After a string of hot, sticky afternoons in my upstairs workspace, I finally caved and started hunting for a budget-friendly cooling option. AC was too expensive to run all day, and fans just weren’t cutting it. The Libiyi Cooling Ace popped up promising “fast, energy-efficient cooling” in a compact, USB-powered design. I was skeptical, but curious enough to try it.
Spoiler: it’s not a real air conditioner, and if I’m honest, it barely qualifies as a proper fan.
What Is the Libiyi Cooling Ace?
The Libiyi Cooling Ace is a portable evaporative cooler that’s heavily marketed as a 3-in-1 gadget: a fan, a humidifier, and a “cooling unit.” It runs via USB, has adjustable speed settings, and a small water tank. The basic idea is: fill it with water, turn it on, and it’ll supposedly chill the air around you.
In reality, it’s essentially a desk fan with a wet sponge inside, and the “cooling” you get is minimal at best.
Why I Tried It
I wanted something, anything, that could make a small room feel less suffocating without hiking up the energy bill. The product photos made it seem powerful for its size, and the description was full of claims like “cool your personal space in seconds” and “ice-cold air anywhere.”
I knew it probably wouldn’t live up to all that, but I didn’t expect it to fall this flat.
My Experience Using It
When the box arrived, I was immediately struck by how tiny and plasticky it felt. Definitely not built to last. I filled the tank, hit the power button, and pointed it directly at my face. For the first few minutes, there was a faintly cool breeze, almost like sitting in front of a damp napkin.
But that “cool” effect didn’t travel more than a foot or two. If I moved even slightly out of its range, it might as well have been off. I tried using it during my workday, but between the constant need to refill the tiny water tank and the fact that the room remained just as warm, it honestly felt more like a gimmick than a useful appliance.
And despite the claims of quiet operation, I could definitely hear it whirring—especially on the higher settings. Not loud, but not silent either. Over a few days, the novelty wore off and I found myself reaching for my regular fan again.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Small and lightweight
- Easy to set up
- Mildly cooler airflow when directly in front of it
Cons
- Does not actually cool a room
- Cheap, fragile-feeling construction
- Water runs out quickly (under 3 hours)
- Loud enough to notice
- No value if you’re more than 1–2 feet away
- Misleading marketing
Red Flags I Discovered
Overstated Claims
The product description suggests it can “cool your entire personal space.” Realistically, it can only cool your nose, if you’re sitting right in front of it. There’s no temperature drop in the room, and no mist powerful enough to make a real difference.
Low Build Quality
The housing feels flimsy, like it wouldn’t survive a short fall. Several users online reported issues with leaking or broken tanks after just a few weeks.
Flood of Generic Clones
There are dozens of nearly identical evaporative coolers sold under different names. This is one of those mass-produced, white-label products, often resold at inflated prices with flashy marketing.
Does It Actually Work?
Technically, yes, it turns on, blows a misty breeze, and adds some moisture to dry air. But it’s not effective cooling. If you’re expecting a real relief from heat, you’ll be very disappointed. It’s better than nothing, but only slightly.
Where to Buy & Price
You’ll find the Libiyi Cooling Ace:
- On Libiyi’s website (usually with inflated “discount” pricing)
- On Amazon, eBay, and Walmart under similar names
Price Range: $25–$65. Avoid paying anything over $35 for it. Higher prices are just marketing markup.
Alternatives
- Ontel Arctic Air Ultra
- Evapolar evaCHILL
- Vornado Flippi V6
Conclusion: Would I Recommend It?
Honestly, no. Unless you want a glorified desk fan that runs out of water constantly and only cools your face, skip it. It might give you a few minutes of minor relief, but the Libiyi Cooling Ace is not a serious cooling solution. The marketing is inflated, and the product barely rises above toy status.
If you’re desperate for something small and silent to sit right in front of you, maybe it has a place, but there are better mini fans and even better evaporative coolers out there that aren’t built around empty hype.
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