Created with an eye toward contemporary design, the Amcor PLM-14000E Portable Air Conditioner is a high-tech device that fits in nicely among the century's latest state-of-the-art gadgets and gizmos. Thanks to the sweet design, blue backlit LCD screen, and remote-controlled automatic grille, it's bound to be mistaken for a sleek little robot designed to mow the lawn or vacuum the floor. But once the 14,000-BTU cooling power kicks in, its singular mission becomes clear: cool a room up to 400 square feet -- and look good doing it.

The Amcor PLM-14000E Portable Air Conditioner relies on a one-two-three punch of filters to remove everything from dust particles to odors to bacteria, and uses a patented process that boosts its efficiency, using moisture it pulls from the air to cool the motor. It comes with an adjustable plastic venting kit that lets you position the 5-foot extendable exhaust hose -- which we'd like to see stretch even further -- in a nearby window.

The compressor shuts off when the water tank is full, but it's easy to empty. Just pull out the cap and rubber stopper and keep filling the included drain pan until the unit is ready to go again. The Amcor PLM-14000E Portable Air Conditioner comes with a 1-year limited warranty; the compressor is backed by a 5-year guarantee.


Pros: High-tech styling, unique cooling process
Cons: Exhaust hose could be longer

Warranty
One year limited; five years on compressor