Temu's Budget Cooling Gadgets: A Mixed Bag of Surprises and Disappointments
An investigation into ultra-cheap portable air conditioners and cooling devices from Temu reveals varying degrees of utility, with some offering minor relief and others proving to be worthless.
As soaring temperatures drive demand for air conditioning, many consumers are exploring budget-friendly alternatives. Chinese online retailer Temu offers a range of cooling devices at a fraction of the cost of traditional units, with some priced as low as £8.03. However, a recent test of several of these products reveals a mixed bag of effectiveness, with some offering modest cooling and others failing to deliver.
Portable Air Conditioner (£8.03)
Advertised as a best-selling 'air conditioner and cooler' boasting 'violent wind', this device disappointed expectations. Despite five speeds and adjustable airflow, its output was akin to a gentle waft rather than a strong breeze. While it could provide a detectable breeze when positioned within a foot and offered a slight reprieve from heat when used at a desk, its portability was limited by a short USB cord and a battery life of only 30 minutes. It functions more as a small desk fan than an air conditioner.
Dyson Purple Cooling Air Conditioner (£12.25)
This device, which shares a name with a high-end British manufacturer's products, arrived with packaging that made no mention of the brand. Instead, it was described as a 'handheld folding fan-ice cubes.' The product is a small, plastic handheld fan that lights up with flashing colours. The speed controls were fiddly, and the cooling effect was negligible, with the 'ice cube' imagery doing little to combat the heat.
Leafless Portable Air Conditioner (£10.67)
Resembling a more expensive Dyson model with a humidification feature, this device requires users to fill a water tank. However, it experienced significant shipping delays, taking 16 days to arrive and potentially missing the period of high demand. The notes suggest that delivery times from Temu can be unreliable.
Neck-mounted Cooling Turbine (£9.91)
Designed to be worn around the neck, this plastic device features embedded fans. While substantially cheaper than comparable models from other retailers, it produced a warm breeze and a loud motor hum that made concentration difficult. The device also features flashing lights, which were described as a jarring addition.
Portable ‘Air Conditioner’ (£13.83)
This was the most expensive item tested. Advertised as two devices to be affixed to clothing to provide cooling on the job, only one unit was received. Its effectiveness was minimal, even at the highest setting, and it was not powerful enough to feel when attached to trousers. Worn around the neck via a lanyard, it provided a faint, tickling breeze and featured a surprising SOS flashlight function.
Turbo Fan (£5.38)
The cheapest item tested, this 'three-in-one' fan can be used for personal cooling, placed on the floor for feet, or used with a lanyard. It offers five speeds and up to ten hours of battery life. While it produces a gentle, albeit noisy, breeze, it was ultimately deemed less practical than traditional methods like using a fan or a paper fan.
Expert Opinion
Air conditioner fitters suggest that these budget gadgets are unlikely to provide effective cooling. A professional air conditioning unit can cost upwards of £1,000 for installation, with reputable brands including Mitsubishi, Daikin, and ElectriQ. Even portable air conditioners are often considered temporary solutions. For significant and regular cooling, a professionally installed unit with appropriate British Thermal Units (BTUs) is recommended, with a 9,000 BTU unit considered suitable for most rooms. The Temu devices reportedly do not provide BTU information, relying instead on unsubstantiated sales claims.