Tent Air Conditioner - The Camping Air Conditioner

Why do tents get so hot? (And how to cool them!)

If you are reading this post, it is probably because you have melted under a tent during a hot day. We get it, and that is why we created thecampingairconditioner.com – to help campers find the most comfortable way to sleep in a tent.

But why do tents get so hot? Overall, it is a consequence of trapping warm air inside it. And how does it happen? Because of numerous reasons, such as:

Excessive sun exposure (Pitching your tent in the wrong spot and at the improper time)
Lack of air circulation / ventilation
Incorrect insulation
Incorrect use of rainfly
Tent’s size and material

Let’s have a look at easy measures and tips that can help you alleviate the hotness inside your tent.

How to cool your tent down?

Tip 1 - How to avoid excessive sun exposure?

Before pitching your tent at your campsite, carefully assess what areas will better suit your camping need. Preferably, set it up close to hills, trees and rivers, which you provide you with a fresh breeze.

Leaving your tent exposed to the sunlight for the whole day will significantly increase the amount of warm air inside it and, consequently, its temperature.

Look for shady areas with plenty of green and ventilation. They both will help to prevent scorching conditions.

Tip 2 - How increase air circulation?

Choose open areas with abundant air circulation and constant airflow. During the day, leave your tent door and windows open to facilitate air circulation, and, if possible, pick tents with screen room.

Coleman WeatherMaster 6-Person Tent with Screen Room is an excellent option for medium-sized tents.

Further, if possible, choose canvas tents since they tend to have better breathability than nylon and polyester options.

Best tents for hot weather – 8 options to keep you cool!

March 8, 2022 No Comments

Tip 3 - How properly insulate my tent for summer days?

An insulation layer is supposed to create a physical barrier to avoid exchanging hot air and cool air.

Therefore, if you are insulating your tent with tarps or thermal blanks, ensure that you do it before the hot air gets inside. Otherwise, you will be creating an even hotter environment and trapping the scorching air within your shelter.

Preferably, insulate your tent at the end of the afternoon or very early in the morning, when the air inside your tent tends to be cooler.

Tip 4 - No rain, no rainfly

The use of rainfly might help to trap hot air inside your tent. Therefore, if there is no rain forecast, it is better to avoid using it.

Tip 5 - Pick the right tent size and fabric

The human being expels heat as part of its organism’s functions. A large group of campers inside a small tent might significantly increase its temperature and create an uncomfortable environment.

We always recommend having at least 25% spare capacity – for example, if you have 6 campers, bring gear for 8 people. The more space, the better it will be for air circulation.
The tent’s fabric will also directly influence the climate inside your tent.

Overall, canvas tents offer better insulation and breathability, ideal for summer camping (there is a catch, though – canvas tents are usually bulkier and heavier).

Also, give preference for tents with lighter colors given that they retain less heat.

Camping gear to help you cool down your tent

There are several devices to help mitigate scorching temperatures inside your tent, such as:

Use a battery-powered tent air conditioner
Use a portable air conditioner
For large tents, you might consider a window AC unit
Use an evaporative cooler
Use a solar-powered tent fan.
Create your DIY air conditioner
If you are camping in an RV, you can use a mini split AC.

FAQ

Can I air condition my tent?

Yes, you can. There are several ways you can do it and we wrote a detailed article around it – check below.

How to air condition a tent? (It is easier than you think!)

March 11, 2022 No Comments

What size should my tent air conditioner be?

Overall, we recommend the following:

Tents with adequate insulation will need at least 4 BTU per cubic feet.
Tents without proper insulation will require at least 5 BTU per cubic feet (25% extra power required)
If your tent is exposed to the sunlight and has no insulation, we recommend at least 6 BTU per cubic feet (50% extra power required)

Read this article for more information.

How to insulate my tent for an AC unit?

This article details 6 excellent tips for you (click here for more details):

Buy a tent tarp
Suppress any minor leakage with tapes and pool noodles
Insulate your tent floor
Use thermal blankets to cover your shelter
Choose a suitable tent fabric
Consider a tent with AC Ports

How to cool my tent without eletricity?

These steps will help you to mitigate warm temperatures inside your tent:

Choose the adequate tent fabric
Choose the best location to pitch your tent
Set your tent up at the right time
Use battery and solar-powered devices
Use a reflective blanket
Cool your body down
Watch for tent ventilation
Forget about your sleeping bag
Build a DIY Air Conditioner

Conclusion

Planning will help you to mitigate excessive temperatures inside your tent. Overall, they will get extremely hot as a consequence of excessive sunlight exposure and lack of proper ventilation.

Ensure that you put in place simple measures, such as pitching your gear late in the afternoon and disassembling it during the day if possible. Look for shady areas with plenty of air circulation and close to water mains.

If it is still hot even with these measures, it is time to consider a tent air conditioner alternative.

Can you install a mini split AC in an RV? (How to do it!)

Camping Tips, Tent Air Conditioner

If you are an RV camper, you probably also face some challenges during summer camping – it might be the that the existing ac unit in your vehicle does not provide you with the required cooling capacity, and your car might get too hot with warm air trapped inside it.

How to solve it? Easy – install a mini split AC unit on it. But can you do it? Yes, you can install a ductless mini split AC unit and keep the interior of your vehicle cool!

By the way, The Camping Air Conditioner is sponsored by readers. When you buy through one of our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

With units starting from 9,000 BTUs, multiple options are available in the market. Let’s further understand the points you should consider when buying and installing a cooling unit in your vehicle.

What is a mini split AC?

Mini-split ACs are ductless cooling systems that have been used in numerous air refrigerating approaches for houses, buildings, and other structures, such as tiny houses (most of them include heating mechanisms as well).

They comprise two separate parts: an indoor unit that blows the cold air inside the chosen environment and an outdoor unit that is responsible for the air conditioning process.

The ductless system comes with several advantages, such as:

Ease of installation
Less energy consumption
Compact size
More efficient than rooftop units
Most of them already come with inverts

On the other hand, they also present some drawbacks:

It is not advantageous for large scale cooling requirements (A central air conditioning system will be more effective for larger areas)
The indoor unit is apparent and might impact the aesthetics of your RV
If you are not experienced, you might need the help of a professional to install it (a custom installation might be required).
They might require more frequent maintenance

Is it worth installing a mini-split AC in my RV?

In a short answer, yes, it is. These devices are compact and ideal for RV campers.

You can quickly adapt a wall mounting (see on the right) bracket for a mini-split ac to your vehicle and position the outdoor unit with it.

As for the internal piece, you can use the same procedures that you would use to fix it in a wall (check the installation instruction and requirements to confirm that your RV laterals will support the device’s weight).

Further, as previously discussed, most of the units already also come with heating functions, ideal for winter camping.

We summarised the main advantages and disadvantages of installing a mini-split AC in your RV below.

Pros

More efficient than a Rooftop device
Lower power consumption
Heating/Cooling features
Lower noise levels
Relatively easy to install

Cons

Might need professional help for installation
Can be pricey
Internal space might be an issue
Will increase weight in your RV (higher fuel consumption)
Might require more maintenance

Which mini-split AC size should I pick for my RV?

It depends on the size of your RV – Overall, We suggest something from 30Btu to 40Btu per square foot as a rule of thumb.

With RVs ranging from 250 to 400 square feet, which consequently would require units from 7,500 to 16,000 Btu. As guidance, we recommend the following:

Size	Area	BTU (recommended)
Small RVs	250 to 300 sq ft	9,000 BTU
Medium RVs	300 to 400 sq ft	12,000 BTU
Large RVs	400 sq ft and above	18,000 BTU

In general, RV’s insulation is not the greatest, most of them being built with aluminium, steel, and wood. Steel and aluminium tend to retain heat, increasing the temperature of your cabin.

Therefore, we suggest always being conservative and choosing a unit with a higher cooling capacity.

Our Product Recommendations

We have researched the market to see what products would suit RV better, considering ease of installation (we advise taking professional help), value for money, energy efficiency, noise levels (below 40dB) and size.

After our review, our product recommendations are:

Small RVs – Della 9,000 Btu Mini Split AC
Medium RVs – Della 12,000 Btu Mini Split AC
Large RVs – Cooper & Hunter 18,000 BTU

Small RVs

DELLA 9,000 BTU Mini Split AC

Compact size
Heating/Cooling system
Low noise levels (30-40 dB)
Installation kit included

9.1

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Medium RVs

DELLA 12,000 BTU

Ductless system
Wi-fi integration
Low noise levels (34.5dB)
Installation kit included

8.6

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Large RVs

Cooper & Hunter 18,000 BTU

Ductless Mini Split AC / Heating
Easy installation (kit included)
Low noise levels
Extended warranty

9.2

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What to consider when installing a mini split AC in your RV?

Installation position

If you have a small RV, you might face some challenges to install your device. Overall, we recommend the following:

Position in the highest area of the RV (but leave at least 10 cm clearance to the rooftop)
Similarly, leave some clearance (at least 10cm) to RV walls
Preferably do not install it close to the door or windows because these areas might have less structural strength, and cold air might escape easily with people’s movement.

Power Consumption

The last thing you want is having power supply issues in your camper van in the middle of your trip.

Hence, ensure that you RV is able to support the power (average consumption varies in accordance with your model) and check the voltage requirements (110-230V) of your mini split AC unit.

Noise Levels

Preferably select units with noise leves below 40dB or you might have problems in sleeping.

FAQ

Can I use a portable AC in my RV?

Yes, there are no problems with it. In fact, they might a perfect option if you don’t have enough space to install in your vehicle, don’t want to install a split AC or just want to use the device in other areas.

Our recommend portable AC product is Whynter Elite, which comes with different cooling outputs.

How to install the mini split AC in my RV?

This video below shows a step by step approach to installing a mini-split ac in an RV – it is long but worth watching if you are considering it.

Note: Unless you are a tool and air conditioning savvy, we recommend taking some professional advice to adapt your vehicle.

Conclusion

A mini-split AC might dramatically help you during summer camping. The ductless options come with numerous advantages for RV campers, such as:

Ease of installation
Less energy consumption
Compact size
More efficient than rooftop units
Presence of inverts

Before picking your mini-split AC unit, ensure that you pick the most suitable unit, check power requirements, and space proof your vehicle.

Can you put a window air conditioner in a tent?

Tent Air Conditioner

We all know how hot tents can get when scorching on summer days. If you plan to camp in a large group, you have probably wondered whether you can put a window AC unit in a tent, right?

We have good news – yes, it is possible to install a window AC unit in your tent and make camping days much more enjoyable. However, we advise you to keep reading this post to ensure you install and operate your equipment correctly.

By the way, The Camping Air Conditioner is sponsored by readers. When you buy through one of our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Tips to choose and install the best window AC unit for your tent

We detailed several tips to help you choose and install a window AC unit in your tent. Check them below:

Choose the adequate size for your window AC unit
Insulate your tent
Implement safety measures
Consider a tent with an AC port

Tip 1 - Choose the adequate AC size (BTU)

There is no doubt – different campers will have different needs. If you are camping in small or medium-sized tents, other alternatives might better suit you, such as a mini camping ac or a battery-powered tent air conditioner.

A window AC unit will work better for large to family-sized tents or big groups of campers within a medium-sized tent.

We undertook some studies (click here if you want to read it) and created a rule of thumb for air conditioning requirements for your tent. Roughly, you will need:

Tents with adequate insulation will need at least 4 BTU per cubic feet.
Tents without proper insulation will require at least 5 BTU per cubic feet
If your tent is exposed to the sunlight and has no insulation, we recommend at least 6 BTU per cubic feet

Overall, large-to-family sized tents range from 700 to 1500 cubic feet, implying cooling requirements from approximately 3,000 Btu up to 10,000 Btu depending on insulation conditions, the number of campers, exposure to the sunlight.

The table below summarizes our findings in our preliminary studies.

Size	Volume (cubic feet)	Insulated Tent	No insulation (1.25X)	No insulation and sun exposure (1.5X)
Small Tents	200	800 BTU	1000 BTU	1200 BTU
Medium Tents	350	1400 BTU	1750 BTU	2100 BTU
Large Tents	700	2800 BTU	3500 BTU	4200 BTU
Family Tents	1250	5000 BTU	6250 BTU	7500 BTU

Don’t forget to also take into consideration the weight and dimensions of the equipment to make sure it fits your tent and is easy to transport.

Tip 2 - Insulate your tent

After finding the most suitable unit for your tent, it is time to think about insulation. The insulation will help you save energy (by choosing a smaller device) and improve AC cooling performance.

The main reason to insulate your tent is to create a physical barrier to avoid cold air escaping from inside your tent and hot air getting into it.

How do you do it? You can it with the following gear/material:

Use a tent tarp (heavy-duty versions)
Use Duct tapes and/or Pool noodles to extinguish any cold air leakage
Insulate your tent floor
Cover your tent with thermal blankets

We have detailed a long article with quick and easy tips to guide you on how to do it – click here to read it.

Tip 3 - Implement safety measures

Even though window AC units are very safe these days, you should pay attention to some safety requirements and measures to avoid potential risks, such as:

Use an adjustable platform to avoid direct contact with the ground/soil. If you don’t want to spend money with a pre-fabricated solution, you can put the AC device above wood pieces.
Make sure that all electrical cables are properly connected and insulated. If possible, bury them in the ground to avoid potential tip-over incidents or use cable covers.
Ensure that the equipment has a drainage tube and is slightly inclined towards the outside area to avoid water inflow (you don’t want water flowing into your tent!).

Adjustable platform

Cable covers

Tip 4 - Consider a tent with an AC port

Some tents already come with AC ports to facilitate equipment installation and operation these days. We reviewed the best tents with ac ports in the market in our opinion in this post. In summary, we recommend the following:

Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet 12-Person Instant Tent – Best Large Family Camping Option (12 people – see below)
Bushnell Shield Series cabin – Best Medium-sized tent (6 people)
The Wenzel Klondike 8-Person – Best option with screen room (8 people)
Coleman Elite Weather Master – Best Heavy-Duty option
White Duck Avalon – Luxurious option (see below)

Ozark Trail 12-Person 3 Room

AC port
Capacity - 12 campers
Sets up in under 2 minutes
Good Value for money

Check Price

WHITEDUCK Avalon Canvas Bell Tent

Luxury design and ample internal room
Excellent breathability
Top-notch insulation
Canvas made

Check Price

Best window AC units for a tent

After reviewing the options available in the market, we selected three models to consider when buying your window AC unit for your tent. To arrive at these options, we took into account:

Price / Value for money
Cooling Capacity
Portability and ease of installation

Our preferred models are:

LG 6,000 BTU Window AC– Best value for money (ideal for mid-to-large tents)
MIDEA 5,000 BTU EasyCool –Budget-Friendly alternative (ideal for mid-to-large tents)
Midea U Inverter Window AC (8,000 to 12,000 Btu)– Best option for Family-sized tents

Best Value For Money

LG 6,000 BTU 115V

9.3

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Budget Friendly

Midea 5,000 BTU

8.8

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Best for family tents

Midea 12,000 BTU

Check Price

What are the alternatives to cool my tent?

Well, you might also get a refreshing breeze inside your tent with alternatives to a window AC unit, such as:

For small tents – Best Mini AC/Evaporative Cooler (USB compatible)- Evapolar Evachill
For medium sized tents – Eenour QN650 Portable AC – 2350 BTU
Portable AC for family-sized tents – BLACK+DECKER 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

Ideal for small tents

Evapolar evaCHILL

9.3

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Ideal for Medium Sized Tents

EENOUR QN750

9.4

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Ideal for family tents

BLACK+DECKER 8,000 BTU

8.9

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Features	1) Evapolar Evachill	2) Eenour QN 750	3) BLACK+DECKER 8,000 BTU Portable AC
Weight	0.910kg	12.9kg	23kg
Dimensions	6.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches	29.5 x 14.9 x 13.6 inches	17.32 x 13.2 x 27.2 inches
BTU	N/A – Evaporative Cooler	2900 Btu	8000 Btu
Wattage	7W	250 W	860W
Battery Compatible?	Yes – 5V	Yes – 240V	No
Battery Operated?	No	Yes (compatible)	No
USB compatible?	Yes	No	No
Noise Levels	Max 50 dB	Max 58dB (lower 45dB)	52dB
Tent size?	Small	Medium	Family-sized tents
Investment	$	$$$	$$

Alternatively, if you are into the DIY approach, there is an easy and cheap version for your – it costs less than $100 and works good (as long as you have ice available) – check a detailed step by step guide in this post:

DIY Tent Air Conditioner – Make it with 5 easy steps! (thecampingairconditioner.com)

Not happy with all the options shown above? Well, learn how to cool your tent without electricity in this other detailed article from us:

How to Cool a Tent Without Electricity? Check these tips! (thecampingairconditioner.com)

FAQ

Can I DIY my tent AC port for a window AC Unit?

Overall, we DO NOT recommend it unless you are comfort to take the risk of damaging your tent permanently. If you want to try it by yourself, the video below details how to make it

Can I use a portable AC in my tent?

Portable ACs are a good and practical alternative for window AC units. They have evolved technically and provide similar cooling outputs to window-mounted options.

Is it safe to use a window AC in my tent?

Yes, there are no problems with it. Follow the installation instructions and implement basic safety measures and you will be fine.

Conclusion

Using a window AC unit in your tent is a wise and safe alternative for camping summer days. Make sure that you choose the adequate model size and implement insulation and safety measures to make the most of it.

We hope this article has helped you find the best tent air conditioning option for you!

Happy summer camping.

Portable Air Conditioner for Camping – Get your tent cooler!

Tent Air Conditioner

Portable air conditioners are a convenient alternative for campers – they provide you with versatility and good cooling capacity. These devices have significantly improved over the last years and can offer good value for money compared to window ac units.

However, you need to be careful when choosing them for your camping days. Before choosing your model, verify your tent size, cooling requirements, and which options best serve you.

When considering a portable air conditioner for camping, you should pay attention at least to the following points:

Cooling output
Portability (preferably with rotating wheels)
Ease of use and installation

How to choose your camping air conditioner?

When choosing your tent air conditioning options, you should first assess several aspects: the tent’s size, tent’s shape, tent insulation, exposure to the sun, and many others.

We undertook detailed studies on which air conditioning size (BTU) you should pick for your tent. Overall, we recommend the following:

Small tents – a mini-portable ac or evaporative cooler will work well
Medium to large tents – you can choose between a battery-powered device and portable ACs (best options are detailed below)
Large to Family tents – you should consider portable ACs and window AC units.

This is based on a a rule of thumb that we created based on our studies:

Tents with adequate insulation will need at least 4 BTU per cubic feet.
Tents without proper insulation will require at least 5 BTU per cubic feet (25% extra power required)
If your tent is exposed to the sunlight and has no insulation, we recommend at least 6 BTU per cubic feet (50% extra power required)

Note: These are indicative numbers based on our experience, and exact requirements will vary in accordance with many other factors. These ratios should be used only as guidance.

Portable Air Conditioner For Camping - Review Summary

Taking into consideration these features, we have chosen the following products as our preferred options in the market:

BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner – 8,000 Btu– Best Overall – Our choice
Honeywell 8,000 BTU Compact Portable Air Conditioner– Budget Friendly alternative
Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP 12,000 BTU – Best option for Family-sized tents

BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner – 8,000 Btu – Best Overall – Our choice

BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner – 8,000 Btu

Honeywell 8,000 BTU Compact Portable Air Conditioner– Budget Friendly alternative

Honeywell 8,000 BTU Compact Portable Air Conditioner

Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP 12,000 BTU – Best option for Family-sized tents

Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP 12,000 BTU

Portable AC for camping - Review of the top 4 products

BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner

BLACK+DECKER BPP08HWTB is our preferred option for a portable ac unit for camping. It also has heating mechanisms, apart from its cooling features, making it perfect for both summer and winter camping. .

Its adjustable fan speeds and air swing up and downs modes, it cools the air to 61 degrees Fahrenheit at the coolest setting and heat up to 88 degrees Fahrenheit.

Measuring 13.2 x 17.32 x 27.2 inches (33.5 x 44 x 69cm), the equipment has wheels and handles that facilitate its transportation. Depending on your tent size, you can choose between a 5000 and 1000 Btu option. This model also comes with a remote control that allows for air temperature adjustment for your convenience.

Relax – BLACK+DECKER BPP08HWTB only produces 54dB in the sleeping mode, ensuring a relaxing and cozy night if you are worried about noise levels.

Its washable filter makes maintenance effortless – you can slide it out twice a month, rinse under running water, and place it back

Why this is our preferred option?

This model is super convenient, easy to operate, and carry around. It comes with different BTU outputs which will suit whatever tent size you have.

Further, it has a 4-in-1 functionality (cool, fan, dehumidifying, heater), which makes it the option with best value for money in our opinion.

To finalize, BLACK+DECKER is broadly known for its high quality and durable products and it offers the best value for money option in our opinion.

Some of the customer’s review are detailed below.

Pros

Ideal for mid to large sized tents
Durability
Easy to clean and maintain
Eco-friendly refrigerant

Cons

Size might be inconvenient for middle-sized tents.
You will need to adapt the air exhaust hose to your door (it is very simple, though)

Honeywell 8,000 BTU Compact Portable Air Conditioner - Budget Friendly Option

Honeywell 8,000 BTU Compact Portable Air Conditioner is our budget-friendly alternative for portable AC units for camping.

You can find cheaper options in the market, but all of them come with durability concerns.

The Honeywell 8,000 BTU Compact Portable Air Conditioner comes with wheels that facilitate movement inside the tent and transportation during your camping trips. Conversely to our preferred model, Honeywell portable ac does not come with heating options, and, therefore, you will not use it outside summer days.

Measuring 16.3 x 13.6 x 28 inches, the device weighs approximately 60 pounds (27kg), which is considered bulky in our opinion. Even though the manufacturer says its noise level is limited to 52dB, some customers have reported noise complaints.

The equipment is designed for quick set up and installation, and it is easy to operate with remote control and wi-fi option (wi-fi options come at an extra cost).

It comes with a washable filter, which has easy maintenance. The portable ac is equipped with a dual drainage option that offers you flexibility (drain pan and drain tube).

Pros

Budget-friendly options
Easy to operate and set up
Wi-fi option available
Easy maintenance

Cons

There have been complaints with noise and water leakage
Does not come with heating function
Bulky

Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP 12,000 BTU - Best option for Family-sized tents

Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP 12,000 BTU is another alternative for your portable ac for camping. As with the Black+Decker model, it comes with cooling and heating functionalities increasing its versatility.

The equipment has a patented auto drain function that exhausts water automatically in most cooling and dehumidifying modes – do not expect leakages with this device.

Its 12,000 BTU output will suit family-sized tents (10+ campers) and cool down the camping environment. This portable air conditioner uses non-ozone-depleting refrigerant with an eco-friendly approach.

It comes with remote control, which allows speed, temperature, and dehumidifying level adjustments from a distance. Whilst it provides significant cooling capacity, its dimensions are similar to products with less power – 16 x 17 x 29.5 inches.

Customers have positively reviewed its noise levels, reporting that compressors are extremely quiet and far lower than anticipated.

Pros

Eco-friendly
Ideal for family-sized tents
Low noise levels
Compact
Good sealing and exhausting mechanisms

Cons

More expensive than other alternatives
Oversized for medium tents
Does not come with wheels

FAQ

I have a small tent. Which tent AC model should I pick?

For small tents, we recommend battery powered ac units or evaporative coolers. From our expertise, we recommend the products below:

Small to Mid Tents – Evapolar Evachiil

Medium to Large Tents – IceBreeze V2 Pro

How can insulate my tent for AC?

We prepared detailed tips on how to insulate your tent for an AC, which includes:

Covering your tent with a tarp
Using duct tape and/or pool noodles to remove potential air leakages
Insulating the floor of your tent
Covering your tent with thermal protection
Picking the right tent fabric
Use a tent which already comes with AC ports

These tips are further detailed in the article below.

How to insulate a tent for AC? Check these tips!

March 2, 2022 No Comments

How to cool down my tent without electricity?

We suggest taking the following measures:

Pick the adequate tent fabric.
Choose the best location to pitch your tent
Set your tent up at the right time and if possible disassemble it during the day
Use battery and solar-powered devices
Cover your tent with reflective blanket.
Cool your body down
Watch for tent ventilation.
Forget about your sleeping bag
Build a DIY Tent Air Conditioner

If you want to check further details around each tip, read this article.

Verdict

You can definitely improve your summer camping experience with a portable air conditioner. After thorough market research, we reviewed the three options that we believe will suit your camping needs:

BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner – 8,000 Btu– Best Overall – Our choice
Honeywell 8,000 BTU Compact Portable Air Conditioner– Budget Friendly alternative
Whynter Elite ARC-122DHP 12,000 BTU – Best option for Family-sized tents

Our assessment took into account portability, cooling capacity, price, and product durability.

Our preferred option the Black+Decker model, given its great value for money, quality and versatility – you can easily suit it in mid to family sized tents and use the device in both summer and winter (it comes with heating and cooling options).

BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner – 8,000 Btu – Best Overall – Our choice

BLACK+DECKER Portable Air Conditioner – 8,000 Btu

Happy camping adventures!

How to air condition a tent? (It is easier than you think!)

Tent Air Conditioner

Summer is campers’ preferred season – parks are packed, there is plenty of daylight, playful alternatives for kids, and dogs and pets also love it.

However, all of this joy comes with a challenge – boiling weather! So a natural question comes in mind – How to air condition a tent?

There are multiple ways to air condition a tent, such as:

Using portable ac units
Using a window AC equipment with an adequate tent
Using battery-powered devices if you are camping off-grid
DIY Tent AC

We note that you will also probably need other camping gear and accessories to improve the performance of your preferred option and AC device.

Let’s go into detail and further explain how to use each air conditioning solution for your tent below.

By the way, The Camping Air Conditioner is sponsored by readers. When you buy through one of our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

How to air condition a tent?

To facilitate your understanding and implementation, we have prepared a detailed guide. In summary, we have the following steps:

Step 1 – Check which equipment size/output you need (BTU)
Step 2 – Choose the equipment suits your camping conditions better.
Step 3 – Prepare your tent for your AC device
Step 4 – Insulate your tent
Step 5 – Turn on the equipment and enjoy the cold breeze

Step 1 - Check which equipment size/output you need (BTU)

The AC size or power output required will depend on many factors, such as:

Tent size
Tent insulation
Exposure to the sun
Weather conditions
And many others.

According to our studies and experience, you should be fine with the following ratios:

Tents with adequate insulation will need at least 4 BTU per cubic feet.
Tents without proper insulation will require at least 5 BTU per cubic feet (25% extra power required)
If your tent is exposed to the sunlight and has no insulation, we recommend at least 6 BTU per cubic feet (50% extra power required).

If you want to understand further about these numbers, we recommend reading this article. In summary, we created the table below as a guidance.

Size	Volume (cubic feet)	Insulated Tent	No insulation (1.25X)	No insulation and sun exposure (1.5X)
Small Tents	200	800 BTU	1000 BTU	1200 BTU
Medium Tents	350	1400 BTU	1750 BTU	2100 BTU
Large Tents	700	2800 BTU	2500 BTU	4200 BTU
Family Tents	1250	5000 BTU	6250 BTU	7500 BTU

Step 2 - Choose which equipment suits your needs better

Now that you know how many BTUs are required to refrigerate your tent, you need to choose the most suitable option for you. Apart from the cooling outputs, you will also need to consider:

Power input (battery-powered x electricity-powered x DIY option)
Weight, size, and portability
Price

There is no better or worse option, but the ones that will suit you the most.

For example, are you camping in a big group with electrical infrastructure near your tent? We recommend going for a window AC unit.

Are you solo-camping or camping in a remote location? A compact cooling device will suit you well, such as Evapolar Evachill. Overall, we recommend the following options (check comparison table below):

Ideal for small tents

Evapolar evaCHILL

9.3

Check Price

Ideal for Medium Sized Tents

EENOUR QN650 - 2350 Btu

8.2

Check Price

Ideal for family tents

BLACK+DECKER 8,000 BTU

8.9

Check Price

Features	1) Evapolar Evachill	2) Eenour QN 650	3) BLACK+DECKER 8,000 BTU Portable AC
Weight	0.910kg	14kg	23kg
Dimensions	6.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches	21.3 x 8.78 x 11.73 inches	17.32 x 13.2 x 27.2 inches
BTU	N/A – Evaporative Cooler	2350 Btu	8000 Btu
Wattage	7W	200 W	860W
Battery Compatible?	Yes – 5V	Yes – 24V	No
Battery Operated?	No	Yes (compatible)	No
USB compatible?	Yes	No	No
Noise Levels	Max 50 dB	Max 64dB (lower 44dB)	52dB
Tent size?	Small	Medium	Family-sized tents
Investment	$	$$$	$$

Step 3 - Prepare your tent for your AC device

If you have chosen a window AC unit, we recommend picking up a tent with an AC port. We have reviewed multiple options in the market, and WhiteDuck Avalon is our preferred model, offering plenty of space and comfort (but at a significant investment – around $900).

If you are on a budget or simply do not want to invest in a luxurious model, you can check some alternatives here, but our preferred family-camping budget-friendly model is Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet 12-Person Instant Tent

Ozark Trail 12-Person 3 Room

AC port
Capacity - 12 campers
Sets up in under 2 minutes
Good Value for money

Check Price

If you have picked a portable AC unit, battery-powered device or DIY option, make sure that there is enough space for the equipment inside your tent. Some tips that you should consider before pitching it:

Choose a smaller tent (you will have less air to be refrigerated)
Choose the best location to pitch your tent and avoid excessive sun exposure – check our tent uv protection guide)
Set your tent up at the right time (if possible, avoid leaving your tent assembled during the day – hot air might get trapped)
Watch for tent ventilation – pitch your tent in an open area with plenty of ventilation and tree shade.
Forget about your sleeping bag – Don’t use o winter sleeping bag (a yoga mat or inflatable mattress might be a good alternative).

Step 4 - Insulate your tent for AC

Regardless of your preferred option, it would be best if you considered insulating your tent to improve your equipment’s performance.

The last thing you want is to bring your ac to your trip and see that it is not cooling your tent down because of the tent’s insulation. How can you insulate a tent for an AC?

Easy – we have prepared special and easy tips for you in this article, but in summary you should:

Use a heavy-duty tent tarp
Use Duct tapes and/or Pool noodles to suppress any air leakage points
Insulate your tent floor
Cover your tent with thermal blankets
Consider an insulated fabric for your tent, such as canvas.

Step 5 - Turn on the equipment and enjoy the cold breeze

Connect the equipment to the power and turn it on – that is it – You are ready to have a cozy night!

A Couple of final suggestions and points to consider:

Keep your tent doors close while you have the equipment turned on to maintain the cold breeze inside it
If possible, disassemble your tent during the day to avoid warm air retention
Overall, canvas tents, such as Kodiak Basic Canvas (shown below), have better breathability and insulation features.

Kodiak Basic Flex-Bow Quick Set Up

4-season tent with optimal insulation
Quick and easy set-up
EXCELLENT Value-for-Money
Up to 6 campers

Check Price

FAQ

How do I add ac port to my tent?

Overall, we DO NOT recommend adding an ac port to your tent if you don’t have any prior experience – you might permantly damage it.

If you can handle scissors, duct tapes, and special glue well and want to try it, the video below show a step-by-step guide.

Conclusion

Air Conditioning a tent is easier and cheaper than you think. You won’t need to spend too much time and money to improve your summer camping days.

However, ensure that you have the proper equipment and gear to allow a comfortable trip. Following the five steps mentioned above, you will not have any problems in refrigerating your shelter:

Step 1 – Check which equipment size/output you need (BTU)
Step 2 – Choose the equipment that suits you better.
Step 3 – Prepare your tent for your AC device
Step 4 – Insulate your tent
Step 5 – Turn on the equipment and enjoy the cold breeze

If you have any doubts, please do not hesitate to contact us.

What size AC do I need for a tent? We have the answer.

Tent Air Conditioner

We understand that getting your first tent air conditioner might be a novelty. With so many models and options, which one should you pick? What size (BTU) do you need for a tent?

We have drafted this article to help you – to simplify the calculations, we created the campingairconditioner.com cooling rule, with the following principles:

Tents with adequate insulation will need at least 4 BTU per cubic feet.
Tents without proper insulation will require at least 5 BTU per cubic feet (25% extra power required)
If your tent is exposed to the sunlight and has no insulation, we recommend at least 6 BTU per cubic feet (50% extra power required)

All you need to know is your tent dimensions to calculate its area (square feet) and volume (cubic feet).

Note: these ratios are indicative only and were calculate based on different cooling references, such as: BTU Calculator, Learnmetrics.com. The exact amount of BTUs required will depend on tent shape, material, insulation, weather conditions, number of campers and many other variables.

How to calculate my tent area and volume?

These calculations are easy – you only need your tent dimensions:

Length
Width
Height

With them, you calculate your tent floor are with the following formula.

Tent Floor Area = Length x Width

To find tent’s volume, you need to multiply the floor area by its height.

Tent Volume = Floor Area x Height

NOTE: All the dimensions should be in foot/feet.

Let’s use the CORE 12-person cabin model as a practical example.

Its dimensions are:

Floor size – 11 feet x 16 feet –> Floor Area = 176 square feet
Height – 86 inch (1 inch = 0.083 foot) = 7.16 feet

The tent’s volume is calculated according to the formula below, and it is 1,260.16 cubic feet. Therefore, for this tent, you would need the following AC output:

CORE 12-person cabin with insulation – approximately 5040 Btu
CORE 12-person cabin without insulation – around 6300 Btu
CORE 12-person cabin without insulation and exposed to the sun – about 6930 Btu

Tent Air Conditioner output (BTU) x Tent Size

We have picked four different tent models to extend the camping air conditioner cooling rule to establish an indicative relationship between tent size and required AC output.

Small tent – Tent reference: Pacific Pass 2 Person Family Dome Tent (2 people)

Dimensions:

82.7” x 82. 7” x 47.2”

(6.88 ft x 6.88 ft x 3.93 ft)

Volume (cubic feet):

186.6 cubic feet

Medium Tent – Tent reference: Coleman 4-Person Dome Tent (4 people)

Dimensions:

9 ft x 7 ft x 4ft 11”

(9 ft x 7 ft x 4.91 ft’)

Volume (cubic feet):

309.72 cubic feet

Large Tent – Tent reference: Coleman 8-Person Tent for Camping (8 people)

Dimensions:

16 ft x 9 ft x 6ft 2”

(16 ft x 7 ft x 6.16 ft’)

Volume (cubic feet):

690.65 cubic feet

Family Tent – Tent reference: CORE 12-person cabin (12 people)

Dimensions:

11 ft x 16 ft x 7.16ft

Volume (cubic feet):

1260.16 cubic feet

According to these calculations and tent models, we established the following metrics for each standard size:

Small tents have approximately 200 cubic feet
Medium tents have approximately 350 cubic feet
Large tents have approximately 700 cubic feet
Family Tents have approximately 1250 cubic feet

The table below gives you an indicative estimation of the amount of BTUs required to cool down your tent.

Size	Volume (cubic feet)	Insulated Tent	No insulation (1.25X)	No insulation and sun exposure (1.5X)
Small Tents	200	800 BTU	1000 BTU	1200 BTU
Medium Tents	350	1400 BTU	1750 BTU	2100 BTU
Large Tents	700	2800 BTU	3500 BTU	4200 BTU
Family Tents	1250	5000 BTU	6250 BTU	7500 BTU

Tent air Conditioner - Recommendations

Based on the numbers shown above and models available in the market, we handpicked some models for you:

Small tents – Evapolar Evachill (see our detailed review of this device)
Medium Tents – Eenour Portable Air Conditioner (see our detailed review of this device)
Large Tents (window AC unit) – LG 6,000 BTU 115V Window Air Conditioner with Remote Control

Small to Mid Tents

Medium to Large Tents

For more details on how to use an AC in a tent, read this article.

FAQ

How to cool down my tent without electricity?

Among several measures, we suggest taking into consideration the following items:

Choose the adequate tent fabric.
Choose the best location to pitch your tent
Set your tent up at the right time
Use battery and solar-powered devices
Use a reflective blanket.
Cool your body down
Watch for tent ventilation.
Forget about your sleeping bag
Build a DIY Tent Air Conditioner

If you want to check further details around each tip, read this article.

What are the best tents for hot weather?

We reviewed couple of options available in the market and suggest you checking the following models:

Core 12 Person Extra Large Cabin Tent – Best option for family camping
Kodiak Canvas flex-blow – Best canvas tent option (4,6, and 8 people)
Hyke & Byke Zion Hiking & Backpacking Tent – Best option for backpackers and hikers
Coleman Sundome Tent – Best Budget-Friendly option
TETON Sports Altos Tent – Best lightweight option (1-person tent)
Eackrola 2/4 person instant pop up tent – Best pop up tent option for hot weather
Wenzel Klondike 8 Person (w/ screen room) – Best Option with screen room
Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet 12-Person Instant Tent – Best option with AC port

Which tent fabric is the best for insulation?

Canvas tents tend to offer better insulation and have outstanding breathability.

Is there a best color for tents?

Overall, light colors will perform better in hot conditions given they retain less heat (you can read a detailed guide on how to choose your tent color)

Conclusion

We hope this helps you on choosing the most suitable tent air conditioner for you.

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Icybreeze v2 pro – A versatile camping AC!

Tent Air Conditioner

How cool would it be if you could have an ice chest that also works as a portable AC for camping? What if we told you that a product could do this?

Yes, Icebreeze has created a fantastic versatile product that is both a cooler and air conditioner – IceBreeze V2 Pro Portable Air Conditioner & Cooler.

The product is excellent, and it is a perfect match for campers who are looking for mobility and versatility. Further, Icebreeze V2 Pro is powered by batteries that can run up to 4 hours, making it a perfect air for those who do not have electrical hookups around their tent.

Let’s go through a detailed review below.

By the way, The Camping Air Conditioner is sponsored by readers. When you buy through one of our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

IcyBreeze V2 Pro - Summary Review

Even though IceBreeze V2 Pro does not have a condenser and a compressor unit, it works extremely well to cool your small or medium-sized tent.

It comes with a group of fans that blows cold air from the inside of the ice chest and can decrease the environment temperature by up to 35 degrees.

You can also use it to store beer and food, making it a multi-purpose camping gear. The investment is moderate ($350 approximately) and provides a good value for money.

The downside of this device, in our opinion, is the need for ice to operate (since it blows the cold air inside the chest) and relative short autonomy (up to 4 hours running from the battery, but you can connect to an alternative 12v battery or buy extra batteries from Icebreeze).

It is an excellent alternative if you have a small solar-powered generator or electric hookups available at your campsite.

Features	IceBreeze V2 Pro
Weight	7.25kg (empty)
Dimensions	47cm x 28.57cm x 28cm
BTU	N/A – Cooler Fan
Power Consumption	45 W
Battery Voltage	Yes – 12V (Additional power supply for 110V)
Battery Operated?	Yes
Noise Levels	Max 45db
Which Tent size?	Small to Medium
Investment	$$ (Approx. 350 USD)

Pros

Great cooler for mid-sized tents
Battery-powered device
Heavy-duty
Multi-functional (AC/ice chest)
No chemicals in the cooling process.
Low power consumption

Cons

Battery lasts up to 4 hours
You still need ice to make it work
Not suitable for large tents

IcyBreeze V2 Pro

6AH Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery and Battery Charger included.
Optional accessories: 110v Power Supply, Additional Batteries, Corded Remote, & More!
Quick detach battery powers the IcyBreeze v2 up to 4 hours.
Blows air up to 35 degrees below the environment temperature

Check Price

IcyBreeze V2 Pro - Detailed Review

Dimensions, Design and Specs

The equipment is compact and and its interior measures 18.5″ x 11.25″ x 11″ (47cm x 28.57cm x 28cm), which ensures portability and ease of storage. The device can hold up to 30lbs of ice and weights only 24lbs (dry weight), making it lightweight and ideal for small to medium-sized tents.

Manufactured with special polyethylene, this ice chest has wheels and dual lift handles that make it easy to carry around and position in your preferred position. It has thick walls, delivering excellent insulation for cooling functions.

Icebreeze V2 Pro comes in three different colours that you can choose according to you preference:

Desert Tan
Iceberg Blue (our preferred!)
Molten Red

Power input and Rechargeable battery

The equipment runs from a rechargeable 6AH battery with quick detaching mechanisms that supply power to the IceBreeze V2 for up to 4 hours (4 hours in the low consumption mode, 2.5 hours on medium, and 1.5 hours on the high).

The battery is made of lithium, which among many other benefits, ensures reduced weight, greater user capacity, more power, longer lifespan, and faster charges.

In our opinion, this is Icebreeze‘s outstanding feature since it gives campers maximum flexibility and extinguishes the need for having an electrical hookup close to your tent.

If you are camping in remote locations or with no electrical infrastructure around you, you can use a portable camping battery to charge it. Its nominal voltage is 12V, making it easy to connect with portable batteries.

Recommendation - Other products - Camping Battery

If you plan to camp in remote locations with Icebreeze, we recommend having a solar powered camping battery. Jackery Portable Power Station 500 is our recommendation to run with Icebreeze.

Jackery Portable Power Station 500

Jackery Solar Panel

Operational aspects

The equipment is safe and extremely easy to operate. It has an user friendly control menu, very intutiive and easy to operate.

You can set up your desired fan speed between low, medium and high ventilation levels and control the desired cooling power. Its flexible hose lets you control the direction of the breeze.

Icebreeze cools the air using a radiator system, with no humidity added. According to the manufacturer, it can blow air up to 35 degrees below the ambient temperature.

The equipment is strongly sealed, and there are no water leaks. When you finish using IceBreeze, you need to drain the water and clean it inside.

IcyBreeze V2 Pro

6AH Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery and Battery Charger included.
Optional accessories: 110v Power Supply, Additional Batteries, Corded Remote, & More!
Quick detach battery powers the IcyBreeze v2 up to 4 hours.
Blows air up to 35 degrees below the environment temperature

Check Price

Alternatives to IceBreeze V2 Pro

If you have a small tent or a family-sized tents, we recommend checking other models, such as (detailed in the comparison table below):

For small tents – Best Mini AC/Evaporative Cooler (USB compatible)- Evapolar Evachill
Portable AC for family-sized tents – BLACK+DECKER 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

Features	1) Evapolar Evachill	2) IceBreeze V2 Pro	3) BLACK+DECKER 8,000 BTU Portable AC
Weight	0.910kg	7.25kg (empty)	23kg
Dimensions	6.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches	18.5 x 11.25 x 11 inches	17.32 x 13.2 x 27.2 inches
BTU	N/A – Evaporative Cooler	N/A – Cooler Fan	8000 Btu
Wattage	7W	45 W	860W
Battery Compatible?	Yes – 5V	Yes – 12V	No
Battery Operated?	No	Yes	No
USB compatible?	Yes	No	No
Noise Levels	Max 50 dB	Max 45db	52dB
Tent size?	Small	Medium	Family-sized tents
Investment	$	$$	$$$

Ideal for small tents

Evapolar evaCHILL

9.3

Check Price

Ideal for Medium Sized Tents

IcyBreeze V2 Pro

8.8

Check Price

Ideal for family tents

BLACK+DECKER 8,000 BTU

8.9

Check Price

FAQ

How long does IceBreeze V2 Pro work?

The device was designed to work smoothly and with optimal performance. It can work up to 4 hours without recharging its battery, but you can buy extra batteries.

How Loud is IceBreeze?

According to its manufacturer, the equipment produces 60dB while operating, which is the same noise level of a window mounted AC.

Can I use IceBreeze as a cooler?

Combined with the battery-powered function, the multifunctionality of Icebreeze is our preferred feature. While not using it as an AC, you can simply put ice on it and cool your drink or food.

Are there other battery-powered camping ac options?

Yes, there are. We have reviewed other four options in one of our posts – battery-powered tent air conditioner options.

Is it safe to use IceBreeze in my tent?

Yes, there are no problems. The equipment uses a ec0-friendly cooling system and does not require any electrical connections.

How long will the ice inside the chest last for?

It depends – different weather conditions will make the ice insde the check last longer or shorter. Overall, we have seen records of people saying that ice lasted from 2 to 5 hours.

How can I make the ice last longer?

You can add rock salt to the ice chest. The salt will reduce its ice’s freezing point, making it last longer.

IceBreeze V2 Pro - Verdict

Icebreeze brings a unique offer to the market, combining an ice chest and air conditioning features. It provides you with a cost-effective solution for camping ac and comes with valuable characteristics for a camper:

Portability
Battery operated solution
Lightweight
Low energy consumption
Ease to operate
Multi-functional (ac / cooler)

The downside of the equipment is its battery, which might not last the whole night (battery runs up to 4 hours) and the need for ice to work properly.

Apart from that, we loved the equipment, and we highly advise you to consider Icebreeze for your next summer camping trip.

IcyBreeze V2 Pro

6AH Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery and Battery Charger included.
Optional accessories: 110v Power Supply, Additional Batteries, Corded Remote, & More!
Quick detach battery powers the IcyBreeze v2 up to 4 hours.
Blows air up to 35 degrees below the environment temperature

Check Price

Best tents for hot weather – 8 options to keep you cool!

Camping Accessories, Tent Air Conditioner

Tents have different materials, shapes, sizes, weights, coatings, and many other factors that might affect their suitability for you. With a wide variety of options available in the market, we understand that you might get confused when choosing the best tent for hot weather.

Thinking of that, we prepared this guide for you. After a thorough and extended review, we concluded that the best tents for hot weather are (keep reading below for a detailed review of each product):

Best option for family camping – Core 12 Person Extra Large Cabin Tent

Core 12 Person Extra Large Cabin Tent

Best canvas tent option (4,6, and 8 people) – Kodiak Canvas flex-blow

Kodiak Canvas flex-blow

Best option for backpackers and hikers – Hyke & Byke Zion Hiking & Backpacking Tent

Hyke & Byke Zion Hiking & Backpacking Tent

Best Budget-Friendly option – Coleman Sundome Tent

Coleman Sundome Tent

Best lightweight option (1-person tent) – TETON Sports Altos Tent

TETON Sports Altos Tent

Best pop up tent option for hot weather –Eackrola 2/4 person instant pop up tent

Eackrola 2/4 person instant pop up tent

Best Option with screen room – Wenzel Klondike 8 Person (w/ screen room)

Wenzel Klondike 8 Person (w/ screen room)

Best option with AC port –Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet 12-Person Instant Tent

Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet 12-Person Instant Tent

Best Tent for hot weather - product reviews

Best option for family camping - Core 12 Person Extra Large Cabin Tent

This is a spacious 12-person tent with a 16″ x 11″ floor space and a centre height of 86 inches. It features an extra-large wall straight wall that allows everyone to stand, stretch, and move comfortably in the tent.

CORE 12-person cabin tent has a waterproof rainfly which is removable to expose the mesh ceiling for amazing views.

It features an advanced venting system that uses adjustable air intake vents designed to draw in air from the ground while the mesh ceiling escapes the hot air, keeping your tent cool in the summer.

In addition, this tent option hot weather has front and back doors that make it simple to share the tent. You can use the front pull pane door for protection or the back-side D-door for simple access.

Pros

The tent is weather-resistant
It has extra-large interior space for the whole family
Spacious enough to fit 4-queen size air mattresses

Cons

It takes time to assemble.

Best canvas tent option (4,6, and 8 people)

If you are looking for a quality tent that can fit 4 to 8 people, Kodiak Canvas Tent Delux is one of the best options for summer camping.

It has large triangular windows on both ends and an extra window that offers additional ventilation and openness for views. This tent has stainless steel wire stake loops that give superior warmth and performance.

It is a spacious tent with a 6.1″ ceiling height that provides walk-around comfort, plus it has two D-shaped doors that offer simple access to the tent. This tent features a customizable gear loft and organizer pockets to store all essentials.

Pros

The tent is weather-resistant
It has extra-large interior space for the whole family
Spacious enough to fit 4-queen size air mattresses
Canvas has excellent breathability

Cons

Not fully waterproof
The vinyl floor has a strong smell.

Best option for backpackers and hikers

Hyke and Byke Zion Hiking & Backpacking is available in 1-person and 2-person versions, and it is the best tent for backpackers and hikers to enjoy all outdoor adventures.

It is built to be light sturdy enough to withstand all weather conditions. It packs into a compact 16.5″ x 5.5″ carrying bag, making it a suitable addition to your backpacking gear.

The tent has ventilation vents that allow maximum air circulation to keep the tent cool while keeping bugs out.

It won’t take you much time when it comes to assembly because it comes with everything you need for the job. The package has aluminium tent stakes, a removable gear lot, footprint floor cover, stake press, and reflective guy lines.

Pros

It comes with a spacious bag for carrying and storage
The tent is spacious and versatile
It keeps you safe from harsh weather conditions in summer
Great tent for the price

Cons

The floor material is thin and fragile
It is hard to get the contents back in the carrying bag.

Best Budget-Friendly option

Coleman Sundome is a long-lasting camping tent that can accommodate up to 4 individuals while still leaving space to stay comfortable.

This tent is suitable for camping in hot weather because it has large windows facilitating ventilation. Besides, the tent includes a ground vent that pushes warm air up and out to you comfortable even when it is scorching.

It includes a waterproof rainfly, welded corners, and inverted seams that prevent water from coming in, keeping you protected. The tent has a heavy-duty frame designed to keep the tent stable in all weather conditions. You won’t require much time when it comes to setup because it comes with everything you need.

Many campers love the Coleman Sundome tent because it has an affordable price that will suit any budget.

Pros

The tent is easy and fast to assemble
Good tent for any camper on a budget
Fitted with large windows and ground vent for ventilation

Cons

Nothing to report at the moment.

Best lightweight option (1-person tent)

When you are ready to enjoy beautiful places outdoors, the right tent will make all the difference. The Altos backpacking tent is lightweight but stable enough to handle all types of weather.

It has a rainfly that can be used as a shelter or sunshade, and it has reinforced anchor points that make the tent durable. The 3-in-1 backpacking tent packs down tight for camping and backpacking as well, and it is ideal for solo travellers.

It packs down to a compact size so that you can carry it anywhere. Its rainfly has vents for maximum airflow, and all the elements will be kept out, thanks to how the side walls are extended up. Overall, if you like camping alone, this is the best tent to purchase because it has ample space for one person.

Pros

The 1-person is lightweight and simple to setup
It is versatile and long-lasting
Well-ventilated to allow for airflow

Cons

Not ideal with strong passing wind or storms.

Best pop up tent option for hot weather

When looking for the best tent for hot weather, don’t forget Eackrola 2-person as a pop-up option. Whether you are an occasional holidaymaker, avid camper, or love outdoor activities, the pop-up tent is a must-have.

The pop-up tent will only take seconds to set up, and it is the best option for first-time campers. This tent measures 8.07 x 5.09ft, it has a centre height of 3.44ft, and the interior can accommodate up to 2 individuals.

It weighs 6.6lbs and folds compactly so that you can carry it anywhere and store it in tight spaces. Moreover, it comes with pre-assembled poles that set up the tent in seconds and a portable carrying bag.

Eackrola 2-person tent features two doors that will give you easy access, and it has extra mesh windows that will keep bugs and allow enough airflow. Overall, it is an excellent 1-person tent for hiking, camping, beach, car camping, and other outdoor activities.

Pros

The structure is stable
It has two doors and mesh for easy access and optimal airflow
Heavy-duty enough to tolerate moderate weather conditions

Cons

Folding this tent is hard and frustrating
Not suitable for taller adults.

Best Option with screen room

The Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent is an excellent option for summer camping. Its screen room and mesh on the walls provides maximum air circulation, ensuring optimal climate inside your tent.

Even though it is a big tent for eight people, one camper can easily set it up. Its screened area is removable, which might be the best option during rainy conditions. Further, it offers extra space for supply storage.

The tent offers plenty of space and has multiple mesh areas around it, ensuring constant fresh airflow inside it. The downside is its durability, which is compromised by fibreglass poles, and weak seams. However it is made of polyester with a polyurethane coating, ensuring excellent waterproofness.

Pros

Plenty of room with mesh areas
Great air circulation
Easy set up

Cons

Overall, we have concerns with its durability

Best option with AC port

Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet 12-Person Instant Tent is a giant instant tent that can easily fit 3 queen airbeds and hold up to 12 people.

This tent is very easy to set up because of its pre-attached poles. You will only need to unfold and extend them. Everything is set for you to make your camping trip enjoyable.

It comes with two-room dividers, each with an AC port, allowing everyone to relax the tent without compromising privacy. The tent also comes with large mesh windows on the laterals, ensuring optimal ventilation.

With a considerable size, Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet 12-Person Instant Tent has two separate doors that allow campers to access the shelter’s interior without disturbing others.

The tent is made of heavy-duty polyester that can withstand harsh weather conditions, and the doors have sturdy zippers. It has a decent ceiling height of around 80 inches, allowing tall to move inside easily.

Pros

Comes with room dividers with 3 separate rooms for privacy
Waterproof and durable
Spacious with lots of ventilation options
Comes with AC ports

Cons

It is a cabin tent and, therefore, it is not the best options for windy conditions.

Items you should consider before choosing your tent for hot weater

Some features that you should consider when looking for your summer camping tent are:

Dimensions – Overall, the bigger the tent, the better. More space will facilitate air circulation.
The number of openings – Check how many openings your preferred option has. Ideally, you would pick an option with lateral windows to ensure a fresh breeze.
Fabric – Tents are made of different materials, such as nylon, polyester, canvas, polycotton, cuben-fibre, etc. Generally speaking, Canvas tents offer greater breathability and lower heat retention.
Size and Weight – Even though there is no direct relationship between the weight of your tent and its ability to deal with hot weather, you should always consider mobility and portability as essential items for your research.

How to cool down your tent without an AC?

We have prepared a detailed article on how to cool down your tent without electricity. Simple measures that can help you are:

Choose the adequate tent fabric.
Choose the best location to pitch your tent
Set your tent up at the right time
Use battery and solar-powered devices
Use a reflective blanket.
Cool your body down
Watch for tent ventilation.
Forget about your sleeping bag.

FAQ

What is the best tent fabric for hot weather?

Overall, we recommend canvas fabric. This material has better breathability, offer outstanding insulation features, and has low heat retention. From our reviewed products, Kodiak Canvas flex-blow is an excellent alternative.

If you want to learn about tent fabrics, read our article on what tents are made of.

What color tent is coolest in hot weather?

We recommend lighter tones, such as white, yellow, light green, and so on. If you want to learn more about picking the best tent color for you, read this article.

How can I keep my tent cool?

You can use a tent air conditioner, evaporative coolers, camping fans. We have already written detailed posts about each option:

Can I install an AC unit in my tent?

Yes. There are no problems with it. However, we always recommend following safety instructions and ensure that you properly insulate your tent for your ac.

What is the best tent for tropical weather?

We recommend Eackrola 2/4 person instant pop up tent. It has wide openings that facilitate air circulation and fresh breeze inside your tent.

What is the best option for backpacking and hiking?

We recommend Eackrola 2/4 person instant pop up tent , Hyke & Byke Zion Hiking & Backpacking Tent, and Hyke & Byke Zion Hiking & Backpacking Tent. These are compact options that offer flexibility for outdoors adventures in small groups.

Conclusion

We hope that the information above helped you to choose your next tent for summer camping. Each camper will require different tent features and we tried to cover multiple requirements.

To summarise, in our opinion, the best tents for hot weather are:

Core 12 Person Extra Large Cabin Tent – Best option for family camping
Kodiak Canvas flex-blow – Best canvas tent option (4,6, and 8 people)
Hyke & Byke Zion Hiking & Backpacking Tent – Best option for backpackers and hikers
Coleman Sundome Tent – Best Budget-Friendly option
TETON Sports Altos Tent – Best lightweight option (1-person tent)
Eackrola 2/4 person instant pop up tent – Best pop up tent option for hot weather
Wenzel Klondike 8 Person (w/ screen room) – Best Option with screen room
Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet 12-Person Instant Tent – Best option with AC port

If you have any doubts or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

How to insulate a tent for AC? Check these tips!

Camping Tips, Tent Air Conditioner

Camping during summer days is one of our preferred activities. Enjoying the sunlight with our kids, dog, and friends make us relax and increase our vitamin D intake. However, we all know how sometimes summer camping can get unbearable with scorching and humid weather.

Having a tent air conditioner has dramatically helped us improve our camping experience on these warm days. But how to insulate a tent for AC? We have prepared 6 excellent tips for you:

Use a tent tarp
Use duct tape and/or pool noodles to suppress any minor leakage
Insulate your tent floor
Cover your tent with thermal blankets
Check your tent material
Use a tent with AC Ports

Let’s go into detail in each of them below.

Why do you need to insulate your tent for AC?

A straightforward response is: because you want to keep the cool air trapped inside your tent. If you are using a tent ac, the last thing you want is the chilly breeze to leave your shelter.

And, how can you do it?

You need to create thermal barriers to retain the cold air inside your tent and avoid hot air inflow.

How to insulate a tent for AC - Tips

Tip 1 - Use a tent tarp

Overall, tent tarps are cheap, easy to handle, and a useful insulating tool. Covering your tent with it will help create a thermal barrier between your shelter and the warm environment around it.

We recommend using reflective models to mirror UV rays and avoid the warm air getting trapped inside your tent.

Further, reflective tarps are waterproof, which can also help on rainy days if you use a tent with high breathability levels.

Since they will be exposed to sunlight (and potentially water), we suggest buying heavy-duty versions, which come with internal metal and structural reinforcements to improve material durability and stability.

Reminder: Make sure that you check your tent dimensions and buy the tarps accordingly (you might need more than one unit).

Heavy Duty Tarp Recommedations

Tip 2 - Use duct tape and pool noodles to suppress any minor air leakage

Even the minor holes might be harmful to your tent insulation. They create cold air leaking opportunities that might decrease the efficiency of your tent air conditioner.

When it comes to insulating these minor openings, we suggest the following:

Use Duct tapes – They are better suited for little existing tent patches and sealing critical areas, such as the tent ac port.

Pool noodles – The foam used to manufacture pool noodles has outstanding insulating features. You can use it in combination with duct tapes to seal leaking points.

If you plan to use a window AC, we noted that the critical leakage zone is close to the AC port.

Placing the pool noodles around the ports and fixing them with duct tape solves this issue.

Tip 3 - Insulate your tent floor

Insulating your tent floor will ensure there is no heat exchange with the soil during the day, keeping your tent as cool as possible.

Our suggestion is to use foam tiles, given their ease of implementation. The insulation process is very simple: put a layer of reflective foam on top of the tent floor and then place the foam tiles above it – that is it!

The sketch below indicates how you should arrange the layers. You can also use yoga mats instead of foam tiles.

Recommend material for floor insulation

Reflective Foam

Foam Tiles

Yoga Mat

Tip 4 - Cover your tent with thermal blankets

Apart from using a heavy-duty tent tarp, you can also cover your tent with thermal blankets. It will help to trap your AC’s cold breeze even more!

There is no secret here – simply throw it over the tent. If you are camping in windy conditions, it might be worth covering it with an old blanket to avoid it getting blown away.

Tip 5 - Check your tent fabric (material)

Yes, the tent fabric can heavily influence your experience on camping. If you want to learn more about tent fabric, read our detailed article on what tents are made of.

Overall, there are 3 dominant fabrics:

Polyester
Nylon
Canvas

You can find other alternatives, such as poly-cotton and DCF, but they are not as used as these three.

Polyester and Nylon tents have great durability and come with great waterproofness because of their manufacturing process. On the other hand, they are known to heave low breathability levels, inducing potential condensation inside your tent.

Overall, they do not have poor insulation. However, they might come with extra coatings to improve their sealing features.

Canvas tents are probably the best option for summer camping. Canvas is made of cotton that has low heat retention properties. They have excellent insulation features that might increase the efficiency of your AC.

Bear in mind, though, that canvas tents are usually bulky and heavy!

Tip 6 - Use a tent with AC ports

These days, multiple tent models already come with ac ports included. They are specially designed to support the cooling devices, including placeholders for electrical cables.

Tent with AC ports recommendations:

1) Bushnell Shield Series cabin

2) Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet 12-Person Instant Tent

3) The Wenzel Klondike 8-Person

4) Coleman Elite Weather Master

If you want to read a detailed review of each tent, read our article on tent with ac ports.

FAQ

Can I put an air conditioner in a tent?

Yes, there are no problems with it. Ensure that you properly insulate your tent with the tips detailed above, or buy a tent with an ac port.

How can I cool down my tent without electricity?

There are several ways to cool down your tent without electricity. We recommend the following:

Choose the suitable tent fabric (read our article on what tents are made of)
Pick the perfect spot to pitch your tent.
Set your tent up at the right time
Purchase battery-powered cooling devices (fans and tent ac)
Use reflective blankets to insulate your tent
Cooldown your body
Watch the ventilation of your tent.
Do not use a sleeping bag.

If you want to read more about these tips, read our article on how to cool down a tent without electricity.

How to avoid condensation in my tent?

We recommend the following:

Ensure there is enough ventilation
Keep humid and wet stuff outside the tent
Don’t pitch your tent too close to the water
Turn heaters off, as they might increase vapour formation.

Is there a best tent color for summer camping?

Overall, lighter colors tend to retain less heat and, therefore, be more appropriate for summer camping. However, a number of facts should be taken into account with regards to your tent color, such as:

Aesthetics
Safety reasons
Mosquito and bug repellent
Effects on sleeping quality
Heat absorption

If you want to read more about it, read our detailed post on tent colors.

What is the best tent for summer camping?

We recommend using 2 or 3-season tent options. The 3-season will generally be more robust with better durability.

As for tent fabric, canvas tents are our preferred models.

How do I insulate my tent for winter camping?

The insulating process for winter camping is very similar to the one used for summer camping, apart from minor details. We recommend the following:

Choosing the right insulating material
Fixing them properly in your tent
Insulating your tent floor
Using the most suitable tent
Using smaller tents
Pitching your tent in areas with limited wind exposure
Using a tent heater
Using a suitable sleeping bag

If you want to know more about it, read our detailed article.

Can I DIY my tent AC port?

Even though we don’t envisage problems with the DYI approach, you need to ensure that you have the proper skills and tools. Overall, we do not recommend it since you might permanently damage your tent.

What are the alternatives for camping ACs?

Among all the alternatives, we recommend considering:

Camping fans (or solar-powered camping fans)
Camping evaporative coolers
DIY camping air conditioner

Conclusion

A tent AC will help you tackle the warm and humid days during summer camping. However, if you want to improve its efficiency, make sure that you follow the tips detailed above.

We hope these tricks will help you have a chilly environment during your hot camping days.

Evapolar Evachill (Review) – Is it the BEST mini camping AC?

Tent Air Conditioner

Evapolar Evachill is a portable cooler used by many campers as an air conditioning solution for hot weather camping. Is it worth investing your money in this device for your next camping trip?

In our opinion, yes, it is. The equipment is compact and runs on low energy consumption, allowing it to run from USB batteries. However, you should be aware that it might not be a good solution for camping in high humidity, given that it is technically classified as an evaporative cooler rather than a small camping AC unit.

Let’s go through a detailed review below.

Evapolar Evachill - Review Summary

In a hurry? No problems – below is our review summary.

Evapolar Evachill is small, portable, energy-efficient, and budget-friendly (when compared to an AC unit) mini camping AC that quickly cools the air around you. We loved the fact that it can be USB powered, making it possible to run from solar-powered power banks!

On the other hand, it requires cartridges replacement, which can be expensive (almost 50% of the equipment price) and might not perform well in humid areas. We also note that this is a small model and will not be able to cool down medium-to-large tents.

The equipment comes in 3 different colors for you to choose: ocean blue, opaque white, and urban grey. We prefer the ocean blue option!

Our review focused on its utilization as a tent air conditioner, and we will concentrate on camping-related aspects.

Specifications	Evapolar Evachill
Weight	2 pounds
Dimensions	‎6.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches
USB powered?	Yes
Wattage	7.5 Watts
Voltage	5V
Autonomy	8 Hours
Noise Level	50dB

Pros

Compact (Excellent Portability) and efficient (Cools relatively quickly)
Energy-efficient (Run on USB battery)
Excellent value for money
Ideal for small tents
Kids and pet safe (no mould)

Cons

Limited cooling effect for big tents
No water indicator (for refill)
Cartridges replacement are expensive.
Do not perform well in high humidity environments

Verdict: Evachill is an excellent mini air conditioner for campers. It is compact and lightweight and can run on batteries (USB-Compatible), making it perfect for small tents. However, it probably will not be very efficient in humid environments.

Evapolar evaCHILL Portable Mini AC

3-IN-1: Cools, humidifies the air, and has a night light.
Hinder mold and bacteria growth
Ideal for small areas
Leakage-proof
Works up to 8 hours without water refill

Check Price

How Evachill Works

This equipment works similarly to an evaporative cooler but has some differences. Its technology uses different materials during the evaporative process, making it more efficient, clean, and safe. Check the video below for further information.

Evapolar Evachill - Design and Specifications

Evachill comes in three different colours: opaque white, urban grey and ocean blue. The general specifications are detailed below.

Design & Weight

The equipment is very compact and lightweight (weighs only 2 pounds), which makes it ideal for campers with small tents and backpackers. You can easily carry it around without much trouble with its handle.

Besides being ultraportable, the equipment has been designed to be water leakage-proof, ensuring a dry experience while using it inside your tent (we recommend using it on a flat surface, though).

Operating Specifications

The 800ml tank will generally run for 8 hours without refill, ensuring a cozy and trouble-free night. This model does not come with a watermark indicator, so make sure that you are constantly monitoring it.

The operating noise level (50db) is equivalent to a quiet office environment or a quiet residential street, allowing you to recover your body and mind while sleeping with it.

The extremely low power consumption is what makes this model so attractive to us – it can easily run from a USB battery or a solar powered power bank, making it a perfect match for your camping trips (and summer backpacking adventures)

Evapolar evaCHILL Portable Mini AC

3-IN-1: Cools, humidifies the air, and has a night light.
Hinder mold and bacteria growth
Ideal for small areas
Leakage-proof
Works up to 8 hours without water refill

Check Price

Ease of use and Maintenance

The equipment is very easy to use and handle and comes with a central button that controls its operation, including turning on and off the humidifier option.

Its internal material (Eva breeze) is made of inorganic nanofibres that hinder mould and bacteria growth, which is common in evaporative coolers’ filters. Eva breeze holds water between its fibres while cellulose conserves it, which degrades it over time.

Its maintenance is elementary and only requires a quick clean and internal cartridges replacement. According to Evapolar, you will need to replace the cartridges every 3-6 months to keep the cooling capacity high (it will depend on how often you use it and how dirty the air passing through the device is).

Evapolar evaCHILL Portable Mini AC

3-IN-1: Cools, humidifies the air, and has a night light.
Hinder mold and bacteria growth
Ideal for small areas
Leakage-proof
Works up to 8 hours without water refill

Check Price

How to Use Evachill

You will only need to fill the water tank and connect the equipment to the power source. The central button controls the equipment function, where you can turn it on and off and control the fan speed.

Alternatives to Evapolar Evachill

We have undertaken research and identified some alternatives to Evachill that it would be good to consider:

Evapolar Evalight – Lower noise level with similar autonomy; drawback – it is not USB compatible
HiFresh Cooler – lower investment, higher autonomy; but increased noise levels.

Specifications	Evalopar Evachill	Evapolar Evalight	HiFresh AirCooler
Weight	2 pounds	3.08 pounds	2.44 pounds
Dimensions	‎6.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches	8 x 8 x 10 inches	6.69 x 5.51 x 8.6 inches
USB powered?	Yes	No	Yes
Wattage	7.5 Watts	5 Watts	7 watts
Voltage	5V	110V	5v
Autonomy	8 Hours	8 Hours	13 hours
Noise Level	50dB	25dB	61.5db
Investment	$$ (Approx. $100)	$$$ (Approx. $150)	$ (Approx. $50)
Suitable For	Small tents	Small tents	Small tent

Compact option

Evapolar evaCHILL

9.3

USB compatible (powered)
Lightweight
Good value for money

Check Price

Budget Friendly

HiFresh Cooler

9.1

USB Compatible
Cheapest option
Highest noise levels

Check Price

Quietest

Evapolar EvaLIGHT

8.8

Lower noise levels
8 hours autonomy
Not USB compatible

Check Price

FAQ

Is it safe to sleep with Evachill in a tent?

Yes, there are no problems in sleeping with it a tent.

Does Evachill works in all weather conditions?

Evachill is extremely efficient with dry weather. However, its efficacy might significantly decrease in environments with high humidity. If you want to further understand why, read this article.

What is the cost of Cartridges replacement for Evachill?

Even though costs are not prohibitive, replacing the cartridges every 3-6 months significantly increases maintenance costs compared to the price of a brand new device.

Conclusion

Evachill is an excellent alternative for campers. Its portability features, size, and weight puts the equipment on top of my choices for a portable camping ac.

Further the fact that it can rua via battery is ideal for outdoors days – you don’t need to worry with electrical connections and hookups. Its stylish design comes as the ice on the cake, with a great appearance.

The downside for us are the cost of cartridge replacement (even though it might last long if you don’t use the device too often) and the lack of water level indicator.

Evapolar evaCHILL Portable Mini AC

3-IN-1: Cools, humidifies the air, and has a night light.
Hinder mold and bacteria growth
Ideal for small areas
Leakage-proof
Works up to 8 hours without water refill

Check Price