One of the great things about RVing is enjoying the great outdoors. You don’t want to be cooped up in the RV, and you want to be enjoying the beautiful fresh air. The sunlight. The moonlight. The sounds of nature.
There is no greater excitement than sitting outside your RV, perhaps enjoying some good food or a beer. To do this properly, you need an awning.
We have a little bit of something for everybody. On this page, we are going to review five different camper awnings. We have ready-made set-ups, electric systems, and sun blockers.
We will do everything possible to help you find the best camper awning.

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1. ARB 4×4 Retractable Awning With LED Strip
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2. ALEKO 12 x 8- Feet Manual Awning For Camper
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3. Carefree VXJE50HW 12V Eclipse Arm Set
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4. ALEKO RVFAB
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5. Tentproinc RV Awning Sun Shade
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1. ARB 4×4 Retractable Awning With LED Strip – Best Overall

Features
- Stainless steel; aluminum construction
- It takes 30-seconds to deploy the awning fully
- Compatible with most vehicles (not small cars)
- It comes complete with an LED strip
Specifications
- Fabric type: Polyvinyl Chloride
- Sizes: 2500×2500, 2000×2500
- Colors: Light brown and white
The ARB 4×4 Retractable Awning is, without a doubt, the best awning on this list. Available in various sizes, you can connect this awning directly to your vehicle’s roof rack. It doesn’t work on the smallest of cars, but from SUV up, you should be fine.
The retractable awning boasts a solid 300gsm roof material. This has been fully waterproofed and comes with welded seams. This means that this awning will provide you with protection, even in the most terrible of weather. This can put up with quite a battering from the wind.
One of the main highlights is the inclusion of the LED strip. This may not seem like a lot, but it allows you to use the awning at night without hanging up several lights. The LED strip has multiple color modes, and you can even dim it. It rolls right back up into the awning fabric, which means you don’t have to keep hooking it up.
WHAT WE LIKE
We love how rigid this camper awning is. It does feel as if it can put up with quite a beating. We wouldn’t be surprised if even the most avid of campers found that this lasts them for years.
We also enjoy just how easy it is to get set up. Once you have connected it up to your roof rack, it should take no more than 30-seconds to pull out. Perfect for when you want to relax after a long, hard day.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
We wish that ARB gave a bit more information about what vehicles this doesn’t fit. We also want to that there were a few extra hooks for additional lighting, although we suppose that the LED strip should be light enough for most people.
PROS
- Tough roofing material
- Easy installation
- The LED strip is bright
- It can be expanded with a windbreaker (costs extra)
CONS
- No guidance as to what vehicles this fits
- We wish it were available in more colors
- Spare parts can be a little expensive
2. ALEKO 12 x 8- Feet Manual Awning For Camper – Best Value
Features
- 100% PVC awning fabric
- Available in multiple sizes
- Wind crank for opening
- Easily attaches to camper
- It can also be used as a porch awning
Specifications
- Fabric type: 100% PVC
- Lift Type: Crank
- Sizes: 12x-8-feet (also available in 10, 13, 15, 16, 20, 21 x 8-inches)
- Colors: Blue and white stripes only
If you need a simple roof awning that you can quickly attach to your camper, this offering from ALEKO may be right up your street. The installation should take no more than 10-minutes. Once installed, it should take around 1-minute to unwind, which is surprisingly fast. It unwinds using a crank, which feels fantastic in the hands.
Closing up the awning is even simpler. A quick tug of the pull strap and everything will be pulled in nice and tight within a few seconds. There is no chance of this unfurling while you are out there on the road.
The PVC fabric is incredibly tough. It is mold, mildew, and stain-resistant. It should have no issues keeping the elements off of you. It is excellent for those planning on camping during the warmer months of the year.
This awning is available in several different sizes, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding the right one for your RV or patio.
WHAT WE LIKE
We do enjoy how easy it is to get this awning unrolled. The crank is smooth, and a little bit of grease will keep it running for years. One minute to unroll the awning is barely anything.
It does seem like a rather tough camper awning too. It isn’t the toughest around, but it is probably going to last for the lifespan of your RV.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
The PVC fabric is tough, don’t get us wrong. However, there are better fabrics on the market. It doesn’t break the wind quite as well as other awning fabrics. Therefore, this is an awning that we tend to recommend to those going to be camping when the weather is a little bit fairer.
We are also not a massive fan that this camper awning is only available in one color. Although, it is a fairly neutral color, so for most people, this shouldn’t be a problem.
PROS
- Affordable
- Available in several different sizes
- Easy to unwind
- Easy to store on your camper
- It can also be used for patios
CONS
- Only available in one color
- PVC isn’t the best material for awnings
- Challenging to find spare parts
3. Carefree VXJE50HW 12V Eclipse Arm Set – Best Electric Awning
Features
- It can be used with existing awning
- One button press unrolls and rolls up the awning.
- It can be partially unrolled without losing stability
- Quick pitch adjustments
Specifications
- Fabric Type: Fabric is not included
- Lift Type: 12-volt lift
- Sizes: 77 x 9 x 7-inches
- Colors: Black
Right off the bat, we have to point out that this is an arm set only. You will need to connect it to an existing awning. However, we suppose that this will work to your benefit. You can choose the color of awning that you want, something that few other sets will provide.
Unrolling your awning is dead simple. All it takes is a single press of a button, and the arms will do the work for you. It takes under a minute. As mentioned before, you can partially unfurl the awning too. There will be no loss of stability. This can come in exceedingly useful.
This awning hardware set provides quick pitch adjustments. If you want to change the angle that your awning is sitting at, it should take no more than a couple of seconds.
WHAT WE LIKE
This is probably one of the most fluid electric awning arms. The movement is so fluid, even after hundreds of uses. This is of the few electric awning set-ups that could easily last for years.
We also particularly enjoy the fact that you can use your awning with this. It means that you aren’t tied to using a specific awning color. This should be easy to install with the system you are currently using.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
Compared to other electric awnings, it does open rather slowly. However, we are only talking for an extra minute or two. We doubt that this is going to impact too many people.
While it can be partially opened, it can be rather difficult to stop it as partially opened. You need to be quick on the button. Again, not something that will impact most people.
PROS
- Smooth opening motion
- Can use your awning
- Stable even when partially opened
- Locks securely into place while on the road
CONS
- It opens a little slower than other electric awnings
- Requires power, or it just won’t work
- It can be tough to open it partially
4. ALEKO RVFAB – Best Replacement Awning Fabric
Features
- 4-layer vinyl replacement awning canvas
- Works with almost all brands of awning
- Available in several sizes
- Available in multiple colors
Specifications
- Fabric Type: Vinyl
- Lift Type: N/A
- Sizes: 12×8, 8×8, 10×8, 13×8, 15×8, 16×8, 18×8, 20×8, 21×8 (all in feet)
- Colors: Blue, Blue Stripe, Black, Black Stripe, Burgandy, Gray, Brown
This is just a replacement canvas. It works well with the vast majority of awnings out there, including the automatic awning system that we mentioned previously. This is one of the best replacement awning options on the market.
This is available in a multitude of colors and sizes. This means that you should have no issues finding an option that fits both your awning set-up and your color preferences. You rarely get replacement awning canvases with such a wide choice of options for size.
This product is constructed from a 4-layer vinyl. 2 layers of PVC, a mesh center, and a UV coated side. This provides you with the ultimate level of protection when you are sitting under it. This is both UV and water-resistant, so it should keep you dry when it is raining outside.
WHAT WE LIKE
This is a solid canvas. It is easily going to provide years of use. It is virtually indestructible. The UV layers help prevent fading too, so it should look as good in a few years as it does today!
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
Because there is no valance pocket, it can be tough to install if you don’t know what you are doing. However, you don’t need to worry about the installation again once it is in place.
PROS
- Good quality canvas
- Multiple sizes mean that you can find one to suit your awning.
- Various colors and anti-fade properties ensure it stays looking great for years
CONS
- Tricky to install
- Some of the fabrics can come in slightly undersized.
5. Tentproinc RV Awning Sun Shade – Best RV Awning Sun Shade
Features
- Blocks 86% of UV rays
- Drastically lowers the interior temperature of your awning
- Easy to install
- It acts as a windbreaker
Specifications
- Fabric type: Black Mesh
- Lift Type: N/A
- Sizes: Over 60 different sizes
- Colors: Black, Brown, Beige, Navy Blue, Blue, Gray
This is not a complete awning set-up. Instead, it is an awning sunshade. The idea is that you attach it to your current awning, and it will block UV rays. Think of it as a fabric sunblock. Tests have shown that it can block up to 86% of UV rays. This can help to protect your skin while, at the same time, reducing the temperature inside of your RV awning.
While this is a very thin material, it is incredibly robust. This means that you do not have to worry about it breaking. It won’t even tear easily. The fabric is just thick enough to block light winds too.
It is available in several colors, so you can find the right color to fit your RV.
WHAT WE LIKE
We love how lightweight and easy it is to install. You essentially clip it onto your awning. Because the sunblock is available in over 60 different sizes, you shouldn’t have too much issue finding the right size for your awning, no matter how high it sits from the ground.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
It is rather difficult to remove from the awning. This means that you won’t be able to remove it quickly in the event of the wind or rain picking up.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Easy to install
- Available in a lot of sizes
- Available in a lot of colors
CONS
- Difficult to remove quickly
- Lets through a lot of light in the sunnier areas
- Tough to store
Also Read: Best Roof Rack Awning for Camper Vans (Reviews and Comparison)
Get Inspired With More Outdoor RV Accessories
Conclusion
There are a lot of different awning options on the market. You could even build your own with a good selection of awning arms and hardware. If you want to install your first awning, then pick up the ARB 4×4 Accessories 814410 Retractable Awning. It is compatible with almost all vehicles and should easily fit on your car. It provides superior protection and will help you enjoy those cozy nights outside.
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