We chose the Luma Comfort EC110S as one of the best portable swamp coolers because it balances power and price better than any other unit we evaluated. It can cool a small- to medium-size bedroom, but it isn’t powerful enough for a large family room. The EC110S’s remote control, timer, and multiple fan speed settings help it cool your room to a comfortable temperature without running up a stratospheric electricity bill.
As we write this article, the sleek-looking Luma Comfort EC110S costs around $150, so it’s less expensive than most portable evaporative coolers. In addition, it has a maximum airflow rating of 500 cubic feet per minute (CFM), so it is much more powerful than similarly priced units. As such, it can lower the temperature in a room of approximately 250 square feet by 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Luma Comfort EC110S uses only 110 watts of power. If you run it eight hours a day for three months a year, you can expect to pay about $10 annually for the electricity it uses – that’s much less than it costs to run a traditional window-mounted air conditioner. However, if you need to cool a room of only about 175 square feet, a more efficient unit like the Arctic Cove EVC350 may be better.
This Luma Comfort model’s water tank holds 1.76 gallons, so it isn't particularly large. However, its size makes it easy to carry when you refill it. We like that the cooler has a water level detector that senses when the tank is low and alerts you when it’s time to refill the reservoir. The cooler automatically turns itself off if the water dips below the minimum level so the unit doesn’t malfunction – this hands-off safeguard makes the EC110S more user-friendly than some other portable evaporative coolers.
The EC110S is an attractive portable swamp cooler that blends with most decor. It only weighs 16.2 pounds and stands 34.5 inches tall, which makes it easy to move around the house. The unit’s front face measures 12.75 inches wide and houses the fan.
The top of the fan houses a six-button control panel you use to adjust the fan speed and operation mode, set a timer for automatic shutoff, and toggle between cooling and humidifying. The EC110S also includes a convenient remote that lets you change all these settings from across the room. In addition, the cooler has a built-in air filter that removes airborne particles from the room.
Like most indoor portable evaporative coolers, including the NewAir AF-310, the Luma Comfort EC110S can also be used outdoors, though it isn’t as effective outside as larger units. As with the other coolers we looked at, this unit has a one-year warranty.
