The 9 Best Evaporative Coolers of 2023

Best Overall

Hessaire MC61V Portable Evaporative Cooler

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The Hessaire MC61V Portable Evaporative Cooler offers plenty of air movement, more evaporation surface, and a portable design. In combination, these features make this a great option as an evaporative cooler for most spaces, including porches, patios, garages, and some ventilated indoor living areas.

One of the key features to consider in an evaporative cooler is its CFM. This model is rated to move air at a peak rate of 5,300 CFM. With that in mind, it can cool spaces up to 1,600 square feet, especially if you take advantage of the swinging louvers to move air in more directions. At the same time, it’s very efficient and only uses a few cents of electricity for each hour of use. Compared to a portable air conditioner, you’ll find the Hessaire MC61V to be a more economical option for cooling off your workshop or warehouse. With a retail price of around $650, the mid-range price point adds to the value of this reliable and long-lasting model. 

Part of this model’s success is due to the fact that it includes three media panels. While some swamp coolers may only include one or two media panels, the Hessaire MC61V houses a trio of high-density XeL50 media, which increase the evaporation surface compared to conventional media. More panels and evaporation surface means that there is more wet surface area to cool the air passing through the evaporative cooler and it also lowers static pressure inside the unit, which improves efficiency. The 14.6-gallon water tank is large enough to keep the unit running for up to 4 hours, but it also includes a continuous fill feature if you’re using this evaporative cooler outside with access to a garden hose. 

The biggest downside to this model is the lack of a GFCI plug. That’s an important safety consideration to keep in mind if you’re using the unit outdoors where it may be exposed to water or precipitation. At the same time, it’s not designed for use in fully enclosed areas, so if you do use it inside, you’ll want to prop open a door or window to ensure you have enough ventilation to prevent a buildup of humidity. 

_{Dimensions: 46 x 17 x 28 inches | Air Volume: 5,300 CFM | Cooling Area: 1,600 square feet} 

Price at time of publish: $593

Best Budget

Hessaire MC18V Portable Evaporative Cooler

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If you are looking for the efficient operation of an evaporative cooler at a budget price, the Hessaire MC18V Portable Evaporative Cooler is a great value. For about $200, this model distributes a cooling breeze in spaces up to 500 square feet and uses three high-density media panels. It’s easy to assemble and use since it has few parts and simple dial controls. A two-speed fan only gives you high and low settings to pick from, but most people find it to be powerful enough, if not a little noisy. 

This budget evaporative cooler is portable and easy to move around, thanks to the folding handle on top of the unit and the four rolling wheels at the base of the housing. In real-world use, you can set it up in different areas throughout the day or evening without too much hassle. It has a 4.8-gallon water tank that will allow it to run for at least 3 to 4 hours, but it can also be connected to a hose and it has a float valve to ensure that it won’t overflow when set up for the continuous fill option. 

That being said, complaints about the water tank are the most common issue with this model. The opening to manually add water to the tank (rather than using a hose) is small and makes it awkward to fill without spilling water. It’s also harder to add ice in bulk, which is something that many people do to enhance the cooling effect of an evaporative cooler. Most people are happy to work around those shortcomings, though, because of this model’s reputation for reliable, efficient cooling power. 

_{Dimensions: 28 x 10 x 20 inches | Air Volume: 1,300 CFM | Cooling Area: 500 square feet} 

Price at time of publish: $185

Best Splurge

Big Ass Fans Cool Space 300 Swamp Cooler

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Big Ass Fans is known for producing high-power fans for commercial spaces and the brand brings its reputation for reliability and efficiency to its evaporative coolers. The Cool Space 300 Swamp Cooler from Big Ass Fans is a highly-rated model with a hefty price tag but impressive performance. 

The 300 model is rated for space up to 1,200 square feet, although the largest model in the series can cool up to 6,500 square feet. It’s equipped with a 1/2-horsepower motor and an 18-inch fan that moves air at speeds up to 2,800 CFM. In contrast to other evaporative coolers on our list, this model has a variable speed control knob for the fan, rather than pre-set fan speeds of low, medium, and high. The product specifications indicate that there are 11 fan speeds in total, providing a wider range of settings to choose from.

A 16-gallon water tank provides saturation for the cooling pads inside the unit’s housing. The evaporative media is GreenGuard certified and treated to reduce the growth of mold and algae, important factors to consider whether you’re using this evaporative cooler in a shop, warehouse, or residential setting. 

It’s a challenge to find shortcomings of the Big Ass Fans Cool Space Swamp Cooler, which receives such high marks for performance and reliability. Perhaps the biggest downside is the fact that despite such a large water tank, this model only runs for about 4 hours before needing a refill, depending on climate conditions. But if you have a hose connection available, a continuous fill option can keep the tank full, eliminating the majority of worry over this limitation.

_{Dimensions: 47.5 x 24 x 25.5 inches | Air Volume: 2,800 CFM | Cooling Area: 1,200 square feet}

Price at time of publish: $1,899

Best Indoor

Honeywell CL25AE Portable Evaporative Cooler

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Indoor evaporative coolers have a less utilitarian design than portable models or those designed for use in garages, warehouses, or workshops. Instead, this type of evaporative cooler looks similar to a portable air conditioner but it doesn’t require a hose for venting. In hot, dry climates, the Honeywell CL25AE is able to effectively cool spaces up to 300 square feet in size. It has a 6.6-gallon water tank (with space to add ice), which translates into less frequent refilling when compared with other indoor evaporative coolers outfitted with a 2- or 3-gallon water tank.

User-friendly features really make this model stand out for indoor use. Compared to more basic models that only have high and low fan speeds, this model includes a three-speed fan with an option for sleep mode (which gradually reduces fan speed as you drift off to sleep). Swinging louvers help to better distribute the cool, moist air throughout the room where you set up this unit. This model also includes a fan-only function, along with a timer option that can be set for up to 7.5 hours before automatically shutting off. A remote control gives you control over all these features from the comfort of your couch or chair. 

Of course, there are some drawbacks to be aware of. Many people find that the Honeywell CL25AE is noisier than expected, especially when using the fan speed on high. It’s not surprising for a unit that can move air at speeds up to 780 CFM, but it’s something to keep in mind if you plan to use this unit while reading, watching TV, or holding a conversation since it can be a distraction. In addition, some reports of water pump failure or a defective needle for the water tank level window mean you should inspect the unit thoroughly when it arrives and you may want to keep a close eye on it during operation. 

_{Dimensions: 33.3 x 18.9 x 14.6 inches | Air Volume: 780 CFM | Cooling Area: 300 square feet} 

Price at time of publish: $330

Best Portable

Honeywell CO48PM Outdoor-Rated Portable Evaporative Cooler

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A portable evaporative cooler gives you a boost of cool air wherever you need it most, without the need to install a more permanent cooling solution. The Honeywell CO48PM Outdoor-Rated Portable Evaporative Cooler includes the most important features for this type of air cooler, like a GFCI plug for safety, an easy-to-fill water tank plus a continuous fill option, and air speeds up to 1,700 CFM.

At first glance, the design and appearance of this model is rather bulky and utilitarian but it only weighs about 30 pounds, so it’s not especially heavy to move in combination with the four caster wheels mounted at the base. It has a 6-foot power cord with a GFCI-protected plug, an important safety feature if you use the continuous fill feature of this evaporative cooler. If you’d rather fill up the water tank yourself, it’s easy to do thanks to the wide opening that gives you access to the 10.6-gallon water tank. If the water tank is close to being depleted, an audible low-water alarm will give you a heads-up that it’s time to refill the tank. 

When used indoors, expect the Honeywell CO48PM Evaporative Cooler to cool areas up to 610 square feet. Remember that you’ll need to position the unit near an open door or window and the room should have good cross-ventilation to avoid high humidity levels. If you use this model outdoors, it has an air throw of up to 9.4 yards. Indoors or outdoors, swinging louvers help to widen the airflow path while three fan speeds give you the choice of low, medium, or high operation. Despite being so well-equipped and user-friendly, there is no remote control for this portable evaporative cooler. Instead, all functions are controlled using the simple dials on the top of the unit. 

_{Dimensions: 34.8 x 24.4 x 14.8 inches | Air Volume: 1,700 CFM | Cooling Area: 610 square feet} 

Price at time of publish: $349

Best Window

Champion Cooler RWC35 2-Speed Window Evaporative Cooler

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A window evaporative cooler offers the benefit of a securely installed unit and is an alternative to a roof-mounted model. If that’s what you’re looking for, we recommend the Champion Cooler RWC35. Although it’s not the slimmest or most compact window evaporative cooler, this pick offers vertical or horizontal mounting options to fit the configuration of your window. Out of the box, it includes a 1/3 horsepower motor so there’s no need to purchase the motor separately.  

The Champion Cooler RWC35 offers circulation speeds up to 3,300 CFM, with a high and low fan speed option. It’s most effective at generating a cool breeze in spaces between 500 and 900 square feet. While it looks similar in form to a window air conditioner, keep in mind the limitations of an evaporative cooler. It’s designed to be used in dry, arid conditions. It also doesn't have a built-in thermostat, so you’ll have to manually adjust the unit’s settings to keep your space comfortable. However, an included remote control means that you can turn this evaporative cooler on or off from across the room or adjust the fan speed with the push of a button. 

_{Dimensions:  30.5 x 31.5 x 33.75 inches | Air Volume: 3,300 CFM | Cooling Area: 900 square feet}

Price at time of publish: $764

Best Rooftop

Bonaire 6070019 Roof Top Evaporative Cooler

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A rooftop evaporative cooler is often used to provide cooling for the entire house. If you’re looking for a model with a record of reliability and efficiency, we recommend the Bonaire Durango Roof Top Evaporative Cooler. It cools up to 2,000 square feet and can be installed for side or down discharge, although you may need to adjust an existing roof jack to fit the legs of this unit. Despite being exposed to the elements, you won’t have to worry about rust since the housing of this outdoor-mounted evaporative cooler is made of a sturdy but lightweight composite material—a big plus in comparison to evaporative coolers with a steel enclosure. Just don't forget that a permanently installed evaporative cooler will need winterization if you live in a climate with below-freezing temperatures.

As you compare rooftop evaporative coolers, you’ll see that some models don’t include a motor. That’s not the case with this Bonaire model. It ships to you with a 1/3 horsepower motor with two speeds for low and high fan speeds. On low, this evaporative cooler circulates air at a rate of 2,825 CFM and it peaks at 5,300 CFM on high. 

On the subject of the fan, it should be noted that Bonaire uses an axial fan rather than the more typical belt-driven squirrel cage blower, also known as a centrifugal fan. Depending on the type of ductwork you have, the Bonaire Durango Roof Top Evaporative Cooler will produce a different or louder noise than an evaporative cooler with a centrifugal fan. There are mixed opinions on which one is better, but it’s worth noting that many people do find Bonaire’s axial fan to be less noticeable and it’s rated to operate at 64 decibels. Most importantly, the majority of users in high-heat, low-humidity conditions find that this model is more than capable of maintaining cool temperatures on hot summer days. 

_{Dimensions: 31.5 x 37 x 37 inches | Air Volume: 5,300 CFM | Cooling Area: 2,000 square feet} 

Price at time of publish: $828

Best for Bedroom

NewAir 3-speed Portable Evaporative Cooler and Fan

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For an evaporative cooler in your bedroom, this model from NewAir is a great option. It functions as an evaporative cooler or a fan and has a design aesthetic similar to a tower fan, with the addition of four caster wheels for better mobility. Swinging louvers provide more distribution of the cool air, which can help to keep the room more comfortable for sleeping. It’s the right size for rooms up to 250 square feet and at about $150, it costs less than most window or portable air conditioners. So if you deal with dry, hot heat, this model is an economical option for a bedroom evaporative cooler.

The NewAir 3-speed Portable Evaporative Cooler has three fan speeds and moves air at up to 470 CFM. To provide a cool breeze, there is a removable water tank that you can fill up at the closest sink. NewAir includes two ice packs that you can add to the water tank for a greater chill. The biggest shortcoming of this evaporative cooler is the limited size of the tank. At 1.45 gallons, the tank is smaller than other models on the list. In especially dry conditions, the tank will need to be filled more frequently. It also can be somewhat noisy on the highest fan speed setting, but that’s to be expected if you want substantial air movement.

_{Dimensions: 35 x 16.1 x 11.1 inches | Air Volume: 470 CFM | Cooling Area: 250 square feet} 

Price at time of publish: $157