RV Air Conditioner
Buying Guide 2025
THE BEST AIR CONDITIONERS FOR MOTORHOMES,
CARAVANS & VANS
Why a good air conditioner is essential for summer vacations on the road
Summer, sun – and stuffy air in your camper? Not on our watch. A reliable air conditioner ensures comfortable
temperatures, better sleep, and a clear head while you travel. Whether you‘re living full-time in your van or exploring on
weekends – nothing beats cool air in the cabin. Plan to travel to warmer regions? A high-performance, low-consumption
cooling system is essential. Compressor air conditioners are the most efficient ones.
WHAT A COMPRESSOR AIR CONDITIONER DOES FOR YOU
Feel well, sleep well – with just the right temperature and humidity
We all want to enjoy a pleasant temperatures in our camper, and humidity plays a decisive role too. Most of us feel more comfortable when the room temperature is around 22 °C and the humidity between 40 and 70 %. To create these conditions in a motorhome, caravan or campervan, the air must be cooled down and dehumidified at the same time. This calls for a compressor-powered AC system.
Compressor air conditioner versus evaporation systems
Compressor air conditioners are the most effective ones. Unlike A/C systems based on evaporation cooling, they also reduce the air humidity in your vehicle – ideal conditions for a pleasant stay and a restful sleep.
5 KEY THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING AN AIR CONDITIONER#1 Vehicle size, insulation, window areasThe vehicle length is a useful guide when selecting an air conditioner. Also consider the interior of your motorhome or caravan. Do you want to air condition the whole vehicle or part of it? How large is the room to be cooled? Vehicles can have entirely different thermal properties. A well insulated caravan with small windows will require less cooling performance than a vintage camper with poor insulation or a full-size RV with panorama windows. #2 Installation – on the roof or in a storage compartment?Recreational vehicles offer only two places where the installation of an air conditioner makes sense: on the roof or in a storage compartment (under-bench air conditioners). Either version has its own benefits. |
Benefits of a roof air conditioner
• Fast installation – air conditioner replaces the roof window, no ducting required
• Superior efficiency – system uses the physical principle that cold air sinks
• Storage compartment is kept free – especially beneficial in smaller campers with limited storage space
• Do you want both – a roof air conditioner and natural light from a roof window? Opt for Dometic FreshLight 2200.
Benefits of an under-bench air conditioner
• No extra height added to your vehicle – no problems with height restrictions
• You can keep the roof window and enjoy natural light from above
• Flexible air distribution via the ducting system – concentrated or in several rooms
#3 TRAVEL DESTINATION – NORTH SCANDINAVIA OR
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#4 SMOOTH OPERATION AT THE CAMPSITE – WITH HASSLE-FREE START-UP
Will your Dometic air conditioner reliably start up even on campsites with unstable power supplies? The answer is yes. Our FreshJet FJX4 2200, FreshLight 2200 and FreshWell FWX4 models feature a soft-start function, which supports the engine during the critical start-up phase. As a result, the start-up phase is much shorter – it’s over before the fuse can blow.
Our tip: With the new generation FreshJet FJX7 roof air conditioners, there are no start-up problems at all. These premium models come with an electronic inverter compressor – no current peaks in the start-up phase.
#5 NOISE LEVEL – IMPORTANT FOR A GOOD NIGHT‘S SLEEP
Do you want to sleep better in your camper next summer? Opt for an A/C system with a low noise level. Dometic air conditioners are among the quietest around. Our FreshJet FJX7 models are even quieter. Thanks to the electronic inverter compressor, there’s scarcely any vibration. The compressor speed automatically adapts to the cooling requirements, without the typical ON/OFF cycles known from conventional compressor systems.
ALL-IN-ONE AIR CONDITIONERS
Cool, heat and purify the air in the cabin
A select few air conditioners can do it all: cool, heat and purify. If you are likely to travel long distances in your RV and experience a range of climate conditions, an all-in-one air conditioner ensures you will always be comfortable.
Clean air – as standard or for retrofitting
Air purification is a standard feature on all new generation Dometic air conditioners with electronic controls (FJX7 and FJX4 series). If you have an older-make, or a FreshJet FJX4 1500M with manual controls, you can retrofit the Dometic BREATHE 2500 add-on kit to enjoy clean and healthy air in your camper.
TOP AIR CONDITIONER PICKS FOR 2025
Whether you‘re new to vanlife or a seasoned traveler – we‘ve got a matching air conditioner for you. To give you an idea of what the Dometic world holds in store for you, we’ve selected some models for different types of camper setups.
FreshJet FJX7 2600: Our topseller
Compact size, amazing power – ready for every adventure
Best for: Mid-sized RVs. Also fits on smaller camper roofs.
FreshJet FJX7 3000 / 3500: For large motorhomes
Powerful, quiet & ideal for hot southern Europe trips
Best for: Full-size RVs & caravans with large interiors
FreshJet FJX4 1700: For compact vans & buses
Flexible, energy-efficient & easy to install
Best for: Panel vans, VW buses, campervans, mini campers
FreshJet FJX4 1500M: For spontaneous campers
Compact & budget-friendly, with manual controls
Best for: Beginners, weekend adventurers & DIY setups
Not all vehicles are compatible with every type of air conditioner
Individual models can vary and so we recommend speaking to your authorized dealer or service center for the best advice according to your specific vehicle.
Conclusion: Your perfect AC setup for summer 2025
There‘s a wide variety of air conditioners for motorhomes, vans, and caravans – but with the right knowledge, you’ll find the ideal model in no time. Ready for this summer, and the next.