Best Quiet Operation: 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.

Look at the picture above from San Francisco. Reminds us of that famous Mark Twain quote about the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.

Funny, but there is a good point: even if you set off in your RV in the summer, you could roll into the cold fog of San Francisco and suddenly find you need heat, not air conditioning.

This model by RecPro came recommended by our readers. 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. 

Best Tried & True Brand: Dometic Brisk Air  II 15,000 BTU Rv Ac Complete ND System W/Heat

When we interviewed folks who sell RVs for a living and asked about reliable A/C brands, this one came up time and time again: Dometic. This model (Brisk Air II) pairs an excellent A/C compressor with a heat strip that can quickly warm an RV. Here’s more: 

What We Liked

• Easy install.

• Heats and cools fast.

• Efficient.

• Includes remote control.

What Needs Work

• No way to adjust air flow direction.

• Could be quieter.

Best Portable: BLACK+DECKER 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Heat

When it comes to heating or cooling an RV, you have two options: a rooftop model or a portable option that can be moved about the RV. Rooftop models are the most common choice, since they are permanently mounted and effective.

However, there are times when a portable unit like this one from Black and Decker makes sense—it is less expensive than a rooftop model and doesn’t require hauling a heavy A/C unit up to the top of your RV for an install. Yes, you do have to run the hose out a window in order to get the A/C to work efficiently, but that isn’t that difficult (this model includes a window kit with seal). 

What We Liked

• Quiet.

• Affordable.

• Quickly cools.

• Easy to set up.

What Needs Work

• Must vent A/C hose out window.

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!