Camping in the great outdoors is an exciting way to spend time with friends and family. But if you’re planning a trip in the heart of an Australian summer, you’ll need more than a box of ice blocks to keep you cool; you’re going to need a camping air conditioner.
Air conditioners for camping are growing more popular by the day, especially with such significant advancements in camping tech. If you’re on the hunt for a camping aircon to experience relief from the harsh summer sun, you might be able to make your purchase confidently by considering some of the following information.
Considerations for Purchasing the Best Camping Air Conditioner
If you were to type ‘best portable air conditioner’ into a search engine, the sheer number of options would blow you away. There are so many tent air conditioners to choose from that selecting the right one for your needs seems like an impossible decision! However, when you consider these factors below, you might be able to narrow down your options significantly.
Size
Size matters more than you might think. At least in the case of air conditioning for camping. The bigger your unit is, the more powerful it tends to be, and the cooler you might be when the hot Australian sun is beating down on you.
However, it’s crucial to strike a balance between size and portability. The last thing any camper wants to do is lug a 100kg air conditioning unit through a camping ground.
Venting Style
If you’ve opted for one of the largest tent air conditioners on the market, venting is something you’ll want to pay attention to. Large AC units often have to vent the warm air they’re generating, which means you’ll need to place them at the door of your tent or camper.
In contrast, most small evaporative coolers don’t require the same placement. Keep this in mind when choosing a portable air conditioner for your camper or tent.
Power
Like most camping equipment, you generally get to choose from AC, DC, and battery power supplies for tent-compatible air conditioners. Choose wisely because each power type has its pros and cons, such as poor battery life in some units, and inconsistent 240-volt power access at camping grounds.
Cooling Capacity
Pay attention to BTUs when searching for a new tent air conditioner. Remember, tents don’t have any insulation! An air conditioner with 5,000 BTUs and above might be suitable for your needs when you’re trying to cool off in the middle of the day.
Tent Size
It’s only natural to pay attention to each camping aircon’s features before purchasing one. However, it doesn’t hurt to consider your own camping situation. Surprisingly, your tent size might play a part in the model you choose.
The larger your tent, and the more people sleeping within it, the more powerful your air conditioner needs to be. It can generally require more power to cool down a space that has been warmed up with body heat.
Noise Levels
No one wants to be that person who keeps neighbouring campers up all night with the gentle whirring of a tent air conditioner. Pay attention to any listed decibel information before making your purchase.
The lower the dB, the less irritated your camping neighbours might be. Typically, anything under 70dB will be more than suitable for spaces you have to share with others.
Best Tent Air Conditioners for Camping in Australia
Finding the best portable air conditioner is not always easy, especially when there are so many different options to choose from.
Lucky for you, we’ve scoured the internet to find some of the highest quality offerings from leading brands. We’ve done all the hard work so that you don’t have to.
When you’re on the hunt for a small, portable, and mighty air conditioning for your next outdoor adventure, look no further than the Zero Breeze Mark II. This portable air conditioner is half the size of most traditional camping air conditioners and weighs a mere 7.5kg.
You can use it in tents, camper trailers, caravans, or even at home during emergencies. It boasts an inverter compressor producing 2300 BTU and can drop the temperature by 10 degrees in just 10 minutes.
With low power consumption and up to five hours of wireless charging, this portable air conditioner is a must-have for any hot, sticky camper trying to cool down in the hot Aussie sun.
Weight: 7.48kg
Dimensions: 50.8 x 25.4 x 27.9cm
Warranty: 1 year
Cooling Power: 2300 BTU
Power Type: AC/DC/Battery
Working Modes: Cool, fan, sleep, super cold
Noise Level: 52dB
When you don’t want to spend the earth on a camping air conditioner, but you also want one that keeps you cool, check out this Companion Rechargeable Maxi Evaporative Cooler. It’s a lightweight, portable aircon unit with a handle and comes with everything you need to cool off.
Fill up the 1,200mL water tank with an easy water refill system, switch on one of two fan speeds, and let it get to work, cooling you down. It can run for up to four hours on its rechargeable battery, or you can run it on an AC/DC power supply. This compact and convenient tent air conditioner will surely tick the box for any camper on a budget.
Weight: 2.4kg
Dimensions: 30 x 14 x 31cm
Cooling Power: 250m3/hr
Power Type: AC/DC/Battery
Working Modes: Two-speed fan
Having reliable battery-powered equipment for camping can be crucial. Otherwise, you have a short window of time to be comfortable before the rest of your trip is less so. Fortunately, you’ll be able to remain cool and comfortable for as long as you need when you purchase this lithium-powered evaporative cooler from Companion.
This 3.02kg air conditioning unit offers AC and DC charging and comes with a 7.4-volt lithium battery for up to 5.5 hours of run time. It also has integrated recharging for convenience, an accessible water refill system for the 1,200mL water tank, and an impressive 250m3/hr airflow.
With an affordable price tag as the cherry on top, there’s every reason to add this tent air conditioner to the top of your must-buy list.
Weight: 3.02kg
Dimensions: 30 x 14 x 31cm
Cooling Power: 240m3/hr
Power Type: AC/DC/Battery
Working modes: Two-speed fan
Anyone looking for a reliable, powerful, and lightweight evaporative cooler system or camping aircon for their next camping adventure would be pleased to add this model to their kit.
This lightweight unit with up to 6.5 hours of run time is more than suitable for the average camping family trying to cool off. It has 60m3/hr cooling power, versatility with its AC/DC/battery power types, and you can run one of two fan speeds to suit your needs.
It also only uses about 50mL water per hour from its 900mL tank, which means refills are few and far between. Set this unit up in your camper or tent, switch it on, and get ready to experience refreshing cool air.
Weight: 2.36kg
Dimensions: 14.5 x 20 x 36.2cm
Warranty: 1 year
Cooling Power: 60m3/hr
Power Type: AC/DC/Battery
Working Modes: Two-speed fan
Suppose you have convenient access to 240-volt power or a powerful battery, solar setup, suitable inverter, or small generator. In that case, this personal portable air conditioner from Coolzy can’t help but impress.
It’s a high-quality, reliable, and reputable product that can make any camping adventure in a tent, camper trailer, or caravan, far more comfortable than you thought possible. It’s portable at 15.4kg, uses just 340 watts of electricity, and boasts an incredible 1100-watt cooling capacity.
This tent air conditioner also boasts temperature control, remote control, three speeds, and a removable tray for easy water removal. You’re also bound to be impressed with the cool stream of air it can produce with accuracy and precision, combined with its suitability for various environments. Use it at home, while camping, or in the shed; the sky’s the limit!
Weight: 15.4kg
Dimensions: 38 x 56 x 27.5cm
Warranty: 2 years
Cooling Power: 1100 watts
Power Type: 220-240V
Working Modes: Low, medium, high
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Got yourself a great camping air conditioners? Which model did you buy? If you have any stories, updates or corrections, please let us know by commenting below.
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