One of the greatest adventures someone can take is to load up an RV with everything they need and hit the road. But sometimes it can get incredibly hot, so it’s important to know what the best portable air conditioner for RV camper van in 2024 is. So for your convenience, you will find the top-rated small & big portable AC units for caravans & camping.
Have the urge to hit the road as soon as possible? Here’s a great portable AC for you to take, LG 8,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner – the very best portable air conditioner for RV camper on the market. GE 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner takes the silver medal on the list.
Best Portable Air Conditioner For Camper Trailer: Quick Comparison
BEST RATED  |
LG 8,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner
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RUNNER UP  |
GE 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
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BLACK+DECKER BPACT10WT Portable Air Conditioner
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JHS 8,000 BTU Small Portable Air Conditioner
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Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
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hOmelabs 14000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
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Top Rated Portable AC Units For Caravans & Camping 2024: Reviewed & Ranked
1. LG 8,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner
Best Portable Air Conditioner For Camper Van
The LG 8,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner is one of the best portable AC’s on the market and cools up to 350 sq ft, so it’s perfect to take on the road.
This AC unit comes with a 3-in-1 operation, featuring cool, fan, and dry. The cool mode will dehumidify and cool on hot days, while the fan circulates air and the dry mode is great for rainy or damp days.
The fans themselves come with multiple speeds, as well as 2 cooling speeds, allowing you to fully customize the temperature and cooling to your exact specifications.
Another fantastic feature of this AC is its smart LG ThinQ Technology, which enables users to control the unit from anywhere. It also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, so it can be operated with voice commands.
The LG 8,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner is a fantastic portable unit that works amazingly well in camper vans. It is an absolute must-have for your next road trip.
Pros
- Smart LG ThinQ technology
- 3-in-1 mode with cool/fan/dry
- Links with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
Cons
- It is a larger unit than some may be used to
2. GE 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
Best Small Portable RV Caravan AC Unit
So it’s great to see them producing portable air conditioners.
The GE 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner is a fantastic unit from GE which will provide exceptional cooling and heating for rooms up to 350 sq ft.
The AC comes with a digital thermostat that can be programmed to regulate temperature.
It comes packed with features more than just air conditioning, such as fan modes, a dehumidifier, and a 24-hour timer. These features will keep you incredibly comfortable during your trip.
Perhaps the most incredible feature is the Auto Evaporation Technology, which evaporates any water the unit collects, so you never need to empty out any reservoir.
The GE 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner comes with everything you will need included in the box, which means you can set it up quickly and get to cooling or heating your RV quickly.
This is truly a fantastic unit that will serve you well on long road trips, and with GE’s great technology, you can rest easy knowing you’ll be comfortable all day long.
Pros
- Auto evaporation technology
- Cools up to 350 sq ft
- 24-hour timer
Cons
- May be too noisy
3. BLACK+DECKER BPACT10WT Portable Air Conditioner
A Great Unit For A Great Price
This unit will cool rooms up to 150 sq ft, so it will work in an RV quite well.
The BLACK+DECKER BPACT10WT Portable Air Conditioner is quick and easy to install ensuring you can get underway on your road trip without worrying about complicated parts.
This AC unit comes with a simple to use remote control plus LED display with a 24-hour timer, which enables you to completely control your temperature, making sure you will be comfortable at all times.
It also has an easy-to-clean filter, which can be cleaned by just taking it out and running it under cool water.
The BLACK+DECKER BPACT10WT Portable Air Conditioner also features 3 modes, including cooling, fans, and dehumidifier.
This unit will definitely suit your needs and will keep you comfortable throughout your trip, especially at night when the weather varies from place to place.
Thanks to Black+Decker, you’ll be able to keep the temperature at exactly what you need.
There are many different units you could choose but the Black+Decker will make sure you are happy and cool throughout your adventures.
Pros
- No water reservoir to empty
- Easy to install
- Adjustable fan speeds
Cons
- Might be too big for smaller RV’s
4. JHS 8,000 BTU Small Portable Air Conditioner
Best Small RV Air Conditioner Unit
This AC cools up to 170 sq ft, meaning it will work great for an RV.
The JHS 8,000 BTU Small Portable Air Conditioner has three functions to choose from including air conditioner, dehumidifier, and fan.
It has 8,000 BTU, 2 fan speeds, and 31.7 pints per day of dehumidifying capacity.
To ensure the AC unit is easy to use it comes with a remote as well as LED display, which along with the 24-hour timer, makes the unit simple to operate especially with the sleep mode, keeping you completely comfortable all night long.
This unit is easy to move around, thanks to 4 stainless steel castor wheels, which makes the AC easy to maneuver, especially in an RV.
It is very easy to install, thanks to easy instructions and everything you need included in the box.
Thankfully the JHS 8,000 BTU Small Portable Air Conditioner has a great energy-saving mode ensuring you can have quality cooling/heating while doing your part to reduce your impact on the environment.
Thanks to JHS you’ll be able to stay comfortable throughout the duration of your road trip, keeping the air in your RV at the perfect temperature.
Pros
- Easy to use remote control
- Very affordable
- Energy-efficient
Cons
- If stored in a horizontal position, you must wait 24 hours before use
5. Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
Best Portable Air Conditioner For Pop Up Camper
This has been proved by their great portable air conditioners.
The Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner is a fantastic AC unit, perfect for a long road trip, especially to keep you cool and comfortable at night.
This unit comes with incredibly simple instructions and everything you need straight out of the box. Brilliantly this unit works up to 500 sq ft, and is exceptionally eco-friendly, ensuring you’ll keep cool while doing your part for the environment.
This AC comes with 3 modes, including cool, dehumidify and fan. These ensure you’ll be comfortable, especially with the dehumidifier which keeps the air at exactly the right temperature.
Whynter has made sure to keep their products green, so their products are always eco-friendly to ensure the environment is kept clean and free of pollutants.
This is a great unit to take on trips, between the multiple modes and the emphasis on the environment, to keep you comfy and guilt-free.
Pros
- Eco Friendly
- Large dehumidifying capacity
- Multiple functions
Cons
- It is a large unit so may not fit in small vans
6. hOmelabs 14000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
A Great Portable AC unit For Campers
In fact, they make fantastic home appliances, especially their portable air conditioners.
The hOmelabs 14000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner is a brilliant product, providing quiet, energy-efficient cooling up to 600 sq ft, which makes it more than adequate for an RV.
The unit also features an automatic swing function that evenly distributes fresh air throughout the area, ensuring you are comfortable and can relax with ease.
The AC is very easy to install and comes with wheels meaning you don’t have to worry about lifting heavy and cumbersome units, all you need to do is slip the hose into the window and you’re good to go.
The filter itself is incredibly easy to clean, especially with the indicator light which will remind you when to clean it. To clean all you need to do is slide it out, run it under cold water, and pop it back in.
The hOmelabs 14000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner is a great unit especially for use in RV’s and camper vans. Thanks to the innovative technology this AC will keep you comfortable at all times of the day.
Pros
- Very powerful
- Washable air filter
- Easy installation
Cons
- No water tank
Portable AC Unit For RV & Camping FAQ
You can absolutely use a portable air conditioner in a camper, in fact, most people do. When traveling, you will find that temperatures will vary greatly from place to place, so having a reliable air conditioner on hand will ensure your comfort all day long.
Most portable air conditioners feature multiple modes like cool, fan, and dehumidify, meaning no matter what situation or weather you encounter you’ll be able to adjust your comfort as needed.
Typically the AC units also have easy-to-clean filters, ensuring easy maintenance and clean airflow at all times. If you’re after a great portable air conditioner for your RV trip, here are the best ones:
- LG 8,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner
- GE 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner
- BLACK+DECKER BPACT10WT Portable Air Conditioner
- JHS 8,000 BTU Small Portable Air Conditioner
- Whynter ARC-14S 14,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner
- hOmelabs 14000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need For My RV?
The power of air conditioners is measured by the scale BTU, which stands for British Thermal Unit. Typically an RV requires between 7,000 & 15,000 BTU depending on the size.
Most portable air conditioners will be sufficient to cool any RV though the bigger camper vans may require two units. The majority of portable air conditioners you can buy will suffice for your RV, and you will more than likely only need one, even if you only have a 7,000 BTU AC.
How Many BTU Do I Need To Cool My RV?
It all depends on the size of your RV. Typically portable air conditioners range in size from 7,000 BTU all the way up to 15,000 BTU.
The amount of BTU needed will depend on the size of your RV. 7,000 BTU will cool up to 350 sq ft, while 15,000 works up to 750 sq ft. Most RV’s will be fine with a standard 7,000 BTU air conditioner.
So you can see that even a smaller portable air conditioner will still work in most camper vans.
It is important to know the size of your RV so you’re not using more power than you need, thus saving you money and ensuring you are energy conscious.
The amount of BTU you need can be calculated by using online calculators, which take into account the size of the room and the amount of sun exposure it receives. This will help you decide exactly the right amount of BTU for your RV.
Final Words About The Best Portable Air Conditioner For RV Camper Van
Going on a road trip in an RV is one of the greatest ways to see the world and experience everything on offer. But if you’re going to go on an adventure like this, you’ll want to make sure you’re comfortable at all times. If you’ve read through this list you should now know which are the best portable air conditioners for RV camper vans in 2024.
You’re going to want a top-rated AC and depending on your needs you might need a small or big portable unit. These are great ways to stay comfortable in caravans or while camping, which ensures you will be completely happy as you travel to all your various locations.
In conclusion, the best portable air conditioners for caravans are the highly rated LG 8,000 BTU Smart Portable Air Conditioner for RV Camper Van & Camping and the GE 3-in-1 Portable Portable AC Unit.