"This is not an air conditioner; it's a fan that only works in dry climates."
This 'Evaporative Air Cooler' is a fan that blows air across water-soaked pads. It does not actively cool and dehumidify a room; it makes the air more humid, which creates a slight cooling sensation only in very dry environments.
This is a functional choice for someone in a persistently dry, arid climate like the American Southwest who understands what a swamp cooler is. It provides more cooling than a simple fan without the energy draw or installation hassle of a window AC unit.
Anyone living in a region with moderate to high summer humidity should avoid this. It will simply make the air feel more damp and uncomfortable. A high-quality tower fan is a better investment for air circulation, and a small window AC is required for actual cooling.