5.0 out of 5 stars Cool vertical fan, cool evaporative ("swamp") cooler

E. · April 24, 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } This portable cooler is basically a vertical oscillating fan with a special humidifying and cooling twist. Evaporative coolers, sometimes called swamp coolers, work the same way our perspiration cools us down on a hot day – by spreading out a thin layer of fluid that carries away excess heat as it evaporates. Here, instead of sweat the machine uses water and instead of spreading it out over our skin, the cooler has a network of twisted fibers that provide a large surface area for evaporation. It's much cheaper to run than an air conditioner, though it's not as effective, especially when it’s really hot. But it’s just what I’m looking for.We have central AC in our house, but when it gets hot, especially at night, my wife likes to save money by turning the AC way down. The heat doesn't bother her, but I can’t tolerate high temperatures. So I'm counting on this portable cooler to add some "aaaahhhh" to my bedroom, letting me cool my room down even as the rest of the house heats up.The cooler is pretty solidly built and very easy to set up and use. All you need to get started is to remove all the little strips of tape that secure things during shipping, press together the two plastic parts that make up the base, and then screw the base plate to the bottom of the unit using the provided hardware (including a cute little screwdriver). Turn it right-side up and it's ready to run as a fan with multiple choices for wind speed, an optional swing mode that shifts vertical louvres that direct the wind from left to right and back again, a couple of special modes I'll describe later (and which I personally don't find useful), and of course, the optional and all-important Cool function.Compared to the large fan I've been using, this unit is not very loud – but it's also not whisper quiet. For me, and I think for most people, after a few minutes it becomes easy for the brain to "tune out" any consistent, droning sound. That's why I don't understand the optional modes, which are labeled Nature and Sleep. In each of these modes, the fan runs normally for a few moments, then revs up into high gear (making a lot more noise!), and then goes completely silent for a few seconds before starting the whole cycle over again. This defeats my inborn ability to shut out the simple sound of the fan. It would drive me nuts if the fan stopped and started all night long. Perhaps the engineers thought this simulates sleeping in a tent in the woods at night with the wind howling and then letting up, and then howling again…but every 15 seconds? Fortunately, you can simply ignore these additional modes and stay in the default mode at whichever fan speed you choose. Personally, I like the slowest speed with the cooler closer to me rather than the faster, louder speeds with the unit placed further away. With the handy remote control, which works very well and duplicates all the front panel functions, you can change settings from your bed or wherever you happen to be.To use the Cool function, you need to add some water to a little chamber on the bottom of the unit at the back (see picture). You can’t pull the chamber all the way out since that’s where the pump is located that draws the water up and onto the “skin” along the back of the unit for evaporation. The chamber can hold about 4 liters, which is a bit more than a gallon, and according to the manual will last at least 8 hours at maximum cooling and more than 13 hours at the minimum evaporative rate. Four little ice packs are also provided that you can fill with water, freeze, and drop into the chamber to make the water even colder. Make sure not to fill above the embossed lines since water expands when it freezes and you need to leave a little room. On a particularly hot day (or night), you can put one or two of these ice packs into the chamber so you can be extra chill. I’ve read that some people actually dump in ice cubes, but I’m not sure how happy the pump would be with that. Of course, don’t run the Cool function without water or you run the risk of eventually burn out the pump.All of the unit’s functions can be accessed through the buttons on the top front panel. When you press any button the panel lights up, which is nice, though it can be hard to read the words. It’s a good idea to remember where the main buttons are, especially since you shouldn’t hit Cool if there’s no water in the chamber. After a few moments the panel lights turn off, which is helpful at night. As I said, there’s also a nifty little remote control that works perfectly. You’ll need to add 2 AAA batteries, since they are not included.Finally, there's a timer button so you can set the cooler to automatically shut off after 1 hour up to 24 hours. That's a nice touch.I haven’t had a really hot day or night to fully evaluate the cooling function, but it definitely works. When Cool is on, after a while the temperature of the air pouring through the vents definitely drops a bit. Any quibbles? Well, aside from the Nature and Sleep modes which I don’t find useful, the caps on the 4 freezer capsules are very tight. I needed to hold them with a pair of rounded pliers and twist gently so as not to strip the threads. But I was careful and everything was fine. The containers are filled with a crystalline chemical to help the cooling, so make sure you handle and fill them carefully – I’m surprised they’re not marked as a hazard. I wish the power cord were a little longer, but it's OK and can, of course, be plugged into an extension.Other than that, I really like the fan/cooler and I’m looking forward to putting it through its paces when the mercury starts to climb. As I’ve mentioned, even the biggest, best evaporative coolers can’t churn out cold air as well as an AC unit, but for my purposes – cooling just my bedroom while my heat-loving partner snores away in the next room – I think it will work out fine.

5.0 out of 5 stars Works Great in the Texas Heat

S. · June 9, 2025

We have AC in our house, but my son’s room faces the sun & it gets extremely HOT in his room. I purchased this fan & it came with 4 ice packs. I use two of the ice packs and rotate the ice packs while two are in the freezer. So far, it’s keeping my son’s room comfortable and cool. The fan speed is up to 3. He uses level 1 speed. I’m happy with the purchase. No more complaints from my teen.

1.0 out of 5 stars Misleading

R.D.A. · May 19, 2025

The airflow is super weak and not nearly as powerful as my other fan that is half the price. I’m also convinced that the other reviewers have never experienced AC before because I left this fan running with cold water in the tank, and all the ice packs (fully frozen overnight) in the tank for a few hours and the air was not colder than my other fans, nor did it cool the air in the room. It’s too expensive for what it is and doesn’t work the way it is advertised.

5.0 out of 5 stars Cost Efficient, Budget Friendly, Sleek and Space saving, Evaporative

S.M. · May 4, 2025

If you're seeking an energy-efficient and cost-effective cooling solution, particularly for hot, dry climates, this evaporative air cooler with a 24-hour timer and oscillating tower fan might be the perfect fit. Unlike traditional air conditioners that rely on refrigerant, these coolers utilize the natural process of water evaporation to lower air temperature.This evaporative cooler operates on a simple yet effective principle -Warm Air Intake: The unit draws in ambient warm, dry air from its surroundings.Evaporative Cooling Pads: The drawn-in air passes through water-saturated cooling pads.Heat Absorption: As the water within the pads evaporates, it absorbs heat from the air passing through.Cool Air Dispersion: The now-cooled and slightly more humid air is then circulated back into the room by the fan.Space-Saving Tower Design: The tower fan design offers a slim and modern profile, making it easy to integrate into various room settings without occupying excessive floor spaceEvaporative coolers generally have a lower purchase price than comparable air conditioners, making them a budget-friendly option for many consumers.

4.0 out of 5 stars I did not receive the cooler pictured

M. · June 10, 2025

I don’t regret buying this cooler. The cooler has helped and I have not had to run air conditioner as much. This cooler will not replace your air conditioner.I did not receive the cooler that was pictured. I thought about sending it back for that reason but we really needed this evaporative cooler as i just had my other fan die.I think the model that I ordered would have been easier to clean out the water tank than the one that I was sent. I also find the buttons on my model easy to bump and change a setting.

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice budget friendly cooling solution!

P.P. · May 10, 2025

This air cooler has been a great addition to our home, especially during the warmer months. I love the three in one functionality—it works as an air cooler, fan, and humidifier, which makes it super versatile. The four modes and 3 speed settings are perfect for adjusting the airflow to our comfort, and the oscillating feature really helps cool the room evenly. It’s surprisingly quiet, which is a huge plus since we use it mostly in the bedroom at night. During a recent power-saving push, we turned off our central AC and used this cooler in the home office, it kept the space cool enough for several hours of comfortable work without racking up the energy bill. The remote and 24hrs timer are convenient, and the unit is lightweight enough to move room to room. A reliable, budget-friendly option for spot cooling!