Air Coolers Buying Guide

Evaporative air coolers, also known as ‘swamp coolers’, allow more effective cooling than traditional fans without the cost of air conditioning units.
Evaporative air coolers use evaporation i.e. – the chemical process of converting a liquid into a gas to lower the ambient temperature to achieve a state of constant effective cooling. In this case, the conversion of water into water vapour.

In this Buying Guide, We’ll Cover:

  • Pros and Cons of and Air Cooler
  • Describe in detail how an evaporative air cooler works
  • Help choose the right air cooler for the right space
  • Explain the differences between an air cooler and an air conditioner
  • How to get the best use out of an Evaporative Air Cooler

The main advantages of evaporative air coolers are:

  • Low energy consumption - Air coolers consume much less energy than air conditioners which in turn means that the running costs are much lower.
  • Eco friendly - Air coolers use water and do not use any refrigerant such as R410, R290, R32 etc for cooling as is the case for air conditioning units which means that air coolers are extremely environmentally friendly.
  • Affordable cost - Air coolers cost much less than air conditioners to purchase and maintain which means they are a great investment.
  • Portable – Air coolers are of a convenient size to place in any room or area that needs cooling.
  • Circulate fresh air - Air coolers use fresh air outside from an open door or window, cool it and then direct the new fresh cool air inside the room.

The main disadvantages of evaporative air coolers are:

  • Climate dependency - the main disadvantage of an air cooler is its dependency on the climate. In areas with high humidity, air coolers may prove to be less efficient at cooling air. This is because the air coming out of the cooler is humid due to the evaporated water. This in turn, means that the cooler adds to the humidity that is already in the air.
  • Water supply – Air coolers also need a supply of water, so when the water tank runs out of water, it must be refilled immediately if air cooling is to continue. If cooling is needed for a large space such as a warehouse, then it is important to look for an air cooler with a large water tank or the ability to top the water up directly.
  • Noisy – Air coolers are not particularly quiet units and are not the right choice if quiet cooling is needed.

Best Selling Evaporative Air Coolers

Devola 48L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 60 Meters Squared White/Grey - DVCL48P

Devola 48L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 60 Meters Squared White/Grey - DVCL48P

£148.95 (inc. VAT)

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Honeywell CL48PM Indoor/ Outdoor Air Cooler - 48 Litre

Honeywell CL48PM Indoor/ Outdoor Air Cooler - 48 Litre

£257.95 (inc. VAT)

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Honeywell 10Ltr Portable Evaporative Air Cooler - TC10PE

Honeywell 10Ltr Portable Evaporative Air Cooler - TC10PE

£118.95 (inc. VAT)

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Devola 60L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 80m² White/Grey - DVCO60P

Devola 60L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 80m² White/Grey - DVCO60P

£168.95 (inc. VAT)

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Symphony DiET22i Evaporative Air Cooler

Symphony DiET22i Evaporative Air Cooler

£149.95 (inc. VAT)

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Honeywell 30Ltr Portable Evaporative Air Cooler - TC30PE

Honeywell 30Ltr Portable Evaporative Air Cooler - TC30PE

£174.95 (inc. VAT)

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Honeywell 50Ltr Portable Evaporative Air Cooler - TC50PE

Honeywell 50Ltr Portable Evaporative Air Cooler - TC50PE

£199.95 (inc. VAT)

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Symphony Silver E Evaporative 9L Air Cooler 5-Speeds - Silver-e

Symphony Silver E Evaporative 9L Air Cooler 5-Speeds - Silver-e

£89.95 (inc. VAT)

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Honeywell CO60PM Evaporative Air Cooler - 60 Litre - CO60D

Honeywell CO60PM Evaporative Air Cooler - 60 Litre - CO60D

£299.95 (inc. VAT)

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Symphony DiET8i Evaporative Air Cooler

Symphony DiET8i Evaporative Air Cooler

£108.95 (inc. VAT)

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Devola 43L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 50m² White/Grey - DVKL1-01

Devola 43L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 50m² White/Grey - DVKL1-01

£178.95 (inc. VAT)

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Koolbreeze Koolmist 300 Evaporative Misting Fan Cooler - KME300

Koolbreeze Koolmist 300 Evaporative Misting Fan Cooler - KME300

£198.95 (inc. VAT)

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Symphony DiET50i Evaporative Air Cooler

Symphony DiET50i Evaporative Air Cooler

£154.95 (inc. VAT)

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MasterKool iKool 9.3L Air Cooler - IKOOL10PLUS

MasterKool iKool 9.3L Air Cooler - IKOOL10PLUS

£179.95 (inc. VAT)

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Symphony Winter I Evaporative 56L Air Cooler 3-Speeds - Winter-I

Symphony Winter I Evaporative 56L Air Cooler 3-Speeds - Winter-I

£249.95 (inc. VAT)

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MasterKool iKool 13L Air Cooler - IKOOL25PLUS

MasterKool iKool 13L Air Cooler - IKOOL25PLUS

£249.95 (inc. VAT)

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Koolbreeze Koolmist 450 Evaporative Misting Fan Cooler - KMU450

Koolbreeze Koolmist 450 Evaporative Misting Fan Cooler - KMU450

£278.95 (inc. VAT)

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MasterKool iKOOL Black 1.3L Mini Evaporative Cooler - IKOOL MINI BLACK

MasterKool iKOOL Black 1.3L Mini Evaporative Cooler - IKOOL MINI BLACK

£59.95 (inc. VAT)

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MasterKool iKOOL 1.3L White Mini Evaporative Cooler - IKOOL MINI WHITE

MasterKool iKOOL 1.3L White Mini Evaporative Cooler - IKOOL MINI WHITE

£59.95 (inc. VAT)

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Prem-I-Air 3.5L Evap Air Cooler with Remote - EH1770

Prem-I-Air 3.5L Evap Air Cooler with Remote - EH1770

£49.95 (inc. VAT)

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MasterKool iKool 26L Air Cooler - IKOOL50PLUS

MasterKool iKool 26L Air Cooler - IKOOL50PLUS

£319.95 (inc. VAT)

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Devola 70L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 80m² White/Grey - DVKL2-01

Devola 70L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 80m² White/Grey - DVKL2-01

£238.95 (inc. VAT)

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MasterKool iKOOL 1.3L Green Mini Evaporative Cooler - IKOOL MINI GREEN

MasterKool iKOOL 1.3L Green Mini Evaporative Cooler - IKOOL MINI GREEN

£59.95 (inc. VAT)

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MasterKool iKOOL 1.3L Blue Mini Evaporative Cooler - IKOOL MINI BLUE

MasterKool iKOOL 1.3L Blue Mini Evaporative Cooler - IKOOL MINI BLUE

£59.95 (inc. VAT)

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Devola 60L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 80m² White/Grey - DVCO60P (Return Unit)

Devola 60L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 80m² White/Grey - DVCO60P (Return Unit)

From £149.21 (inc. VAT)

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Honeywell 30Ltr Portable Evaporative Air Cooler - TC30PE (Return Unit)

Honeywell 30Ltr Portable Evaporative Air Cooler - TC30PE (Return Unit)

From £139.27 (inc. VAT)

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Honeywell 10Ltr Portable Evaporative Air Cooler - TC10PE

Honeywell 10Ltr Portable Evaporative Air Cooler - TC10PE

From £89.21 (inc. VAT)

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Symphony Silver I Evaporative 9L Air Cooler 5-Speeds - Silver-I (Return Unit)

Symphony Silver I Evaporative 9L Air Cooler 5-Speeds - Silver-I (Return Unit)

From £74.95 (inc. VAT)

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Devola 48L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 60m² White/Grey - DVCL48P

Devola 48L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 60m² White/Grey - DVCL48P

From £126.61 (inc. VAT)

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Symphony DiET22i Evaporative Air Cooler

Symphony DiET22i Evaporative Air Cooler

From £111.71 (inc. VAT)

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Air Conditioning Centre iKool 100 Air Cooler - IKOOL-100

Air Conditioning Centre iKool 100 Air Cooler - IKOOL-100

£699.95 (inc. VAT)

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Honeywell 50Ltr Portable Evaporative Air Cooler - TC50PE (Return Unit)

Honeywell 50Ltr Portable Evaporative Air Cooler - TC50PE (Return Unit)

From £186.11 (inc. VAT)

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Honeywell CL48PM Indoor/ Outdoor Air Cooler - 48 Litre (Return Unit)

Honeywell CL48PM Indoor/ Outdoor Air Cooler - 48 Litre (Return Unit)

From £191.16 (inc. VAT)

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MasterKool iKOOL Pink 1.3L Mini Evaporative Cooler - IKOOL MINI PINK

MasterKool iKOOL Pink 1.3L Mini Evaporative Cooler - IKOOL MINI PINK

£59.95 (inc. VAT)

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Symphony Silver E Evaporative 9L Air Cooler 5-Speeds - Silver-e (Return Unit)

Symphony Silver E Evaporative 9L Air Cooler 5-Speeds - Silver-e (Return Unit)

From £62.97 (inc. VAT)

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Devola 70L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 80m² White/Grey - DVKL2-01 (Return Unit)

Devola 70L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 80m² White/Grey - DVKL2-01 (Return Unit)

From £191.16 (inc. VAT)

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Koolbreeze Koolmist 300 Evaporative Misting Fan Cooler - KME300 (Return Unit)

Koolbreeze Koolmist 300 Evaporative Misting Fan Cooler - KME300 (Return Unit)

From £149.21 (inc. VAT)

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Broughton Evaporative Cooler - COMCOOL

Broughton Evaporative Cooler - COMCOOL

£1,649.95 (inc. VAT)

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MasterKool iKool 9.3L Air Cooler - IKOOL10PLUS (Return Unit)

MasterKool iKool 9.3L Air Cooler - IKOOL10PLUS (Return Unit)

From £103.46 (inc. VAT)

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MasterKool iKOOL Black 1.3L Mini Evaporative Cooler - IKOOL MINI BLACK (Return Unit)

MasterKool iKOOL Black 1.3L Mini Evaporative Cooler - IKOOL MINI BLACK (Return Unit)

From £40.72 (inc. VAT)

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MasterKool iKool 26L Air Cooler - IKOOL50PLUS (Return Unit)

MasterKool iKool 26L Air Cooler - IKOOL50PLUS (Return Unit)

From £230.76 (inc. VAT)

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Honeywell 9L Evaporative Air Cooler White - TC09PM

Honeywell 9L Evaporative Air Cooler White - TC09PM

£138.95 (inc. VAT)

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Symphony Diet 3D 40i Tower Air Cooler 40 Litres with Magnetic Remote - DIET3D40I

Symphony Diet 3D 40i Tower Air Cooler 40 Litres with Magnetic Remote - DIET3D40I

£228.95 (inc. VAT)

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Devola 48L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 60 Meters Squared White/Grey - DVCL48P (Return Unit)

Devola 48L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 60 Meters Squared White/Grey - DVCL48P (Return Unit)

£168.95 (inc. VAT)

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Honeywell CL30XC Indoor Portable Evaporative Air Cooler - 30 Litre (Return Unit)

Honeywell CL30XC Indoor Portable Evaporative Air Cooler - 30 Litre (Return Unit)

From £215.16 (inc. VAT)

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Devola 43L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 50m² White/Grey - DVKL1-01 (Return Unit)

Devola 43L Evaporative Swamp Air Cooler 50m² White/Grey - DVKL1-01 (Return Unit)

From £125.27 (inc. VAT)

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Koolbreeze Koolmist 450 Evaporative Misting Fan Cooler - KMU450 (Return Unit)

Koolbreeze Koolmist 450 Evaporative Misting Fan Cooler - KMU450 (Return Unit)

From £237.11 (inc. VAT)

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honeywell-cs12ae-air-cooler-return-unit

honeywell-cs12ae-air-cooler-return-unit

£125.99 (inc. VAT)

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Symphony DiET8i Evaporative Air Cooler

Symphony DiET8i Evaporative Air Cooler

From £89.21 (inc. VAT)

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Honeywell CO60PM Evaporative Air Cooler - 60 Litre - CO60D

Honeywell CO60PM Evaporative Air Cooler - 60 Litre - CO60D

From £236.76 (inc. VAT)

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How Does An Evaporative Air Cooler Work?

As mentioned earlier, evaporative air coolers use the process of evaporation to cool down hot air. To better understand this, remember a time when you have been extremely sweaty on a hot summer’s day. The humidity and mugginess are unbearable, until you stand in front of a fan where its breeze evaporates the heavy perspiration leaving your body cool and dry. This works because heat energy is lost during the chemical conversion of liquid into water vapour.

An evaporative air cooler works similarly. Most evaporative air coolers have three main components: a fan, a pump system to circulate water and a cooling pad that absorbs and retains water. The most popular and commonly used cooling pad is a honeycomb pad.

Water circulates through the air cooler and saturates the honeycomb pad. The fan draws the incoming warm air through the honeycomb cooling pad, where the evaporation process converts the water into water vapour and blows out cold air on the other side. The colder the water, the colder the air blown out. Some air coolers also have an additional ice component where ice cubes can be added to make the water even cooler.

The effect of an air cooler can best be compared to the cool effect of a sea breeze.

How to Use an Evaporative Air Cooler?

These three variables are essential for getting the most out of an evaporative air cooler:

Humidity - or rather, the lack of humidity is the most critical element of evaporative cooling. The drier the air, the greater the amount of water vapour that will be evaporated into the outgoing air, and the greater the cooling power. An evaporative air cooler works best in arid or semi-arid regions which have relative humidity below 60%. A humid climate will inhibit the evaporation process since the incoming air is already saturated with moisture.

Water Temperature - the colder the circulating water is in the unit, the colder the outgoing air is in the room. As mentioned earlier, many evaporative air coolers will have an additional ice compartment so that ice can be added to make the water even colder.

Ventilation for an evaporative air cooler to work, a fresh flow of air is required to come into the room via an open door or window. This is because if moist air is allowed to recirculate back into the unit, it’s efficacy will diminish.

Is an air cooler the same as an air conditioner?

An evaporative air cooler is NOT a fan or air conditioner.

What is the difference between an air conditioner and an air cooler?

An air conditioner does also lower the ambient temperature of a room like an evaporative air cooler but requires significant energy to do so. They require the use of a chemical refrigerant gas to condense hot air and maintain the cooling by expelling that hot air outdoors via a hose. Evaporative Coolers also come with a variable thermostat and the unit will work to cool down to your set temperature. Evaporative air coolers are suitable for outdoor use where Air Conditioning units work best in enclosed environments.

Whereas, an evaporative air cooler does not require any chemical gas or a hose hanging outside of a window to expel hot air. Evaporative air coolers operate via a simple electrical plug and then they are ready to use.

This means that evaporative air coolers use a fraction of the power that an air conditioner.

Is an air cooler the same as a fan?

Traditional fans circulate air without affecting the temperature and making the room colder. The refreshing feel of a powerful fan is more due to the sensation on our skin rather than an actual change in the ambient temperature.

An air cooler can lower the ambient temperature of a room by around 3°C – 6°C by throwing out cooler air.

Are air coolers effective?

Air coolers are effective if directed straight towards you giving a nice cool ‘sea breeze’ effect. They are not as effective at cooling a room as an air conditioner would be.

Are air coolers noisy?

Evaporative air coolers are noisy units and are not recommended to cool a room that you may sleep in. A better alternative would be a DC fan (link to fan page) or a wall split air conditioner (link to wall split air conditioner page) as the majority of the noise comes from the outdoor unit.

Are air coolers energy efficient?

Evaporative air coolers use much less energy than air conditioners and they also do not use any refrigerant gas making them extremely environmentally friendly.

Are air coolers good value for money?

Evaporative air coolers sit in the ‘middle’ of the cooling range – they are more expensive than a fan but cheaper than an air conditioner. Their effectiveness also reflects this as they are most effective at cooling whatever they are directly pointed at but are less effective at reducing the average ambient temperature of a room.

Are air coolers portable?

Evaporative air coolers come in a variety of sizes to accommodate all needs and most air coolers come with castor wheels so they can be easily transported from room to room.

Do air coolers require a hose out of the window?

Evaporative air coolers do not require a hose out of a window, but a common misconception is that they can be used in windowless rooms. In order to be effective, air coolers require a constant flow of fresh air to come into the room via an open door or window.

Can I put an air cooler in my bedroom?

Air coolers aren’t recommended for sleeping due to their high decibel output level. So, when a good night’s sleep is required, we recommend a DC motor fan or a wall-split air conditioner.