Yes, Swamp Coolers Really Work — But Only When You Follow These Guidelines

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If you live in an area with low humidity, traditional ceiling or window fans might not be effective enough in cooling down your space. Evaporative coolers, also called swamp coolers, produce a cool breeze by filtering dry outside air through pads soaked in cold water. While they can’t lower the temperature nearly as dramatically as AC units can, when used properly, evaporative coolers can make your garage or patio much more comfortable during the hottest months of the year.

Designed specifically for dry climates, swamp coolers can be a game-changer for folks living in more arid environments like the deserts and mountains of the western U.S. You can also use them outside in more humid climates, but they will cause moisture damage if you bring them inside. We rounded up the best evaporative coolers to help you cool off, along with advice on how to make sure an evaporative cooler is right for you.

The Best Evaporative Coolers

When Should You Use an Evaporative Cooler?

There’s a lot of information (and misinformation) out there about evaporative coolers and whether or not they work.

In short, your indoor space is a good candidate for an evaporative cooler if you live in a climate with humidity levels around or below 30 percent. Your outdoor space is a good candidate for an evaporative cooler if you live in a climate with humidity levels around or below 60 percent. If an air conditioner doesn’t make sense for your space, an evaporative cooler might be a good fit.

If you live anywhere with more than 60 percent humidity on average, a swamp cooler is likely not going to make your home more comfortable—in fact, it’s going to make your space more humid and, if you use it in enclosed spaces, lead to moisture damage. For indoor use, evaporative coolers are ideal for the western and southernmost states of the U.S. If you’re in the Midwest or anywhere east of Kansas, you should cool your indoor space with an air conditioner instead.

That said, if you plan on only using your evaporative cooler outside and your environment is mildly humid, you can get a refreshing cool breeze from one of the portable units we recommend. Unlike window air conditioners, which work to fill up an enclosed space with cooler air, evaporative coolers simply push cool air outward, so you can use them outside and in spaces like screened-in patios, breezy kitchens, or garages with open doors.

Coverage Area

The size of the room or space you’re looking to cool is the most important consideration before making an evaporative cooler purchase. We recommend measuring your space and lining it up with the advertised coverage area on the product description. Simply purchasing the most powerful model isn’t always the best solution—especially when it comes to your budget. If you plan on using the cooler outside, you can use a general square footage of space you’d like to feel the cold air in, like the area of your deck.

Size

Some swamp cooler systems mount on the roof and cool the entire home, but our recommendations focus on more affordable, portable evaporative cooler options that are meant for garages or screened sunrooms. Therefore, you’ll need a place to store the cooler in the off-season. Small and medium-sized models can be tucked away in a closet, while large models for workshops or barns need a dedicated space year-round.

Water Connection

Evaporative coolers use a manually or continuously filled water tank to soak the cooling pad. Manual tanks need to be refilled and are typically more portable, whereas continuous tanks require less upkeep.

If you’re planning to put the swamp cooler on a patio, deck, in your garage, or any other outdoor location near a water spigot, we wholeheartedly recommend buying a continuously filled swamp cooler. If you plan to move the cooler around your house, go with the manual fill.

How We Selected

In addition to speaking with Popular Mechanics staffers who currently own evaporative coolers (and love them), we did extensive research into popular brands and styles, taking note of customers’ favorite and most troublesome features to find the best models out there. Since evaporative coolers come in a wide range of sizes, our selection runs the gamut, so you can find the right fit whether you need a compact unit for a bedroom or an extra-large model for your garage or patio.

Portable Evaporative Cooler

At just 16 pounds, this model is a great choice for those who want to move their cooler around their home. Despite its weight, it’s powerful enough to effectively cool up to 500 square feet of space—perfect for a studio apartment, a single room in your home, your garage, or workspace, and even a patio or balcony.

It’s also simple to operate, with a straightforward control dial on the front of the unit that cycles through its five settings, which include two cooling modes and two fan-only modes. The heavy-duty handle and swivel wheels make moving it around a breeze, too, so you can actually use it in all those too-hot spaces.

42-in. Evaporative Air Cooler

The compact 13.4-inch footprint of this tower fan-like model makes it an ideal choice for those who don’t have the storage space for a bulkier unit. It also comes with an impressive amount of features, including three speeds, 70-degree oscillation, and a 12-hour timer, making this one of the most customizable models on our list. All of these settings can be controlled with the included remote, and the gallon tank lasts up to 15 hours. The top-mounted handle also makes this cooler manageable for moving around.

3,100 CFM Evaporative Cooler

Those looking for a cooler with a bit more power may want to consider this Hessaire model, which can cool down up to 950 square feet of space. It also offers some convenient flexibility when it comes to filling up, allowing you to select a continuous fill option that, when connected to a water supply via hose, uses a float valve to keep it topped off. If you want to run it manually, a full tank runs for 4 hours.

With the four rolling casters, it’s relatively easy to move around despite its heavier weight. The durable brass hose connector is also a nice perk, making this a great pick for semi-permanent installations.

MC61M Evaporative Cooler

Capable of blasting 5,300 cubic feet of air per minute, this powerful option is well-suited for both indoor and outdoor use. It features three fan speeds and oscillating louvers, which help disperse the air over a larger space. Its 46-inch-high segmented surface also doubles as an extra workspace and cupholder, which is always convenient.

This unit arrives nearly totally assembled. All you have to do is install the casters and you’re all set to starting filling it up. It does weigh 56 pounds, though, so it’s best for semi-permanent installations or minimal moving around.

Jetstream 260 Portable Evaporative Cooler

If you’re looking for maximum power and don’t have a problem paying for it, this Portacool evaporative cooler is a great choice. Our favorite feature of this cooler is its variable speed control, since this is one of the louder options we recommend—at its highest speed, this cooler can get as loud as 78 decibels.

We recommend this swamp cooler for barns, large garages, and any spacious indoor/outdoor spaces that need extra air flow, especially those where sound isn’t as much of an issue. The warranty is another nice perk, with the electrical components covered for three years and the housing for life.

500 CFM Indoor Outdoor Portable Evaporative Cooler

This Honeywell evaporative cooler might not cover the most space, but what it lacks in power it makes up for in functionality and convenience. A handy remote control lets you adjust the fan speed, humidity level, and timer settings, and there’s an audible low-water indicator that lets you know when it’s time to refill. The top-loading ice compartment is also simple to use, with a large lid on the top of the unit for adding in an extra frosty breeze on super hot days.

Freestanding Portable Evaporative Cooler

This Sharper Image model features a misting setting, making it a great choice for cooling down patios and decks on hot summer days. Unlike most coolers that have a commercial look, this one looks like an extra large pedestal fan, which looks a bit less industrial. The water tank is smaller than most models, but it’s simple to refill quickly and pop back into place. A nice oversized control panel and LED readout makes it easy to select the setting you want, as well as keep an eye on the timer function.

3-in-1 Evaporative Air Cooler

The nine-pound weight and 24-inch height of this cooler make it ideal for those looking for an option that doesn’t require much effort to store or reposition. It also features a convenient remote that—among standard functions—adjusts the direction of the louvres, allowing you to change the direction of air flow from across the room.

The evaporative cooler is effective at cooling spaces up to 170 square feet and has gliding casters on the bottom, so it’s perfect for moving around your space. This is a great option for sleeping, with a 7.5-hour timer to save some energy after you fall asleep. The main drawback is that it has a small tank that holds less than a gallon of water.

Cyclone 120 Portable Evaporative Cooler

The rugged construction of this heavy-duty cooler makes it great for spaces where less durable options would get damaged, like a busy garage or workshop. Straightforward control dials on the side of the unit also make it simple to operate, and the oscillating louvers allow you to control precisely where the air is directed.

This unit is fairly expensive compared to the other coolers on our list, but its durability—along with its powerful 500-square-foot coverage—could be worth it to the right customer. You can also configure it for continuous refilling, which is ideal for a workshop.

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