Stay Cool on the Road: The Best RV Air Conditioners of 2023

The purpose of an RV is to allow one to travel the nation in luxury. A decent air conditioner is necessary to maintain a relaxed and comfortable interior on warm, warmer, and hot days. RVers like rooftop units since they don’t take up any inside room, but placing them that high up does present some challenges. In addition to being difficult to install, they often need external power.

To augment your dashboard air conditioning, rooftop units may be powered by a generator while driving or hooked into a regular electrical socket while you’re stationary. However, doing so requires obtaining a dependable RV generator.

The vital figure to remember is the cooling capacity of a unit, which is expressed in British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour; depending on the circumstances, 13,500 to 15,000 BTUs should be sufficient for most RVs. Make sure the A/C unit you choose is intended for use with the ducted ventilation system if your RV has one. Additionally, select a team that either comes with an integrated heating unit or is made to accommodate an optional one if you want it to serve a dual purpose by heating your home throughout the winter.

To accommodate a variety of demands, we have selected several models for our list of the best RV air conditioners.

Coleman Mach 15+

With its robust 15,000 BTU output, this unit can cool down even huge RVs. With ducted ventilation systems, the Coleman Mach 15+ can move up to 320 cubic feet per minute (CFM). To protect against chilly evenings, it can also accommodate an optional heater unit that can provide up to 5,600 BTUs of warm air.

Pros & Cons

• 15 000 BTU capacity
• can be put in a ducted system
• I willingly take a heating unit as an alternative

• greater cost compared to other models in this
• The thermostat is not included in the kit
• Available only in white.

Dometic Brisk II (13.5K BTU)

For a lesser cost, the Dometic Brisk II is an excellent option for cooling a smaller recreational vehicle. In mild weather, the 13,500 BTUs of cooling air it generates could be sufficient for a big RV. Its weight of 77 pounds makes it one of the lightest types that we looked at, which facilitates installation. Because of this, the Dometic Brisk II has been one of the best-selling air conditioners on Amazon for almost ten years and has always been well-liked by RVers. A two-year guarantee from Dometic covers the device.

Pros & Cons

• Among the most affordable versions, we looked at
• Lightweight facilitates simpler installation
• In stock in both white and black.

• Not as strong as some bigger ones
• It is not intended for more considerable RV cooling in warm climates
• Some consumers take issue with how loud it is.

Dometic Brisk II (15K BTU)

This type is identical to the 13.5K Dometic Brisk II (see above), but it has a more robust engine that can provide up to 15,000 BTUs. Its 74-pound weight (three pounds less than the less powerful machine) and powerful performance make the Brisk II an exceptionally attractive bundle. Its pricing is also reasonable. Domestic offers a two-year guarantee for this device, just as it does with the less potent Brisk.

Pros & Cons

• An excellent value for a device with this calibre of functionality
• This model’s 15,000 BTUs should be able to cool bigger RVs during hot weather.
• Appropriate for both ducted and non-ducted ventilation systems

• More expensive and bigger than the 13,500-BTU model
• comparatively loud levels
• Not designed to accommodate a heating unit

Coleman Mach 3+

If you desire an optional heating unit but don’t need the greater performance of the Coleman Mach 15+, our overall preferred model, the Mach 3+, is a good alternative. While the Mach 5+ is rated at 15,000 BTUs, the Mach 3+ is priced a few hundred dollars cheaper and has a rating of 13,500 BTUs. Other than that, it’s a device that delivers the same 320 cubic feet of air per minute as our top selection. And all of this explains why it’s among the most popular RV air conditioners on the market.

Pros & Cons

• 5600 BTUs of heat may be produced with an optional heater component.
• affordable cost for a unit that can accommodate an add-on heater
• Appropriate for both ducted and non-ducted ventilation systems

• With a rating of 13,500 BTU, it is not as strong as some other models.
• It weighs a bit more at ninety pounds than different low-cost versions.
• Users claim that it is noisy.

RecPro RP-AC2801

An air conditioner with a low profile can be the ideal option if you have to keep an eye on the clearance above your RV’s roof. The top of this RecPro model is barely nine inches above the roof. You may control the unit’s functioning using a timer-equipped remote control. Users claim this RecPro is quieter than previous versions, with a decibel rating of 51 to 55, depending on fan speed. There’s a useful two-year warranty included with it.

*Note: Only the internal portion of the unit is measured in the dimensions.

Pros & Cons

• Your RV will have more clearance on top thanks to its low-profile design.
• Customers claim that it is quieter than similar models.
• Accessible in white or black

• 9500 BTU is a lesser rating than the models shown here.
• For use only with non-ducted systems
• not compatible with thermostats made by other companies.

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Various RV air conditioners are available, and if none suit your vehicle, portable plug-in models are also an option that may be used quickly and with little installation difficulty. Since the purpose of each is to keep the inside cool when travelling or camping, we’ve considered a few important factors while evaluating them.

Although built-in and rooftop units have the maximum capacity and operate silently, they may not necessarily be designed to accommodate multi-zone thermostats in the biggest RVs. Comparably, small portable units are simple to install but may not have as much cooling or quieting effect. Since these devices are not inexpensive, the manufacturer’s reputation and guarantee are also crucial factors.

The pricing, features, cooling capacity, size and simplicity of installation, noise levels, business customer service contacts, and warranty are the factors that determine our rating for these RV air conditioners. We evaluate each unit using the following weighted measures based on study and analysis:

• Cost (40%)
• Energy use and cooling capacity (20%)
• Dimension and installation simplicity (15%)
• Reputation of the Manufacturer (10%)
• Warranty and client support (10%)
• Levels of noise (5%)

FAQs

For my RV, what size air conditioner do I need?

While you don’t want to spend more capacity than you want, you also don’t want to get a unit that is insufficient for your purposes. (A/C that runs too strong cools the air without removing moisture.) In most cases, an RV with 13,500 BTUs should be sufficient in mild weather. However, if your RV is bigger and you want to go through hot or muggy regions, search for a unit that can cool down more quickly—15,000 BTUs or more per hour.

How do I power the A/C unit?

The fact that every model we examined can be connected to a regular electrical socket makes them perfect for parking at a campground for the night. You may also use an onboard generator to power the device if you want to use it while travelling or in an ” off-grid ” location; try to find one that generates around 3,000 watts. Check out this Camper Report article for further information.

Can I do the A/C unit installation myself?

Every model we looked at is made to fit into a typical 14″ x 14″ aperture, and the installation gear is either included in the package or is readily available for purchase separately. Getting the A/C unit onto the RV’s roof is difficult since the teams tested here weigh between 70 and 110 pounds. You could easily use a ladder and a rope, as seen in this video, with assistance or create a winch system that allows you to accomplish it independently; an example is provided in this video.

Can I heat my RV with an air conditioner?

RV air conditioners are solely intended to chill the air on their own. However, to warm the inside during colder weather, some more expensive versions either come with a heat pump or may take an extra one. Remember that installing a heating unit also adds weight, which might hinder your RV’s fuel efficiency and make installation more difficult. You may add an electrical heat strip to many air conditioners, a less costly but less effective alternative.