Can't find a fan this heatwave? Air coolers are more refreshing, effective, and still in stock
Half way between air conditioning and cooling fans, air coolers could be the perfect solution to beating this heat
The recent heatwaves caught us all off guard, including the brands behind our favourite cooling appliances. When many of the best fans and portable air conditioners sold out, I started looking for an alternative that was still widely available. That's when I rediscovered air coolers: one of the most overlooked ways to stay comfortable when the weather heats up.
Sitting somewhere between a cooling fan and a portable air conditioner, air coolers combine the simplicity of a fan with evaporative cooling technology. Instead of simply circulating warm air around the room, they pass air through water to create a cooler, more refreshing breeze on your skin. They don't require venting like portable AC units, they're generally cheaper to run, and they offer a noticeable step up from a standard fan without the premium price tag.
I'd actually been using one without realising in the form of Shark's ChillPill and their FlexBreeze, and once I looked into the category, I found brilliant options for every room and budget. Better yet, while other cooling appliances have been disappearing from shelves, air coolers are still widely in stock. After testing and researching the leading models, these are the best air coolers to help your home feel cool.
The best air coolers to buy to get you through this heatwave
Air coolers, also known as swamp coolers, sit somewhere between cooling fans and air conditioning. They use water to create a cooler, more refreshing airflow than a standard fan, but without the cost, installation, or energy use of portable AC.
"Unlike fans, which simply circulate air around a room, and air conditioners, which remove heat from the home through a refrigeration cycle, air coolers cool the air through water evaporation," explains Joe Haycock, Vice President at Fresh Air Concepts. "As warm air passes through a wet cooling pad, the water evaporates and absorbs some of the heat, lowering the temperature of the air leaving the unit." In practice, that means you feel a cooler breeze on your skin rather than simply moving warm air around the room. Before we dive deeper into the details, here are some of our favourite models:
Best for bedrooms
A noisy air cooler can be just as disruptive as a hot bedroom, which is why this stands out. It's engineered to run exceptionally quietly while still delivering a steady stream of cool air, making it ideal for overnight use.
Best for the home office
Designed for personal cooling, this compact unit sits neatly on your desk, delivering a refreshing breeze exactly where you need it. Its four-hour cordless runtime makes it easy to position without trailing cables too.
Best for fast delivery
Argos offers both same-day collection and speedy home delivery in many areas, and this model is widely available. A generous 6.5L water tank means fewer refills, while three fan speeds, three cooling modes, and the included ice packs give you plenty of ways to dial up the chill.
Best cordless
The FlexBreeze is already one of our favourite Shark fans, but its optional misting attachment gives it air cooler-like performance on hot days. Because it's completely cordless, you can move it from your desk to the garden or take it camping without hunting for a plug socket.
Best for large homes
With the largest water tank in this guide, at 13 litres, the Sealey is built to run for hours without constant top-ups. Three fan speeds and adjustable airflow help push cool air around bigger living spaces, while the added humidifier and air purifier functions make it a versatile appliance you'll use beyond the hottest weeks of summer.
Best for small spaces
Honeywell's slim, space-saving design slots neatly into bedrooms, box rooms and apartments without dominating the room. Smooth-rolling wheels make it easy to move wherever you need it, and the oscillating airflow helps spread cool air further than its compact footprint suggests.
Best budget
At just £24, this is one of the most affordable ways to upgrade from a standard desk fan. Its 100ml water tank makes it best suited to close-up, personal cooling, whether you're working, reading or relaxing on the sofa. It also runs at a quiet 35dB, so it won't distract you while you work or sleep.
Best for maximum cooling
If your priority is getting the coldest possible airflow, this model delivers. It comes with two reusable ice packs that help lower the temperature of the breeze even further, while the generous 5L tank keeps the cooling going for longer.
Best for travelling
Small enough to slip into your handbag, the Shark ChillPill is made for hot commutes, festivals and days out. It combines a fan with a fine cooling mist and a cold plate that can be pressed against pulse points for instant relief when temperatures soar. It's easily the most portable way to stay cool wherever summer takes you.
FAQs
How does an air cooler work?
Alexander Marsh, CEO and Founder of Bearcat Heating & Cooling, offers a simple comparison: "If you've ever stood near the misting stations at the fair on a 95-degree day, you've experienced evaporative cooling. As the small water droplets evaporate, they absorb heat and make the surrounding air feel cooler. A swamp cooler creates that same effect inside your home." It's a helpful way to think about air coolers: they won't chill an entire room like an air conditioner, but they can make the space around you feel noticeably more comfortable.
How is an air cooler different from AC?
Haycock points out that "an air cooler doesn't vent heat or moisture outside. Instead, humidity gradually builds up indoors," which is why they're best used with a little ventilation, such as an open window. The upside is that they're incredibly easy to use. There's no installation, no exhaust hose to wrestle with, and they typically use much less electricity than portable air conditioners. If you're after a cooling upgrade that's more effective than a fan but less expensive and cumbersome than AC, an air cooler strikes a happy middle ground.
Is an air cooler worth it?
Whilst stocks of fans and air conditioning units are running low, air coolers are a brilliant alternative. I love the misting function on my ChillPill and use that over the fan when the weather is hot.
Air coolers might not have had the same attention as fans and portable air conditioners in previous summers, but this heatwave has proved why they're worth knowing about. They offer a noticeable upgrade from a standard fan, creating a cooler, more refreshing breeze without the cost, noise or installation demands of portable AC.
With many traditional cooling appliances still difficult to find, air coolers are a brilliant alternative that are not only available but really useful. Whether you're trying to stay comfortable at your desk, cool down your bedroom, or make the whole home feel more bearable, there's an air cooler to suit every type of summer heat.
