If you use an evaporative cooling system, or swamp cooler, to beat the heat, you will need to change out your pads often. If not, your cooling system may breed harmful bacteria and spread them into your home where you and your family will be at risk of breathing them in and harming your respiratory systems.
In this guide, we'll look at five of the best swamp cooler pads currently available on the market. We'll also discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about swamp cooler pads. Whether you run a swamp cooler, humidifier, or some other evaporative cooling system, we've included one of the best swamp cooler pads for you.
Backyard Boss Top 5 Swamp Cooler Pads for 2021
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Why Trust Us
One of my main jobs as a content writer, for BYB and past clients in the outdoors and gardening spaces, is to track down the best products for our audience on any given subject. This includes picking the best items, reading reviews, studying ratings, and comparing each one against the others. Sometimes it's basic, like finding the best gardening tools, other times it's a bit more complex of a process, like choosing the best organic fertilizers, or the best two-stage snowblower. With so many great products available in some commercial niches, finding the actual best products is quite a challenge and requires a great deal of time and patience.
I've spent a great deal of time researching, learning, and educating our audience about evaporative cooling systems like swamp coolers. Part of that learning curve included swamp cooler pads. Regularly changing your swamp cooler pads is crucial when using evaporative cooling systems. Otherwise, you may end up propagating harmful mold and bacteria.
Best All-Around
The Aspen Snow-Cool Cooler Pad is one of the most preferred swamp cooler pads around, and for good reason. Have a look for yourself!
- Reduces water flow and pump issues
- Absorbs more water than others
- Signature Grid-Flow biodegradable stitching
- More evaporative wicking
- Smaller than competitor pads
- Does not fit all swamp cooler and evaporative systems"
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What We Like: The Aspen Snow-Cool Cooler Pad is one of the most trusted on the market. It is also marketed as "the coolest cooler pad."
This popular and high-end swamp cooler pad is a stout one. Measuring 29 x 29 inches, and coming with five individual pads per package, the pads are preferred by many swamp cooler owners. The pads consist of an open cellular structure and signature Grid-Flo biodegradable stitching that absorbs more water than other pads. They have more evaporative wicking per square inch than most pads as well, which helps reduce water flow and pump issues within your evaporative cooling system.
Who Should Buy It: For those who want to invest in the tried and true, look no further than the Aspen Snow-Cool Cooler pad.
Runner-Up Best All-Around
DuraCool's Evaporative Cooler Pad is another excellent solution for the average swamp cooling system, with a high efficiency foamed polyester design.
- Highly efficient design
- Made with foamed polyester
- Longer lasting than most pads
- Far better than paper pads
- Not as thick as other brands
- May not fit on all evaporative systems"
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What We Like: The pads are much stronger than paper ones, consisting of foam and polyester. They can also be trimmed down to fit a wide variety of swamp coolers and evaporative systems.
The DuraCool Evaporative Cooler Pad is a step up from high-quality paper pads in terms of strength and durability. These long-lasting pads are made with foamed polyester and make excellent replacements for most swamp coolers and evaporative cooling systems that require a semi-large pad. That said, they also work with systems that need smaller pads (all you have to do is cut them down to size). The pads are designed for high efficiency.
Who Should Buy It: If you are looking for an efficient alternative to paper pads that need replacing constantly, these pads from DuraCool may be your best bet. They fit most swamp coolers and last longer than most.
Best for Honeywell Systems
The HC26A1008 is one of Honeywell's most popular evaporative cooling system replacement pads.
- Fits HE260 and HE360 Honeywell units
- Better for allergies than most pads
- Durable honeycomb design
- Need changed less often
- Does not fit all swamp coolers"
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What We Like: These replacement pads from Honeywell are the official pads that should be used with the HE260 and HE360 systems.
Honeywell is one of the top evaporative cooler and humidifier manufacturers, which is why we think it's necessary to include one of their best-selling evaporative cooler replacement pads. The HC26A1008 Replacement Pads from Honeywell fit the HE260 and HE360 systems. They're stronger than most, long-lasting, and feature a thick layered honeycomb-like structure. The design promoted higher water flow and superior cooling. Be sure that the pad fits your Honeywell system, as they are not universal pads.
Who Should Buy It: If you're running a HE260 or HE360, these are the pads that you need. Just remember to double-check your unit model before ordering them!
Best for Lennox Healthy Climate Systems
If you have a Lennox Healthy Climate system, chances are you need this particular swamp cooler pad!
- Designed specifically for Lennox Healthy Climate units
- High end materials
- Fits five models
- Superior air cleaning ability
- Only for Lennox Healthy Climate systems"
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What We Like: These pads are a high-end product designed for the Lennox Healthy Climate system that is thicker and longer-lasting than most of the competition.
For Lennox Healthy Climate owners, this is the pad you will want to replace your old one with. It's designed for five Lennox Healthy Climate systems, so make sure that it fits yours before purchasing. You can do so by running a quick Google search. These particular evaporative pads are 1.75 inches thick, which is thicker than most. They measure 10 inches wide and 13 inches tall. The material and design of the pads support cleaner and safer air as well as superior humidity from your Lennox system.
Who Should Buy It: If you own a Lennox Healthy Climate evaporative system, this is more than likely the best pad for you. Remember to double-check your cooling systems model type before making the purchase.
Best for Kuul Comfort Systems
When it comes to Kuul Comfort evaporative cooling systems, the Portacool Replacement Evaporative Media Pad is the one you're looking for.
- Includes Portacool Protect guarantee
- Designed and produced in the USA
- Specially developed to be effective and long-lasting
- Includes excellent customer service
- Is not intended to be used with other evaporative cooling systems or swamp coolers"
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What We Like: The Portacool Replacement Evaporative Media Pad is designed specifically for Kuul Comfort systems and is thicker and longer-lasting than most swamp cooler pads out there.
Portacool's Kuul Comfort is another popular evaporative system found in many homes. That's why we included one of the most commonly used replacement pads for Kuul Comfort systems, the #35 Portacool Replacement Evaporative Media Pad. That means the pad is made just for your Kuul Comfort, and that it comes with Portacool Protect and excellent customer service. The pad is specially designed for effectiveness and long-lasting durability. It was developed and manufactured in the USA.
Who Should Buy It: If you use a Kuul Comfort system in your home, chances are that these are going to be the pads you need.
FAQs About Swamp Cooler Pads
Image credits: Alexi Kostibas via Flickr
What Are Swamp Cooler Pads Made Of?
There is no one type of material that all swamp cooler pads are made of. Take the pads listed above, for example - one consists of aspen fibers, one of foamed polyester, and other evaporative-friendly materials. The range of materials used in common swamp cooler pads is wide; including paper, plastic, foam, rubber, and more. Make sure you know exactly what your replacement pads are made of before buying, especially if they are not the same as the original pads.
What Is the Best Type of Swamp Cooler Pads?
The answer to this question is one of personal preference. Or rather, it depends on the sort of swamp cooler or evaporative cooling system that is installed in your home. If you have a brand-name cooler, such as Lennox or Portacool, the best pad is the one designed specifically for your unit. Otherwise, you may need to shop around a bit until you find the one that works best with your system.
Can You Cut Swamp Cooler Pads Yourself?
The only time that you should cut swamp cooler pads yourself is when your entire swamp cooler is DIY. But even then, it may work out better to actually purchase the most suitable pad rather than cut one yourself. In most cases, if the pad is too large, all you need to do is fold it back around the edges before replacing the cover. Only if you have the proper tools (sharp scissors or razor knife), and safety gear (a steady hand and cut-proof gloves) should you consider trimming a swamp cooler pad.
How We Picked
Finding the best swamp cooler pads wasn't as tricky as some products tend to be. The reason being that there is a terrible shortage of swamp cooler pads that stand apart from the general run-of-the-mill pads. Rest assured, the pads listed above were well-researched and thoroughly vetted before appearing on our list. We looked at the quality of materials and craftsmanship, guarantees, shape, size, and more before making our selections, as well as vigorously comparing each item with similar products. The five swamp cooler pads that made our list were the most effective, longest-lasting, and best rated.
Which Swamp Cooler Pads Are Best for You?
Choosing the best swamp cooler pads doesn't have to be hard work. In fact, it's a pretty simple task. Either your cooling system requires a specific type, or it doesn't. If it doesn't require a special pad, picking the very best one often comes down to the one that is shaped correctly. Remember, never try cutting a cooler pad that you purchase, even if it doesn't fit perfectly. Rather, fold the edges back and place the cover back on.
All things considered, our top pick for the best cooler pads to invest in is the Aspen Snow-Cool Cooler Pad. It not only reduces issues with your swamp cooler, but its open cellular structure absorbs more water and creates cooler and fresher air. It's also large enough for most medium to big swamp coolers. But those with Honeywell, Kuul Comfort, or Lennox Healthy Climate pads should stick with the recommended pads listed above.