11 Best Tents With AC Ports [Top Air Conditioned Tents for Camping]

Short on time? Our pick for the best tent with AC port is the Coleman Sundome.

Add some cool air to your camping experience with one of the best tents with an AC port.

Have you seen that meme that says, “I can either love my family or be hot.”? If that meme resonates with you, you might be interested in tents with air conditioning. 

To some people, camping with an air conditioner unit might seem like a luxury reserved for glamping, but for others, it might be about accessibility. 

Consider older folks or people with young babies. Perhaps someone with a chronic illness wants to join your trip but can’t get overheated. 

There are many reasons to consider summer camping with an air conditioner. Below I’ve compiled the best *cool* tents (see what I did there?), so you can camp comfortably.  

To be clear, none of these tents come with an air conditioner. Instead, these are the best tents with an AC port where you can add an AC to keep the tent cool. Read on to see my top picks!

Complete your climate-controlled camping setup with one of these best tent air conditioners!

Note: this post contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you so I can keep providing free travel advice and tips.

#1 Ozark Trail Family Cabin Tent

Best 4-Person Tent with AC Port

Our Rating: 4.6/5
Packaged Weight: 19 lbs
Floor Area: 56 sq. ft
Center Height: 54″
Number of Doors: 1
Sleeps: 4
AC Type: Standalone and window unit

If you’re looking for a small family instant tent, the Ozark Trail Family Cabin Tent has your name on it. 

This instant cabin tent is about as small as they come when it comes to tents with air conditioning ports, yet it boasts enough interior space for four people in sleeping bags or one queen-sized air mattress. 

The tent poles come pre-attached, so all you have to do is unpack and open them up. This budget-friendly tent can accommodate both a portable air conditioner and a window air conditioner unit, making it very versatile. 

Finally, there are lots of mesh storage pockets for gear storage. 

The only issue with the Ozark Trail tent is that the waterproof rating is the bare minimum of 1200mm.

#2 Bushnell Shield Series 12 Person

Best Large Tent with AC Port

Our Rating: 4.6/5
Packaged Weight: 58 lbs
Floor Area: 198 sq. ft
Peak Height: 80″
Number of Doors: 2
Sleeps: 12
AC Type: Window unit

The Bushnell Shield Series 12 P is the best camping tent with an ac port for accommodating a large group. This Bushnell tent comes in six and nine-person sizes as well if you’re interested in a slightly smaller version.

The Bushnell tent with AC port has two AC ports that can support a window AC unit. In addition to having your own air conditioner in this tent, you can break the interior space up into three rooms using the optional room dividers. 

I like that the underside of the rain fly has heat shield technology, which not only keeps the hot air off the tent but also makes the interior darker. A dark tent is excellent for sleeping in on a summer camping trip. 

Finally, this is an instant cabin tent. The poles are pre-attached, and everyone raves about the setup speed. 

The main issue you should expect with this larger tent is the poor quality materials. The snaps that hold the rain fly on may break, and you should re-seal the seams after you take this tent home to prevent leaks.

#3 Core Instant Tent with LED Lights

Best Family Tent with an AC Port

Our Rating: 4.7/5
Packaged Weight: 41 lbs
Floor Area: 126 sq. ft
Peak Height: 78″
Number of Doors: 2
Sleeps: 9
AC Type: Standalone

When I was a kid, one of my favorite things about camping was wearing a headlamp and hanging out by lantern light. With the Core Instant Tent with LED Lights, you can enjoy family camping time and have the ease of an overhead, battery-powered switch light. 

After all, it’s fun for the kids to goof around in the dark, but it’s also nice for mom and dad to have a fast light source in the middle of the night. 

The Core Instant Cabin Tent comes with poles that are pre-attached for super fast setup and an e-port for an electrical cord and a free-standing air conditioner. 

As with any healthy family experience, there are boundaries between rooms in the form of two room dividers. Storage pockets on the walls also help mom and dad stay organized. 

As appears to be expected with synthetic tents that have AC ports, quality is an issue. The overhead light may not work, and the seams can leak in wet weather.

#4 Whiteduck Avalon Canvas Bell Tent 13′

Best Luxury Tent with an AC Port

Our Rating: 4.9/5
Packaged Weight: 104 lbs
Floor Area: 42.25 sq. ft
Peak Height: 8’5″
Number of Doors: 1
Sleeps: 6
AC Type: Standalone

If you’re looking for naturally cool luxury tents with air conditioning, check out the  Whiteduck Avalon Canvas Bell Tent 13′. There is much to love about Whiteduck’s bell tents. 

First and foremost, I’ll admit that the Avalon doesn’t have a dedicated electrical port or AC vent. But never fear. You can still run an electrical cord through the front door to hook up a portable AC unit. 

I love that Whiteduck makes such high-quality tents. Their double-stitched canvas has a water, mold, and UV-resistant finish. 

Sturdy steel poles comprise the frame, and you’ll find that canvas naturally traps cool air because of its thickness. All the windows also have covers to keep the air conditioning inside the tent. 

Keep in mind that, as with most canvas tents, this lil’ beauty is expensive and heavy.

#5 Wenzel Klondike 8-Person

Best Budget Tent with an AC Port

Our Rating: 4.5/5
Packaged Weight: 26.38 lbs
Floor Area: 98 sq. ft + 60 sq. ft screen room
Peak Height: 78″
Number of Doors:1
Sleeps: 8
AC Type: Standalone

No one wants to break the bank to go camping. If you’re on a budget, check out the Wenzel Klondike 8-Person Tent. This budget-friendly tent is ideal for picnicking and camping in nice weather. 

The Klondike 8 is a giant tent with a big screen room attached. You won’t want to put an AC unit in the screen porch area, but the sleeping space is ample and walled off. 

Since this is a budget tent, you shouldn’t expect miracles. The frame uses fiberglass, the cheapest pole material, and the two gear pockets are so small they’re almost useless.

Love the idea of a screen porch? Check out our list of the top screen houses for camping!

#6 Ozark Trail 3 Room Instant Cabin Tent

Best Cabin Tent with an AC Port

Our Rating: 4.7/5
Packaged Weight: 55.2 lbs
Floor Area: 256 sq. ft
Peak Height: 82″
Number of Doors:2
Sleeps: 12
AC Type: Standalone and window AC unit

For a huge gathering, you may need more than one AC unit. If so, the Ozark Trail 3-Room Instant Tent could be a perfect fit for you. 

This giant, three-room, 4-person tent has two square AC holes and an electrical port to support two window AC units and a free-standing air conditioner unit. 

All three rooms in this instant cabin tent are enormous. These rooms are large enough to sleep four in sleeping bags or fit one queen-sized mattress in each one. 

Finally, the L-shape creates a protected porch area in front of the tent for relaxing in camp chairs. 

Remember that with such a large tent, you may need help finding a large enough tent pad, depending on the campground. Another downside to the pre-attached poles is that they’re tough to replace if a pole breaks.

#7 AX27 Clamshell Rooftop Tent

Best Rooftop Tent with an AC Port

Our Rating: 4.8/5
Packaged Weight: 218 lbs
Floor Area: 28 sq. ft
Peak Height: 5’7″
Number of Doors: 1
Sleeps: 2
AC Type: USB-powered fan

I looked far and wide to find some variety in my list of tents compatible with AC units. I was excited to see the AX27 Clamshell Rooftop Tent.

The AX27 is a very high-quality rooftop tent made in South Africa. This two-person setup includes a USB and cigarette outlet inside. 

While the AX27 doesn’t support a full air conditioner, it does support two small fans. However, we use a battery-powered fan in our truck-mounted camper, and it makes a massive difference, so I know you can stay comfortable in this setup too. 

The downside to this easy-to-set-up clamshell tent is that it is expensive. It’s made in South Africa, so the shipping alone…eesh.

#8 EZ Up Camping Cube

Best Tent with AC Port for Dogs

Our Rating: 4.8/5
Packaged Weight: 18 lbs
Floor Area: 85.5 sq. ft
Peak Height: 76″
Number of Doors: 1
Sleeps: 6
AC Type: Standalone

If you already have a 10-foot, straight-leg camping canopy, add a fully-enclosed camping shelter beneath it with the EZ Up Camping Cube.

The EZ Up Camping Cube is a perfectly square tent that fits right under a pop-up canopy shelter. This camping cube can sleep up to six people and has a built-in pet door (which could double as a window AC vent) and an electrical port to support a standalone portable unit. 

Cool air escapes through the mesh in a tent, so while the Camping Cube has lots of mesh for ventilation, all the vents are 100% sealable. 

The bathtub floor design provides extra protection from the elements, and the heavy-duty clips on the roof exterior easily snap onto a pop-up shelter. 

This is an excellent and very popular tent. The only con is that you have to buy the canopy separately.

#9 Coleman Sundome

Best Two-Person Tent with AC Port

Our Rating: 4.8/5
Packaged Weight: 7.5 lbs
Floor Area: 35 sq. ft
Peak Height: 48″
Number of Doors: 1
Sleeps: 2
AC Type: Standalone

The Coleman Sundome is a popular, classic, and inexpensive tent with AC compatibility. 

This spacious two-person dome tent comes with an E port for electrical access. If you don’t mind stooping to get in and out, the dome shape of the Sundome offers better wind resistance than cabin-shaped tents. 

The Sundome is also the lightest tent on my list at just 7.5 pounds– and it’s almost light enough to take backpacking. 

Finally, the Sundome is very affordable and would be a great starter tent for anyone. The Sundome is undoubtedly a three-season, light-use tent, and most people are happy with it. 

Note that compared to the other tents on this list, the Sundome has a low peak height of four feet. But if you’re okay with stooping, this will be fine.

#10 Coleman Elite Weathermaster 6

Best Tent with Screen Room and AC Port

Our Rating: 4.7/5
Packaged Weight: 37.68 lbs
Floor Area: 99 sq. ft + 54 sq. ft screen room
Peak Height: 80″
Number of Doors: 2
Sleeps: 6
AC Type: Standalone

Before anyone considered putting air conditioning units in tents, they escaped from the hot air by lounging on screened-in porches. If you want to experience the best of AC/screen room life, check out the Coleman Elite Weathermaster 6.

This car camping tent sleeps six, and the screen room is fully enclosed, so you can sleep in nature’s air conditioning. 

A fun feature of the Weathermaster is the built-in LED lights with three brightness settings. The tent has an E port for a free-standing tent AC unit. One knock on this tent is that it doesn’t have room dividers. 

The Weathermaster, as you might guess from the name, is supposed to hold up well against wind and rain. 

Coleman has some fun product testing videos showing them inundating their tent, although their WeatherTech system lacks technical details.

#11 Whiteduck Regatta Canvas Bell Tent 10′

Best Canvas Tent with AC Port

Our Rating: 4.9/5
Packaged Weight:
Floor Area: 78.5 sq. ft
Peak Height: 89″
Number of Doors: 1
Sleeps: 4
AC Type: Standalone

Lastly, the Whiteduck Regatta Canvas Bell Tent 10‘ is my pick for the best canvas tent with AC access. 

Canvas is an excellent tent material for keeping cool because it’s so thick that it provides terrific shade and breathable canvas.  

The Whiteduck Regatta has a big door and two windows for extra ventilation. When the AC is running, you can seal them up and keep the cool air. 

The Regatta has an electrical cable outlet and a stove jack, ideally suited for summer or winter use.  

If there is a downside to this high-quality tent, it’s that the groundsheet is sewn-in. While this helps keep critters out, it also makes cleaning more challenging. Plus, as always with canvas tents, they are heavy and expensive.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Tent With an AC Port

What to Look for in Tents With air conditioner Ports

Sealed Tent

My mom used to yell at me for keeping the windows open when the air conditioner was on. If you’re using an AC unit in a tent, you’ll want to keep the cold air with a fully sealed tent. 

One of the most common tent features is a mesh ceiling for ventilation. If your tent has a mesh ceiling, make sure it has a zip-up cover to keep it cool.

Multiple AC Ports

Some tents only have one AC adapter, while other models have multiple AC ports. Tents with air conditioning ports tend to be colossal camping tents, often with numerous rooms. 

If you want the air conditioner to reach into every room of a large-capacity tent, look for one with two AC ports (or more). Plus, it’s extra luxurious to have your own AC port, am I right?

AC “Duct” System

Like I said, camping tents compatible with air conditioning are usually huge with removable room dividers. 

To ensure that the cool air permeates the interior space, it’s ideal to have some AC flap or mesh between the rooms to promote airflow. 

Heat Reflective Exterior

Most camping tents aren’t well insulated; even the thickest tent material is simply a single layer of fabric. 

To improve the efficiency of your portable AC unit, look for tents with heat shield technology on the exterior so that the least possible amount of cool air escapes.

Compatible AC Unit

Most AC-compatible tents don’t have a specific brand or type of air conditioner you must pair them with, but there are two categories of portable AC units for tent camping. 

There are window air conditioning units and freestanding air conditioners. 

The window AC units are the box-shaped ones you’d use at home. If you use a window air conditioner while camping, you’ll set it outside your tent, off the ground (on a step stool or crate), and you have to protect it from rain. 

If you plan to use an AC unit like this, ensure your tent has a square-shaped AC opening or oversized ground vent that will fit snugly around the AC.

A free-standing air conditioner sits inside your house and plugs in. In this case, your camping tent just needs an E port and someplace for the exhaust hose to vent out, such as an AC flap. A stove jack will also work wonderfully for this purpose.

This type of unit emits hot air as it runs, so the exhaust hose ensures that the space will effectively cool down.

Electrical Port (E-Port)

If you’re buying a tent with an air conditioner slot, you’ll also be interested in other electronic gadgets in your tent. Regardless of the type of air conditioning unit you have, look for tents with an E port for easy electrical access. 

Types of Tents that have AC Ports

There isn’t a large selection of tents with air conditioning ports. However, here’s what you need to know about the tents that are out there. 

Canvas

Many canvas tents have E ports, stove jacks, and air conditioning ports to support electronics, wood-burning stoves, and air conditioning. 

Canvas tents are incredibly durable, breathable, and weatherproof, but they are also heavy, expensive, and harder to set up than synthetic tents. 

Choose canvas to create a luxe glamping setup or a comfortable hunting camp. 

Synthetic Cabin Tents

Aside from canvas, almost every other air-conditioned tent is a large, synthetic cabin tent. Large tents like these are perfect for a family summer camping trip or a car camping trip. 

Since most of these tents are so large, they must be more suitable for backcountry hiking.

How to Add AC to Tents

Window AC Unit

If you’re using a window air conditioning unit, you’ll need an extension cord and something to sit the air conditioner on, such as a little step stool or a crate. 

You can place the air conditioning unit directly on the ground, but I advise against this unless the air conditioner port is level with the ground and you put a tarp down underneath. 

Once the air conditioning unit is in place, plug it into your power source and enjoy the breeze. 

Freestanding AC Unit

The preferred method to keep your tent cooler is a freestanding air conditioner. 

A standalone air conditioning system is usually lighter and more portable. To enjoy tolerable temperatures, you just need to route the cord through the E port and the exhaust hose out of the tent.

Check out this video on how to add AC to a tent. He has lots of practical tips about choosing an AC model too. 

FAQs About Air-Conditioned Tents for Camping

Is a tent with an AC port worth it?

Air-conditioned tents for camping are worth it if you can say yes to any of the following:

• You love to camp, but you find the heat unbearable
• You plan on camping in established campgrounds with electricity or RV hookups
• You plan to camp for an extended period
• Someone in your group has health issues, and they need to stay cool
• You’re camping with elderly folks or tiny babies
• You’re experiencing homelessness

Cold air in your camping tent can be worth it if any of these factors apply to you.

Is it possible to DIY a tent AC port?

Yes, you can make a DIY AC port in many camping tents. If you have a window AC unit, you need to cut a hole in the tent material the size of your AC unit. You’ll ideally need to attach a sleeve around the AC port to encase the AC unit and protect it from the weather. 

If you want to use a standalone AC unit, you simply need to cut a hole for an electrical port. 

Do they make tents with air conditioners?

No. Although some tentmakers now have tents with an AC hole in the side, you’ll have to purchase your camping air conditioner separately. 

What’s the best tent air conditioner?

The best AC for tent camping is the Black and Decker Air Conditioner. The Black and Decker units are portable with 12,000 BTU of cooling power. 

How well does a portable AC work in a tent?

A portable air conditioning unit works decently well in a camping tent, provided you block off routes where the air can escape (i.e., the mesh ceiling). The best camping tents for air conditioning have limited mesh. 

How do you air condition a tent without electricity?

Air conditioning for tents requires electricity, but there are many ways to cool a summer tent without an outlet. Consider a solar-charged battery pack from Goal Zero. 

How do I keep my tent cool, in addition to AC?

If you’re not ready to commit to an air conditioner in your tent, you can keep your Interior living space bearable with these methods. 

• Camp in the spring and fall
• Camp at a higher elevation in the summer, where it’s cooler
• Camp in a shady spot
• Choose a tent with lots of mesh siding for max airflow
• Don’t sleep with the rain fly
• Use a battery-powered fan
• Lay a damp cloth on your chest or stomach overnight

Conclusion: Our Pick for the Best Tent With AC Port

Camping with a little extra sumpin’ sumpin’ can make the difference between a miserable, no-sleep, “why did we do this” experience and a refreshing, fun, and memorable one. 

While there isn’t a massive market for tents that include AC ports, there are still some good options. 

My favorite on the list is the Coleman Sundome. This two-person, budget-friendly, dome-shaped tent has an electrical port to support a freestanding AC unit. 

I like that the Sundome is lightweight because it’s versatile enough to serve you well with or without the AC unit. 

The Sundome is affordable, and while the peak height is low compared to the cabin tents on my list, it’s still quite livable at four feet.

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