^^Not necessarily,depends on quality which varies from seller to seller & place to place.Branded ones are costlier but more reliable & they have this specific grass padding which does not need replacement for at least 2 summer seasons(aka 2 years). However if you can find a good quality seller of metallic/evaporative cooler then it is the best budget option for a rented room/house.However if one is looking for a permanent solution in a family home then branded ones are better.