TO BUY
Good directional vent range of motion
Features dehumidifier and ionizer capability
REASONS TO AVOID
Single-hose design
Less energy efficient
Very heavy

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Portable Air Conditioner
Top Pick Award
Best Quiet Portable Air Conditioner
 Best Buy Award
Best Portable Air Conditioner On a Budget
Price $599 List$633 List
$551.85 at Amazon
$719 List
$649.00 at Amazon
$330 List
$329.99 at Amazon
$350 List
$319.96 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This heavy, power-hungry, portable air conditioner performed poorly for its high priceThis powerful portable air conditioner has more cooling capability and innovative features than any other to help you beat the summer heatThis is a super quiet, feature-dense, portable AC with a great mobile app and convenient onboard accessory storageThis versatile unit goes easy on the wallet in terms of power-consumption and purchase priceThis portable AC is easy to install and even easier on the budget
Rating Categories Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 Whynter ARC-1230WN LG LP1022FVSM Black+Decker BPACT08WT SereneLife SLPAC10
Cooling (35%)
6.8
8.8
6.8
6.6
6.2
Energy Consumption (15%)
4.4
6.1
6.7
6.7
6.3
Noise (20%)
6.0
8.0
9.0
5.5
5.5
Portability / Install (25%)
4.8
8.2
7.5
8.3
8.8
Convenience (5%)
7.2
8.9
8.4
6.2
6.0
Specs Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 Whynter ARC-1230WN LG LP1022FVSM Black+Decker BPACT08WT SereneLife SLPAC10
Manufacturer Recommended Cooling Area Up to 700 sq ft Up to 600 sq ft Up to 450 sq ft Up to 150 sq ft Up to 450 sq ft
Single or Dual Hose Single Dual Single Single Single
Wi-Fi / App Enabled No Yes Yes No No
Modes (fan speeds) - Cold (1-3 + Auto)
  • Fan (1-3)
  • Dry (Low)
  • Auto (Auto)
  • Heat (1-3 + Auto)
- Cold (1-3 + Auto)
  • Fan (1-3 + Auto)
  • Dry (Auto)
  • Auto (Auto)
- Cold (1-3)
  • Fan (1-3)
  • Dry (1)
- Cold (1-3 + Auto)
  • Fan (1-3)
  • Dehumidify (Auto)
- Cold (1-3)
  • Fan (1-3)
  • Dry (1)
Energy Star Certified No No No No No
BTU 14000 BTU (ASHRAE)
10000 BTU (DOE)
14000 BTU (ASHRAE)
12000 BTU (DOE)
14000 BTU (ASHRAE)
10000 BTU (DOE)
8000 BTU (ASHRAE)
4000 BTU (DOE)
10000 BTU (ASHRAE)
6000 BTU (DOE)
24-Hour On/Off Timer Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Control Type Button Button Button Touch Button
Remote Control Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Washable Dust Filter Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Manufacturer Window Width Minimum 26.6" 26.7" 23" 20.5" 26.7"
Manufacturer Window Width Maximum 52.5" 49" 60" 59" 50.1" *
Measured Window Kit Width 5" 9.8" 6.5" 6.5" 4"
Refrigerant Type R32 R32 R32 R32 R410a
Child Lock No Yes, for the remote only No No No
Manufacturer Dehumidify/Moisture removal 5.1 pt/hr 87 pt/day 6.7 pt/hr Not Specified 3.1 pt/hr
Measured Weight 80 lbs 5 oz 75 lbs 1 oz 69 lbs 46 lbs 52 lbs 4 oz
CEER 7.6 12.3 7.9 5.4 6.6
Estimated Summer Cost $244.04 $216.15 $191.74 $156.88 $167.34
Average dBa Reading on High 58.6 58.4 56 58.6 61
Difference of averaged temps 7.6 11.9 7.6 7 6.3

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 shines in a select few areas. It has a great range of motion from its air vents and useful convenience capabilities like an air purifying ionizer, a dehumidifying mode, and an above-average timer program.

Performance Comparison


frigidaire fhph142ac1 - the frigidaire fhph142ac1 is all set up for an hour of extensive...
The Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 is all set up for an hour of extensive testing.
Credit: Brian Walker

Cooling


The Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 didn't do well here, especially for a larger 14,000 BTU unit. At 83.3 degrees Fahrenheit, we turned on the FHPH142AC1 and ran it on its highest settings for an hour. After the 60 minutes were up, we checked the air temp, which dropped to 75.65 degrees Fahrenheit — a 7.6 degree drop.

The Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 features an auto-swing vent louver to evenly distribute air throughout the room.
Credit: Brian Walker

Portability/Install


Tipping the scale at over 80 pounds, this unit is a real pain to lug around, especially if you need to lift it upstairs. Because it's a tall unit, with the handles placed way up high, it is tough to get into a good position to carry. However, we appreciated the adequate depth of the handles compared to shallower ones on other units; we just wish they were positioned lower.

Not only is the Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 hard to lift, but it's also a bit unwieldy to push around. It rolls well on hard floors, but you must be careful not to let it get off balance into a tipping/walking motion. It also goes fine on short-pile carpet, but there will be lots of rolling resistance if you try to move it around on a medium to long-pile carpet.

frigidaire fhph142ac1 - the window kit, after a lengthy fitting process.
The window kit, after a lengthy fitting process.
Credit: Austin Palmer

Initial installation of the Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 window kit is one of the least straightforward processes of the units tested and takes around 20-25 minutes. We found the instructions a bit out of order and unclear at times, but we figured everything out in the end and got our hose and window interface panel up and running.

frigidaire fhph142ac1 - all components needed to install the frigidaire fhph142ac1 window kit.
All components needed to install the Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 window kit.
Credit: Austin Palmer

However, the Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 does redeem itself with slightly above-average breakdown and storage characteristics. The hose easily disconnects from the unit's chassis with a twist, and the window kit is removed by pushing two clips. There are a couple of nails you may need to unscrew, but they are easy to access. The onboard storage of components is limited to a place to wrap up the power cord, so you'll need to carry and store the hose and window kit separately.

Noise


The Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 performed near the average for noise among the portable ACs we tested. We evaluated this metric using an SPL meter to measure decibels and used our ears for subjective listening.

frigidaire fhph142ac1 - the frigidaire fhph142ac1 being measured for decibels, four feet...
The Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 being measured for decibels, four feet from an SPL meter.
Credit: Brian Walker

The Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 produced 58.6 dBa running four feet from the SPL meter with the fan on high. The compressor produced a pretty loud hum, and the fan on high was fairly loud, too, placing the FHPH142AC1 near the middle of the pack.

Energy Consumption


Our energy metric measures power consumption. The powerful 10000 BTU Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 was one of the most power-hungry portable ACs in the review, scoring below average in this metric.

frigidaire fhph142ac1 - we used a watt meter to measure power consumption over 60 minutes...
We used a watt meter to measure power consumption over 60 minutes with the AC on high.
Credit: Brian Walker

The Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 consumed 1.4 kWh in one hour. Over a 90-day period with 12 hours of use per day, it's projected to consume 1512 kWh and approximately $244.04 in electricity costs.

Convenience


The Frigidaire FHPH142AC1* was well above average in this metric. The vents are adjustable up and down with a decent range of motion, and there is also the welcome option to turn on the “swing” function to have the unit automatically operate the vents to distribute the cool air through the room more evenly. Some other things we appreciated about the Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 were its modes. It has a greater variety than most other units, including Dry and Heat modes. Temperature and settings are easy to read on the green-illuminated display screen, and we liked the way the timer and child locks were implemented on this unit.

frigidaire fhph142ac1 - the frigidaire managed to drop the temperature by 7.6 degrees in our...
The Frigidaire managed to drop the temperature by 7.6 degrees in our hour-long test.
Credit: Austin Palmer

Should You Buy the Frigidaire FHPH142AC1?


We don't recommend the Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 for most people. Unless you are specifically keen on its dehumidifying or ionizing capabilities, it can't compete with the top units in this segment, especially at its higher price point and considering the increased cost of operating it over time due to its heavier power consumption.

frigidaire fhph142ac1 - frigidaire fhph142ac1 a is a high performer with extra features and...
Frigidaire FHPH142AC1 a is a high performer with extra features and nice-to-haves but is also expensive and heavy.
Credit: Brian Walker

What Other Portable Air Conditioner Should You Consider?


If you're looking for tons of features and excellent cooling power, you can't go wrong with the powerful Whynter ARC-1230WN. If you don't need to bring the arctic air to your small space, check out the budget-friendly SereneLife SLPAC10 SLPAC for its high portability and easy setup.

Austin Palmer and Adam Stout