7 of the best evaporative coolers in Australia

Portable evaporative coolers are a great investment in the lead up to summer. These coolers make for a comfortable living and/or working environment even on the warmest days.

What is an evaporative cooler?

Evaporative coolers lower the air temperature by turning and evaporating water and heat in the air into a cool refreshing breeze. Each machine contains a fan that draws the warm outside air into the appliance and then passes it over water-soaked pads inside the unit to cool the air.

Why buy an evaporative cooler?

Although many Aussies rely on air conditioning, this can get quite expensive. But an evaporative cooler is a great energy efficient alternative and usually is much cheaper to buy, install and run. Easily manoeuvrable, these devices are the perfect option for people looking to cool different spaces and rooms at different times.

Is an evaporative cooler suited to your home?

Evaporative coolers are most effective in hot, dry climates with low humidity as the air has greater potential to absorb water vapour. So they are suited to most Aussie homes, but they're not recommended for humid or wet climates.

To help you choose a suitable evaporative cooler for your space, we spoke to some experts to tell us exactly what to look out for.

Peter Harris, General Manager at Bing Lee said to look out for:

• Power consumption: Ensuring the power consumption is low, will make for energy efficient living and help with keep costs down and the air cool, investing in a device with a timer will also help monitor energy consumption.
• Detachable water tank: A detachable water tank makes for ease of filling and changing over water, ensuring the cool air being produce is always fresh.
• Oscillating louver: Ensuring your device has an oscillating louver will assist in generating even airflow throughout the space.

While Bunnings National Electrical Buyer, John Campbell, said to consider:

• Cooling room size: Consider the size of the space you’re looking to cool and make sure the cooler you purchase suits this. Generally, a standard size cooler can cover between 25 to 35 square metres.
• Water capacity: The larger the capacity of your cooler the less you’ll need to regularly refill it.
• Sound: Make sure the cooler you choose creates minimal noise when in use.
• Ice: Check whether the cooler has the option to add ice as this will help lower the temperature of your space.

1. Honeywell cs10xe indoor evaporative cooler, $349, Bing Lee