A portable AC could be a piece of great camping equipment. ‘Zero Breeze’ is known for its unique portable air conditioners. Since the beginning, this company has launched 2 portable air conditioners namely ‘The Zero Breeze Mark 1’ and ‘The Zero Breeze Mark 2’.
In this post, we are going to review both of these units. We will cover whether it is worth it to get one of these or not. On top of that, we will also share a to-the-point buying guide for our readers.
Zero Breeze Portable AC - Reviews
Review of The Zero Breeze Mark 1
Let's see what the product offers…
Charging and Battery Life
‘The Zero Breeze Mark 1’ can run with both AC and DC power. You can use a 12V battery to power it up for cordless operation. However, you will need to buy the battery separately.
The Zero Breeze Mark 1 is compatible with the car and wall power outlet.
Remember, the battery needs at least 5 hours to get charged fully. After a full charge, the battery could last up to 5 hours.
So, technically, you might have to get a few backup batteries if you are camping in some remote locations. A portable inverter generator could also be a good solution.
Set up and Usage
‘The Zero Breeze Mark 1’ shines in terms of its user-friendliness. It is very easy to set up. However, it is always better to follow the instructions on the instruction manual that comes with the product.
Also, there is a very intuitive control panel on the back of the AC. One thing to note, you should keep the AC unit sitting upright for at least 2 hours before the initial use.
Cooling Power
Normally, the cooling capacity of an air conditioner is denoted by BTU (British Thermal Unit). Simply put, if you want your AC to cover more area, then you need an AC with a higher BTU rating.
The Mark 1 comes with an 1100 BTU rating. Typically, you will find most other portable tent air conditioners with over 5000 BTU rating.
In that sense, the cooling capacity of the ‘Mark 1’ is not great. None of the other devices are truly portable, though..
Weight and Size
The ‘Mark 1’ weighs only 12 lbs. Besides, the net dimension of the AC unit is 18 (L) x 11 (H) x 7.5 (W) inches. So, you will not have any issues carrying it around with you while camping.
Price
At the moment, the ‘Mark 1’ is not available officially from ‘Zero Breeze’. But when it came out, many users complained about the high price.
Plus, as you would have to buy the battery separately, the cost of owning this portable AC increases. To be honest, there are other similar or better portable ACs out there at a lower price range.
Noise level
Another drawback of the ‘Mark 1’ was its loud noise while operating. Reportedly, that model had a noise level of 68 dB.
Typically, if the noise level is between 50 to 60 dB, it is not that infuriating. But for Mark 1, this was a bit above the 60 dB range.
Temperature
According to Zero Breeze, the Mark 1 can operate on the temperature range of 37 F to 122 F (3-50℃).
Area Coverage
We have already mentioned that the Mark 1 is not capable of cooling down a large room. Matter of fact, the company suggests that it is most suitable for a space of up to 50 sq. feet.
Of course, the efficiency will vary depending on the weather, surroundings, and other factors.
Additional Features
When it comes to additional functionalities, the Mark 1 has a bit of an edge over the Mark 2. The Mark 1 came with 2 USB ports, a Bluetooth speaker, and even a LED flashlight built-in.
Warranty
Normally, ‘The Zero Breeze Mark 1’ came with a 1-year warranty and a 30 days money-back guarantee.
What Previous Buyers Said?
Initially, the Zero Breeze Mark 1 was a very popular portable AC. However, after a while, users started to complain about the AC.
Most of them said that the cooling capacity of the Mark 1 is not up to the mark.
Also, they said that the price was a bit higher. Many users also left negative feedback about the build quality and the battery life of the unit. All in all, this was not looking good for ‘Zero Breeze’.
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact size
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean the filters
- Can be used a dehumidifier
- Comes with night light, USB ports, and Bluetooth speaker feature
Cons:
- Not great area coverage
- The battery needs to be bought separately
- Expensive
- Take a long time to charge 100%
Review of The Zero Breeze Mark 2
Zero Breeze Mark 2 Plus
from: Zero Breeze
Charging and battery life
This Zero Breeze portable air conditioner comes with a 18650 Li-Po battery, which needs to be charged for at least 5 hours for a 5 hours battery life. It also supports solar charging.
Set up and usage
The Mark 2 is easier to use and set up than the Mark 1. It is very user-friendly. Interestingly, this one comes with an IR remote controller, so you can operate the AC unit from a distance.
Cooling power
This Zero Breeze portable air conditioner comes with a higher cooling power of 2300 BTU rating. It could be higher than Mark 1. Still, it is not enough for cooling down a large enough space.
Weight and Size
The net dimension of the Mark 2 is 20 (L) x 8.6 (W) x 2.3 (H) inches. And, it weighs almost similar to the Mark 1 at 16 lbs. So, in terms of portability, ‘Mark Two’ has no drawbacks.
Price
Many customers thought that the Mark 2 is a bit expensive compared to similar portable ACs.
Noise Level
The noise level of the Mark 2 is only 52 dB. Compared to the Mark 1, it is a lot quieter.
Operation Temperature
The Mark 2 comes with an operating temperature range of 0(32°F) ~60C (140F).
Area coverage
As per Zero Breeze, the Mark 2 can cover up to 40 square feet as usual. However, depending on the condition and various factors, the coverage might go up or down in the range of 25 to 100 sq. ft.
Additional Features
This Zero Breeze air conditioner portable comes with an IR remote control.
Warranty
Right now, they offer a 1-year warranty and 14 days money-back guarantee on this Zero Breeze portable air conditioner. They have great customer service as well.
What Previous Buyers Said?
The Mark 2 received mostly positive feedback from users around the world. They have said that there were a lot of improvements in this new model.
However, many users also stated that there is still a lot of room for improvement. Plus, the price of this zero breeze portable air conditioner could be a bit lower as well.
Pros:
- Portable yet good build quality
- Comes with an IR remote control
- Low noise
- Cam be used as a dehumidifier
- Comes with multiple fan-speed control
Cons:
- High price
- Battery not included
- Not adequate area coverage
Buying Guide - Zero Breeze Portable AC
The Company Zero Breeze
The Zero Breeze air conditioners are manufactured by the company named ‘Zero Breeze’. Reportedly, the founder of the company came with the idea of manufacturing a powerful yet portable AC while he was camping back in 2014.
Accordingly, the company came up with a prototype in 2015. Initially, they were a self-funded company.
Later, they have used the prototype to raise money using ‘Kickstarter’. Interestingly, they had raised over half a million dollars in that campaign and began production in 2017.
Eventually, they had to move their production facility in China because of the huge demands and to cut the production cost.
However, since then, they have started to receive negative reviews about their products related to quality control and product quality.
After that, they have launched their second portable air conditioner named ‘The Zero Breeze Mark 2’ in 2019. In this iteration, they have improved a lot of things.
How Does the Zero Breeze Portable AC Work?
The Zero Breeze portable air conditioner is integrated with a micro rotary compressor and dual-hose exhaust mechanism. That means it works almost similar to conventional air conditioners. In addition, it can be run with both AC and DC power.
You can power up the battery via car or solar power. So, while camping in a place where there is no power outlet, you can use it in DC mode like any other battery-operated air conditioner.
On the other hand, if your tent or cabin has a power outlet, you can plug it in as well.
Where Can The Zero Breeze Portable AC be Used?
You can use the Zero Breeze portable air conditioner anywhere you want to. However, you should keep in mind that it doesn't have a high cooling power and area coverage.
For instance, it will not be suitable for a 5 person tent.
The Zero Breeze portable air conditioner was made primarily for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. So, you can use this unit on your camping tents, trucks, cars, cabins, and even outdoors.
Comparison between The Zero Breeze Mark 2 vs. Mark 1
If you have read the individual reviews above, then you should know the Mark 2 is a lot improved compared to Mark 1. First of all, the Mark 2 (2300 BTU) comes with a higher BTU rating compared to the Mark 1 (1100 BTU).
Next, Mark 1 uses a single hose system, whereas the Mark 2 comes with a 2 dual hose exhaust system.
In addition, the Mark 2 can cover a 3 person tent (70.9 x 82.7 x 40.9 inches area) with ease. Conversely, the Mark 1 was suitable for a 2 person tent (47.2 x 78.7 x 41.3 inches) at best.
They have made the Mark 2 quieter as well. They have added an IR remote control with the Mark 2, which Mark 1 lacks.
But, there is no Bluetooth speaker functionality, USB ports, etc. on the Mark 2. In short, the Mark 2 is a better version of the Mark 1.
FAQ
Does zero breeze really work?
Yes, the Zero Breeze portable air conditioner works. However, they are not that powerful and cannot cover a larger area. Conversely, you can easily carry it around, and the setup process is very easy as well.
In short, it does work. But it is not the most efficient portable air conditioner out there. Again, the Zero Breeze is truly portable though. So unless you want a huge tent to be air-conditioned, it’s an effective unit.
How can I keep my car cool without AC?
There are a lot of ways you can keep your car cool without an AC. Here are a few tips on this topic…
- Park your car in the shade
- Utilize a dashboard cover
- Use a fan (a solar-powered mini-fan would work as well)
- Hanging a wet rag over the middle vent of your car could keep it cool
- Roll the windows down if possible
- Slightly crack a window
Are free standing air conditioners good?
The answer to this question will vary based on the conditions and users. However, in general, this type of air conditioner is less efficient and inconvenient to use.
Also, they are not portable. So, for a camper, this might not be a good option.
What is the best portable air conditioner on the market?
As you can guess, this is a very tricky question to answer. Because the choice of the best portable air conditioner will vary from person to person.
Also, there are a lot of factors like power, efficiency, features, price, etc. to consider when choosing a portable air conditioner. If you have done your research thoroughly, then you will find a good match according to your requirements easily.
Related post: Best Tent Air Conditioner
Conclusion - Zero Breeze Portable AC
To put it simply, if you compare the ‘Zero Breeze Mark 2’ to the ‘The Zero Breeze Mark 1’, then you can see that they have improved the product to a great extent.
Still, it does have a few drawbacks. For instance, it is a bit more expensive compared to other portable air conditioners out there.
Also, it cannot cover a large area. But if you need a portable air conditioner for a camping trip or overlanding purposes, you can check the ‘Zero Breeze Mark 2’ out because it is actually portable.
That cannot be said about many of the other products out there.
