For many of us, when we go camping in the great outdoors, having a battery powered air conditioner would bring great relief. The sun is hot, it’s humid and we just want to escape to our tent for an afternoon nap. So, what better way to enjoy nature with the comforts of modern technology?
Selecting the best battery powered air conditioner for your needs is crucial.
The Zero Breeze Mark 2 is a fantastic example of how technology has benefitted our lives. This battery powered air conditioner is a handheld air conditioner which features a practical design that allows it to be moved around with ease. By operating on a battery, this handheld air conditioner eliminates the need for a power point, allowing it to be used for a variety of purposes.
The Zero Breeze Mark 2 is not a cheap device, by any accounts, so prior to making this rather significant purchase you’ll want to ensure that this battery powered air conditioner offers most, if not all, the qualities you’re looking for when it comes to a battery operated air conditioner.
The Zero Breeze Mark 2 claims to be the best battery powered air conditioner on the market, but does their claim make the grade? Read on and we will give you our opinion with our Zero Breeze Mark 2 review.
Where You Can Use Battery Operated Air Conditioners
With the warmer months drawing us outside to enjoy nature in the great outdoors, playing golf or tennis, or watching our kids (or grandkids) play sports in the summer months, having a handheld air conditioner for personal use makes sense. Some of us love the summer, but really can’t handle the heat or humidity for too long.
This stylish, battery operated air conditioner is so handy that it can make almost any outdoor activity, or space that needs cool air possible. Below is a short list of activities or places having this innovative device would come in handy:
- Camping out in a Tent
- Staying in a Cabin that doesn’t have a/c
- Staying in an RV
- Traveling in the Car or Truck that has a/c issues
- Outside at the Beach or in your Backyard
- Playing Golf or Tennis outdoors
- Watching from the sideline of any kids sporting event
The Zero Breeze Mark 2 Portable Outdoor Air Conditioner
The Zero Breeze Mark 2 is a portable battery powered air conditioner that its designers believe is ideal for those looking for instant cooling relief while on the go.
With an incredible battery that will last approximately five hours, the Zero Breeze Mark 2 not only works to cool the immediate area, it also doubles as a dehumidifier.
Best of all, this is one portable a/c unit that not only works inside but can be used successfully outside as well.
Weight
With a more compact design to ensure all-round practicality, the Zero Breeze Mark 2 model is also extremely lightweight, making it a great portable air conditioner for camping. Weighing in at a mere 16.5 lbs, this is a small and very portable handheld air conditioner.
Cooling Capacity
The cooling capacity of the Zero Breeze Mark 2 is 2,300 BTUs, which is less than the recommended average for a portable a/c unit which is 5,000 BTUs. Although, this unit may not be as powerful as similar battery powered air conditioning units on the market, if you’re in search of a small and very portable battery operated air conditioner that can practically fit anywhere which makes it easy to travel with, than you will reap the rewards of this handheld air conditioner.
Power Source
It’s worth noting that though the Zero Breeze Mark 2 operates on a simple AC/DC power adapter or battery, the smart battery is not included with this model. It only comes complete (with the battery) when you purchase the Plus model, which would be our recommendation, but again adds an additional expense.
Therefore, you’ll need to factor this additional cost into equation when making the final decision if this unit makes sense for you. A smart battery generally tends to retail around the $300 price tag, and most can’t be interchanged with other battery models, a negative if you decide to add additional units as they are released.
Also, the charging time of these batteries will take roughly five-hours. For this reason, most owners recommend purchasing at least two batteries, but if you are more of a one-night camper who will only need one batteries worth of juice you should be ok with one battery. If you travel with a generator you should also be ok with one battery, as well.
If, when you camp, you like to stay a few nights and attempt to be a minimalist when it comes to gear you pack, then we would definitely recommend splurging for additional battery packs, as it may allow you to leave the generator at home.
Noise level
Experts recommend that an ideal comfortable noise level is anywhere between 50 to 60 decibels, the Zero Breeze Mark 2 sits contentedly at around 55 to 65 decibels.
The exact rating is dependent on what setting you have the unit on, but in general, this provides a moderate noise level, no matter what setting you have it set to. Some owners have noted that the noise is too loud for their liking, but I’m not sure what people really would expect when it comes to having so much power in such a small unit.
Noise is going to happen, and the trade-off of being comfortable outside may win in that battle. The noise level shouldn’t bother you too much when the unit is used in smaller spaces, although if you are affected by a humming white noise type of sound then this handheld air conditioner may bother you when you’re in need of running the unit throughout the night.
Area coverage
Because of the lower than average 2,300 BTU rating of the Zero Breeze, the area coverage is understandably reduced. Though the unit is capable of covering an area of approximately 25 to 40 sq/ft, this range may be reduced outdoors or when in a tent.
This is simply because cool air will escape easier as tent materials are made to allow air in and out. However, as this is a portable battery powered air conditioner this area coverage should be enough to provide just the right amount of cooling comfort.
You are camping, and trying to enjoy nature, just trying to get some comforts of technology to assist in your enjoyment level. If a battery air conditioner is able to lower the heat and humidity to the point of enjoying your nap or night sleep, then I’d say it’s a worthwhile investment.
EER Level
Since we are always on the prowl for an energy-efficient product, the Zero Breeze comes in at an above average with an EER rating of 4. While this isn’t anything to write home about, it’s still a respectable rating given all the benefits this handheld air conditioner is able to offer.
Working Temperature
With a working temperature of less than 104° F, the Zero Breeze can provide adequate cooling relief ranging from 90℉ to 72℉. However, one slight drawback is that unlike many other a/c models, this one doesn’t offer a built-in thermostat. So, you won’t be able to determine your preferred temperature without a little outside assistance. You can always purchase a battery powered portable thermostat that also provides you with humidity levels to assist you.
Additional Features
Most owners of the original Zero Breeze loved the extra features the original unit came with, such as the bluetooth speaker, USB charging station, a fan, and an LED light. Sadly, the updated version only comes with the LED light that its predecessor included, along with the addition of a remote control.
Pros
- A lightweight and most portable model at just 12 pounds
- Offers a cooling system as well as a dehumidifying process
- Has a good low EER level
- Can be set up with ease and used immediately out of the box
- Is a quiet runner
- Has a few extra features
- Offers the choice of a smart battery operation or AC/DC adapter
- Is an easy to clean model
Cons
- For those who would prefer to use the unit on battery, the smart battery for this model is sold separately
- This battery takes five hours to charge fully
- Has a relatively low BTU compared to similar model types, therefore cooling a smaller area in the process
- It comes with a high price tag!
- Doesn't come with same amount of additional features first model had
Final Thoughts on Zero Breeze Mark 2
Overall, the Zero Breeze Mark 2 is efficient and potentially a worthwhile investment for you if the summer heat and humidity keep you from enjoying the great outdoors.
If you find yourself at the local golf course and think to yourself that ‘some air conditioning would be a great addition to breaking 90’ then the Zero Breeze could be a smart purchase.
It’ll definitely upgrade your camping trip in the tent or RV, or if the cabin you rented doesn’t have any air conditioning, then the Zero Breeze could be a smart purchase, as far as battery powered air conditioners go.
The Zero Mark 2 does come with a rather heavy price tag, but the efficiency, performance, and the couple extra features included are, for those of us that can afford it, certainly worth the additional expense.
For other battery-powered portable air conditioner options, see our buying guide: Best Battery-Powered Air Conditioners of 2020.
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