NO, It cools only your personal area. Unlike portable AC's they are not getting rid of the hot air that is in the room already, whereas portable AC's gets rid of heat in the room through exhaust hose and blows cold air into the room as well. Air cooler does not have a compresor so it is not capable enough to blow as much cold air into the room as much as portable AC does. But people who cannot use the exhaust hose or want to save some money or people who have no other option of using an AC opt to buy the air coolers instead. They are very POPULAR for dry and hot weather.