An RV is all about seeing the country in comfort. This necessitates the use of a good air conditioner to keep the interior cool and comfortable on warm, warm, and downright hot days. Rooftop units are popular among RVers because they don’t take up valuable interior space, but placing them so high up has certain challenges. They are difficult to install and, in most cases, require external power.
Rooftop units can be plugged into a conventional electrical socket while parked or run off a generator while driving to augment your dashboard A/C, although doing so requires obtaining a dependable RV generator.
The most important factor to consider is a unit’s cooling capacity, which is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour; 13,500 to 15,000 should be sufficient for most RVs, depending on the conditions. If your RV has a ducted ventilation system, purchase an A/C unit that is designed for that purpose. If you want the unit to do double duty, such as providing heat in colder weather, look for one that has a built-in heating unit or is designed to accommodate an optional one.
We included a variety of models for this list of the finest RV air conditioners to meet a variety of needs.
The Top 5 RV Air Conditioners in 2023
- Coleman Mach 15+: Best Overall
- Dometic Brisk II (13.5K BTU): Best AC Value for a Smaller RV
- Dometic Brisk II (15K BTU): Best AC Value for a Larger RV
- Coleman Mach 3+: Best AC/Heater on a Budget
- RecPro RP-AC2801: Best Low-Profile Model
Coleman Mach 15+: Best Overall
The Coleman Mach 15 Air Conditioner has the maximum cooling output available and is the most potent RV air conditioner in the world. With such a strong airflow, ducted systems are a sure thing. The Mach 15’s fan motor, which is the largest ever installed in an RV air conditioner and produces an amazing 320 CFM of cool air, is 1/3 horsepower. Additionally, the Coleman-Mach Mach 15 RV air conditioner has the same sleek design that improves airflow and cooling effectiveness across all models. Long life and dependability are guaranteed by gas-flux brazed joints and all copper tubing. The system’s capacity for heat dissipation is improved by the use of large evaporator and condenser coils with elevated lance fins.
- BTU Level: 15,000 BTUs
- Voltage Rating: 115V AC
- Ampere Rating: 14.8 Amp
- Evaporator Flow Rate: 320 CFM
- Weight: 85 lbs.
- 1/3 horsepower motor is the largest used in an RV air conditioner
- Delivers cool air at an incredible 320 CFM
- Streamlined shape enhances airflow and cooling efficiency
- Large evaporator and condenser coils with raised lance fins
- 14″ x 14″ vent opening
Dometic Brisk II (13.5K BTU)
The Dometic Duo Therm Brisk II Air line, from the company that pioneered the RV refrigerator, is strong enough to chill even the largest coaches. Its dependability, low cost, efficient performance, and long life make it the preferred choice of over a million RVers today. The low amp power demand of the Duo Therm Brisk II Air versions means you can run other appliances while still having power to spare. Quiet 3-speed blowers provide the desired volume of air. That’s an adequate quantity of cooling with no noise. The curved shroud decreases draft and helps the unit run at maximum efficiency.
- Fits Standard 14 x 14 Roof Opening On All Campers Since 1960
- Nominal Capacity, BTU/hr: 13,500
- Blower speeds: 3
- SCFM, high speed max/min: 300/350
Dometic Brisk II (15K BTU)
The Dometic Duo Therm Brisk 2 Air line, from the company that pioneered the RV refrigerator, is strong enough to chill even the largest coaches. Its dependability, low cost, efficient performance, and long life make it the preferred choice of over a million RVers today.
The low amp power demand of the Duo Therm Brisk 2 Air versions means you can run other appliances while still having power to spare. Quiet 3-speed blowers provide the desired volume of air. That’s an adequate quantity of cooling with no noise.
The curved shroud decreases draft and helps the unit run at maximum efficiency.
Technical Data:
- Type Roof
- Capacity range of this series (BTUs) 15,000
- Power (V/Hz) 115 / 60 / 1 Ph
- Fits Standard 14 x 14 Roof Opening On All Campers Since 1960
- Net weight. (lbs) 74
- Height 12.7 Inches
- Fan speed (kW) 3.5Power
Features:
- Nominal Capacity, BTU/hr: 15000
- Compressor-rated load amps: 13.2
- Fan motor-rated load amps: 2.7
- Blower speeds: 3
- SCFM, high speed max/min: 300/350
- Installed Weight, pounds**: 74
- Minimum Generator Size:
- 1 Dometic Air Conditioner 3.5k Watts
- 2 Dometic Air Conditioners 5.0k Watts
Coleman Mach 3+
America’s best-seller on the road!
The Coleman®-Mach® 3 PLUSTM is one of the most affordable RV air conditioners on the market. It boasts a big evaporator and condenser coils with elevated lance fins to help dissipate heat, a robust 13,500 nominal BTU cooling capacity, and 320 CFM airflow.
You can rely on the Mach 3 PLUSTM for dependability. All-copper tubing and gas-flux brazed joints assure your RV air conditioner’s durability and longevity. When you add the optional Heater Assembly, you’ll have 5,600 BTUs of heat for cool-weather adventures.
Model | Profile | BTU/h | Amps: Cool | Amps: Heat* | Amps: Desert | Weight (lbs)** |
Mach 3 Plus | Medium | 13,500 | 12.8 | 16.0 | 15.4 | 79.5 |
**Heater Assembly Optional**The installed weight will vary depending on the ceiling installation and package options selected.
RecPro RP-AC2801
There are various varieties of RV air conditioners available, and if none of them fit your rig, portable plug-in units can do the job in a hurry with far less installation effort. Each is intended to keep the interior cool while you’re on the road or camping, so we took certain crucial factors into account in our evaluations.
Built-in and rooftop units have the biggest capacity and are the quietest to operate, but they are not generally designed for multi-zone thermostats in the largest RVs. Similarly, compact portable units are simple to install but may not cool as well or as quietly. Because none of these systems are cheap, warranty and manufacturing reputation are also crucial considerations.
We rank these RV air conditioning units based on their pricing, features, cooling capability, size and ease of installation, noise levels, interactions with corporate customer care, and warranty. We rate each unit based on the following weighted metrics through research and evaluation:
- Price (40%)
- Cooling capacity and energy use (20%)
- Size and ease of installation (15%)
- Manufacturer Reputation (10%)
- Warranty and customer service (10%)
- Noise levels (5%)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How big of an air conditioner do I need for my RV?
You don’t want to acquire a unit that is too small for your needs, but you also don’t want to pay too much for more capacity than you want. (A/C that is too powerful chills the air without eliminating moisture.) In most cases, a unit with 13,500 BTUs will suffice for most RVs in moderate weather. If you have a larger RV and plan to travel in very hot or humid places, search for a unit with a higher cooling capacity, such as 15,000 BTUs per hour or higher.
How do I turn on the A/C unit?
All of the devices we looked at could be connected to a conventional electrical socket, making them perfect for overnight camping. If you wish to use the unit while traveling or in an “off-grid” area, you can use an onboard generator; seek for one that produces around 3,000 watts.
Can I install the air conditioner myself?
All of the types we looked into are designed to fit into a normal 14″ x 14″ opening, and they either come with installation gear or can be purchased separately. Because the weight of the models evaluated here ranges from 70 to 110 pounds, putting the A/C unit up onto the RV’s roof is a chore. You might just use a rope and a ladder as demonstrated in this video, or you could devise a winch system that allows you to do it alone; one option is seen in this video.
Can I use an air conditioner to heat my RV?
RV air conditioners are solely intended to chill the air on their own. However, some higher-priced versions either have or accept an optional heat pump to warm the cabin during colder weather. Remember that installing a heating unit adds weight, which might make installation more difficult and reduce your RV’s fuel economy. You can add an electrical heat strip to many air conditioners, which is a less expensive but less efficient method.