8 Air Conditioners That Excellent For Camping (2024)

Written By

Josh Mitchell

Expert Reviewed By

Holly Curell

Last Updated On

April 1, 2024

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.

The Zero Breeze Mark 2 provided well-balanced cooling for my two person tent.

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.

I found the cooling power to be excellent for spaces of around 30 square feet — perfectly suitable for a 1-to-2-person tent or campervan.

I like that I have plenty of options to power this portable air conditoner when I am camping.

Here's a breakdown of what is possible:

• Battery
• Wall Plug
• Power Station
• Solar Panel
• Car Power Port

I mostly use the battery power dock as I purchased 2 lithium-ion rechargable batteries when I initially got the unit. This cost me an extra $400 but because I use my Zero Breeze day and night, I am glad I bought the extra one.

Each battery can power the AC unit for around 4 hours on the high setting, which is a slight improvement from the Mark 1 model. On low power, the battery life more or less doubles.

In my experience, I found that I didn't get this much runtime as one battery, on high, works for anywhere between 3-4 hours. On the lower setting, 6-7 hours was the maximum I could get.

I have to gripe about the 8 hour charge time, which is really long. Thankfully, the 2 batteries mean this isn't a problem for me but I can see how it would be annoying to have to wait all day for a recharge.

At least I didn't need a separate adapter to charge the battery, like with the older Mark 2 model.

The Mark 2 can be loud, with the manufacturer stating it is 52 dba. On 'rocket or cool mode', it tends to be the loudest and i will usually run this mode inside my tent when I am not spending time in the tent. At night, I use 'sleep mode' which is considerably quieter and doesn't bother me at all.

I was also able to mitigate the noise with a bit of creative placement. Try keeping it on the floor, table, window or even mount it onto a wall with some DIY skills and experimentation.

My biggest issue with this unit is the price — it's the second most expensive AC on my list, behind only EcoFlow.

In my opinion the Zero Breeze (around $1500 USD) it offers slightly better value for money over the EcoFlow (around $1700 USD).

The EcoFlow does offer heating & cooling - more on that in the next review below.

Quick Note

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.

In fact, it seems like they are constantly improving their technology-- I just learned that the Mark 3 comes out in June 2024.

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

However, the EcoFlow Wave 2 can also heat a tent, camper or RV. I loved using one device to keep me comfortable in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where it is hot during the day but gets rather cool overnight.

In addition to 5,100 BTU of cooling capacity (at 1500 watts), this portable tent air conditioner also provides6,100 BTU of heat (at 1800 watts).

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 camper, it will supply a lotof cold or hot air.

For reference, my partner and I use a four-person backpacking tent that has 62 square feet of floor space, and the Wave 2 was the ideal setup for us and our pup.

Similar to the Zero Breeze you purchase the AC and battery separately. When camping, the battery is vital, so my review is written with this in mind.

Despite claiming 8 hours of runtime in the low-power Eco mode and 4 hours on high, I found a slightly better, yet similar output to my Zero Breeze when purely using the battery so expect 3.5 hrs on high and 7 hours on low.

Unlike the Zero Breeze, though, Wave 2 can keep the AC running while it charges the battery. This is one of the best features in my opinion, even if it slows down the charge rate.

Because of this why the battery suffers a roughly 20W energy leak during charging. If you feed it 100W, the battery only registers 80W.

In Eco mode, Wave 2 is veryquiet at only around 44 dB. My tent-mate and I had no problem hearing each other while playing a board game, even with the additional noise of a light rain falling.

Another reason the Ecoflow sits near the top of my list is the attachments it comes with. These have been well-designed and manufactured. The exhaust ducts, window vent board, covers and drain hose all work seamlessly, helping to justify the high price tag of this product.

As with Zero Breeze, the price is my biggest problem with this unit and this is even more apparent with the EcoFlow Wave 2. It's generally $200 more than the Zero Breeze for a basic model + 1 battery option. Once you start with the add-ons such as another battery, solar and portable power stations, the price difference becomes greater again.

This is why its my 2nd choice and not my #1 pick for camping. Still, if you're like me and will be camping in fluctuating climates, you can't beat this multi-functional model.

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 acooling 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 regular3-in-1 functionality, offering AC, fan, and dehumidification. It is auto-evaporative and recycles condensed water to cool the coils, resulting innext to no drainagein 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 thatyou 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 issurprisingly lightat 46.3 pounds. In fact, it weighs a bit less than the supposedly ultra-portable EcoFlow with its battery pack.

Now, this portable air conditionerisdesigned 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 isvery affordable, so you can invest your savings in a power station. It’s alsoreasonably energy-efficientand 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.

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, itweighs only 23 pounds, making it much easier to carry with you.

That portability doesn’t compromise the cooling power. At2,900 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 theresponsive 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 isreasonably 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.

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 a5,000-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’scontrols 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, butI found the simplicity nice during camping. The fewer sensitive sensors you have, the fewer headaches you’ll experience when they break.

The air conditioner has anauto-restart functionwhich 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 isrelatively 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.

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 isthe 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 howeasy 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.

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.

Theheater is very efficientand 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 outHOT. 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.

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 aBTU 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 coolerfunctions 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 acondensation tankthat 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.

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 anevaporative 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 reliably10 degrees cooler than the ambient air, which was plenty for my test circ*mstances.

This unit is alsovery 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 stilllasts 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 itslow 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 thebasalt 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.

• Portable ACs that are compact enough for tent camping just can't match room air conditioners in cooling power. Period.
• Even though many tents are set up to be able to fit a window AC, window ACs are never designed with camping in mind. I tried it once and it was a nightmare. I couldn't get the unit perfectly level, it drained so much water that the bottom of the tent started getting soggy, and in the end, our neighbors complained. The park ranger told us it was too loud, so we couldn't even use it overnight!
• Unlike portable ACs that I can plug into a wall and go about my day, using tent ACs takes a lot of planning. Every time I go camping, I plan out times when I want my AC running (usually overnight), and I set reminders on my phone to recharge the batteries at specific times, so they are ready for their next run-time.

FAQs

1. https://www.calculator.net/btu-calculator.html
2. https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/decibel-levels
3. https://www.journeymanhq.com/8240/how-to-bury-an-extension-cord/