The 6 Best Camping Tents with AC Port in 2024

Summer is fantastic, but a tent in the middle of a heat wave is no picnic. Summer camping can be a hot and sticky experience. But if you have camping tents with AC, you can stay cool and comfortable even if the temperature outside is soaring.

Even in the hottest and most humid weather, these tents with air conditioning ports (AC ports enabled) can be used. While some people may be able to camp in their cars next to a refreshing watering hole, the rest of us will have to take matters into our own hands if we want to beat the heat on those terrible days.

Although some may consider this to be a form of “glamping,” the term’s definition doesn’t really apply to me. Camping in the sweltering heat of a California summer is not one of my favorite things to do. I’d prefer not to sleep in a pool of my own sweat and instead sleep beneath the stars in a cool, pleasant place. Camping trips are supposed to be fun.

We put a number of tents through their paces to determine which one has an AC port that works the best. We looked at the building’s structure, ventilation, and vents to make sure they are good enough for an air conditioner unit.

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The Benefits of Camping Tents with AC

There are many benefits to using a camping tent with an air conditioner.

First, it can help keep the tent cool in the heat. This is especially important if you are camping in an area with high temperatures.

Second, it can help reduce the risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Third, it can provide a comfortable place to sleep at night

Finally, it can help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

Another benefit of using a camping tent with an AC is that it can help keep insects and other pests away. This is especially important if you are camping in an area with a lot of insects.

The Different Types of Camping Tents with AC

There are two main types of camping tents with AC: those that use an AC unit, and those that use ice. AC units are more expensive, but they will keep you cooler for longer periods of time. Ice tents are less expensive, but they will need to be refrozen every few hours. Depending on your needs, one type of tent may be better than the other.

If you are planning on camping in a hot climate, then an AC unit is probably your best bet. However, if you are only going to be camping for a short period of time, or in a cooler climate, then an ice tent might be a better option. Whichever type of tent you choose, make sure to do your research so that you find the best tent as a possible option for your needs.

However, there are a few essentials you should have in place before attempting to air condition your tent, to ensure the highest level of comfort and the smoothest possible operation.

Tent Air Conditioners

You can choose between a window AC unit and a free-standing air conditioner for your tent’s cooling needs when you go camping.

Window AC Units and Tents

A window air conditioner is the most conventional and easily visible method of providing climate control in a tent. However, if you insist on installing a window AC unit, it’s smart to buy a compact model.

Mini-Compact Air Conditioner by Frigidaire, 5,000 BTU, Window-Mounted First, you’ll need to move this AC unit around, therefore its compact size is an advantage for that purpose.

A smaller window air conditioner will also have fewer BTUs, so the tent won’t get too cold or damp inside. For the simple reason that a huge window unit designed to chill a large room can be too powerful for a tent, despite the fact that a tent is not particularly well insulated.

Free Standing Air Conditioner and Tents

Tents can also employ portable or freestanding air conditioners. These AC units sit inside the tent and have a hose that extends outside of the tent.

Because of their stealthiness and lack of AC port requirements, we prefer these tent air conditioners.

With a free-standing air conditioner, only a little hose can be seen outside the tent. A stealth tent air conditioner reduces theft and unwanted attention.

Free-standing AC units don’t need AC stands because they sit on the ground. Free-standing AC units in tents take up valuable space.

Best Tents With AC Port: Our Top Picks

Ozark Trail Three Room Instant Cabin

Our ratings

 4.4/5

Bushnell Shield 12 Person Tent

Our ratings

 4.4/5

Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Tent

Our ratings

 4.4/5

E-Z UP Camping Cube

Our ratings

 4/5

Core 12 Person Instant Cabin

Our ratings

 4.3/5

Coleman Weathermaster 6 Person Tent

Our ratings

 4.4/5

Reviews of the Top 6 Best Camping Tents With AC Ports

You can keep your tent cool while camping in a few different ways. This article discusses the top six camping tents with an AC port that will make your camping experience pleasant and memorable (for all the right reasons!). We will also discuss the considerations you should make to ensure you purchase the right tent for your needs.

1. Ozark Trail Three Room Instant Cabin: Our Top Pick

Our top tent features an AC inlet; the Ozark Trail tent is perfect for use with a window air conditioner. The Instant Cabin’s pre-attached poles allow it to be pitched in a matter of seconds; all you have to do is unfold and extend them.

As a result of its convenient layout—three individual chambers, each with its own electricity source—this tent has become rather popular. That way, everyone may enjoy some peace and quiet while camping. In addition to your personal air conditioner, the tent’s big mesh windows provide additional airflow.

A large front awning offers additional shade for outdoor sitting at this shelter. It also features two tent doors, so nobody has to crawl over anybody else to get in or out of the tent at night.

What we like

What we don't like

2. Bushnell Shield 12 Person Tent: Best Overall Quality

One of the few shelters available today that is designed to work with window air conditioners is the Bushnell Shield Series Instant Cabin Tent. The Bushnell tent has a quick-and-easy rapid setup thanks to its pre-attached poles.

This tent is fantastic because of its spacious interior and lofty 80-inch (2-m) center height. This means that campers of average height won’t have to bend over to move about inside.

This air-conditioned tent can house as many as 12 campers, but it may be divided into three rooms with the included room dividers. The reflective covering used in the Instant Cabin Tent’s heat shield technology also prevents UV rays, making for a cooler night’s sleep in the great outdoors.

What we like

What we don't like

3. Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Tent With Screen Room: Best On A Budget

The Wenzel Klondike 8 is a budget-friendly AC-port tent. The Wenzel’s second room, which turns into a bug-free screened porch, is our favorite feature.

Unzip the Klondike’s four huge front windows to sit and hang with enough for two camp chairs, a cooler, a card table, and more. We also like that the main sleeping space of the Klondike can be totally closed off from the super-ventilated porch part, which means you won’t be letting all your cool air out of the bedroom while you hang outside.

The Wenzel Klondike tent is a large tent with near-vertical walls and a stand-up ceiling in the main sleeping area, making it a great value. If you travel without an air conditioner, the Klondike’s canopy’s remarkable assortment of zippable mesh windows provides superb ventilation.

The Klondike has certain budget tent shortcomings. First, the integrated interior storage choices (pockets, organizers, gear lofts etc.) are relatively limited, so keep that in mind if you travel with plenty of goods. Second, although both the rainfly and canopy are intended to endure rain, we recommend adding an extra waterproofing treatment for peace of mind. Any inexpensive tent, but especially ones like one that uses a “roof-only” rainfly, should do this.

What we like

What we don't like

4. E-Z UP Camping Cube

The large opening in the E-Z UP Camping Cube can be used as an entrance for your pet or to install an air conditioner.

The camping cube can fit up to 6 people and their pets. The tent has a total volume of about 541 cubic feet and measures 111 inches on all sides.

Our favorite feature of the E-Z Camping Cube is how spacious it is. All areas of the tent provide excellent ventilation and airflow. An abundance of fresh air may be enjoyed thanks to the roof vents, huge screened windows, and oversized screened door.

Features a plus s-hook, heavy-duty clip hooks and loop closures, and quick assembly. It has a sturdy polyester zipper and tent with an ac flap.

The tent’s UV-blocking floor and walls block 90% of the sun’s rays. In addition, it has a power connector on the side for connecting cord extensions to charge your electronics.

We only identified one drawback: the E-Z UP Camping Cube can’t be utilized alone. One of the straight-leg frame shelters from E-Z up is what you need to keep it standing.

However, this was not a deal breaker for us because the shelter not only protects the tent but can also be used independently, such as at the beach or during the kids’ sports games.

What we like

What we don't like

5. Core 12 Person Instant Cabin

Due to its spacious interior, stand-up ceilings, and three-room dividable layout, the Core 12 Person Instant Cabin is popular with large groups and families. It has pre-attached pole construction, various doors, and enough room for three queen mattresses. The Core Cabin just lacks an AC port.

Why is an AC-less tent on this list? The Instant Cabin is one of the easiest tents to convert for AC use without sacrificing weather protection. The Core Cabin’s great ventilation comes from two large, adjustable vents near the ground on either side of the tent.

These mesh-protected vents are waterproof and bug-proof. They’re ideal for AC vents. Simply measure the diameter of your AC’s exhaust tube and cut a little smaller circle in one of the mesh parts to thread your AC vent outside the tent while maintaining a bug-tight seal.

A weatherproof electric cable port next to the appropriate AC mounting place and one of these huge vents on each side of the tent increase its adaptability. As a budget-friendly three-season tent, the Core Cabin needs some TLC before heading into the wilderness. DWR treatment for the tent and seam-taped rainfly is highly recommended. The Core’s 68D polyester fabric is durable but not as tough as some of our other options, so we recommend setting it up carefully.

What we like

What we don't like

6. Coleman Weathermaster 6 Person Tent

This summer, take the family camping with the Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6. A sizable screen room allows you to stay cool on sunny days or store items you don’t want to lug into the main tent area.

Built-in LED lights in this tent may shine brightly for up to 81 hours across three brightness levels. In addition, it features an E-Port for plugging in a camping air conditioner port to the campsite’s electrical ports.

The WeatherMaster contains a number of rollable mesh windows covered in nylon for extra ventilation. The tent’s bathtub-style floor has inverted seams to help keep the rain out, and the angled entryway features an awning to protect you from the elements.

What we like

What we don't like

Buyer’s Guide For The Best Tents With An AC Port

Installation is quick and easy.

Unless you enjoy the process of setting up a tent, you should go for one that can be done in seconds. You can save time setting up camp by purchasing a tent of this kind, as its poles are pre-attached and can be stretched with a simple unfolding motion.

Weather-Resistance:

A tent’s primary function is to keep you dry and safe from the elements. While this is true generally, some tents perform this task better than others. A full-coverage rainfly is ideal for providing the most weather protection, so keep that in mind while shopping for a tent.

Tents with mesh windows and doors, on the other hand, should be outfitted with nylon panels that zip together to keep rain out. If you’re going camping in a very wet area, you should bring a tent that has a bathtub-style floor and seam-sealed zippers.

Interior Living Area:

The number of campers and the quantity of stuff you bring determine the required amount of internal space in your tent. In order to provide everyone some breathing room under the same roof, a larger tent is required.

However, if you also like to bring along a lot of extra stuff, you may want to invest in a larger tent than is strictly necessary. This will prevent the group from stumbling over one another and let everyone feel more in control of the situation.

Space Dividers:

Room dividers are important in a family camping tent, but they are often forgotten. Many contemporary tents feature partitions that can be removed to create a living room and bedroom or split the tent in half.

If you’re camping with another family or have older children, these partitions will come in handy. These partitions can help give everyone the space and quiet they need when camping.

Materials:

When shopping for camping tents with AC port options, one of the most important things to think about is the tent’s material. The performance of an air conditioner inside the tent will depend on the fabric used.

Most tents are constructed from one of three materials: polyester, polyurethane, or nylon. This is because these materials can withstand moisture, require little care, and are inexpensive. Because of this, a tent manufactured from one of these three materials is what you should look for when making your purchase.

Verify the fabric’s denier count after careful examination. In order to gauge the density of a fabric’s threads, that measurement is used. In this way, you may rest assured that your tent is completely watertight and airtight, and can endure any storm.

How to Set Up a Camping Tent with AC

When you’re on a camping ground, portable air conditioners are a great way to cool down the tent. If you have decided to use a camping tent with AC, then you will need to know how to set it up properly.

The first thing you need to do is choose a level spot for your tent. Once you have done that, you will need to unroll the tent and lay it out on the ground.

Next, you will need to assemble the frame of the tent. Once the frame is assembled, you will need to attach the rain fly.

Finally, you will need to install the AC unit. If you are using a window ac unit, then you will need to follow the instructions that came with the unit. If you are using a portable unit, then you will need to fill it with ice and water and plug it into an outlet.

Camping Air Conditioner Safety Guide

It’s important to take extra precautions when using air conditioners for anything other than their original function.

Make sure the cables are in good shape and that the increased humidity has not harmed any external components by inspecting them before and after each use.

Most tents are rather tiny, therefore any electrical equipment running inside of one should be kept as far away from you as possible. You won’t have to worry as much about accidentally waking yourself up by touching something as you sleep.

If it’s being powered by a portable generator, make sure it’s not pitched too close to the tent to prevent hazardous fumes from seeping inside.

Never leave a running battery-operated camping air conditioner inside a tent, since doing so can fast cause it to overheat and perhaps catch fire. The same thing may happen if the humidity level were too high, although this would only affect batteries that were of low quality to begin with or that had a manufacturing problem.

Before deciding where to put the unit, make sure it won’t get wet there. Devices that can be propped up by stands, even if they’re homemade, are preferable. It’s best to avoid laying cables on the ground if at all feasible.

Before using any new electrical appliance, be sure you have read and understood the manufacturer’s instructions.

In the event of any unusual behavior or noises, turn it off and unplug it immediately.

In the unlikely event of a short circuit, you should check the label to see if the tent is made of fire-resistant material.

How to Care for a Camping Tent with AC

Once you have set up your camping tent with a portable AC unit, you will need to know how to care for it properly.

First, you will need to make sure that the AC unit is turned off when you are not using it. This will help to prolong the life of the unit.

Additionally, you will need to make sure that the unit is kept clean. You can do this by dusting it off regularly and making sure that there is no dirt or debris buildup around the unit.

Finally, you should make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for care and maintenance of the unit.

Best Camping Tents With AC Port – FAQs

To help answer some of the most frequently asked questions about tents with electrical outlets, we’ve included the following information below:

Q. Is it safe to use an air conditioner in a tent?

It is possible to use an air conditioner in a tent without risk. When camping, it’s important to have access to fresh air, so make sure your shelter has plenty of windows. On hot days, a tent’s ventilation system and an air conditioner can make the tent much more comfortable.

To avoid electrical dangers when running an air conditioner in a tent, you should take all the necessary safety precautions.

The air conditioner should be located as far away from you as possible. This will prevent a short circuit from happening if pillows or sleeping bags are put in front of the AC unit’s opening.

Q. Are AC Tents Worth It?

While camping in the summer is exciting, the heat of the tent at night might make it difficult to get a good night’s rest. If your tent has built-in AC ports, you can keep it at a comfortable temperature while you sleep.

But camping tents with air conditioning ports are not only hard to find, but some of them are also of poor quality.

Q. What size AC should I get for my camping tent?

Your tent’s capacity for cooling is related to the size of the air conditioner. Experts advise getting a system with at least 5000 BTU (British thermal units).

An air conditioner with a higher BTU rating is needed, however, as tent sizes grow. So, before you go out and get an air conditioner, make sure you know how big your tent is.

Q. Will air conditioning affect humidity inside the tent?

Most air conditioners are designed to eliminate humidity from the air. They blow over the melted ice and provide refreshing air in your tent.

But when humidity levels soar, most infrastructure fails. So, your air conditioner might not work as well in humid places, causing more condensation to form inside your tent.

Whether or not the tent’s humidity goes up when you use an air conditioner will depend on the weather where you are camping. If it’s very humid outside, there are some types of air conditioner that might not be able to get rid of all the condensation. However, if the weather is dry, the tent’s air conditioner will keep things nice and cool inside.

Still, there are many ways to keep a tent dry, even in a humid place. Simply opening the windows will do the trick. That will aid in keeping the tent dry by lowering the humidity, and it will also help with ventilation.

Final Thoughts -Camping Tents with AC

The Ozark Trail Three Room Cabin was the finest tent with an AC port when we considered all the aforementioned factors. Its reasonable price tag is the icing on the cake for a product that stands out because of its spacious interior, well-designed layout, and adaptable AC mounting options.

If you want a high-quality tent that can be used with an air conditioner, we suggest the Bushnell Shield series. The portable air conditioning unit and Bushnell’s Shield tents are built for each other, especially since the tents’ heat-reflective fabric treatment makes the job of the air conditioner that much easier.

Finally, the Wenzel Klondike 8 air conditioner is a good choice if you want to keep cool without breaking the bank. The Klondike is an affordable, easy-to-set-up, and feature-rich best tent with air conditioning with a separate screen area.