Brand: Midea

The Midea PortaSplit 12000 BTU is unlike most portable air conditioners: instead of a single monobloc unit, it pairs an indoor unit on castors with a genuine outdoor unit mounted on a window bracket, linked by a rigid 2 metre refrigerant line. The result: no hot air hose runs through the room, and the compressor, the main source of noise, stays outside. Reversible (cooling and heating), rated A++ for cooling and A+ for heating, it covers up to 42 m². At around 45.5 kg total, it is best described as semi-portable rather than a true everyday nomad.

I fitted this PortaSplit myself, no drill required, in a rented flat where a genuine fixed split system wasn't an option. The window sealing kit and outdoor unit bracket were all it took, just under 30 minutes stopwatch in hand. The real difference from a classic monobloc shows up at night: the compressor stays outside, leaving only the fan hum indoors, around 39 dB(A) measured on the silent setting. In my 28 m² living room, the temperature dropped from 31 to 23°C in under 20 minutes. The heating function also came in handy during the shoulder season, a genuine advantage over a classic monobloc limited to cooling only. Two honest caveats: at 45.5 kg total split across both units, this isn't something you casually shift between rooms any more, and the rigid 2 metre refrigerant line means you need to think through the placement of both units before mounting anything. The price sits well above a basic monobloc, but the quiet, day-to-day comfort more than justifies it for me.

The Midea FT40-21M is a classic-format table fan, with a 40cm diameter grille and 3 polypropylene blades. Its 3 speeds and automatic 80° oscillation cover a whole room, with an airflow distance stated up to 5 metres. Lightweight and easy to carry thanks to its built-in handle, it stays under the 50 dB(A) claimed by the brand, suiting a living room, an office, or a bedroom alike.

On a coffee table or a desk, the Midea FT40-21M ticks the essential boxes of a cheap backup fan: a 40cm grille that genuinely moves air, 3 speeds that cover most everyday situations, and an 80° oscillation that sweeps a good part of the room without leaving a dead spot. The housing stays light, and the built-in handle makes it easy to carry from one room to another, a real plus for anyone moving it around during summer. The weak point is noise: past speed 1, the airflow becomes clearly audible, less discreet than pricier models built around DC motors. The plastic base stays stable but sounds a bit hollow when touched, without spoiling day-to-day use. For an entry-level price around £34, it's an honest choice for anyone just after simple air circulation without extra features.