Portable RV Air Conditioners – AC On-the-Go

A portable air conditioner is a must have for anyone enjoying life on the road during a heat wave or traveling through the scorching summers.

Not having access to anywhere you can cool yourself down can make you extremely uncomfortable and can even be deadly. So, getting an RV portable air conditioner will help ease any discomfort.

But which unit is best to get? As with most other things when maintaining and doing up your wheels, there's no out and out best air conditioner for an RV. 

The following review will guide you in buying one that's best for your set up. And after the RV Air Conditioner Review, we go into more detail about specifications of different units, and discuss the best brands in our Buyer's Guide.

We also look into the all-important cleaning an air-con unit and offer a step-by-step guide on how to a portable Air Con unit, while also covering many FAQs asked when people are unsure of portable RV air conditioners.

If you prefer, you can jump straight to the Portable RV Air Conditioner Buyer's Guide by clicking the link...

What Makes a Portable Air Conditioner Ideal for an RV? 

Air conditioning units for an RV are pretty expensive, which is why it's important to make sure the one you’re opting for includes all the right attributes. And for you to make the right investment, we have listed the following features to lookout for.

Type

Depending on how humid your area is, you may have to consider whether you want an evaporative or non-evaporative unit. Most of these portable air conditioners are non-evaporative, which means that they take in the air to cool it and exhaust it back out into the room. This helps in making your RV a lot less humid and cool instead. 

Evaporative units blow the air over icy water and evaporate it while cooling the air in the process, but this ends up making the air more humid, making these units not ideal for very dry climates. What's more, these portable RV air conditioners will need a good amount of either cold water or ice in order to operate.

Room Size

You need to make sure that the size of your RV and your air conditioner is compatible with each other so that the unit offers efficient performance. Getting a unit that isn’t powerful, and you won't be able to cool your RV fully, whereas a unit that is too powerful would be a waste of money. 

BTU Power

BTU, also known as the British Thermal Unit, helps in letting one know which air conditioner unit is more suitable for your RV, based on the size and weather conditions. Now, the average BTU power that a unit features is 13,500 BTU, which is enough to allow the unit to cool down even larger RVs. If your local weather is mostly humid, then you will have to opt for a unit that offers more BTU power.

Review of the Best Portable Air Conditioners for RV

The main part of the article is the main review of some of the best quality portable RV air conditioner units on the market. We discuss their different features and capabilities to give you an idea of what you could be buying.

Buyer’s Guide

In our Buyer's Guide you'll learn everything about portable air con units. Of course, not all AC units are made the same, so we offer our opinion on why it's better to get a good quality portable Air Con system, and what you should expect from different price points.

We also compare portable RV air conditioners to other AC units that you can get in a trailer, and also offer a step-by-step guide on how to clean one. If you have any unanswered questions, there's an FAQ section for all things portable Air Con units, so by the end of the article you should be all clued up and ready to go shopping.

How Does a Portable Air Conditioner Work? 

Portable air conditioners work similarly to refrigerators, the only difference being they cool down the room instead of what’s inside. Air conditioners will send chemicals to the compressor mechanism as a low-pressure gas. They enter as a cold gas and leave compressed together as a high-pressure hot gas.

The condenser then uses metal fins to reduce the temperature which then turns into a liquid. This liquid drips off a cold coil and is then evaporated, collecting heat from the air which more fins help with a process called thermal exchange. So the cold air is replaced with the hot air, and the cycle continues.

Benefits of Getting a Good Quality Portable Air Conditioner for RV

There are many benefits of using a top quality air conditioner. You should be able to live in comfort without ever having to sweat profusely because you don’t have a quality air conditioner. Some benefits include:

Easy Setup

Being able to set up your portable air conditioning unit should be as simple as plugging it into a socket and letting it do its work, but this isn’t always the case with cheaper models. A portable air conditioner will also get rid of the hassle of installing a full air conditioning system in your RV.

No Noise

You’ll not be distracted by that horrible buzzing noise that the cheaper models make. In a perfect world, your portable RV air con unit should make no noise whatsoever, but many cheaper models make so much noise you can’t hear yourself think. Investing in quality will ensure you won’t need to suffer ever again, especially if you need air coin at night.

Portable

A high-grade quality portable air conditioner is going to be suitable to travel around with you in your RV. It should be light and easy to carry, which many cheaper models are not. Some brands will advertise them as portable air conditioners when they actually weigh too much to carry.

Top Brands in the Portable ACs for RVs Space

Given how many different brands now offer their version of a portable air conditioner, it is worth taking a look at some of the best brands in the industry:

LG Electronics

LG is a real household name. Based out of South Korea, they are a multinational electronics company established in 1958. While portable air conditioners represent just a small portion of their product line, all of their appliances, including their AC units, are known for their outstanding quality. Their products feature state-of-the-art technology and are made to a reliable standard.

Black+Decker

The Black+Decker brand was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Connecticut. The brand is known around the world for making reliable power tools and portable appliances. Their portable air conditioner units are designed to last and are perfect for use in an RV.

Honeywell International

Honeywell is a major American company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. While they offer an incredibly diverse product line, the brand has a reputation for finding the perfect balance between quality, performance, and affordability.

Price Points for Portable ACs

While price is not always an indicator of quality, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the various price ranges for portable Air Conditioner units for RVs.

Under $300

Portable air conditioners that cost under $300 are considered entry-level units. In most cases, the low price point is because these units aren't meant to cool larger spaces. Some will offer under 5,000 BTU of cooling power, which means they're only suitable for cooling the smallest spaces. They also tend to be more susceptible to breaking down over time, so they shouldn't be considered a long-term investment.

$300 - $450

These mid-range portable air conditioners are usually powerful enough to cool down an RV, but some of them will lack the extra features you get with the more expensive units, such as air filtration systems, built-in dehumidifiers, and smartphone compatibility.

Types of Portable ACs for RVs

Now before you make your final purchase, you must draw up comparisons between the different options available on the market. This helps in ensuring that the decision you’ve taken is the right one.

Vent-Free Air Conditioner

Vent-free or ventless air conditioners are compact units that don't use an exhaust hose. While this makes them more portable and easier to set up, they tend to be less effective than air conditioners that vent the hot air. They use a tank of water to cool down the warm air that passes through them, and essentially, it's the natural process of evaporation used to cool down a room. While they are easy to operate and move, they rarely lower the temperature as quickly or effectively as a vented unit.

Vented Air Conditioner

Vented air conditioners work by pulling hot air from the room into the unit. The motor inside the unit then cools the air and circulates it throughout the room. These units also take the warmest air in the room and push it outside. This process helps remove moisture from the room, which cuts down on humidity and makes space feel even cooler. They work well for RVs, but they can take up quite a bit of space.

Window Air Conditioner

Window air conditioners work in the same way as a vented air conditioning unit, but they sit inside a window frame. While they take up less space than vent-free and vented units, they're not always practical for RVs, as they can create drag when the RV is on the road. They also require a large window and are not exactly portable because they must be properly installed into a window and securely held in place. They tend to work better for cooling down houses and apartments rather than RVs. 

How Do Portable Air Conditioners Compare for an RV?

With so many options available, picking the right portable RV air conditioner out can be almost impossible. They're quite expensive, so you want to make sure that you are actually making a wise investment. Most people are often confused even at this point regarding the differences between different air conditioning units that are available for your RV and what sets them apart. If that's you, read on for an explanation on the differences. 

Portable Air Conditioner vs Roof Air for an RV

While both types of air conditioning units have their benefits and drawbacks, one of the main differences between the two styles is the overall cost. On the one hand, portable air conditioner units tend to be fairly affordable, and it is possible to get a high-performance unit from a reputable manufacturer for under $500. Whereas, roof-mounted air conditioners for RVs usually start at $1,000 and can easily exceed this price.

Roof air conditioners need to be professionally installed, and are a more permanent style of installation. Where roof units are fixed into place on the roof of the RV, portable air conditioners are brought inside, and the hose is attached to a window.

While portable air conditioners are cheaper and easier to install, they can take up unnecessary space. Roof air conditioners don't take up space, which can be a deciding factor for those with smaller RVs that do not have the floor space. However, a portable unit can be taken outside of the RV during the cooler months when it's not needed. Since roof units tend to be secured to the exterior of the RV, they're difficult to remove and can cause drag when the RV is on the road.

In the end, the decision is usually one made according to personal preference and budget.

Portable Air Conditioner vs Window Unit 

Both portable and window units feature a small size. The main difference is that the former can be moved around the RV, whereas the latter has to be mounted into the windows.

Evaporative Air Cooler vs Portable Air Conditioner

Unlike a portable unit, evaporative air coolers don’t need an exhaust hose, so these units can be used outdoors as well. Evaporative air cooler units are also suitable for year-round climates.

You don't have to vent these units, so they consume less electricity compared to AC units. And since they use no chemicals to operate, it makes them an eco-friendly choice.

What to Look For in a Portable Air Conditioner For Your RV

Thanks to the many brands that manufacture portable air conditioners, you’ll realize that finding the best one isn’t an easy task. Thankfully, we’ve compiled a list of features and functions that we believe make a good quality portable RV air conditioner.

Weight and Portability

As already mentioned, portability, weight and overall design of the portable RV air conditioner is a huge factor in making any product a good choice. Your device should come with a few wheels, so you to move it around easily.

As well as this, handles and a compact design that makes it fit into any environment. The weight is also a huge factor, and you’ll want a conditioner that’s light enough you’ll be fine carrying or wheeling around. Indents are also helpful as this provides extra grip, this design could replace the need for handles.

You’ve got your box standard portable air conditioners that provide one service, and that's cooling down the hot air. And that’s great, but added features like energy saving mode, faster fan speeds or automatic timers can make a huge difference in making your RV experience a comfortable one. If you're willing to pay for the extra features, they’re more than worth it.

How to Clean a Portable Air Conditioner

To ensure your portable air conditioner is clean and effective for years to come, you’ll need to maintain it regularly. Cleaning it out can be simple if you follow the correct steps, so we’ve made a step by step guide on how to do exactly that.

1. You’ll need to find a flat, stable surface to lay your AC down on. Once you’ve sorted that it’s time to remove the cover and place it to the side with any screws you’ve removed also. You don’t want to lose these.
   
   
2. Take a cup's worth of bleach and then pour it inside the drain tray so it can start cleaning out any of the sludge. You should leave the bleach reacting for around 10 minutes and then begin spraying down the full air conditioner with a hose.
   
   
3. Wait until the full conditioner has dried out ,and then give it another rub down with a clean cloth. Rinse out the tray that has bleach and sludge inside and then add more bleach allowing it to sit for another ten minutes. Once time's up, rinse it out and dry it.
   
   
4. Once the device has air dried, screw the housing unit back on and plug it back into the socket to test it out. It’s vital that the full AC has had time to dry, turning it on while still wet could be risky. If you carry out this cleaning process properly, you’ll only need to clean your AC once every year.