Amazon’s $36 Air Conditioner Has Shoppers Praising Its Surprising Cooling Tech to Help Them Through Heat Waves

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A few years ago, it was considered to be the hottest summer in the global temperature record, according to NASA findings, and this summer is proving to be similarly toasty. Staying cool during especially hot days is essential for your health and safety, whether it’s with a handheld fan or turning up the air conditioner. Increased use of your AC though, means you’ll likely have higher electric bills, but that’s where owning a personal air conditioner can come in handy.

Amazon has discounted one of its most highly sought after personal air coolers by nearly half off, bringing it down to a wallet-friendly $36 (was $70) — which is its all-time lowest price ever. The retailer says more than 1,000 shoppers have purchased the device during the last month, with reviewers praising its “quiet operation, rechargeable battery, and compact size.”

Amazon’s portable air conditioner isn’t a traditional air conditioner per se, but it offers similar cooling capabilities for a major steal, compared to the in-window units that typically run for hundreds of dollars. While it won’t be powerful enough to turn your room into arctic-like temperatures, it does have the ability to decrease the heat by using a cooling fan system that relies on ice and water. The device has a 1200-ml capacity and turns ice water into a cold breeze.

Unlike a regular air conditioner, this portable version operates using low energy to help save you money. The unit also allows you to change the settings, whether you want to add a timer, change the fan speed, or have some light misting. And since it comes in a compact size, you can take it practically anywhere.

Shoppers can’t get enough of how “outstanding” the cooler works, claiming when you add ice to the reservoir, it can last a day, making it a “good replacement for an air conditioner.”

There are a variety of other air-cooling solutions out there that will have you ditching an oscillating fan to keep your room at a more comfortable temperature. The main differences between a traditional air conditioner and air cooler is that an air conditioner must be vented in order to circulate cold air whereas an air cooler doesn’t need ventilation — just add water and the device will suck fresh air through a filter and produce colder air in turn.

What Are the Best Personal Air Conditioners?

To help you find the best personal air conditioners and cooling fans, Billboard rounded up a variety of top-rated models you can buy online now.

This portable air conditioner from Walmart eliminates the need for having to stick a hose out of your window thanks to its slim construction. All you need to do is add water to the reservoir (up to 800 ml) and turn it on. There are three fan settings to choose from and you can also switch the device from a portable AC to a humidifier or just a plane fan. The touchscreen also includes a built-in light for added ambiance.

Some reviewers have labeled the bestselling mini air cooler “better than an oscillating fan” claiming the light misting helps quickly cool them down — especially when you place it next to you at night.

EvaChill’s evaporative cooler keeps things compact in a small size that you can easily place on a side table without leaving it feeling cluttered. It uses evaporative technology that utilizes water as a way to push cold air into your space. Attached to the design is a built-in handle that’ll allow you to transport the mini air cooler from one place to another more easily. This is the one we have on our desk at work.

Verified Amazon reviewers have described how “shocked” they are over its cooling results, saying it “adds just the right amount of cool to keep me comfortable all night long without drying me out like a fan.”

For 40% off, you can score Amazon’s freestanding evaporative cooler, which will help bring a chill vibe (literally) to your room. Unlike a personal air cooler, an evaporative design like this model will cool the air by using evaporated water. This design comes with a tank that holds up to six gallons of water. Its versatile build also allows it to switch to a fan, humidifier and purifier just through a push of a button on the included remote. And it has a 120-degree oscillation feature to ensure the whole room gets a cool breeze.

Reviewers claim it’s best for “drier” climates since the device adds cold moisture to the air using evaporated water. We also like the wheeled design, which makes it easy to take from room to room.

Newair is a more super-sized version of an evaporative cooler, that will help chill your room using a honeycomb cooling pad that can turn hot air into a cool breeze. On the side of the fan is a removable water tank that can hold up to 3.17 gallons of water. You can also use the included remote control to adjust the speed and time you want the cooler on. As an added bonus, it can also transform into a regular oscillating fan.

Amazon reviewers are blown away, saying that it’s “great at beating the heat” even recommending adding “ice packs to super cool your space.”