I like the device a lot! Turns my workspace from hell to heaven. It really works for the purposes it made - portable air cooler for a small space. This unit is not an air conditioner and does not have a compressor or condenser inside. Evaporative coolers are designed for spot cooling and will not lower a room's ambient temperature. This unit is best used in dry climates or open spaces. For the best performance, you need to keep a window or door open to limit the rise of humidity and for better ventilation. Also as an advice add ice to the tank and set the unit near you.
I've watched several video reviews, I've read some articles about Evapolar, I've chosen the model that fits me most. Love it! I didn't buy air coolers of other brands, but it seems to me, that this one should be the best in the cathegory.
I work in a small office with no air circulation (it is in the middle of another room, so now outside windows). I have used fans historically to keep cool, but they blow my papers all around and make work difficult - plus are very loud. This little contraption is way more effective than a fan for keeping me cool, and is much more quiet and does not blow my stuff around. I still need to keep a fan around for when I have others in my office or for actually moving the air around, but this little guy makes working in my office during the summer months WAY more tolerable. Love it!
I was curious if this really did make a difference over a fan. I used a meat thermometer to get a reading of the *room temp, *the fan blowing & *the evapolar blowing. I was fairly surprised to see a 10 degree drop with the evapolar since using my little fan on low felt like it was doing a better job of cooling. I think because it has to go thru an air filter it has less oomph and feels less powerful. The temp reading does show that it is doing its job and I think it's fine up close & personal. For the price, a fan is probably still a better choice for cheap cooling, but the evapolar does add some nice humidity to the room.