REASONS TO BUY
Incredibly efficient
Great value
Decently moveable
REASONS TO AVOID
Loud
In Spring, 2020, The Whynter ARC-08WB was Discontinued
Whynter ARC-08WB Review
If you are shopping on a budget, the ARC-08WB give you the most cooling power dollar for dollar
The ARC-08WB was the most energy efficient model we tested.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
By David Wise ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ September 20, 2018
Contributions From: Austin Palmer
Our Verdict
Claiming one of the highest scores we have seen to date and retailing at a great price, the Whynter ARC-08WB easily claimed the Best Buy Award. This unit did quite well in our room cooling challenge and is one of the most easily moved portable A/C's that we have tested. However, it was in our energy efficiency and cost test where the ARC-08WB really established a name for itself, earning the highest score by far and easily dominating the rest of the group in this test. Unfortunately, this A/C isn't totally flawless. It is a bit on the louder side and is a single-hose model, so it can get a little bogged down on the hottest days — 100°F+. However, if you live in more moderate climate zones and are looking to save some cash, then the ARC-08WB is your best bet.
Our Analysis and Test Results
This model tied with the Whynter ARC-122DS Elite, both receiving one of the highest scores we have seen to date. The ARC-08WB is quite a bit more efficient, with a projected energy cost that is much lower for the same amount of usage, but it is significantly noisier, especially since the Elite is one of the quietest models of the entire group. These both performed comparably in our cooling test where the outside temperature was in the high 80's, but the dual-hose Elite would fare much better than the 08WB in the hottest climates. However, the Elite retails for more than the ARC-08WB.
The ARC-08WB has good cooling power relative to its BTU rating. Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Cooling Power
This portable air conditioner dropped the temperature by 10°F after 60 minutes.
The bulk of this drop happened in the first 20 minutes, with a recorded temperature drop of 8.07°F at that point. Our test room was 161 sq. ft., so well within the 250 sq. ft. rating of this air conditioning unit.
The exhaust tube is easily removable for transport. Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Portability
The ARC-08WB is actually one of the most portable models that we have tested.
This portable air conditioner is very easy to roll around on relatively smooth interior surfaces — the casters are a bit small for rolling it around on rougher or exterior surfaces, like asphalt. This unit also maneuvers quite well, though it can be a tiny bit squirrely when pushing in a straight line, occasionally swerving to one side or another.
If you are planning on moving your portable air conditioner up or down stairs, the Whynter ARC-08WB is also one of the easiest units to carry. It weighs in at 48.3 lbs., which may sound heavy, but is actually on the lighter side for these products.
The handles are also relatively ergonomic and are large enough to not cut into your hands while lifting.
The ARC-08WB is really light and easy to carry compared to the other models we tested. Credit: Jenna Ammerman
However, installing the window insert can be a bit more of a task with this product. It's not terribly hard, but does require the use of a screwdriver to tighten the screws into the pre-drilled holes. The holes are drilled at fairly regular intervals, but it still gives you slightly less adjustability than the models that continuously slide.
A screwdriver is required to install the window kit. Credit: Jenna Ammerman
This insert can range in size from 20"-46", which should fit most standard windows without issue. All in all, it usually took between 10-20 minutes to get the insert set up.
How cool can it get? Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Noise
This portable air conditioner measured in at 60.3 dBa on high and 58.3 dBa on low, with the meter held out of the direct path of the fan. This makes it one of the loudest models of the group.
Our panel didn't notice any particularly unpleasant sounds, with the exception of the exhaust fan. We found it sounded surprisingly loud — even louder than other models that measured the same on the SPL meter.
The interface on this model is clearly labeled and easy to use. Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Energy Cost
We compared the projected cost of running each of these units for an entire summer. The Whynter easily delivered the best performance in the group here.
According to our caulatons, the ARC-08WB is projected to increase your power bill by $81.90, comparing very favorably with the rest of the group.
However, this number can vary wildly depending on your usage pattern and local utility rates, but this unit should always be one of the least expensive to operate.
Value
Overall, this portable air conditioner is a fantastic value. It's highly efficient to keep your power bills low and offers some of the best bang for your buck.
Conclusion
If you are looking to save a little cash when shopping for an A/C, you should definitely consider this model first. We'd recommend this model to almost anyone, with the exception of people who live somewhere where it is incredibly hot for the majority of the year and would be better served by a dual-hose model.
—David Wise and Austin Palmer
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