5 Best Tent Air Conditioners for Camping

best Tent Air Conditioners

When going on a camping trip, having a portable air conditioner can be extremely useful. Most of us enjoy camping the more when the weather is warm, so something to help keep our tent cool is needed. For those who prefer going when it’s colder, a tent air conditioner can provide heat inside the tent as well.

Keep on reading this review if you want to see the 5 best tent air conditioners – I’ll tell you exactly what makes them great, as well as if I had any issues with them.

Best Choice
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SereneLife SLPAC10 10,000 BTU Portable 3-in-1 Air Conditioner for Rooms Up to 450 Sq. Ft
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Black + Decker 7,500 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Heat, 14,000 w, White
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Good Value
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Emerson Quiet Kool EAPC10RD1 Portable Air Conditioner – 200-sq.ft
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#1 SereneLife Portable Air Conditioner

The SereneLife Portable Air Conditioner is an excellent choice that has multiple different options: 8,000 BTU, 10,000 BTU + Heat, 10,000 BTU + Wifi, 12,000 BTU, and 12,000 BTU + Heat.

They are quite light and small, the dimensions being around (L x W x H) 17.4” x 13.4” x 32.1”, and weigh between 53lbs – 70lbs depending on which unit you choose. The body has been designed purposefully so that it’s easy to move around, and it even has rolling wheels and a carrying handle.

Along with the portable air conditioner, you’ll also receive a window mount kit, setup guide, and a remote control included.

There are 3 operating modes; cooling, dehumidifier, and fan. The default mode is cooling when turned on, but you can easily switch between modes with the remote control. Having a remove control makes things much easier because you don’t need to go over to the unit every time you’d like to adjust the settings. It’s especially good for when you’re already cozy in your sleeping bag and you don’t want to get up to turn the unit on or off.

With the remote control you can also change the temperature, the fan speed settings, select a unit (Celsius or Fahrenheit), set to sleep mode, as well as use a timer from a distance.

This unit can combat even the hottest summer heat, ensuring immediate comfort inside of your tent. It does this by pulling warm air in from around it, sending it past its coils that are cooled by the refrigerant, and then it sends the hot air and moisture out through the hose.

It also has a low-noise function, as it only operates at 57 dBA, so that it does not disturb you when you’re sleeping. Also, if you’re anything like me, a constant background noise can eventually give me a headache so this is a huge plus.

This portable AC unit for camping is very durable and should last you for years to come, and it has an auto-evaporative system so that you rarely, if ever, need to empty it.

Pros
  • Remote control
  • Easy to move around
  • Quiet
  • Simple to use
Cons
  • n/a

#2 Black + Decker Portable Air Conditioner

The Black + Decker is a great 14,000 BTU camping air conditioner whether it’s cold or warm outside. It can cool air down to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and heat up your tent up to 81 degrees Fahrenheit.

The compact size, integrated carry handles, and castor wheels make it super easy to move this unit around. It’s easy to set up, too. All you need to do is attach the included hose, which is 5 inches in diameter, attach the window adapter, and plug it in.

Its filter only needs to be cleaned about twice a month, and it slides out really easily. You just have to give it a rinse and that’s it!

A remote control is included that is simple to use, and it does have an LED display panel on the top of the unit. You can use either to control the temperature exactly how you want it, and it even has an energy saving design with a 24-hour timer to prevent waste. The 24-hour timer can also be referred to as a ‘set-and-forget timer’ because you can forget about the unit all day and not worry about adjusting any settings because it will do that by itself.

An AC unit that comes with a remote control really comes in handy, especially when you’re already snug in your sleeping bag but you want to adjust the temperature.

This tent AC unit is quite a small one (17.1 x 13.8 x 28.1 inches), and has a 4-in-1 functionality; cool, fan, heat, and dehumidify settings. There are also other settings such as sleep mode, different speeds, and fan swing for controlled airflow.

The sleep mode auto-controls the air temperature at night while you sleep, and the R410A refrigerant is safer for the environment.

With its vertical motion, you get the consistent and automated temperature inside your tent. Having a dehumidify setting is great because it reduces the amount of moisture in the air.

Thanks to its small size, even if you’re not using it, it’s not a nuisance to just keep on the side. Even after the camping trip, when you’re back home, there’s no difficulty in finding a spot to store this unit either.

Self-evaporating operation means that no manual draining is required when it’s in cool mode.

The power cord length is about 83 inches, and the unit only weighs 68.3lbs. Although this one is a little bit on the pricier side, it’s understandable when you take into consideration all of the great features that it has.

Did I mention that this AC unit is silent? Oh yeah, you’ll be able to get a peaceful night’s sleep without any disturbance for sure.

Pros
  • Remote control & LED display
  • Self-evaporating
  • Different settings
  • Silent
Cons
  • Pricey

#3 Emerson Quiet Kool Portable Air Conditioner

The Emerson Quiet Kool Portable Air Conditioner has several different modes (fan, cool, dry, and heat), giving you year-round use. The fan has three speeds so you don’t have to worry about the summer heat, or the chill of winter because this unit can control temperatures down to 62 degrees Fahrenheit, and up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

With powerful dehumidification of up to 2.5 pints per hour, it can dry the air in your tent quickly.

It’s very compact, having dimensions of only 17.3” x 12.8” x 27.3” (W x D x H), and has a loudness level of just 52 dBA so that you can sleep peacefully at night with the unit on. It’s so quiet thanks to the high efficient compressors that the air conditioner uses, and motors that reduce noise to a minimum level.

This portable AC for tent has an auto-evaporation system that efficiently removes water because of the natural process so that it can have a bucket-less design that you don’t need to drain.

It does come with a full function remote control so that you can easily change the settings from a distance, and there is a digital control panel with a large blue LED display that is very clear to read.

Its auto swing fan louver means that it can cover more area to cool, sleep mode is so that it’s quieter while you sleep, and a 24-hour programmable timer lets you preset the time you’d like the unit to turn on or off.

The filter of this camping air conditioner for tent is washable and reusable to reduce bacteria and ensure fresh air flow.

Its 4 omnidirectional caster wheels make this unit simple and quick to move around. Included with the unit you’ll find an installation kit, 2 AAA batteries, and casters. The cord is 5.9 ft in length, and the power requirement is 10.4 amps. It does weigh around 55 pounds though.

This unit does come with a 1-2-5 warranty, meaning 1-year labor, 2 years for parts, and 5 years compressor cover.

Pros
  • Remote control
  • Auto-evaporation
  • Reusable and washable filters
  • Fan, cool, dry, or heat settings
Cons
  • Hose can be tricky to install

#4 Honeywell Portable Air Conditioner

The Honeywell (14,000 BTU ASHRAE-128 standard, or 7500 BTU DOE 2017 standard) portable air conditioner has a lot of fantastic features that make it great to take with you on your camping trip. Available in black or black and silver, it has a nice and modern look to it.

It has 3-in-1 functions – cooling, dehumidifier, and fan. It’s ideal for those hot summer days because just the fan has three speeds. It can also remove up to 86 pints / 24 hours with the continuous drain option for long and unattended operation.

This tent AC is very easy to install and maintain. It comes with a full set window kit for vertical or horizontal windows, and the hose length is 4 feet so that it’s easy to put the hose through a ground vent in your tent. Considering the length of the hose though, you will have to keep it by the wall of your tent.

Cleaning is extremely easy because the filter is washable, it just needs to be rinsed! Thanks to the Washable Dual Filtration System, it’s built to last because this helps to protect it from dust and hair, which in turn extends its life and improves performance.

What’s more, is thermal overload protection on the compressor and motor means extra safety precautions for endurance.

The Dual Motor Technology means lower noise levels. At the highest speed setting it produces 52 to 54 decibels, which is the average sound level of two people having a conversation in a quiet room.

There are LED front panel controls that are clear to see and it has feather-touch controls, giving it that extra touch of elegance and smooth design. It does come with a remote control as well for your convenience so that you can easily adjust the settings from a distance.

This portable camping air conditioner has a self-evaporation system, and that means bucket-less operation. For high humidity, the unit is equipped with dual drainage options for flexibility. A continuous drain system can be set up in minutes when you’re using it as a dehumidifier.

Its smooth-gliding caster wheels make it extremely easy to move around and take anywhere with you.

Pros
  • Remote control
  • Wheels
  • Quiet
  • Washable filter
  • Self-evaporation system
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Short hose

#5 Spantron Portable Air Conditioner

This portable air conditioner by Spantron is very compact and cordless, making it very easy to take along with you on your camping trips. It’s great for purifying, cooling, or dehumidifying the air in your tent.

This mini tent cooler works with a swamp cooling system. There’s a reservoir of water that fills the bed of the box, with room to spare for a filter to absorb the water. The vent on the back and front allows airflow under the purifier, and the strong fan pushes air through. The arctic air being pushed out can be angled however you wish, but all of this does mean that it is not as effective in very humid conditions.

When the tank is full, be careful not to tip or turn this camping A/C because water can splash out from the bottom of the tank where the filter meets the water. Unless tipped over when the reservoir contains water it doesn’t leak on its own.

Having such a large water tank means that the filter can carry more water, and even though the motors are strong and powerful they are still quiet – which is great because it won’t disturb anyone sleeping.

This portable air conditioner for camping has 6 different LED light settings, which can be used as a mood light or nightlight which is a nice touch when you’re camping.

There are two UV lights inside the cover so that the air and filter stay clean even while being used. You still need to empty the water and dry the filter after using it to prevent mold from growing.

It even has an essential oil compartment, so it doubles as an oil diffuser.

The unit comes with a lithium ion battery that is rechargeable via USB or into a wall outlet. Although, in order to fully charge the battery, it is recommended to plug it in directly into a wall plug and not by the USB port.

As a nice bonus, by purchasing this air conditioner you are giving back because Spantron donate to non-profits in Ghana to drill water wells, provide sanitary kits for girls, and provide light to villages. It’s always a good sign when the company care for the environment.

Pros
  • Small
  • Cord and Battery powered
  • Essential oil compartment
  • Purifies & cools air
  • UV sterilizer lights
Cons
  • Water leaks if tipped over
  • Not as effective in humid weather

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