Best Budget-Friendly: Dometic Brisk II Rooftop Air Conditioner

Yes, RV air conditioners can get pricey in a hurry. This reader favorite was also mentioned as a good brand by the RV experts we interviewed for this article: Dometic. This model is well designed—note the EPP foam housing so it is lighter in weight compared to others we researched.

What We Liked

• Easy to install.

• Reliable brand.

• Lighter in weight due to foam housing.

• Affordable.

What Needs Work

• Could be quieter.

• Control box is sold separately.

• Box used for packing could be more robust to protect unit from shipping damage.

Best Tried and True Brand: Coleman 48204C866 MACH 15+ A/C Unit

When you’ve spent months planning an RV trip during the summer, the last thing you want to worry about is the A/C unit—and going with a tried and true brand is good way to avoid surprises. That’s why we liked this unit from Coleman, which came recommended by our readers for overall quality and durability.

What We Liked

• Simple to install.

• Reliable brand that’s a workhorse.

• Comes with seal.

What Needs Work

• Could be quieter.

• Pricey.

Best A/C Plus Heat: RecPro RV Air Conditioner 15K Non-Ducted

Sure, having a reliable A/C unit for your RV is important for summer trips, but we also know from interviewing our readers, folks like to take their RV out for camping trips in the spring and fall as well. Having an A/C unit that can also double as a heat pump is important. After looking at several models recommended by RV pros we interviewed, we liked this model by RecPro best. Note how quiet it is—and yes, it works to heat an RV as long as the outside temperature is above 30 degrees. (Below that and you’ll need a more robust heat source).

What We Liked

• Perfect for spring or fall trips.

• Easy to install.

• Directions are clear and easy to follow.

• All copper wiring.

• Quiet!

What Needs Work

• Heat only works down to 30 degrees. 

About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

How We Pick Products To Recommend

We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.

When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.

We also fact check manufacturer information with our own measurements. If a maker claims a product weighs X pounds, we will weigh it to make sure. If the battery life is supposed to be six hours, we will see how it stands up in the real world.

In some cases, we will do interviews with experts in the field to get additional feedback on products.

To get hands-on time with products, we regularly meet one-on-one with gear companies and even tour manufacturing facilities. (When we do this, we pay our own travel expenses).

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

Our independence is a key reason why we have been doing this so long. As we mentioned above, when we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!