HVAC For Beginners

Evaporative Cooler Ratings

With our evaporative cooler ratings, you can compare units side by side using our Head To Head tool.

You can compare the 15 different models from 11 brands in 7 categories such as warranty, type of motor, media type, & where they are made.

You can also read the individual reviews of each brand below.

Our simple rating system gives each brand a color code and a star rating. If the card is green, then, that is one of the top picks from HvacRepairGuy. If the card is yellow, then, that would be a budget pick from HvacRepairGuy. If the card is red, then, the brand is not recommended by HvacRepairGuy. With our evaporative cooler reviews you can cut through the sales hype and find value. It truly is like you were taking a repairman shopping with you!

HvacRepairGuy's 2024 Top Pick

AEROCOOL

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This brand is manufactured by Phoenix Manufacturing Inc and is sold through their authorized dealer network but their warranty is not as good as some of the other brands. The Aerocool series units offer a 4x4 high efficiency media for added cooling capacity and their PRO-ARMOR plastic coated inner structure and a powder coated exterior for durability. The Pro Series includes all of those features as well as their Pro Clean system which drains and washes the unit each day and a programmable thermostat for automatic comfort and energy savings. The Pro V Series features a variable speed blower motor for quieter and more efficient operation. The units are available with either side or down air discharge to match the requirements of your particular installation. All of the units feature their mirrorscopic polished blower shaft which is highly polished to minimize friction which makes it quieter and more efficient.

BONAIRE DURANGO

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

This brand is from Climate Technologies which is a subsidiary of Symphony Limited and can be purchased at The Home Depot. The coolers feature a polymer cabinet that resist corrosion and looks good for many years. They use a two speed axial fan which is quieter and more efficient than brands that use belt drive blowers. The cooler can be easily converted between down discharge and side discharge for flexibility in installation. The units are backed by a pretty good guarantee.

BREEZAIR

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

These units are made in Australia by Seeley International and are available worldwide through their accredited contractor network. The units feature a durable polymer cabinet which will look good for many years as well as their small cell high efficiency pads which allow for a more compact unit. The units feature a clean and drain function to prevent mold and scale buildup as well as digital controls. The Icon EXQ Series features variable speed direct drive blowers while the TBQI Series has variable speed axial fans that are aerodynamic and efficient. The brand is backed by a very good guarantee.

CHAMPION

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA by Essick Air Products Inc. and the units are sold at various hardware and home improvement stores such as Ace Hardware, Lowes, & The Home Depot. The Elite Series coolers are low profile units that are available in side discharge as well as down discharge models and feature a durable powder coated finish on the inside as well as the outside of the unit. They use high efficient aspen rigid media and a two speed motor but it is belt drive which is noisier and less efficient than other brands. The guarantee on the pads and electric components is pretty good but for the cabinet is not as good as other brands.

CONVAIR

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

These units are made in Australia by Seeley International and are available worldwide through their accredited contractor network. The units feature a durable polymer cabinet which will look good for many years as well as their small cell high efficiency pads which allow for a more compact unit. The units are for down flow installations and feature a clean and drain function to prevent mold and scale buildup as well as digital controls. The CTA Series models have variable speed axial fans that are aerodynamic and efficient and the brand is backed by a very good guarantee.

DAYTON

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in Mexico and the units can be purchased online through Grainger. The units use belt drive blowers which are noisier and less efficient than other brands. The units are available in side discharge models as well as down discharge and the 4RNP models feature standard 2 inch pads while the 4RNR models feature high efficiency cooling pads. The guarantee on the units is not as good as other brands.

ESSICK AIR

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA by Essick Air Products Inc. and the units are sold at various hardware and home improvement stores such as Ace Hardware, Lowes, & The Home Depot. The coolers are available in side discharge as well as down discharge models and feature a durable powder coated finish on the inside as well as the outside of the unit. They use high efficient aspen rigid media and a two speed motor but it is belt drive which is noisier and less efficient than other brands. The guarantee on the units is not as good as other brands.

FRIGIKING

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is manufactured by Phoenix Manufacturing Inc and is sold through Ace Hardware stores as well as The Home Depot and Walmart but their warranty is not as good as some of the other brands. The units offer a 4x4 high efficiency media for added cooling capacity and their Pro Clean system which drains and washes the unit each day. They also feature PRO-ARMOR plastic coated inner structure and a powder coated exterior for durability. The units are available with either side or down air discharge to match the requirements of your particular installation. All of the units feature their mirrorscopic polished blower shaft which is highly polished to minimize friction but they use belt drive motors which are noisier and less efficient than other brands. The blower motors are sold separately which is not very convenient and does not make any sense.

HESSAIRE

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is available through The Home Depot stores but their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands. The DDAX models are easily converted between side discharge and down discharge and they feature a plastic cabinet that resists corrosion. The coolers use a two speed direct drive axial fan which is quieter and more efficient than belt drive motors and they have high density media for improved cooling capacity.

MASTERCOOL

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA by Essick Air Products Inc. and the units are sold at various hardware and home improvement stores such as Ace Hardware, Lowes, & The Home Depot. The Contractor Series coolers are available in side discharge as well as down discharge models and feature a durable powder coated finish on the inside as well as the outside of the unit. They use high efficient aspen rigid media and a two speed motor but it is belt drive which is noisier and less efficient than other brands. The guarantee on the units is not as good as other brands.

SYMPHONY

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in Mexico and is sold through a very limited dealer network in the USA. The Aspen models feature a polyester-epoxy powder coating to keep the coolers looking good for years to come and they are available in either down or side discharge models. The units use basic belt drive motors which are noisier and less efficient than other brands and their warranty is not as good.

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