Best Evaporative Cooler: Best 2022 Picks + FAQ

21 Sep 2022 Goods
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If you're like most people, you probably don't think of evaporative coolers as a necessary appliance. But the truth is, they can come in quite handy - especially during the hot summer months. These devices use the evaporation of water to cool down the air around them, making them a great way to keep your home or office cool and comfortable.

There are many different types and models of evaporative air coolers on the market, so it can be tricky to know which one is right for you.

In this article, we'll discuss the benefits of owning an evaporative cooler, and we'll also recommend some of the best models on the market for 2022.

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What Is An Evaporative Air Cooler?

An evaporative cooler is a device that uses the natural process of evaporation to cool down the air around it. This type of cooler works by pulling in hot, dry air and passing it over a wet pad. As the water evaporates, it cools the air, which is then blown into your home or office space.

Types of Evaporative Coolers

There are two main types of evaporative air coolers: portable and whole-house.

  • Portable evaporative coolers are small, self-contained units that can be moved from room to room as needed. These units are typically less expensive than whole-house evaporative coolers and are easier to install.
  • Whole-house evaporative coolers are larger units that are installed in your HVAC system. These units cool the air throughout your entire home or office, making them a more efficient option for larger spaces.

Evaporative Cooler VS Air Conditioner

There are a lot of differences between evaporative coolers and air conditioners, but the most important one is how they work.

  • Air conditioners use a chemical refrigerant to cool the air, while evaporative coolers rely on the natural process of evaporation.
  • Another key difference is that evaporative coolers require a constant supply of water to work properly. This means that you'll need to refill the unit's water tank on a regular basis. Air conditioners, on the other hand, don't require any water for operation.
  • Evaporative coolers are also much less expensive to operate than air conditioners. This is because they use less energy to cool the air. In fact, evaporative coolers use about one-third of the energy that air conditioners do.
  • Evaporative air coolers are also better for the environment than air conditioners. This is because they don't use harmful chemicals as air conditioners do.

Things to Consider When Buying an Evaporative Cooler

There are a few things you'll need to consider when purchasing an evaporative cooler. First, you'll need to decide what type of unit you want.

  1. Do you want a portable unit that you can move from room to room? Or do you need a whole-house unit to cool your entire home or office?
  2. Next, you'll need to consider the size of the unit. Evaporative coolers come in a variety of sizes, so you'll need to choose one that's large enough to cool your space.

Finally, you'll need to decide how much you're willing to spend on an evaporative cooler. These devices range in price from around $100 to $1,000, so you'll need to choose one that fits your budget.

FAQs

Q: How does an evaporative cooler work?

A: Evaporative coolers work by pulling in hot, dry air and passing it over a wet pad. As the water evaporates, it cools the air, which is then blown into your home or office space.

Q: Do evaporative coolers require a lot of maintenance?

A: No, evaporative coolers are very low maintenance. You'll just need to refill the unit's water tank on a regular basis.

Q: Are evaporative coolers more expensive to operate than air conditioners?

A: No, evaporative coolers are actually much less expensive to operate than air conditioners. This is because they use less energy to cool the air.

Q: Do you need a technician for evaporative coolers' maintenance?

A: No, evaporative air coolers are very low maintenance and do not require a technician for their upkeep. You'll just need to refill the unit's water tank on a regular basis.

Q: Can I make a DIY evaporative cooler?

A: Yes, you can make a very simple DIY evaporative cooler with a few simple materials. You'll need a plastic container, a small fan, and some sort of wet material (like a sponge). Simply place the wet material in the bottom of the container and position the fan so that it blows over the top of the container. This will cause the air to flow over the wet material, which will evaporate and cool the air.

Best Evaporative Coolers: Our Top Picks

After all the information about evaporative coolers has been sorted out, it is time to choose the best evaporative cooler for your needs.

We have compiled a list of the best evaporative coolers on the market to help make your decision easier.

Best Portable Pick: Honeywell Evaporative Cooler 525-790CFM

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The Honeywell Honeywell 525-790CFM Portable evaporative air cooler is our top pick. This unit is designed for indoor use and can cool spaces up to 320 square feet. It features a three-speed fan, an ice-chilled water tank, and remote control.

The 525-729CFM airflow capacity makes it one of the most powerful portable evaporative coolers on the market. And, the unit's water tank holds enough water for up to 24 hours of operation.

A powerful Carbon dust air filter is included to help keep the air in your home or office clean. The unit also features an automatic shut-off timer, so you can set it and forget it.

Pros:

  • Powerful air swing delivery system.
  • Ice-chilled water tank.
  • Remote control.
  • Carbon dust air filter.
  • Automatic shut-off timer.

Cons:

  • Some users found the unit noisy.

Best Whole House Evaporative Cooler: COMFYHOME Bladeless Evaporative Cooler

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If you need a whole-house evaporative cooler, the COMFYHOME Bladeless Evaporative Cooler is our top pick. This unit can cool spaces up to 1,000 square feet and features a three-speed fan, eight-hour timer, and remote control.

The COMFYHOME Bladeless Evaporative Cooler is one of the most powerful whole-house evaporative coolers on the market. It features a powerful 1,500-watt motor and can move up to 2,500 cubic feet of air per minute.

A large 9.5-gallon water tank ensures that the unit can run for up to eight hours before needing to be refilled. And, the 20ft unit's remote control makes it easy to operate.

Pros:

  • Powerful 1,500-watt motor.
  • Can cool spaces up to 1,000 square feet.
  • Eight-hour timer.
  • Remote control.

Cons:

  • Some users found this cooler to not be the most durable option.

Evaporative Cooler Fan: HESSAIRE Evaporative Cooler

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If you're looking for a powerful evaporative cooler fan, the HESSAIRE MC18M Portable Evaporative Cooler is our top pick. This unit features a four-speed fan, remote control, and automatic shut-off timer.

The HESSAIRE MC18M portable evaporative cooler is one of the most powerful units on the market. It features a 1,500-watt motor and can move up to 3,000 cubic feet of air per minute.

A large 4.8-gallon water tank ensures that the unit can run for up to four hours before needing to be refilled. This HESSAIRE device cools 500 square feet and comes with remote control for ease of use.

1,300 CFM is a very high airflow capacity, making the HESSAIRE MC18M one of the most powerful evaporative coolers.

Pros:

  • 1,500-watt motor.
  • Four-speed fan.
  • Remote control.
  • Automatic shut-off timer.

Cons:

  • Some users found the unit difficult to assemble.

Best Small Evaporative Cooler: Dreo Evaporative Air Cooler

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Dreo Evaporative Air Cooler is a 40" tower fan with powerful cool airflow. The 80° oscillating function ensures that the cool air is evenly distributed in the room.

This evaporative cooler is equipped with ice packs that can be placed in the water tank to further enhance the cooling effect. The unit also features remote control and a seven-hour timer.

The 3 Modes (natural, sleep, and strong) and 3 speeds (low, medium, and high) can be adjusted to your preferences. The natural mode is energy-saving and will automatically adjust the fan speed according to the room temperature.

The Dreo Evaporative Air Cooler is a great choice for small spaces up to 200 square feet.

The air volume is up to 13,000 cubic feet per hour, making it one of the most powerful evaporative coolers in its class.

Pros:

  • Ice packs for enhanced cooling.
  • Remote control.
  • Seven-hour timer.
  • Three modes and three speeds.
  • 13,000 cubic feet per hour airflow capacity.

Cons:

  • Some users found the unit noisy in the natural mode.

Great For Office Or Dorm: VIVOHOME Portable Evaporative Air Cooler

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VIVOHOME Portable Evaporative Air Cooler is a compact device that is easy to move due to the convenient wheels and small size. It's equipped with a 110V, 60Hz, and 65W motor.

The VIVOHOME evaporative cooler features a 4-gallon water tank and can cool spaces up to 161 square feet. The unit also has an 0.5-7.5 hours customizable timer and remote control for your convenience.

This cooler is also ETL listed and has an advanced double-layer water circulation system.

The VIVOHOME Portable Evaporative Air Cooler is a great choice for small spaces that need to be cooled down rapidly.

This device also features 3 adjustable wind speeds, allowing you to customize the airflow to your needs.

Pros:

  • Small size and wheels for portability.
  • 4-gallon water tank.
  • Three adjustable wind speeds.
  • Remote control.
  • Customizable timer.

Cons:

  • Some users found the unit not very powerful.

Best For Small Business: NewAir Evaporative Cooler

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Newair, AF-1000W is a portable indoor tower fan that is equipped with an evaporative air cooler and humidifier. The unit can cool up to 300 square feet and features three speeds.

This evaporative cooler also has a six-hour timer and remote control. The 1.6-gallon tank ensures that the unit can run for a long time before needing to be refilled.

The NewAir AF-1000W is one of the most powerful evaporative coolers on the market. It can cool up to 300 square feet and has a six-hour timer.

This portable cooler is equipped with remote control and features three speeds. The large tank ensures that the unit can run for a long time before needing to be refilled.

Pros:

  • Can cool up to 300 square feet.
  • Automatic timer.
  • Remote control.
  • Adjustable speeds.

Cons:

  • Some users found the unit difficult to assemble.

Great Outdoor Evaporative Cooler: HESSAIRE MC37M

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HESSAIRE MC37M can function both as an indoor and outdoor evaporative cooler. It features a powerful motor that can cool up to 1,000 square feet.

This unit also has an automatic shut-off timer and remote control. The four-speed fan ensures that you can customize the airflow to your needs.

The HESSAIRE MC37M has a very large capacity water tank due to which it can cool up to 950 square feet.

This evaporative cooler is equipped with an automatic shut-off timer and remote control. It's corded and plugs into any usual 115-volt outlet.

Pros:

  • Can cool up to 950 square feet.
  • Automatic shut-off timer.
  • Remote control.
  • Strong air swing delivery system.
  • Four adjustable speeds.
  • Large water tank.

Cons:

  • Some users found the device too bulky.

Best Indoor Evaporative Cooler: Frigidaire Evaporative Cooler

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Frigidaire 2-in-1 Personal Evaporative Air Cooler is equipped with an adjustable fan speed. It can cool up to 250 square feet and humidify the air at the same time.

This unit also features an automatic shut-off timer and remote control for your convenience. The water tank has a capacity of 1.5 gallons, which is sufficient for up to 6 hours of continuous use.

The Frigidaire 2-in-1 Personal Evaporative Air Cooler is a great choice for small spaces and for you to relax and cool down properly.

The 4-setting timer is very convenient and allows you to customize the runtime according to your needs. The remote control is also a great addition.

Pros:

  • Can cool up to 250 square feet.
  • Humidifies the air.
  • Automatic shut-off timer.
  • Remote control.
  • Four adjustable speeds.
  • 1.5-gallon water tank.

Cons:

  • Some users found the unit difficult to assemble.

Top for Patios, Decks, and Pets: Portacool PAC5101A1

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Portacool PAC5101A1 is a perfect portable and compact choice to combat heat on patios, decks, and other outdoor areas.

This unit can cool up to 300 square feet and has an adjustable fan speed. The water tank has a capacity of 8 gallons, which is sufficient for up to 6 hours of continuous use.

The Portacool PAC5101A1 is also equipped with an automatic shut-off timer and remote control. The wheels make it easy to move the unit around.

This cooler is especially efficient for open-air environments like patios and decks. It can also be used indoors.

The unit has a large water tank and an adjustable fan speed. Another useful feature is the

level indicator  that lets you know when the water needs to be refilled.

Pros:

  • Can cool up to 300 square feet.
  • Automatic shut-off timer.
  • Remote control.
  • Six adjustable speeds.
  • 8-gallon water tank.
  • Level indicator.
  • Wheels for portability.

Cons:

  • Some users found this cooler a bit noisy.

Budget-Free Option: Birsppy Portable Air Conditioner

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Birsppy Portable Air Conditioner is an evaporative air cooler with 3 speeds. It can cool up to 200 square feet and has a 2-hour timer.

This unit is also equipped with an automatic shut-off timer and remote control. The water tank has a capacity of 1 gallon, which is sufficient for up to 4 hours of continuous use.

The Birsppy's 70° Rotation function helps to cool down a larger area. The cooling pads ensure efficient cooling and humidification of the air.

The Birsppy Portable Air Conditioner is a great choice for small spaces. Another benefit of this affordable evaporative cooler is 7 LED lights that create a nice ambiance.

This cooler can be used as a desktop fan, floor fan, or ceiling fan.

Pros:

  • Can cool up to 200 square feet.
  • Automatic shut-off timer.
  • Remote control.
  • Three adjustable speeds.
  • 1-gallon water tank.
  • 70° Rotation function.
  • Seven LED lights.

Cons:

  • Some users found the device not too durable.

Evaporative Air Coolers: Our Conclusions

An evaporative cooler is a great way to stay cool during the hot summer months. There are many different types and sizes of evaporative coolers on the market, so it is important to choose the one that best suits your needs.

All of the evaporative coolers we’ve featured have their own unique set of benefits and drawbacks.

If you are looking for an evaporative cooler for a small space, the Frigidaire 2-in-1 Personal Evaporative Air Cooler or Birsppy Portable Air Conditioner might be a good option for you.

If you need an evaporative cooler for a larger space, the Honeywell CO48PM would be a better choice.

If you’re looking for a budget-free option, the Birsppy Portable Air Conditioner is a great choice with three speeds, a 1-gallon water tank, and seven LED lights.

The Portacool PAC5101A1 is perfect for patios, decks, and other outdoor areas with its 300-square-foot cooling capacity and wheels for portability.

No matter which evaporative cooler you choose, you’re sure to stay cool and comfortable all summer long.

Erica Hendricson

Erica Hendricson is a true tech enthusiast! With a New Hampshire origin and a strong technical background, she loves sorting things out.

Let her guide you to the correct shelf in picking the perfect devices and gadgets for you.