8 Best Air Conditioners For Camping (2023 Reviews)

1 - Zero Breeze Mark 2 (Editor’s Choice)

I don't know why this company calls itself Zero Breeze. The product they make sure creates a breeze, and it's a nice, cool one.

All in all, Zero Breeze Mark 2 provides a well-balanced package for cooling down your tent.

The current Mark 2 is actually more of a Mark 2.1. Zero Breeze introduced an updated version of the old model in 2022 with some welcome improvements.

With a BTU rating of 2,300, this is technically the weakest true portable air conditioner I've listed. Still, this single-spot air conditioner was never meant to cool large areas.

Use it in the right environment, and Mark 2 will blast plenty of cold air. I found the cooling power to be excellent for spaces of around 30 square feet — that is, a 1-to-2-person tent.

You have plenty of options for powering this compact air conditioner. It can run off of a wall plug, battery, power station, solar panel, or even a car power port. Whatever power source you have, Zero Breeze works with it.

The setup for most power options is confusing, though, and requires a separately sold Power Dock. As such, I relied on the device’s own lithium-ion rechargeable battery to keep things simple.

The dedicated battery can power the air conditioning unit for around 4 hours on the high setting, which is a slight improvement over the previous version. On low power, the battery life more or less doubles.

I have to gripe about the 8-hour charge time, which is really long. At least you don’t need a separate adapter to charge the battery, like with the old Mark 2 model.

This device is pretty loud (although still quieter than the previous one). That said, it's really versatile — you can keep it on the floor, table, or window or even mount it onto a wall with some DIY skills. You can mitigate the noise with creative placement.

Zero Breeze has surprisingly powerful dehumidification for high-humidity areas. You should devise an effective drainage solution to prevent spills, though.

My biggest issue with this unit is the price — it's the second most expensive AC on my list, behind only EcoFlow. However, if your pockets are deep, Zero Breeze Mark 2 can make you a cool, happy camper.

2 - EcoFlow Wave 2 (Best Premium Option)

You don’t have to compromise comfort just because you’re tent camping. EcoFlow Wave 2 keeps your tent cool or warm, no matter the weather.

At a quick glance, Wave 2 seems similar to the Zero Breeze air conditioner. It’s about the same size, has a similar form factor, and supports the same wide range of power options (from wall sockets to solar panels).

However, Wave 2 can also heat your tent.

In addition to 5,100 BTU of cooling capacity, this portable tent air conditioner also provides 6,100 BTU of heat. Whether you’re camping in cold or hot weather, it keeps your tent at the right temperature.

In theory, the BTU numbers mean this AC suits spaces up to 100 square feet. I wouldn't use it in tents or rooms that big, but in a smaller tent or — say — camper, it will supply a lot of cold or hot air.

The battery pack in my test model (the AC is also available on its own) is comparable to Zero Breeze’s. It lasts about 8 hours in the low-power Eco mode and 4 hours on high.

Unlike the Zero Breeze, Wave 2 can keep the AC running while it charges a battery. And it’s a good thing, too, since the battery needs to be plugged into the unit for charging due to some quirk of engineering.

That’s probably why the battery suffers a roughly 20W energy leak during charging. If you feed it 100W, the battery only registers 80W. That can make charging with solar panels tricky.

Wave 2 offers app control, like the Ukoke AC. Adjusting the settings is easy with both the onboard controls and your phone.

In Eco mode, Wave 2 is literally whisper-quiet at only around 44 dB. In the highest setting, the noise rises to 60 dB — on par with a regular portable air conditioner.

The AC is supposedly auto-evaporative in below 70% humidity, but I recommend rigging up a drain hose. Luckily, you get one in the package.

As with Zero Breeze, the price is my biggest problem with this unit — it is very expensive. Wave 2 also weighs almost 50 pounds with the battery attached, limiting its portability.

Still, if it's powerful heating and cooling for your camping tent you want, Wave 2 is well worth the investment.

3 - SereneLife SLPAC8 (Best Value)

In a break from the previous two machines — Zero Breeze and EcoFlow — SereneLife SLPAC8 counts among traditional portable air conditioners. Don’t let the form factor put you off, though. It can still work well in a tent.

With a cooling capacity of 8,000 BTU, SereneLife is a very powerful machine, losing only to the Black + Decker on my list. Machines of this power are intended for actual rooms, and SereneLife has a 350-square-foot coverage area.

This thing will pump refreshing air through almost any tent, RV, or cabin.

SereneLife has regular 3-in-1 functionality, offering AC, fan, and dehumidification. It is auto-evaporative and recycles condensed water to cool the coils, resulting in next to no drainage in low to medium-humid conditions. That’s good, too, because the supplied drain hose is too short to be of much use.

Another great thing about SereneLife for tent camping is that you can run it without the exhaust window hose. That will compromise its efficiency, but with a machine this powerful, it shouldn’t matter in a tent.

It’s not hard to pull the exhaust hose to vent the heat outside your tent, though, so I recommend doing that.

SereneLife is surprisingly light at 46.3 pounds. In fact, it weighs a bit less than the supposedly ultra-portable EcoFlow with its battery pack.

Now, this portable air conditioner is designed for actual houses, so there are some drawbacks. The unit takes up a lot of space and runs quite loud, which can be a bother in a tent.

The power requirements are the biggest problem. SereneLife isn't battery-powered and requires 900W of electrical power. Your campground better have outlets, or you'll have to invest in a strong power bank.

Fortunately, SereneLife is very affordable, so you can invest your savings in a power station. It’s also reasonably energy-efficient and has a long 12-foot power cord, so you can easily reach an available outlet.

In case you’ll use SereneLife in a cabin, I should warn you that the window kit is stupidly designed. If your windows measure between 26.6 and 37.4 inches wide, you’ll have to cut the window panel to size.

Despite not being designed for it, SereneLife is a solid value-packed camping air conditioner.

4 - BougeRV (Most Portable Tent Air Conditioner)

Completing my trio of special tent air conditioners is the BougeRV. This is the machine for you if you're looking for an AC that you can take with you anywhere (as long as you have a power supply available).

This BougeRV portable air conditioner is about the same size as Zero Breeze and EcoFlow. However, it weighs only 23 pounds, making it much easier to carry with you.

That portability doesn’t compromise the cooling power. At 2,900 BTU, this little-AC-that-could beats the Zero Breeze model. It has enough kick for a roughly 50-square-foot tent or a small RV.

To get the most out of the cooling capacity, I recommend using the included hoses. The exhaust vent belches hot air at 130 degrees — you don’t want that in your tent.

Yet, the BougeRV provides decent spot air conditioning even on its own.

This unit doesn’t have a remote and definitely won’t connect to your phone like EcoFlow. It’s still easy to manage the four modes (Cool, Strong, Fan, Sleep) and three fan levels with the responsive touch panel.

While the unit itself is nicely portable, it’s not battery-powered like Zero Breeze or EcoFlow, which can seriously limit where you put it. You need either AC power (AC as in alternating current) or a power station. Either find an outlet or buy a separate battery unit.

However, ensure you have a big power pack since this power-hungry device draws 300W at maximum. If you do run out of power, the unit doesn't save the settings, so you'll have to dial them in again.

This portable air conditioner is reasonably quiet, running at around 50 dB on average. On full blast, it gets noisier, but I’m told my snoring is still louder.

I noticed that this unit’s bright yellow color attracted wasps. If you’re allergic to wasp stings, it may be worth noting. Or maybe the bugs just wanted to cool down — who knows?

This unit is also not waterproof. If you're planning to leave it outside your tent, put up some kind of cover for it. On the topic of water, use the included drain hose, or your unit will flood.

Overall, BougeRV is a decently strong and highly portable camping tent air conditioner.

5 - Ukoke USPC06C (Best for Caravans and RVs)

Not everybody goes out into the woods with a camping tent. If you enjoy camping with a trailer, caravan, or RV, Ukoke USPC06C is an excellent option for maintaining your vehicle at a comfortable temperature in the summer heat.

The Ukoke is a compact window AC unit rated for 6,500 BTU of cooling power. That’s enough for 250 square feet, so the device should have the chops to effectively cool down even a big motor home.

In fact, this air conditioner made me too cold during my testing. It definitely packs a cool punch!

This unit has all the user modes you'd expect, from cooling, fan, and sleep to a dehumidifier mode. You only get two fan speed settings (one fewer than on the portable trio), but it was enough for me.

Unlike your generic single-chassis window unit, Ukoke has split this device into separate AC and compressor units connected by flexible wiring. The design brings a couple of advantages.

First, it makes this air conditioner very quiet. You’re able to slide the window pane down to form a sound barrier. Ukoke won’t bother you while you sleep.

Second, installation is relatively straightforward. The unit comes with clamps you hang on the windowsill. Attach the AC on the inside and the compressor on the outside, and voila — you're ready to cool.

That explanation makes installing Ukoke sound easier than it is, though. The manual is really barebones and doesn’t help you much.

Since the two units are connected by a non-detachable short hose, getting them through the window is pretty finicky, so I recommend having someone help you. The hanging clamps also won't fit over anything thicker than 2 inches. But at least the air conditioner is pretty light at only 45 pounds.

Controlling Ukoke is on par with a regular window unit, thanks to the clear digital display and good control panel. Like EcoFlow Wave 2, this air conditioner is Wi-Fi-capable. If your RV or caravan has the latest high-tech toys, you can connect the unit to your phone or even an Alexa.

Ukoke’s unique design is its blessing and curse. Yet, if your camping trailer needs efficient cooling, you’re hard-pressed to find a better solution.

6 - Ontel Arctic Air (Best Personal Air Cooler)

Do you think actual air conditioners have no place on your camping trip but would still like to stay cool in your tent? Then Ontel Arctic Air can elevate your camping experience.

Instead of an air conditioner, Arctic Air is a compact evaporative air cooler — a swamp cooler, in other words. It blows air through a water-soaked filter to create a cooling breeze a few feet in front of the device.

It won't cool down an entire room or even a big tent, but Arctic Air shines as a spot cooler. It gave me a nice and fairly quiet breath of fresh air in a single-person tent.

The water tank isn’t massive, holding only 0.13 gallons of water. Still, it can last up to eight-ish hours on the lowest power setting. On high, though, be prepared to fill it every three hours. The unit will flash its in-built lights to tell you when the tank is running low.

Those lights also let you see how much water is left in the tank. I wish it were easier to visually check the water level without having the lights on.

I recommend using only purified or distilled water with Arctic Air (and Evapolar and all other air coolers). Tap water contains bacteria and minerals that can quickly turn the filter moldy.

Speaking of the filter, I noticed (through intentional experimentation and not at all because of my own carelessness) that it’s possible to insert it the wrong way around. If it seems like there’s no cool air coming out, check that the side clearly labeled “FRONT” actually points toward the front.

Despite weighing twice as much as the Evapolar device, this evaporative cooler is very portable. It’s compact and light (only 3 pounds), so it’s easy to carry and fit in your tent.

It also powers up with a simple USB connection, so a basic power bank is all your need to run it. Yet, it also works with a regular electric outlet or virtually any other external power supply.

As a cherry on top, this cooler is really cheap. As long as you don’t expect too much from it, it can keep a single person comfortable in a tent.

7 - Frigidaire FFRA051WAE (Best Window Air Conditioner for Tents)

I know what you’re thinking: “A regular window AC in a tent?” Indeed, it’s possible to install window air conditioners in tents, and Frigidaire FFRA051WAE is a great option for that.

The Frigidaire has a 5,000-BTU cooling capacity, roughly on par with the EcoFlow Wave 2. It’s a bit less powerful than the Ukoke window unit but still has enough output to cover about 150 square feet. It will certainly be enough for both larger and smaller tents, whether they’re insulated or not.

Frigidaire’s controls are very basic, with one turn knob for setting the power and another for choosing between high/low AC and fan speeds. There’s no remote control or internal thermostat for precisely setting the temperature.

The controls would be underwhelming in a house setting, but I found the simplicity nice during camping. The fewer sensitive sensors you have, the fewer headaches you’ll experience when they break.

This Frigidaire weighs only 35 pounds, making it the second-lightest true AC on my list after the BougeRV. It’s shockingly easy to carry even though it isn’t an actual portable camping air conditioner.

The air conditioner has an auto-restart function which allows it to pick up the cooling duties after power loss. That’s useful with choppy campground power connections, particularly as this unit needs 500W and 4.7A of electricity.

Noise-wise, the unit is relatively quiet at 52 dB, which is roughly on par with the BougeRV. You’ll hear it, but it’s not obnoxious.

Naturally, setting the Frigidaire up is your biggest issue. If you plan to use this unit on your next camping trip, I recommend investing in a tent with an AC port (yes, those exist). Otherwise, be prepared to pack hoses and a cover for the AC in your camping gear and to potentially cut a hole into your tent.

The Frigidaire doesn’t come with a window installation kit, but you won’t need that with a tent. As a bonus, the lack of bells and whistles makes the unit affordable.

You will have to do some DIY work to hook the Frigidaire up to your tent. Still, if you're up for the challenge, it's a reliable workhorse that will run for a long time with proper care.

8 - Black + Decker BPACT14HWT (Best Portable AC & Heater Combo For Camping)

Do you like camping in massive tents, motor homes, or mountain lodges at all times of the year? If yes, Black + Decker BPACT14HWT will maintain an ideal temperature in your huge camping residence, rain or shine.

This is the most powerful unit I’ve reviewed, with a whopping 14,000 BTU of cooling power and 11,000 BTU of heating capacity. That equals enough punch to cool or heat a 700-square-foot space.

As I said — this is a serious portable air conditioner/heater, even for giant lodges.

I liked how easy this portable AC unit was to control, whether through the front panel or remote control. Swapping between the AC, fan, dehumidifier, and heating modes is quick and simple.

The LEDs on the front panel are clear and bright — perhaps too bright. Combined with the loud running noise, sleeping with this beast may be challenging.

You can choose between three fan speed levels, but I noticed little difference between them. Just keep the thing on low so it consumes marginally less power.

Speaking of power, you’ll need a serious power source. This is the most power-hungry AC on my list, drawing 1,365W of power. On the other hand, any place that requires this level of cooling or heating should have an appropriate power supply available.

The heater is very efficient and kept me a bit too warm during testing. This is a heat pump unit, so it’ll take about five minutes to warm up — but then the air comes out HOT. Be careful if you keep the machine in your tent.

The form factor and size of the Black + Decker are roughly comparable to the SereneLife portable air conditioner, but this one is much heavier. Thankfully, you don’t really need to move it with the extreme cooling power.

This unit produces much more condensation than other portable AC units on my list. A good drainage system is a must. Draining the machine is a bit tricky due to the very low positioning of the drain plug, so I suggest elevating the unit a bit.

Those looking for portable camping air conditioners that can reverse the seasons should definitely consider this Black + Decker unit. It’s a monster of a machine.

9 - Uninex Koolzone SAC1800 (Best Large Cooler for Outdoors)

Uninex Koolzone looks like a portable air conditioner, but don’t let its appearance fool you. Instead of a true AC, this is a spot cooler like Ontel Arctic Air or Evapolar evaChill — just a much more powerful one.

Although it’s not an air conditioner, the Koolzone carries a BTU rating of around 6,300. That technically gives it the chops to cool down a 77-square-foot space.

Like an air conditioner, the Koolzone dehumidifies to bring down the ambient temperature. This machine is fascinating with how it sits in the space between a portable air conditioner and a personal cooler.

Yet, the Koolzone shines in its cooler role. It blows a lot of cold air through the top air duct and keeps me refreshed inside and in front of my tent.

This cooler unit is rather heavy at 51 pounds, comparable to the EcoFlow Wave 2 (with its battery), which can make moving it a hassle. The good news is that you don't need to move the Koolflow after setting it up.

The cooler functions even in the rain, so you can freely let it sit outside your tent without worrying about water damage. That makes the Koolzone a great alternative to actual camping tent air conditioners, which are generally sensitive to water.

On the topic of water, the dehumidification feature produces a decent bit of condensation. For removing that water, the unit comes with a condensation tank that you have to empty roughly every three hours.

I would recommend replacing the tank with a continuous drain hose for a more distraction-free camping experience. Sadly, the Koolzone doesn’t come with one, so you’ll have to find a fitting one on your own.

While I generally don’t put much emphasis on how the machines I test look, the Koolzone is a pretty ugly unit. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, though — perhaps you’ll find the baby blue plastic cute.

As to an actual gripe, Koolzone is really expensive for what it is. You can find real camping tent air conditioners for this price.

Yet, true ACs aren’t always an option. If you can stomach the price, Uninex Koolzone is an excellent spot cooler for extended camping trips.

10 - Evapolar evaChill (Best Compact Cooler for Camping)

Space is at a premium in single-person tents, whether they’re backpacking or tunnel tents of A-frames. Evapolar evaChill is a fantastic option for keeping you cool in such small spaces.

Like the Ontel Artic Air, evaChill is an evaporative cooler. Instead of a compressor, it chills air by blowing it through a water-laden filter.

The evaChill isn’t intended for cooling down entire spaces, just as with any other evaporative coolers. This unit provides a directed air stream that can keep one person cool and add some welcome air circulation to a stuffy tent.

When used in this way, the evaChill is one of my favorite coolers of all time. The breeze it produces is reliably 10 degrees cooler than the ambient air, which was plenty for my test circumstances.

This unit is also very compact. It's a 7-inch cube that weighs less than two pounds when empty. It's extremely portable and very easy to fit and position, even in the tiniest of tents.

The minimal size does make the water tank equally tiny (only 27oz), but it still lasts 8 hours in the low setting. On max power, I found myself filling it every 4-5 hours, which isn’t bad at all.

Adding to the evaChill’s excellent portability is its low power requirements. I ran the USB-powered device with a regular cellphone battery pack, but you can also plug it into a car's cigarette lighter.

The cooler looks pretty sleek if you're into the iDevice look. I could see some people thinking it looked like a toy, though.

I’m asthmatic, so I liked the basalt fiber air filter. The big filter efficiently removes impurities from the air stream, although it does slow down the “start-up” period as the filter takes a while to soak up water.

The filters are pretty pricey, though, as is the whole evaChill unit. I'd also hesitate to recommend it if you're camping in extremely hot or humid environments. I could see it not performing to its full potential in those conditions.

For what it is, though, Evapolar evaChill is excellent. Definitely consider it if you need a compact spot cooler for small tents.