Fans & Air-Conditioners

Get an air conditioner if you need to actually lower the room's temperature, especially during those really hot Aussie summers. Fans are great for circulating air and creating a cooling breeze, but they don't reduce the heat-they just make you feel cooler. If your budget allows and you need serious relief from the heat, a split system air conditioner like the Westinghouse 2.7kW Split System is a fantastic choice. It’s highly rated by customers with a 4.7-star average because it’s effective, reliable, and has smart features like a self-cleaning function. For a single room or if you're renting, a portable air conditioner is a great middle-ground, offering more cooling power than a fan without the permanent installation.

Portable air conditioners are your best bet for powerful cooling without the complex setup. Models like the Delonghi Pinguino 2.6kW or the Rinnai 4.1kW Portable Air Conditioner are designed for easy, DIY installation. They come with a simple window kit to vent the hot air outside, and their built-in wheels mean you can move them from the living room to the bedroom with no fuss. Another great option is a window/wall air conditioner, often called a 'box' unit. The Dimplex 2.6kW Reverse Cycle Window Box Air Conditioner, for example, comes with a standard 10amp plug, so you can just slide it into a window or wall space and plug it straight in. And when you shop with Appliances Online, we make it even simpler with Free Next-Day Delivery in most metro areas.

Not at all. Many modern air conditioners are designed to be incredibly quiet. Look for models with a low decibel (dBA) rating and features like 'Sleep Mode' or 'Quiet Mode'. For instance, the Rinnai 2.6kW Split System operates at a whisper-quiet 22dBA in silent mode, which is perfect for a bedroom. In contrast, portable units are generally louder because all the working parts are in the room with you. However, brands like DeLonghi have engineered their Pinguino range with Silent Technology for quieter operation. It’s always worth checking the indoor sound level in the product specifications to find a model that suits your noise tolerance.

Remote controls are a standard feature now, but for ultimate convenience, look for Wi-Fi connectivity. Air conditioners like the Rinnai RPC41MCWF Portable Air Conditioner or the Fujitsu Lifestyle Next series connect to your home Wi-Fi, letting you control them from anywhere using a smartphone app. You can turn the unit on before you get home or adjust the temperature from the couch. Some models are even compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for voice control. For older units, a smart controller like the Sensibo SENSIBOSKY can be added to give it these modern smart features.

If aesthetics are a priority, a ceiling cassette air conditioner is the most discreet option available. Models like the Mitsubishi Electric 6.0kW SLZ-M 4-Way Ceiling Cassette are installed flush with your ceiling, so only a sleek, low-profile grille is visible. This frees up wall space and integrates seamlessly into your home's design. For a more conventional choice, modern split systems have become much more stylish. The Fujitsu Lifestyle Next range, for instance, has a sleek matte finish and smooth, rounded edges that complement contemporary interiors without being an eyesore.

Evaporative coolers are significantly more effective at cooling than misting fans. A misting fan simply sprays a fine mist of water into the air, which can provide some relief but also makes things damp. An evaporative cooler actively draws in hot, dry air and passes it over water-saturated pads. The water evaporates, which naturally cools the air before it's blown out into the room. They work best in dry climates, as they add humidity to the air. In humid areas, an air conditioner with a dehumidifying function, like the DeLonghi Pinguino PACEM93KSILENT, is a much better choice as it removes moisture while it cools.