Camping is one of the best ways to get outdoors and enjoy nature, but summertime can also be a bit uncomfortable if the weather is too hot. That’s why tents with AC ports are an excellent option for those who want to camp during the summer.
These tents allow you to keep cool and comfortable while you sleep, making for a much more enjoyable camping trip. Our recommendations for tents with AC ports are:
- Bushnell Shield Series cabin – Best Medium-sized tent (6 people)
- Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet 12-Person Instant Tent – Best Large Family Camping Option (12 people)
- The Wenzel Klondike 8-Person – Best option with screen room (8 people)
- Coleman Elite Weather Master – Best Heavy-Duty option
- WhiteDuck Avalon Canvas Bell Tent – Best Luxury Tent with AC port
Let’s check the detailed review of each of them below.
Best Tent with AC ports - Our top recommendations
#1 Bushnell Shield Series 6-person Cabin Tent
The Bushnell Shield Series cabin is one of the unique shelters on the market with an AC flap for window AC units. It has a simple setup design with pre-attached holes,
allowing you to finish setup within 2 minutes.
This tent has a reflective coating on the underside of the rainfly, which helps block UV rays, helping the tent stay cooler and darker.
The Bushnell Shield Series cabin tent has an open floor plan with an 80-inch center height. It is tall enough for most campers to stand upright and walk around without hunching over with such a height.
It comes with two removable room dividers that allow you to create up to three separate sleeping spaces for up to 12 campers.
Moreover, it has storage compartments that can store all items you need. The tent comes with two AC vents for setting up the cooling system, and it has a built-in heat shield that makes the AC effective.
What you will love about this tent is its durability, and you can trust it all year round. It
is not only a good choice for summertime, but the waterproof construction makes
it great for use even in winter or cold months.
Overall, if you are looking for a reliable and durable tent for outdoor use, this tent is the
best to purchase.
Pros
- Spacious tent, fitting tall and short campers
- Storage pockets
- Equipped with room dividers for privacy
- It has heat shield technology that keeps tent cool
Cons
- You can find cheaper alternatives
- This tent is bulky
#2 - Ozark Trail 16x16-Feet 12-Person Instant Tent
Here is another massive instant tent that can comfortably accommodate 3 queen airbeds and hold up to 12 people (Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet 12-Person Instant Tent).
Setting up this tent is simple, thanks to its pre-attached poles, which only need to be unfolded and extended. Everything is set for you to make your camping trip enjoyable.
It is fitted with two-room dividers, each with an AC port, allowing everyone to relax the tent without compromising privacy. T
he tent has large mesh windows on the sides for ultimate ventilation and ensuring your tent stays cool. Its spacious design and room dividers make it an excellent choice for family and friends.
It is equipped with two separate doors that allow campers to get in and out of the tent without disturbing anyone’s privacy.
The tent is made of heavy-duty polyester that can withstand harsh outdoor elements, and the doors have sturdy zippers that provide simple access to the tent. It has a decent ceiling height of around 80 inches, allowing you to move inside comfortably.
Pros
- It has 3 separate rooms for privacy
- Includes rainfly that ensures your tent stays cool
- Waterproof and durable
- Spacious with lots of ventilation options
Cons
- Not ideal for windy locations
#3 - Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Tent
The Wenzel Klondike 8-Person tent with AC port is best for large families or friends who love camping. It is worth investing in this tent because it can occupy eight sleeping bags or two queen-sized mattresses.
Wenzel 8-Person tent is fitted with zippered windows with inside flaps and a door that separates the entry room, helping add privacy in the tent.
It is well ventilated to keep you cool, including a seam-sealed fly which can be removed, mesh roof vents, and three side windows with zippers for simple access.
The tent has a fiberglass roof frame with steel uprights and corner elbows, making it strong. Besides, it includes a pin and ring to make the setup easy.
Constructed from polyester with a polyurethane coating, the tent can withstand the test of time without fading or tearing. Still, it has double-stitched seams and all fabrics that will stop water from getting inside the tent, making it great for using all year around.
The entry room has mesh walls that provide adequate airflow, and it can be zipped to act as spacious. It has accessory pockets sewn into the tent walls, and you can use them to stash small and essential items.
Pros
- Spacious and Comfortable
- Waterproof and durable material
- Multiple ventilation points
Cons
- It takes time to set up
- Tent does not come with a cord access port
#4 - Coleman Elite Weather Master 6 Tent
Here is another family-friendly tent designed for outdoor adventures like hiking and camping. The Coleman Elite Weather Master is 6 feet 8 inches tall, making it high for taller people to move comfortably inside. Furthermore, the floor size is enough to fit two queen-size mattresses with more room for other gear.
It has built-in LED lighting that offers illumination for 81 hours on three different settings. You can use the light for hands-free studying maps for the next day’s hike. Other than that, there is an E-port for connecting your portable air conditioner.
Coleman Elite WeatherMaster tent has an illuminated wall switch that allows you to choose between high, low, and nightlight modes on the CPX 6-compatible LED light. The LED lighting operates on powerful 4 D-cells or a CPX 6 cartridge.
There is an included rainfly that smoothly attaches for weather protection. The construction of this tent is heavy-duty, where it has inverted seams that increase weather resistance a wind-responsive frame with guy-out angles, and poles. What’s more, it has a welding technology that strengthens the floor and eliminates needle holes.
You will love this tent because it has a bug-free area that allows you to have a peaceful nap or sleep other than having AC ports.
Pros
- Built-in illumination
- Water-resistant, fade-resistant, and extremely durable
- Spacious interior
- Massive screen porch that gives extra living space and gear storage
Cons
- Not suitable for using when scorching
- Tent does not have instant setup system
#5 - WhiteDuck Avalon Canvas Bell Tent
WhiteDuck Avalon Canvas Bell Tent our preferred luxurious tent model. You can choose from different sizes, which can acommodate up to 10 campers – refer to the image below to better understand potential arrangements for beds.
With lateral openings, electric ports, and internal pockets, an AC unit can be installed easily. It comes with a tremendous value-for-money relationship when compared to other luxury tents.
Its structure is sturdy and comes with galvanized steel poles. Another impressive feature is its double-stitched seams with reinforced corners for added strength – this model is very resistant.
We also love the sophisticated and modern design! The tent is made of duck cotton canvas, with excellent waterproofness and optimal insulation.
Pros
- The tent is spacious and comfortable
- It has vents for ventilation that will facilitate window AC installation
- Easy set-up
- Great Brand
Cons
- It is heavy
FAQ
Can you put a window AC in a tent?
Yes, you can. We wrote an article detailing how to do it – you can read it here.
Make sure that you choose the adequate AC size and properly insulate your tent!
Which are the best AC options to use in a tent?
Different types of ACs can be used in a tent – you can read our detailed guide on how to choose the best tent air conditioner for you. Overall, you can choose between window AC and Portable AC options.
A portable AC offers you the flexibility to install it anywhere in the tent, and it doesn’t need much work to set up. However, It takes longer to cool a tent and it is not that effective in a hot climate (check the best battery-powered tent air conditioners reviewed by us)
A window AC is more effective and reliable. The drawback comes when we are talking about portability and installation requirements.
Can I make a DIY AC port on my existing tent?
Yes, you can. However, while it is easy to make an AC hole in your tent, it is not a great idea not unless you have confidence in your sewing skills.
If you don’t have enough precision and adequate skills, you will end up making unnecessary holes in your tent fabrics, leading to leaks and potential permanent damages to your equipment.
We recommend sticking to the options shown in this post.
Is there an mini AC unit for small tents?
Yes, there are multiple alternatives available in the market. We recommend Evapolar Evachill. It is a very efficient device that can USB power supply. Read our detailed review of this product.
How to insulate my tent for AC?
We recommend considering the following points:
- 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
If you want to read a detailed guide for each of these points, read out our article on insulating a tent for AC.
Can an AC cause fire in my tent?
No, it can’t cause a fire. It is entirely safe to use a camping tent with an AC port along with an air conditioner in your tent.
However, make sure all the wiring is intact and done perfectly. Ensure you follow all the safety measures of using an AC in a tent.
Is there and DIY Tent Air Conditioner Solution?
Yes, there is. We have prepared a detailed step-by-step approach to build your DIY camping air conditioner in this article.
What is the perfect size for my tent?
The capacity of your tent will depend on how many campers you are hosting and the gear you have. The best tent should have ample headroom to help tall campers move comfortably in the tent.
Besides, it should have enough floor space to accommodate all your gear. So, depending on the number of campers you are hosting and your equipment, you will decide which capacity to choose.
We recommend having at least 25% extra capacity (i.e. if you are camping in a group of 4 people, having a tent for 5 or 6 would be ideal).
How to cool my tent without electricity?
These measures will help you have a cooler tent:
- Choose the adequate tent fabric
- Choose the best location to pitch your tent
- Set your tent up at the right time
- Use a battery-powered air conditioner
- Use solar-powered devices (solar AC or Camping Fans)
- Use a reflective blanket
- Cool your body down
- Watch for tent ventilation
- Forget about your sleeping bag
- DIY Tent Air Conditioner
Verdict
After reviewing all the options available in the market, we found that these four alternatives are the best. Do not hesitate to buy the following models according to your requirements:
- Bushnell Shield Series cabin – Best Medium-sized tent (6 people)
- Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet 12-Person Instant Tent – Best Large Family Camping Option (12 people)
- The Wenzel Klondike 8-Person – Best option with screen room (8 people)
- Coleman Elite Weather Master – Best Heavy-Duty option / Medium-sized tent alternative
- WhiteDuck Avalon Canvas Bell Tent – Best Luxury Tent with AC port
We hope this article has helped you on your choice – if you have any doubts, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Happy summer camping!
