During the hot summer months, many people start preparing various cooling tools to combat the heat and humidity, such as air conditioner and fan. In recent years, air cooler has gradually become one of the popular choices for cooling, especially in humid environments that require flexible mobility. Air cooler offers energy efficiency, convenience, and a certain degree of cooling, making to be a preferred choice for many households. However, many people may confuse air cooler with portable air conditioner. To help you better understand the differences between two, this article will dive into the working principles of air cooler, key points for selecting, and provide some safety tips and popular recommendations to help you find the most suitable air cooler.

Air Cooler Principle

Air cooler, also known as evaporative cooler or air cooling fan, has a design similar to fan but operate on a different principle and offer additional cooling features.

Inside an air cooler, there are fan blades, along with a water tank and cooling pads. When the air cooler is in operation, water from the tank is pumped into the cooling pads, and the fan blows air through the moistened pads, causing the water to evaporate and create cool air. This process is called "evaporative cooling," where the water in the air absorbs heat as it evaporates, resulting in a cooling effect. When used with ice packs, the water in the tank is further cooled, enhancing the air cooler's cooling performance.

However, the cooling efficiency of air cooler can be affected by humidity. The drier the air, the better the evaporation from the cooling pads, leading to more significant cooling. Conversely, in more humid environments, the evaporation efficiency decreases, and the cooling effect of the air cooler is reduced.

Differences Between Air Cooler and Portable Air Conditioner

	Air Cooler	Portable Air Conditioner
Operating Principle	use water and ice to reduce temperature	use coolants to transfer heat energy outside
Power Consumption	approx. 40-60W	approx. 750W
Maximum Airflow	approx. 0.03-0.17m³	approx. 0.09-0.12m³
Installation Requirement	no installation needed, but require space for placement
Cooling Effectiveness	reduce temperature but is affected by humidity	cover a larger area with more effective cooling

Although air cooler does not cool as effectively as portable air conditioner, it has advantages in terms of energy efficiency and mobility. Customers can make decision based on their personal needs and environment. For small rooms or users with lower cooling requirements, air cooler is an economical choice. For those needing rapid, widespread cooling, a portable air conditioner may be more suitable.

Air Cooler Shopping Tips

1. Size

Air cooler takes up a certain amount of space. When purchasing, customers should consider where they will place the air cooler and the size of the available space. For larger living spaces, a bigger air cooler can enhance cooling efficiency. If space is limited, consider a mini or small air cooler, which saves space and can be easily moved, even placed on a table.

2. Cooling Method

Air cooler mainly cools through cold water or ice packs. Models with built-in ice pack functions generally provide better cooling, especially in dry environments where evaporative cooling works best. When selecting an air cooler, customers may want to prioritize models offering multiple cooling methods for optimal performance in different conditions.

3. Airflow Mode

Many air coolers on the market come with multiple airflow modes and adjustable fan speeds, allowing users to customize settings based on their needs.

4. Additional Features

Some air coolers come with additional features such as timers for automatic shut-off, ionizers (air purification functions), and water shortage alerts. These features not only save energy but also enhance convenience and comfort.

Air Cooler Safety Tips

1. Beware of Electric Shocks

Since air cooler relies on cold water and ice packs for cooling, be cautious when adding water or replacing ice packs. Avoid performing these tasks or touching the air cooler with wet hands, and be careful not to spill water from the tank, which could pose an electrical hazard.

2. Remember to Turn Off the Power

When replacing cold water or ice packs, use the remote control to turn off the power, or unplug the device for safety. After using the air cooler, always turn off the power to save electricity.

3. Regular Cleaning and Water Replacement

After using the air cooler for a while, clean out any accumulated dust and regularly clean the internal cooling pads and water tank to prevent bacterial growth and maintain fresh air.

2024 Popular Air Cooler Recommendations

Product	Features
TORRAS Coolify Cyber	[Fortress Exclusive] powered by the radical TORRAS Coology chill instantly, cool down 37°F in 1s 3 cooling modes, fan mode and heating mode 3 hours charge for up to 15 hours use LED screen shows the battery life and setting mode use the powerful KU 3.0 chip to instantly lower the temperature by 30°F in just one second NTC smart control for Heating & Cooling fit any neck naturally and comfortably thanks to TORRAS ErgoFit 7-directional air outlets
TORRAS Coolify 2S Necklace Fan	powered by the radical TORRAS Coology chill instantly, cool down 30°F in 1s 3 cooling modes, fan mode and heating mode 2.5 hours charge for up to 28 hours use LED screen shows the battery life and setting mode use the powerful KU 2.0 Pro chip to instantly lower the temperature by 30°F in just one second NTC smart control for Heating & Cooling upgraded IMD material and premium touch feel add ultimate enjoyment to your cooling experience
NOVEL NA2304 Powerful Air Cooler With Remote Control	[Fortress Exclusive] with castors for easy moving detachable honeycomb water curtain, easy to clean with a top water tank design, easy to add water low water level alarm and pump protection super wind flow: the maximum fan speed can reach 7.5 meters/second wind direction can be automatically swing left and right, can enjoy the wide angle cooling wind dry cooling pad by 5 mins of high speed blowing before switch-off three levels of fan speed and fan mode, that can meet your different needs easy to control with touch screen or remote control with 12-hour timer setting to preset the turn off time, can sleep at ease large 7-liter water tank with 2 ice boxes, can enjoy cooling wind for a long time
SONY REON POCKET 5 Wearable Thermal Device	directly cool or warm the part of the body that the device is in contact with can be used in any season, as it both cools and warms boast up to 1.5 times more heat absorption and significantly improved cooling performance when compared with the previous model in the series run for approximately 4 hours at COOL Level 5 (the maximum cooling level) and for approximately 7.5 hours at COOL Level 4, which is around 1.8 times longer than the previous model equipped with a newly designed thermal module and cooling fan operating noise is reduced by up to approximately 80% with the improved SMART COOL⇔WARM MODE, the REON POCKET TAG’s sensing technology maximises the performance of the REON POCKET 5 to provide optimal cooling more powerfully, more quickly and for longer Two air vent covers to match your style
Thanko Neck cooler Air	enhance cooling power with both cooling plates and fan strong/mild/alternate modes ligthweight only 250g ergonomic design fitting kids and adults 2 batteries included (1 with fan)

Air cooler is an energy-efficient option that provides a certain level of cooling during the summer. When purchasing an air cooler, customers should carefully consider their personal needs to choose the most suitable model. Additionally, users should always be mindful of safety when using air cooler. With this guide, you should now have a better understanding of how to choose and use an air cooler, making it easier and more comfortable to stay cool during the summer.