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SereneLife SLPAC10 Review

You'll save cash and receive exceptional performance, though it does run a touch louder than others
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serenelife slpac10 portable air conditioner review
The SLPAC10 is a great bargain air conditioner.
Credit: Laura Casner
Price:  $350 List
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Manufacturer:   SereneLife
By David Wise and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Apr 21, 2022
65
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 7
  • Cooling Power - 40% 6.0
  • Portability - 25% 9.0
  • Noise - 20% 4.0
  • Energy Cost - 15% 7.0

Our Verdict

The SereneLife SLPAC10 offers one of the best values in our review of top-ranked portable air conditioners. It offers solid cooling performance, and its combination of convenience and low energy consumption make this an attractive buy. Though this home appliance is marketed as an AC unit, it can also function as a fan and a dehumidifier. It's a bit noisy, but all in all, it's a quality and versatile device.
REASONS TO BUY
Great value
Highly portable
Performed well in our energy-efficiency test
Solid cooling performance
REASONS TO AVOID
Runs on the louder side
Editor's Note: This product review was updated on March 4, 2022, with additional product recommendations and comparisons.

Compare to Similar Products

 
serenelife slpac10 portable air conditioner review
This Product
SereneLife SLPAC10
Awards Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award    
Price $350 List
$349.99 at Amazon
$348 List
$318.84 at Amazon
$279 List$399 List
$349.99 at Amazon
$420 List
$299.99 at Amazon
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Bottom Line Performs well across the board and at an exceptional price, though it can run a bit loudIf you have to deal with triple-digit temperatures on a regular basis, this is an excellent optionThis unit is incredibly energy efficient but only offers marginal cooling abilitiesWhile this model has decent energy efficiency and is easy to move, it is noisy and has mediocre cooling abilitiesIt is hard to recommend a product that doesn't do all that well at cooling a room
Rating Categories SereneLife SLPAC10 Whynter ARC-122DS E... Airo Comfort Midea 3-in-1 Black+Decker BPACT08WT
Cooling Power (40%)
6.0
6.0
3.0
5.0
4.0
Portability (25%)
9.0
6.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Noise (20%)
4.0
8.0
7.0
4.0
6.0
Energy Cost (15%)
7.0
5.0
10.0
6.0
7.0
Specs SereneLife SLPAC10 Whynter ARC-122DS E... Airo Comfort Midea 3-in-1 Black+Decker BPACT08WT
Remote Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Timer Yes Yes Yes Yes Set up on the remote only
Interface location Top Front Top Top Top
Modes Cool, dry, fan Cool, dry, fan Cool, dry, fan Heat, auto, cool, dry, fan Cool, dry, fan
Number of Fan Speeds 3 3 3 4 4
Cord Wrap Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Measured Weight 54.7 lbs 60.4 lbs 51.5 lbs 56.2 lbs 51.3 lbs
Window Kit Length (without modification) Min: 37"
Max: 50 1/8"
Min: 20"
Max: 46"
Min: 26.5"
Max: 48"
Min: 26.5"
Max: 48"
Min: 20.5"
Max: 59"
Measured kWh on High (Average) 0.91 kWh 1.06 kWh 0.71 kWh 0.85 kWh 0.8 kWh
Measured dBa on High at 4' 62 dBa 57 dBa 58 dBa 60.5 dBa 58.4 dBa
Room Rating 350 sq ft 400 sq ft 350 sq ft 200 sq ft 300 sq ft
BTUs 10,000 12,000 10,000 10,000 8,000
Single or Dual hose Single Dual Single Single Single
Projected Summer Cost $116.22 $131.61 $88.17 $122.60 $113.62
Measured Temperature Drop After 60 Minutes 11ºF 10°F 6ºF 8ºF 6.4°F

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


serenelife slpac10 portable air conditioner review - the serenelife consumed much less electricity than some of the other...
The SereneLife consumed much less electricity than some of the other models in our tests.
Credit: Laura Casner

Cooling Power


Our most important set of assessments focused on the relative cooling power of each product. For this test, we used a 161-square-foot room for our side-by-side tests and based scores on the temperature drop each unit could achieve after an hour. We heated the room to 80 degrees Fahrenheit before the test using a space heater and only tested these AC units when the outside temperature was between 80 and 85 degrees.


This AC is rated for rooms up to 350+ square feet and is a 10,000 BTU model. It managed to achieve a temperature drop of 11°F over the course of an hour, with 8.8 of that drop achieved in the first 20 minutes.


However, this unit's performance plateaued at 71°F, and it didn't cool the room any further in our test. Therefore, you'll want to take into account the room you intend to cool and if this temperature range is suitable for your needs.

serenelife slpac10 portable air conditioner review - this model is one of the easiest to set up.
This model is one of the easiest to set up.
Credit: Laura Casner

Portability


Our next round of evaluations focused on how easy it is to move around each of these air conditioning units, as they are all allegedly portable. We based scores on how easy it is to roll around, how hard it is to carry, and how difficult it is to move the window insert between rooms. The SereneLife did quite well, earning one of the best showings of the whole group.


This air conditioning unit rolls around fairly effortlessly, smoothly traversing our test room without issues. We also liked that it isn't overly challenging to carry around — at least, compared to the heaviest units we have tested. This appliance still weighs in at over 50 pounds, so it isn't going to be fun to carry up a flight of stairs by any means.


The handles feel fairly ergonomic, but they are on the shallow side and lack any grippy material, so your fingertips may start to get tired after a bit or slip if your hands are sweaty.

serenelife slpac10 portable air conditioner review - the handles on the serenelife are fairly comfortable to hold but...
The handles on the SereneLife are fairly comfortable to hold but could be a little deeper.
Credit: Laura Casner

The SereneLife's window insert is one of our favorites, and it's a breeze to transfer between windows. It has a lever opposite where you insert the hose that locks it into position, allowing for a tool-free installation and removal.

serenelife slpac10 portable air conditioner review - we love how easy it is to install the serenelife's window insert.
We love how easy it is to install the SereneLife's window insert.
Credit: Laura Casner

It can adjust in size from 37" to just over 50," but we wish it came with some foam tape to help seal any gaps.

Noise


Our last series of tests looked at how loud each air conditioner is. Unfortunately, the SereneLife was not the highest performer in this metric.


We moved around our sound level meter to find the loudest spot in the machine when at its different operating modes and measuring at a distance of four feet away.


This AC is on the louder side — enough that it might be hard to carry on a conversation with someone in a normal voice if you were standing right next to it.

Energy Cost


Our final series of tests looked at the amount of energy each air conditioner consumed. We used a power meter to measure the average consumption for 30 minutes for each unit on both low and high power operating modes, then came up with a projected cost after operating them for 90 days. We assumed that you ran each unit on high power for two hours to start the room cooling off, then kept it on low for another 10 hours to maintain the temperature. Costs were calculated using an average price per kilowatt-hour of $0.1315.


Our projected cost would be a little more than $116 at the end of the 90 days based on our assumed usage profile and average electricity cost.


serenelife slpac10 portable air conditioner review - power consumption will vary by operating mode.
Power consumption will vary by operating mode.
Credit: Laura Casner

Should You Buy the SereneLife SLPAC10?


This is a great value for a portable air conditioner. It holds its own with models that cost quite a bit more, and it's not too power-hungry when it comes to energy consumption. It's also one of the more portable options. As a bonus, the SereneLife can operate in a fan-only or dehumidifier mode. If your area isn't prone to routinely hitting triple-digit temps, this model will likely serve you well.

What Other Portable Air Conditioners Should You Consider?


If you're in the hottest of climates, you may need to consider a more powerful unit like the Whynter ARC-14SH. The Whynter performed the best in our cooling tests — although you'll end up paying the cost for that extra cooling power.

David Wise and Austin Palmer