Going tent camping can be a great way to get into the outdoors. Yet, during a hot summer it can be difficult to stay cool. Other than making sure to drink plenty of water, you also have the option to use a tent air conditioner.
A portable air conditioner for camping will keep your tent cool in the heat with a nice chill breeze. Today we'll be taking a look at the best tent air conditioners.
IMAGE
PRODUCT
PRODUCT DETAILS
OUR #1 RATED
Ontel
Arctic Air
Personal space cooler for a compact, powerful, and ultra-quiet operation.
PIONEER
Air Conditioner Mini Split
Ultra high efficiency inverter with a ductless mini split heat pump system.
Black + Decker
Portable Air Conditioner
Keeps 10 x 20 foot rooms cool during the summer months when the heat sets in.
Frigidaire
Compact Slide-Out AC Unit
Compact air conditioner and heat pump with slide out chassis for window or wall installation.
Koldfront
Window Air Conditioner
Cooling window ac unit for 450-550 square feet of coverage area with a remote control included.
Who Needs A Tent Air Conditioner?
It can get quite hot camping in certain months out of the year. Typically during the summer time heat and humidity, it can be unbearable outside. When you're sweating, you'll want almost any solution to get cool. Tent air conditioners work best to blow cool air your direction, and remove humidity from the air.
The following YouTube video explains how to setup a tent air conditioner:
How Does A Tent Air Conditioner Work?
Tent air conditioners work the same as any other ac unit. First they take in warm air from the outside. Then, they run that warm air over a line of evaporator coils. These coils have refrigerant running through them, to cool the air as it passes. The blower fan is what draws the warm air in, to then pass through the cooling coils.
The following YouTube video explains how an air conditioner works:
Insulating your tent: Insulation will determine how well the tent keeps cool air inside. Some campers utilize an additional tarp to cover for proper insulation. A tarp traps the air, and doesn't allow it pass through the thinner tent fabric. You can also use an emergency blanket to insulate your tent.
It's also advised to use an extra sealant for the ac unit to work. Otherwise, all of the cool air will rush right outside of your tent.
How Do I Choose A Tent Air Conditioner?
Depending on which style of ac unit you go for, you may want to use a tent that has compatibility for use with ac units. This will allow for proper waterproofing to stay intact. In fact, you can also opt to create your own tent opening for the air conditioner. Although do keep in mind that a DIY alternative could destroy your tent if not done the right way.
Buy a tent air conditioner with the right level of BTU's. The unit of measurement that determines how much cooling power your air conditioner can put out is called BTU (British thermal unit). In short, the higher the amount of BTU's your ac unit can emit, the larger the space that it can handle. Most 6 to 8 person cabin tents should aim for an HVAC system with around 8,000 to 10,000 BTU.
Choose a tent air conditioner that is well made so it lasts. Your ac unit will endure lots of wear and tear in the outdoors. Therefore, it needs to be durable. Not to mention, you don't want to be stuck in the heat.
Below is a checklist of things to look for when choosing tent air conditioners:
- Ensure your tent can fit the ac unit you choose.
- Buy an air conditioner with the right level of BTU's.
- Choose a tent air conditioner that is well made.
What Are The Best Tent Air Conditioners?
We've looked at a range of tent air conditioners and have selected five units. The main things we've looked at are quality, price, and cooling power. We've reviewed these five tent air conditioners and listed some pros and cons for each unit.
our #1 rated
Ontel
Arctic Air
Quality
Price
Our rating
The Ontel Arctic Air portable cooling unit is available in one size and configuration. The air cooler works as a personal unit for small spaces. It cools, humidifies, and purifies the air. The cooler features adjustable three speeds with quiet operation and a lightweight portable form factor.
Customers who purchased this air conditioner found that it made their room pleasant and comfortable. People said that they do a great job with low power consumption. Customers also said that they liked the ac unit since it doesn't take up a bunch of space.
A few customers who used this to cool their space said that it was defective. Many people commented that the cooler can get a little loud on the highest setting. Some customers also said that it doesn't provide a lot of cooling. Instead, they suggested a regular air conditioner for large spaces and higher levels of heat.
PROS
CONS
our #2 rated
PIONEER
Air Conditioner Mini Split
Quality
Price
Our rating
The PIONEER air conditioner mini split is available in units ranging from 9,000 to 36,000 BTU. The cooler features a split design allowing for the processing of air to be away from the room. The outdoor heat pump gives quiet operation for the ductless indoor section.
Customers who purchased this air conditioner said that it's a great kit and has everything you need for installation. People said that it was made from high quality materials and worked well. Customers also said that the ac unit has quiet operation both inside and outside.
Some people who purchased this air conditioner said that it only worked for a few weeks. A few customers who used this ac unit said that it had an internal vacuum leak. Other customers reported that the unit needed a vacuum pump adapter for certain use cases.
PROS
CONS
our #3 rated
Black + Decker
Portable Air Conditioner
Quality
Price
Our rating
This portable air conditioner by Black + Decker is available with units ranging from 8,000 to 14,000 BTU. The unit features a design to keep rooms cool during summer months when heat sets in. It also has a vertical motion design to create a steady and powerful airflow.
Customers who purchased this ac unit said that it cools the room fast. Many customers also said that it's easy to install and setup. Other customers commented that the fan is quiet and not too noisy overall.
Many customers who purchased this air conditioner said that you must wait 24 hours before use. A few people who purchased this cooler said the weather strips and seals that it came with tear easy. Some customers also said that the blue LED lights can be very bright at night.
PROS
CONS
our #4 rated
Frigidaire
Compact Slide-Out
AC Unit
Quality
Price
Our rating
The Frigidaire compact slide-out ac unit is available in a single 8,000 BTU with 115-volt configuration. The cooler features a box style design for window mounting. The air conditioner also has a multi-speed electronic controller for timers and a remote.
Customers who purchased this cooler said that it's very durable and versatile for many spaces. People said that they liked how reliable it is to keep the rooms cold. Customers also said that the control system was easy to use and saves energy.
Other people who used this HVAC system had problems with the heating function. Some customers also said that it works fine for cooling, and not at all for heat. Other customers commented that it their unit had a bad compressor.
PROS
CONS
our #5 rated
Koldfront
Window Air Conditioner
Quality
Price
Our rating
This Koldfront window air conditioner comes in a 12,000 BTU version with both heating and cooling. The ac unit works to cover about 450 to 550 square feet of area. It also comes with a remote control and 4 operation modes for improved use.
People who purchased this air conditioner said that it's a great unit and it comes with window mounting equipment. Some customers said that they used it as a simple wall unit. Other people said that it's remote control was quite handy.
Some customers who used this ac unit said that it was working a little louder than expected. A few customers said that the Styrofoam tends to click after it turns off. Other people said that it was somewhat delicate on the back of the unit.
PROS
CONS
Our Choice
Each tent air conditioner we've reviewed works for those looking to cool down their tent in the heat. All the ac units have decent materials, cool rooms, and have multiple setting levels.
After comparing all the products the best tent air conditioner is the Ontel Arctic Air.
This air conditioner works well as a small portable unit. It fits any space with its compact size. The personal ac unit gives it flexible use inside a tent or other small spaces. We also like the fact that it's easy to travel with in any conditions.