Best Portable Evaporative Coolers | Buyer’s Guide

What is the best evaporative cooler? This kind of device uses a fan that pulls hot air into the machine. The fan then sends the air through water-soaked pads so that the liquid evaporates into a gas. As a result, the unit blows out cooler air.

In this guide, you will learn about TOP-9 best air coolers of different size and capacity. Below, you will find a high-capacity indoor appliance with the water tank size amounting to 2.6 gallons and an option with a whisper-quiet setting that will be ideal for light sleepers. There is a powerful outdoor unit providing an airflow of 3100 CFM and a super lightweight USB model that can be easily connected to a laptop. If you worry about energy bills, take a look at an energy-efficient model consuming as little as 32 watts at the highest speed. Apart from a comprehensive product review, this guide discusses how air coolers work and what aspects you should look for when making a purchase, including the product’s recommended CFM (cubic feet per minute) and portability.

A/C costs tend to increase dramatically during the hot summer months. As such, any homeowner will welcome the idea of using air conditioning device that will consume much less energy and cool the temperature effectively. The portable evaporative cooler, also called a swamp cooler, is one such device that relies on evaporation to reduce heat and achieve more effective cooling than regular air conditioning systems. The cooler is suitable for dry climates as they are less humid. It explains the need for buyers to check their location's temperature and relative humidity to determine if the cooling system can work in such regions. Here, you’ll find five different models of the best portable evaporative coolers from $30 up to $350.

How it Works

An evaporative cooler operates by releasing water vapor into the atmosphere to minimize the temperature. It is based on the concept of evaporative cooling, which states that water absorbs heat to cause evaporation. As such, the temperature of a less humid area is reduced through the transition of liquid water to vapor. The cooler comprises a water tank, which is refilled with cold water, a fan, and cooling pads. Once the cooler is switched on, the warm air in the atmosphere is pulled in and absorbed by the saturated pads to cool it down. The fans then release the cold air to the atmosphere thus, reducing the heat.

It explains why evaporative coolers use much less energy to cool the atmosphere compared to refrigeration cycles. The user should also open the vents or windows or provide 1-2 sq feet of opening for every 1000 cfm of cooling capacity. You can experiment to find out the ideal place to place the cooler; if the windows are too far, more hot air enters, and if they are too close, humidity builds up in the space. Regulate the temperature by opening windows in the areas you want to cool and close them in empty spaces. It also depends on the type of cooler you are using.

Expert Opinion: John Falconer, Professor, University of Colorado

John Falconer, Professor, University of Colorado

John Falconer is Professor Emeritus with the University of Colorado. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University and a B.E.S. in Chemical Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Falconer has multiple awards and scientific publications on heterogeneous catalysis and zeolite membranes.

Here I am going to briefly describe what is meant by evaporative cooling. Imagine we have a liquid like water in a container and, of course, the water is going to try to reach equilibrium. So water is going to be evaporating to try to reach the saturation pressure of water in the gas phase. Now, this can be a slow process. The evaporation will speed up if we were to flow some gas over. Removing the water then we are going to keep evaporating the water. What we want to look at to visualize evaporative cooling. Suppose we have a container that is completely insulated and there is no heat transfer. As the water evaporates, the remaining water is going to decrease in temperature because the energy for evaporation has to come from somewhere. So it comes from the sensible heat of the liquid that remains. If we have a small amount of liquid, then we can have a significant change in the temperature. In other words, this is the cooling experienced when you get out of a swimming pool and the water liquid on your arm evaporates and you feel cooler.

Portable Indoor Cooler Features

They are ideal for cooling small living spaces and are fitted with casters to enhance mobility. The coolers are lightweight and suitable for personal cooling. However, to cool larger areas, you should invest in a cooler with a higher CFM. The chart below should guide you when buying an indoor portable evaporative cooler.

Portable Outdoor Cooler

This kind has a rugged design to withstand harmful weather elements. Some models are connected to an outdoor supply of water to ensure continuous cooling for large spaces like the patio, pool, or deck.

Whole House Window Mounted Evaporative Coolers

They are the most effective residential coolers. Whole house evaporative coolers are fitted permanently to a window or roof and connected to a home's water supply for central air cooling.

Air Coolers Vs Air Conditioners: What to Choose?

It is wrong to believe that these devices can be used interchangeably. Yes, both are intended to help you to handle the heat but in fact, they solve different tasks. Now, let’s consider these aspects more closely.

Humidity. Air coolers are designed to raise humidity and should be used in regions with dry climates, such as the Southwestern United States. They will not work well in humid conditions because the water in their tanks will not evaporate as easily as it should do. Worse still, you may feel uncomfortable or even sick with a cooler turned on in a space with high humidity. Air conditioners, on the contrary, are suggested for areas with the humidity level no less than 50%.

Windows Closed/Opened. Oftentimes, the weather dictates our daily routine. You should remember one simple rule: use air conditioners when you have to keep the windows closed while an air evaporator can be turned on with the windows open.

Outdoor Use. An air cooler is much better for outdoor use than a portable air conditioner. The former does not require an exhaust hose and can be easily moved from one place to another. This does not affect the unit’s performance, given that the most powerful ones are those designed for outdoors.

Environmental Friendliness. Air coolers are definitely more environmentally friendly and there are two reasons for that. First, generally, they consume less energy than a typical air conditioner, with some models consuming as little as 32 watts. Secondly, evaporative coolers do not involve using chemicals.

Best Portable Evaporative Coolers

1. Honeywell Evaporative Coolers

My focus has always been on who does something, not what is done. I believe that the reputation of a manufacturer says a lot about the products it puts on the market and this is why I’d like to mention briefly Honeywell International Inc., a company which roots date back to 1885. In those long ago years, a Swiss-born inventor Albert Butz patented the furnace regulator and alarm and set up a company in the US which later received its current name of Honeywell.

Today, it is an American multinational company offering products and engineering services not only for private consumers but also for commercial organization and governments, with the product range including thermostats, air cleaners, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, fans, etc. Headquartered in New Jersey, the company operates in 70 countries and has long earned international appeal. Indeed, 130 years of innovation is something to be proud of. Now, back to evaporative coolers. I’d like to dwell on two models that, in my opinion, really do their job well.

Honeywell CS10XE Evaporative Cooler comes with a fan, carbon dust filter, humidifier with a detachable tank and is operated by the remote control. If you live in the Southwestern or Midwestern United States, this option is definitely for you as it is highly recommended for hot and dry climates. This item is energy efficient as it consumes only 102 watts while covering an area of about 175 square feet.

One of the major benefits of this model is portability. With a size of 15.7 x 13.5 x 31.5 inches, this sleek cooler will be great even for a small room. The device works by reducing temperature through water evaporation and comes with a unique feature of low water alarm. A disadvantage with the CS10XE model is that it is not designed to cool large spaces, however, for homeowners, this may not be critical. This product is popular with customers who claim that it really lowers temperature in the room with a full tank lasting for 5 hours on high speed. “The best decision I made this summer,” one of them wrote.

Honeywell CS10XE: Check the current price

2. Costway Bladeless Air Cooler

What is so good about this product? It can deliver wind at a wide angle, with the blades swinging automatically in the horizontal direction. Costway comes with a tank of large capacity (1.6 gallons), which is less than that of the previous models though. That said, it has a timer that can be set for a longer period of time — up to 8 hours.

With the height of just 24 inches, the appliance is portable and can be freely wheeled from one room to another. However, in my view, its wheels are too bulky and do not fit the appearance of a modern household appliance. The unit has 3 speed levels, with the lowest one being recommended for calm sleep. It works by lowering temperature and preventing air from drying thanks to its technologies of ice crystal refrigeration and air humidification.

This model sells like hot cakes, with many customers leaving positive feedback. Purchasers say that the unit works great, cooling everything down very quickly and is even able to raise the humidity to 50% with heaters turned on in the room. What some customers do not like is unclear directions so “you do not really know what all these buttons and functions are for”. Nevertheless, customer service is said to be responding readily to any complaints.

Costway: Check the current price

3. Outdoor Hessaire Evaporative Air Cooler with the Highest 3,100 CFM

You will want this unit to make your outdoor events more comfortable during the warm summer days. Keep in mind that the device is intended for outdoor use only and cannot be used in fully enclosed spaces. The greatest advantage of this product is a combination of portability and power. Although the appliance may seem quite bulky as it is 37 inches tall, it is able to cool an area of 950 square feet, providing an airflow of 3,100 CFM.

I’d like to draw your attention to its convenience. With a weight of 41 pounds, the cooler can be freely wheeled around the patio or garden. So place it closer or further from you depending on what makes you more comfortable. Apart from that, the unit has a rugged design with UV protection, something that contributes to its durability despite a long period of use in direct sunlight.

Based on the feedback, I can say that this model really does the job. Customers note that the unit keeps them comfortable with high outside temperatures, even exceeding 100F, while the rise in humidity amounts to 30% and more. Some purchasers report leaks at the back panel but it is insignificant, with the water evaporating quickly. It is also noteworthy that the product is manufactured by a reputed company, Hessaire, that was established in 1996 and is headquartered in Alabama. Today, the company develops innovative, affordable and energy-efficient coolers for different environments.

Hessaire: Check the current price

4. Personal Air Cooler | Small USB Evaporative Cooler

This evaporative swamp cooler is designed to cool, humidify, and purify a space. It is suitable for personal use given its lightweight nature. This cooler has a built-in water tank that provides up to 8 hours of fresh air. The fan fitted in the portable air conditioner is designed to adjust to three levels; high, medium, and low, reducing temperature by 6-14 degrees Fahrenheit. The LED light signals when the tank runs out of the water, and you can adjust up to 7 light colors. It comes with a USB cord that allows you to connect it to a power outlet wherever you are - the dining room, bedroom, living, garage, kitchen, and other indoor space.

Personal Evaporative Air Cooler, Mini Air Conditioner: Check the current price

5. Luma Comfort EC111B Portable Evaporative Air Swamp Cooler

This evaporative cooler cools, humidifies and purifies spaces as large as 250 square feet. It features two modes of operation and three fan speeds and is fitted with a display panel that shows the current cooling settings. The tank holds 1.76 gallons of water for prolonged cooling and can sometimes operate as a fan (without water). When used in arid areas, it can cool the temperature by as much as 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit, and you can add a few ice cubes in the ice tank for a more cooling breeze. The EC111B also features a programmable timer that allows users to set the cooler to operate continuously for 7.5 hours.

Luma Comfort: Check the current price

6. NewAir AF-310 Portable Evaporative Tower Cooler

The cooler is designed for hot and dry air climates, cooling rooms within a range of 150 sq. Feet. It has three functions- purifying, humidifying, and cooling temperatures in the surrounding environment by as low as 20 degrees. The cooler less than three feet tall and has a stylish compact design that does not take up much space. It comes with a remote control that allows you to manipulate all the features from the comfort of your seat. What's more, you can choose an ideal cooling mode using from the three fan speeds; the nature mode for a natural breeze, 60-degree cooling, and the sleep mode. It is also fitted with a timer that allows you to customize the cooling schedule.

NewAir: Check the current price

Other Best Portable Air Coolers — Conditioners/Dehumidifiers

1. Honeywell MN10CESBB Portable Air Conditioner

The cooler features a quiet and powerful purification, cooling, and humidifying process on spaces within 350-450 square feet. The Honeywell not only dampens a room but also de-humidifies 80.1 pints of moisture every 24 hours using its built-in dehumidifier. What's more, it has a washable filtration system that filters out dust and pet hair that enters the unit thus, reducing the impurities that may be in the room. This whole-house central air conditioning unit features a dual motor technology that provides a quiet operation even when set at the highest speed.

Honeywell: Check the current price

2. Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier and Fan

The unit has three operational modes- the dehumidifier, fan, and air conditioner cooling areas of up to 500 square feet. It operates using cutting-edge self-evaporating technology that uses and recycles the moisture gathered during the cooling process to release cool air. The Whynter ARC is fitted with an auto-restart setting that restarts automatically after a power outage. Its 24-hour timer ensures it engages and shuts off at preset times.

Whynter: Check the current price

10 Best-Selling Portable Coolers Comparative Table

FAQs

How often should I Drain the Water?
If you are not planning to use the cooler for an extended period, you should drain the water after use to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. Alternatively, you can treat the water using chlorine before switching it on.

How should I Maintain the Evaporative Cooling System?
The system should be serviced twice a year, i.e., before and after or midway through summer. However, in hot climates where the cooler runs for a long time, the filters, pads, pump, and reservoir should be cleaned every month. Routine maintenance prolongs its life and ensures optimal performance. Here's what you should do before and after summer:

Before Summer:

• Disconnect it from the power outlet and remove the weatherproof cover
• Remove the filter pad and clean them using a hose. You can also replace them if they are worn out
• Close the drains and fill the cooler with cold water

After Summer:

• Disconnect the cooler from the power source
• Remove slime or other sediments using a brush
• Empty the tank and the pipes
• Clean the cooler tank with a damp cloth soaked in household detergent or bleach
• Rinse using fresh water
• Remove the hose and the filter pads and clean them.
• Allow the component to dry and fit them back

Do I Live in a Region Where the Cooler is Effective?
Portable evaporative coolers are most effective in areas that have hot, dry air, e.g., in the desert regions of southwestern United States. They are most efficient during the most torrid time of the day and when the humidity level is less than 60 %. However, they are also operative in humid conditions when used in outdoor and semi-outdoor situations like docks, loading bays, and garages.

How effective are the Coolers concerning Cost?
Portable evaporative coolers cost up to 50% less compared to refrigerated systems. Additionally, they are more energy-efficient as they rely on water and electricity only to operate. For example, a 36-inch cooler running for eight hours costs less than a dollar, which is three times cheaper than traditional cooling systems.

Are Evaporative Coolers Environment-friendly?
Swamp coolers make an excellent alternative for eco-conscious users. They use a natural process to cool air, which does not emit pollutant to the environment. Additionally, the cooling process dampens dry air thus, reducing dry air symptoms like an itchy throat, eyes, or skin.