Coleman Mach 15+ 48204C866

Unbridled power always has its own charm.

Those looking for a strong RV air conditioner to create a localized ice age certainly won’t be disappointed with the Coleman Mach 15+.

Boasting 15,000 BTU of cooling capacity, this is one of the most powerful RV AC units on the market.

Although some models, like the RecPro, match its BTU rating, Coleman has an ace up its sleeve with this AC.

I seriously felt like I was in a home with central air conditioning, not an RV.

The Mach 15+ features a ⅓ HP fan motor. This powerhouse creates a very strong 320-CFM airflow that can chill down even the biggest RVs.

During my time with this machine, the Mach 15+ easily cooled down an entire 40-foot motor home (with sub-par insulation) — without me even turning it to the highest setting.

In nearly 110°F weather, this RV air conditioner allowed me to lounge in temperatures in the low 70s.

Still, as the late Billy Mayes said, "There's more!" The Mach 15+ can supply you with heat as well if you purchase the optional heater assembly.

With a 5,600 BTU heat output, it’s not quite enough to keep you warm in the heart of winter, but it takes the bite out of the autumn chill.

I found the installation to be straightforward, thanks to the clear instructions.

Coleman has included a pre-assembled insulation gasket on the bottom, so you can drop the Mach 15+ in place over the 14”x14” roof opening.

Just note that the plenum (indoor ceiling assembly), freeze sensor, and other mounting hardware are sold separately.

On the plus side, though, this unit has a two-piece shroud that makes maintenance and cleaning simpler.

Still, the hardest part of the installation is getting this thing up on the roof. This is the heaviest unit on my list and 90 pounds.

Once you do get the Mach 15+ up on the roof, it’s a decently quiet operator.

RV rooftop air conditioners are always a bit loud, but this guy is on the quieter side of average.

The Mach 15+ is a bit power-hungry, with an average 15 amp power draw and 1,800W energy consumption.

Yet, if you’re planning a trip to the Sahara, this beast can keep you cool.

Related article: Understanding AC energy consumption and running costs

Zero Breeze Mark 2

The blatant false advertising with this unit is appalling.

Running it doesn’t result in zero breeze — it produces a good strong airflow for such a compact machine.

With its 2,300 BTU cooling capacity, it would be easy to dismiss the Zero Breeze as a weak, poorly performing portable car AC unit.

Although it is technically the weakest unit on my list, that would ignore its designed purpose.

Instead of being meant to cool down the entire RV, the Zero Breeze is a personal spot air conditioner.

In this role, its low BTU rating is actually more than enough.

With its dual-hose design, the Zero Breeze provides efficient cooling in small spaces. It’s great for supplementing a low-power rooftop unit, for example.

It did effectively cool down a small two-person camping trailer for me, and I have used this model as a camping air conditioner in a tent, as well. 

A big advantage the Zero Breeze has over other units I reviewed is that it’s battery-powered.

That allows it to run without drawing electricity from your RV — even while the vehicle is moving.

Related article: Top-rated battery powered air conditioners

The battery lasts around 8 hours on the low setting (4 hours on high), so it can keep blowing through the night.

If the battery runs out, you can also power the Zero Breeze with a power bank, solar panels, or even your RV’s cigarette lighter outlet.

All these options are nice, although I found the required setup somewhat convoluted at times.

Also, some power options need the separately sold Power Dock to work.

The Zero Breeze is a compact unit that lets you position it freely around your RV for ideal airflow.

It's surprisingly heavy with the battery attached (around 30 pounds), so you may not want to put it on the most rickety table, though.

Usability is straightforwardthrough the top panel or with the included remote control. I found the window panel easy to rig up, so installation won’t take long.

As a nice touch, the AC has strong dehumidification (so I recommend setting up a drain line).

The Zero Breeze is very expensive, though, costing more than most of the rooftop units on my list.

That said, those who can stomach the price get to enjoy efficient, highly portable spot cooling.

Pioneer 9,000 BTU

If you've been around ACLAB for awhile, you know that I highly recommend Pioneer mini splits, and their RV AC is a great contender, too.

This model is out of sight, out of mind. That’s not the official marketing slogan for Pioneer’s under-beach air conditioner and heater, but it might as well be.

Once you have this machine set up, it’ll keep you cool and warm without bothering you unnecessarily.

This unit has a 9,000-BTU cooling capacity, giving it a roughly 350 square feet coverage area.

Despite the output vent consisting of three small, circular holes, I found the airflow surprisingly strong.

This under-bench unit has plenty of cooling power in small to medium-sized RVs and trailers.

In my big-ish trailer, it dropped the interior space temperature by 20 degrees in 20 minutes. A degree a minute is respectable!

This unit can do a decent job even in bigger RVs with good insulation.

I recommend keeping it in a tad smaller ones, though, to maximize its cooling chops.

The integrated heat pump isn’t bad, either. With nearly freezing temperatures outside, the Pioneer kept my trailer at 65°F.

It shouldn’t be your sole winter heater, but it’s a welcome companion for fall RV camping.

I was pretty shocked by this unit’s quiet operation.

At maximum power, I measured only 50 dB of noise, and even that gets muffled somewhat after installation, making this the quietest unit on my list.

Speaking of installation, this unit is a different beast than rooftop ones since you need to cut multiple holes for the intake, exhaust, and drain line.

The intake hole is the most difficult, as the AC “breathes” through the bottom. I suggest rigging up a splash guard to keep wet roads from soaking the AC.

Once the unit is installed, its four operation modes (AC, fan, dehumidifier, heater) are very easy to control,either with the wall thermostat or remote control.

With an EER rating of 8.5 and 8.8 amp power draw, the Pioneer has low power consumption.

Just remember to plug in both the 110V AC and 12V DC plugs for it to work.

The instruction manual isn't that clear about it, and it took me a minute to figure out why my AC wouldn't turn on.

This Pioneer 9,000 BTU unit is an excellent choice for undisruptive, reliable cooling in medium RVs.

Frigidaire FFRA051WAE

Window AC units are typically for house use, but they can also be mounted to an RV's side or rear windows, especially smaller 5000 BTU models. 

The Frigidaire FFRA051WAE offers RV owners an affordable and lightweight yet fairly powerful cooling solution.

The Frigidaire’s 5,000-BTU cooling capacity gives it a rated maximum coverage area of 150 square feet.

However, I’ve come to find this little beast punches well above its rating.

During my use, this window air conditioner has made even 300-square-foot areas cool, if not cold.

Despite its relatively low power (although still higher than Zero Breeze's), this model can perform decently even in large, well-insulated RVs.

That said, it really shines in medium-sized RVs and trailers.

With an 11 EER rating, this AC rocks the best energy efficiency out of any unit on my list (though it still falls short of the most energy efficient window ACs). It plugs into a regular 115V outlet and draws only around 5 amps.

With an average energy consumption of around 450W, you can run this unit in your RV safely and affordably.

Speaking of which, this is by far the cheapest AC I’ve reviewed here, and is one of the best window air conditioners under $200. 

If you’re looking for an RV air conditioner on a budget, this model’s affordable price is hard to resist.

The Frigidaire is a very basic and utilitarian machine — in the best possible way.

It has two simple turn knobs for choosing between high and low AC or fan settings and for setting the temperature.

There's no digital thermostat, so I recommend buying a separate one to monitor the temperature.

Thanks to its low weight, the Frigidaire is simple to install — in theory.

In practice, it’s a bit tricky to set up as RV window frames aren’t as thick or sturdy as house windows.

It’s a good idea to support the unit with a sturdy bracket.

Once you figure it out, the Frigidaire is easy to mount. That's good, too, because you must take it down and set it back up often.

Don't leave it in the window and start driving; it will fall at the first pothole.

Frigidaire FFRA051WAE shows you don’t need to invest in an expensive special RV air conditioner to keep your camper cool.

This window unit makes a value proposition that’s hard to beat.

ASA Electronics ACM135 Advent Air

Sometimes you don’t need all the extra fluff. You just want an AC that gets the job done — affordably, efficiently, and without breaking your back (or bank). That’s where the Advent ACM135 steps in.

I picked this one up on a whim before a last-minute trip to Big Bend National Park. Temps were hitting 90 by midday, and I didn’t feel like slow-roasting inside my camper. At just over $600, this thing looked like a steal. And honestly? It was.

Like the RecPro model next on my list, the ACM135 delivers 13,500 BTUs of cooling power, which is more than enough for most small-to-midsize RVs. 

While it doesn’t chill a rig as aggressively as a 15K unit, I never once wished I’d gone bigger. In my 20-footer, it cooled fast and stayed cool — even after hours parked in direct sun.

What sets the Advent apart, though, is its weight — or lack thereof.

At just 50 pounds, it’s lighter than nearly every rooftop unit I’ve tested. That made it easy to lift into place with just a buddy and a couple of lawn chairs (don’t judge my methods).

Compare that to the 72-pound Dometic or the 99-pound RecPro and you’ll appreciate the difference — especially when you’re installing it solo.

Of course, there are trade-offs. This is a barebones unit, and you’ll need to buy the ceiling assembly separately.

If you’ve never installed an RV AC before, be warned — the Advent shows up looking like half a machine. No plenum, no interior components, and minimal instruction. 

If you aren’t at least a little comfortable with RV wiring and AC mounting, you might find yourself staring at the box wondering what to do next.

There’s also no remote, no digital display, and no fancy sleep mode or programmable timer. You twist a couple of knobs and hope for the best — just like the good ol’ days. That said, basic can be beautiful, and there’s a certain satisfaction in the simplicity.

Need heat? You can add it — sort of. The Advent does support an optional plug-in heat strip, but you’ll need to buy that separately. It’s not a replacement for a full heating system, but it'll keep the chill away during colder seasons.

In the end, if you want a budget-friendly rooftop AC that cools like a champ, travels light, and doesn’t come loaded with extras you may never use, the ASA Electronics ACM135 is a great pick. 

Just know what you’re getting into — and maybe phone a friend when it’s time to install.

RecPro RP-AC3800

You need the latest bells and whistles for a truly luxurious glamping experience.

RecPro RP-AC3800 lets you relax in your RV in comfort, no matter the weather outside.

In terms of cooling power, the RecPro rivals the best of them. Like the Coleman, it carries a 15,000 BTU rating.

The RecPro’s cooling capacity isn’t quite on par with its Coleman competitor, but that’s a bar virtually no machine reaches.

Nonetheless, even this AC’s lowest setting was too cool for me in a 21-foot RV.

It goes without saying that it will perform more than adequately in much bigger campers.

Unlike the Coleman, though, this model comes standard with a built-in heat pump.

It’s a supplementary one and won’t be enough on its own in the middle of winter, but you’ll be glad it’s there during chilly fall nights.

In a break from all other rooftop units I reviewed, RecPro supplies not only the insulation gasket but also the plenum with the unit.

It’s a welcome addition that makes for easy installation since you can be sure all the parts are compatible.

In addition, the RecPro is the only rooftop RV AC here with a remote control.

Granted, the remote range is fairly short, and it only works from one direction. Nonetheless, I was happy to have it.

Since it has a remote control feature, the RecPro has electronic controls.

That means it has a digital thermostat and a display showing the current temperature. It takes the guesswork out of cooling with your AC.

Thanks to the electronic controls, you also get a programmable timer and a sleep mode that raises the indoor temperature overnight by a couple of degrees.

This useful feature can help you save energy and sleep better.

About the downsides, well, this unit only supports ductless installation.

The supplied insulation gasket is also pretty hard, so you may need to buy a separate one if your RV has a curved roof.

Some primitive camping fans might scoff at the RecPro for making your RVing too luxurious.

But to each their own — if you like camping in comfort, this machine won’t disappoint.

Dometic Brisk II

If your RV is on the smaller side, it may be a waste of money to buy a turbocharged 15,000 BTU rooftop RV air conditioner.

Dometic Brisk II B57915.XX1C0 provides plenty of cold air for smaller RVs at a lower price point. Dometic is a brand I often recommend for marine air conditioners, as they have really cornered the market of recreational living. 

The Dometic Brisk II rooftop AC has a 13,500 BTU cooling capacity.

It definitely has what it takes to chill down RVs up to medium size. In a 26-foot RV, the Brisk II kept the living space cool using only the medium setting.

I was even able to achieve livable temperatures in a 36-foot RV, but I am naturally chilly and don’t mind a bit higher temps.

Heat-averse owners of big RVs may want to look elsewhere.

Although the Brisk II isn’t as light as some models like the Pioneer AC, it still upholds the Dometic tradition of making light RV ACs.

This unit weighs less than 80 pounds and has the most compact form factor out of any rooftop machine here.

Combine that with the pre-attached sealing gasket, and the Brisk II is about as easy to install as it gets.

Once again, though, you’ll have to buy the plenum separately.

In terms of noise, the Brisk II is about as average as you can get. It certainly didn’t bother me during my usage.

This unit really shines in terms of power consumption.

Among the rooftop models, the Brisk II is the most energy-efficient RV air conditioner, with a 12.4-amp power draw on average.

The Achilles’ heel here is packaging, which is something I've found with many Dometic products.

There was nothing wrong with my test machine, but it’s not hard to find people with complaints about cracked shrouds and busted connection points.

Fortunately, the unit comes with a decent two-year warranty.

Even if a clumsy delivery person happens to break your AC, the manufacturer is ready to make things right.

If you're looking for efficient cooling for medium RVs, this small RV rooftop air conditioner makes a great value proposition.

How often should I maintain my RV air conditioner?

You should clean your RV AC and its air filters at least twice a year, preferably in spring and fall. To keep your AC in tip-top condition, a quarterly proper maintenance routine is recommended.

Can I run my RV air conditioner on battery power?

Yes, you can run an RV air conditioner on a battery if you have the appropriate connectors and the battery supplies enough power. However, strong ACs can suck batteries dry very quickly.

How many batteries do I need to run my RV AC?

You can run a smaller RV air conditioner with a single 12-volt battery. However, the number of batteries depends entirely on your AC’s power, the battery capacity, and the outdoor temperature.

Can I heat my RV with the air conditioning unit as well?

Yes, you can heat an RV with an AC equipped with a heating unit. Some ACs feature a heat pump as a standard feature, while others can accommodate an after-market heating element.