'Cool in 90 seconds' - the fake portable air conditioners sweeping the internet
BBC News 2026-07-10 01:33:45
Context: As parts of the UK prepare for another hot weekend, online adverts have been appearing for portable air conditioners that claim to be able to "cool a room in 90 seconds" and are often described as being "designed by former Nasa engineers". However, the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has warned that these products are often "too good to be true" and has issued an enforcement notice to advertisers. The ASA is monitoring sites to spot such adverts and banning those found to have breached its rules.
Key Facts
- The online adverts for portable air conditioners claim to be able to cool a room in 90 seconds and are often described as being "designed by former Nasa engineers", but the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has warned that these claims are often exaggerated.
- YouTuber Stuart Matthews bought several of the devices to test on his Proper DIY channel and found that they were actually "small, simple fans worth only a few pounds", despite being sold for £70.
- The ASA has identified several red flags that indicate an advert for a portable air conditioner is likely to be misleading, including promises that sound too good to be true, dramatic backstories, poor grammar and spelling mistakes, and fake customer reviews.
- The adverts often direct shoppers to websites selling the devices, typically for between £70 and £120, and frequently feature fake customer reviews describing dramatic temperature drops or exceptional performance.
- The ASA has issued an enforcement notice "instructing advertisers to get their ads in order" and is monitoring sites to spot such adverts, but it cannot issue fines itself for breaches of its rules.