The best evaporative coolers are ideal for cooling your home or office. Let’s see the best sales models and choose the best domestic evaporative cooler to buy according to your needs.
The evaporative cooler is a smart and economical solution that combines ventilation and evaporation to lower the temperature significantly when the heat becomes more intense.
If a simple traditional fan does not help when temperatures get hotter, the cooler filters the air in the room and lowers the temperature by 6-10 degrees, thanks to water and ice.
Thanks to the water’s nebulization, the cooler produces cold steam and humidifies. As a result, the rooms’ humidity should not drop 40% below in winter and should not exceed 55% in summer, and the cooler helps keep it constant.
The evaporative cooler has no outdoor unit or exhaust pipe compared to an air conditioner. As a result, the hot air is not thrown out of the room but is cooled by a few degrees.
Although it does not reach an air conditioner’s temperatures, the cooler is an optimal and often obligatory solution when it is impossible to do masonry work to install wall conditioners or drill the window panes to install a portable air conditioner.
Furthermore, the cooler uses only water and not refrigerant gases or other chemicals. Therefore, it can be transported from one room to another and placed in different positions according to needs.
Table of Contents
How to choose an evaporative cooler
Let’s see the evaporative cooler’s fundamental characteristics, how it works, and how it is used to understand what to evaluate to choose the right model.
Tank
The cooler tank fills with cold water to the maximum level indicated with ice. Most models include reusable loaves or tablets to keep in the freezer and inserted appropriately.
Alternatively, you can fill the tray with a little water and completely with ice. Some coolers require the use of demineralized water. For others, tap water is fine. You must follow the manufacturer’s instructions in the instruction booklet.
Removable drawer
The tank should always be removable to facilitate cleaning and emptying the water. If you do not plan to use the cooler for a few days, it is a good idea to empty the water and dry the tray to avoid mold or bad smells.
In any case, the advanced one would be water at room temperature and not very useful for the following days. So instead, to top up the tank, it is unnecessary to eradicate it, open the drawer, and pour the water inside.
The water level in the tank
The tank will indicate the maximum water limit and a minimum limit. The best models of evaporative coolers indicate the maximum and minimum limit in front always to be visible. It is a simple, transparent window with level notches.
There is a light in the more sophisticated models, and sometimes an audible alarm is activated when the water is at the minimum level to warn that it is time to add water. Water consumption depends on the model used. For example, about 0.5 – 0.8 liters per hour are consumed at low speeds, while at maximum speed, they can consume one – 2 liters per hour on average.
Tank capacity
The tank capacity expressed in liters indicates the maximum amount of water it can hold. For example, large evaporative coolers can have 10-12 liter tanks, while compact coolers can be between 5 and 8 liters.
If a larger tank seems more comfortable to us because it allows continuous use without a top-up, we must evaluate this aspect from time to time according to our needs.
A full tank of 12 liters and limited use of two hours a day could be counterproductive, as the water left inside would soon reach room temperature and still have to be replaced the next time.
In this case, a smaller tank is better. On the other hand, if the cooler’s use is not always constant, we can buy one with a large tank but fill it halfway when we need the cooler for a short time.
Filter and evaporative panel
The evaporative cooler sucks in the air and sends it back into the cooler and cleaner environment. The filter is located on the back and traps dust and dirt particles immediately after the honeycomb evaporative panel, made of spongy material.
The panel is in contact with cold water and absorbs it, then the cooler nebulizes the water and releases it into the air. Therefore, the thicker the evaporative panel, the more efficient the cooler will introduce a greater air quantity.
Generally, the filter and panel are removable and washable. You can clean the dust filter with a cloth or a vacuum cleaner, or it can be washed with water at least every two months or every month if the cooler is used intensively.
Must wash the honeycomb panel in water with a neutral detergent, an operation to be done at least at the beginning of the summer season to count on the cooler’s maximum cleanliness and efficiency. Finally, the filter and panel must be reinserted perfectly dry.
Power and power
The cooler is powered by electricity and consumes less than other household appliances. We can buy an efficient evaporative cooler with fewer than 200 watts. Mid-range coolers for small to medium rooms offer excellent performance with 90-100 watts.
Based on the selected modes and speed, the power used is generally adjusted for better energy efficiency. For example, the evaporative cooler requires less power and much lower energy consumption than air conditioners.
The water temperature must never be neglected, saving energy and power. But, of course, the ideal is always cold water, such as a tank kept in the fridge, plus the frozen block (or the blocks depending on the case).
Cable length
Check the cable’s length to use the cooler in large rooms with few sockets. The minimum length is 5 ft, but we can find models with 6.5 – 10 ft cables. This offers more freedom for positioning the cooler.
The automatic cable reel with the appropriate housing is convenient to prevent the cable from getting in the way when moving or when the cooler is stored.
Modes and functions
Almost all evaporative coolers now offer at least three modes:
- Normal, with constant airflow.
- Natural, with the random airflow, to imitate the breeze.
- Night, with the airflow to a minimum, silent mode, and auto-off.
The best evaporative coolers are designed to perform three functions in 1
- Fan, with the normal fan running without the use of water.
- Cooler/Humidifier, using water and ice to lower the temperature and humidify the environment to an optimal level.
- Ionizer, with a special function that purifies the air by retaining fumes, pollen, and dust.
Speed
Speed means the rotation of the fan expressed in revolutions per minute. Therefore, a good cooler should have regulations on at least three levels:
- Low speed up to 900 rpm.
- Average speed up to 1000-1200 rpm.
- High speed up to 1500 rpm.
The high speed helps increase water consumption in the tank and increases the noise level. A higher speed corresponds to a more powerful airflow and a faster lowering of the temperature.
Air flux
The airflow is another parameter that helps us understand whether the evaporative cooler suits our home.
The most powerful coolers have airflow over 1500 m³/h to cool larger rooms faster. Most miniature evaporative coolers reach an airflow of 300-500 m³/h and are suitable for small rooms.
Adjustable slats or fins
Generally, the cooler blades can be oriented from bottom to top or right to left. The best evaporative coolers have two sets of fins. One set is external, and one is internal.
This way, one series will be dedicated to horizontal oscillation and the other to vertical series. Depending on the cooler model, we can have vertical external fins and horizontal internal ones or vice versa.
The external fins close completely when the cooler is off in the best models. This helps to avoid the accumulation of dust inside when not in use.
The flaps can be manually oriented and fixed to establish the airflow direction or swing in combination with the chosen mode. The internal flaps are usually always automatic, and also, these oscillate according to the set program. Thus, the air movement inside the room cools it faster but avoids a direct air-jet harmful to health.
Wheels
The wheels are essential to moving the cooler from one room to another. The 360° swivel wheels are excellent, making transport easier and allowing you to turn and orient the cooler with a small gesture.
The wheels generally have a locking brake to keep the cooler in position, especially near steps and children or pets in the house.
Timer, programming, and auto-off
The timer allows you to set the activity duration from half an hour to 7-8 hours. In mini desk coolers, the duration is reduced to 2 – 4 hours.
In this way, the cooker switches off at the set time. Some programs, such as Night or Sleep, may include automatic shutdown after a certain time set with the timer.
Noisiness
The best brands of coolers make silent products to be used even during the night or while working or watching TV. A maximum power cooler should reach a noise level between 50 and 64 dB. While used at minimum power or with night function, it should not exceed 35-40 dB.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the evaporative cooler are generally compact. The height is between 23 and 35 inches, while the larger models’ width and depth rarely exceed 16-20 inches.
In essence, it is a tall, narrow structure with no large footprint. The tank and cooling capacity strongly condition the size of the cooler. A larger evaporative panel and a wide front wall allow a higher cooling speed for the rooms.
Weight
We should not neglect the cooler’s weight if we plan to transport it from time to time from one floor to another in the house. The largest can exceed 33 lbs, while the most compact weighs between 11 and 17 lbs.
The weight is to be understood with the tank empty. However, consider a model with side handles to lift it safely if you carry it often.
Control panel and remote control
We can check all the functions from the control panel on the cooler. For example, we will find the on and off keys in the basic models, the mode selection keys, and the fan speed.
We will find a more detailed LED display and sometimes touch controls to check or set, and the parameters already indicated, room temperature, timer, and water level in the tank in the mid-high range models.
The remote control in almost all models allows you to turn on, turn off, and set the main functions from a few meters away.
Cooling blocks and tiles
To keep the water in the tank cold, refrigerant cakes are used. They are usually supplied with the cooler but are easily found everywhere. They are the same ones used for cooler bags. Blocks last longer than regular ice that would melt in water, so they are preferable to other methods.
On sweltering days and when you intend to use the refrigerator for many hours, it is preferable to keep several blocks ready in the freezer to always replace them fresh after a few hours.
Mini desk cooler
Lately, mini coolers or mini air coolers have been very popular. The operating principle is identical to other coolers, but the dimensions are considerably reduced. The tanks have a 400 – 500 ml capacity, and the evaporative panels are much smaller. Unfortunately, most mini coolers are not equipped with a dust filter.
The power is also reduced; they absorb between 20 and 30 watts maximum. These are portable evaporative coolers to keep on your desk at home or in the office to cool one or two people at close range.
They are powered by a power cable connected to the classic wall socket or via a USB cable connected to a PC or other devices while working.
Evaporative cooler with open or closed windows?
With small tricks to prepare the house for the hottest hours, such as closing shutters or shutters to keep the rooms in the shade, the evaporative cooler can make the difference and maintain an optimal temperature with little expense and significant energy savings.
The evaporative cooler can maintain an ideal temperature with closed doors and windows. On the other hand, the house has already reached a high temperature. For example, it is helpful to use the cooler in the afternoon with the windows or doors open. The fan’s action pushes the heat outside, circulating the air and creating a natural breeze.
The best evaporative coolers to buy
Below is the complete list of the best domestic evaporative coolers to buy, with their respective characteristics, in a price range between $70 and $200.
- ❄️3-In-1 Evaporative Air Cooler: This Grelife self-developed Portable Air Cooler has...
- ❄️Smart & Safety Design: Built-in LED display and remote control, let you know all the...
- ❄️Wide Oscillation & 360° Wheels: Grelife swamp cooler is easy to carry and move....
- Experience Superior Cooling: Embrace the evaporative air cooler capabilities of the...
- Transform Your Living Space: Adapt to any environment with portable evaporative cooler...
- Simplify Your Cooling Routine: Say goodbye to complex controls with our evaporative air...
- ❄️3-In-1 Evaporative Air Cooler: Experience the ultimate in cooling versatility with...
- ❄️Cool Air & Energy Efficiency: This portable evaporative air cooler is equipped with...
- ❄️Wide Oscillation: Embrace natural cooling breezes throughout your space with the...
- [Excellent Cooling Effect with Swing] Experience the refreshing power of the Air Choice...
- [Low Noise & 12H Timer] Fed up with loud electric fans? The noise of the evaporative...
- [Movable to Indoor/Outdoor Use] The portable evaporative air cooler is equipped with 360°...
- Experience Enhanced Cooling: Tackle insufficient cooling with the Hessaire 1,300 CFM...
- Expand Your Comfort Zone: Experience extended air coverage with this water cooler fan. Its...
- Effortless Operation and Maintenance: This Hessaire MC18M stands out with its...
- ❄️【5.3-Gal Large Water Tank】The 5.3-gallon water tank saves you from frequent...
- ❄️【120° Wide Oscillation】Compared to other 60° oscillating tower fans, our...
- ❄️【Easy to Install and Use】This bladeless standing fan is easy to install without...
- The cooling effect of the cooling fan cannot reach the cooling effect of the air...
- 3-in-1 Multi-function Cooler: Our swamp cooler can blow, humidify, and cool the air to...
- Oscillation & Adjustable Airflow: This portable swamp cooler can easily cover a room of...
- Portable Air Conditioner with Cooling Wind: Feel fresh and stay cool no matter how far,...
- Quiet Even at Night: Dreo crossflow impeller wheel design smooths out fan noise to deliver...
- Comfortable Cool with Humidifying: The hot, dry air passes through the wet cooling pad...
- 3-in-1 Evaporative Cooler: This multifunctional swamp cooler integrates the functions of...
- Variable Speeds and Wide Coverage: Offering 3 different fan speeds and 3 wind modes, you...
- Dual Control Experience: The portable air cooler not only comes with touch control panel...
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