With summers becoming increasingly toasty, the temptation to look for portable air conditioners for campervans becomes more evident. If your campervan or camping setup does not have dedicated air conditioning for the living quarters, don’t fret because it isn’t game over. There are a number of portable options for you to consider.
Portable air conditioning units are fairly sensible items to have nowadays, given the UK does tend to provide a lot of hot days during camping season as well as rainy ones. If you go for a battery-operated unit, it’ll be a lot more energy efficient than running the air con system from the vehicle itself.
If you are eying one of these up for use in a campervan, remember the living quarters is a confined space, and sleepers will find the whirring annoying if running the unit at night. You can have more expensive units professionally fitted to the roof of the campervan, and these are much quieter – brands such as Domestic and Truma are good examples. But they will cost you thousands of pounds. What you ideally need is a quiet, ambient cooler that you can relax to along with your rechargeable camping lantern.
The best portable air conditioners for campervans 2024 at a glance:
The best portable air conditioning unit: EF EcoFlow Wave 2 – buy from Amazon
Editor’s pick: Evapolar EvaChill Portable Air Cooler – buy from Amazon
The best smart air cooler: Evapolar EvaSmart Portable Air Cooler – buy from Amazon
For this shortlist, we’ve come up with the best portable air con units that are both great for campervan environments – and possibly camping tents – while not costing a fortune. They range in size, weight, and capability, but all are suitable for campervans in a number of different ways.
The best portable air conditioners for campervans 2024
The best portable air conditioning unit
It weighs 14.5kg and comes with an app, where you can control the settings of the unit. The options being eco, sleeping, and max mode. It's a perfect thing to take on camping trips at times when you'll be sat by your site for hours on end in mid-summer.
Pros
- Three different modes controlled by the app
- Lasts for up to eight hours (claimed) on eco mode
- Portable, meaning it's perfect for camping trips
Cons
- A weight of 14.5kg does make it a bit of a heavyweight
| Dimensions | 51.8 x 29.7 x 33.6cm |
| Weight | 14.5kg |
| Type | Air conditioner |
| App control | Yes |
Editor's pick
It's light and portable, has four different speed settings, which are easily adjusted via the touch controls, plus it humidifies and purifies the air as it cools. The water tank can take just under a litre of water which should last you about eight hours.
Pros
- Energy efficient, being classed at A+++
- Cooling lasts up to eight hours (claimed)
- Easy to use, thanks to water tank and USB port
Cons
- Not as powerful as some will want in intense heat
| Dimensions | 17.2 x 16.99 x 16.99cm |
| Weight | 770g (dry) |
| Type | Air Cooler |
| App control | No |
It is very easy to set up and use. There are three-speed settings for the fan and to engage the cooling, fill the seven-litre water tank, add the cooling packs, and away you go. The machine will moisturise the air as well as cool it.
Pros
- Has a fan, cooler, and humidifier in one package
- Is ideal if you have a large campervan and want optimum cooling
- More powerful than the smaller units
Cons
- It is quite large at 78cm tall, which limits its portability for camping massively
| Dimensions | 78 x 33.8 x 33cm |
| Weight | 7.5kg (dry) |
| Type | Air cooler |
| App control | No |
The best mid-range portable air cooler
Just fill the water tanks with water, and the air expelled by the Beldray will be moist and cool. There are three fan speed settings to choose from, a 'swing' function to cool a larger area and with the inclusion of ionisation and purifying functions, you can refresh the air for a cleaner, cooler surrounding. The castors make it easy to move to any area of the home you desire.
Pros
- Lasts a long time (it has a 12-hour timer)
- Shorter than the Black and Decker at 60cm tall
- Includes ionising and purifying functions
Cons
- Quite large and bulky compared with smaller units
| Dimensions | 33 x 27 x 60cm |
| Weight | 6.8kg (dry) |
| Type | Air cooler |
| App control | No |
The best smart portable air conditoner
The noise level is just 39 decibels, which is whisper-quiet for an air conditioning unit. It runs simply after adding a portion of water and is a great companion to have in the cabin of your campervan when the heat becomes a bit intense. It can cool a space by 5-14°C and weighs just 2kg, which adds great benefit to its portability.
Pros
- Portable, thanks to its compact size and 2kg dry weight
- Has an LED light which adds an element of ambience
- Perfect for camping and campervan trips
Cons
- Some users report that it's not that powerful
| Dimensions | 21 x 22 x 18cm |
| Weight | 2kg (dry) |
| Type | Air cooler |
| App control | No |
The best premium portable air conditioner
It has a three-speed fan, electronic timer and thermostat and a remote control for easy use. Its eco credentials aren't too bad either, as it uses propane R290, a natural high-efficiency gas which has no greenhouse emissions. It can comfortably cool a small room, so a campervan cabin should be well-catered for.
Pros
- Good materials and overall build quality
- Very portable, thanks to it being battery-powered
- Shorter than similar units at 30cm tall
Cons
- Slightly noisier than others at 50 decibels
- Is a heavy unit to move around at 30kg
| Dimensions | 15.6 x 17.7 x 29.5cm |
| Weight | 30kg |
| Type | Air conditioner |
| App control | No |
FAQs and things to remember with portable air conditioners
What is the difference between air conditioners and air coolers?
Air coolers work by evaporating water. As the water evaporates, it absorbs heat from the surrounding air, which cools the air down. Air coolers are not as powerful as air conditioners, but they are more energy-efficient and can be a good option for cooling small rooms. You also need water to power portable camping showers, but these work on a slightly different principle.
Air conditioners work by using a compressor to cool the air. The compressor removes heat from the air and then releases it outside. Air conditioners are more powerful than air coolers, but they are also less energy-efficient. Air conditioners are a good option for cooling larger rooms or for people who prefer lower temperatures, and are a great camping gadget to have in your outdoors armoury.
Do all portable air conditioners have to be vented out of a window?
Simply put: absolutely not. Smaller units like the EF EcoFlow that sit on a desk or kitchen side don’t need to be window-ventilated. They are more akin to air purifiers and generate small increments of cool air to an environment. They’re designed to keep small offices cool, if for instance, you’re working from home. So, the inside of a campervan is a nice environment for them in the warm evenings if you’re spending time inside on a double camping mattress.
What are the disadvantages to a portable air conditioner?
There’s a few. Battery life can be one, if you have no means to immediately recharge it while on the campsite. The second can be the sheer bulkiness of the things, depending on which you go for. They can be quite large items that are difficult to store in the back of your vehicle alongside other camping equipment.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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