The Best Portable AC Units for RVs in 2022
During the hot summer months, things can get rather toasty, especially for those, like myself, who enjoy spending time in RV’s. Fortunately, with modern advances in air conditioning, or AC, there are several great options to keep you cool while enjoying your time inside your travel trailer or recreational vehicle.
Portable AC’s are becoming one of the most commonly used accessories for any RV big or small. With a portable AC unit, there is much more functionality and additional benefit than with traditional overhead air conditioning.
Having spent many summers camping in the hot summer weather of the south, I can attest to the needed benefit of having a portable Air Conditioning unit in my RV. Even when the sun goes down it can be hard to stay comfortable without having a nice cool place to rest and sometimes the units that come installed on RVs just are not up to the task of completely cooling down an entire RV. In addition to better accessibility and ease of use, a portable AC for your RV can be a great supplement to a pre-installed AC unit.
One bonus to having a portable air conditioner for your RV is that there is practically little to no tedious installation required. Most portable air conditioners for RVs have become plug and play, you simply need to have power and a nearby window or vent.
Also, if humidity is an issue, as with most RVs, a portable AC is a great way to reduce high levels of humidity that can cause damage to your RV over time. One thing that I enjoy is not only having my RV cool, but also keeping the humidity at a level where things don’t feel sticky or uncomfortable. Having high levels of humidity in your RV can lead to mold issues down the road, no pun intended!
What are the best portable AC’s that can be used in an RV?
There are many choices available when it comes to choosing the best portable air conditioner for your RV, so as with any decision that comes with many choices, it can become difficult to make the correct one.
Some of the things that need to be considered before making the purchase are the size of your RV, with consideration to cooling it down, the larger the area, the bigger the air conditioning unit needed, and the physical size of the unit itself. Anyone who owns an RV knows that space comes at a premium.
Here is a list of some of the best Portable Air Conditioning units for RVs that can be found on Amazon.
Black and Decker – BPACT10WT – Portable Air Conditioner
The Black and Decker Model BPACT10WT is my top pick for a portable air conditioning unit. With it’s smaller weight and size, it would make the ideal portable air unit for an RV. Although, one thing it is lacking, for those who like technology, is the ability to interface with a network through wifi or an Alexa enabled device.
BLACK+DECKER 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Remote Control, White
$414.99 in stock
11 used from $216.80
– Remote Control
– Dimensions – 16.5 x 11.5 x 26 inches
– Weight – 26 lbs.
– Coverage – 150 sq ft
Serenelife – SPLAC10 – Portable Air Conditioner
Another fantastic unit is the Serenelife -SPLAC10, this unit is s little larger than it’s Black and Decker counterpart, but for what it lacks in space-saving qualities, it more than makes up for through the ability to cool a larger space. This unit can cool an area of roughly 350 sq ft.
SereneLife SLPAC10 Portable Air Conditioner Compact Home AC Cooling Unit with Built-in Dehumidifier & Fan Modes, Quiet Operation, Includes Window Mount Kit, 10,000 BTU, White
$349.99 in stock
9 used from $214.88
– Remote Control
– Dimensions – 13.39 x 32.09 x 17.45 – inches
– Weight – 55.12 lbs.
– Coverage – 350 sq ft
Rollibot – Rollicool – Portable Air Conditioner
Finally, the Rollibot, Rollicool portable air conditioner is great for those who enjoy having devices with the ability to access Wifi. If you are a techie like myself, you might want to look into purchasing this one. This unit is smaller dimensionally than the Serenelife SPLAC10 but still can cool an area of about 250 sq ft.
Alexa Voice-Enabled ROLLICOOL Smart Portable Air Conditioner 10,000 BTU Quiet AC Unit with Built-in Dehumidifier and Fan Modes, Mobile App and Easy Install Window Mount Kit, Keeps Rooms up to 375 sq ft, Cool and Comfortable
– Alexa – WIFI enable
– Dimensions – 12.9 x 12 x 28.1 – inches
– Weight – 56 lbs.
– Coverage – 250 sqft
Of course, several specific details should be thought through before making the purchase of a portable air conditioning unit for your RV…
The overall Square Footage covered by the Portable Air Conditioner.
Always look to see what area of coverage the portable air conditioning will provide. For most RV owners this should not be much of an issue as most RVs do not have a high amount of square footage.
The Dimensions of the Unit.
Take extra account of the space in which your portable air conditioning unit will occupy. While most offer a smaller profile, as any RV owner can attest to, the more space available for other items the better.
The level of access to the unit.
So many nights I have been awakened to the heat in my RV and I love the idea of being able to adjust the temperature inside using a remote without having to get out of bed. Also, if you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can set your desired temperature to cool the RV down, with the remote, before you go inside.
Portable Air Conditioning Frequently Asked Questions
Are Vents required for my Portable AC unit?
Yes, with all portable Air Conditioning Units, an vent to a nearby window is required. This is something that should always be considered. The unit itself is pulling in hot air and cooling it down so it is necessary to have a way for the hot air to vent out. Fortunately, all units come with a hose and a window slide for easy installation.
What are some of the maintenance considerations I should take?
As with any device that is interacting with the elements, a portable air conditioning unit does require some maintenance. By pulling the humidity out of the air, or moisture, that water will have to go somewhere. Most portable air conditioning units have a storage tank that will need to be drained depending on the usage.
