Collection: For patio

Choose a rolling evaporative cooler with a large water tank (at least 5 liters) and high airflow 300 cubic meters per hour or more. Look for models that let you add ice, which boosts cooling on the hottest days. For patio use, resistance to light splashes and dust also matters, so look for units with a sealed motor compartment.

In humid climates, evaporative coolers are less effective, but they still provide a pleasant breeze and won't dry out the air. To get better results, fill the tank with ice cold water and place the cooler close to where you're sitting. An alternative is a powerful quiet fan, but it won't actually cool the air, just move it around.

A room AC cools an enclosed space and needs to vent hot air outside. A patio unit is usually an evaporative cooler, it doesn't require a sealed space, blows out humidified cool air, and uses far less electricity. Choose based on your setup: a compressor AC for a screened porch, an evaporative cooler for an open patio.