13 Best Fans for Camper Van

The RV or van life is one of the most exciting things one can experience. But, one of the most challenging things about van life, or any mobile life, is choosing an effective cooling system. While it’s nice to have air conditioning everywhere, that’s not possible during dry camping or boondocking. A quality fan for camper van, whether it’s a 12V or a 15V one, is essential for camping bliss during the mobile life. It helps regulate the temperature inside and is also great for removing smoke and smells while cooking. What’s more, it’s also a must-have for circulating fresh air while the entire family is sleeping.

Furthermore, choosing a fan is one of the earliest decisions you must make before beginning to make a list of other RV camping accessories. For instance, if you want to make changes and conversions in the camper van, then you should have the fan ready. To that end, here are the 13 best fans for the camper van and RV life, including 12V and 15V ones.

Fan-Tastic Vent Fan 1200

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The Fan-Tastic Vent Fan 1200 is one of the best fans for camper van life. For many years, this product has been a reliable and affordable vent fan for camper vans and RVs. In fact, at a price of less than 100 USD, it’s perfect for campers who simply want a basic fan and nothing else. That’s because this fan has only 3 speeds and exhaust only, not dual flow. What’s more, the manual opening lid is supported by a single arm. So, while the fan is ideal for when the van is standing and even when it’s being driven at a low speed, it’s slightly less stable when the RV is being driven at high speeds.

MaxxFan 4000K Plus

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Another budget-friendly vent fan for campers is MaxxFan 4000K Plus. While this fan doesn’t have a remote-controlled or electric opener, it does have a 10-speed motor. So, you can adjust the speed of the fan according to your surroundings. What’s more, this is a reliable vent fan with thermostat control and both intake and exhaust. That’s something not all budget fans have. Despite the fact that the lid isn’t designed to work in the rain, this affordable fan is perfect for first-time campers and those who plan to move around from campground to campground.

MaxxAir MaxxFan 7000/7500K Deluxe

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The MaxxAir MaxxFan 7000/7500K Deluxe is one of the best fans for camper van life. This fan has all the features of its amazing predecessor, the 5100K, but with a few bonus premium features. First off, this one has a remote control, besides the controls on the unit. While the fan’s remote works on a ‘line of sight’ basis, it has a lot of other plus points. For one, it has an electric vent lid opener, allowing you to raise and lower the rain cover lid by just clicking a button. Moreover, this model has two color options, black and white, a 10-speed motor, thermostat control, an in-built rain cover, and even intake and exhaust.

MaxxAir MaxxFan 5100K Deluxe

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The predecessor of the 7000/7500 is the MaxxAir MaxxFan 5100K Deluxe, a superb RV vent fan. What’s great about this fan is that it has all the features you really want – and none that you don’t. Firstly, it has an automatic thermostat, an in-built rain cover, exhaust and intake, and even a 10-speed motor. While it doesn’t have a remote control, it’s not that big an issue. Besides the centrally located vent fan, it’s pretty easy to reach the buttons from anywhere. But what sets this Maxxfan model apart from the competition is the in-built rain cover, thus not having to worry about snow or rain getting in.

O2COOL 10-Inch Battery Operated Fan

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The O2COOL 10-Inch Battery Operated Fan is not just one of the best fans for camper van life but also considered one of the overall best fans for tent camping. When it comes to versatility, this fan comes out on top as it can be used with AC and DC adapters and even batteries. Moreover, this fan is great for emergencies and can be taken outdoors, thanks to the built-in USB port. But what’s best about the fan is the 10-inch blades fitted in a sleek casing. They move airflow quietly and efficiently and don’t bubble out like many competitors.

 FiveJoy 360 Degree Rotatable Car Fan

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RVers and campers love the FiveJoy 360 Degree Rotatable Car Fan. Not only is this fan 360-degree rotatable, but it also features two fans for complete coverage, no matter how large your RV is. What’s more, these two fans move independently of each other, allowing you to adjust the airflow to reach different areas of the RV. Moreover, the fan takes up minimal space and comes with a rather useful 10-feet-long adapter cord. So, you can mount it just about anywhere without any trouble. Finally, it comes with two adhesive stickers that allow you to install and mount the fan on almost any surface easily.

HOLMES Heritage 6-Inch Mini USB Desk Fan

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The HOLMES Heritage 6-Inch Mini USB Desk Fan is one of the best fans for camper van life. If you’re looking for a fan that’s as stylish and sleek as it’s useful, then go for this one small-but-powerful choice. This fan packs a lot of power into its 4-inch design. For instance, it boasts a gorgeous glossy or black brushed copper finish for an elegant look. Secondly, it doesn’t take up much space and is very effective at circulating air, besides being very quiet. Moreover, the USB cable allows you to plug it into any USB port. All in all, this makes for a very versatile buy.

RoadPro RP-1179 Car Fan

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The RoadPro RP-1179 Car Fan is another excellent camping life fan. If you want heavy-duty fans, then this one should be your pick. Firstly, this has a fabulous 7.5-inch diameter that’s large enough to move plenty of air around. At the same time, it’s small enough to be mounted just about anywhere. What’s more, it has both low and high-speed settings that you can easily switch between. If that wasn’t enough, the 10-feet-long DC power cord allows you to find and choose the best position for the fan. Finally, the permanent mounting of the fan means that you can set it up just about anywhere in the van.

Heng’s 71111-C1G1

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The Heng’s 71111-C1G1 is one of the best fans for camper van life. While this product isn’t necessarily a fan, it’s effective as one nonetheless. Basically, it’s a great way to improve airflow and boost circulation in your RV or camper van. Heng’s is a solid choice combining a simple vent with a fan, thanks to the simple design. What’s more, the large opening and the manual lift do a fantastic job of letting air in. Meanwhile, the mesh screen keeps debris and unwanted bugs at bay. If you’re looking to boost airflow on a budget, then this motorless vent fan makes a lot of sense.

MAXXAIR 0004500K MaxxFan

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There’s nothing to beat the MAXXAIR 0004500K MaxxFan when it comes to fans for your RV. The brand has one of the most comprehensive RV fan lineups on the market, and this one sits right in the middle in terms of price. For about 200 USD, you get everything from an in-built thermostat for regulating internal temperature to a powerful 10-speed motor for moving air. What’s more, there’s a sensor that closes the lid once it detects rain. But, the best bit of all is that it’s one of the least expensive camper vans and RV roof vent fans to have a remote-controlled operation.

Maxxair MAXXFAN 4301K

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The Maxxair MAXXFAN 4301K is one of the best fans for camper van life. Yes, we’ve included a lot of Maxxair fans on our list, but the fact of the matter is they have a ton of great options. Take the MAXXFAN 4301K, for instance. For a price of 110 USD, you get a powerful, four-speed motor that offers lots of power for circulating air inside your camper van or RV. What’s more, it operates with the lid closed to circulate air and features a manual opening. Moreover, it can be flush mounted, thus making it very easy to clean. Finally, the more than 900 CFM keeps you cool and comfortable, no matter the weather.

Dometic Fan-Tastic Vent 1250

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The Dometic Fan-Tastic Vent 1250 is another great RV fan. This 160 USD fan strikes the perfect balance between price and features and is a great alternative to the more expensive ones on this list. Firstly, the 10-inch blade and the strong three-speed fan do a fantastic job of circulating air inside your camper van or RV. What’s more, the reversible motor provides you the flexibility to pull air out or in based on your needs. Furthermore, the streamlined design and low profile are great for stealth campers. So, if you’re looking for a simple fan that has nothing you don’t need and everything you do, go for this one.

Dometic Fantastic Vent 7350 Fan

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We end our list with the Dometic Fantastic Vent 7350 Fan, one of the best fans for camper van life. The tech-savvy 7350 has a powerful 10-blade fan that quickly circulates air in and out of the RV interior. What’s more, the in-built thermostat maintains the temperatures inside your vehicle. In fact, the vent even has the option to reverse the direction of the airflow. All you need to do is press the switch, and your camper fills with fresh air while maintaining a quiet atmosphere. Besides a fully automatic hood, the fan has an intelligent rain sensor that closes the hood when it gets wet. This fan, made with high-quality materials, can withstand severe weather and impacts too.

How To Choose The Best Fans for a Camper Van?

Direction and airflow

The first and foremost thing you need to figure out is the direction and airflow of the fan you’re looking at. Not all fans circulate the same amount of moving air. Even budget options feature basic designs with one-way motors that at least pull the air out of your camper. Spend a little more, and you can get one with blades that go in either direction. Another factor you need to check is the CFM or cubic feet per minute, which is the amount of air a fan is able to move. Most high-quality fans have CFMs of 900.

Control

If all-out convenience is a high priority for you, then you can’t go wrong with a remote-controlled fan. They’re also easy to adjust and change from the comfort of your perch. Look for fans with battery-operated remotes that allow you to easily turn the motor on and off, lower and open the vent and even adjust the fan speed. Yet, there are fans that can be controlled by simple knobs on the unit’s underside.

Energy and power

An important part of any camper van life is figuring out how much energy each component in your RV will use, and this includes fans. While fans consume very little power compared to other appliances, you still need to consider them. What’s more, fans also have different speed settings that tend to use different amounts of power and energy, so check that out too. 

Fan size 

Finally, you need to look into the size of the fan. Most standard RV fans come in three sizes, 14.25 inches squared, 14 inches squared, or 13 x 14 inches wide. You need to pay attention to the dimensions if you’re replacing an old fan or have a smaller RV or camper. 

You might also want to check out the best battery-operated fans in Walmart.

What is the quietest RV vent fan?

The Fantastic Fans range is the quietest on the market.

Will these fans keep my pet cool in the RV all day during summer?

No, we don’t recommend leaving pets in your RV or camper van all day, even with the fan.

What is the difference between a manual and an electric RV vent fan?

While manual fans are better in small or converted RVs, electric vent fans that are operated with remote control are perfect.