For people in hot and dry climates, an air conditioner does not always cut it. Most air conditioners require a lot of energy to cool down rooms and do nothing to raise the humidity, so individuals sweltering in places like the American Southwest need to find alternatives to save money, bring moisture back to the atmosphere, and help keep away the heat. For these people, there are evaporative air coolers.
An evaporative air cooler is a machine that intakes air, chills it, and infuses it with moisture from evaporating water before expelling it back into an area. Water is supplied by filling an internal tank, and the devices work by simply being plugged in and switched on. Naturally, there is a lot of variety in the style, type, and size of these products. To find the best evaporative air cooler for the average individual, we reviewed five models that are currently dominating the market and identified their pros and cons.
Best Evaporative Air Cooler Reviews
- Hessaire MC37M Evaporative Air Cooler
- Honeywell 525 CFM Portable Evaporative Air Cooler
- Evapolar evaLIGHT Evaporative Air Cooler
- Whirlpool WPEC12MW Evaporative Air Cooler
- Luma Comfort EC220W Evaporative Cooler
1. Hessaire MC37M Evaporative Air Cooler
The Hessaire MC37M Evaporative Air Cooler is a versatile machine that works well indoors, outdoors, and is excellent at keeping an environment pleasant and refreshing for the users.
2 Fan Speeds
Cools Up to 950 sq. ft.
Product Dimensions: 24 x 16 x 38 in.
Weighs 39 lbs.
The Hessaire MC37M Evaporative Air Cooler is a versatile cooling machine that works well indoors, outdoors, and is excellent at keeping an environment pleasant and refreshing for the users. We highly recommend this particular model for individuals who struggle to keep large living rooms or porches cool in the summer.
Pros
The Hessaire MC37M Evaporative Air Cooler is a rectangular gray machine designed to cool a massive area with a maximum of 950 sq. ft.
The product is made of UV radiation resistant plastic to help prevent sun damage and can be used indoors or outdoors so people can enjoy the fresh air without the sweltering heat.
The large cooling water reservoir is capable of holding 10.3 gallons of water, which is enough to keep the evaporative air cooler running for a continuous 8 hours.
The entire device is wheeled and portable so users can easily transfer the machine between locations without having to pick it up or try to carry it with a full tank.
The large water reservoir is capable of holding 10.3 gallons of water, which is enough to keep the evaporative air cooler running for a continuous 8 hours.
Despite being large, the Hessaire MC37M is highly energy-efficient and uses a fraction of the electricity consumed by the average air conditioner. It features an air swing delivery system – which means the cooler oscillates – and possesses two separate fan settings. There are cooling pads on three sides of the machine so fresh, moist air is dispensed in three different directions.
Perhaps the best part of this evaporative air cooler is that such a large and efficient model only costs between $300 and $330 and customer service is easy to contact with questions or concerns.
Cons
The cooling fans are very loud and only possess two speeds. The ruckus is especially noticeable indoors and can make it difficult to listen to music, watch TV, or hold a conversation in a normal voice in the same room as the air cooler.
The wheels for transportation can be a little weak and wobbly, especially when the water reservoir is full. To avoid this issue, users should move the air cooler and then fill the reservoir so they don’t have to try pushing it between rooms.
2. Honeywell 525 CFM Portable Evaporative Air Cooler
The Honeywell 525 CFM Portable Evaporative Air Cooler is a strong, reliable device that works well for those suffering the heat throughout the United States, especially in the midwest and southwest.
3 Fan Speeds
Cools Up to 350 sq. ft.
Product Dimensions: 18 x 13.9 x 33.7 in.
Weighs 25 lbs.
The Honeywell 525 CFM Portable Evaporative Air Cooler is a strong, reliable cooling device that works well for those suffering the heat throughout the United States, especially in the midwest and southwest.
Pros
The cooler treats roughly 350 sq. ft. and can be used indoors and outdoors to treat hot, dry climates.
There are three fan speeds and air is dispensed from the front.
A remote controller is included so people can change the cooling fan speed and other settings from the comfort of their couch of outdoor recliner.
The entire device is gray and includes a lot of extra features not seen in some other models.
The Honeywell 525 has a low water alarm, an energy-saving timer, and an adjustable knob that controls humidification, and a special ice compartment alongside the water reservoir.
remote controller is included so people can change the fan speed and other settings from the comfort of their couch of outdoor recliner.
We like that the water reservoir is reasonably large, being able to contain 7.9 gallons of liquid, and is also detachable.
The detachable nature is great since it means users can remove the tank, fill it, and then put it back in without having to move the heavy machine around. Once full, the reservoir contains enough water to cool an area for 7.5 hours.
Some other notable features of the Honeywell 525 are that a warranty is available for the evaporative air cooler and customer service is supposed to be available every day of the week. So, what’s the problem?
Cons
The Honeywell customer service branch is extremely difficult to contact if something goes wrong with the evaporative air cooler. Messages were left unanswered for weeks and when someone did return the call, it was only to say that replacement would not be possible despite the machine having a warranty. After review, we noticed this is a common problem.
Another more quibbling problem is just the price of the cooler. It costs between $310 and $330, which doesn’t make sense since it only treats a third of the area that swamp coolers in a similar price range do. Why does it cost so much when it holds less water and cools a smaller space than other swamp coolers?
3. Evapolar evaLIGHT Evaporative Air Cooler
The Evapolar evaLIGHT Evaporative Air Cooler is a portable cube great for cooling the area directly around users no matter what the weather.
Cools Up to 45 sq. ft.
Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 6.7 x 6.9 in.
Weighs 2.87 lbs.
The Evapolar evaLIGHT Evaporative Air Cooler is a portable cube great for cooling the area directly around users no matter what the weather.
Pros
This air cooler looks like a small black and blue or white and blue cube and is designed to sit on a desk or bedside table to keep a single person cool.
It is highly portable and possesses the lowest energy consumption out of all of the cooling products reviewed on this list, most likely because it only cools around 45 sq. ft. However, there are some nice features in the evaporative air cooler. Special mention goes to being powered with a USB power supply, which means it can be plugged into a regular outlet or even a computer.
The entire air cooler is lightweight.
Some other features in the Evapolar evaLIGHT are its internal antibacterial pads which purify the air and stop the spread of bacteria and germs while the atmosphere is being cooled.
The device only holds two cups of water, but these cups are enough to keep the air cooler running and effective for eight hours, making this machine great for those who want to save money on their water bills. F
The entire air cooler is lightweight.
A warranty is available. The company is extremely responsive, so even the smallest issue is addressed with speed.
In general, this evaporative air cooler is the best for individuals who live by themselves and want effective cooling without raising their bills.
Cons:
In terms of cons, the biggest one is the price. Despite only treating 45 sq. ft., the Evapolar evaLIGHT costs between $155 and $165, which is the price of some larger machines. We suspect the cost is because of the advanced technology used in the air cooler, including the filtration system and the USB connection.
The only other issue is that the water reservoir is not closed or sealed. This means accidentally bumping the device can cause water to spill, so it’s not good to have near other electronics.
4. Whirlpool WPEC12MW Evaporative Air Cooler
The Whirlpool WPEC12MW Evaporative Air Cooler is a thin, lightweight model perfect for individuals who want something portable yet effective in a large space.
3 Fan Speeds
Cools Up to 309 sq. ft.
Product Dimensions: 14.3 x 11.8 x 29.6 in.
Weighs 14 lbs.
The Whirlpool WPEC12MW Evaporative Air Cooler is a thin, lightweight model perfect for individuals who want something portable yet effective in a large space.
Pros
The Whirlpool WPEC12MW Evaporative Air Cooler is a thin device designed to cool up to 309 sq. ft. of area.
The entire product is wheeled and portable and can be used indoors or outdoors in hot, dry climates.
In general, the Whirlpool WPEC12MW is durable and designed to be quiet so users hardly know it’s there.
The small, square water reservoir holds roughly 1.45 gallons of water, which is enough to keep the machine running for about six hours.
The evaporative air cooler can be left to run for a set period of time ranging between two, four, and six hours.
In general, the Whirlpool WPEC12MW is durable and designed to be quiet so users hardly know it’s there.
The thin design means the cooler sits well in most rooms, and the fan can be set to oscillate either up and down or side to side to provide more even coverage of an area. The plastic is sturdy and designed to resist UV radiation so it doesn’t deteriorate in the sun.
There are also some bonus features not seen in other swamp coolers like a water pump protection system to prevent leaks and an air purification system to catch dust and pollen.
Cons
It only works well in small areas but still costs between $165 and $175, which is a hefty price to pay when there are other models that cover more space for roughly the same price. Similarly, the water reservoir is so small that it can be difficult to keep the air cooler running for a full six hours.
We noticed that the machine actually lasted closer to four hours and then started to disperse room temperature air with almost no moisture. For these reasons, the Whirlpool WPEC12MW is not the best but is still reliable for those on a budget.
It doesn’t come with a remote control.
5. Luma Comfort EC220W Evaporative Cooler
The Luma Comfort EC220W Evaporative Cooler is a large, heavy, and powerful evaporative air cooler that works wonders for those with large homes or patios.
3 Fan Speeds
3 Wind Varieties
Cools Up to 650 sq. ft.
Product Dimensions: 27.4 x 17.2 x 41.3 in.
Weighs 42 lbs.
The Luma Comfort EC220W Evaporative Cooler is a large, heavy, and powerful evaporative air cooler that works wonders for those with large homes or patios.
Pros
The Luma Comfort EC220W Evaporative Cooler is one of the larger evaporative air coolers on the market featuring a whopping 10.6-gallon tank.
The white machine uses 80% less energy than the average air conditioner and features three different fan speeds – low, medium, and high – so users can control how much cool air and humidity enters their room.
For maximum cooling, this evaporative air cooler features three cooling pads and three separate sides of the machine so the air is exuded in multiple directions. The back of the machine needs to be facing an open door or window to cycle out warm, dry air.
A product warranty is available but not included in the initial purchase. This warranty will cover regular wear and tear, which is a good deal to have for any electronic device.
In terms of cooling power, this one works best when allowed to run on high, and a single tank of water lasts about half a day, so a refill might be necessary.
We found that overall the machine is highly durable and works indoors and outdoors because it is made of UV-resistant plastic, which helps prevent deterioration.
This particular machine is portable and features wheels so users can move it between rooms.
In terms of cooling power, the Luma Comfort EC220W works best when allowed to run on high, and a single tank of water lasts about half a day, so a refill might be necessary.
The average cost of the machine is between $270 and $280, which is a bit expensive but can help save users of the evaporative air cooler money in the long run.
Cons
If users want to keep the air cooler running all day, they will need to refill the massive 10.6-gallon tank at least once or twice. This means there needs to be a reliable and steady source of water like an outside hose to easily refill the tank. Most sinks simply won’t cut it, and we know many people live in apartments.
The other main issue with the Luma Comfort EC220W is that it’s noisy. The sound emitted isn’t shrill or piercing, but it is a constant electrical hum that can make it difficult for users to watch TV or listen to music while the machine is running.
It doesn’t come with a remote control.
Conclusion
Out of the evaporative air coolers listed here, the best one was the Hessaire MC37M Evaporative Air Cooler because it is an ideal combination of coverage, water capacity, and cooling capacity.
How To Choose The Best Evaporative Air Cooler For Your Home
Although they can sound complex, evaporative air coolers are simple machines with some basic requirements. All they need is an adequate electrical supply, enough water, and an open environment to constantly pull air in, cool it, and then expel it. However, evaporative air coolers are not a “one size fits all” device. People in hotter climates with dry air or who live in larger homes will want one that has a larger water tank than someone in a cooler, smaller area. Likewise, some individuals will want a stronger motor. When choosing an evaporative air cooler, it’s important to look at two basic features: the machine’s water capacity and how much square footage it is able to cool. Make sure you know how many square feet you’re trying to cool, so that you can check your numbers against the square footage rating on a machine.
Water Capacity
Water capacity refers to how much water the evaporative air cooler holds in its water tank. The products on this list have quite a variety, and this is reflective of most machines currently on the market. Larger tanks are great for people who plan to keep their cooler running all day or for those who live in especially hot and dry climates like Arizona and New Mexico. A smaller tank, meanwhile, is easier and cheaper to fill but is unlikely to last long. People will need to choose what size is right for them based on their needs and desires.
Square Footage
Likewise, evaporative air coolers often cover far different amounts of square footage. Some swamp coolers are designed to sit comfortably next to a bed, desk, or couch and keep a single occupant cool and refreshed. These use far less energy than their large counterparts but will cover far less area. Meanwhile, an evaporative air cooler designed to treat the atmosphere in a large room or even outside will suck up far more energy and use more water but will keep a gargantuan area cool for multiple people. Again, the best evaporative air cooler will depend on the buyer’s square footage needs and desires.
Cost
Once people know the capacity and coverage they want from their evaporative air cooler, it’s time to make a budget and plan out how much the machine should cost. On average, a quality evaporative air cooler can cost anywhere from $100 to $300, so there is a lot of variety. Naturally, bigger devices designed to cover a large area will cost more, so it’s important to budget accordingly. You also need to consider the cost of installation when creating your budget, as most of the time you cannot install an evaporative cooler yourself.
FAQ
What are the differences between swamp coolers and air conditioners?
While air conditioners actually cool the air using a powered coil system, a swamp cooler makes the air feel cooler by simply moving it around and adding moisture. Air conditioners use much more electricity than a swamp cooler does. Air conditioners also need to be vented outside, while a swamp cooler is completely self-contained. As long as you keep the water tank filled, it’s good to go!
What’s Next
Now that you’ve finished reading this guide, it’s time to choose the best evaporative air cooler for you! You can learn more about any of the recommended swamp coolers on this list by selecting the links in this review. You can also check out our expert reviews of the best humidifiers to find more information about great products, reviews, recommendations, and even lifestyle tips. Enjoy the hot weather without fear, and stay hydrated!