Summer is the perfect time to jump in your RV for a relaxing vacation.
But, with Summer comes extreme heat. And without a quality air conditioner, even the most luxurious RV can become miserable.
So, to ensure you stay cool on your next vacation, we’ve compiled a list of the best RV air conditioner units on the market today.
RV AC Comparison Chart
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Dometic Brisk II Rooftop Air Conditioner
- Best Choice
Dometic has become one of the most popular manufacturers in the RV industry in recent years, and they deserve it. All Dometic air conditioners are high-quality, reliable units, so you really can’t go wrong with any of them. With that said, the Dometic Brisk II tops our list of the best RV air conditioners.
This lightweight unit produces 13,500 BTU of cold air per hour. The smart design maximizes airflow and ensures peak performance. Compared to previous models and most of its competitors, this reengineered RV rooftop AC unit moves 15% more air through your motor home.
To make the Brisk II even better, it includes dampening brackets to reduce noise and vibration inside your rig. This ensures you have a smooth-running and quiet RV AC.
Plus, its 2-year warranty will ensure your investment will keep you cool through many travels.
Video Overview
Key Features
- The fan runs without the compressor on for air circulation when you don’t need the full AC
- Easy installation
- Enhanced air circulation
- Black or white color options
- Works with both ducted and non-ducted RVs
Specifications
- Weight: 77 pounds
- Capacity: 13,500 BTUs
- Dimensions: 29 5/8″ long by 27 5/8″ wide by 13 7/8″ high
- Power: 115 volts
Dometic Brisk II Rooftop Air Conditioner
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Furrion CHILL Rooftop Air Conditioner
- Best Value
In the past, RV air conditioning units had a reputation for being noisy, heavy, and extremely energy inefficient. The Furrion CHILL Rooftop air conditioner proves that today’s models have none of those characteristics.
The Furrion Chill AC unit was designed with a 50% higher cooling capacity, 40% more energy efficiency, and 50% quieter than similar models.
Their VibrationSmart technology protects the unit from rough roads, while ClimateSmart technology protects internal components from water, UV rays, heat, and debris.
Plus, to protect your RV’s energy stores, Furrion built in a start capacitor. This feature helps start the AC without the typical large power draw that comes with turning on a unit. You can use this air conditioner even when a campsite hookup or your generator doesn’t have adequate power.
Key Features
- Two fans for ultimate cooling efficiency
- Black or white color options
- Short cycle with a boosting start capacitor
- Quiet design is rated at 80db
- Easy installation
- 2-year warranty
Specifications
- Weight: 82 pounds
- Capacity: 14,500 BTUs
- Dimensions: 34-13/16 long by 27-1/2″ wide by 13-1/2″ high
- Power: 115 volts
Furrion CHILL Rooftop Air Conditioner
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Coleman Mach 3 Plus 13.5k BTU Upper A/C Unit
- Best Choice for Off-Road
For some, their perfect RV getaway does not involve a luxury park with paved spaces and hookups. Many people like to take their rig down dirt roads to far-out, undeveloped places. These adventures require camper components that can handle the bounces and bumps of an unmaintained campsite.
The Coleman Mach Rugged Roughneck rooftop AC unit is designed to handle any road you choose. It has a sealed shaft protected from the elements and an interior design with parts that won’t rattle loose.
Another impressive feature that boosts the Coleman Mach Rugged Roughneck toward the top of our list of best RV air conditioner choices is its use of eco-friendly refrigerant. Most older RV ACs use R-22, a refrigerant that creates more dangerous greenhouse gases to cool your RV. This model uses the R-410A refrigerant safe for your family and the environment.
Key Features
- Eco-friendly refrigerant
- Designed to withstand off-road driving
- Lightweight unit
- Fits a standard 14″ by 14″ vent opening
Specifications
- Weight: 79.5 pounds
- Capacity: 13,500 BTUs
- Dimensions: 38″ long by 26.1″ wide by 13.8″ high
- Power: 120 volts, 50 Hz
Coleman Mach 3 Plus 13.5k BTU Upper A/C Unit
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Dometic Penguin II Low Profile Rooftop Air Conditioner
- Best Low Profile Air Conditioner Unit
Whether you’re in a large RV trying to keep the overall height of your rig as low as possible or a camper van attempting to remain stealthy in the city, choosing a low-profile air conditioner has a ton of benefits. Unlike other low-profile models, the Penguin II doesn’t force you to sacrifice quality and cooling power for space. It has the capacity of units twice its size.
The Penguin II’s sleek design improves your RV’s overall aerodynamic qualities. With increased aerodynamics, you’ll experience an increase in the miles driven per gallon of gas, and it will be easier to maneuver. Plus, this shorter footprint reduces the risk of hitting tree branches or parking structures.
Dometic products come built to last. This air conditioner has a rib-reinforced base pan to ensure it will handle many years of use. If anything were to happen, the company’s comprehensive warranty has you covered.
Video Overview
Key Features
- Uses environmentally friendly coolant
- Works for single or multi-zoned thermostats
- Low profile
- Perfect for ducted or ductless cooling systems
Specifications
- Weight: 99 pounds
- Capacity: 13,500 BTUs
- Dimensions: 29 3/4″ long by 41 1/2″ wide by 12″ high
- Power: 115 volts, 60 Hz
Dometic Penguin II Low Profile Rooftop Air Conditioner
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How Do I Choose an RV Air Conditioner?
In our best RV air conditioner list above, we’ve highlighted each unit’s defining features and the ideal situations for each model.
However, every camper and camping family is unique. No one-size-fits-all option exists for the best RV air conditioner. Evaluating the specifications and features will help you choose the best model for your lifestyle and rig.
Below, we’ve highlighted the seven most important features when choosing the next rooftop air conditioning unit for your motor home.
1. BTU Cooling Capacity
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and measures the cooling capacity of an air conditioner. Most RV AC units produce between 10,500 and 15,000 BTUs.
BTUs at 13,500 will cool most large RVs. However, if you frequently travel in areas with high humidity or extremely high temperatures, you’ll probably need a unit with a higher BTU capacity.
Also, take into account how many rooms you have. An open, 300-square-foot RV is much easier to cool than one with a separate bedroom. For larger RVs or those with multiple rooms, you’ll need a higher BTU capacity and possibly a ducted setup.
2. Noise Level
All RV air conditioners will make some noise. A motor runs, and a fan blows inside the unit’s casing. To expect total silence is unrealistic.
The best RV air conditioners produce a noticeably extensive range of noise levels. If you have trouble sleeping at night with unusual nature sounds outside, an AC unit might act as a white noise machine and drown out the unknown. On the other hand, if you spend most of your time camping in RV parks with close neighbors, you’ll want a quieter unit so you don’t annoy everyone around you.
We measure noise in decibels. Higher decibels indicate a louder sound. Most RV air conditioner manufacturers list the working decibels in the specifications of their products.
3. Power Consumption
Air conditioners are notoriously massive power draws, no matter where you install them. Rooftop units for a motor home are no exception. Plan for your electrical setup to run your AC as long as you need.
All of the best RV air conditioners on our list require at least 110 volts of power. This requirement means you’ll need a generator, campground plug-in, or inverter to run the unit. It won’t work on your typical battery setup.
If you’re using a generator or battery bank with an inverter setup, calculate how long you can run an AC unit with your electrical capacity. You don’t want to cut a trip short because you ran out of battery power or gasoline.
Don’t forget that electricity costs money. More efficient units may cost more upfront, but they’ll save you money in the long run.
4. Heat Pump
Some RV air conditioner units are dual setups that heat and cool the air. A combo unit allows you to travel comfortably year-round without a separate unit taking up space and adding weight when it isn’t in season.
The downside to these units is that they’re often heavier and taller than a rooftop setup that only cools. Consider the clearance of the places you plan to travel to and the strength of your roof. Older motor homes might not be able to handle a dual unit.
5. Air Purification
If you have allergies, travel is hard. You’ll often find yourself exposed to pollen and other allergens. If you have an older RV with mold or mildew buildup, you might also find yourself with symptoms inside your rig.
To avoid health issues and allergy symptoms on your camping trips, find a model compatible with air purification filters to help reduce pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and other allergens.
For example, here’s an air purification filter for the Coleman Mach 3.
FilterTime RV FT-616 Allergen RV Air Filter
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6. Ducted Versus Non-Ducted Units
At a glance, ducted and non-ducted RV air conditioning units don’t seem so different. The rooftop appearance is the same for both, but how they distribute air changes inside the camper.
As the name suggests, a ducted AC unit sends cold air through pipes in the rig’s walls and ceiling. Ducted air conditioners are ideal for large RVs with several rooms to cool using one rooftop machine.
A non-ducted AC blows air down directly from the unit. It acts like a cooling vent fan that pulls the cold air into the RV and spreads it around. This setup is best for smaller RVs with only one room and fewer obstacles to block the cold air from dispersing.
7. Regular Vs. Low Profile AC Units
Another factor to consider is any height restrictions you might encounter regularly. Does your favorite campground have a low-hanging tree where you typically park? Does your rig’s carport have minimal clearance? Be sure you can still take your camper to your desired destinations.
How to Maintain an RV Air Conditioner
Preventative maintenance guarantees your air conditioner remains in top shape and works efficiently.
- Every few months, clean and check the components of the AC. Simply add these tasks to your regular RV care routine for optimal results and minimal extra work.
- When you’re cleaning the roof of your camper, check for damage to the unit. Repair any cracks from accidental impacts with tree branches or other objects. Clean the rooftop covers to prevent any mold or mildew growth. If your RV air conditioner leaks when it rains, you’ll know there’s been damage where the unit connects to the roof.
- Your air filters also require regular cleaning or replacement. How often these chores must happen depends on your frequency of use. The general recommendation is to clean the air filters after two weeks of camper use. Check out our guide on how to clean an RV air conditioner filter for more information.
- Once every year, you must clean the components inside the unit itself. The AC coils, evaporator, and condenser can all experience buildup on their surfaces. Either soap and a scrubber or a specialty cleaner will get the job done.
- If you run into issues with your unit, check out our extensive RV Air Conditioner Repair guide for tips to troubleshoot and fix your A/C.
RV Air Conditioner FAQs
We understand that purchasing a new RV air conditioner is a big decision. That’s why we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the process.
Feel free to contact us with any questions that aren’t answered here.
What Size RV Air Conditioner Do I Need?
The size of the air conditioner you need for your RV will depend on the size of the RV itself. A general rule of thumb is to have 50-60 BTUs per square foot of living space. So, for example, a 30-foot long by 9-foot wide RV would typically require a 15,000 BTU air conditioner, while a 20-foot long by 8.5-foot wide RV would require a 10,000 BTU air conditioner.
However, this is just a rough estimate, and it’s best to consult an RV dealer or a professional HVAC technician to determine the appropriate size for your specific RV.
How Long Does an Air Conditioner Last on an RV?
The lifespan of an RV air conditioner can vary depending on usage, maintenance, and the quality of the unit. On average, an RV air conditioner can last anywhere from 8-15 years, but with proper maintenance and care, it can last even longer. It is important to keep the unit clean and to have it serviced regularly by a professional to ensure it is in proper working condition.
Are RV Air Conditioners Universal?
Most RV air conditioners fit in a standard 14″ by 14″ vent hole. However, some have a bigger opening requirement. Check to be sure your motor home can handle the model you want. Older RVs might not be able to handle the weight of a hefty AC unit. Setups with a weaker generator or solar power might not have the capacity to run less efficient generators around the clock.