7 Best Outdoor Air conditioners For Patio Reviews 2022

Using an outdoor air conditioner for patio is a great way to have the experience you desire – spending time with your family. Also known as outdoor evaporative coolers, these units are patio cooling option that creates a nice, cool breeze in the summer heat.

But there are many outdoor cooling systems available on the market, making it difficult to choose one that’s ideal for your space. Like any other air conditioner, you have to consider the size of the space you want to cool before selecting the best outdoor air conditioner.

Therefore, in the article, I have put together a list of the best patio air conditioners to help you make an informed decision and beat the heat this season.

Best Outdoor Air conditioners For Patio Comparison Table

How Do Outdoor Air Conditioners Work?

Air conditioners and evaporative coolers are different in terms of functionalities and features. Understanding their difference will help you make the right choice depending on your needs when you need something to cool your home or commercial space. First, we’ll talk about how outdoor air conditioners work. 

An outdoor AC unit is usually located in the rear of your house, and this is where the heat that is coming from inside your house is dispersed. An air conditioner features a compressor, condenser coil, and a fan. The heat is absorbed from your home’s air is then transferred to the refrigerant and then it’s pumped to the outdoor unit. 

As the heat keeps on being absorbed and moved by the refrigerant to the outdoor coil, it is passed through the compressor. The compressor’s primary role is to move the refrigerant throughout the system, which makes it possible to keep reusing the refrigerant to cool the entire house. When this happens, the refrigerant is compressed to a higher pressure and then moved through the condenser. 

During the passing of the refrigerant through the condenser, the fan delivers cool and ambient air across the condenser coil, which causes it to cool. During the completion of this process, the heat inside your house gets dispersed outside. The refrigerant is then pumped back indoors, and this entire process keeps on repeating itself. 

Evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, operate by the principle of evaporation. Hot air is sent inside the cooler by an axial fan, and as this hot air gets drawn in, it passed over wet and rigid cooling pads made of glued corrugated paper, which are shaped like honeycombs.

The evaporative cooler then releases the cool and moisturized air into the room or space. The benefit of evaporative coolers is they can cool air faster up to 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

How Humidity Effects Evaporative Cooling

There is a particularly pervasive perception that humid climates render evaporative coolers ineffective. Although high-temperature drops can indeed affect the proper functioning of evaporative coolers, they try to provide relief from the heat in any climate due to their cooling technology. 

It’s important to keep in mind that evaporative coolers are usually more effective in climates where the average humidity level is less than 30 percent. As the humidity keeps on rising and there’s a decline in the cooling capability, the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the chamber decreases.

If you want to find out whether the evaporative cooling will be effective, you can measure the wet bulb temperature by taking a moist cloth and placing it on the end of a thermometer and then wave it through the air. 

The temperature that the thermometer will read will be the theoretical minimum temperature it can achieve through evaporative cooling. It’s also good to note that evaporative cooling systems naturally cool the air by using water. 

Types of Outdoor Air Conditioners

There are several types of air conditioners and evaporative coolers. We’ll first list down types of air conditioners and then afterward list down the types of evaporative coolers since they are different. 

Types of outdoor air conditioners include:

• Central air conditioners: They use a split system to regulate air through ducts that have been installed in your home.
• Window air conditioners: These are specially designed to use on windows.
• Floor-mounted air conditioners: They are designed to use on the floor up to 6 inches higher than the floor.
• Ductless mini-split: These are ideal for contemporary homes. It’s a combination of both outdoor and indoor AC units.
• Geothermal air conditioners: This AC unit circulates water in your home through piping with a loop. 
• Hybrid/dual fuel air conditioners: This AC unit uses a combination of gas furnaces with an electric air-source heat pump, which helps it deliver a cost-efficient and top performance in heating and cooling.
• Smart air conditioners: These are IoT-enabled types of air conditioners. They are mini-split, portable, and window air conditioners.
• Portable air conditioners: These are similar to window ACs, and they can be used as single units with all their components enclosed. However, their only difference is that they are free-standing units that you can easily move around.

There are three types of evaporative coolers. They include:

• Direct evaporative coolers: These use natural cooling properties of the water vapor to cool your room/space’s air temperature.
• Indirect evaporative coolers: These are not swamp coolers, and they don’t add any humidity to the air. They allow you to cool your space to lower temperatures.
• Mounted coolers: These are coolers that you can mount on the ground, window, or roof.

What Size of Outdoor Air Conditioner for Patio Do I Need?

Evaporative coolers are usually rated by their cubic feet per minute (CFM) of the air they deliver to a room. Most of the evaporative coolers available in the market range from 3,000 to 25,000 CFM.

According to manufacturers, it is recommended that you provide enough air-moving capacity for approximately 20 to 40 air changes hourly, but all this will depend on the climate.

To find out the suitable evaporative cooler for your space, here’s what you need to do:

1. Take the square footage of your space and multiply it by the height of your ceiling.
2. Divide that result by 2.
3. The result is the CFM rating of the swamp cooler that you should buy.

A small swamp cooler can only cool a space of about 300 sq. ft.

How to Choose an Outdoor Air Conditioner

To correctly choose an evaporative cooler, you first need to check its cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air that it delivers to space. After you’ve found out its CFM, you will then need to determine whether it’s ideal for the space you want to cool.

Other things you need to consider when choosing an evaporative cooler are cost, portability, and efficiency. However, the most important factor is size because choosing a cooler too small for your space will make it ineffective.

A smaller evaporative cooler can only cool a small space, which means if you have a large space, you’ll need to look for a larger evaporative cooler. 

Best Outdoor Air Conditioner for Patio Reviews

1. Honeywell 525-729CFM Indoor Outdoor Portable Evaporative Cooler

The Honeywell CO60PM is a powerful outdoor cooler equipped with a large 15.9-gallon water tank that provides hours of cooling for spaces up to 850 square feet. With an airflow of 1540 CFM and oscillating louvers, this unit ensures your area cools fast and evenly.

It has a continuous water supply connection with a built-in overflow protection system so that you can leave it connected to any standard water hose for long periods without fear of water overflow. 

It also has a waterproof and weather-resistant exterior that will hold up during extreme outdoor conditions like heavy rain or strong sunlight.

In addition to that, it has a 3-side honeycomb cooling media that ensures the airflow spans a wide area. This way, you will not have to huddle on one side to feel its effects. It also has durable wheels so you can move the unit wherever you need it with ease.

Pros

• It has a large water tank (15.9 gallons)
• It has a continuous water supply connection for non-stop cooling
• It has an ice compartment for an extra cool breeze
• Triple-sided honeycomb cooling media
• Powerful 16-inch fan blades
• It has a weatherproof and UV-resistant exterior.

Cons

• It has no air filter.

2. Hessaire 3100 CFM 3-Speed Portable Evaporative Cooler

The Hessaire MC37V is an ideal cooling option for your pool area, patio, or grill. This outdoor cooler features a 10.3-gallon water tank and can churn out about 3100 CFMs of cold air enough to chill spaces up to 950 square feet.

It has three vented sides with high-grade Xel50 padding that ensures the cold air reaches as much space as possible without resistance and static pressure. 

This way, you won’t have to sit on one side of the cooler to feel cool. The cooling pads are also removable and washable, which keeps the unit functioning at its best.

This unit operates quietly, producing only 59decibels on its highest setting, which is no louder than a normal conversation. It also features a low water alarm that sounds when the water reservoir is empty, thus protecting the cooler’s pump from damage.

The Hessaire MC37V also features a GFCI plug that cuts the electrical current whenever it detects an alternate electrical pathway. This feature makes the Portacool cooler safe for outdoor use.

Pros

• It has three-sided cooler padding for sufficient cooling
• It has dual water fill options
• It has a programmable timer
• The GFCI plug makes it safe for use in wet settings
• Low water detection technology
• Easy-to-use manual controls
• Operates quietly

Cons

• This unit lacks germ protection.

3. Portacool PAC2KCYC01 Cyclone 3000 Portable Evaporative Cooler

The Portacool PAC2KCYC01 Cyclone 3000 Portable Evaporative Cooler produces 3,000 CFMs of cold air, powerful enough to cool spaces up to 700 square feet. It has a centrifugal air delivery system that pushes air at a forceful 37 mph to lower temperatures by as much as 30 degrees in a very short time.

This cooler has a water adjustment valve that you can engage whenever the humidity rises or falls to control water flow. Furthermore, it has an automatic shut-off feature that turns off the unit when water in the reservoir reaches a certain level.

This Portacool outdoor cooler also features dual water filling options and adjustable louvers that you can use to direct the airflow where it is needed. 

It has heavy-duty caster wheels so you can move the unit to wherever you want with ease, even on uneven ground.

Pros

• Dual water refill options
• It has a water flow adjustment valve
• It has a large 16-gallon tank
• Low water shut off
• It can be used outdoors, indoors, and in semi-outdoor spaces
• It has a powerful centrifugal air delivery system
• 1-year warranty on parts and a 3-year warranty on the motor

Cons

• It does not have a timer.

4. MasterCool MMBT14 Portable Evaporative Cooler

The Mastercool MMBT12 is an innovative evaporative cooler perfect for cooling patios, deck spaces, garages, and workshops. 

This unit cools up to 800 square feet at 1,145 cubic feet per meter. It has polyester media pads that help trap dust and other large particles to keep the unit performing at its best.

This Mastercool unit also features a 1/3 HP motor and a 4-way directional grille with adjustable vents that ensure cool air gets to where it is needed. 

It has analog controls that make operation easy, and heavy-duty casters and handles which increase the unit’s portability.

This swamp cooler has dual water fill options. You can use the continuous fill option for when you want to run the unit for long hours without worrying about refilling the water tank, or you can fill the 8-gallon tank manually if you’re going to cool your space for a short while.

Pros

• It has polyester media pads that trap dust and other particles
• Four cooling directions
• It has two water fill options
• It is eco friendly

Cons

• It does not have a water level indicator.

5. Keystone 40-Liter Indoor/Outdoor Evaporative Air Cooler 

The Keystone KSTE9721002-GRY has a 10.56-gallon water reservoir and churns out up to 706 CFM in areas with 60% humidity or less. It can cool spaces up to 1200 square feet making it the ideal choice for your patio, pool area, or garage.

This swamp cooler has two water fill options for extra convenience. You can use the continuous fill option if you intend to run the unit for a while without constant refill interruptions. 

If you require cooling for a short while, you can manually fill the 40-liter water reservoir to your preference using the water fill indicator at the front to guide you.

It also has easy-to-use mechanical controls that allow you to change between three cooling modes, and adjustable louvers that ensure your space cools evenly. 

The integrated side handles, coupled with the durable caster wheels allow you to move the cooler from place to place with ease.

The Keystone KSTE9721002-GRY also has an exterior drain which you can use to thoroughly empty and dry the water tank before storage.

Pros

• It has dual refill options
• It has adjustable louvers
• It has a large water reservoir and powerful airflow
• It has a programmable timer
• It has a water level indicator
• It has a GFCI safety plug.

Cons

• It lacks germ protection.

6. KoolKube AZ39MA 2900 CFM 3 Speed Mobile Air Cooler

The Koolkube AZ39MA outdoor evaporative cooler offers your space instant relief from the summer heat. It has a nylon fan blade that can push 2,500 CFMs of cool air into spaces up to 900 square feet, making it ideal for use in barns, garages, shops, even warehouses.

It comes with a 10.5-gallon water tank and can run for up to four hours without refilling when the tank is full. It also features a 1/5 horsepower engine and four heavy-duty caster wheels that allow you to move it from one space to another without leaving marks on your floor.

This Arizona outdoor cooler has a polypro resin cabinet that won’t rust, and media pre-filter screens that keep the air clean and ensure the cooling pads last longer. Furthermore, it is equipped with PCB-fused switch protection for extra safety.

Pros

• 1/5 horsepower engine
• Cools spaces up to 900 feet
• It has a durable polypro resin cabinet
• It has PCB-fused switch protection
• It has dual water fill options for convenience
• 2-year factory warranty on parts

Cons

• It is loud.

7. Uninex SAC1800 Indoor/Outdoor KOOLZONE Mobile Spot Cooler

The Nakatomi Uninex SAC1800 spot cooler produces 6,143 BTUs of cooling power to cool spaces up to 77 square feet, making it perfect for cooling and dehumidifying a standard two-person tent.

While in operation, this ac produces approximately 60dB of noise, which is low and will not disrupt your peace. It weighs about 50.7lbs (a bit heavy), but it has two side top-face handles and four rolling caster wheels so you can move it around with ease. 

It has a 0.8-gallon tank that holds moisture during dehumidification; alternatively, you can hook up the unit for continuous drainage if you dont want to worry about emptying the tank.

The SAC1800 ac is ETL certified, and it uses the approved environmentally friendly R410a refrigerant. Also, it comes already assembled, so all you have to do is plug it in and start cooling your spot.

Pros

• IT is ETL certified
• No assembly required
• Doubles up as a dehumidifier
• Operates quietly

Cons

• It only cools where it is directed.

Wrap Up

Patio air conditioners represent a great way to spend quality time with your family and friends in your outdoor space without worrying about the hot summer heat. While most of the options I have reviewed can only be used outside, they will make the environment comfy as you enjoy the time together with your loved ones.

Hopefully, this outdoor air conditioner for patio has allowed you to narrow down your options. Most of these units are a little heavy, but they are still easy to carry around.