The Best Evaporative Air Coolers, Vetted

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Keep your home at the ideal temperature during hot, dry weather with a high-efficiency evaporative air cooler.

Anyone hoping for an economical way to beat the heat may wish to consider buying an evaporative air cooler. These devices are a type of air conditioner that employs a fan to pull hot, dry air in through a wet media pad. The hot air quickly warms the top layer of moisture on the pad, causing the water to evaporate and dropping the air temperature inside the unit by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This cold air is then expelled by the same fan that draws the hot, dry air in, creating a constant airflow through the wet pad and into the cooling area.

These devices are also commonly referred to as swamp coolers because the evaporative process also increases the humidity in the air. Swamp coolers don’t consume as much energy as a traditional air conditioner because they only operate a fan. The water for the pad is provided by an internal tank that must be refilled when the level gets too low to properly cool the air. Cooling ability of these devices is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM); light-duty models are ideal for cooling small rooms while some units are capable of bringing refreshing comfort to spaces that measure thousands of square feet.

Keep in mind, however, that ventilation is important when using an evaporative cooler. Having a window or door open helps remove heat from the space and avoid excessive moisture from accumulating in the building.

If an evaporative air cooler seems like a smart, money-saving solution for your home, read on for important shopping considerations and to check out some of the best models on the market.

1. BEST OVERALL: Hessaire MC18M Portable Evaporative Cooler
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Evapolar evaCHILL Personal Air Cooler
3. BEST FOR SMALL ROOMS: NewAir 470-CFM Portable Evaporative Cooler
4. BEST FOR LARGE ROOMS: Hessaire MC61M 5,300-CFM Evaporative Cooler
5. BEST TOWER: Big Ass Fans Cool Space 200 Evaporative Cooler
6. BEST OSCILLATING: Dreo 40-Inch Personal Evaporative Air Cooler
7. BEST WHOLE-HOUSE: Champion Cooler 4,900-CFM Evaporative Cooler
8. BEST PORTABLE: Big Ass Fans Cool Space 400 Evaporative Cooler

How We Chose the Best Evaporative Air Coolers 

Swamp coolers are an energy-efficient way to cool down in the summer, serving as an alternative to more expensive air conditioning. We looked at the most popular evaporative cooler brands on the market to curate our list of recommendations. We made sure to include options that span a range of design preferences, room sizes, and budgets.

Important factors in our research included portability, ease of use, cooling area, water-tank capacity, and additional features such as remote controls, reusable ice packs, and hose hookups for continuous use.

Our Top Picks

This list of top products was selected based on the important criteria mentioned above, including cooler type, water-tank capacity, cooling area, and overall quality to help you find the right device to keep your home cool in hot weather.

Best Overall

Hessaire MC18M Portable Evaporative Cooler

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This compact Hessaire evaporative air cooler has a water-tank capacity of 4.8 gallons and an airflow output of about 1,300 CFM, making it an excellent option for rooms up to about 500 square feet. The evaporative air cooler sits on four wheels—two locking and two nonlocking—allowing it to be moved with ease and stay put when in place.

The direction of the airflow output can be changed with the adjustable vents, and the fan can be set to low or high. There’s also an internal water pump to move water from the tank to the top of the cooler, ensuring that the pad remains soaked through until the tank requires refilling. This evaporative air cooler operates for up to 4 hours with a full tank; alternatively, it can be connected to a garden hose for continuous use.

Product Specs

• Type: Portable
• CFM: 1,300
• Tank capacity: 4.8 gallons

Pros

• Cool up to 500 square feet with this portable evaporative cooler
• Built-in handle plus caster wheels that rotate 360 degrees for improved mobility
• A handy hose attachment is included for continuous use of the unit
• 4.8-gallon water-tank capacity; produces up to 1,300 CFM

Cons

• Evaporative cooler is not intended for use in totally enclosed spaces

Get the Hessaire MC18M evaporative air cooler at Amazon or Ace Hardware.

Best Bang For The Buck

Evapolar evaCHILL Personal Air Cooler

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This Evapolar portable evaporative air cooler is a solid option for personal use on a budget. It’s small enough to be carried by its handle and sit on a desk or night table, and its 800-milliliter water tank can be filled with ice water for even colder air output. Note that the small tank size may not allow large ice cubes to fit inside without hampering water flow, so consider using crushed ice. Despite the compact size, the tank can deliver up to 9 hours of use before requiring a refill.

This evaporative air cooler is suitable for home office or bedside use. The device is powered via USB connection and consumes just 7.5 watts for an energy-efficient cooling device that can help you save on electricity bills.

Product Specs

• Type: Portable
• CFM: 49.1
• Tank capacity: 800 milliliters

Pros

• Low operating noise level of just 50 decibels won’t disturb sleep or concentration
• Compact size is ideal for personal use on a desk, table, or night table
• Evaporative cooling system can function with water or ice in the 800-milliliter tank
• Energy-efficient product is powered through a USB connection for convenient charging

Cons

• Small size and low cooling output; not intended for use in larger areas

Get the Evapolar evaporative air cooler at Amazon, Target, or Evapolar.

Best for Small Rooms

NewAir 470-CFM Portable Evaporative Cooler

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Window air conditioners use a lot of electricity and produce a loud droning noise that can disrupt productivity and interfere with sleep. The NewAir 470-CFM evaporative air cooler is a quiet, energy-efficient alternative with three different fan-speed settings. It operates at about 66 decibels on the maximum fan setting, producing an air volume of up to 470 CFM.

Use the included remote control to set the timer or switch the fan speed to the lowest setting to further reduce the noise of the evaporative cooler. This cooling appliance has a 2-gallon water tank, and it sits on a set of four swiveling caster wheels, making it easy to move around. However, this evaporative cooler is intended for small rooms up to 250 square feet in size, so it isn’t as effective when used in larger spaces.

Product Specs

• Type: Portable
• CFM: 470
• Tank capacity: 2 gallons

Pros

• 470-CFM output is ideal for small rooms measuring about 250 square feet
• Lightweight at 16.1 pounds, plus swiveling caster wheels for easy portability
• Comes with a handy remote control for enhanced user convenience
• A timer and adjustable fan settings allow for customizable cooling

Cons

• Light-duty evaporative cooler is not as effective in larger rooms or humid environments

Get the NewAir evaporative air cooler at Amazon, The Home Depot, or NewAir.

Best for Large Rooms

Hessaire MC61M 5,300-CFM Evaporative Cooler

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The popularity of residential open plans may call for a heavy-duty evaporative air cooler like this Hessaire model. It boasts a high airflow output of 5,300 CFM to cool up to 1,650 square feet. Alternatively, the cooler can be set up outside on a hot day to keep the patio or deck cooler—a big boon to folks using the grill!

The air conditioner sits on four locking wheels, making it easy to move it around, and it can be set to oscillate up to 40 degrees. It features three fan speeds and an internal pump that can be turned off for fan-only cooling. The 14.6-gallon water tank holds enough water to last for up to 4 hours, and the cooler can be connected directly to a garden hose for continuous use.

Product Specs

• Type: Portable
• CFM: 5,300
• Tank capacity: 14.6 gallons

Pros

• Impressive airflow capacity of 5,300 CFM is suitable for cooling large areas
• Cooler has 4 locking wheels and can oscillate up to 40 degrees
• 14.6-gallon water-tank capacity allows unit to run continuously for up to 4 hours
• 3 fan speeds allow for selecting the optimal air output for conditions

Cons

• Must be vented with an open window or door for use in enclosed spaces

Get the Hessaire MC61M evaporative air cooler at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Target.

Best Tower

Big Ass Fans Cool Space 200 Evaporative Cooler

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The stackable design of this tower evaporative cooler allows one unit to stand on top of the other to reduce the amount of space taken up by the appliances while rapidly cooling the surrounding area. Even without a second tower-style evaporative cooler, this model is suitable for a room or space up to 800 square feet in size.

The evaporative air cooler produces an airflow volume of 1,800 CFM, though you can adjust the fan speed with the simple dial on the back. The cooler can be directly connected to a garden hose to ensure the 8-gallon tank won’t run out of water. However, when moving the evaporative cooler, it’s important to rely on the caster wheels instead of trying to lift the 51-pound appliance.

Product Specs

• Type: Portable
• CFM: 1,800
• Tank capacity: 8 gallons

Pros

• Can be set between 11 different fan-speed settings for optimal airflow
• 1,800 CFM output is ideal for spaces up to 800 square feet
• Comes with a standard garden hose connection for continuous water supply
• Internal cooling media is chemically treated with a thermosetting resin to resist mold growth

Cons

• Evaporative cooler weighs 51 pounds, making it difficult to lift or carry

Get the Big Ass Fans Cool Space 200 evaporative air cooler at The Home Depot, Tractor Supply Co., or Big Ass Fans.

Best Oscillating

Dreo 40-Inch Personal Evaporative Air Cooler

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Oscillation is a great feature on an evaporative cooler, and this Dreo model rotates more than most models, at up to 80 degrees. This means cool air can flow out at a wider angle, speeding the feeling of relief and refreshment in the space.

To customize cooling, you can set the machine to one of three fan speeds. There are also three operating modes: Cool, Humidifying, and Sleep. In Sleep mode, this Dreo operates at a whisper-quiet level of just 35 decibels. This device comes with a remote control, reusable ice packs, and a water filter that can be removed for cleaning. While these are great features, this evaporative cooler has a small tank and low CFM, so it’s not a good choice for larger areas.

Product Specs

• Type: Portable
• CFM: 216
• Tank capacity: 1.08 gallons

Pros

• Evaporative cooler operates quietly at just 35 decibels so as not to disturb workers or sleepers
• Wide angle oscillation of up to 80 degrees improves airflow throughout the space
• Remote control sets fan speed, adjusts timer, and turns the cooler on or off
• Comes with a removable water tank, water filter, and reusable ice packs

Cons

• Low airflow output is not suitable for cooling larger spaces

Get the Dreo evaporative air cooler at Amazon or Sears.

Best Whole-House

Champion Cooler 4,900-CFM Evaporative Cooler