Best Tent Air Conditioners

While most people enjoy camping during summer, the heat that comes with it can be challenging to endure. To cool your tent during the most heated hours of the night (or day), it’s a good option to invest in a tent air conditioner.

In this article, we will guide you through some of the most frequently asked questions about tent air conditioners, all the choices you have when you’re considering purchasing one, and share some valuable tips to help you make the right decision on which unit will work best for your needs.

Tent Air Conditioner | Recommended

Last update on 2024-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


Tent Air Conditioner | Recommended

Last update on 2024-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Our Recommended Tent Air Conditioners in 2022

5) Cakie Portable Air Conditioner

The Cakie Portable Air Conditioner is an evaporative cooler. You just pour in some water, turn the cooler on, and all of that water converts into a nice, cool breeze.

To enhance the overall experience, this portable air conditioner can rely on USB power. That way, you won’t need a generator, or some other clunky power appliance.

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

4) GtTech Portable Air Conditioner

Unlike some of the other portable air conditioners in this guide, this portable air conditioner is a cooler, humidifier, fan, and air purifier. Each one of these functions works very well, and makes creating a comfortable space, within your tent, a very easy and pleasant task.

Portable Air Conditioner, Portable Cooler, Quick &...
  • 【Efficient Personal Cooling】 This Portable Air Conditioner designed for individual use, It saves...
  • 【2020 Innovative 4 in 1 Function】 Different than other types of portable cooling fans our portable air...
  • 【Compact & Portable Design】 This portable air conditioner can be charged with a USB adaptor, portable, and...

Last update on 2024-03-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3) Bon-Su Portable Air Conditioner

With a weight of just 1.5-pounds, this is one of the smallest portable air conditioners you can purchase. All of this mobility makes storing the air conditioner easy. You can store it in your bag or backpack, and pull it out when needed. Along with that, the air conditioner can use USB power, making it easier to activate.

Bon-su Air Cooler Fan Portable, Personal Air...
  • ✅ COOL IN SEVERAL MINUTES: The secret of Bon-su mini air conditioner portable is kept in the unique...
  • ✅ SILENT WORK: The model is equipped with an absolutely silent fan (30dB / Mid-grade: 38dB / High grade:...
  • ✅ PORTABILITY: The compactness of the mini air conditioner portable only 7х5,23х6,69 inches...

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2) Batlofty Portable Air Conditioner 5000mAh

If you compare this portable air conditioner to the others in this guide, you won’t notice too many differences. But, you will notice one difference, and this difference is the fact that this air conditioner relies on a battery. A battery that charges in 3-to4-hours, and lasts for 9-hours. If that’s what you need, then it is a great purchase.

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

1) Ontel Arctic Evaporative Portable Air Conditioner

For a quiet, portable, and affordable portable air conditioner, you cannot go wrong with this one. The total weight of the air conditioner is just 2.6-pounds. Due to a compact design, packing it up and taking it with you is no problem. Along with that, the evaporative technology is more than sufficient for quick cooling in a small-to-medium-sized tent.

Arctic Air Ultra Evaporative Air Cooler By Ontel -...
  • AIR COOLER: The Arctic Air Ultra is a portable air conditioner that cools, humidifies & purifies. This...
  • QUIET & PORTABLE: The lightweight & whisper-quiet fan plus soothing night light make it perfect to use...
  • EFFICIENT COOLING: Hydro-chill technology pulls in hot air through an evaporative air-cooling filter & turns...

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Different Types of Tent Air Conditioners

There’s a wide range of portable air conditioners available that will help cool your tent while you’re camping. Below, we list some types of units available and give a brief description of each.

Portable
While they tend to be bulkier than other units, portable air conditioners are designed to move around easily.

Cordless
Cordless mini air conditioners are new to the market, and while they’re relatively expensive, their advanced technology and high battery capacity have ensured that they’re already making waves. These models make it possible for you to have a compact unit that requires no additional power supply.

Window
Considered a budget-friendly option, window air conditioner units are compact and have a large range of BTU outputs.

Evaporative
Evaporative air conditioner units are compact and energy-efficient. They work excellently in dry, hot climates, and since they’re less complex than compressor-type units, you can make a DIY version with the right guidance.

Things to Consider When Browsing for a Tent Air Conditioner
Because there are so many tent air conditioner variations, you can quickly feel overwhelmed when browsing through the options. To know which one will work best for your camping trip needs, you should consider the factors listed below before making your final purchase.

Tent Size
First and foremost, take your tent size into account. Each air conditioner unit is designed to cool a specific square footage. Choosing one that doesn’t fit your tent’s square footage won’t make any difference to the heat. It’s also important to remember that the more people are stacked in your tent, the more challenging it will be to cool off.

Power Levels
The power levels of an air conditioning unit are measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). This unit shows how much energy the air conditioner uses to run during each cycle. The more power your unit requires, the higher its BTU will be. To get long-term value on your investment, you should choose an air conditioner unit that’s energy-efficient.

Ventilation
While battery-powered air conditioners don’t require any special ventilation conditions, other types do. Most of these types come with the suitable tubes and hoses it needs, but some may require extra ventilation through a hole in your tent. Not having proper ventilation can pose a risk to your health.

Noise Level
Some air conditioner units can be really loud. Make sure that you check which noise level will fit you best before purchasing one. Read reviews about the air conditioner type you’re interested in to ensure that you’re not caught off guard.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tent Air Conditioners
To clarify some confusion, we tackle the most frequently asked questions about tent air conditioners and try to answer them the best we can!

Portable vs. Window air conditioner: which is the best for camping?
There’s no definite answer to this question. The air conditioner that’ll work best depends on your tent’s setup. If there’s an air conditioner port in your tent, a window air conditioner with a stand is recommended. If there’s no air conditioner port, a portable air conditioner would be the better choice.

Why are evaporative coolers listed under air conditioners?
By adding humidity to the air and thereby cooling it, evaporative coolers technically deliver the same outcome as air conditioners. Although they aren’t exactly the same, many manufacturers market evaporative coolers as air conditioners. Shoppers have also become accustomed to this idea and use keywords like “tent air conditioner” when searching for them. Listing evaporative coolers under air conditioners helps people find what they’re looking for.

However, it’s important to note that evaporative coolers aren’t refrigerant-driven like air conditioners.

Should tent flaps be left open when running an evaporative cooler?
Yes, you should leave tent flaps open. If you don’t, a lot of humidity will be built up inside your tent, reducing the cooler’s cooling power.

What outcome do evaporative coolers deliver?
Like air conditioners, small evaporative coolers are designed to blow cool air. However, contrary to air conditioners, evaporative coolers release a cool mist, and when it happens, you may or may not feel the moisture.

Is there truth in reviews stating that evaporative coolers don’t work?
While some evaporative coolers literally don’t work due to poor manufacturing, many models are trustworthy. In our reviews, only top-rated products with proven track records are listed to ensure that our readers access the best quality options.

Many reviews might also claim that evaporative coolers don’t work simply because the conditions they were used in weren’t ideal. Evaporative coolers work best when the air is warm and dry. When the air is humid, there’ll be less air to evaporate, making it seem like the cooler doesn’t work.

Can an evaporative cooler be a substitute for a diffuser?
Technically, it can be. However, if the scent you use is an oil, it will foul the cooler’s absorbent material. As the oil saturates this material over time, the cooler’s performance will diminish.

Does Coleman manufacture tent air conditioners?
Coleman didn’t make our list since they currently don’t manufacture tent air conditioners. The closest item they have to this is a high-rated fan and light. An ideal fan should have different fan settings and light levels. It should also be able to attach to your tent with the help of a pole.

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