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Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner

Honeywell

Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner

  • 14,000 BTU cooling, dehumidifier and fan modes, rated up to 550-700 sq ft
  • Dual filtration system: washable pre-filter plus activated carbon
  • Dual motor design rated at 49 to 52 dB at high fan speed
  • Full-function remote control
  • Included window venting kit
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On this page

Is the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner worth it?

Yes, for the right buyer. The Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner ranks #2 in our Best Portable Air Conditioners for No-Exhaust-Hose Setups list. Its biggest strength: dual filtration is more thorough than the single washable filter on most competitors. The main caveat: single-hose design, less efficient than dual-hose in very hot rooms.

Overview

What the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner does well

Best for improvised single-hose routing. What earns it a place here: standard single hose is more flexible for improvised vent routes, a transom window, a door louver panel, than a bulkier dual-hose kit and dual filtration handles dusty improvised vent setups better than a basic single filter. One caveat, single-hose exhaust still needs a genuine path outside, it is not a hoseless design.

Best for noise-sensitive spaces. It stands out for dual motor design runs quieter under sustained high-speed operation than single-motor competitors, useful next to a rack you may need to hear alerts from and dual filtration helps with dust from cooling fans on server equipment. Keep in mind that single-hose design cycles the compressor more than dual-hose designs under constant heat load.

Best for quiet apartments. The highlights are dual filtration is more thorough than the single washable filter on most competitors and dual motor design measurably quieter at high fan speed than single-motor units. One caveat, single-hose design, less efficient than dual-hose in very hot rooms.

Specs that matter

Key features

  • 14,000 BTU cooling, dehumidifier and fan modes, rated up to 550-700 sq ft
  • Dual filtration system: washable pre-filter plus activated carbon
  • Dual motor design rated at 49 to 52 dB at high fan speed
  • Full-function remote control
  • Included window venting kit
The trade-offs

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Dual filtration is more thorough than the single washable filter on most competitors
  • Dual motor design measurably quieter at high fan speed than single-motor units
  • Polished two-tone cabinet is a step up from typical plastic housings

Cons

  • Single-hose design, less efficient than dual-hose in very hot rooms
  • Fewer smart features than the BLACK+DECKER BPACT14WT
  • Lower ratings volume than Whynter or BLACK+DECKER
Fit check

Should you buy the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air?

Buy it if you're…

  • Shopping for no-exhaust-hose setups
  • Shopping for server rooms and home labs
  • Shopping for apartments without window access
  • Shopping for large rooms and open floor plans
  • Shopping for budgets under $500

Think twice if this matters to you

  • Single-hose design, less efficient than dual-hose in very hot rooms
  • Fewer smart features than the BLACK+DECKER BPACT14WT
  • Lower ratings volume than Whynter or BLACK+DECKER
Where it ranks

Featured in 5 best-of lists

ListRank
Best Portable Air Conditioners for No-Exhaust-Hose Setups#2 / 2
Best Portable Air Conditioners for Server Rooms and Home Labs#2 / 3
Best Portable Air Conditioners for Apartments Without Window Access#3 / 4
Best Portable Air Conditioners for Large Rooms and Open Floor Plans#3 / 4
Best Portable Air Conditioners Under $500#3 / 3
Cross-shop

Alternatives to the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner

Products ranked near it in our research, each better for a slightly different buyer.

Head-to-head

Compared with

Buying advice: portable air conditioners

  1. Use the SACC rating, which reflects real-world cooling. Small bedrooms need around 5,000 to 8,000 SACC BTUs; larger rooms need more.
  2. Dual-hose units cool faster in hot weather. Single-hose units are simpler and cheaper.
  3. Many models evaporate most condensate. In humid climates, you may need to drain a tank or run a hose.
  4. Check the kit fits your window type. Sliding and casement windows may need extra panels.
  5. The compressor sits in the room, so noise ratings matter for bedrooms.

Read the full guides

Answers

Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner: common questions

Is the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner worth buying?

Yes, for the right buyer. The Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner ranks #2 in our Best Portable Air Conditioners for No-Exhaust-Hose Setups list. Its biggest strength: dual filtration is more thorough than the single washable filter on most competitors. The main caveat: single-hose design, less efficient than dual-hose in very hot rooms.

Who is the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner best for?

Based on our research it suits no-exhaust-hose setups, server rooms and home labs, apartments without window access and large rooms and open floor plans. It's ranked #2 of 2 in our Best Portable Air Conditioners for No-Exhaust-Hose Setups list.

What are the downsides of the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner?

The main trade-offs owners and reviewers point to: single-hose design, less efficient than dual-hose in very hot rooms; fewer smart features than the BLACK+DECKER BPACT14WT; lower ratings volume than Whynter or BLACK+DECKER.

What are the key features of the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner?

14,000 BTU cooling, dehumidifier and fan modes, rated up to 550-700 sq ft, Dual filtration system: washable pre-filter plus activated carbon, Dual motor design rated at 49 to 52 dB at high fan speed, Full-function remote control and Included window venting kit.

What are the best alternatives to the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner?

Worth comparing: Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner, BLACK+DECKER BPACT14WT Smart Portable Air Conditioner and LG LP0621WSR 6,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner. Each ranks near it in our research for a slightly different buyer.

Where can I buy the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner?

It's sold on Amazon. Prices and stock change often, so check the current listing before you buy, our link takes you straight to it.

Can a portable air conditioner work without a window at all?

Every compressor-based portable AC needs somewhere to reject the heat it pulls out of the room, normally through an exhaust hose vented outside. Some models can vent through a wall port, a dryer vent, or a drop ceiling instead of a window, but none of the mainstream single-hose or dual-hose units can run with the exhaust hose fully sealed indoors. Evaporative coolers, which do not use a compressor, can run without any venting but only lower the temperature a few degrees and add humidity, which is not a true substitute in humid climates.

What venting options work for sliding doors and casement windows?

Most portable AC kits ship with an adjustable slider panel designed for standard double-hung windows and often include a second bracket for casement or sliding windows. For sliding glass doors, a dedicated slider door venting kit (sold separately for some brands) seals the hose through a vertical track instead of a horizontal one. Check the specific model's included kit before buying if your window type is anything other than a standard double-hung.

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