Whynter · Updated October 2026
Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC: price & specs
Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: shopwhynter.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
The Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC is listed at $549.99 on shopwhynter.com as of 2026-10-20, #13 cheapest of 14 air conditioners (median $519); other retailers may be lower. It earns a Bronze Deskmark — 16/100 pay-blind standing, #17 of 17 in class.
Verified Oct 20, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
Cheapest air conditioners: GE Profile 6,200 BTU Smart Ultra Quiet Window AC (PHC06LY) — $329
Seen at
- shopwhynter.com$549.99read
- sylvane.com$559read
Each figure is what that seller's own page published on the day we read it — not our price of record, and not a live quote. Follow the link for what it costs right now.
- Best for Strong cooling / top overall pick among tested portable ACs; Quiet for a dual-hose unit (some of the quietest decibel figures).
- Skip if No numeric per-model lab measurement was printed for the ARC-122DS on either accessible page is a dealbreaker.
Price history
$549.99Re-based on record 2026-10-16
A new dated entry is stamped here each time the price moves — the record builds itself.
From 2026-10-16 our record reflects a correction we published, not a vendor price move, so earlier figures are not compared with it.
Is the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC a good buy?
At $549.99, the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC is #13 cheapest of the 14 air conditioners we track, where the median is $519. On the spec sheet, its coverage of 400 sq ft is below the median of the 16, and its noise of 52 dBA is above the median of the 16.
Evidence of Record
Our dataNo independent lab has measured this product yet. 2 outlets have it on record by mention only, with no hands-on measurements published to weigh its claims against — a gap in the evidence, not a verdict on the product.
Review consensus · sourced & dated
What reviewers say about the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC
Two whitelisted testers cover this exact model. Wirecutter (republished on Engadget, 2018 hands-on lab test of eight finalists) names the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS its top pick, praising its quiet dual-hose operation and lowest-in-field infiltration draw. Reviewed's 2026 guide (updated 2025-06-23) states the ARC-122DS 'rose to the top as the best portable air conditioner' for cooling, room coverage, and value. Neither accessible page printed a per-model numeric lab measurement for the ARC-122DS itself.
Based on 2 reviews · 2 lab-tested · 2018-06-08–2025-06-23
Consistently praised
- Strong cooling / top overall pick among tested portable ACs · 2 sources
- Quiet for a dual-hose unit (some of the quietest decibel figures)
- Dual-hose efficiency; drew the least infiltration air of the field
- Noticeably more compact and lighter than close competitors
- Good value and room coverage
Commonly flagged
- No numeric per-model lab measurement was printed for the ARC-122DS on either accessible page · 2 sources
- Wirecutter stresses portable ACs are inherently inefficient and can struggle in very hot weather, even this top pick
- Cooling performance in this category is unusually hard to measure objectively (Wirecutter never developed a reliable per-model cooling metric)
Where reviewers disagree No cross-source conflict; both rate the ARC-122DS a top pick. Caveats: the only in-depth hands-on review (Wirecutter/Engadget) dates to 2018, and Reviewed's 2026 guide cites the ARC-122DS as its overall best in prose while its live numbered/measured test cards are now populated with other models (Whynter ARC-14S, Midea Duo, LG, etc.), so no fresh per-model lab figure for the ARC-122DS is available.
The sources (2)
It's quiet for a dual-hose machine, and drew the least amount of infiltration air of any model we tested.
The Elite ARC-122DS has the best specs of any portable AC we've come across.
In our 2018 tests the ARC-122DS produced some of the quietest decibel figures of any AC.
because portable air conditioners are housed entirely indoors they're extremely inefficient, and in very hot weather they can struggle to do the job at all
rose to the top as the best portable air conditioner, because it offers superior cooling, room coverage, and great value
Specifications
| Price (US) | $549.99 Best Buy current price ($549.99) |
|---|---|
| Brand | Whynter |
| Released | — |
| Type | portable |
| Btu | 7000 BTU (DOE/SACC); 12000 BTU ASHRAE |
| Coverage (sq ft) | 400 |
| Noise (dBA) | 52 |
| Smart Wi-Fi | No |
| Energy star | No |
| Inverter | No |
| Ceer | — |
Source: shopwhynter.com (read 2026-10-20) · corroborated by bestbuy.com (read 2026-06-15).
How we checked
Whynter/Best Buy/Lowe's/Amazon confirm ARC-122DS Elite: 7000 BTU SACC / 12000 BTU ASHRAE, 400 sq ft, dual hose, R-32, no Wi-Fi, no Energy Star, no published CEER. Noise reported as 'under 52 dB' at highest fan (max value). Best Buy price $549.99. release date left blank (unverified).
Is the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC worth it vs cheaper air conditioners?
Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC against its closest cheaper and pricier air conditioners on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 14 ranked
| Product | Price | Type | Btu | Coverage (sq ft) | Noise (dBA) | Smart Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC this | $549.99 | portable | 7000 BTU (DOE/SACC); 12000 BTU ASHRAE | 400 | 52 | No |
| LG Dual Inverter Smart Window AC (LW1222IVSM) | $549 | window | 12000 BTU | 550 | 44 | Yes |
| LG Dual Inverter Smart Wi-Fi Portable AC (LP1419IVSM) | $699 | portable | 10000 BTU (SACC); 14000 BTU ASHRAE | 500 | 44 | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
What do reviewers say about the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC?
Two whitelisted testers cover this exact model. Wirecutter (republished on Engadget, 2018 hands-on lab test of eight finalists) names the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS its top pick, praising its quiet dual-hose operation and lowest-in-field infiltration draw. Reviewed's 2026 guide (updated 2025-06-23) states the ARC-122DS 'rose to the top as the best portable air conditioner' for cooling, room coverage, and value. Neither accessible page printed a per-model numeric lab measurement for the ARC-122DS itself. Praised: Strong cooling / top overall pick among tested portable ACs; Quiet for a dual-hose unit (some of the quietest decibel figures); Dual-hose efficiency; drew the least infiltration air of the field; Noticeably more compact and lighter than close competitors; Good value and room coverage. Flagged: Wirecutter stresses portable ACs are inherently inefficient and can struggle in very hot weather, even this top pick; Cooling performance in this category is unusually hard to measure objectively (Wirecutter never developed a reliable per-model cooling metric); No numeric per-model lab measurement was printed for the ARC-122DS on either accessible page. (From 2 tester reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
How much does the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC cost?
The Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC has a US price of $549.99 (Best Buy current price ($549.99)), as of 2026-10-20.
How does the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC compare on price?
At $549.99, the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC is #13 cheapest of the 14 air conditioners we track, where the median is $519.
What are the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC's key specs?
Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC (Whynter): Type portable, Btu 7000 BTU (DOE/SACC); 12000 BTU ASHRAE, Coverage (sq ft) 400, Noise (dBA) 52. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-10-20.
Price of record: $549.99 at shopwhynter.com, 2026-10-20. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:
See Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.Similar air conditioners
Nearest in price — swipe to browse. Every pick sourced and dated.
-
LG Dual Inverter Smart Window AC (LW1222IVSM) -
Windmill WhisperTech 12,000 BTU Window AC (12W2WI) -
Toshiba 10,000 BTU Smart Wi-Fi Window AC (RAC-WK1012ESCWRU) -
Friedrich Chill Premier 8,000 BTU Inverter Smart Window AC (CCV08A10A) - GE Profile 12,000 BTU Inverter Smart Ultra Quiet Window AC (PWJV12WWF) GE Profile 12,000 BTU Inverter Smart Ultra Quiet Window AC (PWJV12WWF)
-
Whynter 14,000 BTU (9,500 SACC) Dual-Hose Portable AC (ARC-14S) -
Midea U+ Smart Inverter U-Shaped Window AC (MAW12U1QWT) -
Hisense UltraSlim 12,000 BTU Smart Inverter Window AC (AHLW1225TW1W) - Windmill WhisperTech 8,000 BTU Window AC (08W2Wi) Windmill WhisperTech 8,000 BTU Window AC (08W2Wi)
-
Frigidaire Gallery 8,000 BTU Inverter Quiet Temp (GHWQ083WC1) -
LG Dual Inverter Smart Wi-Fi Portable AC (LP1419IVSM) -
BLACK+DECKER 14,000 BTU (10,000 SACC) Portable AC (BPP10WTB)
All air conditioners ranked · Open data & methodology · Queryable via MCP
Compare with
Head-to-head
- Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC vs Midea U+ Smart Inverter U-Shaped Window AC (MAW12U1QWT)
- Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC vs LG Dual Inverter Smart Window AC (LW1222IVSM)
- Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC vs Windmill WhisperTech 12,000 BTU Window AC (12W2WI)
- Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC vs Frigidaire Gallery 8,000 BTU Inverter Quiet Temp (GHWQ083WC1)
- Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC vs GE Profile 6,200 BTU Smart Ultra Quiet Window AC (PHC06LY)
- Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC vs Hisense UltraSlim 12,000 BTU Smart Inverter Window AC (AHLW1225TW1W)
- Whynter Elite ARC-122DS Dual-Hose Portable AC vs Toshiba 10,000 BTU Smart Wi-Fi Window AC (RAC-WK1012ESCWRU)
Cheaper air conditioners
- LG Dual Inverter Smart Window AC (LW1222IVSM) $549
- Windmill WhisperTech 12,000 BTU Window AC (12W2WI) $549
- Toshiba 10,000 BTU Smart Wi-Fi Window AC (RAC-WK1012ESCWRU) $549
- Friedrich Chill Premier 8,000 BTU Inverter Smart Window AC (CCV08A10A) $539
- GE Profile 12,000 BTU Inverter Smart Ultra Quiet Window AC (PWJV12WWF) $529
- Whynter 14,000 BTU (9,500 SACC) Dual-Hose Portable AC (ARC-14S) $509.99
More from Whynter
Part of the Home air & climate cluster
Cleaner, drier, cooler air — compared on the numbers that matter. Same sourcing, same dated prices: