By Maurice
With summer rolling in, we all try our best to stay cool and avoid getting sweaty and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, you can only take off so many pieces of clothing before you have to deal with the heat anyway.
However, and fortunately, we have ways of cooling that can even be effective when we’re at work in stuffy offices: personal cooling devices!
In this article, I’ll introduce you to these little miracle workers, teach you everything you need to know about them, and show you the best options to choose from.
Summertime heat will very soon be something of the past!
What Is a Personal Cooling Device?
Personal cooling devices are the solution that everyone has been looking for. Air conditioners are bulky, expensive, and definitely not mobile. In contrast, personal cooling devices are small and compact appliances meant to cool you off without being cumbersome.
They typically don’t weigh a lot, but can help cool you off during the day and night without the need for installation. Naturally, these devices aren’t as strong as air conditioners, but they still get the job done well enough to be quite popular.
Also, personal cooling devices use a lot less power, so you’ll save money when using them.
Types of Personal Cooling Devices
There are a few different kinds of personal cooling devices, and we’ll briefly look at them now.
Personal/Portable Air Conditioners
These are mini air conditioners that are more compact and easy to carry around. Depending on the model, they’ll have water containers, filters, and fans that all work together to cool the area they’re used in. The water is used in evaporation, which helps cool the surrounding area.
Portable Fans
As the name suggests, portable fans are smaller versions of fans that can be carried around quite easily. They work the same way as normal fans do, but on a smaller scale. Some of them work on batteries so they can be used outside. The fancy ones even come with lights and powerbanks.
Wearable Air Conditioners
A wearable air conditioner (such as a necklace fan, or neck air conditioner) is designed to sit comfortably around your neck. It provides the wearer with airflow that keeps their body’s temperature a bit more manageable. They’re a nice and unique way to tackle hot summer days.
How Does a Personal Cooling Device Work?
Depending on the type of cooling device, they work with fans, water, and filters to cool the areas around them. Some of the latest technology is used in many personal cooling devices. For example, the Peltier effect is a popular method that makes the wearer of the device feel cooler than the temperature around them.
How Much Power Does a Personal Cooling Device Use?
This is something that depends on the type of cooling device, but in general, they use between 940 and 1700 watts. The battery-operated coolers obviously use battery power.
What to Consider When Buying a Personal Cooling Device
There are several things to keep in mind when you shop around for a personal cooling device. I’ll briefly discuss everything you need to know.
Fan Type
Fan types can be divided into two categories: bladed and bladeless. The bladed fans don’t always work as well, but they are adjustable and more affordable than the bladeless options. Bladeless fans are quite but rather costly.
Battery Life
Depending on the model of cooling device that you buy, you may have to consider its battery life. You should definitely buy a cooling device using battery power if you plan to use it outside or in places without electricity supply.
Some cooling devices’ batteries can last up to 16 hours, but make sure you know exactly how long the model you want will last.
Fan Speeds
If you’re buying a necklace fan, you’ll have to keep in mind how hard you will want the fans to blow on your neck. This is often down to personal preference and depends on what you’re comfortable with. Some devices are adjustable, others aren’t.
Reservoir Capacity
You’ll find that because they’re much smaller, most personal cooling devices do not have the capacity to cool an entire room. However, they’re meant for personal use, so if they’re cooling only the user, that’s what they’re intended for.
Because of their sizes, these water-using devices have tank sizes between 500 and 700 milliliters, and can run for anything between four to eight hours. Make sure you know what your cooling device is capable of before purchasing.
Functions
Naturally, the main function of a cooling device is to cool you down with cool air. Most (best) devices do so by pulling the air from the immediate area, passing it through water, evaporating the water, and then distributing the air back through a fan.
But there are other functions that also come with the more expensive models. Extra functions or features like LED lights, programmable timers, oscillating features, and humidifiers are some of the additional abilities you can look out for.
Noise Level
Personal cooling devices don’t use compressors, so they’re typically a lot less noisy than standard air conditioners. You’ll find that most of them only make as much noise as a normal small fan.
Generally, an acceptable noise level for these types of devices is around 40 dB, and you don’t want a cooler that goes beyond that because it’s close to your ears and can become annoying.
Ease of Use
For the most part, personal cooling devices are very easy to use — there isn’t anything complicated about them. Just make sure that there are no extra steps to take with the model and cooling device type you want to buy.
Weight
When it comes to personal cooling devices, the main thing to consider is that less weight equals more comfort. Even if you’re not going for a device that goes around your neck, if it’s lightweight, it’s a lot more comfortable and convenient to use.
If you want a device that you’ll wear around your neck, you have to be picky about the weight or you won’t be able to use it for long periods of time.
Aesthetics
This is an optional consideration and if you don’t care what the cooling device looks like, you don’t have to worry about aesthetics. However, there are many devices that have appealing designs and appearances, so if you do care, you’ll find there are many options to choose from.
Review of Best Personal Cooling Devices
The following list is in no particular order, you can choose any of the cooling devices reviewed here with confidence.
Blast Portable AC
The overall perception of the Blast Portable AC is pretty high — users give it more than 4 stars. It is easy to carry around and works well in offices and small rooms. This personal air conditioner unit is designed for convenience and comfort.
How It Works
The Blast Portable AC uses personalized air-cooling technology and acts as an impressively powerful air cooler, fan, and humidifier all in one. It boasts an improved design and can be placed on desks for easy use.
Where to Buy
It is best to buy most personal cooling devices on the manufacturer’s official website to avoid accidentally buying a cheap imitation.
Pros
- High-quality design
- Environmentally-friendly setup
- Humidifier
- Freeze function
- Easy to use
- Adjustable and portable
Cons
- Might not be suitable for outside use
Arctos Portable AC
This lightweight and easy-to-use portable air cooler is another very popular option that seems to sell out quite often. Its small design ensures that it doesn’t use a lot of space, but it’s still effective and cools users down efficiently.
How It Works
The Arctos Portable AC makes use of a simple and straightforward method to cool you down. Like many other air coolers, it sucks in hot air and then replaces the air with cool and fresh air. It’s a very energy-efficient method that works well for small rooms and areas.
Where to Buy
As is the case with most of the personal cooling devices (including the cooling devices on our list), you have to buy this air cooler directly from the manufacturer on its website. This eliminates the chances of being cheated by cunning fake salesmen.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to use
- Eco-friendly design
- Adjustable louvers
- Highly portable
- Low noise level
Cons
- Stock is often limited
Arctic Air Pure Chill
The Arctic Air Pure Chill Portable AC acts as a humidifier and air cooler in one compact design. It’s lightweight and ideal for use inside and outside the home.
Additionally, the moveable directional vents make it easy to direct the cool airflow. There are three fan speeds to choose from.
How It Works
This air cooler makes use of a simple but effective top-fill pouring operation. The overall design is aimed at making the cooler as easy to use as possible while still offering impressive cooling.
The refill tank is able to hold 450 ml of liquid, so it can cool you down for long periods.
Where to Buy
Once again, you’ll have to purchase this personal cooling device directly from the manufacturer on the official website.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Adjustable
- Portable
- Quiet operation
- Quality design
Cons
- Can be a bit expensive
Blaux Portable Air Conditioner
The Blaux Portable Air Conditioner is a well-known option that weighs only 2.2 pounds and has multi-functionality. It’s a humidifier as well as a purifier, in addition to being a personal cooler that comes with seven different lighting colors.
How It Works
This cooler uses three-fan speeds and 300 ml of water to cool down users. It offers eight hours of cooling, and can be used indoors or outside. The device can be connected to a normal electrical outlet or a USB port.
Where to Buy
You can buy this cooler directly from the website of the manufacturer.
Pros
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
- Cools for up to eight hours
- Easy to use
- Multi-functional
- Low-maintenance
- Modern and elegant design
- Low noise level
Cons
- There are some bad reviews about the device’s effectiveness online
GoGo Air Cooler
This air cooler is a portable device that utilizes dissipation technology that ensures that the room is effectively cooled. It offers a handful of useful functions, like cooling, blowing the air, humidifying, and cleaning the air.
How It Works
This device doesn’t work the same way as a conventional cooling system by working with simple but effective dissipation technology. Thanks to this design, it can cool any space with just the use of water. The rechargeable battery means you can use it even if you don’t have any power.
Where to Buy
You can purchase the cooling device from the Gogo Gadgets official website.
Pros
- Various modes like cool, chill, and freeze
- Low electricity usage
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Humidifies
- Different cooling levels
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Stock can sometimes be limited
Evapolar Evachill
If you’re on a strict budget but still want a quality product, you’ll love the Evapolar Evachill. It boasts a large water tank that ensures cooling for up to eight hours and it operates very quietly. It’s got a nice design and is quite compact.
How It Works
You can plug this compact air conditioner in with a USB-C cord, so it can connect to a remote power supply, desktop, and even laptop. You can use it as a regular fan or add water to create an air conditioner, air purifier, and humidifier all at once.
Where to Buy
You can buy the Evapolar Evachill from the manufacturer’s official website and add extra accessories at affordable prices.
Pros
- Portable and lightweight
- Easy to use
- Eco-friendly
- Quiet operation
- Four fan speeds
Cons
- Dry air areas require more water
Auzkin Portable Air Conditioner
The Auzkin Portable Air Conditioner acts like a mini air cooler and makes use of atomization technology to offer high quality cooling. It has adjustable fan speeds and the direction can also be changed. It can cool you down for about six hours.
How It Works
This cooler has a unique design and uses an ultrasound spray cooling device. It atomizes the water you place inside, cools it down, and releases humidified air. Together, these steps ensure that you have cooler and moistened air.
Where to Buy
You can buy this cooling device on the official webpage of the manufacturer as well as on websites like Amazon and eBay. Just make sure you’re buying the real deal and not a cheap imitation.
Pros
- Adjustable speeds and wind direction
- Uses unique technology
- Soft blue light
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Multi-functional
Cons
- Cannot use ice in the water as this lowers the device’s efficiency
Polar Chiller Portable AC
This air cooler comes from a company with a good reputation and it boasts a quality design while being made of high-quality materials. It doesn’t make a lot of noise and works very well at cooling down small rooms.
How It Works
As is the case with all portable personal cooling devices, there is no need for installation or assembly. It’s rechargeable with a USB-C cable, which means you can use the cooler outside or indoors, wherever you’re spending your time. The filtration system helps to clean the air.
Where to Buy
You can get this portable air cooler on the manufacturer’s official site as well as sites like eBay.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Three fan settings
- Portable and compact
- Effective
- Low noise level
- Impressive filtration system
Cons
- Design isn’t as attractive
Portable Breezy Air Cooler
If you’re looking for a multi-functional air cooler, you will love this one. It acts as a cooler, purifier, and humidifier all in one. Because it comes with a USB cable included, you can truly use this cooling device on the go without plugging it into a wall outlet. You can use it in your office, bedroom, living room, and even outside.
How It Works
This cooling device sucks in the hot air in the area and dispenses cool air out immediately. It cools the area while also cleaning the air. It comes with seven LED lights for aesthetic appeal.
Where to Buy
This cooling device can be purchased on the manufacturer’s official website as well as sites like Amazon.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Portable and efficient
- Easy to use
- Multi-functional
- Uses impressive filter technology
- Adjustable speeds
Cons
- Filter attracts mold
Polar Breeze Portable Air Cooler
Last but not least on our list is the Polar Breeze AIr Cooler that uses an impressively fast hydro-cooling system. It also works as a humidifier in addition to cooling the area around it. It boasts a compact and portable design and weighs only two pounds.
How It Works
This cooling device runs on electricity and does not come with a battery that can be recharged. It has a large tank capacity of 500 ml, meaning it can cool you down for many hours.
Where to Buy
Although it’s always best to buy cooling devices from the manufacturer, you can buy the Polar Breeze Portable Air Cooler from Amazon and eBay as well.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Multi-functional
- Impressive cooling technology
- Energy-efficient
- Quiet operation
- Stylish and portable design
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a rechargeable battery
- Won’t work as well in humid areas
Stay Cool This Summer With a Personal Cooling Device
Now you know all you need to about personal cooling devices, how they work, and what you have to consider when buying a new one. It’s time to face the summer heat in style and comfort, and have the fun in the sun you’ve been looking forward to!
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