Best Van Roof Vent for Your Campervan Conversion in 2023 (Reviews and Comparison)

1. MAXXAIR 0007000K MaxxFan Deluxe Fan – Best Van Roof Vent for All The Bells and Whistles

10-speed fan camper fan doesn’t skimp on the features

The MAXXAIR 0007000K MaxxFan Deluxe Fan is a roof vent for RVs that’s truly worthy of the “deluxe” title. From its multi-speed fan to its convenience features like a remote and thermostat, this product was developed to impress.

The fan having 10 speeds was one of the first things that caught our eye. This may seem a bit like overkill when you consider most fans offer three speeds (low, medium, high), but we found that having the extra options really allowed for more precise temperature control.

Did we just say temperature control? When referring to an RV roof vent? While this camper roof vent doesn’t produce hot or cold air, it does a great job of achieving your preferred temperature inside the van by moving stale air. Because it offers a reversing feature, you can both suck out and pull in air, as needed.

You control your campervan roof fan by way of remote control. It’s nothing fancy, so you don’t have to worry about figuring it out. It has options for fan speed and fan direction, and small icons let you know the status of the fan, like whether the cover is open or whether the fan is running.

We love the simplicity of the remote and even the entire system, but we aren’t fans of the company’s decision to use an IR remote rather than an RF one. IR requires that you maintain a line of sight with the fan to operate it. This is no problem if you and it are both in the same general vicinity, but if it’s in the living room area and you’re in the bedroom area — and there are any obstructions in your path — you’ll need to move closer to the fan to operate it.

Aside from the remote, there really aren’t any other complaints. The campervan roof vent measures 14 x 14 inches, so it’s a standard size, and you can operate it with the cover closed in “ceiling fan mode”. The ceiling fan mode did a good job of moving air to keep the interior from feeling stale, but remember that you’ll need to open the cover to help with condensation or to adjust the temperature.

Camper roof vent with adjustable speeds, reverse operation, and more 

The Fan-Tastic Vent RV Roof Vent with Thermostat is another example of a premium product that will satisfy your need for big features. It only offers three speeds, but the 10-blade fan does a remarkable job of moving air in, out, and around the cabin.

In addition to pulling air out of your RV to help with condensation and excessive heat, this camper fan has a reversing feature that pulls air in. It’s great to use on cool days, especially when you open another window in the van to create a draft.

Use the fan’s thermostat to help regulate the temperature inside. It won’t work as an AC or heater, but we found it did a pretty good job of cooling us down when it got a bit stuffy on a warm afternoon. On days like that, you’ll appreciate that you don’t have to use so much energy to stay comfortable.

You can control this fan’s various functions with its remote, but note that you may need to pull out your reading glasses to be sure of what setting it’s on. Aside from the small print and overuse of tiny green lights, the remote is basic and straightforward, and it worked as we moved around the cabin.

We liked that this van fan also allows for manual operation. You’ve got buttons on the unit for controlling the thermostat and airflow, so you don’t have to hunt down the remote whenever you want to use the fan. However, note that you do always have to open the RV roof vent fans cover by hand, which can be annoying if you don’t want to get up.

The RV roof vent fans fit standard 14 x 14-inch openings, and it comes with a self-sealing vent cover to protect against rain and moisture. Installation took about an hour, and it didn’t require any special tools.

Rain-sensing feature ensures your interior stays dry

If you often travel to wet climates, you know that condensation can be a big problem. Do you know what else is a big problem? Leaving the roof fan vent open in the rain. With the Leisure Coachworks RV Roof Vent Fan, you don’t have to keep tabs on your vent because its rain sensor automatically closes the cover when it detects moisture.

We took the camper van to Florida in the summertime, and for being the Sunshine State, it sure rained a lot. It was also hot, so we often ran the ceiling fan to keep the air moving. The rain sensor definitely saved us on more than one occasion, and we never suffered leaks due to the weather (or any other reason, for that matter).

Like other premium roof vents, this one comes with a remote. We found it funny that the manufacturer couldn’t spring for batteries, but after hunting some down, we didn’t experience any other issues with it.

Another standout feature of this fan is that it comes with LED light strips on the trim. They were useful as another light source in the evening, but they weren’t bright enough to use as the only light.

Installation of this camper van fan was very easy; it only required connecting two wires. It fits your standard 14 x 14-inch opening, and it accommodates roofs up to 4.75 inches thick.

Basic, electric-powered roof vent kit that won’t break the bank

The Hike Crew RV Roof Vent Fan gets big points for its simplicity. It’s an electric fan, but it doesn’t come with a huge price tag because it doesn’t have all the features of more premium units. This makes it an excellent choice if you want something convenient but also affordable.

This van roof vent doesn’t come with a remote. Some might consider this a drawback, but the manufacturer puts a positive spin on it: There’s no remote to lose if you don’t have one, to begin with! Questionable reasoning aside, the fan is super simple to operate. You’ve got a crank handle for opening the cover, a knob for adjusting the fan speed, and a dial for changing the fan direction.

The fan only offers three speeds, but we found this sufficient for most circumstances. When on its highest setting, the fan sucked out the hot, moist air in just minutes to prevent condensation; and when in reverse, it brought in cool air from outdoors to maintain a nice ambient temperature. There’s no thermostat or auto-shutoff with this fan, so you’ll need to turn it on and off by hand as you need it.

The fan’s welcome simplicity follows through to installation. We only needed a screwdriver to install it, thanks to the fact that its screw holes were clearly marked and pre-drilled. Don’t have a lot of experience with electricity? Even novices can figure out the wiring for this fan, so there’s no need to hire a professional installer.

Take note that this fan is smaller than most, measuring 11 x 11 inches. This means it’s not suitable as a replacement if you’ve already got a 14 x 14-inch space, but it is perfect for a new build where you get to decide the size of the opening.

Non-powered roof vent kit requires no wiring or electricity

If you’re looking for a simple and affordable van roof vent with no fancy features, you’ve found your match in the Ventline V2092SP-28 RV Roof Vent. This basic campervan roof vent requires no electricity because it’s not a fan — it’s just a vent.

You might choose this type of roof vent if you often travel to areas with fair climates. You may not need a lot of air circulation within the van because it doesn’t get too hot or too cold, but you do want a way to let warm, steamy air out while cooking, bathing, or just sleeping — and that’s exactly what this RV roof vent provides.

We tested this unit by installing it on a friend’s camper. He had actually been thinking about replacing his RV roof vent fan because it was no longer working. He realized that he didn’t need a fan, so he agreed to try this one. As this friend spends a lot of time in Wisconsin, he found that this vent was perfect for his needs. 

Operating this vent is as simple as turning a knob. The cover opens smoothly, with very little noise. You decide how far to open it based on how much you turn the knob — open it all the way for maximum condensation relief, or open it partway to keep your interior fresh as you eat, sleep, and live throughout the day.

If your camper has a 14 x 14-inch opening, you will need a saw to widen it just a bit as this unit is 14.25 x 14.25 inches. So long as you don’t have ribs or other obstructions in the way, this shouldn’t be a problem, though it is a bit of an inconvenience.