Chinese cooling appliances ride Europe's heat wave with smart, installation-free designs

As summer heat waves sweep across Europe, many households are discovering an unexpected solution to staying cool — smart, portable cooling appliances made in China.

According to the General Administration of Customs, China's exports of air conditioners to the European Union reached $3.76 billion in the first half of 2026, up 43.2 percent year-on-year and the highest level ever recorded for the period. Notably, exports of portable air conditioners surged by more than 70 percent, reflecting strong demand for flexible cooling solutions.

The MF10 bladeless circulation fan, for example, launched through Chinese home appliance maker Dreame's European online store and Amazon in May, sold out its initial inventory of 1,500 units within just two weeks.

Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland have emerged as the company's strongest markets. In Germany alone, monthly offline sales surpassed 2,000 units, while cumulative shipments across Southwestern Europe have exceeded 25,000 units, the manufacturer's data showed.

He Xingwei, head of the company's home appliances business unit, said the popularity of Chinese cooling appliances stems from their ability to solve practical problems faced by European consumers.

"Many older residential buildings do not allow exterior wall modifications for air conditioner installation. Installation costs can easily run into hundreds or over a thousand euros, while electricity prices remain relatively high," He said.

"Against this backdrop, smart, portable and installation-free products have become an attractive alternative."

The growth momentum comes as air conditioning remains relatively uncommon across much of Europe. According to the International Energy Agency, only about 20 percent of European households are equipped with air conditioners, leaving considerable room for alternative cooling products as heat waves become more frequent.

However, for Chinese manufacturers, the recent sales boom seems only the beginning of a broader global strategy.

"A strong distribution network and a localized supply chain are what enable manufacturers to translate a surge in demand into actual deliveries," He said.

"Extreme weather may create short-term opportunities, but sustained growth ultimately depends on a company's ability to fulfill orders efficiently across global markets. That remains one of the biggest challenges for many brands expanding overseas."