Portable Air Conditioners Compared: Solt vs Dimplex vs Hisense

Spending $899 on a portable air conditioner is a big ask when you can buy a functional unit for $264. That is the hurdle facing the Dimplex 3.3kW model: it costs more than three times as much as Solt's entry-level 2.56kW unit. Meanwhile, Hisense sits right in the middle at $424, offering a modest step up in capacity for an extra $160 over the Solt.

How much cooling output do you actually need?

Cooling output is the core driver of both performance and price here. Solt delivers 2.56kW of cooling power, explicitly rated for rooms up to 18 square metres like small bedrooms or home offices. Hisense steps up slightly to 2.7kW, which gives you a touch more headroom for warm afternoons.

Dimplex pushes output to 3.3kW, which is designed to handle larger open-plan spaces or sun-baked living rooms. However, Solt costs AUD 635.00 less (70.6% cheaper) than Dimplex, making the Dimplex hard to justify unless your room is too large for a standard 2.5kW to 2.7kW portable unit.

Size, weight and moving these units around

Portable air conditioners are notorious for being bulky, but their actual footprint varies significantly. Solt weighs a manageable 25.4kg and features multi-directional caster wheels, making it easy to roll between a bedroom and a study.

Dimplex is slightly heavier at 29kg, but it boasts a narrow 270mm width and 330mm depth that lets it tuck neatly into tight corners. Hisense is the heaviest of the trio at 34kg and has a wider 442mm frame, though it includes useful features like an auto-swing louvre and a self-evaporative system to minimize manual draining.

Smart features and warranty protection

If you want remote control via your smartphone, Dimplex is the only model in this group with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. It also includes integrated dehumidification for damp days. Solt keeps things simple with touch controls, three fan speeds, a dry mode, and an auto off timer.

Warranty backing also separates these brands. Both Solt and Dimplex offer a standard two-year manufacturer warranty, but Hisense provides three years of coverage, giving budget buyers extra peace of mind over multiple summers.