Having already tested the BougeRV indoors, we wanted to see how it performed in a real outdoor setting. Over the weekend, we took it on a camping trip and tested in two setups: placed inside the tent with the exhaust vented out, and placed outside the tent directing cool air in. This allowed us to compare how effectively it cooled a small enclosed space and how different the experience felt in an actual campsite environment. Here’s what we found:
Setup & Conditions
For this outdoor test, we brought along an Anker 757 Power Station that has a battery capacity of 1229Wh, 1500W output with a 2400W surge and fast-charging support as the power source to give us reliable power supply in the wilderness..
The tent we used fit up to 2 people, measuring 195 × 150 × 130 cm. While the space was compact, the interior heated up quickly under the hot sun and created the perfect scenario to test the limits of the BougeRV outdoors.
We first tested the AC outside the tent before moving it inside to compare the cooling difference. With daytime temperatures sitting in the mid-30 °C range and moderate humidity — basically a typical hot camping afternoon — it gave us a realistic and demanding environment to see how well a portable AC could perform outdoors.
Cooling Performance in the Tent
1. Outside the Tent
With the BougeRV positioned outside the tent, we directed the cool air using the flexible exhaust hose into the tent, while expelling hot air to the open space. During daytime testing, the cool air made the tent noticeably more comfortable within 15 minutes. The interior temperature dropped from roughly 30 °C to 27 °C. By the 30-minute mark, it reached around 24 °C, providing a refreshing, calmer environment despite the heat outside.
Running the unit on 22°C of cooling mode outside slowed the temperature drop slightly — it took about 30 minutes to achieve a ~6 °C reduction — but it significantly extended battery life, making it more practical for long camping sessions.
2. Inside the Tent
With the outside test done, we moved it inside the tent to compare the cooling efficiency. When BougeRV is placed inside, the hot-air outlet is connected to the flexible exhaust, routed hot air through a partially unzipped door flap. Within 15 minutes, the temperature fell from ~30 °C to 27 °C, and by 30 minutes it reached ~24 °C, similar to the outdoor setup.
We noticed that keeping the tent flap as closed as possible helped maximize the cooling efficiency. The small enclosed space meant the cooling effect was more immediate while opening it too much allowed warm outside air to mix in, slowing the drop in temperature.
3. Night-time Performance
At night, when outdoor temperatures eased, the BougeRV kept the tent consistently comfortable, maintaining around 23°C. Placing the unit inside provided more direct cooling while also helping to protect it from dew or condensation that can form overnight. This setup ensured a steady airflow that made sleeping or relaxing in the tent far more pleasant compared to just having a small fan.
Although the unit occupies a small portion of floor space, it remains manageable even in a compact 2 person tent. One tip is to position the aircon nearer to the corners where there is usually some empty space. In sleeping mode, the AC runs quietly, producing a gentle breeze that doesn’t disturb rest while keeping the tent air calm and refreshing throughout the night.
Noise and Usability Outdoors
The noise level was manageable — you’ll hear the airflow and compressor in cooling mode, but it isn’t distracting, especially with the tent fabric helping to dampen sound. In sleeping and fan modes, the noise dropped significantly to 50dB (similar to the noise level in a library), making it easy to relax, read, or sleep without disturbance.
Portability was another strong point. The unit and hose are compact enough to handle comfortably, and the build feels solid yet not overly bulky for outdoor use. Since we were also bringing along the power station, we used a trolley to transport everything to the campsite, which made the setup much easier and less physically demanding. Overall, the BougeRV balances portability and practicality well, making it a convenient companion for outdoor trips without compromising on performance.
Power Usage and Runtime
We tracked the power output closely to understand how long each mode realistically lasts on a 1229Wh power station. On fan mode, the BougeRV drew roughly 20–22 W, which translates to a theoretical runtime of about 56–57 hours. For sleeping mode, the power draw increased slightly to around 23–24 W, giving an expected runtime of roughly 52–53 hours. High cooling mode, however, pulls a significantly larger load—about 470–480 W depending on the temperature set—which would theoretically allow 2–2.6 hours of operation.
In our real-world test, we ran the BougeRV until the power station dropped by about 20–25% of its charge. Extrapolating from that partial usage, we estimate the full runtime would be roughly 50–55 hours on fan mode, around 45–51 hours on sleeping mode, and just under 2.5 hours on high cooling mode. Environmental factors like ambient temperature and tent insulation could slightly reduce these numbers in real-world scenarios, but these calculations give a realistic expectation for extended use when relying on a high-capacity portable power station.
Tips and Observations
After spending two days using the BougeRV outdoors, here are some tips that made a noticeable difference:
- Power budgeting: With the 1229 Wh power station, you’ve got enough juice for an overnight (or near-overnight) in moderate ambient conditions if you run the AC on medium/low mode. But if daytime temps hit 37-40 °C, plan for a shorter runtime, bring a larger power pack or consider solar charging during the day.
- Vent/exhaust placement matters: Ensure the exhaust hose vents to open air, not trapped between tent flaps — otherwise warm‐air recirculation will reduce performance.
- Tent seal matters: Keeping the tent entrance mostly zipped and the fabric taut improved cooling efficiency.
- Pre-cool tactic: If possible, switch on the unit about 10 minutes before entering the tent so it’s already cool when you settle in.
- Watch water condensation: When using outdoors, we noticed a little condensation around the hose/exhaust area (likely due to higher humidity). Keep a small tray or absorbent pad underneath if using on softer ground.
- Temperature drop realistic: Expect a drop of ~5–8 °C in a small tent under moderate outdoor heat within 20–30 minutes. Don’t expect to go from 35 °C to 20 °C when the unit is undersized for space or extreme heat.
Final Verdict
Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5) — Great for small tents or cabins, keeping your space cool and comfortable without complicated setup. See how it performed in our first impression review and indoor test, then pre-order now at RM1299 to bring portable cooling to your next camping trip.
