Installed air conditioning in much of Europe costs over €1,000 and comes with weeks-long waitlists during a heatwave — and if you rent, you often can't install it at all. Here are the cheapest no-installation ways to cool down, from €30 up, with what each is actually good for.
1. Tower & pedestal fans — from ~€30
The cheapest relief. A fan won't lower the room temperature, but moving air over your skin makes a big difference, especially at night. A quiet tower fan is the single best value if your budget is tight.
2. Evaporative air cooler — from ~€60
An air cooler evaporates water to chill the air it blows out. It works best in dry heat and needs no window kit — just fill the tank. Cheaper to run than an AC and totally renter-friendly, though it adds humidity, so it's less effective in already-muggy flats.
See air coolers on Amazon.de →
3. Dehumidifier — from ~€120
If your flat feels muggy rather than just hot, humidity is the culprit. Drying the air can make 28°C feel noticeably cooler and helps you sleep — often for less electricity than an AC. Great for damp ground-floor flats.
See dehumidifiers on Amazon.de →
4. Portable air conditioner — from ~€250
The only no-installation option that genuinely lowers the temperature. It vents hot air out a window via an included hose kit. More expensive and needs a ventable window, but nothing else truly cools a hot bedroom. Match the BTU to your room size.
See portable air conditioners on Amazon.de → · full portable AC buying guide →
Quick recommendation
- Under €60: a good tower fan — best value for pure airflow.
- Dry heat, no window venting possible: an air cooler.
- Muggy flat: a dehumidifier, sometimes alongside a fan.
- You need to actually drop the temperature to sleep: a portable AC, no way around it.
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