As the heatwave returns, Brits are snapping up a budget gadget on Amazon to beat the heat — and it's not air conditioning or a fan. The device in question is an air cooler, a portable appliance that some homeowners claim can make a room feel noticeably cooler without the cost and hassle of air conditioning.
Home specialists have been pointing to air coolers as a budget-friendly option for hot, sticky days. They are often sold as portable units that can be moved between rooms, and they are designed to make the airflow around you feel cooler than a standard fan.
Air conditioning vs fans vs air coolers
Air conditioning lowers the temperature by removing heat and moisture from the air inside your home, then venting the heat outside. The big benefit is that it can cool a room more effectively and help with humidity, too, which can make a huge difference during muggy weather. The downside is the cost — air con units can be expensive to buy and install, and running them through a warm spell can send electricity bills climbing.
Fans are straightforward: they move air around, creating a breeze that helps sweat evaporate and makes you feel cooler. They are usually cheaper than air conditioning and relatively inexpensive to run. But there's an important catch — fans don't actually reduce the room temperature. If the air in your home is already warm, a fan is basically pushing that warm air around, which is why some people find it only helps up to a point.
How air coolers work
An air cooler is often described as a step up from a fan, but not a replacement for proper air conditioning. The key difference is that an air cooler uses water to help chill the air that blows out of the unit. You fill an internal tank with cold water, and as warm air passes through the appliance, it's cooled before being circulated back into the room. The result is a breeze that can feel fresher and cooler than a standard fan, especially when it's aimed towards you.
Some models even come with extra features such as multiple fan speeds, timers, oscillation and remote controls — and a few also include a heating function, which can make them useful outside summer. However, experts also warn that there are limits. Air coolers tend to be less effective in humid weather and generally won't cool an entire room as effectively as a fixed air conditioning system. Think of them more as personal or local cooling, great for the sofa, desk or bedside — rather than whole-house temperature control.
Prices and reviews
Prices vary. A compact JML Chillmax portable air cooler is available from around £39.99 on Amazon, while larger units with multiple speeds can cost £53.99 and up. One Amazon buyer said: “This 4-in-1 portable air conditioner is fantastic! The turbo mode cools instantly, and it's super quiet.” Another added that it can be a simple solution for small spaces, designed more for personal cooling than whole-room cooling. Not everyone was fully convinced, though, with one reviewer warning the lowest setting “barely makes a difference” and the highest setting can be noisy at night, though they still felt it “does the job” during heatwaves. Argos is also selling an Air Pro 8L 4-in-1 Portable Air Cooler with Wheels and Remote Control for £79.99.
