Camping nowadays is very different from how it used to be back in the day. In the past, camping meant staying outside and being at the mercy of nature. While that was a lot of fun, it wasn’t the most comfortable experience for many people.
But things are different now.
While you can always camp like the good old days with just a tent, grill, and cooler, there’s also an option for people who want to feel a bit more comfortable when out camping. And one of the ways you can increase your camping comfort is through the use of portable camping air conditioners.
In this article, I will review the ProAire 5,300 BTU portable indoor outdoor air conditioner, and by the end of this review, you’ll have a crystal-clear idea as to whether or not it suits your needs.
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.
ProAire 5,300 BTU – A Summary Review
Don’t have time to read the full review? Here’s a short summary.
If you’re planning on RV camping, or heading over to a camp you don’t need to access on foot, then this air conditioner will be a good choice for you. It does weigh just under 61 lbs, and has wheels at the base, so moving it around in a short distance won’t be that much of a problem. That being said, it’s not suitable if you plan on hiking or camping in very remote locations.
It’s 5,300 BTU, which means it’s pretty strong. It is an indoor and outdoor model. giving you plenty of options and flexibility to use it as you see fit. So, if you want a certain level of comfort while inside your large multi-person tent or RV, this model is a great choice. And if you want to keep cool during the hot summer months while outdoors, you can use this appliance for that too.
That said, the downside to having a robust air purifier like this one is that it requires an external power source. This air conditioner doesn’t have a built-in battery, which means you need to have something to power it on-site.
This could be a generator, a car battery, or even a portable solar panel system. It’s a 115-volt and 800 watt machine, so you have to find a power source that can provide it with what it needs when using this air conditioner.
While this air purifier has tons of applications, we’re here to review it as a camping air conditioner. So, keep this context in mind when reading the review.
- Suitable for larger spaces
- Advanced cooling mechanism for increased effectiveness
- Adjustable hose to aim the air wherever you need (360-degrees)
- Continous drainage
- Auto shut-off to prevent compressor overload
- Requires an external power source
- Fairly heavy and bulky
Specifications | ProAire 5,300 BTU Portable Air Conditioner |
Weight | 60.9lbs |
Power Source | Corded Electric |
Dimensions | 11.5″D x 18.5″W x 23″H |
Wattage | 800 watts |
Auto Shut-Off | Yes |
- Can operate in temperatures of up to 109°F
- Auto shut-off feature to prevent compressor overload
- 360-degree adjustable hose to aim the air as per your needs
- Great for larger spaces
How the ProAire Works
This air conditioner works similarly to any other portable air conditioner. This air conditioner uses a compressor to cool down the air that passes through the machine, resulting in cool air blowing in your direction. It has a redirectable hose so you can aim the cold air wherever it’s needed, and since it has an auto-shut off feature, you won’t have to worry about accidentally overloading the compressor.
If you’d like to learn more about how this ProAire air conditioner works, check out the video below.
ProAire Design & Specifications
This air conditioner only comes in one color: black. This isn’t the most eye–catching air conditioner, but it designed to perform rather than look good. Keep on reading to find out the design and operating specifications of this unit.
- Can operate in temperatures of up to 109°F
- Auto shut-off feature to prevent compressor overload
- 360-degree adjustable hose to aim the air as per your needs
- Great for larger spaces
Design & Weight
The ProAire 5,300 BPU is a pretty ergonomic air conditioner. That being said, it does have quite a unique design as it features a hose on top through which the cold air will be introduced into your space. As for the hose, you can rotate it 360-degrees and cool down the space as per your needs.
The thing about this air conditioner is that it’s heavy. At 60.9lbs, it isn’t the best companion if you plan on camping in a remote location and need to walk to reach your destination. But for RV camping with larger groups, it’s more than perfect.
It also has a set of wheels on the bottom, which you will need when moving this air purifier from place to place. The wheels are a very nice plus if you have back problems like myself.
Operating Specifications
To use this air purifier, you need to plug it into a power source. This is a 115v, 800-watt air conditioner, so you need to have a pretty solid power source. But once it’s plugged in, there’s one switch that you use to turn it on, which starts the air purifier and starts introducing cold air into your space.
This air conditioner is continuously draining itself, so you don’t have to worry about having to drain it manually every couple of hours. Additionally, it will shut off automatically to prevent the compressor from getting overloaded, which is another huge plus.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
The ProAire 5,300 BTU portable air conditioner is relatively easy to use. Once you manage to find a power source, all you have to do is turn it on. It has a single switch, so you won’t have to worry about going through long chapters in the user manual just to figure out how this product works.
Additionally, it drains automatically. All you have to do is place a container to catch the water from the air purifier. And once the container starts to fill up, you will get a notification telling you to empty the water.
It also has an automatic shut-off function, which makes things even more convenient.
Aside from cleaning, the most maintenance you have to perform with this model is changing the filter. But even then, you won’t have to do that as often as with other models because this air conditioner has a washable and reusable filter.
So, aside from the fact that it’s heavy, bulky, and requires an external power source, this is a pretty good air conditioner to have on your trip. And if you’re already using a battery, generator, or solar power for other appliances like a such as a dehumidifier, air purifier, or ice maker, you can easily hook this unit to them and get it working right away.
- Can operate in temperatures of up to 109°F
- Auto shut-off feature to prevent compressor overload
- 360-degree adjustable hose to aim the air as per your needs
- Great for larger spaces
Alternatives to the ProAire Model
If you’re not quite sure as to whether or not you want to go for the ProAire model, here is how it compares to other great portable air conditioners in the market.
If you’re after investing a good chunk of money in a portable air conditioner that will do the job even at the highest temperatures, then you should go for the my premium pick, the EENOUR QN650. If you’re looking to shop on a budget, then go for the less powerful USB-powered NA ni model.
- Can operate in temperatures of up to 109 Fahrenheit
- Auto shut-off feature to prevent compressor overload
- 360-degree adjustable hose to aim the air as per your needs
- Great for larger spaces
- Small, compact, and easy to carry around
- Works via any USB power supply
- A great air conditioner for small personal spaces
- Can operate at 3 different speeds
- Can cover an area of up to 45 square feet
- Compact and easy to carry around
- Features a three-speed fan and a sleeping mode
- Install and start using within minutes
Conclusion
This air conditioner isn’t for everyone. It’s large, bulky, heavy, and requires external power. However, it’s also very strong and can cool down just about any space you can imagine on a campsite. So, if you’re going on a big camping trip with friends and family, I’d definitely recommend this air conditioner.
However, if you’re planning on living in a tent long term, then it’s not going to be a practical purchase for you. In such case, you should look for a smaller tent camping air conditioner.