Portable Air Conditioner for Camping

Camping is one of the best outdoor activities to do in the summer, but it can feel miserable in the sweltering heat. Using a portable air conditioner for camping in the heat can be a great idea.

Air conditioning for camping in tents includes personal evaporative coolers, portable air conditioners, and window air conditioners. You can also use a portable ac unit for camping in an RV.

This article reviews the best portable air conditioners for camping and provides other ideas on how to stay cool while tent camping.

Portable tent air conditioners

Not many people know how to stay cool camping in a tent because they don’t know about portable tent air conditioners. There are different types of portable air conditioning units to choose from for camping. We will discuss each type in more depth.

Personal evaporative coolers

Personal evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, cool small areas, so they are best for small tents. This type of portable air conditioning for camping also works best in dry climates rather than humid. For larger tents, you will probably want a different type of air conditioning unit.

Evaporative coolers don’t use refrigerants, so they are not really an “air conditioner,” even though they are marketed as air conditioners. However, they can still work to cool down a small tent. You want to keep tent flaps open when using an evaporative cooler.

This type of AC is battery- or USB-operated and can stay on for up to 12 hours. You can choose your level of airflow and the direction of airflow. This type of AC is best for off-grid camping when you can’t plug in a fan.

Portable air conditioners for Camping

Portable air conditioners for camping are cordless and rechargeable. Some portable air conditioners also have heating options, so you can use it for fall and winter camping as well.

Portable air conditioners are fast-cooling and efficient, so they are a great choice for extremely hot days or if you have large areas you want to cool. They pull in fresh air and push out the hot, humid air using a hose.

Because it uses a hose, you must use a flap in the tent or zippered entrance so the hose can exhaust hot air. You want to keep the space around the hose tight so bugs don’t come into your tent. You can stuff a towel around the hose to seal the gap.

A great choice for a portable air conditioner for camping is the Blast Auxiliary Portable AC.

Window air conditioners

One popular camping air conditioner is the window air conditioner. You must set the window AC unit on a stand so that it can extract the heat from the tent and blow out cool air. You also need power to your tent to use this type of air conditioning.

Can you use a window AC unit in a tent?

You can use a window air conditioning unit in a tent as long as your tent has a low ventilation flap. Some tents have a zippered AC port that works nicely for window AC units. It should fit snugly around the air conditioner.

Air conditioners for RVs

Camping in an RV can be fun, unless you don’t have air conditioning. Here are some different AC units that work well in RVs. You can watch a step by step guide on how to install an air conditioner in a camper here.

Portable air conditioners

You can use portable air conditioners for your RV. They are efficient at cooling down a large space, and they are cordless and portable.

Portable air conditioners use an exhaust hose to push out hot air. Some have more cooling power than others, so it is best to check the BTU rating to determine what size you need.

The blower fan receives outside air, then the portable AC unit uses refrigerant to remove the heat. The heat is pushed out through the exhaust hose and cool air is blown into your RV or tent.

Window air conditioners

Window air conditioners work great for RVs. They efficiently cool the air throughout the camper. As long as your RV has a big enough window and you have power, you can install a window air conditioner.

Before you buy a window AC unit, you want to determine how many square feet you need to cool. Then you can calculate how many BTUs you need your unit to have.

Here is a video tutorial on how to install a window air conditioner in a camper.

Which air conditioner should I use?

It depends on your setup. If you are in a tent with an AC port, your best option would be a window air conditioner. Remember to set the AC unit on a stand.

If you are in a tent with no AC port, your best option would be a portable air conditioner. You will have to run the hose out of the tent, but you can use the zippered door for this.

If you are in an RV, both window units and portable air conditioners are good choices. They both efficiently keep your space cool.

What should you look for in an Portable air conditioner for camping?

This depends on what kind of unit you plan to use. If you want an evaporative air conditioner, look for one that runs on batteries or can be charged with a USB and has a long battery life.

For window or portable air conditioners, you want to look at cooling capacity. Other features that are nice to have include: mechanical controls, remotes, heating capacity, and ease of install.

How can you keep your tent cool while camping?

Besides air conditioning units and evaporative coolers, you can put up your tent in the shade or underneath a canopy. If this is not possible, you can use a tent that has a heat-reflective coating or cover your tent with heat-reflective material.

Air conditioning tips for camping

When using air conditioning in your tent or RV, you want to use a stand for your AC unit. Don’t put your unit on the ground.

Also, keep your AC unit and extension cords from getting wet. Don’t leave your unit out during rain.

Using an air conditioner for camping can be a great idea to keep you and your family cool and comfortable. Hopefully this article helped you learn how to cool down a tent while camping.

Evaporative coolers are great when you don’t have power and want to cool a small area. Portable AC units are good for cooling down larger spaces if you don’t have a window. If your tent does have an AC window, you can use a window unit to keep cool.

Other products can help keep you cool and comfortable during camping trips, whether you are staying in tents or in an RV.