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Touring the country in comfort is what an RV is all about. That requires having a good air conditioner to keep the interior cool and comfy on warm, warmer and downright hot days. Rooftop units are popular among RVers because they don’t take up valuable interior space, but putting them way up top does mean some complications. They’re hard to install and also generally require external power. High Quality Back Mounting Truck Air Conditioner Factory
Rooftop units can be plugged into a standard electrical outlet while you’re parked or run off a generator while you drive to supplement your dashboard A/C, but that also means getting ahold of a reliable RV generator.
The key measurement you should keep in mind is a unit’s cooling capacity, measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour; 13,500 to 15,000 should be plenty for most RVs, depending on the conditions. If your RV has a ducted ventilation system, be sure to get an A/C unit designed for that use. And if you want the unit to do double-duty—providing heat in colder conditions—get one that either has a heating unit built-in or is designed to accept an optional one.
For this list of the best RV air conditioners, we’ve chosen a range of models for people with different needs.
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Uses eco-friendly R410A refrigerant , aerodynamic shroud design, low-noise operation
Weighs only 64 lbs., 58.2 dB noise level, e-coated evaporator coils
Noise level - 80 dB, 120V power, ducted design
This powerful unit churns out a strong 15,000 BTUs, which should be plenty to cool down even large RVs. Capable of moving 320 cubic feet per minute (CFM), the Coleman Mach 15+ can be used with ducted ventilation systems. And it can accept an optional heater unit that will deliver up to 5,600 BTUs of warm air for insurance against colder nights.
Best AC Value for a Smaller RV
Best AC Value for a Smaller RV
Dometic Brisk II (13.5K BTU)
The Dometic Brisk II is a great choice if you want to cool a smaller RV at a lower price. It produces 13,500 BTUs of cooling air, which could be enough for a large RV in moderate weather conditions. At 77 pounds, it’s one of the lighter models we researched, which makes installation easier. All of this has helped make the Dometic Brisk II consistently popular with RVers and one of the best-selling air conditioners on Amazon for almost a decade. Dometic backs the unit with a two-year warranty.
Best AC Value for a Larger RV
Best AC Value for a Larger RV
Dometic Brisk II (15K BTU)
This is essentially the same model as the 13.5K Dometic Brisk II (see above) but with a more powerful motor, capable of delivering up to 15,000 BTUs. With its strong performance, affordable price, and light 74-pound weight (three pounds lighter than the less-powerful unit), this Brisk II makes an especially appealing package. Like the less-powerful Brisk, Domestic backs this unit with a two-year warranty.
Best AC/Heater on a Budget
Best AC/Heater on a Budget
The Mach 3+ is a solid choice if you want an optional heating unit, but don’t need the higher performance of our overall recommended model, the Coleman Mach 15+. The Mach 3+ is rated at 13,500 BTUs (vs the Mach 5+’s 15,000 BTUs) and is priced a couple hundred dollars less. Otherwise, it’s a very similar model to our top pick, delivering the same 320 cubic feet of air per minute. And all this supports why it’s also one of the best-selling air conditioners for RVs.
If you need to watch the clearance over your RV’s roof, a low-profile air conditioner could be the best solution for you. This RecPro model’s top is only 9 inches above the roofline. A remote control with a timer lets you easily control the unit’s operation. At 51 to 55 decibels, depending on fan speed, users say this RecPro is also quieter than other models. It comes with a helpful two-year warranty.
*Note: Dimensions measure only the interior section of the unit.
There are several types of RV air conditioners, and if none of them fit your rig there are also portable plug-in units that can do the job in a pinch with much less installation hassle. Each is designed to cool the interior while you’re on the road or camping, so there are some critical variables that we’ve considered in our evaluations.
Built-in and rooftop units offer lots of capacity and the quietest operation, but even they may not always be built for multi-zone thermostats in the largest RVs. Similarly, small portable units are easy to add but might not cool as well or be as quiet. Since none of these units comes cheap, warranty and manufacturer reputation are also important.
We rate these RV air conditioning units on price, features, cooling capacity, size and ease of installation, noise levels, company customer service interactions and the unit’s warranty. Through research and evaluation, we judge each unit by these weighted metrics:
Uses eco-friendly R410A refrigerant , aerodynamic shroud design, low-noise operation
Weighs only 64 lbs., 58.2 dB noise level, e-coated evaporator coils
Noise level - 80 dB, 120V power, ducted design
You don’t want to get a unit that’s inadequate for your needs, but you also don’t want to overpay for more capacity than you need. (Too-powerful A/C chills the air without removing moisture.) A model with 13,500 BTUs will probably be enough for most RVs in moderate conditions. But if you have a larger RV and plan to be driving in particularly hot or humid areas, look for a unit with more cooling capacity: 15,000 or more BTUs per hour.
All of the models we looked at can be plugged into a standard electrical outlet, which is ideal for parking at an overnight campsite. If you want to run the unit while you’re driving or in an area that’s “off-grid,” you can also power it through an onboard generator; look for one that produces about 3,000 watts. For more info, check this article from Camper Report.
All of the models we researched are designed to fit into a standard 14” x 14” opening, and they either come with the necessary installation hardware or it can be easily bought separately. Because the weight of the models reviewed here range from about 70 to 110 pounds, the challenge is in getting the A/C unit up onto the RV’s roof. With a helper, you could simply use a rope and a ladder as shown in this video, or devise a winch system that lets you do it single-handedly; one example is shown in this video.
On their own, RV air conditioners are only designed to cool the air. But some higher-priced models either include a heat pump or will accept an optional one to warm the interior during colder conditions. Keep in mind that adding a heating unit also adds weight, which can make installation more challenging and ding your RV’s fuel economy. With many air conditioners, you can add an electrical heat strip, which is a less expensive but less efficient solution. For more info on the options, check out this article from GlampingorCamping.com.
Rik is equal parts geek, gearhead, and driving enthusiast. He’s been reviewing cars, auto electronics, and car accessories for over 25 years, and he’s held staff positions with Motor Trend, Consumer Reports’ autos team, and Wirecutter, the NY Times Company’s product-review website. Rik has also written DIY auto-repair manuals for Haynes. And he likes nothing better than to be exploring new places in a great vehicle.
Car Cooler 12v A car-crazy California kid, I’ve been writing and talking about vehicles for 25 years on TV and radio, in print and online, including AAA magazines in Arizona, Oklahoma, Northwest Ohio, South Dakota and the Mountain West, as well as BBC Autos. I serve as vice president of the Western Automotive Journalists, a professional group for automotive writers based in San Francisco, and have no relation to McKeel Hagerty of Hagerty Classic Insurance, who is younger, better looking and wealthier.