In the summer, Vs can become extremely hot. An RV is essentially a metal cage with no inside. The metal box will quickly become warm when left in the sun, much as metal containers left on docks.
RV air conditioners are a necessary piece of gear for all RVs. They may be lightweight, have good reliability, and have a significant cooling impact. It goes without saying that they can also be heavy, less dependable, and too feeble to adequately cool an RV during a summer heat wave.
Here’s the thing: You really need to be careful to weed out the “bad” RV AC systems when you’re buying an air conditioner for an RV. For this reason, LearnMetrics has put together a list of the top air conditioners for campers and RVs where we have done just that (you can check the list below).
You must pay close attention to three key elements while selecting the best RV AC units, namely:
- Effective cooling, as measured in BTU/hr. Even during heatwaves, the air conditioner must be powerful enough to effectively cool down the entire RV. This implies that they need a cooling output of at least 12,000 BTU/hr.
- Reliability. The best RV air conditioner brands are the conventional, tried-and-true ones. The top RV AC unit brands with a solid track record for dependability are Dometic and Coleman.
- Weight. Air conditioners for RVs can weigh up to 150 lbs. If you use your RV frequently, you may easily travel 1000 miles annually. Air conditioners that are less than 100 lbs in weight will help to cut down on gas usage.
Before we examine the top 5 RV air conditioners for 2023, let’s delve a little more into these three crucial considerations:
How Big of an AC System Do I Need for My RV?
Nobody wants to spend their money on an RV air conditioner that can’t sufficiently lower the temperature. The high temperatures of summer are what make it the ideal time for RV use. If you’re not drenched in perspiration in an RV with a subpar cooling system.
RVs must have a powerful air conditioner, but not one that is overly powerful. Every RV AC unit’s cooling capacity is specified in BTUs per hour; if you look at the specification sheet, that is typically the top spec.
What should the recommended BTU capacity of an RV air conditioner be? You should follow this general guideline when it comes to the size of an AC unit for the vast majority of RVs:
- 10,000 BTUs. too ineffective to effectively cool off an RV in the summertime.
- 15,000 BTUs. Perfect, even during heat waves.
- 20,000 BTUs. Overkill; excessively high electricity and unit prices.
In summary, 15,000 BTUs are more than adequate for RVs of almost all sizes.
Which RV Air Conditioner Brands Are The Best in Terms of Reliability?
Installing a rooftop RV air conditioner that requires constant maintenance is the worst option. Those ones typically fail during the summer heats, when you most need them.
To prevent problems in the future, you should purchase a high-quality and dependable air conditioner when purchasing one for an RV. How can I tell which RV air conditioners are trustworthy?
The best sign of dependability is the brand. The track record required to assert “Yes, this AC unit will last for 4+ years” is lacking for newer brands.
A track record can be found with well-known brands that have been around for more than 20 years. The most popular and effective RV air conditioner manufacturers are Dometic and Coleman. Simply because they are the most dependable, Dometic or Coleman AC units are found in the majority of RVs.
How durable are RV air conditioners?
Depending on use and, obviously, the quality of the product, between three and five years. Coleman and Dometic appliances are renowned for having 5-year lifespans. RV AC units from lesser-known brands will typically last three years or fewer.
AC Units: Lightweight vs. Heavyweight
Most RV excursions last a long time. You can travel more than a thousand miles by car before reaching your goal. The cost of the fuel will increase for every pound you bring.
If you have the choice, spend your money on a portable RV air conditioner. A rooftop air conditioner’s weight can be decreased by about 100 lbs.
A general guideline for RV weight is as follows:
- Lightweight: Below 100 lbs.
- Heavyweight: Above 100 lbs.
Installation is made simpler, which is another benefit of lightweight air conditioners. A unit weighing over 100 pounds is more difficult to lift onto the roof of an RV or camper than one weighing under 100 pounds.
Secondary Considerations for RV Air Conditioner Purchase
Along with BTUs, dependability, and weight, you should consider:
- requirements for electricity. All RVs support the industry standard of 115 V/60 Hz.
- heating is optional. Coleman Mach 15 RV air conditioners, for example, provide a heating feature in addition to the cooling one. As an illustration, Mach 15 may produce 5,600 BTU of heating output per hour. This is especially useful while traveling in an RV in the winter or on chilly summer nights.
Let’s examine the top RV air conditioners available now keeping everything in mind. Additionally, a brief overview of each RV AC unit is provided below:
Comparison of the Top RV Air Conditioners for 2023
1. Review of the Dometic Brisk II, the top RV air conditioner for 2023.

- High-performance design delivers 15 % air flow increase over previous models
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EPP foam housing reduces weight and increases cooling performance
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Easy installation and maintenance
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Requires inside ceiling assembly and control kit or ADB
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Custom-composite laminated shroud is UV-protected for lasting beauty
The standard RV air conditioner is the Dometic Brisk II. Almost everything about it is perfect:
optimum cooling output of 15,000 BTU/h. suitable and sufficient for all RV sizes.
Reliable. It is produced by Dometic, who has a successful 20-year track record of dependability and is arguably the top RV air conditioner manufacturer.
It is portable. The Dometic Brisk II weights 85 lbs, which is less than 100 lbs.
One of the most well-known Swedish businesses is Dometic. What Dometic is to furniture at an inexpensive price, is to RV air conditioners. Their flagship model at the top of the line is the Brisk II (model B59516.XX1C0).
Its simplistic style is distinctly Scandinavian and it comes in both Polar White and Black.
The Dometic Brisk II is well-engineered; the higher maximum airflow and overall top performance are evidence of this. The 15,000 BTU RV air conditioner’s noise and vibration levels are reduced by the dampening brackets, which are also part of the Brisk II.
Its dimensions are 29.18?? x 27.23?? x 12.7??, so it will fit on the roof of any RV or camper. Additionally, you need the 115 V/60 Hz electrical criteria that all RVs can meet.
The Dometic Brisk II RV air conditioner is the most widely used and best RV air conditioner model, and it is reasonably priced:
Pros
- Just the right 15,000 BTU/hr cooling effect?not too much, nor too little.
- Lightweight, only 85 lbs., and uses less gasoline.
- Scandinavian minimalist style with two color options
- includes dampening brackets to reduce noise and vibration.
- produced by Dometic, one of the most dependable manufacturers of Swedish RV AC units
- It is a best-seller and incredibly well-liked due to its affordable price.
Cons
- lacks a heat pump, hence it cannot provide additional heating functionality.
2. Coleman Mach 15 Review: Best Heat Pump RV Air Conditioner

Cooling Output: | 15,000 BTU/hr |
Electrical Requirements: | 115 V / 60 Hz |
Weight: | 90 lbs |
Dimensions: | 42″ x 28″ x 16″ |
Coleman is one of the two top brands of RV air conditioners, along with Dometic. If you’re looking for an AC unit for an RV, their Mach 15 model is typically regarded as one of the safest investments.
The Coleman Mach 15 (model 08-0080) offers the best 15,000 BTU of cooling effect, just like the Dometic Brisk II. You are aware that 15,000 BTUs is the ideal number and that 10,000 BTUs would be too little.
The fan motor is powered by a 1/3 HP motor that is connected to a 115 V/60 Hz grid using a single phase of current. You need not worry about electrical incompatibilities because every RV has that.
The Coleman Mach 15 is particularly well-liked because it includes a feature that many RV air conditioners do not: the heating function. In essence, Mach 15 is a heat pump. You can use the 15,000 BTUs of cooling power to lower the temperature inside the RV.
However, you can activate a heating function that produces up to 5,600 BTUs of heating effect if you are camping somewhere where it gets a little chilly at night. The Coleman Mach 15 is the best heat pump for an RV because it can function as both a heater and an air conditioner.
Overall, the Coleman Mach 15 RV air conditioner is the ideal model for all seasons. The use of the air conditioner during the summer and the use of the heater during chilly nights or even during the dead of winter
Pros
- best heat pump and ac
- can generate both a heating effect of 5,600 BTU and a cooling effect of 15,000 BTU (dual function)
- sufficient light weight (90 lbs)
- can generate a very high airflow of 320 CFM.
- Coleman is a reliable brand with a good reputation.
Cons
- Due to the dual (cooling + heating) effect, prices are higher
3. Airxcel Mach 3 Plus Review: The Best Small RV Air Conditioner

Cooling Output: | 15,000 BTU/hr |
Electrical Requirements: | 115 V / 60 Hz |
Weight: | 85 lbs |
Dimensions: | 29.18″ x 27.23″ x 12.7″ |
The two best brands of RV air conditioners are Dometic and Coleman. Coleman owns the Airxcel brand, and Coleman is an expert in RV air conditioning engineering. In summary, one of the more reliable names is Airxcel, which is supported by Coleman.
The Airxcel Mach 3 Plus (model 08-0079) is their top product. Similar in design to the Coleman Mach 15, with one significant exception—it’s a little less potent.
The best air conditioner for small RVs has a cooling capacity of 13,500 BTU. For smaller RV units, a 15,000+ BTU air conditioner would unquestionably be excessive. 13.1 cooling amps, 115 VAC, 1-phase current power the 13,500 BTU.
You can switch to the heating effect on chilly nights. 5,600 BTU/hr can be produced by the Airxcel Mach 3 Plus heater. It functions more like a heat pump than a cooling-only air conditioner.
The Airxcel Mach 3 Plus weighs 85 lbs less and has a little less power than the Coleman Mach 15, but it also costs a little less. All in all, it’s a dependable little heating option RV air conditioner:
Pros
- It has the best RV air conditioner for small RVs with 13,500 BTUs.
- has a heating option with a heating output of 5,600 BTU/hr (useful on chilly nights).
- reputable Airxcel brand, supported by engineers at Coleman
- affordable price
Cons
- Unsuitable for large RVs or campers
4. Furrion CHILL (Most Powerful RV Air Conditioner) Review
Cooling Output: | 15,500 BTU/hr |
Electrical Requirements: | 115 V / 60 Hz |
Weight: | 106 lbs |
Dimensions: | 36″ x 30″ x 26″ |
Furrion CHILL is a simple RV air conditioner with manual control. Because it offers more cooling power, the larger 15,500 BTU type is better suited for larger RVs.
The dual-fan system of a large RV air conditioner like the Furrion CHILL is a plus. With two fans, the Furrion CHILL can disperse air more evenly around the RV or camper than most AC systems. Dual-fan units typically have superior energy efficiency, up to 25% higher than single fan units.
A larger unit also indicates you’re transporting greater weight. The 106 pound weight of the Furrion CHILL is a disadvantage. Unfortunately, this is unavoidable.
Furrion CHILL is made up of two units:
Rooftop air conditioner (FACR15SA-PS model).
RV air distribution box (FACT11MA-PS model).
The Furrion CHILL is also compatible with both ducted and ductless systems.
Overall, the Furrion CHILL is neither a Dometic or Coleman unit, but it has two fans, good energy efficiency, and a higher 15,500 BTU output:
Pros
Very strong, with a cooling output of 15,500 BTUs (suitable for bigger RVs).
2 RV fans rather than 1; improved energy efficiency and distribution throughout the RV
Simple bolt-on installation
Cons
106 pounds (it is not a lightweight unit)
There is no respectable Dometic or Coleman brand.
5. Advent ACM150 (Cheapest RV AC Unit) Review

Cooling Output: | 15,000 BTU/hr |
Electrical Requirements: | 115 V / 60 Hz |
Weight: | 68 lbs |
Dimensions: | 33.46″ x 25.6″ x 15″ |
Top RV air conditioners can easily cost $1,000 or more. While Coleman and Dometic units cost around $900, Advent, a lesser-known company, provides a less-expensive RV variant for less than $700.
The Advent ACM150 is a cost-effective 15,000 BTU air conditioner for RVs. It contains six hefty foam support cushions that dampen the vibrations of the rooftop’s aluminum base pan.
Apart from the inexpensive price, the Advent ACM150’s light weight is its best feature. The entire unit weighs approximately 68 lbs, making it the lightest 15,000 BTU device available.
However, the Advent brand is not the same as Dometic. Its dependability may be called into doubt.
Overall, the lesser-known brand may provide a challenge for some RV owners. The device’s price and weight, on the other hand, are rather impressive:
Pros
Lightweight (68 pounds)
A very low price point for an RV air conditioner is available.
Has foam support to reduce vibration.
Cons
Reliability may be called into doubt.
This is not a Coleman or Dometic unit.
You can leave your queries about RV air conditioners in the comments section below.
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