The catch
Whynter ARC-14S
Next to an inverter, its fixed-speed compressor cycles on and off more abruptly.
Side by side
Whynter ARC-14S vs Whynter ARC-14SH: SH gives supplemental heat, though it needs a plan for winter drainage
Quick verdict
If summer cooling is all you need, the ARC-14S is the one to buy. The ARC-14SH gives you supplemental heat, but its listed cooling SACC is a little lower and you need a plan for drainage in cold weather.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Heat can make the call on its own
Of these two, only Whynter ARC-14SH is confirmed for “Heat”. If you need it, you have your answer.
Where this comes from
This follows directly from the checked yes-or-no difference between the exact configurations compared.
The catch
Whynter ARC-14SH
Cooling output of 9,200 BTU SACC falls short of the current 12,000 SACC inverter leaders.
Whynter ARC-14S
- Why pick it
- Cooling is all you need
- The room suits a 9,500 BTU SACC rating
- The catch
- Next to an inverter, its fixed-speed compressor cycles on and off more abruptly.
Whynter ARC-14SH
- Why pick it
- Supplemental heat would help
- A drainage plan for heat mode is in place
- The catch
- Cooling output of 9,200 BTU SACC falls short of the current 12,000 SACC inverter leaders.
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What this page compares
One well-known dual-hose platform, sold as a cooling-only version and as a version that cools and heats.
This one comes down to cooling sacc and heat first, then to the limits of your own setup.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
I would like supplemental heat too
Its reverse or resistance heat mode stretches the season of use.
- Whynter ARC-14S
- Depends
- Whynter ARC-14SH
- Better fit
I have a medium room to cool
Whynter ARC-14S lists “9,500 BTU” for cooling sacc, while Whynter ARC-14SH lists “9,200 BTU”. This sets how much room cooling load the unit can reasonably handle.
- Whynter ARC-14S
- Better fit
- Whynter ARC-14SH
- Good
Seasonal installation should be simple
Setup involves fewer pieces because its vent hardware is integrated or snap-together.
- Whynter ARC-14S
- Better fit
- Whynter ARC-14SH
- Depends
I want less hot outside air getting in
Whynter ARC-14S lists “No” for heat, while Whynter ARC-14SH lists “Yes”. This sets which temperature-sensitive jobs and sequences it can handle.
- Whynter ARC-14S
- Similar
- Whynter ARC-14SH
- Similar
In practice
Differences you will notice
Heat can make the call on its own
Of these two, only Whynter ARC-14SH is confirmed for “Heat”. If you need it, you have your answer.
How we worked this out
This follows directly from the checked yes-or-no difference between the exact configurations compared.
Where these two really part ways
Whynter ARC-14S is the better match for “I have a medium room to cool” and “Seasonal installation should be simple”. Whynter ARC-14SH is the better match for “I would like supplemental heat too”.
How we worked this out
This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.
One of them covers more of your list
Whynter ARC-14SH meets 3 of the 3 needs this comparison is built around. Whynter ARC-14S meets 2 and misses “I would like supplemental heat too”.
How we worked this out
The count uses the current strong and useful fit ratings for these two products. Each need counts once, with no made-up score added on top.
How many models fit “I would like supplemental heat too”
2 of the 23 portable air conditioners checked fit this need. Whynter ARC-14SH makes the cut. Whynter ARC-14S does not.
How we worked this out
The count filters every model in the current category for a strong or useful fit on this single need.
Models that handle “I would like supplemental heat too” and “A basic panel and remote suit me best”
1 of the 23 portable air conditioners checked handles both “I would like supplemental heat too” and “A basic panel and remote suit me best”. Whynter ARC-14SH makes the cut. Whynter ARC-14S does not.
How we worked this out
You can reproduce the count by filtering the current category for models with a strong or useful fit on both needs.
Option A
Whynter, ARC-14S
ARC-14S
Long on the market, this dual-hose model offers 9,500 BTU SACC of cooling and plain local controls.
- Best for
- Shoppers who want two hoses but no app and no inverter
Facts we checked
- Whynter's listing gives 9,500 BTU SACC and 14,000 BTU ASHRAE.
- Room guidance as published goes up to 500 square feet.
- A carbon prefilter goes with separate intake and exhaust hoses.
Option B
Whynter, ARC-14SH
ARC-14SH
This heat-capable version of the ARC-14 keeps the dual hoses and the appliance-style controls.
- Best for
- A large room that needs plain cooling with supplemental heat as well
Facts we checked
- For the platform, Whynter's listing gives 9,200 BTU SACC cooling and 13,000 BTU heating input.
- Room guidance goes up to 500 square feet.
- The cooling setup is a conventional dual-hose configuration.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Whynter ARC-14S | Whynter ARC-14SH | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooling SACC | 9,500 BTU | 9,200 BTU | How much room cooling load the unit can reasonably handle depends on this. |
| Heat | No | Yes | It determines which temperature-sensitive jobs and sequences it can take on. |
| Hose | Dual hose | Dual hose | Both models show the same result for “Hose”, so this row won't decide between them. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Whynter ARC-14S
- The tall, 73-pound cabinet is awkward to move.
With Whynter ARC-14SH
- You may need to drain it more often when it runs in heating or dry mode.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the portable air conditioners we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 1 of the 23 models checked meet every need here: “I want less hot outside air getting in”, “I would like supplemental heat too”, and “A basic panel and remote suit me best”.
1 model fits, out of 23 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “I want less hot outside air getting in”, “I would like supplemental heat too”, and “A basic panel and remote suit me best”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whynter ARC-14S |
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| Whynter ARC-14SH |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Whynter ARC-14S
Cooling is all you need
See price & reviews on AmazonWhynter ARC-14SH
Supplemental heat would help
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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