TCL Air Conditioners Review
For year-round comfort, consider investing in an air conditioner that can do it all. Check out brands like TCL which offers a variety of window air conditioners and split-system units with cooling and heating functionalities. The brand also has a couple of portable air conditioners for people who are short on space, or are looking for a potential long-term solution to saving money.
TCL Window & Wall Box Air Conditioners
TCL TCLWB05C 1.6kW Window Box Air Conditioner
If you’re looking for a compact window or wall box air conditioner, the TCL TCLWB05C might be a suitable option to cool small rooms measuring up to 10m2. It shares several features similarly found in TCL’s other products, including swing function and a 24 hour timer. But unlike other models available from the brand, this unit does not include heating functionalities and only has a 1.6kW cooling capacity.
TCL TCLWB09 2.6kW Window Box Air Conditioner
For year-round cooling and heating, consider getting the TCL TCLWB09 Window Box Air Conditioner. It has a 2.6kW cooling capacity and 2.4kW heating capacity. Similar to other items in the range, this unit comes with three fan speeds and contains features such as sleep mode, swing function and a 24 hour timer.
The TCL TCLWB09 can be mounted on your window and is suitable for rooms measuring up to 20m2.
RRP: $749*
TCL TCLWB14 4.1kW Window Box Air Conditioner
The TCL TCLWB14 Window Box Air Conditioner is one of the brand’s most powerful window box air conditioners, offering a 4.1 cooling capacity and 3.6kW heating capacity. It features 3 fan speeds and can provide a temperature range between 18°C and max 31°C.
Other features include:
- 24 hour timer
- Sleep mode
- Swing function.
The TCL TCLWB14 is ideal for spaces no larger than 27m2.
RRP: $949.95*
TCL Split-System Air Conditioners
TCL TCLSS12 3.2kW Reverse Cycle Split System Air Conditioner
Avoid feeling sticky in summer and find air conditioners like the TCL TCLSS12 which feature a built-in dehumidifier to remove any excess moisture in the room. This split system air conditioner has a 3.2kW cooling capacity and a 3.2kW heating capacity. If you’re looking for an air conditioner that won’t disturb your sleep or disrupt conversation, the model also has an indoor noise level ranging between 35 db(A) and 41 db(A).
Other features include:
- Inverter technology
- Swing function
- 24 hour timer
- 10-hour auto power off.
RRP: $1,000*
TCL TCLSS18 5kW Reverse Cycle Split System Inverter Air Conditioner
The TCL TCLSS18 is among one of the brand’s most powerful split system air conditioner and offers a 5kW cooling capacity as well as 5.2kW heating functionality.
If you forget to switch off the unit, the appliance will automatically turn off after operating continuously for 10 hours. The model similarly has a 24-hour timer which you can program to operate during certain times.
Other features include:
- Wall mounted
- Dehumidifier
- Operates quietly
- Swing function
- Last setting auto restart.
RRP: $1,353*
TCL TCLSS09 2.5kW Reverse Cycle Split System Inverter Air Conditioner
For a more affordable option from the brand, the TCL TCLSS09 is the cheapest split system air conditioner currently available. It offers a 2.5kW cooling capacity and a 2.5kW heating capacity. While the TCL TCL SS09 is the least powerful model in the range, its 39 dB noise level makes this unit ideal for bedrooms.
Other features include:
- 10 hour auto power off
- 24 hour timer
- Dehumidifier
- Swing function.
RRP: $900*
TCL Portable Air Conditioners
TCL TCLPAC12 Portable Air Conditioner
The most powerful unit in TCL’s range of portable air conditioners, the TCL TCLPAC12 has a 3.5kW cooling capacity and is suitable for rooms measuring up to 25m2. It collects up to 2.57L of moisture per hour and features a self-evaporative system, which removes the need for a drip tray or hose. And since the model is freestanding and doesn’t need to be installed into your home, the unit can be easily moved around on its wheels.
Some other features include:
- Maximum noise level of 53db(A)
- 0-24 hour timer setting with sleep mode
- LED control panel.
RRP: $800*
TCL TCLPAC10 Portable Air Conditioner
If you’re looking to cool a smaller space and don’t necessarily need a large unit, the TCL TCLPAC10 Portable Air Conditioner might be a useful option to consider. This freestanding model has a 3kW cooling capacity and is said to be ideal for rooms measuring up to 22m2. It’s also stated to collect up to 1.89L of moisture per hour, which is especially useful for staying cool on humid days.
Other features include:
- Maximum noise level of 53dB(A)
- Self-evaporative system
- 0-24 hour timer setting with sleep mode
- LED control panel.
Does TCL have the best air conditioner for me?
Looking for a cool way to survive the Australian heat? TCL offers a range of air conditioners to choose from, especially if you’re shopping for an appliance designed to suit a small bedroom or a medium-sized space.
When it comes to TCL’s selection of split system air conditioners and window/wall box air conditioners, there’s little separating the models in terms of features. Many of these contain a built-in dehumidifier, 24 hour timer and swing function. But the collection does provide a variety of options to suit different price points. Depending on which unit you buy, you can find air conditioners with a cooling capacity ranging between 1.6kW up to 7.8kW. For heating, the heating capacity of split system range between 2.6kW and 8kW.
If you’re renting or can’t install a larger unit, the cooling power and portability of TCL’s portable air conditioners might be something to consider. Unlike some portable air conditioners on the market, these freestanding units use a self-evaporative system. This means you won’t need to regularly empty a drip tray or attach a hose for the unit to operate. The castor wheels also make each model easy to transport around the house, so you don’t need to buy a separate unit for each room.
Can’t decide if TCL has the best air conditioner for you? Visit the Canstar Blue air con ratings page to compare a variety of brands. Our customer ratings show Kelvinator is one of the top choices among Australian consumers. The brand has achieved high ratings for different categories such as reliability, value for money, ease of use, functionalise and noise. But don’t forget to check out other big brands like Mitsubishi Electric and Fujitsu General.
*Prices taken from Appliances Online and respective retailers, correct as of October 2018
About the author of this page
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Content Producer Luciana Lawe Davies. She writes about streaming, appliances and consumer products and services. Luciana enjoys bringing readers the best in what’s on TV and at the shops, including the best deals and latest reviews.