What El Niño means for your cooling choice
El Niño is a warming of the Pacific Ocean that often weakens India’s monsoon, bringing less rain and hotter days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported moderate El Niño conditions in September 2026. Monsoon rain was about 15% below normal across the country.[R1] Less rain does not always mean dry air, though. A cooler works by evaporating water, so it cools well only when the air can still soak up moisture. Check the humidity for your city on the IMD website before deciding.
Air cooler vs AC: side-by-side specs
| Feature | Air cooler | AC |
|---|---|---|
| How it cools | Blows air over wet pads | Removes heat and moisture from the room |
| Best weather | Hot and dry | Any weather, including humid |
| Power use | Low, close to a fan | High, several times a cooler |
| Star energy label | None — coolers are not in the BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) star scheme | Compulsory 1 to 5 star label |
| ISI quality mark | Compulsory since 2025 | Compulsory |
| Installation | None, plug in and fill water | Wall fitting by a technician |
| Room type | Works with windows partly open | Needs a closed room |
| Water needed | Yes, tank refills | No |
| Upkeep | Clean tank and pads often | Clean filters, yearly service |
Which one suits your home?
| Your situation | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Dry heat in north or central India | Air cooler |
| Coastal or humid city | AC |
| Rented home, no wall fitting allowed | Air cooler |
| Small bedroom for night use, tight power budget | Personal air cooler |
| Closed office room or bedroom with poor airflow | AC |
| Large open hall or verandah | Desert air cooler |
What to check before you buy
For a cooler, the size of the tank decides how often you refill it, not how much water it uses. A 65-litre desert cooler suits a large hall, while a 45-litre personal cooler suits one room.
- Cooler: an ISI mark and licence number on the body or listing.
- Cooler: air delivery in cubic metres per hour — higher means more airflow.
- Cooler: honeycomb pads, which usually cool better than grass pads.
- AC: the energy efficiency figure on the star label, not just the star count.
- AC: the right size for your room — see our tonnage guide.
| Star level | Split AC efficiency figure | Window AC efficiency figure |
|---|---|---|
| 3 star | 4.3 to 4.99 | 3.3 to 3.49 |
| 5 star | 5.6 and above | 3.7 and above |
- No rule requires a cooler to show how much water it uses each day, so ask the seller.
- Keep a window or door slightly open when using a cooler so damp air can escape.
- New ACs start at 24°C by default to save power; you can change the setting.
Compare coolers on JioMart
On any JioMart product page, tap Compare on the product photo. Open a second product and do the same. Then tap Compare in the bar at the bottom to see them side by side.
- Foxsky Volt 85 L desert air cooler with honeycomb pads — for large rooms and halls
- Carrier 1.5 ton 5 star inverter split AC — for humid cities
- BayBreeze Icechill 85 L air cooler (up to 300 sq ft)
- BayBreeze Icechill 85 L air cooler with glass top
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an air cooler replace an AC in a dry city?
Why does my cooler stop working well in the rains?
Does a cooler need ice?
Is a star rating on a cooler box real?
References
JioMart is a Reliance Retail platform. Products linked are examples, not recommendations. Prices and availability may change.