LG Dual Inverter 8,500 BTU vs BLACK+DECKER BPP08WTB 12,000 BTU Portable AC
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Quick take: The BLACK+DECKER BPP08WTB 12,000 BTU Portable AC costs $199 less; the LG Dual Inverter 8,500 BTU mounts in the window (better cooling per watt — the hot half of the machine hangs outside) while the BLACK+DECKER BPP08WTB 12,000 BTU Portable AC trades efficiency for a unit you can move and vent through a kit; the LG Dual Inverter 8,500 BTU is the quieter machine (44 dB on low); the LG Dual Inverter 8,500 BTU has an inverter compressor that throttles smoothly while the BLACK+DECKER BPP08WTB 12,000 BTU Portable AC blast-cycles on and off.
| Spec | LG Dual Inverter 8,500 BTU | BLACK+DECKER BPP08WTB 12,000 BTU Portable AC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $459 | $260 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (73) | 4.6★ (112) |
| Type | Window | Portable Single-Hose |
| Capacity (ASHRAE) | 8.5k BTU | 12k BTU |
| SACC (delivered) | — | 8,000 BTU |
| Coverage | ~380 sq ft | ~350 sq ft |
| Noise (lowest) | 44 dB | 54 dB |
| CEER (efficiency) | 15 | — |
| Compressor | Inverter (variable) | Fixed speed |
| Heating | — | — |
| Window Fit | 27–42 in | — |
| Voltage | 115V | 115V |
| Weight | 83 lbs | 59 lbs |
| WiFi Control | Built-in | Optional / none |
| Install | Do not attempt this one alone: the inverter chassis weighs about 83 pounds and is nearly 29 inches deep, so most of the mass hangs outside the window. A support bracket is strongly recommended (and required by code in NYC-style installs), and two people make the lift safe. It needs a wider window than most 8K units — roughly 27 to 42 inches — plus about 16 inches of sash height. Budget an hour, and note the deep cabinet can block outward-opening screens. | Comes with a basic slider window kit (two panel pieces, fewer than most competitors) and a single 5.5-inch exhaust hose that extends to about 61 inches, so plan on a window within five feet of where the unit sits. Auto-evaporation handles most condensate in cool mode, exhausting moisture out the hose, so you rarely empty a tank in normal use. In dehumidifier mode or very humid climates you'll want to attach the included drain hose to a floor drain or bucket. The minimal weather stripping means you should buy extra foam tape to seal the window panel properly. |
| Warranty | 1-year parts & labor; 10-year warranty on the dual inverter compressor | 1-year limited |
Pros & cons
LG Dual Inverter 8,500 BTU
- ✓Dual inverter compressor ramps instead of cycling — no on/off thunk
- ✓Published operation as low as 44 dB
- ✓CEER 15.0 cuts energy use up to 35% vs conventional units
- ✓Holds set temperature within about 1 degree
- ✓ThinQ app with energy monitoring, Alexa and Google voice control
- ✓8,500 BTU covers up to 380 sq ft — more headroom than rival 8Ks
- ✓10-year compressor warranty backs the inverter hardware
- ✓4-way air deflection spreads air well in wide rooms
- ✗83 lbs and 28.75 in deep — a two-person install that wants a bracket
- ✗Needs a window at least ~27 in wide; won't fit narrow openings
- ✗ThinQ app is clunky, with login and connectivity complaints
- ✗Some units develop a low-frequency hum at mid compressor speeds
- ✗$150+ premium over budget 8K units
- ✗Condensate gurgle noises reported in humid climates
BLACK+DECKER BPP08WTB 12,000 BTU Portable AC
- ✓Genuine 8,000 BTU SACC output at a price many 5,000 SACC units sell for
- ✓Auto-evaporation exhausts condensate out the hose — no bucket duty in cool mode
- ✓90-pint/day dehumidify mode is strong for damp basements
- ✓Simple LED controls plus a full-function remote
- ✓Casters and side handles make it easy to roll between rooms
- ✓Window kit spans openings from roughly 27.5 to 47 inches
- ✓24-hour timer and sleep mode for overnight use
- ✗Single-hose design creates negative pressure that pulls hot outside air back in — real-world cooling trails the box number
- ✗Window kit is minimal, with only two slider pieces and skimpy weather stripping
- ✗Steady 54 dB operation with a noticeable compressor thunk on cycling
- ✗No Wi-Fi or app control at this price tier
- ✗At 59 lbs it's manageable on wheels but heavy on stairs