Midea is following up on its popular portable split air conditioner: the PortaSplit is getting an upgrade. The upcoming 2027 generation switches from the R32 refrigerant to more climate-friendly propane (R290) – and should also ease the recently tight availability.
Why Midea has to redesign the PortaSplit
The reason is regulatory: under the EU F-Gas Regulation, devices using the previously used R32 refrigerant may no longer be newly placed on the EU market from 1 January 2027. R290 (propane) has a global warming potential (GWP) of about 3 – a fraction of R32’s (GWP around 675). We explained in detail what this means for the PortaSplit and for units already sold: The R32 ban from 2027 – what it means for the Midea PortaSplit.
What changes technically
According to available information, the new edition brings more than just a different refrigerant. Reports mention an acoustically re-engineered fan assembly for quieter operation, a simplified window bracket for faster installation, and an updated microprocessor platform for the app features. Because propane is flammable, stricter safety requirements apply to construction and certification – Midea itself calls the switch a complex process that can make development more expensive. The already available „PortaSplit Cool“ (around 3.5 kW / 12,000 BTU, efficiency class A++) partly ships with R290 already.
Availability and price
For many buyers the real news is the hope of better availability: the PortaSplit has repeatedly been sold out or only available at a premium. Depending on model and retailer, the current generation roughly ranges between about 780 and over 1,000 euros. If you want to store your existing unit properly over winter, our winterizing guide for the Midea PortaSplit walks you through it.
Currently available model (still with R32):
Sources: chip.de · mobiflip · homeandsmart.
