Camping in the summer months can be extremely dangerous. As your tent soaks up the heat of the sun, it doesn’t take long before your tent becomes a sauna. No matter how many windows you open, you’ll soon find the temperature too hot to handle. And since your sweat will soak through your sleeping pad, don’t even expect to have a good rest or sleep! This is why you need to have the best tent for air conditioner. This well-ventilated tent usually comes with built-in E-ports or special vents for use with your AC unit. By having this tent, you’ll be able to stay cool when the sun is most potent and sleep better at night. Can’t wait to take a look at our top recommendations? Keep reading! Still looking for an AC unit? Take a look at our list of best air conditioners for tents next!
Table of contents
- E-Z UP Camping Cube
- Coleman Steel Creek Dome Tent
- Wenzel Kodiak 9-Person Tent
- Coleman Montana 6-Person Tent
- Amazon Basics Outdoor Camping Tent
- Ozark Trail Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent
- HIKERGARDEN Camping Tent
- Wenzel Klondike 8-Person Tent
- Coleman Tenaya Lake 8-Person Cabin Tent
- Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6 Screened Tent
- CORE Lighted Instant Cabin Tent
- Bushnell Shield Instant Cabin Tent
- Ozark Trail Instant Cabin Tent
- How To Choose The Best Tents for Air Conditioner
- Can you use an air conditioner in a tent?
- Can portable AC cause fire?
- How long can I leave my portable air conditioner on?
E-Z UP Camping Cube
13
The first best tent for air conditioner on our list is the E-Z UP Camping Cube. It comes with a big opening which is perfect to use as a door for your pet or to insert an AC unit. This tent can house up to 6 campers at once, which means it’s pretty spacious. We also love how airy it is! You have excellent ventilation and airflow throughout the whole tent.
Even if you’re a first-timer, we’re sure you’ll have no problem setting this tent up. It comes with a heavy-duty clip hook and loop closures, and a plus S-hook that helps you build up the structure without any hassle. Plus, this tent can block 90% of the UV radiation and has a protective floor. Lastly, there’s a power cord on the side to run cord extensions to power up your devices.
- What We Love:
- A nice camping tent with an AC port that offers great airflow.
- Pros:
- Available in multiple color options
- Affordable
- Easy setup
- Can block 90% of UV radiation
- Durable
- Cons:
- The zippers get caught pretty easily
Coleman Steel Creek Dome Tent
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The Coleman Steel Creek Dome Tent is an ideal buy for those looking for a versatile tent that can be used all year round. This best tent for AC has an extended porch that offers extra space. This extra space is so big it can house up to 4 camping chairs. Meanwhile, the steel poles make this tent super strong and allow it to last for years.
Furthermore, there’s an E-port opening that allows you to conveniently run power into the tent, allowing you to plug in a portable AC unit. Plus, the Fast Pitch design means you can set this tent up in only a matter of minutes! Even better, the WeaterTec system and rainfly will keep you and your essentials dry at all times.
- What We Love:
- An incredibly versatile and long-lasting option that you can use all year round.
- Pros:
- Quick setup
- Long-lasting
- Comes with an E-port
- Extended porch area
- Reasonably priced
- Cons:
- The rainfly can be a bit bigger
Wenzel Kodiak 9-Person Tent
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Say hello to the Wenzel Kodiak 9-Person Tent, the best tent for AC that offers a roomy interior for you and your buddies. This tent comes with two spacious rooms for added privacy. There are also included steel shakes and ger lofts that make the tent completely stable. Not to mention, this best tent for air conditioner is wallet-friendly!
Moreover, we fancy the polyethylene floor! It gives proper protection for you when you’re inside the tent. For ventilation, this tent has two large windows that provide proper air ventilation. That way, you can always expect a proper space and airflow inside the tent when you’re not running the AC. Oh, there are also plenty of pockets to keep you organized!
- What We Love:
- A big and airy tent that’s made with your comfort in mind.
- Pros:
- Well-ventilated
- Wallet-friendly
- Comes with an E-port
- Tons of pockets
- Durable
- Cons:
- The setup takes time
Coleman Montana 6-Person Tent
10
Looking for the best tent for AC that’s more affordable? Then the Coleman Montana 6-Person Tent should be your top pick! Although it doesn’t come with a dedicated AC flap, it does have an electrical port so you can run a free-standing air conditioner to a power supply without letting bugs into your tent. We also like how well this tent keeps the cool air inside!
Another reason why we love this tent is that you can use it year-round! That way, you don’t have to worry about buying another tent for heavy rain during the rainy months. The angled windows will come in handy when it’s raining, and the Coleman WeatherTec system will take care of you in foul weather. Aside from a small family, this tent is perfect for couples who want to have a comfortable night’s sleep.
- What We Love:
- An affordable options that provides ample sleeping space for everyone and keeps the inside cool.
- Pros:
- E-port for AC
- Angled widnows
- Protected seams
- Waterproof floors
- Durable
- Cons:
- Not the quickest to set up
Amazon Basics Outdoor Camping Tent
9
Need a short camping tent for just a few days? Then the Amazon Basics Outdoor Camping Tent is a great choice. This best tent for air conditioner is made from 100% polyester, which is both durable and sturdy. Thanks to this material, it provides good water-resistant protection. Coming to the construction, the product is made up of fiber-glass rods that keep the tent sturdy.
Apart from that, this tent also has a decent interior size that can sleep four people comfortably. If you want, you can install two air mattresses inside the tent. Moreover, it includes a 59-inch center height that’s quite fair for anyone to move around the tent. Lastly, we love how big the AC flap is. This allows you to install both the window and portable ACs according to your needs.
- What We Love:
- Your go-to choice for a short camping trip.
- Pros:
- Durable
- Comes with a storage bag
- Removable rainfly
- Huge AC flap
- Lightweight
- Cons:
- Too small for some campers
Ozark Trail Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent
8
If you’re a fan of blackout tents, you’ll love the Ozark Trail Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent. That’s because it has the Dark Rest technology that blocks sunlight, keeping the tent cooler in summers and also giving you darkness inside so you can sleep for as long as you like. Plus, this best tent for air conditioner can accommodate up to 12 campers, and it’s remarkably huge.
No, this tent doesn’t have to be dark all the time. It offers special ceiling panels that you can remove for ventilation and allow extra sunlight to come in. Aside from AC flaps, this best tent for AC also comes with pre-attached poles, so its setup time is pretty fast. Meanwhile, the 9 large windows with mesh and ground vents will keep this tent well-ventilated.
- What We Love:
- A humongous tent that allows you to stay cooler and sleep longer.
- Pros:
- Can accommodate up to 12 campers
- AC flaps
- Pre-attached poles
- 9 huge meshw windows for better ventilation
- Dark Rest technology
- Cons:
- The frame isn’t the strongest
HIKERGARDEN Camping Tent
7
The HIKERGARDEN Camping Tent is another great and affordable option that campers would enjoy greatly. It comes with a built-in E-port so you can hook up your AC unit to an external power port. The strong poles are color-coded, so you don’t have to do guesswork when setting this tent up. Plus, they’re reinforced to help stabilize the tent in windy or rainy conditions.
When it comes to the space, this best tent for AC isn’t lacking any. There’s plenty of room for two queen camping air mattresses. There are also lots of windows to give you a panoramic view of your campsite. These windows are fully bugproof, so you can let in a nice, cooling breeze without getting eaten alive by those annoying mosquitoes! But for added protection, you might want to get yourself one of the best mosquito repellents for camping.
- What We Love:
- This is an summer tent that has fantastic ventilation and great durability.
- Pros:
- Comes with an E-port for freestanding AC unit
- Color-coded poles
- Strong, reinforced frame
- Well-ventilated
- Affordable
- Cons:
- The zippers get caught pretty easily
Wenzel Klondike 8-Person Tent
6
The Wenzel Klondike 8-Person Tent is the next best tent for air conditioner that includes a vent with an opening. This is the perfect place for your window air conditioner at the rear of the tent. The base of the AC flap is 10 inches off the ground, so you’ll need a small crate or something else similar to keep the AC off the ground. Plus, the top of the AC flap is waterproof.
Of course, this tent is spacious! The main area of the tent can sleep five people, and the screen room can sleep three more people. You can also use the screen room like a sun shelter, picnic room, or even gear room to relax in. Meanwhile, the full mesh roof and two mesh windows will keep bugs out and let the breeze in. When your AC is on, you can add the removable rainfly to keep cool air inside.
- What We Love:
- It’s a well-designed camping tent that does its job remarkably well.
- Pros:
- Comes with a vent with an opening for your AC
- Suitable for a group of 8
- Huge screen room
- Well-ventilated
- Removable rainfly
- Cons:
- The zippers could be better quality
Coleman Tenaya Lake 8-Person Cabin Tent
5
Whether you’re looking for the best tent for camping with dogs or the best tent for air conditioner, you can always rely on Coleman. If you’re after the latter, you should check out the Coleman Tenaya Lake 8-Person Cabin Tent. This 8-person tent has a dedicated E-port for tent AC hookups that can be sealed off when not in use. Perfect for camping and hiking, it’s also pretty durable.
However, the standout feature of this best tent for AC is probably its built-in closet that has an integrated shelving unit and hanger bar. This allows easy access to your clothes and makes it easier for you to stay organized when you’re in the woods. In addition to that, this tent has Coleman’s Fast Pitch system, which uses pre-attached and color-coded poles to speed up the setup process.
- What We Love:
- A sturdy tent that allows you to enjoy some comforts of home.
- Pros:
- Dedicated E-port for tent AC hookups
- Built-in closet
- Fast Pitch system
- Can withstand strong wind
- Waterproof floors
- Removable room divider
- Cons:
- Take a while to set up
Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6 Screened Tent
4
While it’s not the biggest option on this list, the Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6 Screened Tent is a lovely family camping tent that’s suitable for summertime adventures. It comes with an enormous screen room for relaxing on hot days or storing excess gear that you don’t want to bring inside the tent. Another unique feature that it offers is the built-in LED lighting that can provide up to 81 hours of illumination on three different light settings.
Apart from that, we’re sure you’ll love the fact that this best tent for air conditioner has an E-port, so you can connect a portable air conditioner to your campsite’s hookups using an extension cord. It’s also tightly sealed so the cold air won’t escape easily. Additionally, this 6-person tent features multiple mesh windows with nylon coverings that can be rolled down for better ventilation. There’s also an angled door with an awning and a durable bathtub-style floor with inverted seams that help to keep water out.
- What We Love:
- It’s a mid-sized, family-friendly tent with plenty of innovative features.
- Pros:
- Built-in LED lighting
- Affordable
- Huge screen room
- Comes with an E-port
- Multiple mesh windows
- WeatherTec system
- Cons:
- Takes a while to assemble
CORE Lighted Instant Cabin Tent
3
The CORE Lighted Instant Cabin Tent is a reliable and versatile tent to use on warm weather camping trips. This best tent for AC is available in several sizes and can sleep up to 12 campers, which is impressive. And when you’re camping in a large group, you’ll want to stay cool, right? Thankfully, this tent comes with an E-port that allows for electrical cord access to power a small AC unit for the tent.
The spacious interior of this best tent for air conditioner can be divided into two separate rooms for added privacy. It also has an assortment of different camping gear storage pockets to help campers stay organized at all times. Meanwhile, the large screen porch gives you extra lounging space and is a nice spot to store extra equipment like your small microwave or camping mess kits. Finally, there are adjustable vents on either side of the tent for better airflow.
- What We Love:
- A reasonably priced tent with plenty of useful features for a better camping experience.
- Pros:
- Comes with an E-port
- Can be divided into 2 separate rooms
- Plenty of extra pockets
- Large screen porch
- Adjustable vents
- Can house up to 12 people
- Cons:
- Lacks bathtub floor
Bushnell Shield Instant Cabin Tent
2
The next best tent for air conditioner on this list is the Bushnell Shield Instant Cabin Tent. One of the few shelters available on the market today comes complete with a dedicated AC flap for use with window AC units. That way, you can fully enjoy the fresh, cold air from the AC. Plus, this tent features an instant setup design with pre-attached poles, meaning it can be assembled in about 2 minutes.
We particularly love this tent as it has a huge open floor plan and it’s pretty tall. It allows most campers to stand upright and walk around without having to hunch over. There are also two removable room dividers so you can create up to 3 separate living spaces for up to 12 campers. And thanks to the Heat Shield technology, this tent can block UV rays for a cooler sleeping experience in the woods!
- What We Love:
- An insanely big tent that’s easy to set up and can keep you cool.
- Pros:
- Heat Shield technology
- Quick setup
- Comes with a dedicated AC flap
- Can house up to 12 people
- 2 removable room dividers
- Tall
- Cons:
- Pretty heavy to carry around by yourself
Ozark Trail Instant Cabin Tent
1
When it comes to the size, it’s safe to say the Ozark Trail Instant Cabin Tent is probably the biggest tent on the market right now. Suitable for up to 12 campers, you won’t ever run out of space. Thanks to its pre-attached poles, which need to be unfolded and extended, this best tent for air conditioner can be pitched in just seconds! We think setting this tent up is as easy as setting a pop-up tent for camping, which is a huge plus.
This best tent for AC is particularly popular as it has three separate rooms, each with its own AC flap. This allows everyone to have private and personal space while camping without sharing the same air conditioner. Additionally, there are large mesh windows on all sides for ample ventilation to supplement your portable air conditioner stand. This tent boasts a sizable front awning for outdoor lounging that provides some extra protection from the sun.
- What We Love:
- One of the biggest options for family camping with a dedicated AC flap in each room.
- Pros:
- 3 separate rooms for added privacy
- Huge windows
- Front awning
- 3 AC flaps
- Easy setup
- Suitable for up to 12 campers
- Cons:
- A tad heavy
How To Choose The Best Tents for Air Conditioner
With so many competing tents on the market, choosing the best tent for air conditioner that meets your needs can be challenging. In this guide, we’ll give you some tips on how to choose the right one!
Electrical port
Having a camping tent with an AC port but with no E-port makes no sense. So, we always prefer a product that comes with an electrical port. However, you should also consider the location. Try to go for a tent with a port near the window or at the center of the tent. This will allow you to install the portable AC inside the tent easily.
Ease of setup
Unless you enjoy setting up a tent for half an hour, it’s usually best to get a tent with an instant setup design. This style comes with pre-attached poles that simply need to be unfolded and extended to complete the pitching process, saving you time when you get to camp.
Window panels
The best tent for AC you’re going to buy should have zippered panels that you can use to close up the windows when you turn on the AC unit. This is so that all of your nice, air-conditioned air won’t escape through your open windows. Luckily, most tents with windows also come with zippered panels.
Tent design
Lastly, you’ll want to consider how your tent’s design features impact your ability to cool it down on a hot summer’s day. For example, a tent with heat-blocking or reflecting technology will be much easier to keep cool than a dark tent. The larger the tent, the more room heat has to dissipate. Ground vents also help to draw fresh air in and up through your sleeping compartment.
Can you use an air conditioner in a tent?
Yes, you can! But to run inside a tent, an air conditioner has to be powerful enough to run constantly to keep up with the cooling demand. Your tent should also have some extra insulation and airtightness to keep itself cool.
Can portable AC cause fire?
Like any electrical device, a portable AC can cause a fire in exceptional circumstances. However, the risk will be minimal so long as you follow the user instructions and don’t leave your AC turned on when you’re not in the tent.
How long can I leave my portable air conditioner on?
There is no fixed limit to how long you use your portable air conditioner. You can even leave it on the whole day or night. However, like any other electrical device, it means you end up straining its parts, and it will quickly wear and tear.
