Zero Breeze Product Review 2024
The Zero Breeze Mark 2 is a cordless, portable air conditioning unit that allows outdoor enthusiasts the ability to stay cool, regardless of where they are in the world. The portable AC unit is the successor to the Mark 1: Zero Breeze’s original version of the cordless cooling system, which was successfully crowdfunded back in 2019. The Zero Breeze Mark 2 is just one example of the many battery-powered appliances that have been developed in recent years, as technology has started to allow cordless systems to become slimmer and more portable.
Whether you’re camping, on a long road trip, out on a boat, or just relaxing in the park, having a portable air conditioner can provide a huge boost to your comfort and enjoyment of the experience. However, there are quite a few portable air conditioners on the market; is this Zero Breeze unit the one you should purchase?
Here, we’ll cover the ins and outs of this portable unit and provide you with the necessary information to decide if the Zero Breeze Mark 2 is a worthwhile investment for your needs.
Why Mark 2 AC Redefines Outdoor Cooling?
Zero Breeze Mark 2 Design
How Big is it?
Compared to traditional portable air conditioners, the Zero Breeze Mark 2 is pretty sleek looking. The cooling system has a modern overall design that prioritizes functionality and portability. The unit weighs about 17 lbs., although that number is bumped up to about 26 lbs. when the external battery is attached to the air conditioner.
The external battery is an optional accessory that adds about $700 to the purchase price, and if you buy one, you can clip it on smoothly to the bottom of the AC unit. As for its size, the Mark II is 20 inches long, 11 inches tall, and 10 inches wide. These measurements make the battery-powered AC unit relatively easy to pack and transport, so it will never feel like a big hassle to take it with you on a camping expedition or day trip.
Easy to Carry, Easy to operate
The portable air conditioner has an ergonomic handle, which makes the Mark II pretty easy and comfortable to carry. For obvious reasons, that's a big plus for any sort of portable appliance.
There are various buttons situated around the handle—they're used to control the mode, speed, and power of the air conditioner. That said, one of the selling points of the Zero Breeze is its one-button access; by pressing only one button, you can get the cool air blowing, lock the battery into place, or disassemble or install the hose assembly.
What is the best portable air conditioner for outdoors?
Zero Breeze Mark 2 Features
When you're trying to decide which portable AC to buy, the features that each one offers are likely going to factor heavily into your choice. In that category, this air conditioner from Zero Breeze does not disappoint.
Micro Compressor
One of the Mark II’s prominent features is its micro compressor, which is only about the size of a soda can and weighs roughly a quarter as much as an average portable compressor. When you switch the air conditioner into Power Mode, the little compressor is capable of providing a significant cooling effect, lowering the temperature by up to 30 degrees in only 10 minutes.
Air Distribution
The Zero Breeze uses a dual-pipe system to distribute its cool air. The ambient temperature significantly impacts the efficiency of this air distribution system, affecting the overall cooling effect. With the help of the portable air conditioner’s variable frequency centrifugal fan, this system can manage up to 120 CFM (cubic feet per minute) of airflow. The two exhaust hoses, which expel warm air from the appliance, can extend as far as 47 inches, which gives you some leeway when you’re deciding where to set up the cooling system.
When contracted, though, the exhaust hoses are only 11 inches long. As for the cold air hose, it’s also 11 inches long when contracted, and its full extension can reach 31 inches. This unique dual-pipe setup offers some flexibility, as the air conditioner doesn’t need to necessarily be sitting right next to you for you to enjoy the refreshing cool air.
Modes of Operation
The Zero Breeze portable air conditioner offers several modes that you can choose from during use. The control panel is easy to understand and operate. The aforementioned Power Mode is a handy feature that quickly kicks the system's cooling power into gear to provide fast cooling when the hot air gets too intense. There's also Sleep Mode, which quiets down the unit's operation so that you can get some sleep while keeping the cold air coming. Another great option is Dehumidifier Mode, which will help you stay dry as well as stay cool. Finally, there's USB Charging Mode, in which you can recharge the appliance's battery power using the USB charging ports on the bottom of the battery pack.
Zero Breeze Mark 2 Battery
For anyone who's in the market for a portable air conditioner, variables like battery life and charging time are going to be crucial. After all, if you're out camping in 90-degree weather, an extra couple of hours of air conditioning can make all the difference in the world. In this category, the Zero Breeze performs admirably.
Life of the Battery
Assuming you have the standard unit without any additional accessories, the 24-volt Lithium-Ion battery, when fully charged, will run for about five hours on its standard setting. If you have it cranked up to its maximum cooling power, it will typically start to sputter out after around three hours. On the other hand, running the cooling system on Sleep Mode should be able to stretch the battery life out quite a bit longer. When compared to most portable AC units, the Mark II is slightly above average in terms of battery. The unit’s battery pack is removable, and if you’re willing to cough up a large additional cost, you can also purchase an extra battery for extended use.
Battery Charging
While that three-to-five-hour battery is quite solid, if you end up taking your portable air conditioner on any sort of multi-day trip or all-day excursion, you'll likely need more cooling time than that. In that case, you'll need to recharge the battery pack, which you can do using the included 24-volt DC power adapter. This included AC adapter can be plugged into a wall outlet power source. Unfortunately, there's no way to charge the battery while it's in use, and restoring it to a full charge will take roughly five to six hours.
Alternate Charging Method
If you're someone who takes your portable AC unit out into the woods or desert, you obviously won't have a wall outlet available to you for charging. Fortunately, Zero Breeze offers a 12-volt to 24-volt DC-DC converter, which you can plug into your vehicle's cigarette lighter as an alternate means of recharging the battery pack.
Why do you need Mark 2 in your camper trailer?
Zero Breeze Mark 2 Cooling Capacity
Designed for Small Spaces
Obviously, if you’re thinking about investing in a portable air conditioner, you’ll want to know what you can expect in terms of effectiveness and cooling ability. Cooling a closed space such as an SUV, van, or tent presents unique challenges, including maximizing cooling efficiency and dealing with ambient temperatures. Firstly, it’s important to keep in mind that a portable AC unit like the Zero Breeze Mark II is not intended to cool down an entire house or any larger space. If you’re looking for an appliance that can, you can probably forget about going with a portable. However, if what you need is a quality system that can effectively cool down small enclosed space, the Mark II could certainly fit the bill.
Personal Comfort
The Zero Breeze offers 2,300 BTU cooling power, which is more than double what its predecessor provided (the Mark 1 system generated 1,100 BTU). While that level of cooling capacity may not be able to fill a wide-open living room with cold air, it should offer enough power to do an excellent job of keeping a car or tent nice and cool. Alternatively, if you choose to use the AC unit in an RV, large van, or small-to-mid-sized boat, it should at the very least be able to keep the climate pretty comfortable on hot summer days.
Zero Breeze Mark 2 Accessories
In addition to the accessories that we've already mentioned, Zero Breeze offers several other extras that you can get your hands on for an additional cost.
Remote Control
One of the most popular accessories is the Mark 2 Remote Controller, which costs $20 and allows you to turn the unit on, shut it off, and switch modes from a distance.
Extension Dock
Another useful add-on is the Mark 2 Power Extension Dock, which is available for $129. The Power Extension Dock allows you to charge multiple batteries at once using either your 24-volt power adapter or 24-volt solar panels.
If you're a DIY enthusiast, you may be interested in the Mark 2 DIY Cord with GX16-4 Connector. The DIY Cord features several pins, which let you charge your battery directly from your own 24-volt power source.
Warranty
One more add-on you'll want to consider when purchasing a new unit is the Mark 2 Care+ warranty. You can choose either a two or three-year protection plan, but the warranty must be purchased within 30 days of buying the air conditioner. With the Mark 2 Care+ plan, Zero Breeze will cover all repair and labor costs if the unit fails due to non-human causes.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the Zero Breeze Mark II is a quality product. Yes, there are portable air conditioners that are more efficient, and there are portable air conditioners that are more powerful. But while the Mark 2 doesn't necessarily blow away the competition in any one category, it's a very solid all-around portable AC unit.
The Mark 2 offers very good battery life, satisfactory cooling ability, a functional design, and a great selection of features. Priced at $1,499 for a new unit, the system certainly isn't cheap, and if you only anticipate needing it once a year, it probably isn't worth the price for your situation. However, if you're a frequent camper or living the van life, it will end up feeling like a much wiser investment.
So, if you have the genuine need and the money to spend, the Zero Breeze Mark II would be a fine choice for your portable cooling system. It's not overly flashy, but it's reliable, and it gets the job done.
