With summer kicking off, I ordered this fan from Amazon as I needed something more than just a normal fan, but didn’t want to deal with the hassle of portable air conditioner hoses out the window. The Midea 7L 3-in-1 Air Cooler seemed like a good compromise. Not too expensive, compact tower fan, and offers mild cooling beyond the capabilities of a fan through evaporation. As expected, it doesn’t work like a traditional air conditioner, but in the right conditions, it provides a noticeable difference in comfort.
Ideal for Dry Heat, Less Effective in Humidity
Since this is an evaporative cooler, its effectiveness is closely tied to humidity levels. On dry days, the cooling effect is clearly felt. It’s much more refreshing than a standard fan. But on humid days, which are common in the UK, it feels more like a slightly cooler breeze with added moisture. One thing to note is the rate of water usage: the 7L tank can run down to just 1–2L left after 8 hours of overnight use, meaning around 5–6L of water ends up in your indoor air. That’s a concern if your home has any issues with damp or mould, so it’s worth considering your environment.
Decent Build with Handy Features
The build quality is decent for the price. It’s a large tower style unit but still relatively compact considering it houses a water tank and cooling pad. I appreciated the remote and the multiple modes – evaporative cooling, fan only, and sleep mode. The timer function is particularly handy for overnight use. On lower settings (1 and 2), the fan is nearly silent yet still produces a nice breeze. Even on the highest setting (level 6), it remains fairly quiet but produces a strong breeze. It’s definitely quieter than a pedestal fan and moves more air.
Easy to Use but Some Maintenance Required
The setup is easy. Just fill the tank, plug it in, and you’re good to go. The included ice packs help enhance the cooling slightly. Like all evaporative coolers, there’s some maintenance involved. You’ll need to clean the cooling pad regularly and empty the tank when not in use to prevent smells or mould. It’s not a huge task, but something to be aware of. Also, make sure to leave a window slightly open while in use to improve airflow and prevent excess humidity build up.
Replacement Pad Availability
After using the fan consistently through the summer, I noticed black specks of mould on the cooling pad. I attempted to clean it with a light bleach solution, but the specks remained, and the pad looks worn out. It’s generally recommended to replace the cooling pad yearly on units like this, but I haven’t been able to find a replacement pad for this model anywhere in the UK. Midea doesn’t appear to sell them directly, which is disappointing. Because of this, my unit is now effectively just a regular fan, which is a big shame, especially considering the price. I have marked the rating down considerably due to this.
A Good Choice for Light Cooling
Overall, the Midea 7L Air Cooler is a decent in between solution. If you want more than a fan but don’t want the bulk, cost, or noise of a portable AC, it’s not a bad choice. It won’t cool a room down by 10°C like an air conditioner, but it does make things more comfortable on hot days, especially in smaller spaces like bedrooms or home offices. Just make sure replacement cooling pads are available in your region, so you don’t end up with a glorified fan after one year.
