We all know how hot tents can get when scorching on summer days. If you plan to camp in a large group, you have probably wondered whether you can put a window AC unit in a tent, right?
We have good news – yes, it is possible to install a window AC unit in your tent and make camping days much more enjoyable. However, we advise you to keep reading this post to ensure you install and operate your equipment correctly.
By the way, The Camping Air Conditioner is sponsored by readers. When you buy through one of our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips to choose and install the best window AC unit for your tent
We detailed several tips to help you choose and install a window AC unit in your tent. Check them below:
- Choose the adequate size for your window AC unit
- Insulate your tent
- Implement safety measures
- Consider a tent with an AC port
Tip 1 - Choose the adequate AC size (BTU)
There is no doubt – different campers will have different needs. If you are camping in small or medium-sized tents, other alternatives might better suit you, such as a mini camping ac or a battery-powered tent air conditioner.
A window AC unit will work better for large to family-sized tents or big groups of campers within a medium-sized tent.
We undertook some studies (click here if you want to read it) and created a rule of thumb for air conditioning requirements for your tent. Roughly, you will need:
- Tents with adequate insulation will need at least 4 BTU per cubic feet.
- Tents without proper insulation will require at least 5 BTU per cubic feet
- If your tent is exposed to the sunlight and has no insulation, we recommend at least 6 BTU per cubic feet
Overall, large-to-family sized tents range from 700 to 1500 cubic feet, implying cooling requirements from approximately 3,000 Btu up to 10,000 Btu depending on insulation conditions, the number of campers, exposure to the sunlight.
The table below summarizes our findings in our preliminary studies.
| Size | Volume (cubic feet) | Insulated Tent | No insulation (1.25X) | No insulation and sun exposure (1.5X) |
| Small Tents | 200 | 800 BTU | 1000 BTU | 1200 BTU |
| Medium Tents | 350 | 1400 BTU | 1750 BTU | 2100 BTU |
| Large Tents | 700 | 2800 BTU | 3500 BTU | 4200 BTU |
| Family Tents | 1250 | 5000 BTU | 6250 BTU | 7500 BTU |
Don’t forget to also take into consideration the weight and dimensions of the equipment to make sure it fits your tent and is easy to transport.
Tip 2 - Insulate your tent
After finding the most suitable unit for your tent, it is time to think about insulation. The insulation will help you save energy (by choosing a smaller device) and improve AC cooling performance.
The main reason to insulate your tent is to create a physical barrier to avoid cold air escaping from inside your tent and hot air getting into it.
How do you do it? You can it with the following gear/material:
- Use a tent tarp (heavy-duty versions)
- Use Duct tapes and/or Pool noodles to extinguish any cold air leakage
- Insulate your tent floor
- Cover your tent with thermal blankets
Tip 3 - Implement safety measures
Even though window AC units are very safe these days, you should pay attention to some safety requirements and measures to avoid potential risks, such as:
- Use an adjustable platform to avoid direct contact with the ground/soil. If you don’t want to spend money with a pre-fabricated solution, you can put the AC device above wood pieces.
- Make sure that all electrical cables are properly connected and insulated. If possible, bury them in the ground to avoid potential tip-over incidents or use cable covers.
- Ensure that the equipment has a drainage tube and is slightly inclined towards the outside area to avoid water inflow (you don’t want water flowing into your tent!).
Adjustable platform
Cable covers
Tip 4 - Consider a tent with an AC port
Some tents already come with AC ports to facilitate equipment installation and operation these days. We reviewed the best tents with ac ports in the market in our opinion in this post. In summary, we recommend the following:
- Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet 12-Person Instant Tent – Best Large Family Camping Option (12 people – see below)
- Bushnell Shield Series cabin – Best Medium-sized tent (6 people)
- The Wenzel Klondike 8-Person – Best option with screen room (8 people)
- Coleman Elite Weather Master – Best Heavy-Duty option
- White Duck Avalon – Luxurious option (see below)
- AC port
- Capacity - 12 campers
- Sets up in under 2 minutes
- Good Value for money
- Luxury design and ample internal room
- Excellent breathability
- Top-notch insulation
- Canvas made
Best window AC units for a tent
After reviewing the options available in the market, we selected three models to consider when buying your window AC unit for your tent. To arrive at these options, we took into account:
- Price / Value for money
- Cooling Capacity
- Portability and ease of installation
Our preferred models are:
- LG 6,000 BTU Window AC– Best value for money (ideal for mid-to-large tents)
- MIDEA 5,000 BTU EasyCool –Budget-Friendly alternative (ideal for mid-to-large tents)
- Midea U Inverter Window AC (8,000 to 12,000 Btu)– Best option for Family-sized tents
What are the alternatives to cool my tent?
Well, you might also get a refreshing breeze inside your tent with alternatives to a window AC unit, such as:
- For small tents – Best Mini AC/Evaporative Cooler (USB compatible)- Evapolar Evachill
- For medium sized tents – Eenour QN650 Portable AC – 2350 BTU
- Portable AC for family-sized tents – BLACK+DECKER 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner
| Features | 1) Evapolar Evachill | 2) Eenour QN 750 | 3) BLACK+DECKER 8,000 BTU Portable AC |
| Weight | 0.910kg | 12.9kg | 23kg |
| Dimensions | 6.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches | 29.5 x 14.9 x 13.6 inches | 17.32 x 13.2 x 27.2 inches |
| BTU | N/A – Evaporative Cooler | 2900 Btu | 8000 Btu |
| Wattage | 7W | 250 W | 860W |
| Battery Compatible? | Yes – 5V | Yes – 240V | No |
| Battery Operated? | No | Yes (compatible) | No |
| USB compatible? | Yes | No | No |
| Noise Levels | Max 50 dB | Max 58dB (lower 45dB) | 52dB |
| Tent size? | Small | Medium | Family-sized tents |
| Investment | $ | $$$ | $$ |
Alternatively, if you are into the DIY approach, there is an easy and cheap version for your – it costs less than $100 and works good (as long as you have ice available) – check a detailed step by step guide in this post:
Not happy with all the options shown above? Well, learn how to cool your tent without electricity in this other detailed article from us:
FAQ
Can I DIY my tent AC port for a window AC Unit?
Overall, we DO NOT recommend it unless you are comfort to take the risk of damaging your tent permanently. If you want to try it by yourself, the video below details how to make it
Can I use a portable AC in my tent?
Portable ACs are a good and practical alternative for window AC units. They have evolved technically and provide similar cooling outputs to window-mounted options.
Is it safe to use a window AC in my tent?
Yes, there are no problems with it. Follow the installation instructions and implement basic safety measures and you will be fine.
Conclusion
Using a window AC unit in your tent is a wise and safe alternative for camping summer days. Make sure that you choose the adequate model size and implement insulation and safety measures to make the most of it.
We hope this article has helped you find the best tent air conditioning option for you!
Happy summer camping.
