Following the UK's hottest June on record, the search for ways to keep cool continues as July settles in. With cooling appliances flying off the shelves, budget-friendly supermarket Aldi is stepping in to save the day with a new mini cooling range, designed to help us stay comfortable and cool without the eye-watering cost of traditional air conditioning.
At the centre of the range is the air cooler, a sleek tabletop device that uses water and ice evaporation technology to help cool and humidify the air. Unlike bulky air conditioning units, it’s designed to sit neatly on a desk or bedside table. It costs just £14.99 and features a touch LED display and three speed settings to tailor airflow throughout the day and night.
Read more: This £40 Aldi desk fan claims to cool the entire room
If you want something more portable, you’ll also find a tripod-style fan in the middle aisle. This is £6.99, and is designed to go wherever you do. It can be clipped onto desks, shelves, or bedside tables, so it’s a simple grab-and-go option for staying cool at home or on the move.
Beyond cooling devices, the range also includes summer bedding essentials such as lightweight duvets and pillow pairs, designed to improve comfort on hotter nights without relying on constant fan use.
Read more: Best air conditioners, reviewed
When can you buy Aldi’s affordable air cooler?
The portable air cooler landed in Aldi stores on Thursday, 2 July, as part of the supermarket’s limited Specialbuys range. This means that once the stock is gone, it’s unlikely to return.
How much is Aldi’s air cooler?
Aldi’s air cooler will cost just £14.99, so it isn’t as costly as investing in a portable air conditioner. There’ll be other cooling devices landing in-store the same day, including a portable fan (£6.99) and a desk fan (£38.99).
Best air coolers
If you simply can’t wait until Thursday, home appliance tester Joanne Lewsley has written IndyBest’s best air coolers review. And I’ve handpicked some of the products still in stock from her personally recommended brands.
Swan two-in-one Nordic air cooler, 5l
Air coolers are flying off the shelves but if you’re looking for one that’s in stock, we’ve spotted that the Swan two-in-one Nordic air cooler is available to buy at Amazon. Joanne named this the best air cooler for low energy use as it costs less than 1p an hour to run. When it came to cooling, Joanne said it took “the stickiness out of the humidity”. She wrote, “I measured around a 1C drop after an hour, which is fairly typical for this type of cooler, but it felt more comfortable thanks to the airflow and light evaporative effect.”
Buy now £89, Direct.Asda.com
Best fans
Duux rize portable fan
Ranked our best cordless fan by reviewer Joanne Lewsley, she described the Duux rize portable fan as “properly portable rather than just compact, with a lightweight 1kg build and a built-in battery that lasts up to 15 hours.”
In her review, she wrote: “For its size, the airflow is surprisingly effective. The 90-degree oscillation helps distribute cool air more evenly (though you’ll need to tilt it vertically yourself). At lower settings, it’s quiet enough to fade into the background, making it a great option for sleep or focused work.”
Buy now £79.99, Amazon.co.uk
Read more: Best neck fans, reviewed
Best portable air conditioners
Blyss A018I-09C 9000BTU portable air conditioner
For a budget buy, you can’t go wrong with this unit from Blyss. When reviewed by Joanne Lewsley in our guide to the best portable air conditioners, she described it as “a straightforward, no-fuss air conditioner”. She wrote: “It covers the basics well, with cooling, fan and dehumidifier modes, plus three fan speeds and a 24-hour timer to fine-tune things depending on how you’re using it – and it’s good value.”
Buy now £269.99, Screwfix.com
Read more: Best handheld fans, tested
