Comparing Programmable & Smart RV Thermostats

If you’ve never been in an RV without a thermostat before, count yourself lucky! There’s nothing worse than being stuck in a hot RV while on a road trip, or while camping in one and unable to stay warm because it’s so cold. Just imagine having to spend your day driving on the road while being stuck inside a hot, stuffy RV. If the sun is shining and the road’s blistering hot, you can bet that your RV is going to feel like an oven. In contrast, when night comes, temperatures can plummet, leaving you feeling chilly and uncomfortable. The most important thing you can do is get your hands on a good thermostat. Sure, it might seem like a small tool that won’t make much difference, but, if you purchase a high-quality one, you’ll be able to enjoy your ideal temperature, no matter where you are, or the time of day. If you’re not sure where to start looking for a thermostat, we’re here to help. Below, you’ll find detailed reviews of the top five thermostats currently on the market, including their advantages and disadvantages. ATVA Online Team has included a buying guide and F.A.Q so that you can be confident that you’re making the best choice for your RV. Let’s begin!

Thermostat for RV – Top Model Compared

Image	Product	Features	Price
OUR TOP PICK	Coleman Rv Camper mach Manual Thermostat	Made in the USA Offers both a heating and cooling option Thin yet durable design that will suit all interiors	Check Price On Amazon
EDITOR’S CHOICE	Honeywell TH5110D1006/U Non-Programmable Thermostat	Can be used for both heating and cooling You can set the exact temperature Affordable price point	Check Price On Amazon
BEST VALUE	Suburban 161154 Wall Thermostat	Easy to install and use Ideal for those on a budget Adjustable, you can set the temperature	Check Price On Amazon
RUNNER UP	ICM Controls SC1600L Simple Comfort Non	Timely customer service Sleek and simple design Made in America	Check Price On Amazon
RUNNER UP	Dometic Air Conditioners CT Single Zone Wall Thermostat	Features three fan speeds Has a large LCD display screen for total convenience Comes with a built-in backlight	Check Price On Amazon

Best Thermostat for RV

The Different Types of Thermostat for your RV

To help you decide which thermostat is right for you, it’s important to understand the different types available on the market. The three most common types are:

• Programmable
• Digital (sometimes referred to as electronic)
• Analog

Programmable

Programmable thermostats for your RV are the most advanced out of the three and are also the easiest to use. A programmable thermostat will allow you to input your temperature settings into the memory of the device, and allows you to adjust the settings for different times of the day. So, if it’s going to be a particularly hot day, you can set your thermostat to keep your RV cold until the night, when you’ll be able to adjust the settings to operate warm air between a defined set of hours until morning, and so forth. For this reason, they often tend to be the most expensive out of the three, too.

Analog

This is the most ‘traditional’ kind of thermostat. An analog one offers either heat, or a dual heat-cooling system, but the way that analog sets the temperature can cause issues. This is because they work by utilizing a ‘sliding switch’ that moves between the different temperature notches. So, for this reason, there’s no way you will be able to set your temperature to an exact temperature, you’ll only be able to get close. Regardless, they are very reliable, which is why people still but them today.

Digital/Electronic

Digital thermostats operate in a similar way to analog thermostats, except that they feature electronic microprocessors that are able to cleverly achieve a more accurate temperature reading. This means that they’re more efficient at starting and stopping furnaces or air conditioners better than analogs. They’re popular for RV’ers because it allows them to choose an exact temperature setting. They also come with a display screen which allows for easier use.

Features to Consider

Before making a choice, it’s important that you know which features to look out when choosing the best RV thermostat for your camper. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most important to keep in mind:

Usability

As you will have seen from our roundup, most options are pretty simple to use once they’ve been installed. However, to improve your overall user experience, we recommend choosing a design that is most suited to your needs. Do you want to keep your RV warm for the winter months? You should select a heat-only thermostat. Do you want to keep things as low-maintenance as possible? Select a programmable thermostat that will be able to do the bulk of the work for you.

Appearance

This might not be of importance to everyone, but it’s still worth a mention. Most thermostats for RV’s are made using minimalist colors like white or cream so that they suit all kinds of decors. However, if you want a more modern look, you might prefer a digital thermostat that features an LCD screen. When making a purchase, you might want to consider how it will look with your RV’s interior.

Quality

Hopefully, after reading our reviews above, you’ll have noticed that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get your hands on one that is of high quality! Though it’s pretty common for thermostats at all price points to be made of some kind of plastic exterior, it’s worth noting that the plastic used is often pretty durable and designed to last for many years before needing a replacement. However, in order to protect your purchase, we recommend keeping an eye out for ones that come with a warranty, just in case.

Can Programmable and Smart RV Thermostats Also Be Used for Electric Garage Heaters?

Indeed, programmable and smart RV thermostats can adeptly manage electric garage heaters. Incorporating these thermostats into the heating system is a simple process, even for a portable, ceiling, or wall-mounted heater. Such an integration facilitates effective temperature control and enhances energy efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an RV thermostat?

It is, essentially, a device that is able to control the temperature inside your RV by controlling the furnace or air conditioner, where it is able to blow warm or cold air through the fan. Depending on what you need your thermostat for (for cooling purposes, heating purposes, or both) the main purpose is to help you achieve an ideal temperature to suit your environment at all times.

How does it work?

The way it works is actually pretty simple. The thermostat that you choose for your RV will work by regulating the interior temperature of your camper. It will do this by turning on your furnace when it gets too cold. However, many models offer dual-functionality and can also control your air conditioner as well. The thermostat will be hard-wired to your furnace or air conditioner most commonly through your RV’s 12-volt system. When the sensors inside the thermostat read a temperature different by plus or minus at the set amount of degrees from the temperature you position it at, it will send a signal to the furnace or air conditioner to turn it on. Clever, right? In this way, when those same thermostat sensors detect that the RV interior temperature has hit the exact setting that you have entered into its system, it will turn off the appliance. If installed correctly, your thermostat will work to automatically keep your RV at your ideal temperature without you having to manually turn on and off your air conditioner or furnace.