Portable AC vs desert cooler vs tower cooler: Which one is more practical for your room

HIGHLIGHTS

A portable AC usually costs between Rs 25,000 and Rs 38,000.

Desert air coolers are usually priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 18,000.

Tower air coolers usually cost between Rs 7,000 and Rs 12,000.

Portable AC vs desert cooler vs tower cooler: Which one is more practical for your room

You may agree that buying a cooling appliance is not as simple as picking the cheapest or the most powerful option. There are way too many cooling appliances available in the market, but three of the most popular portable choices are portable ACs, desert coolers, and tower coolers. Each one is designed for different needs. Your budget, the weather in your city and the size of your room can influence which one is the better choice. Before spending your money, it is important to compare their price, running cost, maintenance, and performance. Here’s a simple comparison to help you decide which option is the most practical for your room.

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Portable AC vs desert cooler vs tower cooler: Price and running cost

A portable AC usually costs between Rs 25,000 and Rs 38,000. If you run it for about eight hours every day, the monthly electricity cost can be around Rs 2,300 to Rs 2,700.

Desert air coolers are priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 18,000. It consumes less electricity, with a monthly running cost of around Rs 350 to Rs 500. Meanwhile, tower air coolers are the most budget-friendly. They usually cost between Rs 7,000 and Rs 12,000. The monthly running cost can be between Rs 200 and Rs 300.

Also read: Desert air cooler vs tower air cooler: Price, running costs, electricity consumption and other key factors compared 

Portable AC vs desert cooler vs tower cooler: Maintenance

Portable ACs need the least maintenance. You only have to clean the air filters regularly, empty the collected water when required, and make sure the exhaust pipe is properly connected.

Desert coolers need the most care. They require frequent water refilling, regular cleaning of the cooling pads, and the water tank should be emptied before storing the unit for a long time. Tower coolers also need regular cleaning. But, since they have smaller water tanks, they need more frequent refilling. The cooling pads and tank should also be cleaned from time to time.

Also read: AC not cooling properly after heavy rain? Here are 5 possible reasons  

Portable AC vs desert cooler vs tower cooler: Which one should you choose?

A portable AC is the better option if you live in a humid area where air coolers are less effective. It is also suitable for people living in rented homes because it does not require permanent installation. You can go for a desert air cooler, if you live in a hot and dry region. It works well in larger rooms and provides strong airflow while keeping electricity costs low. Meanwhile, a tower cooler is a good choice for small or medium-sized rooms. It takes up less space, consumes very little power, and is suitable for dry climates.

Also read: Air purifiers in monsoon: How they can help improve indoor air quality   

Ayushi Jain

Ayushi Jain

Ayushi works as Chief Copy Editor at Digit, covering everything from breaking tech news to in-depth smartphone reviews. Prior to Digit, she was part of the editorial team at IANS. View Full Profile