REASONS TO BUY
Programmable timer
Okay energy efficiency
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor cooling performance
Honeywell discontinued the 8,000 BTU version of this appliance.
Honeywell 8,000 BTU Review
This is a user-friendly device with mostly decent scores but ultimately has poor cooling abilities
Credit: Honeywell
Our Verdict
The Honeywell 8,000 is another run-of-the-mill AC unit that underwhelmed our testers. While this model had mostly average scores in our portable air conditioner review, it seriously lacked in its cooling performance. It is reasonably energy-efficient, fairly quiet, and easy to move from room to room. It has some enjoyable features like a programmable timer but when it comes down to it, an AC unit with poor cooling abilities just isn't worth it.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
The Honeywell 8,000 though sleek-looking, scored pretty poorly overall.
Credit: Laura Casner
Cooling Power
While the Honeywell isn't the absolute worst performer in this metric, it came very close to last place in cooling abilities. With a starting temperature of 82 degrees, the ambient air temperature only dropped 6.9 degrees after an hour of this machine running, leaving us at 75.1 degrees. Given that this machine is listed as working for rooms up to 350 square feet, we were disappointed by these lackluster results.
This model has a very user-friendly interface.
Credit: Laura Casner
Portability
This machine has a smooth plastic handle built into the very top of the device. The depth of the grip accommodates your whole fingertip, and despite its heavy weight, it is surprisingly easy to pick up. This unit doesn't fit in windows smaller than 36" unless you trim the plastic frame. The instruction manual makes no mention of this, so it's a little unclear if that is the expectation.
One of this model's most redeeming qualities is how portable it is.
Credit: Laura Casner
Noise
The noise produced by the Honeywell is relatively inoffensive. It makes a slight consistent hum while in use but no rattly sounds. When tested with our decibel reader, it was right in the range of all of the other units, coming in at 59.5 dBa. In our testers' opinions, the noise was not annoying but not entirely unnoticeable, again putting it squarely in the middle of our review of top-ranked portable air conditioners.
Energy Cost
Assuming you use the device for 12 hours a day over the course of the summer months, we calculated that the average use cost is around $128.00 per three months. The Honeywell isn't the cheapest to run, but it is also not the most expensive.
Unfortunately, this model just doesn't have enough cooling power to be one of our top picks.
Credit: Laura Casner
Should You Buy the Honeywell 8,000 BTU?
The Honeywell 8,000 is a mediocre air conditioning unit with a polished user interface. This unit hums along somewhere in the middle and is neither a top scorer nor at the absolute bottom in any of our testing metrics. Its cooling abilities weren't enough to merit a recommendation from us. However, it produces minimal noise, is decently portable, and runs on the lower side of energy costs.
What Other Portable Air Conditioners Should You Consider?
For an affordable portable AC unit with low energy costs and solid cooling power, check out the SereneLife SLPAC10. For maximum cooling power, the Whynter ARC-14SH will do the job; just expect to pay a higher electric bill.
—
Buck Yedor and Austin Palmer
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