Portable air conditioners are a convenient alternative for campers – they provide you with versatility and good cooling capacity. These devices have significantly improved over the last years and can offer good value for money compared to window ac units.
However, you need to be careful when choosing them for your camping days. Before choosing your model, verify your tent size, cooling requirements, and which options best serve you.
When considering a portable air conditioner for camping, you should pay attention at least to the following points:
- Cooling output
- Portability (preferably with rotating wheels)
- Ease of use and installation
How to choose your camping air conditioner?
When choosing your tent air conditioning options, you should first assess several aspects: the tent’s size, tent’s shape, tent insulation, exposure to the sun, and many others.
We undertook detailed studies on which air conditioning size (BTU) you should pick for your tent. Overall, we recommend the following:
- Small tents – a mini-portable ac or evaporative cooler will work well
- Medium to large tents – you can choose between a battery-powered device and portable ACs (best options are detailed below)
- Large to Family tents – you should consider portable ACs and window AC units.
This is based on a a rule of thumb that we created based on our studies:
- 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 (25% extra power required)
- If your tent is exposed to the sunlight and has no insulation, we recommend at least 6 BTU per cubic feet (50% extra power required)
Note: These are indicative numbers based on our experience, and exact requirements will vary in accordance with many other factors. These ratios should be used only as guidance.
Portable Air Conditioner For Camping - Review Summary
Taking into consideration these features, we have chosen the following products as our preferred options in the market:
- BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner – 8,000 Btu– Best Overall – Our choice
- Honeywell 8,000 BTU Compact Portable Air Conditioner– Budget Friendly alternative
- Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP 12,000 BTU – Best option for Family-sized tents
BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner – 8,000 Btu – Best Overall – Our choice
Honeywell 8,000 BTU Compact Portable Air Conditioner– Budget Friendly alternative
Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP 12,000 BTU – Best option for Family-sized tents
Portable AC for camping - Review of the top 4 products
BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner
BLACK+DECKER BPP08HWTB is our preferred option for a portable ac unit for camping. It also has heating mechanisms, apart from its cooling features, making it perfect for both summer and winter camping. .
Its adjustable fan speeds and air swing up and downs modes, it cools the air to 61 degrees Fahrenheit at the coolest setting and heat up to 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
Measuring 13.2 x 17.32 x 27.2 inches (33.5 x 44 x 69cm), the equipment has wheels and handles that facilitate its transportation. Depending on your tent size, you can choose between a 5000 and 1000 Btu option. This model also comes with a remote control that allows for air temperature adjustment for your convenience.
Relax – BLACK+DECKER BPP08HWTB only produces 54dB in the sleeping mode, ensuring a relaxing and cozy night if you are worried about noise levels.
Its washable filter makes maintenance effortless – you can slide it out twice a month, rinse under running water, and place it back
Why this is our preferred option?
This model is super convenient, easy to operate, and carry around. It comes with different BTU outputs which will suit whatever tent size you have.
Further, it has a 4-in-1 functionality (cool, fan, dehumidifying, heater), which makes it the option with best value for money in our opinion.
To finalize, BLACK+DECKER is broadly known for its high quality and durable products and it offers the best value for money option in our opinion.
Some of the customer’s review are detailed below.
Pros
- Ideal for mid to large sized tents
- Durability
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Eco-friendly refrigerant
Cons
- Size might be inconvenient for middle-sized tents.
- You will need to adapt the air exhaust hose to your door (it is very simple, though)
Honeywell 8,000 BTU Compact Portable Air Conditioner - Budget Friendly Option
Honeywell 8,000 BTU Compact Portable Air Conditioner is our budget-friendly alternative for portable AC units for camping.
You can find cheaper options in the market, but all of them come with durability concerns.
The Honeywell 8,000 BTU Compact Portable Air Conditioner comes with wheels that facilitate movement inside the tent and transportation during your camping trips. Conversely to our preferred model, Honeywell portable ac does not come with heating options, and, therefore, you will not use it outside summer days.
Measuring 16.3 x 13.6 x 28 inches, the device weighs approximately 60 pounds (27kg), which is considered bulky in our opinion. Even though the manufacturer says its noise level is limited to 52dB, some customers have reported noise complaints.
The equipment is designed for quick set up and installation, and it is easy to operate with remote control and wi-fi option (wi-fi options come at an extra cost).
It comes with a washable filter, which has easy maintenance. The portable ac is equipped with a dual drainage option that offers you flexibility (drain pan and drain tube).
Pros
- Budget-friendly options
- Easy to operate and set up
- Wi-fi option available
- Easy maintenance
Cons
- There have been complaints with noise and water leakage
- Does not come with heating function
- Bulky
Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP 12,000 BTU - Best option for Family-sized tents
Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP 12,000 BTU is another alternative for your portable ac for camping. As with the Black+Decker model, it comes with cooling and heating functionalities increasing its versatility.
The equipment has a patented auto drain function that exhausts water automatically in most cooling and dehumidifying modes – do not expect leakages with this device.
Its 12,000 BTU output will suit family-sized tents (10+ campers) and cool down the camping environment. This portable air conditioner uses non-ozone-depleting refrigerant with an eco-friendly approach.
It comes with remote control, which allows speed, temperature, and dehumidifying level adjustments from a distance. Whilst it provides significant cooling capacity, its dimensions are similar to products with less power – 16 x 17 x 29.5 inches.
Customers have positively reviewed its noise levels, reporting that compressors are extremely quiet and far lower than anticipated.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Ideal for family-sized tents
- Low noise levels
- Compact
- Good sealing and exhausting mechanisms
Cons
- More expensive than other alternatives
- Oversized for medium tents
- Does not come with wheels
FAQ
I have a small tent. Which tent AC model should I pick?
For small tents, we recommend battery powered ac units or evaporative coolers. From our expertise, we recommend the products below:
How can insulate my tent for AC?
We prepared detailed tips on how to insulate your tent for an AC, which includes:
- Covering your tent with a tarp
- Using duct tape and/or pool noodles to remove potential air leakages
- Insulating the floor of your tent
- Covering your tent with thermal protection
- Picking the right tent fabric
- Use a tent which already comes with AC ports
Suggested Article
How to cool down my tent without electricity?
We suggest taking the following measures:
- Pick the adequate tent fabric.
- Choose the best location to pitch your tent
- Set your tent up at the right time and if possible disassemble it during the day
- Use battery and solar-powered devices
- Cover your tent with reflective blanket.
- Cool your body down
- Watch for tent ventilation.
- Forget about your sleeping bag
- Build a DIY Tent Air Conditioner
Verdict
You can definitely improve your summer camping experience with a portable air conditioner. After thorough market research, we reviewed the three options that we believe will suit your camping needs:
- BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner – 8,000 Btu– Best Overall – Our choice
- Honeywell 8,000 BTU Compact Portable Air Conditioner– Budget Friendly alternative
- Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP 12,000 BTU – Best option for Family-sized tents
Our assessment took into account portability, cooling capacity, price, and product durability.
Our preferred option the Black+Decker model, given its great value for money, quality and versatility – you can easily suit it in mid to family sized tents and use the device in both summer and winter (it comes with heating and cooling options).
BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner – 8,000 Btu – Best Overall – Our choice
Happy camping adventures!
