​​The Best Camping Air Conditioners: Don’t Sweat the Summer Adventures

The Best Camping Air Conditioners

As summer rolls around, the adventures heat up along with the weather. Rather than sweat it out, get one of the best camping air conditioners for a tent, campervan, or RV. They provide hours of cooling in a small, portable package. Your summer fun doesn’t have to stop.

Finding the best portable conditioners can be challenging. But you can sit back and relax because we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. After reading this, you’ll have the confidence to get what fits your needs.

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Zero Breeze Mark 2 is great for car camping too.

The Best Camping Air Conditioners: Quick List

Here are the best options to keep your summer adventures comfortable:

Best Overall
EcoFlow Wave 2 portable AC
EcoFlow Wave 2
  • Integrated battery
  • Impressive BTU rating
  • Reputable electronics company
  • Buy Now
    More Details
    Top Alternative
    Zero Breeze Mark 2 portable air conditioner
    Zero Breeze Mark 2
  • Integrated battery
  • Incredible cooling power
  • Lightweight & compact
  • Buy Now
    More Details
    Best Budget
    BougeRV Portable Air Conditioner
    BougeRV Portable Air Conditioner
  • Best price
  • >2,000 BTU cooling
  • Need power supply
  • Buy Now
    More Details

    All three of the above picks are amazing. But they’re meant for small spaces and are premium products with premium prices. If you have a larger space to cool down OR you want to use a more affordable air cooler (not a true air conditioner), check out these:

    Most Powerful
    Black+Decker Portable Air Conditioner with remote
    BLACK+DECKER Air Conditioner
  • Most powerful
  • Portable design
  • Requires a lot of energy
  • Buy Now
    More Details
    Most Affordable
    evaCHILL portable AC unit with a handle
    Evapolar evaCHILL Portable Air Cooler
  • Lowest price & ultra-portable
  • Not a true AC unit
  • Low energy needs
  • Buy Now
    More Details
    Large Air Cooler
    IcyBreeze Portable Air Cooler based on melted ice water
    IcyBreeze Air Cooler
  • 12-volt ice-based cooler
  • Cooling relief with low price
  • Buy Now
    More Details
    ECOFLOW Wave 2 Camping Potable AC Unit

    Best Overall: EcoFlow Wave 2

    The EcoFlow Wave 2 is our favorite portable AC unit because it has the highest in-class rating of 5,100 BTU. And it has an available integrated battery pack. Plus, it even has a heat pump to provide cold-weather relief too. It’s a grab-and-go unit that’s perfect for any adventure. And it comes from a company with a well-established reputation for excellence.

    • Powerful: Dishes out a whopping 5,100 BTUs to rapidly cool small spaces
    • Battery-powered: Perfectly portable air conditioner that needs nothing else
    • Heat pump included: Warm up on chilly adventures too

    Coming from a company with a reputable lineup of portable power stations and solar-charged backup solutions, EcoFlow hits the power-hungry portable air conditioner product right on the money. It’s the most powerful camping air conditioner with an impressive estimated battery time of up to 8 hours.

    Perfect Portable Package

    If you want to add some cold air to your gear kit, this is the best product on the market. It strikes the ideal balance between power and portability. Others can be find for extremely small spaces, but may struggle with a normal camping setup. The EcoFlow Wave 2 nearly doubles the power to make sure it gets the job done.

    The Wave 2 is a second-generation update removing shortfalls in the original design. The product has been heavily reshaped and updated its available power sources for more solar-friendly use, especially at a higher voltage. It can charge its battery with DC power ranging anywhere from 11V to 60V. That’s amazing.

    With the available eco mode, the Wave 2 is now estimated to run for up to 8 hours. That’s seriously impressive since it has a ~500W draw with 5,100 BTUs. If you want to ramp up the cold air, you can still expect it to last at least 3-5 hours depending on your conditions and settings.

    The ECOFLOW Wave 2 air conditioner for camping

    Don’t Pass Up the Battery

    With a more powerful compressor, the power needs of this unit are a little more than other units. And to make this happen without creating an overly bulky system, EcoFlow has only provided DC charging (such as solar panels) through the battery pack.

    The battery pack is really worth getting no matter what. It transforms this little machine into an amazing companion no matter where you go. Want to picnic away from the rig? Go for it. You can visit another campsite or tent and bring it with. Even just sitting on a table outside, this little machine can make things much more comfortable.

    If you have a powerful AC inverter and RV or campervan electrical setup, you can skip the battery and use the AC power to run the Wave 2. But if you want to use it anywhere or use solar panels (or another DC power source) to charge it, then you must get the battery pack.

    EcoFlow Wave 2 Technical Details

    Cooling:5,100 BTU
    Power:550W AC / 495W DC
    Voltage:11V-60V DC or 110V-240V AC
    Battery:1159Wh (Up to 8 hours)
    Weight:49 lbs with battery, 32 lbs without (22.3, 14.5 kg)
    Dimensions:20.4 x 11.7 x 13.2 in (518 x 297 x 336 mm)
    Warranty:30-day money-back guarantee and 1-year warranty
    Features:Heating and cooling capabilities, wide DC input voltage, more powerful BTU rating
    Runs off:Optional battery or any 110V-240V system
    Best Overall
    EcoFlow Wave 2 portable AC
    EcoFlow Wave 2
  • Integrated battery
  • Impressive BTU rating
  • Reputable electronics company
  • Buy Now
    Zero Breeze Mark 2 portable camping air conditoner

    Top Alternative: Zero Breeze Mark 2

    We absolutely love the Zero Breeze Mark 2. It’s an extremely well-designed and versatile system. And it comes with a removable and rechargeable power source.

    The main reason it’s not in the number one spot is it is about half the cooling power of the EcoFlow Wave 2. That’s nice because it draws about half the energy, but it’s not the strongest portable AC around.

    • Ultimate Portability: Compact package with attached battery to take anywhere
    • Cooling ability: 2,300 BTU cooling power best for small spaces
    • Charging flexibility: Extremely versatile charging inputs

    Intersection of Design and Performance

    The Mark 2 features an advanced compressor on a lightweight, portable platform. It is a revolutionary device that is paving the path forward for the camping air conditioner industry.

    Zero Breeze first came on the market in 2016, designed by a camping enthusiast who saw a need with no solution. Since then, the company has listened to customers, enhanced the design, and released the Zero Breeze Mark 2 (second generation improved design) as the ultimate portable air conditioner.

    Zero Breeze Mark 2 Extra with two batteries and the hoses and cables included.

    The Mark 2 air conditioner is rated at 2,300 BTUs, which can provide up to 30 degrees of cooling in 10 minutes in a small space. It has four different modes to find the right balance between cooling power and energy consumption, and it’s packed with additional features, such as:

    • IPX4 waterproof rating protects it from accidental splashes and spills
    • Intuitive display and controls with available remote
    • Can pair with a variety of Zero Breeze products to fit your needs

    The Mark 2 Difference

    What sets it apart from the crowd is the long-lasting battery design that puts energy use down and cooling time up. It’s perfect for all of the adventures when electricity is limited but you still want to stop the sweltering heat. It is a true off-grid air conditioner.

    Each battery provides up to six hours of cooling. If you want more cooling time, you can buy additional batteries or connect the camping air conditioner to a power bank or outlet. If you have an existing power supply, you can purchase the Zero Breeze Basic without a battery.

    If you purchase an extra battery, you can keep a battery charging by the outlet while you use the AC unit elsewhere.

    Zero Breeze Mark 2 with two batteries and AC adapter

    The Mark 2 is also different from many portable air conditioners because it can run or charge on nearly any power source with an adapter produced by Zero Breeze. Most other air conditioners provide very little flexibility, often requiring either a 110V or 24V power source.

    You can run or charge your Mark 2 air conditioner off of:

    • 12V or 24V electrical system: Adapters connect directly to 12V and 24V off-grid systems, including solar generators or power stations
    • Solar panels: Connect directly to solar panels running at 21V to 27V thanks to a built-in MPPT charge controller
    • 110V or 220V outlet: If you are near a common household outlet, either off-grid or on shore power, you can use it.

    Zero Breeze offers customized solutions for other portable power stations from popular brands like Goal Zero, EcoFlow, and Bluetti.

    To get everything you need to know about the electrical needs of the Zero Breeze Mark 2, you can check out the post on how to power a portable air conditioner.

    Zero Breeze Mark 2 Technical Details

    Cooling:2,300 BTU
    Power:240W
    Voltage:24V or 12V/110V
    Battery:840Wh (Up to 6 hours)
    Weight:28.5 lbs with battery, 16.5 lbs without (13, 7.5 kg)
    Dimensions:20 x 10 x 11 in (508 x 254 x 279 mm)
    Warranty:30-day money-back guarantee and 1-year warranty
    Features:Four cooling modes, IPX4 waterproof rated, 24V micro compressor, window slider; available adapters, remote control, and extra batteries
    Runs off:Optional battery or any 12V/24V/110V system

    Top Alternative
    Zero Breeze Mark 2 portable air conditioner
    Zero Breeze Mark 2
  • Integrated battery
  • Incredible cooling power
  • Lightweight & compact
  • Buy Now
    The BougeRV portable air conditioner for camping.

    Best Budget: BougeRV Portable Air Conditioner

    Another excellent choice is the BougeRV Portable Air Conditioner. It comes in at a slightly lower price yet keeps all the performance and features. It even has a slightly higher BTU rating compared to the Zero Breeze, meaning it pumps out more cold air.

    It’s downside is that it doesn’t have a battery pack. But it uses little energy for an air conditioner, so it’s perfect to pair with a solar generator or RV.

    • Camping AC: Portable package with powerful cooling capabilities rated at 2,899 BTUs
    • Solid Reputation: BougeRV produces many camping-focused electronics with great reviews
    • Power source: Requires power source with no battery option

    Powering the BougeRV AC Unit

    There are two options you can use to power the BougeRV portable AC unit: a 110V household outlet or a 24V DC system.

    For those camping close to a 110V outlet, just plug in one end of the included BougeRV 110V adapter to the air conditioner and the other end into the outlet. You can also use the 110V AC outlet on any portable power station.

    But for off-grid solutions, the 24V DC power is the more efficient choice to avoid AC conversion energy loss. If you have a campervan electronic system or other off-grid solution, the 24V DC is what you should go for and BougeRV includes a 24V adapter.

    If your portable power station or off-grid electrical system is 12V, you will need to purchase a 12V to 24V adapter, which BougeRV does not offer, unlike Zero Breeze.

    BougeRV air conditioner at night.

    BougeRV Ultimate Portability

    The BougeRV is another highly-portable design made with a carrying handle and only weighs 23.2 lbs. Nearly anyone can easily carry around this portable air conditioner. To be able to bring this anywhere, get a portable power station or solar generator. It will unlock a new world of possibilities for this device and others.

    It has a straightforward control panel that’s very easy to use. Just crank it on with your desired settings, then feel the cold air take over your space. You will need to attach the ventilation hoses so the warm air has a way to escape. That is the same as all portable air conditioners, even window units at home. BougeRV offers a specific foam board to help control the hoses and provide an air-tight seal.

    BougeRV is coming in strong with a wide selection of camping equipment. They’re been making impressive portable power stations with the most advanced semi-solid state batteries. They also make well-priced solar panels and a very attractive lineup of camping refrigerators. Overall, BougeRV is gaining a serious reputation for offering high-quality products at a good price, backed by excellent customer service.

    At the end of the day, both the BougeRV camping air conditioner is an incredible product.

    BougeRV Technical Details

    Cooling:2,899 BTU
    Power:250W
    Voltage:24V or 110V-220V with included adapter
    Battery:None
    Weight:23.2 lbs
    Warranty:1-year coverage
    Features:Four modes (Strong, Regular, Sleep, Fan), Panasonic compressor, low-amp draw, <50 dB
    Runs off:Any 110V-220V outlet or 24V DC system
    Best Budget
    BougeRV Portable Air Conditioner
    BougeRV Portable Air Conditioner
  • Best price
  • >2,000 BTU cooling
  • Need power supply
  • Buy Now

    Most Powerful: BLACK+DECKER Air Conditioner

    If you have access to a 110V and want to cool a bigger space, this is the right choice. The Black+Decker Portable AC is rated at a 14,000 BTUs and can cool up to 700 sq ft. When you want a serious portable air conditioner for camping, this should be at the top of your list.

    And it’s much lower priced than the other portable air conditioner units on this list.

    • Serious cooling power: Nearly 3 times as powerful as the camping air conditioners
    • Portable stand-up unit: Better than any window-mounted unit
    • Available heat pump: You can also use this to warm up on cool nights

    The downside is that since it has a lot more cooling power, it sucks in a lot more electricity. It’s designed to use on a regular 110V outlet, not practical for off-grid purposes.

    It’s also a much larger unit than the other three. Not good for an adventure when you’re tight on space, but could be the perfect addition to an RV or camping with a large canvas tent.

    Full-Featured Air Conditioning Unit

    Coming from BLACK+DECKER, this is one of the highest-rated products we have ever seen. It is basically a direct replacement for a household HVAC system built for use anywhere, complete with auto thermostat, remote, and air/heat/fan triple function.

    It has a remote that keeps everything at your fingertips as you relax at your campsite. You can easily adjust the temperature setting and it will automatically take over. You can hit the timer button to make sure you don’t burn through too much power, or use the sleep setting to doze off with confidence.

    And if you want the best of both worlds, you can get this unit with (or without) a heat pump. It brings a bit of warmth to the table on those chilly evenings and nights. And if you don’t need that, just get the option without the heat pump to save cash.

    Why Isn’t This Our Top Option for Camping AC?

    For many campers, electrical energy is in short supply. And that’s where the BLACK+DECKER AC unit falls short.

    This air conditioner uses 115V outlets and reportedly runs at around 1,365W. That can eat through an off-grid battery backup pretty quickly.

    This unit is more compact than most household options and much better designed for campground use than a window unit, but it still measures 17.1 x 28.1 x 13.8 inches. Make sure to make some extra room in your camping rig.

    If you have the energy supply and space, this it can be a great camping solution. Just don’t be surprised if your neighbors never want to leave.

    BLACK+DECKER Technical Specifications

    Cooling:14,000 BTU
    Power:1,365W
    Voltage:115V
    Battery:None
    Weight:68.3 lbs
    Warranty:1-year parts/labor, 5-year compressor
    Features:Timer, sleep mode, R32 refrigerant, three fan levels, remote, included window kit
    Runs off:A 115V outlet with a lot of power supply
    Most Powerful
    Black+Decker Portable Air Conditioner with remote
    BLACK+DECKER Air Conditioner
  • Most powerful
  • Portable design
  • Requires a lot of energy
  • Buy Now
    evaCHILL portable AC unit with a handle

    Most Affordable: Evapolar evaCHILL Portable Air Cooler

    The evaChill evaporative cooler is a more affordable way to get some relief. Although it doesn’t use a true AC compressor, it’s a well-designed cheap air cooler great for camping. And it’s easy to power this small device since it uses very little energy.

    • Affordable: Can’t beat the price point and value of the evaCHILL air cooler
    • Compact unit: Designed to take and fit anywhere, with ease
    • Low power draw: Use a battery bank, USB charger, or household outlet

    The way this gets to such a low price and power draw is by using evaporative cooler technology, aka swamp cooler. A fan blows across a wet membrane, and the natural cooling of evaporation blows across your face. It’s good for a little cooling directly on your body.

    Who the Evapolar evaCHILL Is Best For

    For people that want portability first, this is perfect. It’s essentially the size of a volleyball and uses no more power than a small fan. And best of all, the evaCHILL is a fraction of the price of the other portable air conditioners.

    If you want an amazing low-powered camping air conditioner that doesn’t break the bank, this might work out. But you have to understand its limits.

    This cooling solution is not as powerful as true air conditioners. So if you actually want to see significant changes in temperature, this probably won’t meet your needs. It can lower the air temperature without needing a major power supply. But not like a real compressor.

    Also, if you are in a humid area, I’d skip this. Evaporation works best when air is dry. If the air is very humid, the evaporation is limited. Which means this air cooler won’t be cooling very much. It will basically just be a fan at that point.

    evaCHILL portable air coolers in white and black

    evaCHILL Compared to Others

    We like the evaCHILL more than the alternatives because of its extremely compact size. You can take it anywhere to blow right on your face. It’s also from Evapolar, a well-respected brand dedicated to this device and similar units. And it comes with a 14-day no-hassle return and a full 1-year warranty.

    The evaCHILL has many satisfied customers that are impressed with its cooling ability. Some of the negative feedback focuses on its limited cooling ability. But we think it’s a great product if you understand it’s not an air conditioner and it’s made to be a small, personal device.

    Other air coolers, like this BALKO Evaporative Cooler, are much larger floor units. They keep the cost down by relying on evaporation instead of a compressor (like the evaCHILL), but ramps up the size to be more suitable for larger spaces. If you want a room-sized cooler, go with the Blako over the evaCHILL.

    evaCHILL Technical Specifications

    Cooling:340-1,190 BTU
    Power:7.5W
    Voltage:5V
    Battery:None
    Weight:1.65 lbs
    Warranty:1-year coverage
    Features:Four fan levels, one-touch control, runs at 25 dB
    Runs off:Any USB outlet
    Most Affordable
    evaCHILL portable AC unit with a handle
    Evapolar evaCHILL Portable Air Cooler
  • Lowest price & ultra-portable
  • Not a true AC unit
  • Low energy needs
  • Buy Now
    IcyBreeze Portable Air Cooler based on melted ice water

    Large Air Cooler: IcyBreeze Air Cooler

    This uses a cooler full of ice and a fan to blow ice-chilled air out. It’s not the most advanced system, but it does push out cold air while keeping the price very low. Some people recreate similar items with a DIY air cooler But this one is a well-designed professional unit.

    The best part of the IcyBreeze Air Cooler is that it can use 12-volt DC or 11-volt AC power. And you can buy integrated batteries so you can use it anywhere you want. Simply attached the battery of nearly any power source, throw in a bag of ice, and you’ll get some cool air going.

    If you can get your hands on a constant supply of ice and want a very low-powered solution, this is a good bet.

    It’s also better in humid weather than any evaporative coolers.

    Power Options

    The IcyBreeze Air Conditioner comes with a 12-volt power cord as the default energy source for the system. It is connected to a cigarette outlet connector, but if you have a different 12-volt system (like a camper 12-volt), then you can simply snip off the cigarette outlet and use whatever connector is right for you.

    Another excellent way to power this is by purchasing the 10aH (6.5 hours) or 6aH (4 hours) battery available directly from IcyBreeze. This integrated system is nice and makes things very easy. It might be worth looking at other power stations or even a portable battery bank with a similar capacity to save some money though.

    You can also purchase an AC adapter if you have a standard 110-volt to 220-volt outlet you want to use. This is better for those who are camping at a campground with an outlet, using a generator, or don’t mind having their AC inverter on.

    Who IcyBreeze Is Best For

    If you don’t have a lot of ice and are in a dry place, you should go with a different evaporative cooler instead.

    The IcyBreeze Air Cooler is best for those who are considering a swap cooler, but are either in a very humid place (making swap coolers useless) or need a DC-powered solution. If you fall into that category and have ice available, this could do the trick.

    Keep your expectations reasonable though. This is not an air conditioner. It is a basic system that forces chilled water across the front of a fan. Yes, it will provide cooler air if there is nicely chilled water inside. But as soon as that water warms up, so will any air flowing out of it.

    IcyBreeze Air Cooler Technical Specifications

    Cooling:Can blow air at 35 F less than air temps
    Power:~38W
    Voltage:12V or 110/220V
    Battery:10aH or 6aH options
    Weight:16 lbs (without ice)
    Warranty:Lifetime
    Features:Three fan levels, abundant power options, unique ice-based air cooler
    Runs off:12V or 110/220V supply, available battery packs
    Large Air Cooler
    IcyBreeze Portable Air Cooler based on melted ice water
    IcyBreeze Air Cooler
  • 12-volt ice-based cooler
  • Cooling relief with low price
  • Buy Now

    Portable AC Units: Other Options

    There are a few competitors that can seem attractive. We looked at many different places, across dozens of lists, and spoke with tons of campers about their favorites. That’s what you’ll find above here.

    Below this point, you’ll discover some camping air conditioners that look similar to the best options and might have lower prices. Some can be attractive and work well, despite the lack of reputation or problems other people have. But they’re not our top choices.

    EnjoyCool portable air conditioner.

    EnjoyCool

    Founded in 2021, the EnjoyCool brand is taking on Zero Breeze with an incredibly similar product. We love that it has an equally portable design, including an attached battery, and seems to be an excellent solution for a portable tent camping air conditioner.

    But the information about the product and company is extremely limited, with almost no reviews on the product. Plus, we found about twenty different listings for this exact product all over Amazon, many with wildly different prices, reviews, and information. We actually removed the link because it kept being moved to a different listing.

    For these reasons, we can’t recommend buying the EnjoyCool at this time. Perhaps in the future, the brand will provide more detailed information, showcase an ability to stand behind what it sells, and establish a better reputation.

    EENOUR camping air conditioner.

    EENOUR QN750

    With a 2,900 BTU rating, 24V or 110V power input, and 22 lbs. weight, the EENOUR portable air conditioner is strikingly similar to the BougeRV. And just like the BougeRV, the EENOUR falls short by not offering a battery pack.

    But the customer reviews for the EENOUR QN750 are far from ideal, about 50/50 for positive and very negative. Many were unable to get the device to function properly, with limited cool air coming out and the device generating far too much heat.

    These products are expensive. They should work flawlessly right out of the box and for many months or years after. We see these reviews are seriously problematic.

    Additionally, it is difficult to find any company information for EENOUR away from Amazon, which seems to be their exclusive distributor. EENOUR has a wide range of metal detectors and heat presses with many high reviews, but the air conditioner does not have the same reputation.

    For these reasons, we can’t recommend the EENOUR QN750 at this time.

    Emerson Qiuet Kool air conditioner for camping.

    Emerson Quiet Kool EAP02

    What we like about this unit is that Emerson Quiet Kool is an established air conditioning brand. The company has many household air conditioner units for sale at major retailers like Home Depot, Walmart, and Lowes.

    Nonetheless, the Emerson Quiet Kool EAP02 Camping Portable Air Conditioner seems to be an attractive tent air conditioner, similar to the BougeRV unit. It has a compact design meant to be powered by an external power source.

    Yet like some of the others we looked into, there are few available details for the Emerson Quiet Kool AC for camping, with almost no information about available accessories or support. It seems to be exclusively sold online. And has subpar reviews.

    Although the price tag is appealing and we’d like to provide another option, we can’t recommend the Emerson Quiet Kool at this time. It simply doesn’t have the reputation to support spending hundreds of dollars on it.

    Things to Look For: Camping Air Conditioners

    Buying an air conditioner unit is no small investment, but it can be worth every penny, as long as you get the right one. By knowing what to look for, you can separate high-quality options from the ones that are not worth the money.

    The main features you should consider when evaluating these products are:

    • Cooling ability
    • Power needs
    • Portability
    • Company Reputation
    • Features
    Emerson Quiet Kool AC unit in a camper.

    Cooling Ability

    Air conditioners need to tackle their main task without fail. This is measured in British Thermal Units, or BTUs, the same rating used for grills and stoves. It shows how much heat they can remove.

    Home-based air conditioner units can have 10,000 BTUs or more, but those require too much energy for most camping purposes. If you do have unlimited electricity, go with the BLACK+DECKER Air Conditioner.

    To keep power needs down, most camping options have between 2,500 to 5,000 BTUs. This provides enough power to cool an area that’s approximately 50 sq. ft., ideal for a midsize tent or Clam shell portable gazebo for camping.

    One crucial thing to understand about any air conditioner is that they work by removing heat from the air, which means by design, they need somewhere to put this excess heat. This is a major reason why household air conditioning units are placed outside.

    When it comes to tent air conditioners, they use a ventilation hose for this purpose. To allow the AC to function, you must use this ventilation hose so it can push the heat outside.

    Zero Breeze Mark 2 12V to 24V adapter.

    Power Needs

    Solar power, portable power stations, and off-grid electrical systems have come a long way in the last decade or two. They’re now an excellent way to keep cameras, lights, and other essentials charged up.

    But unless you’re staying at campgrounds, power is still in short supply. The best camping air conditioners understand this limitation. 

    Battery-powered units are ideal since they let you charge up at home and use the device worry-free while camping. But having the ability to charge from car outlets, portable power stations, or 12V/24V systems can also be extremely useful.

    On the other hand, you can find “top 10” lists of so-called camping air conditioners that rely on 110V or even 220V household outlets. Some even put window AC units in their lists. Even if you have these outlets in a camping rig, they are inefficient compared to 12V/24V systems because of the loss from converting to AC power. 

    It’s worth avoiding 110V or 220V systems for camping air conditioners, unless you only want to use it while connected to shore power at a campground.

    Zero Breeze Mark 2 tent air conditioner for camping.

    Portability

    Gathering, transporting, and dealing with camping gear can be one of the most difficult, but rewarding parts of camping. Some people choose to go with the bare minimum, while others like to bring everything to ensure comfort.

    Finding the right balance for your needs is part of camping. But for those who want a portable AC to use while camping in tents, RVs, and vans, portability is always a top concern.

    Some air conditioners take this into account and provide a compact, lightweight package that anyone can get from the garage to the campsite. These are the ones this list focuses on.

    It’s also a major reason these are so expensive. They’ve transformed bulky devices into something nearly the size of a shoebox. It is an incredible feat, but it comes with the price tag that is common among miniature electronics, especially ones so innovative.

    A view from a nice campsite in Colorado

    Company Reputation

    Whenever you part with hard-earned cash, you should have the confidence that you’re buying from a company that stands behind its products. Buying a cheaper knock-off unit usually results in poor performance and early failure.

    We look for a variety of factors to ensure our recommendations come from the best companies around, including:

    • Return policy
    • Warranty coverage
    • Headquarters location
    • Customer reviews
    • Overall design and experience

    Simply put, we ensure that if you break out the credit card, it’s going to be worth the cost. Portable units are not inexpensive, but they can be a valuable addition to your camping gear, if you buy from the right company.

    EnjoyCool tent air conditioner features.

    Features

    The last aspect that’s part of our rating system for portable camping air conditioners are the features. They should be able to meet your needs and come with convenient features to make using them easy and hassle-free.

    Some portable tent air conditioners only have one setting, on or off. This means that they will quickly eat through any battery power and can waste precious resources while camping, unless you dutifully monitor them.

    It doesn’t have to be that way.

    The best options have multiple settings, including things like boost power for rapid cooling, sleep mode to get you comfortably through the night, and standard mode for constant cooling. These might seem like a small part of the design, but they make the AC unit for camping easy to use and it helps prevent excessive battery use.

    Zero Breeze Mark 2 is an incredibly portable AC unit you can take anywhere.
    Best Overall
    EcoFlow Wave 2 portable AC
    EcoFlow Wave 2
  • Integrated battery
  • Impressive BTU rating
  • Reputable electronics company
  • Buy Now
    Top Alternative
    Zero Breeze Mark 2 portable air conditioner
    Zero Breeze Mark 2
  • Integrated battery
  • Incredible cooling power
  • Lightweight & compact
  • Buy Now
    Best Budget
    BougeRV Portable Air Conditioner
    BougeRV Portable Air Conditioner
  • Best price
  • >2,000 BTU cooling
  • Need power supply
  • Buy Now
    Most Powerful
    Black+Decker Portable Air Conditioner with remote
    BLACK+DECKER Air Conditioner
  • Most powerful
  • Portable design
  • Requires a lot of energy
  • Buy Now
    Most Affordable
    evaCHILL portable AC unit with a handle
    Evapolar evaCHILL Portable Air Cooler
  • Lowest price & ultra-portable
  • Not a true AC unit
  • Low energy needs
  • Buy Now
    Large Air Cooler
    IcyBreeze Portable Air Cooler based on melted ice water
    IcyBreeze Air Cooler
  • 12-volt ice-based cooler
  • Cooling relief with low price
  • Buy Now
    EF ECOFLOW Wave 2 Portable ACBest Overall: Impressive BTU rating, second-generation design showing promise, from company with excellent power stationsCheck Price
    Zero Breeze Mark 2Top Alternative: Incredible cooling power in a lightweight, compact device with available removable batteryCheck Price
    BougeRV Portable Air ConditionerBest Budget: Great portable camping AC that comes from a brand with an extensive camping gear lineCheck Price
    BLACK+DECKER Air ConditionerAir conditioner that offers powerful cooling capability and has a somewhat portable designCheck Price
    Evapolar evaCHILL Portable Evaporative ConditionerAffordable, compact evaporative cooler with minuscule power drawCheck Price
    IcyBreeze Air Cooler12-volt ice-based cooler that pushes cold water across a built-in fanCheck Price
    The Best Camping Air Conditioners

    Bringing It All Together

    The EcoFlow Wave 2, Zero Breeze Mark 2, or BougeRV portable air conditioners are all top choices for truly portable camping air conditioners. If those are too expensive or not what you want, turn toward large portable AC units, air coolers, or a ice-filled chest.

    No matter what you choose, don’t let the summer heat stop your adventures.

    Your next step is figuring out how to power a portable air conditioner. Or pick a camping tent with AC ports so you can properly ventilate your AC.

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