Best RV Air Conditioner For Extreme Heat
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BEST POPULAR Dometic Brisk II
BEST LOW PROFILE Dometic 641816CXX1J0 Penguin II
BEST DUAL FUNCTION Coleman 48204C866 Mach 15+ A/C Unit
BEST PORTABLE Serenelife SLPAC8 8000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
Looking to turn your RV just like your home and finally get your quality sleep on hot days?
We can confidently say that you are definitely at the right place. We have reviewed a long list of options, and you can save the trouble of reviewing it yourself. In this guide, we have listed down 5 picks for the Best RV Air Conditioner for Extreme Heat.
Table of Contents
5 Best RV Air Conditioner
Domestic has a great reputation among the RV community for its successful track record of camper AC units. This RV AC unit comes with 2 options, 13500 BTU or 15000 BTU. This camper AC also has 2 different color options, black or polar white, to match the outlook of your RV.
If you have a large RV, you need a 15000 BTU camper air conditioner that can support cooling a big space. It offers a 15% airflow increase in comparison to previous models. This camper AC unit blows ice cold, so even in scorching summer’s heat, you will be kept cool. Even your dog will thank you for the relief.
The most challenging part is getting it on top of your RV. You can use some tie-down straps and weave the straps out of the holes found in the base of the unit. After which, you can haul it up to the roof. But other than that, the installation is super easy although there are no installation instructions provided.
This RV AC is designed with an aerodynamic design which helps reduce wind drag. At the same time, it weighs around 85 lbs, which is relatively lightweight than other average RV air conditioners. This helps to save more on fuel when driving.
This travel trailer air conditioning unit is still relatively noisy but tolerable, thanks to its noise and vibration-reducing dampening brackets. The use of long copper lines and dual rubber bushings also helps in minimizing the noise.
If you are looking for a lightweight air conditioner and reliable RV rooftop AC, Dometic Brisk II is the one for you.
Pros
- Easy to setup
- Great cooling capability
- Affordable
- Less noisy compared to older models
- Popular among RV community
Cons
- No remote control
PROS
CONS
- Easy to setup
- Great cooling capability
- Affordable
- Less noisy compared to older models
- Popular among RV community
- No remote control
Coleman produces one of the best RV air conditioners, specifically the Mach 15 model. At BTU 15,000, the cooling strength is just right. It is not too cold like 20,000 BTU and neither is it too weak like 10,000.
This trailer AC unit delivers cool air at high volumes with good coverage of 320 CFM (cubic feet per minute). This RV air conditioner cools your RV unit in minutes. This is because it uses large evaporators and condenser coils which helps the cooler easily dissipate heat. This allows you to maximize the time you spend on the RV.
This RV rooftop AC is generally very compatible with most RVs with ducted AC systems. It fits well in a 14X14 RV roof vent hold, which is commonly found in RVs. This ducted RV air conditioner uses a fan motor powered by a 1/3 HP fan motor which is wired with 115V AC, 60Hz, 1 Phase, which is found in all RVs. Having 1/3 horsepower is considered one of the industry largest’s fan motor sizes for an RV.
This air conditioner for RV roof utilizes only 15 amps when cooling on a high setting. However, the running wattage will depend on where you are using it. If you are staying in the desert, you may need higher running watts. Thanks to the use of all-copper tubing and gas-flux brazed joints, it ensures that this unit will last you many years.
The cool part of this roof air conditioner is it has dual functionality. You need to purchase the heater as an add-on. On cold days, you can turn on the heating function. But do not expect too much as it produces only 5600 BTUs. This means you can utilize this unit for most seasons in your travels.
It comes with a sealed shaft to prevent damage from the elements. When sealed well, even with continuous rain, not a drop of water will seep into the RV through the AC unit.
Pros
- Dual functionality Cooler and Optional Heater
- 15000 BTU cooling and Optional 5600 BTU of heating
- 320 CFM airflow
- Reputable brand
- Long lifespan
- Largest fan motor size
Cons
- Less Affordable
- Heating BTU is not high
- Designed for ducted AC system only
PROS
CONS
- Dual functionality Cooler and Optional Heater
- 15000 BTU cooling and Optional 5600 BTU of heating
- 320 CFM airflow
- Reputable brand
- Long lifespan
- Largest fan motor size
- Less Affordable
- Heating BTU is not high
- Designed for ducted AC system only
This air conditioner for camper comes in 2 options, 14500 BTU and 15500 BTU. At the same time, there are 2 color options to match the design of your RV. With 15500 BTU, it can be used for larger RVs. It comes with step by step installation guide so that setting up will be a breeze.
Its Climatesmart design allows the air conditioner to work even in extreme weather. So you can be assured you will be kept frigid cold even in scorching summers.
Its rooftop design is aerodynamic which helps cut down the drag and wind resistance, increasing your RV performance on the road. With its UV-resistant cover system, it extends the lifespan by protecting the unit from wear and tear. This saves you from costly repairs and replacements.
Unlike most RV air conditioners which are installed with a single fan, Furrion is designed with 2 fans to help circulate the air more efficiently within your RV. This also increases the energy efficiency up to 25%, preserving power.
If you are looking for a quiet air conditioner, this one will fit your needs. Designed with VibrationSmart Technology, it reduces noise output and vibrations to an acceptable level. With fewer vibrations, it protects its internal components.
It weighs 105 lbs, relatively heavier than other models we have recommended here.
Pros
- 2 fans
- Powerful at 15500 BTU
- Energy efficient
- Quiet
- VibrationSmart Technology
Cons
- Heavy
PROS
CONS
- 2 fans
- Powerful at 15500 BTU
- Energy efficient
- Quiet
- VibrationSmart Technology
- Heavy
If you are looking for a low-profile air conditioner, this is the one for you. It has one of the lowest profiles at 9.5″high, making it very aerodynamic for your RV.
Because of its design, this small RV air conditioner also reduces the risk of having your air conditioner is easily damaged due to its low height. At the same time, it minimizes wind drag that helps save you in gas. However, it is much heavier at 101 lbs, in comparison to the Brisk II model.
You can get them in different color options, to match the aesthetics of your RV. At the same time, depending on the size of your RV, you can get 13500 BTU or 15000 BTU. The high-powered unit, with 15000 BTU is great for large RVs. While the low-powered unit, with 13500 BTU is suitable for small to mid-sized RV.
This air conditioner will work with ducted or non-ducted cooling systems. Although it does not come with remote control, it does not take much effort to reach and adjust the temperatures.
It uses R410A refrigerant, which is more environmentally friendly. It does not harm the ozone layer as R-22 refrigerant does.
The unit is easy to clean as there is a filter that you can remove to wash and replace. The installation process is relatively easy with the installation manuals provided.
Pros
- Installation manual provided
- Low profile design
- 2 BTU options
- 2 color options
Cons
- No remote control
PROS
CONS
- Installation manual provided
- Low profile design
- 2 BTU options
- 2 color options
- No remote control
If you do not want to deal with the installation of a rooftop AC, we have added a portable air conditioner as an option for an RV air conditioner.
It is super easy to use, just plug and play. If you have a pop-up camper where heavy rooftop AC is not suitable, then you can consider this option as well.
The price is a steal for 3 functions which you can use separately. It has the cooling mode, the dehumidifying mode, and the fan mode. The dehumidifier works great to pull the moisture from the air.
This makes your RV more comfortable to sleep at night. The portable outdoor air conditioner cools very quickly with its 8000 BTU cooling power and it works beautifully in spaces up to 215+ sq. ft. There is an exhaust hose installation that comes together with the unit. This helps pull out the heat from the RV.
Its design would require you to run inside the RV. There are wheels and finger grips so you can roll it or pick it up to move it. This makes it portable to move the unit within the RV easily and store it into the compartment when not needed.
It comes with a remote control which is a great addition. It allows easy temperature adjustments. There is no need to get up to turn it on or off. The window vent kit is sturdy. The vent swings up and down to provide great airflow through your RV.
Although it has an operating noise level of only 55 57 dB, some users have feedback that it is a little loud. But this is the same as most portable air conditioners.
Pros
- 3-in-1 functionality: cool, dry, and fan
- shows the current room temperature just plugged in and not on
Cons
- Noisy
- Window exhaust installation kit could be improved
PROS
CONS
- 3-in-1 functionality: cool, dry, and fan
- shows the current room temperature just plugged in and not on
- Noisy
- Window exhaust installation kit could be improved
Buying guide
Type of AC
Portable RV air conditioners are smaller and may contain many more features compared to rooftop models. Add-on features can come in the form of a dehumidifier, HEPA filter, or even as a heater for cold days. The drawback is that it may take storage space in your RV.
Rooftop RV air conditioners can circulate the air throughout your RV more efficiently. It requires you to have a roof vent else you will need to cut through the roof to install the unit.
At the same time, a unit with a low profile and an aerodynamic design will help reduce drag and increase the performance of your RV. It is also easier to park in places with low roofs.
If your motorhome is under 32 feet, 1 unit of AC is sufficient. Otherwise, you may need extra AC units.
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Ducted Versus Non-ducted
If you have multiple rooms within your RV, a ducted unit is a solution. It helps distributes cold air evenly throughout your motorhome. On the other hand, ductless air conditioners just blow cold air into a single space.
Noise
If you are able to sleep with white noise in the background, then this should not be a concern for you. Most air conditioners are between 40 – 60-decibel range, equal to a household refrigerator. You may want to avoid those that exceed this range.
Cooling capacity
To keep your air-conditioned tent cool, your air conditioner needs to run on a generator, a campsite with grid power, or battery power. Generally, battery-operated air conditioners do not work efficiently especially for long durations.
The average AC unit has is 13500 BTU power. To cool a large RV, it requires to have at least 15000 BTU (British Thermal Unit). BTU is the standard unit of measure to measure the cooling power. Any less BTU capacity will not provide you relief through the day or night.
Just to give an estimate of how much wattage you need, a 13500 BTU requires roughly 2750 starting watts and 1250 running watts. On the other hand, a 15000 BTU, needs about 3500 starting watts and 1500 running watts.
Weight
The more lightweight it is, the better you save on gas. Anything below 100 lbs is lightweight. Being lightweight, you will find installation easier, as you need to lift the unit up to the rooftop.
Our Verdict
You will not go wrong with any of these top-rated RV air conditioners, as they are one of the best RV AC units compared to other options you see on the market.
If you still cannot decide and need a final recommendation, then we would recommend Dometic Brisk II to elevate your RV experience.
It is a reliable AC unit for an affordable price with great cooling capability. We highly recommend this cot as the brand itself is highly trusted and this model is very popular among the RV community.
What’s Next
Looking for more portable air conditioners suitable for tents and RVs? Read here for more options.
Looking for warmth during cold seasons? Check out the best tent heaters for winter camping. Learn about the various types of tent heaters available in the market and how to choose the right tent heater you need.
Jules and Ken
We are outdoor lovers, travelers, and writers all rolled into one. You have seen our posts here reviewing lots of different types of outdoor gear, camping equipment, RV equipment, kayaking to cycling. Our reviews are guided by our years of experience being outdoors. We are happy to share our knowledge with you so that you can make a better choice when you are outdoors.
We hope you enjoyed this review and if you have questions about any of the Best RV Air Conditioner, or want to leave your own personal review, feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
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