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It’s typically more affordable than the other inverter models we’ve seen, as well. The Duo is also the first new dual-hose model we’ve called in for testing since 2018, thanks in large part to its unique “hose-in-hose” design, which places the intake and exhaust hoses side by side within a single larger hose. This detail, combined with the wide variety of window-installation panels that Midea includes in the box, makes the Duo especially easy to wrangle and install (a particularly remarkable feat for a dual-hose model). climatisation It’s one of the more attractive portable ACs we’ve seen, too, although that’s kind of like saying that R2-D2 is better looking than R5-D4—one is a little more sleek-looking, but at the end of the day, they all resemble trash cans on wheels.1 Overall, the Midea Duo does a fantastic job of achieving and maintaining a desired temperature and humidity level regardless of the weather or room conditions, with a high energy-efficiency ratio and all of the convenient smart-home features you might expect. If you have to live with a portable AC in the room, this is the coolest roommate you could ask for. Whereas most compressors run on only two speeds—on or off—this Midea model’s variable-speed inverter can adjust to more precisely match the cooling requirements of the given conditions without creating any huge spikes in energy consumption. As a result, it’s better at cooling spaces than other models with the same power output and will save you money on your electric bill in the long run. In our tests, it produced some of the most even and consistent cooling across the room, never registering more than a 1-degree difference between our monitors positioned at 3 feet directly in front of the AC and 6 feet away on a diagonal. The Duo’s efficiency advantage is clearly demonstrated in the changing standards for measuring portable AC power output, as well. According to the old ASHRAE standards, the Duo has 12,000 Btu of power, just like most of the other models we tested. But according to the more comprehensive SACC performance standards, which measure across conditions, it achieves an impressive 10,000 Btu per hour. By contrast, the other models we tested reached SACC scores between 7,200 and 8,500, even with a higher Btu rating by the old standards (although that also demonstrates some of the problems with those older measurements). So even though these units all had a similar (or larger) basic power-output level, the Midea Duo’s compressor setup allowed it to use that power output more effectively. The Duo’s unique compressor design also means that it operates more quietly than other models, registering around 51 decibels on average (“normal conversation” reaches about 60 dB). The low and medium fan settings are remarkably quieter (45 dB and 48 dB, respectively) than the high setting (56 dB); as a result, the compressor is much more noticeable when it kicks on with the lower fan settings than when the whole thing is running on high.