Just because you’re “roughing it” doesn’t mean you should leave all of your technology behind. Summer is a popular time for camping, but it is also the warmest time of the year to be spending such a great deal of time outdoors!
If camping sounds like fun but the idea of a humid, sweaty tent makes you cringe, then a portable air conditioner for tent camping is the answer!
Keeping cool in the great outdoors has never been easier. Read on for the comprehensive guide to maintaining tent air conditioned bliss throughout your camping trip.
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While camping is arguably the best way to spend your summer weekends, sleeping on the hard ground in a stuffy tent isn’t exactly the best way to ensure that you get a good night’s rest.
Are you one of those people who requires a nice cold room to fall asleep, maybe even a fan blowing on your face and creating a cool breeze? There is actually evidence to support the claim: sleeping in a cold room really does give you better quality rest.
60-70 degrees is the best temperature to keep your bedroom, so why should your tent be any different? After a long day of hiking, fishing, biking, and adventuring, you should be able to get some well-deserved rest, and a portable air conditioner in your tent will help make it happen!
Aside from enjoying a better night’s sleep, what are some of the other pros of using a portable AC unit?
When you choose to purchase a portable AC unit, chances are it will end up having much more utility than just a few weekend camping trips! Many units are highly versatile, and can be used as window units within the home as well as camping units on the go.
Unlike some camping gadgets, tent air conditioners are easy to use, with clear instructions, control panels, and even remote controls! Once they are set up, its smooth sailing. However, should something go wrong, the majority of these units have warranties that last either several years of even the lifetime of the unit.
And really, what could be better than enjoying air conditioning while sleeping outdoors?
While having a cool, air-conditioned tent sounds like a dream come true, there are a few potential drawbacks to bringing an AC unit with you on your camping trip.
Of course, there is the somewhat obvious – the most effective portable air conditioners will still require a power source, which could be hard to come by at your campsite. You may even have to select your campsite based on proximity to a power source, which may mean you wind up closer to high-traffic areas like roads or bathrooms.
Depending on the specific model and type of AC unit, there may also be some setup required, which could eat into your relaxation time that could be spent adventuring among the forests and streams- not messing with a clunky AC unit!
Not to mention that all portable air conditioners are NOT created equal. The definition of “portable” varies greatly, and you will have to decide whether you have the room in your car for the unit as well as the desire to drag a 75+ pound unit to your site, just for the sake of a nice cool tent. You’ll have to find a balance between weight/portability and efficiency/power, not to mention cost.
Finally, noise could become a concern at some camping sites. Many parks separate their tent camping areas from RV areas, partially due to the noise from generators and access to plug-ins that are expected of RV campers but not the norm for tent campers. Some of the more powerful units can be pretty loud, so this could be another con of using a portable AC unit while tent camping.
Whether you value cost over efficiency or you are seeking the lightest available unit, there is an option out there for you. Here’s a few things to consider when deciding on the most important portable AC characteristics for you.
Before making the decision to bring a giant AC unit to your campsite, do some research. Does your site have drive-up access, or do you have to walk a short distance from the road? If you know that you plan on staying at a back country site, you’ll probably want an ultra-light unit! Choose a unit that is compatible with the type of camping you plan to do and the location of your site.
Obviously an important factor to consider! Your AC unit won’t be much help if you don’t have a place to plug it in, so be sure to check what type of site you have access to. You may even need to reserve an RV site that has a plug-in so that you can power the AC unit. If this isn’t an option, you could opt for a battery powered unit instead.
To put it plainly, not all tents are compatible with every AC unit, and vice versa. Most portable air conditioners list their “capacity”, or the square footage they are able to cover and remain effective. Different types of AC units will require different ventilation set-ups, and will cause different airflow patterns throughout the tent. In short, you’ll need to know how your AC unit and your tent will fit together. More on this later.
British Thermal Units, or BTU’s, are a standard of measurement that describes how much power any appliance is able to produce towards its intended purpose: in this case, how much power an air conditioner has to be able to produce cold air! While you would generally assume that the most BTU’s (or power) is the superior product, this may not always be true. Having a unit with a high BTU output in a tiny tent can tend to overwork the unit and burn it out quickly. Or, if you have a unit with too little power in a large tent, the unit will be unable to produce and maintain a constant temperature throughout the tent. The “correct” BTU output will vary depending on your tent size and shape as well as your intended usage of the unit.
More than likely, you’ll be using the portable air conditioner for more than one trip. But if you tend to only go on one or two night trips, you may not need as complex of a unit. Now if you often plan extended trips that are several days or weeks in duration, that may warrant a more substantial unit.
1. Black+Decker Portable Air Conditioner Unit + Heater (Electric)
We’ll start out with this unit because it features just a little bit of everything! This sleek air conditioner features not only a 14,000 BTU cooling unit, but also an 11,000 BTU heating unit, making it truly adaptable to your needs! It is durable enough for long lasting use, and sturdy enough for year-round use in a house or apartment, as it is able to cover areas of 350 square feet. However, due to its durability, this unit is a whopping 83 pounds and must be stored, transported, and used in an upright position which may make things difficult for packing for the camping trip. The Black+Decker unit is electric and stands 28” tall.
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2. Honeywell MO08CESWK Portable Air Conditioner (Electric)
This is a more traditional portable AC unit designed to be used for tent camping and other activities on-the-go. The 10,000 BTU Honeywell unit requires electricity, and does double duty by dehumidifying the air as it cools it, which can be a really nice treat depending on where you go camping! The unit has a filtration system that must be checked daily, but can be rinsed off easily and re-used rather than constantly replacing the filter. This wheeled unit also features a remote, and can cool an area up to 350 sq. ft. The built-in vent tube needs to be placed in such a way that air can escape the tent as well to maintain airflow, and the tube itself is somewhat sensitive.
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3. JHS Portable Air Conditioner (Electric)
The JHS unit is comparable to the Honeywell in several ways; it is also a 10,000 BTU unit with a convenient dehumidifier setting. However, unlike the Honeywell this unit is a bit more versatile, as it can be placed on the ground or used at home as a window air conditioner. It requires a well-ventilated area to release hot air and can produce some noise while running, but it effectively covers an area of 220 sq. ft. with three fan speeds. It also has a reusable, washable filter. Some reviewers report that the set-up and assembly for this unit are somewhat difficult.
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4. Emerson Quiet Kool Portable Air Conditioner (Electric)
This is the smallest of the units discussed so far, and therefore the most portable! The Emerson Quiet Kool is an 8,000 BTU unit that covers a smaller space, with a cooling capacity of about 150 sq. ft., making it a good choice for 2-4 person tents. This unit features a remote control setting like the Honeywell, but it doesn’t have to be emptied due to its evaporative cooler. It also doubles as a dehumidifier, but this electric unit still requires a bit of room and sufficient ventilation. This unit is also aptly named, as it is the quietest of the units discussed so far.
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5. Frigidaire FFRA0511R1 (Electric)
Many campers have positive reviews about this Frigidaire portable AC unit. It is a small unit that covers about 150 sq. ft of tent area but is relatively light and easy to carry compared to other units that have comparable BTU’s. Because it is technically a window unit, this air conditioner requires a couple extra steps to set up, but it is well worth the effort to enjoy nice cool air circulating through the tent! This unit needs to be placed on bricks or another surface slightly off the ground, an the back needs to be completely out of the tent for proper ventilation, so it is only compatible with tents that have an AC flap or opening near the ground.
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6. GoCool 12V Portable Air Conditioner (Battery)
On to the battery operated units! This 12V portable air conditioner is ideal for the camper who is looking for a mix of backcountry excursions with creature comforts such as AC. This unit has a very simple setup, and is 33 pounds before adding the ice that it uses to produce cold air. Much quieter than the electric units, the GoCool’s battery lasts about 6 hours but note that the charger is sold separately, which may affect your decision if you are looking for lowest cost.
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7. IcyBreeze Cooler Blizzard Package Portable Air Conditioner (Battery)
Like the GoCool, this 12V portable air conditioner is battery operated and uses ice to create cool air that lasts up to 7 hours. However, reviewers have reported that this provides only the bare minimum for cooling air, and is not really comparable to the electric units. That being said, you can make the unit function longer after the battery dies by plugging it in electrically using the included wall charger and car charger. It is also pretty light, weighing in at 28 pounds.
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The Verdict
In the end, the best tent air conditioner is the one that best fits your needs, and that may look different for every camper. Whether you are looking for the most budget-friendly option or the lightest, most portable unit, one thing is for sure- you’ll be the “coolest” campers around!
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