Last Updated on August 18, 2024 by Nikole

If you can drive it, you can cool it! Are you trying to travel during those hot summer months and need a camper van A/C unit? You have come to the right place to find the perfect unit for your camper van.

Don’t sweat the hot days anymore because you have so many options for a cooling unit-it’s not even funny.

Here are the main categories of A/C units you can use in your camper van:

1. Shore Powered
2. Battery Powered
3. Evaporative
4. Portable Unit
5. Swamp Cooler
6. Window Unit
7. Mini Split

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Buyers Guide to Camper Van A/C Units

Now, before we dive into the different types and brands of A/C units, let’s look at some key aspects you need to know about the units.

How Do I Choose the Right BTU AC Unit for My Camper Van?

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. BTU is a measurement of heat (or cooling), which is measured in units of energy. In this situation, we are measuring the amount of cold required to lower the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. 

Why is this important to know? BTU also indicates how much square footage your camper van A/C unit will cover.

If you purchase a unit too small for your camper van, you could have an uncomfortably hot living space. Likewise, if you have too large of a unit you could be frozen out or waste unnecessary energy.

We used a window unit in our small camper van, which was quite honestly, too big for our space. When we woke up in the morning, things were quite cold and the walls were sweating.

If you have moisture problems read our post about how to control moisture in a camper van.

Here is a simple graph showing which BTU will cover the square footage you would like and which size van they would be perfect for. Keep in mind that hotter and more humid climates may call for a higher BTU than What is recommended below.

How to Power Your A/C Unit for Your Camper Van

Powering your A/C unit in your camper van can be a bit tricky. This discussion should honestly be a whole other post due to the complexity of it all, but I will try to condense it for you. 

1. First of all, you want to look at the start-up wattage of your A/C unit. Let’s say your unit claims to run off of 2,000 watts, well the start-up wattage could run over 2x to 3x the amount of running wattage. 

If you are looking for a generator to power a certain wattage amount, check out this wattage calculator made by Electric Generators Direct.

2. Keep in mind that you can run a unit that requires more than 12V of your battery inverter.

You will need a 400-ah lithium battery, which has 4,800 watts of usable energy. A 500-watt A/C unit has the potential to last around 8 hours off this type of battery.

Confused about batteries? Check out our post about Camper Van Batteries for a detailed explanation.

The average camper van A/C unit will pull around 500 watts while it’s running (keep in mind that start-up watts are 2x -3x more than running watts). 

A/C Units for Camper Van Stealth Camping

Are you trying to stealth camp so no one figures out you are camping in your van?

To accomplish stealthy camping, make sure you don’t have items on the outside of your van sticking out. A/C units and storage can stick out like a sore thumb.

The reason why people want to stealth camp is for another post entirely. As far as a camper van A/C unit, you will need a low-profile unit or a fan for your rooftop. The Dometic Penguin II or the swamp cooler, Fresair S6, are great options for stealth camping because of their low-profile features. 

You can also use a portable unit, and crack open a window. Make sure you stay quiet with your window open so no one knows you are sleeping in your van. 

Shore Powered Roof Top Camper Van A/C Unit

A compressor van air conditioner operates by sucking in hot air and utilizing refrigerant to cool it. The heated air is then forced outside, while the cold air pumps inside.

Check out this diagram by Dometic on how rooftop A/C units work. This diagram shows the general idea of how these units work to supply cold air to your camper van or camper. 

Your typical rooftop air conditioner for vans will come in 120-volts AC/ 12-volts DC. These units will draw a ton of power, and require a shore power plug-in at 30 or 50 amps. You can also use a generator if you are boondocking.

These units have ducted and non-ducted options to fit your camper van size.

Some installation on your camper van rooftop is required to get the A/C unit to properly cool your living area. These units are bulky and can weigh your van down or take up precious cargo space. 

This type of van camper unit can only be operated for a limited time by a battery bank or solar panel. You should go with a different A/C option if you are free camping. 

1. Dometic Penguin II Low Profile Rooftop Air Conditioner

The Dometic Penguin II is a low-profile A/C unit that sits directly on top of your camper van. This unit seems to be a favorite among camper van gurus because of its low profile (measuring a tad over 10 inches tall!).

The Dometic Penguin gives out 13.5 K BTUs making it easy to cool large camper vans. These are meant for RVs and campers, so they will cool a large van in absolutely no time!

According to other van campers, this unit is fairly easy to install, which means getting on the road even sooner.

Check out Two Men and a Van’s Installation video for installing the unit in your camper van.

Price: $1,199

Cooling BTU: 13.5k

Wattage: Roughly 1560-1800

Pros 

• Low profile
• Cools large spaces
• Easy installation
• The control panel comes with it

Cons

• Draws a lot of power
• Somewhat loud

2. Dometic Brisk II Rooftop RV Air Conditioners

The Dometic Brisk II is another rooftop A/C unit you can install on your camper van, and it only weighs 77 pounds. It draws 2,800 watts of power, so you will need to pull out the generator or plan your trips around campsites.

This unit has a cooling capacity of 13,500 BTU, which is perfect for cooling large camper vans/ campers. 

If you are looking for a quiet unit, the Dometic Brisk is for you- dampening brackets are included for reducing noise and vibration.

Price: $1,049

Cooling BTU: 13,500

Wattage: 2,800

Pros

• Trusted brand
• Cheaper option
• Cools large areas fast
• Sound dampener included

Cons

• Somewhat bulky

3. Coleman-Mach 10 Air Conditioner for Vans

We are not affiliated with the Coleman-Mach 10 AC unit for camper vans, but we saw many great reviews for it and fell in love with it. 

Why do we love it so much? This powerful AC unit can cover 325 cubic feet per minute with its 15,000 BTU/hour.

Even though it’s powerful, it’s also one of the quietest units on the market, according to reviews. 

The A/C unit, unfortunately, weighs slightly higher than the other two we mentioned, weighing in at 85 pounds. On the downside, this unit is also one of the more expensive options at $1,248.99.

Price: $1,248.99

Cooling BTU: 15,000

Running Watts: 1560

Pros

• Quiet unit
• Covers large spaces easily
• The highest cooling output of this type of A/C unit

Cons

• Fairly expensive
• Weighs more than expected

Swamp Coolers

Swamp coolers use a 12v fan that moves air through a water compartment. The water cools the air and blows it into the cabin of your camper van. 

There is some debate on whether this system works. After reading through some forums, I found that most people in humid climates complained the unit does not work. Those found in dryer climates, like Arizona, say they do work.

Due to what I found in my research I recommend only using this device in dry climates.

I saw many people complain about how fast the water evaporated within the water compartments. 

Even though this type of unit uses less power, you may find yourself adding unnecessary weight by hauling portable water containers. 

If you plan on being environmentally friendly with your camper van this may not be the way to go when it comes to cooling your tiny home.

4. Fresair S6

The Fresair S6 is designed specifically for your power-saving camper van needs because it runs on 12V. Even though this unit is energy-saving, it can still cool a fairly large area 40 degrees below the current temperature. 

This unit is also considered an evaporative system (another word for swamp units) and will run using power and water. Why you ask? Because the unit uses water, the more energy efficient the unit is. 

We love that the unit is lightweight, only weighing 25 pounds! It also takes up less space on your roof because it’s only 3.7 inches tall. 

Because the unit uses water to cool the air, the unit may not cool as effectively as a powered unit. 

Price: $1,495.00

Cooling BTU: 0

Pros:

• Doesn’t draw unnecessary power
• Eco friendly
• Can run the fan off of your vehicle battery

Cons:

• You have to haul water to keep the unit running
• Fairly expensive for what it is

5. Evapolar evaCHILL Personal Evaporative Air Cooler

The Evapolar evaCHILL units are more suited towards weekend warriors in mild climates. These units are small, therefore covering small spaces. 

Some customers claim the unit worked well in their van as long as the A/C unit was blowing right over their bed. You can run this unit off your battery and it will blow between 3 and 5 feet away. The unit is perfect for those traveling in small vans, like our Ford Transit Connect!

Price: $115.20

Cooling BTU: 0

Pros 

• Portable
• Works great with small vans

Cons

• Doesn’t cool an entire room
• Not good for large vans

Portable A/C Units

A portable A/C unit is perfect for those who aren’t living in a van full time because they don’t cover a good amount of square footage. 

These camper van units are perfect for cool or dry weather camping, and can also be used for things like tent camping, fishing, or golf carts. 

6. 2899BTU Portable Air Conditioner from BougeRV

This BougeRV portable A/C unit can hook up to an A/C 100~220V home power supply. You can plug this unit into shore power or a generator. Unfortunately, you cannot run this off your van battery, or it could blow a fuse or drain the battery very quickly.

The 2,899 BTU is enough to cover up to 54 sq feet! This A/C unit is perfect for mid-size and small vans. The unit may not be sufficient enough for bus-size camper vans. 

Why do we love this camper van A/C unit? It’s completely portable. You can store it anywhere during the day when you need more space in your camper van.

Price: $1,099.99

Cooling BTU: 2,899

Pros:

• Completely portable
• Covers plenty of cooling space
• You can move it outside on hot days!

Cons:

• Still uses quite a bit of power
• Can be too bulky for small vans

7. Icy Breeze

I LOVE the Icy Breeze unit. We had this A/C unit for our small Ford Transit Connect. It worked pretty well on nights that were 85 degrees and below, but it struggles in temperatures above that. 

Read our full Icy Breeze review here. 

The unit comes with a small battery that lasted us most of the night (6 -7 hours) when we ran it on low. If you run the battery on high it may only last 4 hours. It was enough to cool our small van without putting extra humidity into the air.

The unit has an intake and a fan that blows into the room at 25 mph. The unit intakes hot air passes it through the ice that you put inside the cooler then throws the cold air through the fan and into your van space.

This tiny A/C unit is essentially a portable swamp cooler because it requires ice and water for it to work.

One tiny suggestion, It works better with a big block of ice rather than a bunch of ice cubes. However, you can’t always freeze a big block of ice on the go, so the ice cubes will work fine too. 

Did I mention you can run this off your vehicle battery, but why use that when you can just use the battery the unit comes with?

Price: $339-$289 (depending on the unit you get)

Cooling BTU: 0 because it’s a swamp cooler

Pros:

• Portable
• Can use to cool your drinks and the air at the same time
• Can use it outside on your boat, golf cart, or small camper van
• Uses little power because it’s 12v

Cons:

• Can’t cool large vans or rooms
• Uses a lot of ice

12V Battery Powered Camper Van A/C Units

Battery-powered camper van A/C units can run off of shore power, your battery inverter (because they are 12v), or a generator.

Battery-powered or 12v A/C units don’t consume as much energy as shore-powered units therefore they are perfect for boondocking.

You still have a limited time you can use 12V units because a battery can only last so long before it needs to be charged again. A battery lasts about 10-17 hrs with a 12-volt battery inverter- that depends on what you have plugged into it. Let’s take a look at these power-saving A/C units.

I recommend using a DC RV Mini split system for a 12v air conditioner (there are 12v, 24v, and 48v options). They keep the weight low in your van, which is a huge plus for these units.

Unfortunately, these camper van A/C units are somewhat hard to install, but they are meant for full-time living in campers and camper vans.

How does it work? I’m so glad you asked!

There are two components- there is a condenser/compressor on the outside and an evaporator/blower on the inside. 

The compressor you will find on the outside of the van- is typically installed underneath the vehicle. The evaporator/ blower needs to be on the inside so it can cool your living quarters. 

There are a few things that need installation. You will have to mount quite a bit of piece to your camper van. Connecting electrical lines and refrigerant lines is a must with mini splits.

8. Cruise ‘N Comfort

Don’t mess around with cutting a hole into your camper van roof, the Cruise ‘N Comfort has mini split A/C 12V options that will run off your camper van battery. 

This camper van AC unit is highly efficient and uses an eco mode for lower power consumption.

You can hide the unit away in a cabinet or under a bench in your camper van, just make sure you have a way to vent it outside the van (typically people will do this under the van).

If you are confused about the installation process watch this YouTube video on how to install the HD series.

Price: Depending on the unit could cost between $2,000- $5,000

Cooling BTU: Between 10k-12k

Pros

• Space saving
• Permanent option
• 360 fan-blowing mode
• 12V

Cons

• Hard to install
• Super expensive

9. Cheap Amazon Option

There is no name for this unit, for some reason, so I am just calling it the Cheap Amazon Option.

This unit is more power-hungry than the one I mentioned above and only works on 24V (DC). Startup current needs 45-60A. The Power is 750W, and the cooling capacity is at 13500BTU.

You can mount this unit on the wall to save storage space in your cabinets.

Price: $800

Cooling BTU: 13,500

Pros:

• The cheapest option for a mini split unit
• Comes with a remote control
• 360-degree angled air supply
• Monitors battery and will operate on battery health
• Space saver because the unit is thin

Cons:

• Still difficult to install
• Runs off 24V, but you can make it work with a generator.

Window Unit

A window unit isn’t out of the question when it comes to camper van A/C options. We rolled around with a unit in our camper van window during the hottest parts of the summer.

You will have to use a generator or shore power. We typically stay at campgrounds with our camper van, so we will set up a unit in the window, and we almost freeze to death because the unit covers more square footage than our camper van offers.

You can either cut a hole in the back of your van and place your unit in the hole: or you can place it in one of the front two windows as we did. 

I like this option because you can find window units at just about any store, they are easy to install (just make sure it vents out when you place it in the window), and they are cheap compared to other camper van A/C units.

We have used two different types of units (on separate occasions), one that sits directly into the window opening, and one that sits on wheels and vents through a hose out the window.

In the Picture above you can just barely see our window unit on the driver’s side.

Here is a perfect demonstration of how a window unit works for camper vans.

10.SereneLife SLPAC8 Portable Air Conditioner

The SereneLife A/C unit is technically portable, but I wouldn’t consider it portable because it’s bulky and heavy and takes up a ton of space. 

The unit will cover about 300 to 550 square feet with 8,000 BTUs- some options go higher! You will need to plug this into shore power or a generator.

There are 3-speed options and a remote control to control those speeds. The air blows out through the top into the cabin and uses a hose that is directed out the window to vent

You can switch between a dehumidifier, fan mode, and cooling mode. A dehumidifier is perfect for keeping moisture out of your van– in turn, this will prevent mold and mildew from forming. 

Price: $294.83

Cooling BTU: Between 8,000 and 14,000

Pros:

• Cheap 
• Great for cooling just about any space
• Dehumidifier option

Cons:

• Bulky
• Takes up a lot of space
• Must vent to the outside

11. Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner

The Midea comes in several BTU options- including 5,000 to 12,000 BTU. 

This Camper van A/C unit is probably one of your cheapest options to keep you cool in your van. The lowest BTU can cover up to 150 square feet and is perfect for small to large vans.

There are 2 speeds on the unit that you can control through a panel located directly beside the fan. 

You may need to purchase separate hardware because there were complaints about it being cheap. The unit is also fairly loud, but what window unit isn’t?

You can install this unit in one of 2 ways.

1. Cut out a piece of wood that will fit into the window and around the unit in front of your van. You also need to cut a hole for the A/C unit inside the wood as well. The wood acts as a space filler so no bugs or unwanted pests enter your vehicle.

2. You can also cut a hole in the back of your van to place the A/C unit. I’ve heard and seen many vans place the unit near the ground of their camper van, that way there is something for the unit to sit on.

Price: $158.99

Cooling BTU: Depends on the unit you purchase/ 5,000- 12,000 is offered

Pros:

• Cheapest Camper van A/C Unit
• Covers a lot of space

Cons:

• Needs shore power to operate
• Bulky item
• Need to rig it in the window or cut a hole in your van
• This unit has complaints about being too loud

What is the Best A/C Unit for A Camper Van?

There are so many different A/C units to keep you cool in your camper van during the summer. How on earth do you choose the correct one?

The best A/C unit for your camper van depends on how big your van is. 

I recommend a 12V mini-split system for large to mid-size vans because they are easy to hide, and they put out a lot of air to cool your large space.

A mini-split system is conservative on power, and you don’t have to go through the anxiety of cutting a hole in your roof.

If you have a small van or you’re a weekend traveler, I recommend a window unit or a portable unit. If your van is small like ours there is nowhere to place a split unit. Likewise, An overhead unit may freeze you out because it blows directly over your bed. 

A portable unit can easily be stored on top of the van, under the bed, or in a cargo carrier in the back and used at night time. 

Other Ways of Keeping Your Camper Van Cool During the Hot Months

If you don’t want the expense of installing an A/C unit in your camper van or want to give your unit an extra push, there are ways to keep your camper van cooler.

Park in the Shade

Whenever you park, I recommend parking where there is shade. When you park for the night, you need to consider where the sun is setting and where it is rising. 

I can’t tell you how many times I woke up to the sun beaming on the camper van, and our portable A/C unit couldn’t keep up with the heat.

If we parked in the shade, there were no problems with keeping the van cool.

Use a Window Visor

Sometimes we can’t avoid parking in the sun, this is when a window visor comes in handy for keeping your camper van cool. 

Heat will come in through the windows in the front cab, so it’s best to put a visor up when you park for long periods. 

Ventilation is an Absolute Must!

Ventilation is key for keeping your camper van cool in the summer. You can ventilate your van a few ways. Installing a fan on your roof or the side of your van will help to vent out your tiny home the best. 

If you want ultimate airflow, crack a window in the front while you have a fan blowing air from the back.

We never installed a fan in our van, so we would crack both windows in the front and place a fan in one of them. This can work, but the back of our van was struggling for air. 

Venting can also prevent moisture and mold buildup, which is hazardous to your health.

Insulate Your Van

Insulating the back of your van is so important, otherwise, your cold air will escape through walls, and your A/C unit will constantly run.

Install an Awning

Installing an awning may seem a bit tedious just to keep your van cool, but it works. You can also use your awning for shade when you are chilling outside. 

When we lived in a camper, we would bring the awning out during the day to help block the sun, so our A/C unit would work more efficiently. It worked wonders!

Try the SAMOUT Vehicle Awning for jeeps, SUVs, and trucks or the MoonShade Portable Vehicle Awning for large camper vans.

Use Window Tint or Cover Your Windows

Using window tint will significantly reduce the amount of heat that escapes through your windows. 

You could even cover your windows with a curtain or makeshift insulation piece. 

Cover the Front Cab

You would not believe how much cold air escapes through the front cab of your camper van. 

Even if you install a curtain between the front cab and the back, you can keep your space cooler for longer.

Travel in the Right Season

Traveling during the right season may help out your cooling problems. In other words, don’t travel to Florida in the middle of August.

Spring and fall times are some of the best seasons to travel, and I bet you won’t need to use the A/C unit during the night.

Install a Fan 

Fans are a must when it comes to keeping your camper van cool in the summer. You need a way to take all the hot air out of your van and release trapped moisture.

FAQ

We have included a few extra frequently asked questions just in case we didn’t answer all of yours. 

Can I run an A/C Unit off a Battery in a Camper Van?

You can run your A/C unit off of your camper van battery as long as you have an inverter and a large battery bank, but I dont’ recommend it unless the unit is 12V. 

Most A/C units use too many start-up watts and could drain your battery fast. You may only get a few hours of run time depending on the power usage of your camper van A/C unit.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Camper Van A/C Unit?

To get your A/C unit installed by a professional you could be looking at a $1,000 to $2,000 bill, depending on the measurements of your unit.

How Do I Clean A Camper Van A/C Unit?

To make your A/C unit last longer, or last as long as it is supposed to, you should perform regular maintenance.

Maintenance includes cleaning your unit. Check out Mission RV Services’ YouTube video for cleaning rooftop units.

In Conclusion

Finding the perfect A/C unit for camper vans is essential for keeping you cool during your summer adventures. Thankfully, it’s easy and possible to find a non-power-consuming unit.