The 4 Best Quiet RV Air Conditioners 2025

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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton

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The 4 Best Quiet RV Air Conditioners

Quiet RV air conditioners are a revolutionary product designed for individuals who value tranquility and comfort during recreational vehicle trips. These air conditioning units are engineered with advanced technology that significantly reduces operational noise, ensuring a peaceful environment within your RV.

Low noise output ensures uninterrupted peace.
Ducted and non-ducted systems operate quietly.
Installation is usually straightforward. No special tools are required.
Energy-efficient models save power and reduce noise.
Consider RV size, climate, and noise tolerance.
Higher cost justified by enhanced comfort provided.

Many appliances are a must-have in RVs, and an air conditioner is just one of the other devices you should have in an RV.

However, not every AC will work for some people – you may have particular needs like quiet operation.

And if you are looking for the quietest RV air conditioner, we may have something interesting for you.

Quiet RV Air Conditioners Reviewed

1. Dometic Brisk II Air Conditioner

Summary

If you are a bit restricted on cargo capacity, the Dometic Brisk II air conditioner may be the right option. This AC unit may not be the quietest on our list, but it is the lightest.

This air conditioner’s housing is made from EPP foam, which is probably the main contributor to its lightness. The Brisk II weighs just 77 pounds, which is very light compared to other units on our list.

Dometic also boasts on its website that it’s developed an air conditioning system for NASA’s lunar electric rover.

This means that Dometic most likely knows how to make rigorous and robust AC units, so you can trust them on this one.

Dometic offers the Brisk II in two cooling capacity options: 13,500 and 15,000 BTU. They are the same size and weight. The only differences are the cooling capacity and power needs—1,670 and 1,725 watts, respectively, which isn’t that much.

Another good thing about this air conditioner is that it can be installed either ducted or non-ducted. So whether you want to put this AC in a specific room or cool the entirety of your RV, the Brisk II can work for you.

The one downside of this AC unit is that it is louder than the other models on our list. If you aim to find the quietest RV air conditioner, this isn’t the best option, but it’s good in many other fields.

Pros:

Very lightweight.
Two power options are available.
It can be installed either ducted or non-ducted.

Cons:

Relatively loud.

2. Dometic Penguin II Air Conditioner

Summary

The Dometic Penguin II air conditioner is next on our list. It is a pricier option than the Brisk II. The two Dometic AC units are similar in the basics, but one feature stands out in the Penguin II.

This air conditioner has a low-profile design with a height of 11 1/4 inches. For some perspective, the Brisk II air conditioner was 13.87 inches tall, so there is more than a 2-inch difference.

This may seem unimportant, but the effects of those 2 inches can be pretty significant.

The Penguin II air conditioner is noticeably more aerodynamic than the Brisk II due to its lower height. And, if you didn’t know, the aerodynamic properties in vehicles significantly affect fuel efficiency and, thus, fuel costs.

As research has shown, on a compact sedan, rooftop cargo (which rooftop ACs are) can decrease fuel efficiency by 2-8% in city driving, 6-17% at highway speeds, and 10-25% at interstate speeds.

The fuel economy penalties depend on the size of the rooftop cargo relative to the size of the vehicle, so the effects would not be as detrimental in RVs. But they will still be there; even a 1% efficiency penalty will be costly in the long term.

So, if you don’t have room for an indoor AC unit but care about fuel efficiency, the Penguin II air conditioner is a good option.

Like it was with the Brisk II, two variants of the Penguin II are available – one 13,500 BTU and another high-capacity variant, which is probably around 15,000 BTU. The former is rated at 1,731 watts and the latter at 1,762 watts.

Plus, the weaker unit is indicated to be non-ducted, while the high-capacity one can be installed either ducted or non-ducted.

Lastly, this unit comes with a pre-installed heat strip, which may be necessary for some people.

The one thing we don’t quite like about this AC unit is its weight. At 101 pounds, it is one hefty unit, the heaviest on our list. So, if you are concerned with every pound in your RV, the Penguin II may not be the best option.

Pros:

Sleek, low-profile design.
Two power options are available.
Comes with a pre-installed heat strip.

Cons:

Heavy.

3. Airxcel Coleman-Mach 15

Summary

If you don’t care about aerodynamics and want an AC unit that will make your RV cool and cozy, then the Airxcel Coleman-Mach 15 is a good option.

The Coleman-Mach 15 model we reviewed has a cooling capacity of 15,000 BTU and a power consumption of about 1,800 watts. An optional 1,800W heat strip can provide 5,600 BTU of heating capacity.

This AC unit is designed explicitly for ducted systems but may also be used in non-ducted RVs.

This AC unit isn’t exceptionally aerodynamic, at around 15 inches tall. Both Dometic models will beat this air conditioner regarding aerodynamics. However, some things are better in the Mach 15 air conditioner.

This air conditioner’s main benefit is that it is 15 pounds lighter than the Penguin II. It’s a small number, but it may be big enough to make a difference for some. Besides, the Mach 15 is slightly cheaper.

As for the Brisk II AC unit, the best thing about the Mach 15 is that it does not seem as loud. So, while this AC isn’t as light and aerodynamic as the Brisk II, it appears to have the edge regarding noise level.

Pros:

Not too heavy.
15,000 BTU cooling capacity.
Designed for ducted systems specifically.

Cons:

Not too aerodynamic.

4. Atwood AirCommand Air Conditioner

Summary

Lastly, the Atwood AirCommand air conditioner may be a good option if you are looking for a non-ducted AC unit. This AC has ducted variants, but we chose the non-ducted one for some variety in our list.

It should be mentioned that Dometic has been selling Atwood air conditioners since 2017, though this one seems to be an older model from when Atwood still sold them. Keep this in mind if you are researching on your own.

Back to the features of this AC unit.

The AirCommand AC seems to be a quiet unit, perhaps even the quietest RV air conditioner on our list. If you are looking for quietness and don’t care about anything else, this AC may be a good option.

This AC’s cooling capacity is on par with the other air conditioners on our list—15,000 BTU per hour. So, despite being quiet, it delivers comparable cooling performance.

A thing to be mindful of when using this air conditioner is its weight. Weighing 99 pounds when installed, this is one heavy air conditioner. So before getting it, ensure your RV’s roof will support it.

Pros:

Suitable for local applications.
Cooling capacity of 15,000 BTU.
Very quiet.

Cons:

Not designed for ducted installation.
Weighs 99 pounds.

Things to Look for in RV Air Conditioners

Now that we know what each AC unit in our review offers, it’s time to make a final choice. But to do so, you must understand all those numbers and terms.

So, let’s overview the key features and specs you should consider when choosing an RV AC.

1. Rooftop VS Under-Bench AC

First, let’s understand the differences between the two main types of RV air conditioners – rooftop and under-bench conditioners. As you could have guessed, all the AC units on our list are rooftop models.

However, the fact that we chose only rooftop ACs doesn’t mean that they are always better.

Regarding rooftop ACs, the most significant advantage is that you aren’t dedicating any indoor storage space inside your RV. A rooftop unit is a better option if you need every inch available in your RV.

In addition, rooftop ACs may be installed ducted or unducted, while under-bench units can only be installed ducted.

On the other hand, there are several downsides characteristic of rooftop units, including:

Rooftop units may obstruct rooftop windows.
Rooftop units add to your vehicle’s height and worsen its aerodynamics.
Rooftop units aren’t the best for heating due to the natural tendency of heat to rise.

The pros and cons of under-bench AC units mirror those of rooftop units. That is, they occupy some indoor storage space, do not add to the height of the RV, don’t obstruct any rooftop windows, and work well as heaters.

2. Cooling Capacity

Cooling capacity is key in AC units since cooling is why people buy them.

Cooling capacity is usually measured in British thermal units per hour (BTU/hour or simply BTU). The proper amount of BTU will depend on your RV’s square footage.

This chart made by Energy Star should give you an idea of the required number of BTUs to have:

Area to be cooled	Required BTUs
100-150	5,000
150-250	6,000
250-300	7,000
300-350	8,000
350-400	9,000
400-450	10,000
450-550	12,000
550-700	14,000
700-1000	18,000
1000-1200	21,000
1200-1400	23,000
1400-1500	24,000
1500-2000	30,000
2000-2500	34,000

Finding out your RV’s indoor area is very easy—multiply its interior length by its width to get the area in square feet. Calculate only its area if you plan to install the RV in a specific room.

Energy Star also gives a couple of tips on choosing BTU, which may be helpful for you:

Reduce BTUs by 10% if the room is heavily shaded.
Increase BTUs by 10% if the room is very sunny.
If more than two people regularly occupy the room, add 600 BTUs for each additional person.
If you place the AC in the kitchen area, add 4,000 BTUs.

3. Power Requirements

You must provide the AC unit with the necessary watts and amperes. Thus, before making a final choice, ensure your RV’s electrical system satisfies the desired AC’s power needs.

In particular, pay attention to the starting and running wattage and the number of amperes required by the AC unit. If you think you will add a heater to your AC in the future, consider its power needs as well.

4. Ducted VS Non-Ducted

It’s also important to consider whether the desired AC unit requires ducted or non-ducted installation.

In ducted installation, an AC is connected to the RV’s indoor ducting system to distribute cool air evenly throughout the RV. With non-ducted installation, an AC unit blows air in whatever direction its output nozzles face.

If you want to cool your entire RV, use a ducted AC. And for a specific room, go for a non-ducted unit.

5. Weight & Size

You need both the cargo capacity and the space for an AC unit. If an air conditioner needs more room than your RV can provide, it won’t work.

Thus, ensure the desired AC unit is within your RV’s carrying capacity and is not excessively big.

6. Height

Height is essential in rooftop air conditioners. We’ve already touched upon two reasons: aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. As you remember, an increase in height negatively impacts an RV’s aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.

Another thing to be mindful of is height clearance. If your RV is tall, it may have a problem passing under certain bridges or tunnel roofs with a rooftop AC on. So make sure not to make your RV so tall that it scratches tunnel roofs or whatnot.

7. Heating Extensions

Some AC models also allow you to install heat strips, heat pumps, and other heating elements that add heating functionality to an air conditioner. If you need a specific heating extension, ensure the desired AC has it.

How Long Can RV AC Run?

The duration for which an RV AC can run depends on several factors, primarily the unit’s energy efficiency and the battery’s power capacity.

An efficient, smaller RV air conditioner, typically with a cooling capacity of 5,000 – 6,000 BTUs, can run between 4-12 hours on a 12V 280 Amp Hour Dakota Lithium battery.

This is under the assumption that the unit consumes power between 40 to 80 amps at 12 volts. Therefore, the answer to ‘How long can RV AC run?’ largely depends on these variables.

Considering these factors when planning extended RV trips is crucial to ensure comfort and convenience.

Final Words

Quiet RV air conditioners are a significant upgrade for any recreational vehicle, providing a discreet solution that ensures peace. These units with low noise output are designed to operate silently, whether ducted or non-ducted systems.

The installation process is usually straightforward, with no specialized tools required, making it a convenient option for RV owners.

Furthermore, these Quiet RV Air Conditioners are characterized by their energy efficiency. This results in power saving and contributes to reducing noise levels, further enhancing the tranquility within your RV.

When considering the purchase of these air conditioners, you must consider factors such as the size of your RV, the climate you typically travel in, and your noise tolerance.

While these air conditioners might be more expensive than traditional models, the enhanced comfort they provide justifies this price difference.

The tranquility achieved through a low noise output and the power saved through energy efficiency make Quiet RV Air Conditioners a valuable addition to any recreational vehicle.

Their practical benefits, such as maintaining a peaceful experience and contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle, make them worthwhile investments for every RV owner.

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