During the warm months of the air, staying indoors can be uncomfortable and borderline unbearable without an efficient cooling system. To cool the air in your room, there are various possible options you can try.
The most basic way to cool off on a hot day is to use a regular fan but this is hardly effective in many cases. Installing a heavy-duty air conditioner is another efficient alternative.
However, you have to consider the cost of installation and maintenance among other factors. A portable air cooler is a small, cheap, yet very efficient way to deliver controlled and concentrated cooling especially in small spaces like your home office, small room, or reading desk.
This is a comprehensive air cooler Malaysia review to assist you through the process of finding the best portable air cooler for you. We have reviewed 6 of the best portable air cooler for your small room and personal spaces.
Differences between Air Cooler & Portable Air Cooler
Size
The main difference between a regular air cooler and a portable air cooler is in their sizes. As the name implies portable air coolers are much smaller. Large air coolers will predictably have a higher water tank capacity.
Mechanism of Operation
The principle of operation of both devices is also slightly different. While they both cool the air, an air cooler or air conditioner uses a compressor ( or cooling agent) that extracts heat from the air and pumps cool air into the room. A portable AC on the other hand uses only cold water to cool the air and operates based on the principle of evaporation.
Features
As you may have guessed, heavy duty air coolers will have much more features and functions than their portable counterparts. Bigger air coolers in Malaysia might have a touch screen panel, while most portable ones only have piano key switches. However, some portable ACs might still be considered multifunctional, as they’re able to double as air purifiers or humidifiers.
Temperature Regulation
With an air conditioner, you can set your desired temperature for the room. You can only adjust the fan speed of the ventilation settings of your portable air cooler and nothing more.
Benefits of Portable Air cooler
Concentrated Cooling
Portable air coolers circulate cool air efficiently especially in smaller spaces. A good quality air cooler will be able to reduce the temperature in your small home office, bedroom, sitting room, or even around your reading desk.
If you spend a lot of time in just one part of your home, you can use a portable AC right there where you are to deliver a much more controlled chill in your immediate environment.
Energy-efficient
One major advantage of portable air coolers over regular air conditioners is that they are more energy-efficient and offer great value. Often with relatively low power consumption levels, small air coolers give you cold air without costing you too much. This helps you to save costs by reducing energy bills and is also great for the environment.
You Can Take it Anywhere!
The main idea of having a compact air cooler is portability. Portable ACs can be carried with you and used in any room of your home. This way you don’t have to acclimatize to a new temperature each time you move to a new room in your home. If you’re in a small space, a portable air cooler guarantees continuous airflow. It may even be suitable for outdoor use.
Maintenance
Portable air coolers are generally easier and cheaper to maintain. There are fewer moving parts that can get damaged and faults are generally easier and cheaper to fix.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Portable Air Cooler
Functionality
You want an air cooler that can perform its intended functions as effectively as possible. Most modern portable air coolers don’t only cool the air. Some double as an air humidifier and may also have help in purifying the air. You should confirm how well your unit will be able to perform these functions. Factors that may affect the functionality of your portable version include
- Battery capacity
- Tank size
- Air filters
- Ice plates
Budget
Portable coolers are not too expensive to buy and maintain. However, the cost may vary from one unit to the other and how much you are willing to spend may determine the functionality of your air cooler. Most of the time, portable coolers can offer excellent value for money.
Energy Efficient
Although portable air coolers are generally considered to be more energy-efficient than regular-sized air conditioners because they simply pull in and cool warm air, their energy efficiency may vary from one unit to the other. For units with a rechargeable battery, be sure to check how long it will run on a single charge and how fast the air cooler recharges. All you’d need is a simple USB cable to bring it back to life.
Size
To get the best performance from your portable AC, you should ensure that it is perfectly sized for your space. Although most air coolers are portable and designed to be desk-sized, a unit that is too small may not perform its intended function effectively.
Noise Level
The noise level of your air cooler depends on the model fan speed setting and the overall quality of the appliance. Generally, portable air coolers may emit noise between 30 and 82 decibels. If you are easily distracted or woken up by noise, then going for an ultra-quiet unit is recommended.
Best Portable Air Cooler Reviews
1. SmartDevil Portable Air Cooler
The SmartDevil Portable Air Cooler is a compact air cooler with a 2-in-1 function. It can be used as an air cooler fan when ice is added to the tank or as an ordinary desk fan. This fan uses an ice tray and a triple refrigeration system to cool the air efficiently.
You will love how easy it is to adjust air circulation with this fan. It offers a wide-angle air supply that can be adjusted by as much as 90 degrees for efficient circulation. Fan speed can also be varied using a simple step-less process.
This unit is lightweight and also comes with a handle which makes it quite easy to carry and use anywhere in your home. Charging this air cooler is quite easy. It has a USB interface that can be connected to a power adapter, PC, or even a car charger
Pros
- Portable and lightweight
- Wide-angle air circulation
- Energy-saving and low power consumption
- Night light feature
Cons
- The fan does not blow very strong but the air cooler works efficiently
2. USB Portable Mini Air Cooler
More than just cooling the air, this USB Portable Mini Air Cooler also helps to improve the air quality in your home. It produces anions which offer a lot of health benefits. This air cooler also has a humidifier feature. It has a built-in water tank which can help add moisture to the air to further improve air quality.
If you want a unit that does more than cooling the air but also improves the living condition of your environment, you should consider getting this air cooler. This mini fan also has an LED light that decorates your room and can be used as sleeping lights as well.
Pros
- Easy to carry
- USB charge function
- Can be used as a humidifier
- LED light function
Cons
- Warranty only covers six months
3. Arctic Air Ultra USB Mini Portable USB Air Cooler
The Arctic Air Ultra USB Mini Air Cooler is lightweight but very well built. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor cooling. This air cooler has a simple design and is quite cost-effective to maintain. It has a large water tank which allows the unit to double as an air humidifier by spraying mist into the air. To charge it, you use a USB cable.
It also features a newly upgraded filter paper which helps to purify the air. You can easily vary the speed on this fan between three-speed selections. Without adding water, this fan can be used as a simple cooling fan.
In addition to being very functional, this is an attractive air cooler. The colour of this unit changes between 7 different colours. It also operates silently so it doesn’t distract you or disturb your sleep.
Pros
- Humidifies the air with mist spraying technology
- Lightweight
- Non-leak design
- Three selection fan speeds button
Cons
- No power adapter included
4. Yangzi Air Cooler 6L LFS818
The Yangzi Cooler 6L LFS818 is designed to cool the air faster using just natural wind. It has a 3-speed fan which makes it possible to vary the wind speed based on your preferences. This is a multifunctional fan. It has an ionizer which helps to purify the air and improve the air quality.
The fan has a wide-angle oscillation design with an adjustable wind direction which ensures efficient wind distribution. The fan also doubles as an air humidifier. It features a reusable ice pack that aids in cooling the air.
This unit is quite portable which makes it easy to move around and use in any room of the house. It also features casters for extra mobility.
Pros
- Doubles as a humidifier and air purifier
- 2 reusable ice packs
- 3-speed fan
- Wide Angle Oscillation
Cons
- Product is a bit pricey
5. USB Mini Portable Fan Air Cooler
The USB Mini Portable Fan Air Cooler is a light-weight air cooler with humidification functionality. it has a 5-liter water tank which is dissipated into the air to humidify your room. This portable fan cooler can be used both indoors and outdoors. It is well built and quite easy to maintain.
The water tank is solid and will not leak water even on a slant surface You can vary the fan speed between 3-speed levels and the fan operates silently at all speed levels. This air cooler includes removable filter paper, making it very easy to clean and maintain.
Pros
- Powered by a USB port
- Versatile unit built for both indoor and outdoor cooling
- Large, leak-resistant tank
- Very low noise
Cons
- The cooling effect is not too strong
6. KAGEMA Aircond Portable Air Cooler
The KAGEMA Aircond Portable Air Cooler is a portable and easy-to-use air cooler. This unit has a plastic fan blade that operates at 3-speed levels. You can switch between the speed options using the piano key switches on the cooler. The filter element is replaceable, making it long-lasting.
It is equipped with a HEPA filter which helps to improve air quality. The water tank is equally of large capacity which guarantees continuous use. In addition to being quite functional, this air cooler is also aesthetically attractive. It has a sturdy build with a retro design. It also features an ergonomic handle which makes the cooler convenient to carry.
Pros
- High capacity battery
- HEPA filter
- Timer settings
Cons
- Relatively pricey.
Conclusion
Using an air cooler is an energy-efficient and environmental-friendly way to cool the air in your room. You also don’t have to spend as much on electricity as you would with a regular air conditioner. The best portable air cooler will also cool the air faster and more effectively than an ordinary fan.
The products on this list are some of the best quality personal air coolers you can consider purchasing. Our top pick from this air cooler Malaysia review is the KAGEMA Aircond Portable Air Cooler. However, if you are on a tight budget, you can consider buying the USB Portable Mini Air Cooler as a viable and equally functional alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do portable air coolers really work?
Yes. Portable air coolers are efficient for cooling the air. In fact, using a portable air cooler is considered to be more cost-effective for cooling the air in a place compared to using a full-room air conditioner. They are also more powerful than regular fans and are considered quite eco-friendly since they only use water or ice to cool the air.
2. Can an air cooler cool a room?
Air coolers are generally considered to be quite effective for cooling a room. However, how well a portable air cooler will work for you depends on various factors. This size of the room is a major consideration. Climate is another factor that can impact how well this type of unit works. In a high temperature and low humidity area, an air cooler can reduce room temperature to as low as 20 to 40 degrees. However, they may not be so effective in high humidity regions.
