What size room will 8000 BTU cool?

About 200 to 250 square feet in a normal room, less if the space is sunny or has high ceilings. Larger or open rooms will feel only a slight difference.

How loud is it at 50 dB?

50 dB is roughly the level of a quiet conversation or a running fridge heard up close. It is fine for a living room but noticeable in a bedroom at night.

Does it need to be drained?

In humid weather, yes. Most portable units of this type fill their tank and shut off until emptied, or you can run a hose to a drain for continuous use.

Is a window required?

Yes. The exhaust hose has to vent out a window or door opening, and the included kit fits most sliding or double-hung windows.

How does it compare with a dual-hose portable?

A dual-hose unit draws outside air for cooling and exhausts it separately, so it does not pull warm room air back in. This single-hose model is simpler to set up but less efficient in a hot room.

Does it work as a dehumidifier on its own?

Yes. It has a dehumidify mode, so it can pull moisture from a damp room without running the cooling cycle. Expect to drain the tank more often in that mode.