Midea PortaSplit has been selected by TIME Magazine as one of the Best Inventions of 2025. For a product that has only recently entered the market, this is an extraordinary achievement – and a clear sign of how much the new portable split air conditioner is transforming everyday life for many people.
Midea PortaSplit fills a long-standing gap: traditional portable air conditioners are often noisy and less efficient, while permanently installed split systems are expensive, complex and require approval. PortaSplit combines the best of both worlds – the performance of a split system, without installation. Simply place it, plug it in and get started.
That this idea is truly resonating is reflected not only in its market success, but also in the recognition it has received from the international expert community.
To learn more about the development and the thinking behind the product, we spoke with the two minds behind PortaSplit: Manuel Seethaler, Head of RAC Product Strategy Europe, and Tobias Strobel, Head of Technical Innovation.
Mr Seethaler, Mr Strobel, the Midea PortaSplit has become a real bestseller and has just been awarded by TIME Magazine. What does this mean to you and to Midea?
Manuel Seethaler: This award is something very special for us. We developed the product in Germany with a team that knows the European market inside out. Seeing PortaSplit now receive global recognition naturally makes us even prouder. Innovation made in Stuttgart. And the fact that TIME Magazine has named our solution one of the Best Inventions of 2025 is a fantastic confirmation of our work
Tobias Strobel: What pleases us most is that the magazine describes Midea PortaSplit as an affordable and quiet alternative to the air conditioning systems commonly used in Germany, which often cost several thousand euros and are very noisy. It can be installed without tools and used flexibly with different window types.
How did the idea for the Midea PortaSplit come about?
Manuel Seethaler: We observed that the market for mobile air conditioners in Germany is booming, but many people are dissatisfied with their performance and noise levels. At the same time, many shy away from installing a permanently mounted split system – it’s too complex, too expensive, too final. We knew there had to be something in between: a solution as flexible as a monoblock unit, but as efficient and quiet as a split system. That’s how the idea for PortaSplit was born.
Tobias Strobel: We wanted to develop a device that simply works – without professional installation, without structural modifications, without compromising on performance. And it had to look high-quality at the same time. The result is a system that you simply place, plug in and use immediately, for both heating and cooling.
What makes the Midea PortaSplit technically so special?
Tobias Strobel: Essentially, it is a fully fledged air-to-air heat pump – just mobile. The closed refrigerant circuit means no installation is required. At the same time, it delivers heating and cooling performance of up to 3.5 kilowatts, which is enough to condition even larger rooms. Even at outdoor temperatures of -10°C, it provides reliable heat.
Manuel Seethaler: And all of this with an energy efficiency class of A+ for heating and A++ for cooling. This makes it significantly more economical than any form of electric heating such as night storage heaters, infrared heaters or electric fan heaters. Compared to gas and oil heating, it also saves money and, of course, CO₂. Many users report that they were able to noticeably reduce their electricity costs in winter – with a device that is ready to use immediately.
What was the development process like? Were there particular challenges?
Manuel Seethaler: Our team in Stuttgart worked in a very user-centric way. We conducted hundreds of interviews to understand what people really need. One major challenge was making the device universally usable – compatible with all common window types, from skylights to tilt-and-turn windows.
Tobias Strobel: From a technical perspective, noise reduction was a key issue. Many mobile air conditioners are simply too loud, especially at night. We developed special sound insulation that significantly reduces noise levels – to the point where the device is barely noticeable. That was a real breakthrough, and market success has been enormous.
How do you explain this success?
Manuel Seethaler: With Midea PortaSplit, we solved a real problem. People today want flexibility, especially when it comes to energy. No other product offers so much performance with so little effort. The success is reflected in the numbers: in 2025, we once again increased our sales compared to the previous year – and demand continues to rise.
Tobias Strobel: The feedback from the market is overwhelming. Many say: “Finally, a device that delivers what it promises.” Whether tenants, homeowners, hoteliers or event service providers – they all appreciate the ease of use, quiet operation and efficiency.
In which areas of application is the Midea PortaSplit most commonly used?
Manuel Seethaler: It varies widely. Many people use it in rented apartments or holiday homes as a full heating solution. Others use it in home offices, garden houses, motorhomes or tiny houses. It is also increasingly used in commercial environments such as hotels, offices or temporary buildings.
Tobias Strobel: We see that Midea PortaSplit works wherever people want independence – from installations, energy sources or seasons..
How important is sustainability in this context?
Tobias Strobel: Extremely important. A SCOP value of 4.0 means that 75 percent of the heating energy is drawn from ambient air. This not only reduces CO₂ emissions but also makes heating much cheaper. Combined with electricity from a photovoltaic system, Midea PortaSplit is almost climate-neutral.
Manuel Seethaler: We believe sustainability only works if it is simple. PortaSplit shows that energy efficiency does not have to be a luxury product – it can be accessible to everyone.
What further developments are planned?
Tobias Strobel: We are continuously improving PortaSplit, whether through software updates or new window mounting solutions for additional applications. We also plan to expand integration with voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Home.
Manuel Seethaler: Our goal is to consistently rethink heat pump technology – making it more efficient, quieter, smarter and affordable for everyone. Midea PortaSplit was the beginning, not the end, of this development.
If you had to describe PortaSplit in one sentence, what would it be?
Tobias Strobel: Midea PortaSplit is the heat pump for everyone: ready to use immediately, quiet, efficient – and a little bit revolutionary.
About the Interviewees
Manuel Seethaler (41) is Head of RAC Product Strategy Europe at Midea. After studying economics and political science with Chinese as a foreign language, he spent several years in China working in project management. Today, at Midea’s Stuttgart R&D site, he is responsible for market research, market analyses and customer surveys. Based on these findings, niches and trends are identified and incorporated into the engineering team’s work.
Tobias Strobel (38) is Head of Technical Innovation at Midea. He studied thermodynamics for automotive engineering at the University of Stuttgart and later worked for a Swiss company in the fields of measurement technology and engine development. Today, as a career changer at Midea’s Stuttgart R&D centre, he develops concepts in the areas of heat pumps, air conditioning systems, inverters and battery systems. As head of the innovation team, Tobias Strobel and his colleagues work on products for both retail and professional markets.