On hot summer days, your home can get very warm and uncomfortable. Air conditioners can cool your home, but they use a lot of energy and cost a lot to install. Evaporative coolers, also called swamp coolers, are a cost effective and more eco-friendly way to cool your home.
There are many brands of evaporative coolers to choose from. Picking the right one can be confusing. This guide explains evaporative coolers. It will help you understand the market and find the best evaporative cooler brands for your cooling needs.
What is the Best Swamp Cooler?
Picking one evaporative cooler brand isn’t easy. The perfect brand depends on things like your budget, cooling needs, space limits, and wanted features. But learning key things about evaporative coolers helps you make a good choice.
Things to Look for in Best Swamp Cooler Brands
Before diving into specific brands, let’s explore the crucial features to consider when buying the best evaporative cooler brands:
Helpful for you: Swamp Cooler Buying Guide
- Cooling Capacity: Cooling power is rated in cubic feet per minute (CFM). Higher CFM means it can cool larger rooms better. Check the rating to suit your room size.
- Efficiency: Buy Energy Star models. They use less water and electricity – saving you money.
- Portability: Portable units let you move them between rooms. But window-mounted ones provide stronger cooling.
- Noise Level: The fan and pump make noise. Check the decibel rating if you want quiet operation, like in bedrooms.
- Features: Some models have extras like multiple fan speeds, oscillation to spread air, moisture control, and remote control for easy use.
- Maintenance: Regular cleaning of the water reservoir and filter pads is crucial for optimal performance and lifespan. Choose a brand known for user-friendly maintenance procedures.
Also Read: Evaporative Cooler Maintenance Checklist
Top Brands of Swamp Coolers: Pros and Cons
You now know important things to think about. Let’s look at some of the best evaporative brands in the market. We’ll talk about the good and bad sides of each one:
Hessaire:
Hessaire makes portable and window coolers. They are well-known for being built to last and providing strong cooling power. However, some of their models can cost more than other brands.
- Pros: Top-quality build that lasts. Very high airflow ratings. Durable for many years.
- Cons: You may pay more compared to some competitor products.
Honeywell:
Honeywell is a famous brand that makes products to keep your home comfortable. They sell different types of evaporative coolers at reasonable prices. Honeywell’s coolers are easy to use and maintain.
- Pros: Some coolers are budget-friendly. Controls are simple to operate. Replacement parts are widely available.
- Cons: Certain models may not cool as well as high-end brands.
Lasko:
Lasko makes low-cost portable coolers. They are good for small rooms. They don’t have fancy extras. But they work well and don’t cost much money.
- Pros: Very cheap price. Small size. Perfect if you don’t have much cash.
- Cons: Not as powerful as pricier brands. Fewer bonus features and settings.
A.H. Beard:
A.H. Beard is an Australian company that makes evaporative coolers. Their coolers use new technology. They are good at using water efficiently. They also work quietly. However, you may not be able to find them in all areas.
- Pros: Their coolers save energy, have new features and are quiet.
- Cons: You may not find them everywhere, and they may cost more than some other brands.
Black+Decker:
Black+Decker is a well-known brand for home improvement tools. They offer some dependable and reasonably priced evaporative cooler options. Although their coolers may not have all the fancy features of more expensive brands, they can still provide good cooling for basic needs.
- Pros: Consistent performance, low cost, easy to find brand.
- Cons: Limited model choices, fewer extras compared to other brands.
Top Models of Swamp Coolers: Pros and Cons
Here’s a closer look at some of the top models from the best evaporative cooler brands:
Hessaire MC31M:
This strong window air cooler can make cool air fast. It can make 3,100 CFM of cool air. It is good for big rooms. The fan has three speeds. It can swing from side to side. It also has a pump to drain water easily.
- Pros: High cooling capacity, three-speed fan, automatic drain pump
- Cons: Larger size, may not be suitable for small windows.
Honeywell TC90PE:
This cool machine helps you stay chill. It blows cool air around a small space or just on you. You fill it with water, and it cools the air. You control how much it blows with three speeds. The built-in filter cleans the air. It’s not huge and heavy like AC window units.
- Pros: Tiny size, simple controls, clean air with filter.
- Cons: Not as strong as big AC window machines
Also Read: Common Swamp Cooler Problems
Lasko Wind Chill Tech AC1500:
A good portable cooling machine can help make hot days better. This affordable cooler is made for medium-sized rooms. It has a strong cooling power of 1,500 CFM. The fan has three speed settings. It moves from side to side to spread cool air everywhere. You can also put ice inside to make the air even colder.
- Pros: The price is low, so you don’t have to spend too much money. The cooling power is good for medium rooms. There is a place to put ice to make it cooler.
- Cons: It can be noisier than some other coolers. You may need to refill the water more often.
A.H. Beard Breezair iQ:
This window cooler uses special inverter technology. It is very good at saving energy and runs quietly. The cooler can cool a lot of air, up to 5,000 cubic feet per minute. It has helpful features like controlling humidity automatically. You can also control it with a remote.
- Pros: It saves energy and is quiet. It cools a lot of air and has smart features.
- Cons: It costs more than some models. You may need professional swamp cooler installation Los Angeles services.
Black+Decker BXAC500:
This small and easy-to-move cooler can make air flow at 350 CFM. This makes it good for cooling you or a small space. It has a fan with two speeds. The controls are simple to use. The filter can be washed. This makes it easy to keep clean.
- Pros: You can move it around easily. Starting and stopping it is easy. The filter is washable.
- Cons: It does not cool very much. It might not work well for big spaces.
Best Swamp Coolers for Different Needs
Now that we’ve explored some top brands and models, let’s delve deeper into specific types of evaporative coolers to help you choose the one that best suits your requirements:
- Best Personal and Compact Swamp Coolers: These coolers work well for personal cooling or small rooms (around 200 square feet). They are easy to move and not heavy. Look for coolers with airflow ratings between 300-500 CFM. Top choices include Honeywell TC90PE and Black+Decker BXAC500.
- Best Window Swamp Coolers: These powerful coolers go in windows. They bring in fresh air to cool rooms well. They work for medium to large rooms (up to 500 square feet). The airflow ratings are higher, between 1,500-5,000 CFM. Good models are Hessaire MC31M and A.H. Beard Breezair iQ for bigger spaces.
- Best Outdoor Swamp Coolers: Designed for patios, decks, or outdoor gatherings, these coolers are built to withstand outdoor elements. They often come with features like misting capabilities for additional cooling.
Conclusion
Choosing the right evaporative cooler brand is vital. You must think about what you need and want. Consider how much cooling power you require. Also, think about how energy-efficient the cooler is. If you will move it around, portability matters. Look at extra features too. And don’t forget your budget. Best evaporative cooler brands make high-quality products that work well and last. This guide gave you helpful information. Now you can look for the perfect evaporative cooler. It will keep you nice and cool all summer.
FAQs
Do evaporative coolers need to be vented out of a window?
Evaporative coolers do not need window vents like air conditioners. They make air cooler by adding water. But they work best with good airflow. Some venting is key to prevent damp rooms. Open windows, doors, or other airflow sources can handle this. The air stays cool and dry enough.
What to think about when shopping for an evaporative cooler?
When shopping for an evaporative cooler, consider the following factors:
- Room size: Pick a cooler that can cool the size of the room you want to cool. The cooler should be strong enough for the room.
- Portability: If you need to move the cooler to different rooms, get one with wheels. A lightweight cooler will be easier to move.
- Water tank capacity: A bigger water tank means you won’t have to refill it as often. This is helpful in hot, dry weather.
- Energy efficiency: Energy-efficient coolers save money. Look for ones with adjustable speeds and timers. These features help use less energy.
- Additional features: Some evaporative coolers come with additional features such as remote controls, air purification, and humidity control. Decide which features are important to you based on your needs and preferences.
How do I know if an evaporative cooler is right for me?
Evaporative coolers are great for hot, dry places. They make air cooler by adding water. But they do not work so well when there is already a lot of water in the air. Evaporative coolers also need fresh air to move through the room. So they may not be the best choice for small, closed-off spaces. Think about your climate, room size, air flow, and what you like before getting an evaporative cooler.