Shinco SPF1-08C Review

It can be hard to suss out the worthwhile candidates when searching for an AC. Especially when looking at budget models, you may wonder if a more affordable machine is going to be able to meet your cooling needs in the scorching summer months. Luckily, with the Shinco SPF1-08C, the answer is yes. While it isn't the most powerful unit we tested, it is a decent budget cooling system, putting up competitive cooling scores in comparison to much more powerful units. It is also a great option if you value portability, ease of installation, and setup.

Cooling

To make our cooling test as objective as possible, we put each unit into a climate-controlled room at our testing facility and ran it at full blast for 60 minutes. After an hour of pumping out chilly air, the Shinco had cooled the space by 6.1 degrees Fahrenheit. This was below average in our testing lineup, but it wasn't too surprising to our team; the unit is rated for a smaller room of up to 200 square feet. We should also note that this machine only sports a “low” and a “high” setting, with no medium fan option.

Installation & Portability

While the cooling score is nothing to write home about, the Shinco really shines in terms of portability and ease of installation. Unlike more cumbersome units that took upwards of 25 minutes to install into a standard-sized window, the Shinco was set up and ready to go after a mere 5 minutes. The fan's adjustments and the wireless remote's settings are also simple to use and ranked above average.

One thing that's worth noting about the Shinco SPF1-08C is its lightweight design; relative to larger units on our list, it is much more manageable. This petite model weighs in at just under 42 pounds, which can make it easier for smaller users to lug around their home or apartment. The unit's wheels were a bit tricky to roll on high-pile carpets, but on berber and hardwood, the wheels work great, and this feature significantly improves portability. It is also one of the few models with a handle. However, it can be hard to get a grip on the slippery material with just one hand, and the handle is probably more useful for rolling the unit around the house rather than for carrying it.

Noise

We used a decibel meter to measure the noise output of each model from exactly four feet away from the motor. Unfortunately, the Shinco had one of the worst scores when it came to noise, blasting a measurement of 61 decibels when running on the high setting. Our main tester found the noise to be mildly distracting while performing daily tasks. That said, this level of noise is to be expected for a more budget-minded unit without premium features, like an inverter. In any case, most of the noise comes from the fan; the Shinco's compressor isn't overtly loud, and so you can adjust the volume levels somewhat by reducing the fan speed to the low setting.

Energy Consumption

The Shinco was among the more cost-efficient units that we tested, mostly because of its small size and lower 8000 BTUs cooling power, rather than actual efficiency. It has a Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio (CEER) score of 6 (out of 12 possible), which was on the lower end of the models we tested, but with its compressor on and its fan running on high, this machine consumed just .81 kWh. As such, we estimated that this air conditioner would cost roughly $147.76 to run all summer long (90 days), assuming that you were running it for 12 hours per day. So although its CEER is a bit lower, it is still one of the more cost-conscious machines to run.

Convenience

Like many of the units we tried out in this series, the Shinco comes with a variety of convenience features, like a remote control (with batteries included), an hourly timer, and an easy-to-read temperature display. However, it doesn't include more premium features like a child lock or smartphone app.

Should You Buy the Shinco SPF1-08C?

If the top line item on your “wants” list is a budget-friendly portable air conditioner, the Shinco is not a bad option to consider. It's petite, portable, and incredibly simple to set up right out of the box, it works as well as some of the higher-scoring models we have used, and costs less. So if you're ok with the louder fan noise and lack of convenience features, it could be a good choice.

What Other Portable Air Conditioner Should You Consider?

If the louder volume of the Shinco is a turn-off for you, consider upgrading to our overall pick, the Midea Duo Smart Inverter, which was significantly quieter. Or, if you need to cool rooms larger than 200 square feet, take a look at the cooling prowess of our top budget pick, the SereneLife SLPAC10, which is rated to chill out a room of up to 450 square feet. Though if you're looking for the ultimate budget option, the Costway 22783 is the way to go. It's not quite as effective in the cooling metric as more premium models, but it outperforms its price range, which makes it a great value in our book.