# Chillwell A/C units. Do they work or is it a scam?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [June 16, 2022, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272 "2022-06-16T01:12:00Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/1 "2022-06-16T01:12:00Z")
Hello Everyone,
So for the millionth time a Chillwell as came up on YouTube. If you’re not familiar this is a gadget that is about the size of a small box that is supposed to 'revolutionize the A/C industry". The ad claims that by adding water to this box that it can chill down a 400sqft room in minutes.
Of course it screams scam to me, but who knows. Maybe there is some new science behind it. So what’s the dope? Scam or new world changing invention?
---
### Author:  [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/2 "2022-06-16T01:19:50Z")
Based on everything I’ve seen about them, it’s not . . . totally a scam. What it seems to be is a micro [swamp cooler](https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/heating-and-cooling/swamp-cooler.htm), like maybe, one smallish rooms worth.
If a swamp cooler works with your climate, then, yeah, it would cool you a bit. Especially for the brief time you add ice to the unit. If your climate is humid, or the temps are high enough, nope, does nothing more than a multi-speed fan would.
But for the small coverage area, they seem quite expensive, so I’m leaning towards over-hyped rubbish, rather than scam.
---
### Author:  [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/3 "2022-06-16T01:22:02Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#):
>
> What it seems to be is a micro [swamp cooler](https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/heating-and-cooling/swamp-cooler.htm), like maybe, one smallish rooms worth.
I agree that it looks like a tiny swamp cooler, but sized more for a hamster cage than a small room. I think it might just manage to cool your forehead.
And swamp coolers only work in low humidity.
So if you life in the desert Southwest and have a sweaty pet hamster, this could be ideal.
---
### Author:  [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/4 "2022-06-16T01:28:46Z")
You never saw my old single (dorm) at NMSU. It could hold a hamster, but the hamster couldn’t turn around.
Okay, I kid, I kid. I am giving it the most minor benefit of the doubt in that I could see it providing relief for a small room that you otherwise might not have an option with - a student who rents a room in a house, a very (!) small truck bed based trailer, or the like. Or, since it claims to be able to operate off a usb power source, for camping purposes. I would say it isn’t useless.
But again, at the commonly quoted ‘discount’ price of something like $90 for a SINGLE UNIT…
No, I’ll stick with my analysis as over-hyped rubbish.
---
### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/5 "2022-06-16T01:33:51Z")
Yeah, that is a way overpriced and dinky almost useless swamp cooler. Whic maybe might keep your head cool.
Now, in dryer climes, a larger one can indeed cool a room pretty well, and for not a lot of energy.
---
### Author:  [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/6 "2022-06-16T01:49:08Z")
Here, I wanted to link a comparable (in features) product -
[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089KQWY4V?SubscriptionId=AKIAJO7E5OLQ67NVPFZA&ascsubtag=553527800-2-1679957004.1655343666&maas=maas\_adg\_397224968044794528671B8A5DCA1D0B\_afap\_abs&tag=shopperz\_origin10-20](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089KQWY4V?SubscriptionId=AKIAJO7E5OLQ67NVPFZA&ascsubtag=553527800-2-1679957004.1655343666&maas=maas_adg_397224968044794528671B8A5DCA1D0B_afap_abs&tag=shopperz_origin10-20)
This is a more -traditional- compact, single room based Swamp cooler (rather than a fixed one like the ones I grew up with the the Southwest)
Note, it costs roughly the same ($100 vs $90), and OMFG, the description explains how a swamp cooler works and suggested regions/humidity that it would be helpful for. It also holds a 10 liter tank so that it could cool for a duration measured in hours. It claims it can cool an area of roughly 200 sq. ft and is reasonably compact.
The Chillwell doesn’t explain it’s a swamp cooler, and keeps talking up it’s “unique” technology, provides no explanation of coverage, and has a capacity of just over .5 liters. It also keeps claiming to be an air conditioner, rather than a swamp cooler or the more modern term ‘evaporative cooler’ in an effort to dodge how it works.
So, if you live in a hot, dry climate, buy the one I listed above (or something similar) or a traditional window mounted A/C, and let the Sharper-Image / SkyMall wannabe Chillwell behind.
---
### Author:  [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/7 "2022-06-16T05:13:59Z")
1000% swamp cooler and a scam from its claims. There have been other units working on same principle and same claims around for years.
---
### Author:  [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/8 "2022-06-16T05:46:04Z")
I have one similar to this. As long as you’re within 3 feet of it, it works quite well.
[https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-2-in-1-Portable-Personal-Evaporative-Air-Cooler-White/452970711](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-2-in-1-Portable-Personal-Evaporative-Air-Cooler-White/452970711)
---
### Author:  [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/9 "2022-06-16T06:20:43Z")
my swamp coolers down and since we’re not supposed to be living here still it’s not gonna get fixed ,
and it’s 90 degrees at 10 pm…
there are better ones out there that are like upright fans and only ned a gallon of water for 4 hours of air…
---
### Author:  [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/10 "2022-06-16T06:59:03Z")
> [@Riemann](#):
>
> So if you life in the desert Southwest and have a sweaty pet hamster, this could be ideal.
Funny you should say that…
---
### Author:  [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/11 "2022-06-16T11:47:59Z")
The Technology Connections dude did a video about these types of devices a couple of years ago. His conclusion matches those of people upthread: they’re overpriced swamp coolers, and probably only worth considering if you live in an arid climate.
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/2horH-IeurA/maxresdefault.jpg "Personal "air conditioners" aren't what they seem") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2horH-IeurA)
---
### Author:  [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/12 "2022-06-16T12:46:40Z")
If you’re in an already conditioned building, but you sit by a hot window or computer, then something like this can give you a slightly cooler breeze, but it’s only effective if it’s blowing right at you, i.e. slightly better than fan at best.
---
### Author:  [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/13 "2022-06-16T14:21:43Z")
> [@Bootb](#):
>
> I have one similar to this. As long as you’re within 3 feet of it, it works quite well.
>
> [https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-2-in-1-Portable-Personal-Evaporative-Air-Cooler-White/452970711](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-2-in-1-Portable-Personal-Evaporative-Air-Cooler-White/452970711)
I want to point out @bootb’s post again, because this unit, while lacking the “ge-whiz!” of the Chillwell (the bling and flashy lights) it does the same thing for $28.88. Which makes it not much more expensive than a middling quality desk fan, with the added bonus of extra humidity and minor cooling if climate allows.
So, again, Chillwell wants to charge more than 3 times (!!!) the cost of an equivalent unit. 👎
---
### Author:  [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/14 "2022-06-16T14:54:41Z")
Note even in hot/humid places, like here in Houston, an evaporative cooler can still cool a small area down a small amount, but you’d rather a good sized one with a decent fan.
But at that point, just do a big box fan blowing over a bucket of ice water and save the money.
---
### Author:  [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/15 "2022-06-16T16:21:07Z")
One of Chillwell’s competitors offers a wearable thing, which is likely more effective.
> **[Amazon.com: Arctic Air Freedom Personal Air Cooler - Portable 3-Speed Neck Fan,...](https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Air-Freedom-Personal-Cooler/dp/B08SHJ47JL)**
>
> Buy Arctic Air Freedom Personal Air Cooler - Portable 3-Speed Neck Fan, Hands-Free Wearable Design, Lightweight, Cordless And Rechargeable: Portable - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
---
### Author:  [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/16 "2022-06-16T16:24:06Z")
> [@jjakucyk](#):
>
> If you’re in an already conditioned building, but you sit by a hot window or computer, then something like this can give you a slightly cooler breeze, but it’s only effective if it’s blowing right at you, i.e. slightly better than fan at best.
If you use one of these in an air conditioned building, all you are doing is adding a latent load, using more power to dehumidify the air. Mixing AC and evaporative cooling is foolish.
---
### Author:  [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/17 "2022-06-16T17:02:44Z")
These things do so little that a central AC would be unlikely to notice the change in latent heat. As I said, it would just make a slightly cooler air stream for your own personal bubble and nothing else.
---
### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/18 "2022-06-16T17:55:26Z")
If you look at the cutaway animation in the ad, it’s clearly a swamp cooler. You can see the water tank just above the airflow.
---
### Author:  [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/19 "2022-06-16T18:11:48Z")
One question for @obbn - where do you get the 400sq foot claim for the Chillwell? The youtube video?
Because that part is scammy, even if the device works within the limitations we’ve all set out.
Unless they mention that it ‘cools’ a 400 sq ft room in minutes by 0.01 degrees F, which it might manage before the ice melts, but while technically correct, it is still super-scammy. Or that when used in a 400 sq ft room, the temp 6 inches away dropped 2-3 F, which is also super-scammy.
I’m just asking out of curiosity, I see no point to watch an ad for overpriced rubbish, but noted the mfg website is super, SUPER light on any details, but long on technobabble, while carefully avoiding any specific claims that they can be called out on past construction.
---
### Author:  [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2022, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272/20 "2022-06-16T18:32:16Z")
The 400 sqft came from the ad. The ad also said it could take a room at 96 degrees and chill out to 65 in a “matter of minutes”. That when I knew it was a lie.
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chillwell-a-c-units-do-they-work-or-is-it-a-scam/966272.md?page=2)