Havells Altima-i 70 L Desert Air Cooler (GHRACBUD220) Review: Powerful, Hygienic, and Remote-Controlled Cooling for Indian Homes in 2025
Experience cool comfort this summer with the Havells Altima-i 70 L Desert Air Cooler in a stylish White Grey finish. This efficient cooler (GHRACBUD220) features a generous 70-liter tank for extended cooling and delivers a powerful 3500 m³/h air delivery suitable for medium to large rooms (up to 38 m² or 116 m³). Enjoy effortless operation with its full-functional remote and electronic panel. With 3-Side Honeycomb Pads featuring Bacteria Shield Technology, a durable Double Ball Bearing Motor, and essential safety features like Thermal Overload Protection and Dry Run Protection, the Altima-i ensures healthy, consistent, and convenient cooling. Grab this cooler now with a significant 48% discount!
This in-depth review will explore the Altima-i’s robust cooling capabilities, its focus on air hygiene, remote-controlled convenience, durable construction, and overall value proposition, helping discerning buyers make an informed decision for cooling medium to large spaces in June 2025.
Powerful Cooling & Superior Air Hygiene: Beat the Heat Responsibly
The Havells Altima-i 70 L is designed to provide extensive cooling coverage with a strong emphasis on air quality.
Generous 70 L Tank Capacity: Extended Cooling Without Frequent Refills
This large water tank ensures prolonged cooling performance, significantly reducing the need for frequent water refills and providing extended comfort, especially useful during long hot days or nights.
Powerful Air Delivery of 3500 m³/h (approx. 2060 CFM): Covers Medium to Large Spaces
Equipped with 5-leaf plastic blades, this cooler delivers a strong and consistent airflow, effectively cooling spaces up to 38 m² (or 116 m³ cooling space). This makes it highly suitable for medium to large rooms, spacious living areas, or offices, ensuring comprehensive comfort.
3-Side Honeycomb Pads with Bacteria Shield Technology: Healthier, Hygienic Airflow
Utilizes high-density, smell-free honeycomb cooling media on three sides for maximum water retention and highly efficient evaporative cooling. The integrated Bacteria Shield Technology actively inhibits bacterial growth in the water tank, ensuring up to 99.9% bacteria reduction and providing healthier, fresh, and hygienic air circulation.
Dedicated Ice Chamber: Boost for Instant Chill
Includes a dedicated ice chamber to add ice cubes, providing an instant boost of chilled air for more effective and refreshing cooling, especially during peak summer heat. This feature allows you to customize the cooling intensity.
Efficiency & Durable Performance: Built to Last, Designed to Save
The Altima-i 70 L is engineered for efficient and reliable operation, ensuring long-term comfort and cost savings.
Double Ball Bearing Motor: Smooth, Quiet, and Durable
Enhances the motor’s life, ensures smooth functioning, and significantly reduces operational noise compared to traditional sleeve bearing motors. This contributes to the cooler’s durability, reliability, and provides a quieter cooling experience.
Energy-Efficient Operation (185W Input): Economical Cooling
Operates on a relatively low power consumption of just 185 W. This makes it highly cost-effective to run compared to air conditioners, leading to significant savings on electricity bills.
Inverter Compatible: Uninterrupted Comfort During Power Outages
Designed to run efficiently on a home inverter during power outages, ensuring uninterrupted cooling comfort even during electricity cuts. This is a vital feature for Indian households, providing continuous relief.
Convenience & Safety Features: Effortless Control and User-Friendly Design
The Havells Altima-i 70 L offers a comprehensive suite of features for user-friendly operation and enhanced safety.
Full Functional Remote & Electronic Panel: Convenient Control from Anywhere
Offers ultimate convenience with a comprehensive remote control and an intuitive electronic control panel. Easily adjust fan speed, cooling modes, and other settings from anywhere in the room, ensuring effortless operation.
Thermal Overload Protection: Motor Safety
A crucial safety feature that automatically shuts off the motor in case of overheating. This prevents damage to the motor and prolongs the life of the appliance, ensuring user safety.
Dry Run Protection: Pump Safeguard
Prevents the water pump from operating when the water level is too low, safeguarding the pump from damage caused by dry running and ensuring the cooler’s longevity.
Low Water Alarm: Timely Refills
Alerts you with an audible or visual indication when the water level in the tank is running low, prompting timely refills and preventing the cooler from running dry.
Timer Function: Set and Forget Convenience
Allows you to set a specific operating duration (e.g., up to 7 hours), automatically turning off the cooler after the set time. This offers convenience and helps in saving energy.
Auto Swing: Even Air Distribution
Features an auto-swing function (typically for vertical louvers) that ensures multi-directional air throw, distributing cool air evenly across the entire space for consistent comfort, eliminating hot spots.
Multi-Direction Castor Wheels with Brakes: Effortless Portability
Equipped with smooth-rolling multi-directional castor wheels for easy portability, allowing effortless movement between rooms. The front wheels come with brakes to ensure stability when positioned.
Cord Winding Station at Rear: Neat Storage
A convenient design feature for neat and organized storage of the power cord when the cooler is not in use, reducing clutter and enhancing safety by preventing tripping hazards.
Full Specification Table: A Detailed Overview
General
- Model Name: Altima-i 70 L Desert Air Cooler
- Model Number: GHRACBUD220
- Color: White Grey
- Manufactured By: Havells India Ltd.
- Country Of Origin: India
- MRP: ₹25,190.00
- Offer Price: ₹12,990.00
- Discount: 48% Off
- Warranty: 1 Year (Manufacturer Warranty)
Cooling Performance
- Tank Capacity: 70 L
- Air Delivery: 3500 m³/h
- Cooling Space: 116 m³ (approx. 38 m² / 409 sq. ft.)
- No. of Speed: 3 N (Variable Speed)
- Fan Size: 406.4 mm (16 inches, 5-leaf plastic blades)
- Cooling Media: Smell-free & High-density 3 Side Honeycomb pad (with Bacteria Shield Technology)
- Bacteria Shield (Honeycomb Pad Technology): Yes
- Ice Chamber: Yes
Power & Efficiency
- Motor Type: Aluminium Wound, Double Ball Bearing Motor
- Input Power: 185 W
- Rated Voltage: 220 V – 240 V
- Inverter Compatible: Yes
Convenience & Safety Features
- Remote Control: Yes
- Electronic Panel: Yes
- Thermal Overload Protection: Yes
- Dry Run Protection: Yes
- Water Level Indicator: Yes
- Low Water Alarm: Yes
- Timer: Yes
- Auto Swing: Yes
- Portability: Multi Direction Castor Wheels with brakes in front wheels
- Cord Winding Station at Rear: Yes
- Auto Display Off Function: Yes
- Can Be Used: Indoor/Outdoor/Large spaces
Dimensions & Weight
- Product Size L x W x H (cm): 67.0 cm x 47.5 cm x 110.5 cm
- Net Contents: 1 N Desert Cooler, 1 N Remote & 5 N Castor Wheels
- Net Quantity: 1 N
Pros and Cons: A Balanced View for Buyers
To help you make an informed decision, here’s a balanced look at the advantages and potential drawbacks of the Havells Altima-i 70 L Desert Air Cooler:
Pros:
- Effective Cooling for Medium to Large Rooms: The 70L tank and powerful 3500 m³/h air delivery are well-suited for covering extensive spaces, ensuring good cooling performance.
- Convenient Remote Control & Electronic Panel: Offers full-functional remote operation and an intuitive electronic panel, making it very easy to adjust settings from anywhere in the room.
- Enhanced Hygiene: Bacteria Shield Honeycomb Pads ensure 99.9% bacteria reduction, contributing significantly to healthier and cleaner air quality.
- Durable & Safe Operation: Features a Double Ball Bearing Motor for longevity and reduced noise, coupled with critical safety features like Thermal Overload Protection and Dry Run Protection.
- Portable: Multi-directional castor wheels with brakes make it easy to move the cooler around and secure its position.
- Energy Efficient: Operates on a relatively low 185W, making it a cost-effective cooling solution compared to air conditioners.
- Inverter Compatible: Ensures continuous cooling even during power cuts, providing crucial comfort during hot Indian summers.
- Dedicated Ice Chamber: Allows for an instant boost of chilled air, enhancing cooling effectiveness during peak heat.
- Value for Money: A substantial 48% discount makes this feature-rich cooler a highly attractive and affordable purchase.
- Made in India: Supports local manufacturing and provides reliable after-sales service from Havells India.
Cons:
- No Dedicated Dust Filter: Lacks dedicated dust filter nets, which means more dust might pass through and accumulate inside compared to models that specifically include this feature.
- No Fully Closing Louvers: Does not have fully collapsible louvers to prevent dust and insects from entering the cooler when it is not in use, which could lead to increased internal dust accumulation.
- Manual Water Refill: Requires manual refilling of the large 70L water tank, which might be inconvenient for some users who prefer automated or continuous water supply systems.
- No Humidity Controller: Lacks a humidity control feature, which might make it less ideal for extremely humid climates where coolers can sometimes increase indoor humidity.
- No 3-Side Chill Drip Technology: While it has an ice chamber, it does not feature the more advanced 3-Side Chill Drip Technology for enhanced, sustained ice-based cooling, which some high-end models offer.
- Standard 1-Year Warranty: The 1-year manufacturer warranty is typical but shorter compared to extended warranties offered on motors by some brands, potentially affecting long-term peace of mind.
Who Is This Cooler For? Tailored Recommendations
The Havells Altima-i 70 L Desert Air Cooler (GHRACBUD220) is an excellent choice for:
- Medium to Large Rooms: Providing effective cooling for living rooms, bedrooms, or offices.
- Users Seeking Remote Control Convenience: Who prefer adjusting settings from a distance.
- Health-Conscious Buyers: Who prioritize cleaner air with bacteria reduction technology.
- Individuals or Families in Dry & Semi-Dry Climates: Where evaporative cooling performs optimally.
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Who want a powerful, feature-rich cooler at an attractive price point.
- Households Prone to Power Outages: Benefiting from its inverter compatibility.
Who Might Consider Other Options?
You might consider other options if:
- You Live in a Highly Humid Climate: As evaporative coolers are less effective in high humidity.
- You Need a Dedicated Dust Filter: For enhanced air purification.
- You Prefer Automated Water Refill: For completely hands-free operation.
- A Longer Warranty is a Top Priority: Beyond the standard 1-year offering.
- You Require Fully Closing Louvers: To prevent dust and insects when not in use.
Competitive Edge: What Sets It Apart
The Havells Altima-i 70 L Desert Air Cooler distinguishes itself in the market with several key advantages:
- Powerful Cooling with Remote Control: Combines a strong air delivery with the convenience of full remote functionality, which is not always standard in this segment.
- Bacteria Shield Technology & Ice Chamber: Offers a dual approach to healthy and enhanced cooling, providing cleaner air and an instant chill boost.
- Robust Double Ball Bearing Motor: Ensures durability and quieter operation, contributing to a longer lifespan and better user experience.
- Excellent Value with 48% Discount: Provides a strong feature set and performance at a highly competitive price point, making it very accessible.
- Inverter Compatibility: A crucial feature for uninterrupted comfort during common power outages in India.
The Verdict: A Value-Packed and Powerful Cooler for Large Spaces with Remote Control and Hygiene Benefits
The Havells Altima-i 70 L Desert Air Cooler (GHRACBUD220) stands out as a value-packed and convenient cooling solution for medium to large rooms, particularly in dry and semi-dry regions of India. Its powerful air delivery, generous tank capacity, and the convenience of a full-functional remote control make it exceptionally user-friendly.
The inclusion of Bacteria Shield Honeycomb Pads and a dedicated Ice Chamber ensures effective and hygienic cooling, while its energy efficiency and inverter compatibility provide a practical solution for Indian households. While it misses some advanced features like dedicated dust filters or auto-fill, its core performance, robust safety features, and the impressive 48% discount make it an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking reliable and easy-to-operate desert cooling.
Overall Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 (Considering Pros, Cons & Value)