9 Best RV Air Conditioners


rv with blue night sky under the stars - rv air conditioner

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RV’s are like a second home for summer vacations and camping out. Summers can be extremely hot without an air conditioner in your RV. Imagine if your vehicle had no cooling system in it, it can get hot very quickly without something in it to cool the air. To maintain comfort, security and health an RV air conditioner is an essential part of the vehicle. We would like to show you some well-reviewed options to help you narrow down what is best for you and your family.

What Are RV Air Conditioners?

These air conditioners are usually rooftop units installed in the ceiling overhead. Most are sold as the top unit only and you must buy the lower inside unity separately. Some RVs come installed with air conditioners, but some others require separate purchase and installation. One should look in the owner’s manual to find a compatible air conditioner for each RV type.

Do RVs Need Air Conditioners?

An air conditioning unit is an important part of the RV because most of RV travel will occur during the summer heat. If you do not want to compromise your camping experience, have an air conditioning unit for your RV. It could be a new installation or a replacement. If it is already old and damaged, replacing it is a good idea. 

How We Reviewed

We reviewed the following air conditioners based on popular features, overall product reviews, customer satisfaction, pros and cons, ease of purchasing, and warranty information. We want you to be confident and happy in the purchase of your air conditioner whether you are new to RV travel or a pro.

1. Coleman Mach 15+ RV Air Conditioner

This is a powerful air conditioner with the highest cooling output you can buy for ducted systems. It is equipped with a 1/3 HP fan motor, the largest used in air conditioners, and delivers cool air at 325 CFM.

Pros

  • 1/3 HP motor – largest in the industry
  • Sealed shaft protects against damage  
  • Large evaporator and condenser coils
  • Designed for varying temperatures 
  • Optional 5600 BTU Heater Assembly can be added 
  • Plastic drain pan eliminates corrosion  

Cons

  • Control board not included
  • Loud fan

Where to buy

The Mach 15+ A/C Unit can be found on Amazon where customers have given it 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. 

2. Atwood 15027 RV Air Conditioner

The Atwood 15027 Ducted A/C Unit has a small, convenient design. The rooftop air conditioner has a consistent cooling power. The nominal capacity of this unit is 13,500 BTU and is a smaller and lighter capacity air conditioner for smaller RVs out there.

Pros

  • High-performance dual motor design
  • Efficient design delivers cool air while using less power
  • Quiet operation
  • Includes digital display for temp control
  • Available in black or white

Cons

  • Too small for many types of RVs
  • Fan runs constantly

Where to buy

You can purchase the Atwood 15027 on Amazon. Reviewers have given this rv air conditioner 4.3 out of 5.0 stars.

3. Dometic Penguin II Black RV Air Conditioner

The Penguin II rooftop air conditioner has a sleek look with good performance. Penguin II air conditioners are low profile, under 10 inches high. The contemporary shroud design reduces drag for improved mileage and redesigned base pan with ribs engineered for strength and beauty. The Penguin II is perfect for ducted or non-ducted cooling systems. Ducted and non-ducted models are controlled with the Dometic Comfort Control Center II (sold separately). The shroud is available in black or white.

Pros

  • Fits standard 14″x14″ openings
  • High-capacity
  • Electrical rating 120V AC, 60 HZ
  • 2-year warranty

Cons

  • Control panel sold separately

Where to buy

The Dometic Penguin II is popular among consumers on Amazon who gave it a 4.1 out of 5.0-star review.

4. Dometic Brisk II Polar RV Air Conditioner 

This is a stronger, lighter, smaller, and more environmentally friendly air conditioner.

This RV A/C unit offers a 15% airflow increase and is 19% lighter than previous models, making it the smallest rooftop air conditioning unit available. This unit fits standard 14″x14″ air vents and has a center discharge air delivery for increased airflow and improved cooling capacity. Offers a strong stable base pan and a rigid shroud for durability. This unit is compatible with a Dometic universal air distribution box (ADB), Dometic return air grill, and Dometic single zone LCD thermostat, or Dometic Comfort Control Center II thermostat-all that is sold separately. The ADB or Thermostat is required.

Brisk II is available with a white or black shroud.

Pros

  • Comes in white or black
  • 15000 BTU per hour
  • High-performance motor and fan
  • 2-year warranty

Cons

  • Thermostat sold separately

Where to buy

With over 400 reviews on Amazon, the Cometic Black II Polar Air Conditioner is a fan favorite with 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.

5. Coleman Mach HP2 RV Air Conditioner

This air conditioner cools exceedingly well with 14,800 BTU cooling capacity. A special reversing valve enables the cooling system to be converted to a heating system. The upper unit and ceiling assembly are sold separately though both are required.

Pros

  • 14,800 BTU
  • Converts to heating system
  • High-performance

Cons

  • Ceiling assembly sold separately

Where to buy

The Coleman Mach HP2 can be found on Amazon where it has a 4.1 out of 5.0-star review.

6. Mach 8 15k RV Air Conditioner with Heat Pump 

This air conditioner has the lowest profile in the industry standing at 8 inches. The low-profile means less drag and improved fuel efficiency. The air conditioner has two motors to deliver high BTUs of cooling at both high and low speeds. It has the highest airflow delivery on high-speed and is ultra-quiet on low-speed for night cooling. The exclusive molded one-piece fiberglass base pan provides durability with reduced weight. Fits in 14″ by 14″ vent opening. 

Pros

  • 15,000 BTUs
  • Low-profile design
  • High airflow delivery
  • Fits 14″ x 14″ opening

Cons

  • Expensive

Where to buy

The Mach 8 15k is available on Amazon.

7. Coleman Mach III Power Saver RV Air Conditioner

This air conditioner has 2 percent more cooling than a standard air conditioner with 13.5k BTU. It has been thoroughly equipped with power saving features, as it consumes only small amounts of power and even works in the desert and desert-like conditions. This air conditioner weighs nine pounds and has a nominal capacity of 13,500 BTU cooling capacity. The fans have 2-speed settings and the package comes with gaskets. This unit has been pre-wired with a nine pin male connector so you need not do much to install.

Pros

  • Power-saver 
  • 13,500 BTU
  • Lightweight 
  • 2 fan speeds

Cons

  • May not cool larger spaces well

Where to buy

The Coleman Mach III is available on Amazon where it has received 4.3 out of 5.0 stars from purchasers.  

8. Coleman Mach 8 Cub Low Profile RV Air Conditioner

This air conditioner has 9,200 BTU at nominal capacity and a thickness of only 8 inches. It also bears a low-profile design and is a quality air conditioner. This is an upper unit only and is a great design for having a super compact air conditioner. It is super slim and great for smaller RVs.

Pros

  • Slim design 8-inch profile
  • 9,200 BTU
  • Compact 

Cons

  • Design is too small for larger RVs

Where to buy

The Coleman Mach 8 is sold on Amazon and has 4.2 out of 5.0 stars. 

9. Penguin Dometic Low Profile RV Air Conditioner

This air conditioner is a low-profile design that will save you fuel as it reduces drag on the RV. It has a nominal capacity of 11,000 BTU and is available in 15,000 BTU. It has a voltage of 120V and an amperage of 14A. The smooth exterior is better for wind resistance. The 15,000 BTU unit has a heat pump included. 

Pros

  • Low-profile design
  • 15,000 BTU option with heat strip
  • Available in white or black

Cons

  • Distribution box sold separately
  • Noisy unity

Where to buy

The Penguin Dometic RV Air Conditioner is available for purchase on Amazon

Time to Cool Down

Each air conditioner on our list is high-quality and perfect for different travel needs. We hope this article has provided all the information you need to find the best RV air conditioner for you! 

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