Find the best evaporative cooler for your space with the Portacool Buying Guide 

How do you choose the best evaporative cooler for your space? Evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, boast a wide range of features. From air flow and velocity to water supply, smartphone connectivity, and more, the right evap cooler can lower temperatures in your hot space by up to 30°F.  

To help you sort through specs and maximize cooling comfort, we created the Portacool Buying Guide. This interactive tool will guide you through choosing the right cooler for your residential or commercial spaces.  

What is the Portacool Buying Guide? 

We’ll help you choose your portable swamp cooler with confidence. The Portacool Buying Guide matches you with the best APEX Series evaporative cooler for your environment and cooling needs. Our interactive tool walks you through key considerations for buying an evaporative cooler. From square footage to water access and more, we make it easy to narrow down your options.    

Use our buying guide to find the best Portacool for: 

• Protecting athletes from heat stress
• Safely increasing productivity in your auto shop or warehouse
• Cooling your RV and outdoor space
• Keeping guests cool at outdoor events
• Making your dining spaces and kitchens more comfortable 

Why should I use the Portacool Buying Guide?  

With the Portacool Buying Guide, you can: 

• Find the best swamp cooler for your space and cooling needs
• Save time researching evap coolers
• Discover key features and specs for each APEX model
• Compare evaporative coolers side-by-side
• Use data to inform your decision-making process 

How to use the Portacool Buying Guide 

Follow these steps to use the Portacool Buying Guide and find the best evap cooler for your home or business. 

1. Finetune your fit: Click the funnel button at the top left corner of the buying guide. Tell us about your space and cooling needs.    

Consider these key questions to find the best Portacool for you: 

• How big is your space in square feet (sq ft)?
• How many people do you want to keep cool?
• Do you have any exterior openings?
  • To maximize your cooling experience, place your Portacool in a space that has access to fresh, outside air. This could be from windows, doors, bay doors, etc.
• Do you have access to a water supply?
  • All Portacools have a built-in water reservoir. Our larger models can also be connected to your water supply so you never have to worry about refilling reservoirs. 

2. Explore Portacool recommendations: Our product wizard will recommend the best evaporative coolers for your space. Click on the highlighted models under “Which Portacool is right for you?” to learn about key product features, like cooling capacity, cooler dimensons, noise level, and more. 

Pro tip: You can view product features in a grid or list view. Toggle this setting by clicking the display view icons at the top right of the buying guide. 

3. Get to know the APEX Series: Our cooler catalog in the Portacool Buying Guide shows all APEX Series models. With this side-by-side table, you can quickly compare key features and specs. 

What are the key features of an evaporative cooler? 

We engineered our APEX Series coolers to deliver powerful cooling performance for different environments and cooling goals.  

What do all APEX coolers have in common? 

Each of our APEX coolers comes equipped with wheels for portability, HydroTek™ evaporative media for innovative cooling, and CoolSync™ for seamless connectivity and scheduling with your smartphone. 

Why are there different APEX cooler models? 

Since each APEX cooler is optimized for a specific area, the specifications may vary between each model. For instance, the APEX 500 is designed to cool small spaces, like patios or single-car garages, while the APEX 6500 is robust enough to cool large industrial warehouses and athletic fields.   

Compare and contrast these key features when buying an APEX evaporative cooler: 

• Optimal Cooling (sq ft): The maximum space effectively cooled, ensuring uniform airflow and temperature reduction within the specified coverage area.
• Airflow (CFMs): The powerful and efficient movement of air generated, measured by cubic feet per minute (CFM), designed to maximize cooling performance and comfort.
• Airflow Reach (ft): The distance an evaporative cooler can effectively deliver cooled air, ensuring broad and consistent cooling coverage.
• Velocity (MPH): The speed in miles per hour (MPH) at which cooled air is propelled from the unit, ensuring effective and rapid air circulation across the cooling area.
• Noise (dB): The sound level measured in decibels (dB) produced during operation, designed to be minimal for quiet and comfortable cooling in various environments. 
• Water Reservoir (gallons): The size of the built-in water tank, providing consistent and efficient performance for evaporative cooling. 
• Product Weight (lbs.): This is the weight of the cooler in pounds (lbs.).  
• Dimensions (in.): The evaporative cooler’s height, depth, and width, ensuring it fits seamlessly into various spaces. 

Match with the perfect Portacool for your space 

Invest your time in what really matters. Portacool makes it possible to stay cool and comfortable in any environment, from spending time with your family or guests or making your business more efficient to relaxing in your own home or RV. The Portacool Buying Guide helps you save time and find the best cooler for your space.  

Choose your cool with confidence. Use our guide to compare all APEX Series models and find where to buy a Portacool near you. You can also contact our dedicated Customer Success Team for more personalized support.