As summer gets closer, the enthusiasm for adventures rises along with the temperature. Rather than tolerating discomfort or skipping the fun of hot weather, you can choose a portable air conditioner specifically designed for camping in a tent, campervan, or RV. Modern camping air conditioners have seen good improvements.

For lots of people, the idea that summer equals vacation persists long after school days are over. And what screams "vacation" more than camping in a tent? The warmer season is perfect for hitting the road and exploring new places.

The sun is out, nature is vibrant, and everyone is in good spirits! But a hot weather can spoil any road trip or camping adventure.

The remedy? A tent air conditioner! Keep reading to discover more about tent air conditioners and check out some top-notch options that suit your needs.

9 Best Camping Air Conditioners

It can be difficult to find the best air conditioners for camping tents. But now that we've taken care of the heavy lifting, you can unwind and sit back. You'll be more confident to choose the camping air conditioner that best suits your needs after reading this.

1. Coolzy

A Coolzy is a compact, low-power portable air conditioner designed to run on an inverter. It's built to be easily stored while driving on bumpy terrain.

With minimal power consumption (340w), it operates on a camping power source for extended hours. Camping portable air conditioners come at different prices, ranging from $1,299 (Zero Breeze) to $1,599 (EcoFlow Wave).

Unlike Peltier coolers, they release a significant amount of heat, making them less efficient (with a CoP usually between 2.3 and 3).

Coolzy stands out by directing cool air specifically to the user's face and upper body, without mixing it with the room air. It offers options to eject warm air using the Long or Short Tail or to capture cool air entirely with the patented Igloo Tent.

Features:

• Get immediate cooling without any waiting.

• It's compact, lightweight, and convenient to carry.

• Produces sound between 44 dB to 54 dB.

• Costs only $19 per month in electricity, while other normal Air condition units may cost $112 or more per month for 12 hours of daily use.

• Provides targeted cooling for individuals with patented Focusing technology.

• Boasts the highest Co-Efficient of Performance (CoP) on the market.

READ ALSO: Best Camping Fan to Keep Cool in the Summer

2. Ontel Arctic Personal Air Cooler

Ontel Arctic Pure Chill® 2.0 – your personal space cooler that not only cools but also helps clean. This evaporative air cooler brings refreshing cool air wherever you are.

Just fill the top water tank, switch it on, and experience the magic. Pure Chill® 2.0 utilizes advanced Hydro-Chill® technology and an evaporative air cooling cartridge to transform hot air into instant cool freshness!

It's the fastest, easiest, and most efficient cooling tech for both indoor and outdoor spaces. With a quiet three-speed fan, adjustable air vents, easy top-fill water reservoir, and 6 color light options, it's perfect for your desk, nightstand, kitchen, or even travel! Stay cool anytime, anywhere.

Features:

• Indoor & Outdoor Cooling Mix: Pick the eco-friendly choice with Ontel Arctic Air Pure Chill 2.0, equipped with Hydro-Chill Technology and dual cooling jets for effective air cooling and humidification.

• Compact and Portable: The sleek design allows you to place the cooler on your desk, nightstand, coffee table, or kitchen counter.

• Energy Efficient: Operating on 8-10 watts of power, the Arctic Air Pure Chill minimizes energy consumption. The multi-directional air vents can be adjusted to suit any room or office.

• Easy to Use: Simply fill the top-fill tank with water, plug it in, and enjoy cool air for up to 10 hours. The 4-speed settings, LED nightlight with 7 color options, and easy-touch controls make operation convenient.

• Maximum Comfort: Hydro-chill technology cools down hot, dry air, while the quick and easy fill top prevents spills. The cooler runs quietly, is light, and is portable, and provides comfort for up to 10 hours per fill. Runtime depends on speed setting, room temperature, and humidity levels.

3. Emerson Quiet Kool 150-Sq. Ft, EAPC8RD1 Portable Air Conditioner

This air conditioner comes with an exclusive 1-2-5 warranty covering 1 year of labor, 2 years of parts, and 5 years on the compressor, providing confidence in your purchase. This 8,000 BTU (ASHRAE) / 4,900 BTU (DOE) air conditioner effectively cools up to 300 sq. ft.

With a noise level of 50dB, it's one of the quietest in the industry, making it perfect for bedrooms, nurseries, home offices, and small rooms.

The included window kit and hose fit windows from 26.6 to 50.7 inches in width. The auto-evaporation system efficiently removes water, allowing for a bucketless design that rarely needs draining.

Three modes (fan, cool, dry, and heat) provide year-round flexibility, and three fan speeds let you control your comfort. Strong dehumidification is at 2.5 pints/hour) quickly dries your space.

The integrated 24-hour timer can be set through onboard controls or the remote control. Intelligent sleep mode adjusts the temperature and fan speed overnight for comfort and energy savings.

Features:

• This air conditioner is meant to cool a room up to 300 sq. ft.

• It has 8000 BTU ASHRAE and 5000 BTU DOE.

• The auto-evaporation technology and single-hose exhaust system make spot cooling hassle-free.

• It comes with a 1-2-5 years warranty.

• The 24-hour timer lets you preset the machine's on or off time.

• It offers flexible modes like Cool, Dry, and Fan, with dehumidification up to 2.5 pints per hour.

• Additional features include a sleep function, digital display, variable temperature control, and three fan speeds.

• The remote control allows convenient operation, and the Auto-Restart feature starts past settings after a power outage.

• The easy-to-access filter improves air quality, and the unit is easy to move with caster wheels and side handles.

• It comes with a 5.9-ft. long power cord and a window venting kit for quick setup.

• The window dimensions for installation are 7.2 inches (minimum height) and 26.6 - 50.7 inches (min/max width).

• It is U.L. listed.

4. Evapolar EvaLIGHT Plus EV-1500 Personal Evaporative Cooler

evaLIGHTplus offers 3-in-1 cooling, using evaporative technology to cool, humidify, and capture large dust particles. It features a display, removable water tank, sleep timer, and luxury LED lighting.

This natural personal cooling device efficiently cools your personal space by 9-25°F through evaporative technology, making it ideal for hot, dry climates.

It's energy-efficient, consuming only 10W (up to 100x less than an AC unit), saving on bills. The cartridge, made from natural basalt material, is 100% safe for breathing and lasts longer than cellulose.

Note: evaBREEZE color may vary, and a small amount of basalt dust is normal. Powered by patented evaBREEZE technology for exceptional cooling.

Features:

• The Evapolar evaLIGHT PLUS cooler is a 3-in-1 device that humidifies, purifies, and cools the air using evaporative technology.

• It also works well in hot and dry seasons.

• Setting up and using it is easy – just add water and plug it into a power supply, computer, or power bank to get started!

• The cooler is designed for personal use, cooling the front area of the device of 45 sq. ft., identical to the size of a table, couch, or bed.

• It's portable, making it convenient for use on any desk and easy to transport.

• The system is leakage-proof, and it has an enlarged water tank. Voltage: 110 V.

READ ALSO: Best Inflatable Tent for Outdoor Camping

5. GoCool 12V Portable Semi Truck Cab Air Conditioner

The GoCool is a portable air conditioner that uses ice and water to cool, dehumidify, and filter the air in any enclosed space.

It's great for use as a tent air conditioner or for cooling your boat or plane. Designed for portability, ease of use, and long-lasting service, this 12V AC or DC unit pumps ice water through a coil, cooling the air that is then vented out.

The tank can hold 42 lbs of bagged ice or more if it's block ice. Bagged ice, block ice, or gel packs are recommended for best results, with hard frozen ice (usually found in grocery stores) working best.

The GoCool can also hold 4 one-gallon jugs of ice or 9 two-liter bottles of ice. You can set the temperature between 64F and 82F, and it's designed to cool a space of 8’x8’x8’.

The cooling time depends on the size of the space, starting temperature, and the amount of ice used.

For example, sleeper cab trucks starting out cool may be cooled for 8 or more hours, while two-man tents at night may be cooled for 6-7 hours, perfect for a comfortable night's sleep in the tropics.

Features:

• Weight: 33 pounds

• Power Source: Electric or battery

• Dimensions: 20 x 17.3 x 24 inches

• Ice Capacity: Up to 40 pounds

• Easy to move around

• Quiet operation

• Environmentally friendly

6. Colzer 14,000 BTUS Portable Air Conditioner for Camping

With a powerful 14,000 BTU capacity, this Coleman air conditioner can cool a space up to 500 square feet for about twenty minutes.

Its four speeds and four models allow it to quickly and evenly distribute air around the space and also offer temperature control between sixty-two and eighty-six degrees Fahrenheit

It is built with a number of safety features, including a water-full control and warning system, a 24-hour programmable timer, and an extremely sophisticated temperature sensor. Ideal for office, dorm, home, and other places.

When being shipped or stored, air conditioners may be turned on their side; if this happens, the unit may get damaged. Before operating the device, make sure it has been in the UPRIGHT POSITION for at least 24 hours.

Features:

• Efficient Cooling with 14,000 BTUs

• Smart Control Panel

• Four Modes (Cooling, Dehumidification, Auto, Fan)

• Remote Control and 24-Hour Timer

• Quiet Sleep Mode

• Child Lock Safety Feature

• Reusable Dust Filter

• The weight of this item is 52.9 pounds.

• It operates using batteries (Model: AAA R03 1.5V*2)

• It has dimensions of 30 x 15 x 13 inches.

7. Solar Powered Window Air Conditioner by KingTec

Air conditioning units are typically shaded by house roofs and awnings to avoid direct sunlight exposure, keeping them cooler.

While this is an important reason, it becomes less of an issue if solar panels can be placed at a reasonable distance.

Typically, to solar power an air conditioner, you'd need to purchase the unit, a separate inverter, batteries, solar panels, and hire professionals for installation, which attracts high costs.

Home solar power systems in the United States generally cost around $7 per watt (without tax credits), with about half of that cost dedicated to installation. This includes hiring contractors for manually set up components like batteries and panels.

The green AC from Kingtec has a unique background, drawing inspiration from the challenging task of cooling long-haul trucks to help drivers endure extreme heat.

Kingtec, with a global presence in over 60 countries, has been recognized by truckers, RV owners, mini-bus, and van owners for its DC-based products since 2009.

The newly announced K25Z-4 green air conditioning unit underscores Kingtec's dedication to renewable energy, representing a designed-from-scratch approach.

Features:

• Cost: $2,895 USD.

• Cooling Power: 16,000 BTU (equal to 4.7 kW of cooling capacity).

• Energy Usage: 850 watts.

• SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio): 22.5.

• EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio, measuring the capacity per watt of power consumed): 18.8.

• Weight: 200 pounds (Remarkably heavy for a window air conditioner of this size! This is due to additional parts for the solar setup).

8. BougeRV Portable Air Conditioner

This portable power station comes with 3110V Pure Sine Wave AC Outlets, 1USB PD 60W (Input/Output Supported), 1USB QC 3.0 ports, 2USB-A ports, 2DC ports, and 112V car charging port.

It's also good for plugging various devices like household appliances or electronics such as a refrigerator, CPAP machine, TV, heater, electric grill, smartphone, and laptop during trips, camping, or work sites.

The aluminum shell battery pack allows the BougeRV power station to be recharged over 1500 times, having twice the lifespan of regular batteries.

It's great for home backup and outdoor power, compatible with both home power supplies and other portable generators.

However, avoid using a car battery or power inverter to run the air conditioner to prevent draining the battery or blowing the fuse.

The portable air conditioner, featuring an all-in-one touch panel, efficiently releases cold air into the room and expels warm air through the exhaust port.

The temperature can be easily set between 60℉ to 80℉, and the unit operates quietly with a powerful Panasonic compressor.

Features:

• Product Code: E0501-07002

• Cooling Power: 2899 BTU

• Cools an Area of 43-54 Square Feet

• Voltage: 24V DC

• Current: 10A

• Coolant: R134a

• Noise Level: 45dB

• Dimensions: 23.03 x 9.06 x 13.27 Inches

• Weight: 23.15 lbs

9. BLACK+DECKER Air Conditioner

This flexible BLACK+DECKER® carry-on air conditioner, with 5,950 BTU, cools, dehumidifies, and circulates air.

It features easy-to-use electronic controls, rolling castors, and side-carrying handles. Meant for rooms from 350 sq. ft., this compact unit (15.3” x 14” x 24.8”) is perfect for staying cool in summer and sleeping comfortably in your bedroom.

Operating as a 3-in-1 device with 4,100 BTU DOE (8000 BTU ASHRAE 128), it acts as an air conditioner, dehumidifier, and fan.

Weighing only 45.8 lbs., it comes with a remote control, top-mounted control panel with LED display, and useful features like a slide-out washable filter, auto water evaporation, and a 24-hour timer.

Easy to move with casters and side handles, it also includes an installation kit for hassle-free setup in any room.

This Portable Air Conditioner is made to cool, dehumidify, and circulate air to combat the summer heat. It has easy-to-use electronic controls for immediate and continuous comfort.

The unit runs quietly, ensuring a peaceful sleep environment. With rolling castors and side-carrying handles, it's simple to move around for mobile comfort. Moreover, everything you’ll need for an easy installation is provided.

Features:

• This appliance serves as a 3-in-1 Air Conditioner, Dehumidifier, and Fan.

• It comes with a remote control for full functionality, features auto water evaporation, and uses environmentally friendly R410a refrigerant.

• The unit has a slide-out washable filter, a large 4-direction vented airflow outlet, a 24-hour timer, and a sleep mode.

• Easy to connect to a window or wall, it includes a top-mounted control panel with an LED display. For convenience, it has casters for easy mobility.

• The installation kit, which includes an air exhaust hose, hose inlet/outlet adapters, window casement, water drain hose, and owner's manual, is all included.

READ ALSO: Best Portable Camping Sink for Outdoor Camp

Safety Advice

Using air conditioning units for purposes other than their intended use requires extra care. Before and after each use, check for damaged cables and potential harm from added humidity to visible parts.

Running an electrical device in a small space, like most tents, is not ideal. Place it as far away from you as possible to minimize the risk of contact with hazardous things while you’re sleeping.

If powered by a camping generator, ensure it's not too close to the tent to prevent toxic fumes from entering. For battery-powered camping ACs, avoid leaving them in the tent when not running to prevent overheating and potential ignition.

Excessive humidity may have a similar effect, primarily on poor-quality or defective batteries.