Posted by GoodCooling Team
When it gets hot, many people face the same question: is an evaporative air cooler enough, or does it have to be an air conditioner? The two types of appliance are often mentioned in the same breath, but work on completely different principles. This article shows what each technology can do, where its limits lie and which solution suits which space.
The basic difference: evaporation instead of a compressor
An evaporative air cooler (also called an air cooler or evaporative cooler) draws in warm air and passes it over a wet cooling pad. The water evaporates and in doing so draws heat from the air. There is no compressor and no refrigerant. A portable air conditioner, by contrast, works with a refrigerant circuit: it draws heat from the room air and releases it outside through an exhaust hose.
The most important differences follow from this. The air conditioner can cool to a fixed target temperature and dehumidify the air. The evaporative air cooler needs neither a compressor nor an exhaust hose, but its effect depends on the humidity.
The comparison at a glance
| Criterion | Evaporative air cooler | Portable air conditioner |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling principle | Evaporative cooling | Refrigerant circuit with compressor |
| Power consumption | According to the data sheet: GoodCooling Y5: 0.2 kW, Y20 and Y30: 1.1 kW each | Depends on the model, please check the manufacturer's specification |
| Exhaust hose | Not needed | Yes, to a window or wall |
| Humidity | Rises | Falls |
| Effect in muggy conditions | Significantly reduced | Remains effective |
| Typical places of use | Halls, workshops, hospitality, terraces, well-ventilated spaces | Small, enclosed rooms |
How much an appliance actually cools depends on the model, the room and the weather. How power consumption translates into euros is shown in our electricity cost comparison.
When an evaporative air cooler is the better choice
- Large, open or well-ventilated areas: In halls, workshops or storerooms, air conditioning is hardly economical because the cooled air constantly escapes. An evaporative air cooler provides air movement and noticeable relief there. More on this in our article on hall cooling.
- Outdoor areas: On terraces and in beer gardens an air conditioner would be ineffective, while an evaporative air cooler can lower the perceived temperature.
- Dry air: The drier the air, the stronger the evaporative cooling.
- No installation wanted: Fill with water, plug in, done.
When an air conditioner is the better choice
Honestly, there are situations in which an evaporative air cooler is not enough:
- Small, enclosed rooms in muggy heat, such as a bedroom under the roof. In high humidity hardly any water evaporates, and the added moisture can become unpleasant.
- A fixed target temperature is needed, for example in server rooms or for sensitive goods.
- Dehumidification is wanted.
An independent test by Swiss television (SRF Kassensturz, 2025) reached a sobering result for ten household evaporative air coolers: the cooling effect remained low, and the humidity in the test room rose significantly. We consider this an important point, and it shows why the place of use is so decisive. More on this in our article Evaporative air coolers and humidity.
A decision guide in four questions
- How large and how airtight is the room? Large, airy spaces favour the evaporative air cooler.
- How humid is it typically where you are? Dry heat favours evaporative cooling.
- Do you need an exact target temperature? Then the air conditioner has the advantage.
- How important are purchase price, electricity costs and installation effort? Here the evaporative air cooler scores by doing without a compressor and installation.
Frequently asked questions
Can an evaporative air cooler replace an air conditioner?
Not in every case. An evaporative air cooler lowers the perceived temperature and provides air movement, but does not reach a fixed target temperature. In open areas and in dry air it is a sensible alternative; in small enclosed rooms in muggy conditions often not.
Does an evaporative air cooler need an exhaust hose?
No. It does not release heat outside, but cools by evaporation. For indoor use, you should therefore ventilate regularly so that moisture does not build up.
How much electricity does an evaporative air cooler use?
That depends on the model. According to the data sheet, the GoodCooling Y5 needs 0.2 kW and cools 40 to 60 m². The Y20 and the Y30 need 1.1 kW each and are designed for areas of 150 to 250 m².
Conclusion
Evaporative air coolers and portable air conditioners are not competitors for the same place of use, but solutions for different situations. For large, well-ventilated areas and dry heat, the evaporative air cooler is economical and practical. For small, enclosed rooms in muggy conditions, the air conditioner is often the better choice. You can see which GoodCooling model suits your use in our product overview, or you can get personal advice.
Sources
- SRF Kassensturz: Luftkühler im Test, wenig Kühlung, viel Luftfeuchtigkeit (evaporative air coolers tested: little cooling, high humidity)
- Wikipedia: Kühlgrenztemperatur (wet-bulb temperature)
