For many of us, the belief that summertime means vacation time sticks around years after finishing school and having a summer break. And what says “vacation” more than tent camping?
The warmer season is a great time to get on the road and out to see some sites. The sun is shining, the vegetation is lush, and the spirits are high! However, any good road trip or camping trip can be dampened by weather that’s just too hot.
The solution? A tent air conditioner!
Keep reading to learn more about tent air conditions and explore top-tier options that best fit your needs.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
BougeRV Portable Air Conditioner
Budget Option:
Emerson Quiet Kool
Easiest to Use:
VVM Outdoor Air Conditioner
Best High-End Option:
ECOFLOW Wave 2
Best Overall
BougeRV Portable Air Conditioner
Considering all the great qualities it has to offer, our best overall pick for tent air conditioners goes to the BougeRV Portable Air Conditioner.
It’s quiet, easy to use and move, and cools up to 54 square feet in just minutes.
It is a significantly quieter option than most other tent air conditioners, coming in at just 50 dB, designed to leave your sleep and your campground neighbors undisturbed.
However, it does cycle on and off to maintain temperatures. For light sleepers, that slight change in white noise might be a bother.
The BougeRV also offers totally customizable temperature control, with four different modes (strong, sleep, cooling, and fan) at three different fan speeds.
Almost like a portable thermostat, you can set the desired temperature on the touch screen and walk away, letting the BougeRV do its thing.
It requires no installation and can be hooked up to most portable power stations or generators.
All in all, the BougeRV offers the best function and quality with the least amount of labor, earning it the top spot on this list of best tent air conditioners.
Pros
- Light and portable
- Adjustable settings for maximum comfort
Cons
- Audibly cycles on and off
- On the pricier end of the tent air conditioner options
- Needs a direct power source
Best Budget Option
Emerson Quiet Kool
For a more affordable option, the Emerson Quiet Kool offers efficient cooling and dehumidifying capabilities at a more accessible price point.
It’s compact, sturdy, and easy to transport, with a high energy efficiency rating.
However, the Emerson Quiet Cool isn’t nearly as powerful as more expensive options. But this isn’t necessarily a con, depending on your specific wants and needs.
This particular tent air conditioner would be perfect for small tents, moderate temperatures, or any supplemental air cooling jobs.
To access the full function of the Emerson Quiet Kool, though, you do need a drainage hose, which is not included with the unit.
Pros
- Light and portable
- Efficient
Cons
- Not as powerful as other options
- Less temperature and control customizations
- Requires a drainage hose
Easiest to Use
VVM Outdoor Air Conditioner
While maybe not the most powerful, the VVM Outdoor Air Conditioner is arguably the simplest tent air conditioner of the lot.
There is no installation, drainage hoses, or generators needed to get relief from the heat. It’s relatively small and lightweight and can charge from a variety of different power sources, including car charging.
You don’t need any additional HVAC knowledge to cool down your space. Simply charge it, turn it on, adjust the temperature with the simple control panel, and voila!
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Super portable
- No installation or additional equipment needed
Cons
- Not suited for large spaces
- The battery doesn’t last long (5 hours from full charge)
- Slower to cool
Best High-End Option
ECOFLOW Wave 2
If you’re serious about finding a tent air conditioner that really works, the ECOFLOW Wave 2 is well worth the price point.
In addition to its superior cooling capabilities, the ECOFLOW Wave 2 also acts as a dehumidifier, air purifier, and strong fan.
Its ability to cool a large space rapidly (up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit in just 5 minutes) is unmatched, but the power is reflected in the steep price.
The ECOFLOW Wave 2 also has three different power options: battery (3-5 hours), portable power station (12 hours), and solar power.
It operates quietly and has customizable features and temperature control, including eco mode, timed cooling, and fan.
To make the ECOFLOW Wave 2 even more portable, you can control the settings from your phone if you aren’t within reach of the device’s easy-to-use control panel.
Pros
- Highest cooling capacity
- Best power options
- No drainage or installation required
Cons
- Heavy
- Most expensive
Tent Air Conditioner Buyer’s Guide
Power
When it comes to tent air conditioners, you might think the higher the power, the better the function. However, this isn’t necessarily true.
If the area you want to keep cool is a small, one-person tent in moderate weather, a big ultra-powerful tent air conditioner would be a waste of space, money, and energy.
In that case, a smaller budget option would actually be optimal and more functional for your specific needs.
Materials
Regarding almost any kind of equipment you will use for camping or outdoor activities, the durability of the materials is an important factor to consider.
Just like the rest of your gear, your tent air conditioner will be exposed to the elements, in which case you’ll want a unit made of strong, rust-resistant materials.
Cheap plastic or low-quality iron alloys won’t cut it for long periods of use in damp, hot environments.
However, PEI plastic, steel, or brass would withstand those conditions easily.
Features and Function
There are tons of different functional options to consider when buying a tent air conditioner.
First and foremost, you should assess the temperature control options relative to your own needs.
If you’re just looking for a bit of cool air to circulate the tent while you sleep, you probably won’t need a tent air conditioner that you control with a phone app.
However, if you’re looking to maintain an exact and optimal temperature, then you may want to splurge on the high-tech option for more control.
Another factor to look at when deciding on a tent air conditioner is the fan and its ability.
Many units have the option to adjust the fan’s speed and power as needed.
And in some cases, you can run the fan by itself without actually using whatever temperature cooling the air conditioner is equipped with.
This is a great energy and power-saving solution for a day on your trip with more temperature conditions.
Some tent air conditioners also have different modes or settings beyond simply “on” and “off.”
If the hum of a high-power unit disturbs your sleep, then it might be worth seeking out a model that has a “sleep mode,” which either quiets or cuts off the unit entirely after a certain amount of time.
More upscale models may also have an “eco mode” or “energy saving mode,” where the tent air conditioner with conserve battery life and power by moderating its output more carefully.
Regardless of your specific preferences and needs, there is some combination of features, functions, and options out there for you.
Efficiency
It’s no secret that any kind of portable temperature control unit, whether it’s an AC, heater, or dehumidifier, uses a whole lot of power and energy to run.
Not only is that kind of usage bad for our environment, but it’s also pretty hard on your wallet.
As such, it’s a good idea to assess the energy efficiency of all your options.
Energy efficiency refers to the use of less energy than to perform the same task.
With that being said, it’s typical for more expensive, higher-quality models to be more energy efficient.
However, there are ways to make a cheaper model more energy efficient by being mindful of how long you leave it running and the different modes you use.
Letting your tent air conditioner run all day long on its strongest setting is not very energy efficient, and unless you’re somewhere with Sahara Desert-level heat, probably not necessary either.
Timer
There are a lot of different reasons why you may want a tent air conditioning unit with a timer.
Whether to save money, extend the equipment’s life, or to have more peaceful sleep, a timer function that cycles the unit on and off is a great feature to have.
Depending on the specific make, the timer might be determined by the length of time passed or may turn on and off to maintain the temperature.
Tent Air Conditioners: FAQ
Can I use a window unit as a tent air conditioner?
In short, yes, you can use a window unit as a tent air conditioner. However, the process can be a bit more complex than simply using a free-standing air conditioner.
Though it’s possible to find tents that are made to accommodate AC units, the likelihood is that you’ll have to finagle it yourself.
This means cutting a perfectly measured, AC-shaped hole in your tent, properly insulating your tent, and having access to electricity.
Overall, there’s a lot more room for error in this particular setup, including but not limited to ruining an expensive tent.
However, if you’re confident enough in your abilities to rig a window AC unit in your tent, then it could be a viable option for you.
Can I use a tent air conditioner without electricity?
The answer to this question depends on the make and model of the tent air conditioner.
Some are battery-powered, some are chargeable, some connect via USB to a power bank, and some require an electrical hookup.
When exploring your options for tent air conditioners, it would be good also to evaluate your camping plans and patterns.
If you rarely find yourself at a campsite with power or hookups, then a tent air conditioner that requires electricity to run wouldn’t be the best option for you.
Do I need a water intake hose?
Again, this depends on the make and model.
Some tent air conditioners are evaporative, and they require water to cool the space down as opposed to a chemical refrigerant.
Smaller units tend to have a compartment or holder that you fill with water as opposed to requiring an intake hose.
Either way, the evaporative tent air conditioners do require you to add water for them to function manually.
What does BTU mean?
BTU is an acronym for British Thermal Units, which essentially indicates the power of any given air conditioner.
The higher the BTUs, the greater the cooling capacity.
However, you don’t need to shoot for a unit with a huge BTU rating for tent air conditioners. Depending on the size of the space, less powerful units will still be plenty effective without wasting power or money.
What is a SEER rating, and why does it matter?
SEER is an acronym for seasonal energy efficiency ratio, referring to the cooling output divided by the total electric energy input during a typical cooling season.
The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient a unit is. For central air conditioners, the lowest SEER rating allowed is 13.
However, portable or window units are not bound by the same law.
So, while there are no federal restrictions on SEER ratings for tent air conditioners, it’s still an important factor to consider when determining which product is best for you and your budget.
Wrapping Up the Best Tent Air Conditioners
Just because you’re summer camping doesn’t mean you have to be miserable! It’s okay not to rough it every single trip.
Thankfully, there are plenty of devices and gadgets out there to make your hot-weather camping expeditions more comfortable, like these awesome tent air conditioner options.For more tips and tricks for your tent camping trips, check out our Tent Camping blog posts and guides.
- About the Author
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Leah is a writer, editor, and content manager with a master’s degree in English. Naturally, she is passionate about all things writing and learning.
She is proud to call North Carolina (specifically, the Outer Banks) home and loves exploring the state’s stunning coastline, sprawling Blue Ridge, and everything in between.
Leah can be reached at leah@applepiemedia.net