The Best EVAPORATIVE Air Coolers Reviews (Consumer Reports) – 2021

2. Honeywell 300-412CFM Portable Air Evaporative Cooler

Moving further in this best evaporative cooler reviews comes Honeywell 300-412CFM. The stylish and sleek Honeywell 300-412CFM is a portable, lightweight swamp cooler ideal for spot cooling. One of this model’s most outstanding feature is its attractive sleek design.

It looks good in any room of your home and is also portable as well for easy transfer from one room to another. That’s in addition to being a highly functional unit that effectively lowers temperature in hot dry climates with low power consumption. 

You will love the modernized digital control which quite is attractive on its own. There is also a remote for easy control of this unit from across the room. You can customize cooling using the three-speed settings. You can also set this cooler to humidify the room on dry winter days. The Honeywell 300-412 is programmable, allowing unattended use for up to 7.5 hours. 

Additional features include a low water alarm that notifies when the 2.6 gallons water tank is about to run out of water. The tank is also removable for easy cleaning although an activated carbon air filter keeps the air quality good when the unit is in use. This heater is ideal for cooling rooms of up to 175 square feet. 

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3. DUOLANG 2059 CFM Outdoor Indoor Portable Evaporative Cooler

The DUOLANG 2059 CFM is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use – which is one of the reasons we include it in this evaporative air cooler reviews. This highly versatile unit is portable and lightweight which aids mobility. It is quite versatile as well.

Apart from being able to act as an air humidifier to cool your home it also has an air filter inbuilt into it which helps to clean the air of dirt, dust, and allergens. This evaporative cooler is designed to be durable. It features a weather resistance casing which ensures long term usage.

The tank size of this cooler is 7.9 gallons which is efficient enough to cover a total area of 322.9 sq. Ft. There are 3 speed setting on the heater. It also has a shut off-timer with a 9-hour set range. A low water alarm monitors the water level while a remote control unit makes it possible to adjust the settings conveniently. 

4. Honeywell 1540-2471 CFM Outdoor Portable Evaporative Cooler

While most portable evaporative coolers are only ideal for spot cooling, the Honeywell 1540-2471 is great for outdoor spaces and large open rooms. However, if you’re looking for the best evaporative cooler for large rooms, this is a good choice.

Since the unit is built for outdoor and indoor usage, it is only normal that it is designed to be durable and weatherproof with UV protection. Despite its strong and sturdy build, the cooler is still lightweight and very portable with durable wheels for easy mobility. 

Thanks to the cooler’s 3 sided cooling pad design and extra wide blades, you can be sure of optimal airflow and effective distribution of cool air all day long. There is always a continuous flow of cool air no matter what side of this unit you are on.

The water tank is jumbo sized with a capacity of 15.9 gallons. There is also a large ice compartment for even cooler air. The unit can also be connected directly to a water source for continuous cooling. If you will be spending a lot of time on the patio or hosting a party outdoors, this is the cooler to get. 

5. Honeywell CS071AE Compact Portable Evaporative Cooler

Although this unit is built more for spot-cooling of your immediate area covering only about 100 square feet, it does its job effectively and with style too. If you are looking for a simple but elegant evaporative cooler for your desk, bedside or dinner table this is an ideal choice to consider. This model’s low power consumption makes it a top choice for those looking for a high-quality cooler that will not cost too much to use and maintain and will still deliver effectively.

It isn’t the energy consumption of this cooler alone that is low, the sound level is also quite low which makes it comfortable to use even at night when you sleep. This is mostly because it is built with patented brushless motor technology which ensures noiseless operation. 

Furthermore, the Honeywell CS071AE is also quite versatile. There are 5 different speed settings which allow you to adjust between a gentle breeze and a faster flow for more targeted cooling action. The unit also has its own remote control which makes it set and adjust without getting out of bed. This unit is one of the best pick in this evaporative air cooler reviews

How To Choose The Best Evaporative Air Cooler: The Buying Guide

To get the best evaporative air coolers, there are a lot of things to put into consideration. Knowing the factors to look out for help in your search for top quality models that serves your needs perfectly. Here are some of the things to consider before you make a purchase. 

Should You Get an Air Cooler?    

This is the first and most important question that must be answered. Even though swamp coolers are great for cooling the air, they are not effective everywhere. Evaporative coolers will only operate at full capacity in hot and dry climates typically with humidity levels less than 60%. They are not recommended for places with lower temperature and high humidity. Hence it is important that you know your climate and confirms if you should go for an air cooler or another cooling option entirely. 

Size and Effectiveness

Like most types of household cooling units, the effectiveness of an evaporative cooler depends largely on the size of the unit. However, this does not necessarily mean that bigger is always better. The ideal size to choose depends mainly on how big your living space is. 

Before you start shopping for an evaporative cooler, you have to measure the size of your room in cubic feet. In most case, the optimum cooling capacity of a unit in terms of how many feet of space it can cover effectively will be stated on the unit. Additionally, some manufacturers also mention the cooling efficiency of their coolers. This is measured in cubic feet per minute. Be sure to check these units and compare with the size of your home before you make a purchase. 

Portability

Since most evaporative coolers are most suitable for spot cooling, it is very likely that you will want to move your unit regularly. This is why portability is quite important. Small lightweight units are recommended if you intend to move the cooler often. Some large units also come with wheels that aid mobility. 

Energy Efficiency

Evaporative coolers are generally considered to have higher energy efficiency compared to traditional cooling units. However, energy efficiency can also vary from one model to the other and also depending on the manufacturer. Be sure to check to ensure that the unit you are purchasing does not waste energy too much as it operates. 

Additional Features

Although additional features typically mean extra cost, a full-featured unit is a really good idea for optimal enjoyment. You can look out for models with additional desirable features such as timers, auto shut off features, digital display, remote control, low water alarms and so on. Some unit can also double as air purifiers and include oscillating fans which help to distribute cool air better among other cool features 

What Are The Difference Between Evaporative Coolers And Air Conditioning Units?  

Both air conditioning units and evaporative air coolers are used to cool a room. This is why there is a lot of confusion about the distinction between them. Understanding how each of them works will help establish the differences between both of them. 

Air Conditioners 

Air conditioning unit cools a room by removing hot air while replacing it with cooler but drier air. A typical air conditioning unit has a chemical refrigerant flowing within its system of tubes and coils and uses this coolant to absorb the heat from the air indoor and releasing it outdoors. This is why you will always feel a gust of warm air blow at you if you walk beside the part of an AC unit that is placed outdoor. 

In the process of removing heat from indoor air, air conditioners also get rid of moisture in the air leaving it drier than it was. This is why a humidifier can also double as a dehumidifier. 

Because of this mode of operation, an air conditioner requires a closed system for an optimal operation which is why you must keep your windows, doors, and other air outlets shut if you must use an AC.

Evaporative Air Coolers 

An evaporative air cooler does not make use of any type of chemical or refrigerant. It only makes use of water, a fan and operates based on the natural principle of evaporation. To cool the air, water passes through a cooling pad in the unit while the fan draws warm air from the room and passes through across the now damp pad. The warm air will cause the water to evaporate very quickly. At the same time, the air loses heat and chills up too. The cold air is then distributed across the room. Because of this principle of operation, an evaporative cooler works as a humidifier rather than a dehumidifier. Thus it is better operated in an open system rather than a closed one to keep the air fresh. 

Wrapping It Up

These are some of the most notable differences between air coolers and air conditioners. Both of these options are great for cooling homes but evaporative coolers are the more economical alternative. You just have to ensure that you follow the buying guide. This way, you are buying a model that serves your need perfectly.

The products reviewed here are some of the best on the market and you can choose from them as well. As our part of recommendation from this evaporative air cooler reviews and buying guide, we therefore choose this Honeywell 470-659CFM Portable evaporative cooler as ideal for anyone with average budget.