Rovex RS-09MST1 / RE-09MST1 air conditioner

Our verdict on the Rovex RS-09MST1

Rovex Grace is an affordable on/off air conditioner from a Krasnodar-based brand; the series has been sold for several years under the same designation. In Southern Russia, Rovex is a well-known brand with its own warehouse stock, while in the capital it’s less common. The price of the “9” model is around 23–25 thousand rubles. Manufacturing is at a Midea plant, and the familiar traits of this platform are evident in the remote, the front-panel shape, and the outdoor unit design.

Spec-wise, it’s not a rock-bottom bundle: a 20 m line length (not typical for on/off), R32 refrigerant (despite many third-party listings still quoting the outdated R410A), Wi‑Fi is optional, and there’s a formal “leak protection” function—implemented via an error-code indication on the display module (the model does not have a dedicated refrigerant concentration sensor, but a service technician will immediately see a compressor shutdown caused by pressure loss).

The indoor unit is put together with restraint: a thin molding around the perimeter of the front panel, no decorative “waves” or badges. The side louvers are two-section, manual, but with a convenient control tab—an uncommon advantage in the budget segment, where most makers cut costs and leave users with a bare grille. One fine filter is included.

The remote is an older-style Midea handset: no backlight, a small screen, and small Cyrillic lettering. Ergonomics are “not best in class”: Quiet mode and Turbo are placed in opposite corners of the remote, and an extra “Sleep” key duplicates part of the fan-speed range. In practice there are five fan speeds (three normal + Quiet + Turbo).

At the minimum fan speed, measured noise was 31.3 dB—an excellent result for an on/off unit. The explanation is straightforward, though: airflow is noticeably weaker than peers in the segment (about 2 m/s versus 3 m/s on Centek, for example). For a small bedroom that’s a plus; in a hot climate it can be a drawback—the cooling may feel insufficient.

Autotransformer test: the unit holds 150 V at the input confidently; at 100 V the compressor shuts off without signs of severe heating—correct behavior per the emergency-protection logic.

The indoor heat exchanger is a two-row coil with visible gaps: 5 mm copper, 11 bends, 50 cm length. By our measurement methodology, surface area is 0.17 m². That’s close to the lower end of our seasonal sample. It’s clear this is where the distributor squeezed cost. The USB port for the Wi‑Fi dongle is physically located on the back side of the display module—so for self-installation you’ll need to remove the display panel.

The outdoor unit is the model’s main pleasant surprise. It’s large, not downsized “for budget,” with a diffuser spanning the full height of the casing, port protection, and no rear decorative grille. Vibration measures 0.13—an excellent result for an on/off unit with fixed-speed operation. Inside, the heat exchanger has no gaps: 7 mm copper, 11 bends, surface area 0.37 m². It’s almost the exact same coil we saw on the “native” Midea “9” model—Rovex didn’t cut corners where it matters most.

The compressor is a GMCC KSN series with index 89, chosen for a “9” without downrating. Metering is via a capillary tube; there are no signs of simplified engineering. Insulation in the compressor compartment is minimal, which suggests the casing is tightly fitted.

Bottom line on Rovex Grace: a straightforward on/off unit with a large outdoor section and a clearly cost-trimmed indoor one. Strengths: GMCC KSN89 compressor, excellent copper area of the outdoor heat exchanger (0.37 m²), low vibration (0.13), 31.3 dB measured noise, 20 m line length, convenient two-section side louvers, a fine filter and batteries included, R32 refrigerant, and clear indication in case of compressor shutdown. Weak points: an awkward older Midea remote without backlight, small copper area of the indoor heat exchanger (0.17 m²), the Wi‑Fi module requires removing the display module to install, and reduced airflow at minimum speed. Recommended for those who need an on/off unit for a bedroom or a rarely used room and are prepared to service the indoor unit more often (a small heat exchanger loses efficiency faster as the fins get dirty).