Video Review: De'Longhi Pinguino 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier and Fan

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At BestReviews, we spend hours researching and testing products to help consumers simplify their purchasing decisions.

Today, we’re working hands-on with the ​DeLonghi Pinguino 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner. The brand markets this portable air conditioner as quiet and smart. So smart it can sense the temperature, humidity, and where you’re situated in the room. We tested it to see how it performed in a home environment.

When shopping for a portable air conditioner, it’s important to consider the size of the space that needs to be cooled and the size of the unit itself; the overall energy consumption; the noise the machine creates when running; and the climate.

The DeLonghi Pinguino costs about $600, putting it on the higher end of the price spectrum for consumer-level portable air conditioning units. The company says that the easily portable unit can cool a space of up to 700 square feet, operating quietly at “near-whisper levels.” It also comes with Cool Surround technology that claims to automatically adjust the output based on the humidity and your position in the room. We wanted to see if it did everything it promises.

Set up was straightforward and the instructions were clear. The main hurdle is ensuring the machine is properly venting out of a window. To do this, you simply attach the hose to the back of the unit and into the ​included window kit, which fits into the window. The kit fits from 20-47” wide. The remote stood out to us because it used Bluetooth -- making commanding the unit that much more reliable. And when DeLonghi says that this machine senses where you are -- the remote plays a big part in that. Unlike other machines, the Pinguino uses Bluetooth technology to sense where the remote is in the room and adjusts the temperature and humidity in that specific area.

To test the unit in different environments, we prepared spaces to replicate a bedroom at 180sf as well as a living room space at 320sf. We then measured a baseline temperature and humidity reading before turning it on in each space for 1 hour. In the bedroom space, the unit cooled the room by 9 degrees, and in the living room space, it cooled the room by 6 degrees. The humidity was brought down to a comfortable level in
both rooms. Overall, it was effective and efficient at lowering the temperature and humidity in both spaces.

We also measured the unit’s sound output in high, low, and quiet modes. We first took an ambient noise reading and then powered on the unit, holding the decibel meter 5 feet away. While in high mode, the sound output is comparable to the typical three-speed fan you could buy at any store. In low, it starts to show its advantage by striking the balance between powerful-yet-hushed performance; and in quiet mode, it is nearly imperceptible at 5 feet.

This machine is easy to use. The buttons on the unit and the remote control are simple and straightforward. DeLonghi’s Pinguino was proficient at its intended purpose: cooling and dehumidifying the room in which it was placed.

The standout feature is that it adjusted temperature and humidity in tandem to create a comfortable and consistently cool environment. They call it the “Real Feel” and it makes the room as comfortable as possible, without cranking the unit. It’s a portable air conditioner, but also a great dehumidifier. I​t’s normal for the Pinguino to collect water in the internal tray, and those in humid climates should be aware that they’ll have to empty it more frequently to avoid spillage. If you live in a low-humidity environment, most of the moisture will dissipate without any extra work from you. ​If the tray ever becomes full, the unit will alert you.

It's​ possible to move it from room to room -- but it’s heavy at 83 pounds. It was difficult for one person to carry it upstairs, but wheels allow it to be easily rolled on the same level without hassle. There are some limitations of where it will work best. The machine must be plugged into a three-prong grounded outlet through its cord that is only 5.5 feet long (and not through an extension cord). Because portable air conditioners need to be placed in an open space in order to function, you won’t be able to tuck it completely out of sight. Finally, DeLonghi recommends keeping the unit out of the sun, and closing blinds and shades to maximize energy savings.

With that said, the Pinguino does have a sleek, simple design, so it won’t be an eyesore if it has to become a feature of the room.

The bottom line: The DeLonghi Pinguino is a powerful, high-end air conditioning machine that can cool and dehumidify rooms while being relatively energy-efficient. Get yours here: https://share.bestreviews.com/delonghi-ac

Видео Video Review: De'Longhi Pinguino 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier and Fan канала BestReviews