Best Evaporative Cooler 2022 Review and Buying Guide

Staying cool and comfortable can become arduous if you reside in a dry and hot region. A standard air conditioner may not suffice your needs, and you can be faced with a crisis of keeping cool. This is when the best evaporative coolers in the market will come to rescue you and your family. And not to forget, they will even be cheaper to run than standard ACs.

Heat may fluctuate in your surroundings, and you may require fast relief. In such a situation, an evaporative cooler that complies with the size of your room will help you out. Some evaporative coolers can also be used outdoors, while it is true that an outdoor model might not be the best for indoor purposes.

Before moving to the buying guide, explaining all the factors, you should keep in mind before buying the perfect evaporative cooler, let us take a good look at the best evaporative coolers we recommend after a successful scouring of the market.

Best Evaporative Cooler Reviews

After carefully reviewing the best evaporative coolers, we have come to the top 7 evaporative air cooler models, considering some of the most important factors discussed below.

Honeywell CO48PM (For Indoor & Outdoor Use)

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The evaporative air cooler is one of the best choices in the market given the large capacity of the water tank and the high power of airflow, which help to cool down large spaces rapidly and efficiently. The build is pretty solid.

There are 3 possible fan speeds, and you can adjust the speed per your needs. The noise level is decent compared to other large swamp coolers of similar formats. It is also not very heavy and can be used well for indoor and outdoor spaces.

A 90% full tank can last about 5 days if used for around 5 hours daily. It helps to minimize energy consumption with the maximization of airflow due to its well-crafted aerodynamic properties.

Key Features:

• Consists of 1062 CFM Airflow
• Cover a cooling area of 610 sq. Ft.
• The tank size is around 10.6 gal.
• The dimensions of the evaporative air cooler are 14.76″ x 24.2″ x 34.17″
• The total capacity of the swamp cooler is 30.9 lbs.
• It does not contain a timer.
• It cannot be controlled by a remote.

Pros

• The evaporative air cooler is durable due to its design.
• It is UV and weather-resistant in terms of its construction.
• It comes with 3 possible control speeds for the fan.
• The air cooler can be used both indoors and outdoors.
• The large tank size allows you not to have to keep refilling the water tank.

Cons

• The emptying of the reservoir is seen as a little tricky and unhandy by some users.

2. Hessaire MC37M (Portable)

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Given the powerful airflow properties of the Hessaire MC37M, it is ideal for almost every room, including large open living spaces. The cooling performance might indeed be a little reduced when in open spaces.

Whenever the humidity is low and the temperature outside is high, this evaporative air cooler cools the room almost as rapidly as a standard air conditioner. It has been reviewed to show a difference of around 25 degrees between the temperatures inside and outside when this air cooler is in use.

The swamp cooler comes with multiple air intake panels and sucks air from three sides, allowing the room to cool fast and efficiently. A pump carries water to the high-density XeL50 rigid media, which constitutes of wide evaporation surface area.

Thanks to its excellent cooling performance, portability, and competitive price, the Hessaire MC37M is a perfect choice for most homes.

Key Features:

• Consists of 3100 CFM Airflow
• Cover a cooling area of 950 sq. Ft.
• The tank size is around 10.3 gal.
• The dimensions of the evaporative air cooler are 25″ x 17″ x 37″
• The total capacity of the swamp cooler is 41 lbs.
• It does not contain a timer.
• It cannot be controlled by a remote.

Pros

• The airflow of the evaporative air cooler is very powerful, which allows it to cool large rooms.
• It comes with easy portability.
• The fan speed can be adjusted as per need.
• The swamp cooler can cool spaces quickly and efficiently.
• It is a pretty good value for the money you spend.

Cons

• The evaporative air cooler does not come with a timer
• The lower fan speed could have been useful for cooler weather.

3. Honeywell 525 CFM

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The Honeywell 525 CFM evaporative cooler is suitable for almost all sizes of rooms. Given that it is not exceptionally large but includes enough airflow to cool around 320 square feet or smaller bedrooms, living rooms, or home offices, it does the work. Furthermore, the design of the cooler is weather-resistant.

Do not be deluded by the small size of this swamp cooler. It is one of the best in terms of the capacity of the water tank (7.9 gallons), which can last for long hours before requiring a refill. Moreover, if you do not want to keep adding water, you can connect a hose for a constant water supply. This water tank is also detachable, making it easy to refill.

When the weather is hotter than usual, you can fill the ice compartment with ice, and the cooler will blow cooler air.

It also comes with a carbon filter that removes dust and allergens from the air. You will get a remote control with which you may set a time, adjust the fan’s speed, swing the vents, or turn the unit on or off.

The swamp cooler is decent in size- it is tall and narrow and easily fits in small compact places. We call this a powerful yet affordable evaporative air cooler, one of the best in the market.

Key Features:

• Consists of 525 CFM Airflow
• Cover a cooling area of 320 sq. Ft.
• The tank size is around 7.9 gal.
• The dimensions of the evaporative air cooler are 18″ x 13.9″ x 33.7″
• The total capacity of the swamp cooler is 24.9 lbs.
• It contains a timer.
• It can be controlled by a remote.

Pros

• It has a large tank, so you will not have to refill the water frequently.
• It comes with an ice compartment
• The air cooler includes remote control and timer.
• The evaporative cooler can be safely used outdoors.
• The air cooler comes with a hose connection if you want to avoid having to keep refilling.

Cons

• The air cooler might be loud at some speeds.

4. Evapolar evaLight Personal Evaporative Air Cooler (Ultra Compact)

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The Evapolar evaLIGHT is a small desk side or bedside fan with pretty good cooling abilities. Instead of merely moving the air around, the evaporative air cooler helps to cool the air by 5- 10 degrees from the ambient temperature.

Evapolar is USB – powered, making it convenient to use on your work desk or bedside table. Even when you are going camping, you can merely plug it into a power bank or solar genitor to stay cool. But please keep your expectations in check. You will need to be at a close distance to feel the cool breeze.

The 35 oz. tank can last up to 4 or 5 hours once it is full. This also means that if you want it to function all night, you will have to wake up in the middle of the night to refill the tank.

One fantastic thing about the swamp cooler is that it has integrated LED lighting, which can function as mood lighting, and you have control over turning it on or off.

Overall, this Evapolar evaLIGHT provides a convenient energy-saving swamp cooler that can be ideal for you if you do not want to affect the climate of your personal space. Furthermore, noise is not an issue, so it’s pretty handy.

Key Features:

• Cover a cooling area of 45 sq. Ft.
• The tank size is around 35 oz.
• The dimensions of the evaporative air cooler are 6.69″ x 6.7″ x 6.87″
• The total capacity of the swamp cooler is 2.8 lbs.
• It does not contain a timer.
• It cannot be controlled by a remote.

Pros

• It has a compact design- which makes it ultra-portable, taking up very little space.
• The evaporative air cooler is powered via USB.
• This comes with an integrated night light.
• It is very portable and ultra-compact.
• There is almost no complaint in terms of noise. It is a quiet cooler.

Cons

• The water in the tank does not last long.
• The air cooler can leak easily if not placed on a completely flat surface.
• The LED light requires regular changing.

5. Phoenix Manufacturing WH2906 (Window Cooler)

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The Phoenix Manufacturing Evaporative window cooler is indeed one of a classic design. It is a tan window cooler with an industrial style and thick steel housing. The swamp cooler consists of PEBLAR XT powder coating that helps to protect against the elements. It also makes the cooler rust-resistant.

Inside the evaporator is a 115V direct drive motor at 1/8 HP. The shaft of the cooler is built to decrease the noise level. The blower wheel of the evaporative cooler is 8 inches which makes the system very efficient, given the additional benefit of microscopic polishing on the shaft.

Unlike standard AC units, this is pretty compact and slim in design. Though not powerful for extremely large spaces, it’s perfect for greenhouses, trailers, and large and medium-sized rooms. This also comes with a 1- year warranty on the parts.

Key Features:

• The airflow capacity of the cooler is 2800 CFM
• Cover a cooling area of 500 – 1000 sq. Ft. (depends on the model you choose)
• It is known to have 1/8 HP, 115 Volts, and 2-speed motors
• The tank size is around 35 oz.
• The dimensions of the evaporative air cooler are 22″ x 31.25″ x 27″
• The weight of the swamp cooler is 59.9 pounds
• It does not contain a timer.
• It cannot be controlled by a remote.

Pros

• The airflow is powerful with 2800 CFM, which helps cool large work spaces easily.
• The evaporative air cooler is reasonably priced and worth the investment
• This profile of the swamp cooler is pretty slim.
• There is almost no complaint in terms of noise. It is a quiet cooler.
• It is weather-resistant.

Cons

• Installation features are missing
• Not suitable for large spaces

6. Hessaire C92 (For Work Spaces)

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The Hessaire MC92V is one of the top-class evaporative air coolers for hot indoor commercial and industrial workspaces, including kennels, stables, and warehouses up to 3000 square feet. It is even safer in wet conditions with the GFCI safety plug that comes with the air cooler.

You can manually fill the unit through the spring-loaded water-fill door in the tank. It can go for constant cooling for up to 4 hours. Furthermore, it comes with the option of Continuous water fill that allows for automatic filling with a mere garden hose hook-up. A water level display is next to the door, which helps monitor the tank levels.

You can rinse and reuse the washable Xel50 cooling pads. It also comes with oscillating louvers.

Given the portability of the cooler, you can quickly move the swamp cooler from one room to another using its caster wheels.

Key Features:

• The airflow capacity of the cooler is up to 5300 CFM
• Cover a cooling area of 3000 sq. Ft.
• It has 4 fan speed options.
• The dimensions of the evaporative air cooler are 59″ x 26″ x 46″
• The weight of the swamp cooler is 126 lbs.
• The cooler comes with a tank capacity of 33 gallons
• There are options for both automatic and manual fills

Pros

• The airflow is powerful with 5300 CFM, which helps cool large work spaces easily.
• It is highly suitable for workspaces
• It is equipped with a motor.
• Pads are included with the evaporative air cooler.
• It comes with 3/ 4 fan speeds, which can be adjusted
• The swamp cooler is pretty portable

Cons

• Timer and remote control features are missing

7. Hessaire 6,800 CFM (For Whole House)

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The Hessaire A68D evaporative air cooler is designed for economical cooling in areas with an arid climate. It is pretty low maintenance and highly suitable for the whole house, given the space capacity.

The cooling space is very effective. The unit also features a 19-inch blower wheel with a duct size of 20 inches. One problem with this cooler is that it requires you to buy an external motor.

Key Features:

• The airflow capacity of the cooler is up to 6800 CFM
• Covers a cooling area of 1150 to 2400 sq. ft., depending on motor
• It does not include a motor
•  1/ 2 or 3/ 4 HP 2- speed motor should be bought separately
• The dimensions of the evaporative air cooler are 42.25″ x 37″ x 37″
• The weight of the swamp cooler is 181 lbs.
• Professional installation is recommended for this evaporative air cooler
• It comes with a 2-year parts warranty

Pros

• The airflow is powerful with 6800 CFM, which helps cool large spaces easily.
• It is highly suitable for the whole house.
• It consists of a down draft and covers over 2400 sq. ft.
• The evaporative air cooler comes with a solid drive shaft
• The cabinets are made from 24-Gauge, galvanized steel
• The polymer-bonded coating helps to prevent corrosion

Cons

• It is not equipped with a motor
• Requires professional installations

Evaporative Cooler Buying Guide

Now that you know the best models of evaporative air coolers in the market, it is essential to know the most important aspects to consider when making the perfect choice for your space.

Type

This depends on where you want to use your swamp cooler. In the list above, you can compare the portability of the different top players to decide among the most mobile cooler for your space if that is your requirement. Some coolers have wheels that allow easy transportation between rooms.

Portable

As the name suggests, portable evaporative coolers are lightweight and portable. They are quite a lot less expensive than typical air conditioners. But, these coolers only work effectively in areas with moderate climates. If you live in an area with a hot climate, portable evaporative coolers might not be your best option.

Whole-House

If you are looking for coolers that can cover the whole house, you should look at the cooler’s specifications and check the coverage area. Most coolers do not work well for the entire home, but some are designed for this, like the Hessaire 6,800 CFM Down-Draft Roof, which can do so.

Indoor – Outdoor

If the temperature is well-maintained, you can use an indoor swamp cooler to help cool down your living space, bedroom, or any warm stuffy corner of your home. These coolers should only be used indoors in arid climates when a fresh air source is available. Outdoor evaporative coolers also function well in pool regions, backyards, and decks.

Window

The window coolers usually only cover small spaces, maybe just the region around your window, and you often need to be close to the cooler to experience the cool air.

Air Conditioner Functions

Some evaporative coolers also work as evaporative air conditioners. These have AC functions integrated into them. You should check for this specification in the cooler if you want a standard AC replacement. Only a few models will have it.

Room Size

This is essential to consider as you need to know what the evaporative cooler can cover or cool. There are specific coolers for small and big rooms. Unless you want to put two coolers in one room, it is helpful to check well which one fits. The correct space size ensures that the space stays cool without wasting too much energy.

Portability

Are you looking for a cooler you can carry around or one with wheels to be transported from one room to another? Then, portability is the issue you should be focusing on. This also comes with the size of the cooler.

Humidity Level

The cooler cools the air by filtering it through the water in the tank, thereby reducing the temperature. Hence, they produce humid air. You must check how much humidity level outside the cooler is most compatible. This will help you decide which cooler to go for, depending on your area.

Energy Consumption

This is related to how much cooling occurs by the area it covers. A good cooler with a thermostat can be a good option. Lower running costs will also mean air coolers will consume less energy. Most are also eco-friendly and do not use any refrigerant for cooling.

Type of Cooling Pads

Swamp coolers usually have two different types of cooling pads- the Aspen Pads and Blue Synthetic Cooler Pads. Aspen pads are the best in terms of cooling capacity. They absorb water well, give off a lovely wood smell, and are available in sizes 1″ and 2″. However, they may deteriorate fast and need to be replaced every year.

The blue spongy pads do not deteriorate but don’t absorb water well. They have adequate cooling capacity and are odorless. Furthermore, they can easily fit into any cooler.

Water Tank Capacity

Choosing the right size of the water tank unit is essential. The larger air coolers will have a larger water tank capacity usually. This means you will not have to change the water too fast. Depending on how big it is, you can decide how long you want the cooler to keep running every day without having to refill the tank.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do we have to replace the cooling pads?

This is a difficult one to answer but important to know. It depends on how frequently you use the cooler beside the model and the type of media used.

Do we need to open a door or window when using an evaporative cooler indoors?

Yes, if you want a fresh air supply in the area from an open window or door, you are trying to cool. Otherwise, the humidity level will rise.

Is the samp cooler rmaintenance difficult?

Usually, it is pretty low for such machines unless you are using coolers for the whole house. You must regularly change media pads and refill and clean the reservoir to prevent germs.

Conclusion

And that’s it! We’re done with our review of the best rated evaporative coolers available in the market. By now, you should be able to choose your preferred cooler from the ones we mentioned, which are best in terms of power and reliability.

If you take care of your expectations and consider your needs, you will be happy with how amazing the swamp coolers can make you feel!