During the last UK heatwave, editor Abigail Nicholson's toddler's room reached 30C, prompting her to buy a Midea portable air conditioning unit for £229. The 7,000 BTU unit is designed for small rooms of 15 to 25 m².
Setup and First Impressions
The unit arrived with a 1.5m hose and a window kit intended for sliding windows, which are uncommon in UK homes. Nicholson had to place the unit on a stool to reach the window. Setup was easy, but the window kit did not fit her window, leaving the room not fully sealed.
The unit includes a ventilation and dehumidifier setting for year-round use, plus Wi-Fi control via an app or Alexa. The price quickly rose to £599 after purchase, possibly due to a pricing error or demand during the heatwave.
Cooling Performance
Initially, the bedroom was 26C. After six minutes on cooling mode, the temperature dropped by one degree. Five minutes later, it reached 24C. It took another hour to reach 23C. Nicholson attributes the slower progress to the unsealed window.
Despite this, the room felt significantly cooler and more comfortable to work in. However, after turning off the unit at 3pm, the temperature crept back to 25C by 10pm.
Energy Costs
On high fan setting, the unit cost approximately 18p per hour to run, comparable to a microwave, air fryer, or basic desktop computer. This was much lower than Nicholson's expectations, as washing machines and ovens typically cost 50p to £1 per hour.
Noise and Usability
The unit was very loud, making it difficult for Nicholson to sleep with it running. However, it was less noticeable after prolonged use and did not interfere with working from the area.
Verdict
Nicholson believes the Midea unit will serve her home well during future heatwaves. It cooled the room faster and more cost-effectively than expected. The real test will be whether it can keep her toddler's room cool overnight by running for a few hours before sleep.
"I know this will be a life-saver for my family on boiling hot days when we retreat indoors from sunny days at the park or being in the garden," she said.
