We tested this plug-and-play portable air conditioner for 90 days in summer and winter. Here's our completely honest verdict.
Getting a split-system air conditioner installed in Australia typically costs $1,500–$3,500 — and if you're renting, your landlord will likely say no anyway. EpiCooler is designed to solve this problem entirely: a portable dual-mode unit that cools in summer and heats in winter, moves between rooms in seconds, and requires nothing more than a standard power outlet to run.
We put it through its paces across three different rooms over 90 days — during a Sydney summer and an early winter cold snap. Here's what we found.
"I've been in this rental for four years waiting for the landlord to approve air conditioning. With EpiCooler I stopped waiting — I just plugged it in and had cool air within minutes."
EpiCooler is a plug-and-play portable air conditioner and heater designed for Australian homes, apartments, and rental properties. It works in rooms up to 51m² and features six adjustable power modes, a full-function remote control, a touchscreen display, and built-in safety features including overheating protection and anti-scalding grilles.
Unlike traditional portable ACs that require hoses vented through windows, EpiCooler uses a self-contained system — no hoses, no brackets, no drilling, no licensed tradesperson required. It weighs just a few kilograms and rolls effortlessly from room to room on its caster wheels.
| Solution | Upfront Cost | Renter-Friendly | Portable | Heats & Cools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EpiCooler | Low | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Split System AC | $1,500–$3,500+ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Window AC Unit | $400–$800 | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Pedestal Fan | $80–$200 | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Portable Evaporative | $150–$400 | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
Our rental gets absolutely unbearable in summer and the landlord has refused AC for years. EpiCooler was a game changer. I pulled it out of the box, plugged it in, and had cool air in the lounge within five minutes. It's whisper quiet too — I run it in the bedroom overnight with no issues whatsoever.
We were running our central heating all day just to keep the living room comfortable, which was costing a fortune. Now we use EpiCooler just in the rooms we're actually in. It heats up fast, the power bills have dropped noticeably, and it works just as well for cooling in summer. Absolutely worth every cent.
I move this between my home office during the day and the bedroom at night. It's light enough that I genuinely don't think twice about it. Keeps my place comfortable wherever I am without having to cool or heat the whole house. My electricity usage has dropped significantly since I made the switch.
I was a bit skeptical about how effective a portable unit could be. But after one week I was completely converted. The cooling is genuinely powerful for the room size. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 is that I wish I'd bought two — one for upstairs and one for down.
EpiCooler is the most practical solution we've tested for renters, apartment dwellers, and anyone who wants reliable year-round climate control without the cost or hassle of a permanent installation. The plug-and-play setup, genuine dual-mode performance, whisper-quiet motor, and portability between rooms put it well ahead of every other option in its category.
Best for: Renters, apartments, home offices, granny flats, or any room where a split system isn't an option. If you've been tolerating an uncomfortable home because installation felt too expensive or too complicated, EpiCooler removes every barrier.