LG LP1022FVSM Review

We found a lot to like about the LG LP1022FVSM, starting with how much quieter it runs than any other portable air conditioner we've ever tested. Pair that with its convenient onboard storage for hauling between rooms or packing away at the end of the season and its slick Wi-Fi mobile app, and it's easy to see how this well-appointed unit ranks so high up in our review.

Cooling

For our cooling tests, we set our test room at high heat temperatures and turned each unit on its highest cooling setting for at least an hour to see how much the temperature dropped. The LG LP1022FVSM performed slightly above average here and landed among the middle of the pack.

When the indoor air settled at 83.3 degrees Fahrenheit, we powered on the LG LP1022FVSM and ran it on high for 60 minutes. After we ran the unit for an hour, the air temperature dropped to 75.65 degrees Fahrenheit. That's a 7.6-degree temperature decrease, which was normal for most portable units.

Portability/Install

The LG LP1022FVSM did pretty well here, with a straightforward install and decent portability. This unit weighs in at 69 pounds, and we appreciated the depth and placement of the handles for hauling it up stairs. Pushing the unit around on hard floors was decent but not as smooth as many other models we tested. It rolled fine on short pile carpet, albeit with more resistance, but got a little tippy on medium to high pile carpets.

Initial installation on the LG LP1022FVSM was one of the best tested. The instructions were clear, and the process was straightforward, requiring essential hand tools for trimming and drilling for a secure and sealed window interface. Installing the hose into the window kit is a breeze since it is pre-attached to the unit, and you don't need to do anything but slide it and lock it into the window kit without messing with any screws.

Packing the kit up and storing it is fairly easy as well. Since the exhaust hose comes preinstalled, it stays installed and upright for storage. There's also a place to stow the window kit on the back of the unit and a bracket to wrap the power cord around.

Noise

The Noise metric makes up 20% of the overall total in this category of products and is scored on the noise levels the portable air conditioner produces while running with the compressor kicked on and the fan set to high. The LG LP1022FVSM exceeded all of the competition in this metric with its noticeably quieter operation.

For this test we listened to each unit on all of its settings and busted out our sound meter at four feet away to measure the level of decibels produced by the LG. The final scores were based on our subjective listening in addition to the measured decibel levels.

The LG LP1022FVSM produced 56 dBa from the SPL meter with the fan on high. The compressor and fan are significantly quieter than those of competitors in our tests, making this the quietest unit in the review.

Energy Consumption

The energy metric measures the power consumption of every portable AC tested. The LG LP1022FVSM performed slightly above average in this metric thanks to its inverter technology, which allows the compressor to work more efficiently.

In order to measure the energy consumption, we ran the LG on its highest setting and for 60 minutes while our watt meter measured the the Kilowatt Hours (kWh) produced by the machine during that time. Then, we calculated electricity costs and kWh consumption over three months to figure what it would cost to run the AC for 12 hours a day over that period. These numbers make the assumption that the unit will be running consistently at this rate, although we know that won't be the case for most. Still, the results should fall in the same order based on our controlled testing. AC units that included inverter technology were awarded with an additional point in our energy consumption metric, as these units have a more efficient variable speed compressor that doesn't run at full speed at all times. The LP1022FVSM has this and should perform even better than our test projects over the long term.

The LG LP1022FVSM consumed 1.1 kWh in our 60-minute test. Over three months, used 12 hours of a day, it's likely to consume 1188 kWh and approximately $191.74 in electricity costs, coming in around the middle of the pack for all units tested.

Convenience

The *LG LP1022FVSM was one of the top scores in this metric. This unit has a good range of manual vertical airflow adjustments and has a “swing” function that automatically moves the fin in a steady, constant motion to push air around the room more evenly. The primary modes, timer, remote, and child locks are all there and work well, but they are all on the average side compared to other units.

Our favorite thing about the LG LP1022FVSM is its ability to connect over Wi-Fi and work with a mobile app, which has many of the same functions as the remote. It also provides a lot of additional functionality and data where you can monitor energy use and air filters, run smart diagnostics, and access the product manual.

The only thing finicky about the convenience features of this AC is its display placement, which is almost impossible to see from many angles and from a moderate distance away, because it is hidden behind the vent.

Should You Buy the LG LP1022FVSM?

If you're looking for the quietest portable air conditioner in the game, this is the one to splurge on. It's jam-packed with premium features and packs up tidier than any other for easy transportation, thanks to its onboard hose storage. However, it comes at a premium price and doesn't match the cooling power of some of the more powerful units we tried out.

What Other Portable Air Conditioner Should You Consider?