Summer is a great time for camping, but the heat can be tough to deal with. Luckily, air conditioners are designed specifically for tents! In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best air conditioners for tents on the market. We’ll also provide tips on choosing the right one for your needs. So, whether you’re looking to cool off during a summer camping trip or want to be prepared for next year, read on for all you need to know about air conditioners for tents!
The Best Tent Air Conditioners to Buy
If you’re interested in using an air conditioner while tenting, be sure you have a source of electricity – either a direct line on the campsite or through a generator. Otherwise, you will not have the power to operate your air conditioner. If you are without electricity, you could consider using a battery-operated window fan. For those that know that they will be with power while out on an adventure, check out these great portable air conditioners:
1) Black + Decker’s 8,000 BTW Portable Air Conditioner
At a Glance:
- Nearly 15,000 Positive reviews online – backed by a powerful brand and works wonderfully to cool off a smaller room.
- Includes a remote for portable controls
- Multiple options and settings to ensure the desired temperature is reached in your tent.
- Overall pretty quiet while on.
2) Whynter’s ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
At a Glance:
- Loved by Nearly 12,000 people around the globe
- Award-Winning air conditioner
- Offers multiple speeds and functionality, is easy to setup and start running, and is quiet
3) BougeRV’s Portable Air Conditioner
At a Glance:
- A newer portable air conditioner with a more-portable design.
- Cools air in a little as 15 seconds
- Extremely portable and offers many speed options for desired airflow
- Comes with a 18-month warranty
Shopping For An Air Conditioner For A Tent (or RV or Camper or Similar)
Why Would You Need a Tent Air Conditioner?
Nobody wants to sleep in an overheated tent during a hot summer night, so carrying a portable air conditioner that is specially designed to provide freeze and cool breeze of air is always a good idea for peaceful rest. A tent air conditioner is a must-have appliance for all campers due to various reasons listed below:
Portability
The tent AC is small, portable, and lightweight while occupies little space inside or outside your tent while proving you with a cooler environment. The compact size makes tent AC ideal for camping and outdoor use. Besides, it’s easy to carry in your backpack or car.
Cooling Effect
Having a tent air conditioner will provide a fresh stream of cooler air inside and also maintains internal temperature so you stay cool and save from outer heat waves. A powerful cool air breeze will help you rest, sleep, read, or play board games calmly inside your tent at any time. They offer to escape from the humidity and brutal heat during your outdoor trip. Some portable air conditioners also come with air filters to remove allergens, dust, and impurities.
Versatility
Since tent Air conditioners are mostly small and portable, they can also be used to create pleasant cool temperatures and fresh airflow in a small locale like caravan, vans, trucks, any cabin, motor home, etc. Plus, you can use it in offices or homes depending on the AC’s power and cooling capacity.
Ease of Installation
Easy installation is another great benefit of tent ACs, set up is quick and easy without the need for any tools. The AC is ready to use right out of the box. All you have to do it create an exhaust vent to pass out the condensed air.
Energy & Cost-Effectiveness
Low electricity consumption is a bonus when it comes to electric appliances. The portable tent AC’s are not only energy-efficient but also very cost-effective. Unlike central or split AC systems, tent air conditioners tend to be reasonable and economical in price. Moreover, they don’t use any refrigerant chemicals like Freon for cooling that makes mini ACs safer.
Park Hop Till We Drop’s excellent video showing you how to stay cool in a tent on a hot day!
What Is Available?
There are 3 basic types of tent air conditioners that you’ll come across:
1. Window tent AC
Just like our home air conditioner, this type of tent AC has to be fitted in an open tent window or wall. It comes with an exhaust that pushes out hot humid air while bringing fresher cool air inside. Many tents nowadays like Bushnell Shield tent and Ozark trail tent come with integrated AC port so you don’t have to make cuts in a tent for ventilation spots. These electric powered AC units are capable of providing powerful cool air while running on 5000-7000 BTU. Window tent AC effectively cools an area up to 150 sq ft. The Frigidaire FFRE0553S1 and HOmeLabs window air conditioner are among the top choices of camping enthusiasts for window tent AC.
2. Portable tent AC
Just as the name suggests, these portable AC are compact and cools around 400 sq ft running at 12000-14000 BTU. They almost use the same power and cooling mechanism of Window AC but don’t require set up or fitting in a tent. You can keep it anywhere inside the tent for even cool air distribution. However, they still require some ventilation through holes. For easy maneuverability and transport, they also come with small 4 wheels at the base. Additionally, most portable models are equipped with the dehumidifying feature and come with remote control for settings. The best ones on the market are JHS portable Air Conditioner, Honeywell MO08CESWK, Avallon, and Koldfront PAC1402W.
3. Evaporative coolers and fans
The third type is battery-powered coolers and fans that use ice or water for cooling without any refrigerant. These are much more portable, lightweight, compact, and convenient to carry on any outdoor trip. They run on rechargeable batteries and feature a built-in fan that blows air through water or ice to provide optimal cooling. The best ones include the IcyBreeze, GoCool Tent AC, and BASEIN air cooler.
Which Portable Tent Air Conditioner Is Right For You?
Well, it all depends on your camping site and tent size. Window ac units and portable AC require 12V power outlet, car’s battery, or generator to function. Make sure your campsite has an electric socket or power source nearby if you wish to run portable AC. If there’s no electricity, you can take a portable generator with you on a longer camping trip. However, portable air coolers work best when your stay is short. They are not suitable for long trips as their run-time is about 6-7 hours on lithium-ion batteries.
Tent size is another thing that determines your tent AC selection. An AC that is too big for your tent will not make tent extra cool but also damp while smaller AC will cool specific spots only. The cooling capacity of tent AC is directly proportional to the power. 5000 BTU is ideal for a medium-sized tent that covers 150 sq ft. whereas for larger tents, you may require portable AC with 1000 BTU. Furthermore, it depends on the weather, if your campsite is way too hot, then you must opt for a tent AC that has great cooling effect and capacity.
In order to get a good tent air conditioner for a great camping experience, look for portability, compact size, power, easy setup, and cooling efficiency. Moreover, additional built-in features like air-filter, LED lights, and the music player is a bonus. Enjoy a cooling and refreshing experience during outdoor camping with a tent air conditioner. A godsend for all avid campers!
Conclusion
So, there it is! culmination of everything we know about air conditioners for tents along with a handy guide to make your shopping even easier. We hope that this was useful for you and helped you zero in on the perfect unit for your needs. If not, feel free to message us or leave a comment down below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Happy camping (stay cool)!