Whynter ARC-14S 14 vs Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable
Both made our Best Portable Air Conditioners for Apartments Without Window Access shortlist, at #1 and #3. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner if you want dual-hose intake draws combustion air from outside, reducing how hard the compressor cycles under a steady heat load like server exhaust. Choose the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner if you'd rather have dual filtration is more thorough than the single washable filter on most competitors. Overall we rank the Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Portable Air Conditioners for Apartments Without Window Access list.
Winner overall: Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner vs Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 4 in Best Portable Air Conditioners for Apartments Without Window Access | #3 of 4 in Best Portable Air Conditioners for Apartments Without Window Access |
| Pick label | Top pick | |
| Brand | Whynter | Honeywell |
| Key features | 14,000 BTU ASHRAE / 9,500 BTU SACC dual-hose cooling; Built-in dehumidifier, up to 101 pints per day; Auto drain with condensate self-evaporation | 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 |
| Biggest strength | Dual-hose intake draws combustion air from outside, reducing how hard the compressor cycles under a steady heat load like server exhaust | Dual filtration is more thorough than the single washable filter on most competitors |
| Main trade-off | Needs two hose penetrations, more planning in a closet with limited wall or window access | Single-hose design, less efficient than dual-hose in very hot rooms |
| Best for | server rooms | apartments without window access |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick · Top pick
Choose the Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner if…
- Dual-hose intake draws combustion air from outside, reducing how hard the compressor cycles under a steady heat load like server exhaust
- Auto drain design avoids the bucket-emptying failure point that risks a wet-floor shutdown near equipment
- Strong dehumidification helps hold humidity in the 40 to 60 percent range electronics manufacturers recommend
Best for: server rooms
Prefer the alternative? See the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner section.
#3 pick
Choose the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner if…
- 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
Best for: apartments without window access
Prefer the alternative? See the Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner section.
Pros and cons of each
Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
Pros
- Dual-hose intake draws combustion air from outside, reducing how hard the compressor cycles under a steady heat load like server exhaust
- Auto drain design avoids the bucket-emptying failure point that risks a wet-floor shutdown near equipment
- Strong dehumidification helps hold humidity in the 40 to 60 percent range electronics manufacturers recommend
Cons
- Needs two hose penetrations, more planning in a closet with limited wall or window access
- Not rated by the manufacturer for true 24/7 industrial duty cycles
- 56 lbs and a larger footprint than a single rack unit might have room for
Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner
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
Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner vs Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner: common questions
Which is better, the Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner or the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner?
Choose the Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner if you want dual-hose intake draws combustion air from outside, reducing how hard the compressor cycles under a steady heat load like server exhaust. Choose the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner if you'd rather have dual filtration is more thorough than the single washable filter on most competitors. Overall we rank the Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Portable Air Conditioners for Apartments Without Window Access list.
What is the difference between the Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner and the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner?
The Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner stands out because dual-hose intake draws combustion air from outside, reducing how hard the compressor cycles under a steady heat load like server exhaust, while the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner stands out because dual filtration is more thorough than the single washable filter on most competitors. The trade-offs differ too: the Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner's main caveat is that needs two hose penetrations, more planning in a closet with limited wall or window access, and the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner's is that single-hose design, less efficient than dual-hose in very hot rooms.
Is the Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner worth it over the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner instead if needs two hose penetrations, more planning in a closet with limited wall or window access is a deal-breaker for you.
Who should buy the Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner instead of the Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner?
The Honeywell HL14CESWK Contempo Series Portable Air Conditioner suits apartments without window access, while the Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner is best for server rooms.