Air conditioners are selling out fast, but these air coolers are the clever budget alternative (and still in stock)

It's clear that we're all gearing up for the inevitable heatwave that's fast approaching. And with the best portable air conditioners selling out left, right and centre as lots of us scramble to beat the next heatwave, armed with the ultimate cooling gadget, it's no surprise that we're turning our sights on the next best thing: air coolers.

Air coolers work a little differently from portable air conditioners, but versions like the Black+Decker Portable 2-In-1 Air Cooler, £70 on Amazon, are quietly becoming best sellers.

The difference between an air cooler and an air conditioner is that air conditioners actively remove heat and humidity from a room, using a refrigerant and a compressor, which is why they can be bulky, on the noisier side and can be costly to run.

Air coolers use evaporative cooling to circulate cool, moist air with ice packs. While they aren't as powerful as ACs, they can create a lovely, refreshing breeze.

So if you're on a budget and you need a cooling fix without the faff of a window hose or stock issues, these are the ones to take a look at.

Air coolers

We haven't tested any of the models below; however, we have based our selection on brand reputation and shopper reviews.

If you see an air cooler that will suit your home, I wouldn't wait around for it. In the last 24 hours, the Midea air cooler (shown below), which we originally included in this round-up and was a bestseller on Amazon, has already sold out. So I expect these coolers are going to sell out fast.

If you're struggling to find an in-stock air conditioner or want a budget cooling alternative, a compact air cooler could just be the sweet spot.

It won't necessarily cool down your room like an AC, but it can make you feel a lot more chill, and I think that's what really counts in the middle of a muggy UK summer.