JML Chillmax Portable Air Cooler – Mini Air Conditioning Unit Alternative

Exactly what I needed. It’s small and compact so it isn’t going to cool and entire room but for what we needed which was just to have some cool air flowing it was perfect. It’s great that you can put in very cold water and you can also pop a part in the freezer before use so it’s a little cooler. There is noise from it but I wouldn’t say it was enough to bother me.

I normally really like JML stuff, it's quite often good quality at low prices, but this is the absolutely opposite - rubbish, and expensive for what it is. I ordered two to help cope with the last heatwave, especially for my 96 year old Mother, as I was so worried about her struggling in the heat. I got one for her living room and one for her bedroom. I only opened one and thought it made sense to try just one first, and I'm really glad I did. It's useless. I soaked the cartridge and put it in the freezer for 6 hours before use. I put both water AND ice in the water tank. With the fan on boost and misting on full, it was absolutely NO cooler than the tower fan that she already has in her room! The build quality feels cheap and nasty, very flimsy. The only nice bit about it is the night light part, but I'm not paying £40 for a glorified lamp! Just to clarify, I did NOT expect miracles from this device. I wasn't expecting it to be like air con or to be able to cool a room. I knew it was a personal cooler, designed for use in close proximity to a person. My plan was to put one on her bedside table and one in the living room on the side table, but even with my hand right in front of it, it was useless. If it couldn't cool my hand, there was no hope of it helping to keep my Mam cool. This is one JML product I sadly cannot recommend. It's a total waste of money.

Ok first of all to manage expectations this is not going to have the same results as proper air con or larger sized air cooling systems. Used during the heatwave and it did take the edge off of the heat. Used in a largish living room and if pointing in the right direction towards where you are sitting you could feel a pleasant cooling breeze. Again not like air con but definitely took the edge off the heat and made things more comfortable. Another very important factor is that it is very easy to set up and use with very clear instructions. Best results with ice and water, very easy and straightforward to fill, no drama, will also run without, but maybe with less of a chill effect. It is a reasonable price for what it is. My only complaint is that it's recommended to change the filter every 6 months, was difficult to find clear information on where to get new filters for that particular model, and also very expensive to buy replacement filters, each one costing around £20 which is half the cost of the Air Cooler. However apart from that is a good short term simple to use fix for this increasingly hot weather we are getting.

This review is given on the day the item arrived. It's 27 celsius outside and I need something at my desk to take the edge of a sweltering room. The package arrived on time and in excellent condition. On opening, the item was well packed, with neat tape to secure movable parts. Instructions are clear and effective. The item is based on simple science; the cooling effect of the fan enhanced by water evaporation. Water and ice added to a reservoir at the top feeds a pair of 'misters' which sent fine water droplets into the path of a small fan. The air then blows across a cartridge of wetted felt sponges which when wetted (for greater effect it can be frozen prior to use). As moisture evaporates from the sponges the fanned air is further cooled. The unit is neat, compact and effective. I've used one of these before, and found it effective. This, newer model, has some improvements. The cartridge drawer moves more smoothly. Amongst other improvements, I notice that the cartridge is narrower, but with thicker sponges to hold more water. The water reservoir at the top seems to be larger. There are two misters instead of one. An issue I've had with a previous model (different brand name) relates to the high limescale content of our tap water. Over time, limescale will built up where water passes through to the misters; I've used a squirt of bathroom limescale remover spray to dissolve the little deposit. It worked for me, but I can't tell if this might cause corrosion over time. I don't see any suggestions / cautions about limescale remover in the instructions, so I guess that's done at your own risk. OK, so this particular item looks like it will last well in my home. We don't treat things roughly. The previous model, which is now three or four years old is still functioning just fine in another room. On day one, this is a great little fan/evapouration cooler for my desktop.

Works like a cooler than average fan. Not ice cold as described. Works better when the filter is frozen and an ice pack is place in the water container. Leaks a lot of water from the evaporation, must put on a tray or vestibule to collect the water otherwise will ruin the surface it is put on. However it is small and easily portable to move from room to room. Is loud on the highest setting, but needs to be on the highest setting to be as cold as it can be.

I wasn't expecting a great deal from a sub £40 evaporative cooling fan, but this works very nicely. It's clearly not a proper air conditioner and won't cool a room, but it does provide a nice cooling breeze to the body or face, making heatwaves a bit more bearable. It is quite noisy, though, even on the lowest setting. The best comparison is possibly an in car air conditioner, but don't expect the 17 degree iciness you can sometimes get in cars.

Smaller than you think. This cannot cool a room and you need to point it to your face. It’s doesn’t do much more than a small fan so don’t waste your money. Even if you put the cartridge in the freezer it doesn’t make much difference and it melts quick! If the room humidity is already high (above 60%) then this is truly useless. It’s also louder than you’d expect

I picked up the JML Chillmax Air (Pure Chill version) for around £35–40 during a recent heatwave, hoping for some relief at my home office desk without the cost or hassle of a full portable AC. After a couple of weeks of use, here’s my honest take. It looks small and discreet. I like the appearance as it gives sleek. The Good • Compact and convenient: This thing is tiny (fits easily on a desk or bedside table) and super lightweight. Setup takes seconds—just fill the top tank with water (and ice cubes for extra chill) and plug it in. The 4 fan speeds are easy to adjust, and the 7-colour LED night light is a nice bonus for evenings. • Noticeable cooling up close: In testing (and daily use), it drops the immediate air temp by a few degrees and blows a refreshing, slightly misty breeze. Paired with ice packs, it genuinely feels cooler right in front of you—perfect for personal space. Good Housekeeping’s lab results back this up, showing solid short-term cooling in a hot room.  • Cheap to run: Barely sips electricity (pennies per hour), and the tank lasts 8–10 hours. The washable antimicrobial filter is easy to clean and helps with maintenance. • Portable & versatile: Great for desks, small bedrooms, or even caravans/vans. Much quieter on low/medium than I expected. The Not-So-Good • Limited range: Don’t expect it to cool an entire room. It’s most effective within about a metre—beyond that, it’s basically a fancy fan with some humidity. In humid weather, the added moisture can make things feel stuffier if you don’t ventilate.  • Noisy on high: Max setting is loud (like a vacuum), so it’s not ideal for sleeping unless on low. Build feels a bit plasticky and budget-level. • Not a miracle worker: It helps, but it’s evaporative cooling—not true AC. Expectations matter; it’s no substitute for proper air conditioning in extreme heat. Verdict: For the price, this is a solid little gadget that delivers decent personal cooling and humidity in dry conditions. I’d recommend it for desks, bedside use, or small targeted spots—especially if you’re on a budget. If you need whole-room cooling, look at bigger evaporative coolers or a real portable AC. Happy with my purchase overall and would buy again for the value. Would I recommend? Yes, with realistic expectations! 👍