Polo Air Conditioners: An Independent Review

Solar Choice is not affiliated with Polo, Rinnai, or any other air conditioner manufacturer or installer and aims to provide an unbiased review for consumers in Australia

At a Glance: Polo Portable Air Conditioners — Score 2.5 out of 5

Solar Choice has developed an independent & transparent Air Conditioning Score Card to evaluate all the air conditioners available on the market:

Brand Reputation & Reliability – 3 / 5:

Polo is a long-running portable cooling line distributed by Rinnai Australia, giving it a more established presence than many generic online brands. The units are simple and durable, but fall below premium split-system brands in engineering quality and long-term performance.

Australian Presence & Support Infrastructure – 3.5 / 5:

Polo products benefit from Rinnai’s national service network, spare parts availability, and local customer support, placing it ahead of many budget portable brands with limited after-sales backing.

Warranty Strength & Transparency – 2 / 5:

A 3-year parts and labour warranty is below average for the portable AC category. Warranty terms are straightforward, although there is no extended or tiered coverage beyond the initial period.

Innovation & Smart Technology – 4 / 5:

Built-in Wi-Fi and app control; energy monitoring and smart scheduling. However, it lacks voice assistant compatibility.

Customer Satisfaction & Review Consistency – 0 / 5:

Polo’s portable models have almost no verified customer reviews online, meaning there is not enough information to reliably gauge user satisfaction.

Overall:

Polo offers convenient, no-installation cooling supported by Rinnai’s Australian service network and a useful Wi-Fi app. However, the brand’s modest warranty coverage and the absence of meaningful customer reviews make it harder to assess long-term reliability. With a rating of 2.5 / 5, Polo is a sensible option for renters or temporary cooling needs, but homeowners seeking a long-term solution should consider a fixed reverse-cycle system.

To better understand your options check out our comprehensive buyers guide to air conditioners for more details.

Overview of Polo – Company Background

Polo is a portable cooling brand distributed in Australia by Rinnai Australia Pty Ltd, one of the country’s most established heating and cooling companies. Polo focuses solely on portable refrigerated air conditioners, rather than fixed split or ducted systems.

The brand sits in the value-to-mid-range category: more reputable than generic online brands and backed by Rinnai’s national service network, but not designed to compete with premium split-system manufacturers such as Daikin, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries or Fujitsu.

Key strengths of the brand include:

• Rinnai-backed local warranty and support
• Plug-and-play cooling (no installation needed)
• Wi-Fi app control and timers
• Environmentally friendlier R290 refrigerant

Because Polo only offers portable ACs, its products should be compared to other portable units, not wall-mounted reverse-cycle systems or the evaporative cooling systems.

Polo Air Conditioner Range, Efficiency & Performance

Polo’s Australian range consists of five portable, cooling-only models:

• PH26CWF – 2.56 kW
• PA26CWF – 2.6 kW
• PQ10CWF – 2.7 kW
• PC35CWF – 3.5 kW
• PN46CWF – 4.6 kW

All models share core features:

• R290 refrigerant
• Wi-Fi app control (SmartStart)
• Window exhaust kit included
• Washable filters
• Remote control, timers & sleep mode
• Single-hose operation

Small Room Units (2.5–2.7 kW):

Suitable for rooms around 18–20 m², such as bedrooms, small living spaces and home offices.

Model	Cooling Capacity	Noise Level (approx.)	Notes
PH26CWF	2.56 kW	62.3 dB	Older design; adequate cooling but noisier. For a more comphrensive look at the specifications, see the users manual.
PA26CWF	2.6 kW	54-51 dB	Improved noise control; better for small bedrooms.
PQ10CWF	2.7 kW	44-43 dB	One of the quieter portable units in this class.

Medium–Large Room Units (3.5–4.6 kW):

Suitable for mid-sized living areas of 24–31 m² (depending on heat load).

Model	Cooling Capacity	Noise Level (approx.)	Notes
PC35CWF	3.5 kW	52-50 dB	Solid mid-range performance; typical portable efficiency.
PN46CWF	4.6 kW	53-51 dB	High output for larger rooms; louder and more power-hungry.

Portable ACs are not energy-labelled under the Australian star-rating scheme, so real-world performance varies depending on room sealing and exhaust setup.

How Much Do Polo Air Conditioners Cost?

Polo portable air conditioners are sold through major retailers such as Harvey Norman and The Good Guys.

Typical pricing:

• 2.5–2.7 kW units: ~$800–$900
  
• 3.5–4.6 kW units: ~$900–$1,200
  

Portable ACs are not eligible for STCs, heat-pump rebates or state energy incentives, as they are plug-in appliances rather than fixed reverse-cycle systems.

Polo Warranty for Australian Customers 

Polo portable air conditioners include a 3-year parts and labour warranty, administered by Rinnai Australia. For portable units, this is above average (many brands offer 1–2 years).

Key warranty conditions:

• Unit must be used indoors with proper exhaust installation
• Routine maintenance (e.g., filter cleaning) is the user’s responsibility
• Misuse, damaged hoses or improper setup are excluded
• Claims go directly through Rinnai with proof of purchase

Because no licensed installation is required, warranty claims are simpler than for fixed systems. Rinnai may arrange:

• an authorised technician for repair, or
• a replacement if repair is not feasible.

There is no extended compressor-only or 10-year warranty as seen in premium split-systems.

Polo Air Conditioner Installation Requirements

Polo portable units require:

• A standard 10 A wall outlet
• A suitable window or sliding door for the exhaust kit
• Enough space for the unit and exhaust hose

There is no professional installation required, which is ideal for renters. However, performance depends heavily on correct window sealing and exhaust setup.

Pros & Cons of Polo Portable Air Conditioners

Pros

• No installation required — plug in and use
• Backed by Rinnai’s national support network
• 3-year warranty is above average for the category
• Wi-Fi app control + timers & sleep mode
• Uses R290 refrigerant (lower environmental impact)
• Excellent option for renters & apartments
  

Cons

• Cooling only (no heating)
• Single-hose design limits efficiency
• Noticeable noise levels, especially on larger models
• Not star-rated; high running costs compared with split systems
• Not suitable for whole-home comfort or long-term efficiency

Final Verdict: Should You Buy a Polo Air Conditioner?

Polo portable air conditioners fill a useful niche in the Australian market by offering immediate, plug-in cooling backed by Rinnai’s warranty and service network. They are a solid choice for renters, small rooms, short-stay accommodation or situations where a split system is not possible.

However, portable air conditioners cannot match the efficiency, quietness or overall comfort of a modern reverse-cycle split system. For long-term cooling, homeowners should consider a fixed system instead.

With a 3.0 / 5 Solar Choice Scorecard rating, Polo is a sensible mid-range portable option — reliable, easy to use and well-supported — but ultimately a temporary cooling solution rather than a whole-home system.