The Best RV Thermostats to Controls Temperature Inside Your RV

Let’s be honest; without an RV thermostat to control your RV’s furnace and air conditioner, the inside of your RV would be borderline unbearable. If you don’t believe me, ask the poor souls who had to endure a thermostat quitting on them.

I mean, can you imagine riding around or sleeping in your RV without being able to control how heat or cold it is inside? Honestly, I think that would be one the worst experiences you could face as an RV owner.

While you probably don’t think about your RV thermostat’s performance that much, it’s essential you have the best RV thermostat available to ensure these nightmarish circumstances don’t come apart of your life.

And this article will give you all the information you need to ensure you do have a high-quality RV thermostat. In fact, we’ll even provide you with detailed product reviews of top rated RV thermostats available to make sure you find that fits your RV lifestyle perfectly.

9 Top-tier RV Thermostat Reviews 2023

In this section, we’ll give you the detailed product reviews we promised above. And with these product reviews, you’ll start to understand what you’re looking for in an RV thermostat.

1. Dometic D3106995.032 Heat/Cool Analog Thermostat

Our first product, Dometic Heat/Cool Analog Thermostat, comes from a company known to produce high-quality products. In fact, they’ll be on this list multiple times, and this particular thermostat doesn’t do anything that hurts their reputation.

For instance, even though this thermostat is an analog model, there isn’t a lot of complaints about its effectiveness. And as someone who relies a lot on customers reviews, seeing so many good reviews kind of washes away my issues with this being an older model.

Additionally, I love that this thermostat connects to both the air conditioner and the furnace. As you probably know, some models only link to the furnace, which isn’t ideal for someone like me who values convenience.

And as someone who loves convenience, the easy to install aspect of this thermostat is a really nice touch. I’d probably still opt for hiring a professional to install this thermostat, but I’d like that the option is there for another RV owner who’s a little more equipped for this mechanical stuff.

With this in mind, it just feels like Dometic tried it’s best to make an outdated concept like an analog thermostat into a useful product that is the best an analog thermostat could be; and they succeeded.

2. TycoonWon DOMETIC Thermostat Replacement

The TycoonWon RV Thermostat Heat Only model is a no-nonsense device that works as well as Dometic thermostats. It is an admirable option for RV owners who prefer to keep things uncomplicated without undermining their traveling lifestyle quality.

Despite its bland appearance, I am impressed by this RV thermostat’s straightforward design. RV owners only need to flick a few switches to get the device operating optimally.

There are three controls for the system: temperature, fan, and fan speed. It cannot get any simpler than that. The black text is a nice contrast to the white casing, ensuring users will not have issues flipping the right knobs to the correct settings.

The temperature slider mechanism has Celsius and Fahrenheit measurements in five-degree increments. Although the slider knob could be more substantial, I had no issues setting my preferred temperature. Overall, this product is a no-fuss, no-frills analog thermostat for people wary of digital technologies.

What impressed me the most about this RV thermostat is its compatibility with Dometic Duo Therm units — 3106995.032 ones, to be specific. I am glad it works as efficiently as the original equipment but without the hefty price tag. It makes this RV thermostat a valuable buy.

Setting this RV thermostat is also a cinch because it has easy-to-understand installation instructions. The wiring ports have their respective markings, eliminating the risk of incorrect cable placement. Most RV owners can install this device within 25 to 30 minutes. I would not be surprised if DIYers set the system up in ten minutes.

Unfortunately, this RV thermostat is made in China instead of the USA.

3. Coleman RV Camper Thermostat

The Coleman Camper Thermostat is the second analog thermostat on our list and with that comes an expectation this would be a good bargain option. In this regard, Coleman makes sure they don’t disappoint.

I mean, it’s peak simplicity with a high expectation of effectiveness given the overwhelming positivity spreading through the customer reviews. See, it offers both heat/cool control as well as adjusting fan speeds and all at an analog thermostat price.

And Coleman, even offers the add-on of an expert installation right on the Amazon page. Therefore, it conveys Coleman is trying to give their customers a sense of practicality that’s unmatched by most of their competitors.

With this emphasis put on this product’s practical, you’d probably expect another area like the product’s efficiency to be affected. Well, it’s not because, as mentioned before, there aren’t many complaints in the reviews.

After a while, even I, someone who isn’t a fan of analog thermostats, was considering getting one for my RV. Honestly, there’s nothing Coleman could have done better with building this analog thermostat. It’s genuinely a thermostat worthy of any RV owners’ consideration.

But, it’s still an analog thermostat, so, I’d pass on buying this product. However, I was almost swayed by this product’s high-quality reputation, and if you’re looking for a bargain, this thermostat should go right to the top of your list.

4. Suburban 161154 Wall Thermostat

As dependable as any thermostat on this list, the Suburban 161154 RV Thermostat Heat Only is an extremely user-friendly analog model that simplicity makes endurable. Honestly, there’s no special about this product, but in some ways, that’s what makes it one of the best.

And even though it’s one of the best, it still has the lowest price among all the thermostats on this list. It seems Suburban wanted to create a thermostat that was both cost-effective and efficient to use.

With this in mind, I’m here to tell you that Suburban accomplished precisely what it seems like they tried to do. See, this thermostat works just as it’s advertised given the numerous customer reviews saying as much.

It’s a nice feeling knowing a product will work exactly how it’s supposed to when buying something as essential as an RV thermostat. Besides being truthful about their product’s capabilities, Suburban also made sure to make the installation as easy as possible.

Suburban even offers an expert installation as a part of the package for the thermostat. It doesn’t get easier than this except when you consider installing it yourself doesn’t take much effort either.

5. Honeywell TH5110D1006 Non-Programmable Thermostat

As you might expect from the previous reviews, I’m excited to look at our first non-analog thermostat: the Honeywell Non-Programmable Thermostat. And it helps that our first electronic thermostat is a worthwhile option for any RV owner for a variety of reasons.

First, the versatility of this RV thermostat is almost unprecedented among any model. See, this electronic thermostat can work both inside your actual home and RV. For me, this versatility moves this product up to the top of my preferred RV thermostat list.

Honestly, with the price of the 2-pack, I could easily afford to upgrade both my RV and my actual home thermostats for the price of some single communicating models. In this regard, Honeywell seems to be ahead of their competitors.

Furthermore, it doesn’t lack other features that I would see as essential such as being both heat and cool applicable. As mentioned before, I don’t see the value in buying a thermostat that doesn’t control both the air conditioner and furnace. It just not practical for my circumstances.

Along the same lines, this thermostat also offers expert installation, which is a must for me given my lack of talent for dealing with electrical appliances. I mean, I’ve tried to understand these things, but it’s not in the cards for me.

Also, since it’s an electronic thermostat, it gives you more control of the actual temperature inside your RV. See, with analog models it’s more like a range, but on electronic models, you can set the room’s temperature to the exact point you feel comfortable.

6. Atwood 38453 Thermostat

Our last analog RV thermostat, Atwood Thermostat, comes from a well-represent manufacturer on this list, Atwood. And with this knowledge, you can expect this product to be a very high-quality, no-nonsense thermostat.

Therefore, it’s no surprise this thermostat comes with a warranty. After all, Atwood’s a fantastic company that seems hellbent on giving their customers everything they need for a positive experience.

In result, you shouldn’t be shocked by how easy this model is to install. Multiple customers reported doing the whole installation in a matter of minutes. I mean, if that isn’t efficient, I don’t know what is; it’s just everything you could want in an analog model.

And as you probably expected, it’s incredibly affordable compared to the electronic, programmable, or communicating models. All in all, if you buy this thermostat, you know exactly what you’re getting for a price that isn’t extensive.

In the end, there might not be a lot that’s too unique about this product, but one thing it does have is the ability to do its job efficiently. But for me, this product doesn’t work for my circumstances for two reasons.

8. ICM Controls SC1600L Non-Programmable Thermostat

The ICM Controls Non-Programmable Thermostat is a unique electronic model with its lack of ability for linking to AC units. However, it’s a perfect model for RV owners’ looking for a heat-only thermostat.

I mean, it’s universally applicable to many different RV’s, so, no one should have a problem setting this up. In fact, I’m confident I could set this one up even with my deficiencies in this area. And while this makes me interested in this thermostat, there was one other feature this product has that really caught my eye.

This feature was the sleek design. I know, it kind of looks like a standard thermostat; however, for my RV’s interior, this design would blend in perfectly. Honestly, I wouldn’t notice it was there until I need to adjust the settings.

Besides the sleek design, there was another aspect ICM Controls really excels in that kept popping up in my research of this product: customer service. Honestly, it’s rare that you never see a review complaining about the customer service, but in this case, there was none.

Instead, you had multiple people praising the customer service, which is even rarer. It’s nice to see a company seems like they care about their customers. And in these same reviews, people were raving about the performance of this product.

9. Dometic Duotherm Thermostat Control

Our last product is another one from Dometic, the Dometic Duotherm Thermostat Control, and like its two predecessors, it’s a programmable RV thermostat. Honestly, there isn’t much difference between this one and the model before it.

However, the subtle differences do make it a little more user-friendly in my opinion than the previous Dometic product. For example, it has a larger LCD display, which makes it incredibly easy to see and use even past the levels of the convenience of the model before it.

Also, this model contains a backlight in the LCD display that makes it visible in the dark; a nice touch that I wish the other model had. Other than that, these two models are relatively the same.

For instance, both have the internal memory storage, the auto fan, the three fan speeds, etc. But there’s one more aspect that this one has an advantage in, the price. I suspect this must be an older model because it’s still pretty expensive; however, it’s not nearly the price of the previously reviewed model on this list.

Also, the reviews for this one are a bit more favorable compared to the previous one. I’m guessing that has to do with the price increase and the reduction of features like the backlight and the small LCD design.

7. Coleman 83303862 Digital RV Thermostat

Our second Coleman product, the Coleman Digital RV Thermostat, is an electronic model that is well-regarded in the RV owner community. In the simplest terms, this thermostat will do its job with little to no issues.

In all estimations, this electronic model will do everything an analog model would, but much more efficiently. Therefore, I’d recommend any RV owner looking for a simple, reasonably price thermostat to consider this high-quality model.

I mean, for me, this model is perfect because it offers the heat/cool feature and the expert install that I so desperately need. Besides those two things, I love how effective it’s at keeping the temperature at the exact point I desire.

For instance, this model is known for its ability to turn on the air conditioner or furnace the moment the temperature hits 1 degree above or below your desired temperature. Now, this might cost you a little on your utility bill, but I much prefer this over the 15-degree swings provided by those analog models.

And for you RV owners who have the necessary capabilities to install a thermostat yourself, you shouldn’t have any issues with this one unless you’re replacing a non-Coleman product. And that’s one of the two problems I have this thermostat.

See, this thermostat isn’t universal; therefore, I implore you to make sure you’re replacing a Coleman thermostat before buying this model. If you don’t, you’ll just end up wasting money and potentially damaging your RV.

Dometic 3109228.001 Comfort Control Center (Outdated)

Our first programmable thermostat, the Dometic Comfort Control Center, comes from our old friends at Dometic. With this specific product, Dometic makes sure to throw out all the stops and create my favorite thermostat on this list.

And you’re probably asking what makes this one so much different from the rest? Well, all you have to do is program the settings you want once and never worry about your thermostat again; unless you want to change the settings.

In fact, not even power failure will mess up your settings because of the internal memory this thermostat has; honestly, it’s amazing the things this model can do compared to some of the analog ones we were looking at beforehand.

For instance, with this model, you can create four different climate zones inside your RV at once. Therefore, if someone’s too hot or cold, they can simply set an area inside the RV to their desired temperature.

And the incredible features don’t stop with the four climate zones, it can also link to your onboard generator during times of power failure. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if this thing cooks your breakfast as well.

But as with all cool things, the price is pretty outlandish. However, I think I could justify splurging a bit for a model as unique and advance as this thermostat. And since I need to replace a Dometic thermostat, I think I found the best RV digital thermostat for me.

Dometic RV Air Conditioner Single Zone LCD Thermostat (Outdated)

Suprise, surprise; we have another Dometic product on our list, the Dometic RV Air Conditioner Single Zone LCD Thermostat, and it’s not the last one either. And like all the products from this company, it’s a top-notch model.

Just like the Dometic Comfort Control Center, this thermostat is also a programmable model, which immediately puts it toward the top of my list. I just love the convenience the programmable models bring their users.

For example, this model has three different fan speeds that will allow you to have complete control over the air distribution inside your RV. Honestly, with this model, I’m fairly confident you won’t ever have an uneven room temperature again.

In fact, Dometic made sure of it by including an auto fan mode that will vary between speeds to ensure the desired room temperature is maintained. And they also added a large LCD display that is incredibly easy to see and use effectively making this model extremely user-friendly.

And last but certainly not least on the pro side, Dometic included a 2-year warranty to ensure their customers feel safe about buying the product. With all these pros, I’d be ready to move this model onto the top of my list, but there’s one issue.

What to Look for When Buying an RV Thermostat

As you’d expected with any product, there are specific factors you must consider before deciding on the best RV thermostat for you. With this in mind, we’ll cover all these factors and help you decided what you precisely want out of your RV thermostat.

Features

Do you want an RV thermostat with Wi-Fi capability? Do you want a setback setting? Or do you want just a standard thermostat that will do its job and not be complicated?

Overall, it’s decisions like these that will decide which is the best thermostat for your RV. For me, I’d definitely stay away from the analog RV thermostat and get one of the other three whether it’d be electronic, programmable, or communicating.

I mean, I tend to opt for the most up to date option in the products I buy. I just love the additional features these three thermostats offer. However, I’m a little weary of the communicating ones because the technology is so new; therefore, much more expensive and why you won’t see one in our product review section.

But if you less impressed by features like these, you might be more inclined to get a simpler version. And honestly, these versions won’t hurt your bank account as much as a souped-up RV thermostat.

Types

Overall, RV thermostats come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but the four main types are analog, electronic, programmable, and communicating thermostats. As you would expect, each one has a scenario where they’d be extremely useful (well maybe not analog).

See, analog thermostats are rapidly going out of style for a variety of reasons: effectiveness, appearance, lack of features, and overall convenience. But there’s one area where an analog thermostat is ahead of the curve: price.

So, if you’re looking for a bargain and are okay without any features an analog thermostat could be a good option for you. Otherwise, you should stick to the other three types and figure out which one fits you best.

For example, if you’re looking for fantastic features, you should look at communicating thermostats. See, these devices will allow you to access your thermostat from any point in your RV. Also, these thermostats usually come with an accompanying app that gives you the option to access your thermostat from outside your RV. However, the technology is relatively new, so, I’d be cautious about getting one of these.

But if these features don’t really appeal to you and your just looking for a simple, solid RV thermostat, an electronic thermostat might be more your speed. These models work relatively the same way as analogs but are way more effective at keeping your RV at your desired temperature.

And finally, if you’re looking for convenience, but find the communicating thermostats too expensive, then a programmable thermostat is the option for you. With these models, you don’t get all the features a communicating thermostat provides, but with the memory system all you have to do is set your desired temperature once and you’re good to go.

As you can see, there’s a lot of options, but once you figure out what you want, it starts to become less overwhelming.

Manufacturer’s Location

For me, I liked getting products that are made inside the United States. It just makes me feel comfortable that there won’t be any issues because of the strict regulations the United States puts on a manufacturer.

However, you might not mind getting an RV thermostat that’s made outside the United States. And sometimes, the products from non-US manufacturers, function better and have a less expensive price.

All in all, it’s about what you’re comfortable with doing and what model fits your particular requirements. And in my specific case, the manufacturer’s location is a massive deal in whether or not I end up buying a product.

Quality

Reading customer reviews is the best way to determine whether or not an RV thermostat is high-quality. With this in mind, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take advantage of these excellent resources. I mean, why wouldn’t you read other people’s experiences about any product your considering?

And with these reviews, you should be able to determine if the thermostat does what it claims. I despise when a manufacturer claims its product can do something then it fails to do that very thing: it’s frustrating.

Besides quelling you of this frustration, making sure your RV thermostat is high quality also reduces the risk of you having to buy a new one in the future. In fact, a high-quality RV thermostat will likely last a long time on average about 10 years, so, it may be more cost effective to spend more now than buying a whole new later.

Warranty

One of the most critical factors in buying an RV thermostat is making sure the models you’re considering have a warranty. After all, an RV without a thermostat is an absolute nightmare and shouldn’t be a scenario anyone should experience.

Due to this, the first thing you should research is the model’s warranty policy. If they don’t have one, strongly consider removing it from consideration; unless the customer reviews make it seem like a well produced product.

Honestly, an RV thermostat without warranty says to me the company doesn’t have complete faith in its product. It seems like they’re trying to scam people into buying a fraudulent product.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In the FAQ section, we’ll try to answer any remaining question you have about RV thermostats with the intention of finding you the best one for your circumstances. With this guide, we hope your RV thermostat buying experience will be effortless and rewarding.

What is an RV thermostat?

An RV thermostat is a device that controls the temperature inside your RV by controlling the furnace and in some cases your air conditioner. Therefore, it’s paramount you have a high-quality thermostat to keep things comfortable.

After all, you need a way to control the temperature in your RV, especially, if you plan on using your RV frequently. And with the right thermostat, you’ll be able to control the temperature in a way that fits your lifestyle.

In the end, an RV thermostat main purpose is to make sure your RV experience’s comfortable and suits your particular needs. Also, you can program certain RV thermostats to make sure you’re not wasting energy.

See, unlike the older mechanical models, newer RV thermostats have microprocessors that allow you to both set the temperature while you’re both at home and away.

In other words, you can keep things comfortable when you’re at home and set the temperatures back while your out or sleeping. By doing so, these thermostats will save a lot in electricity costs.

How does it work?

As mentioned above, in the RV thermostat world, there are four types: analog, electronic, programmable, and communicating RV thermostats.

Analog RV thermostats are the older thermostats that are rapidly going out of style. The main problem with these thermostats is they don’t set “an actual temperature, its more of a temperature range.”

In comparison, electronic RV thermostats work very similarly to the old analog thermostats except their electronic and are very accurate at detecting temperature. See, these models have microprocessors that compare the temperature of the room to the desired temperature you select.

Then, they either give start or stop commands to the air conditioner or furnace based on the temperature you selected. Now the next type, programmable RV thermostats, work in a very similar way.

However, programmable RV thermostats are much more user-friendly than electronic models because you can program your desired settings into the thermostats memory. Much easier than always needing to change your desired temperature as you would with an electronic model.

And lastly, the communicating RV thermostats are the most advanced of the bunch. These thermostats give the user complete control over the experience through a communication system.

Therefore, this communication system allows the user to tell the thermostat what to do from any point in the RV. It’s a pretty incredible and convenient feature for any RV owner to have inside their RV.

Can a house thermostat be used in an RV?

Usually, an RV owner cannot use a conventional house thermostat as an RV furnace thermostat because a motorhome’s heating and cooling systems are less complex than residential technologies.

For example, domestic thermostats have a more expansive temperature range because of the larger living spaces in residences. On the other hand, an RV thermostat will often have a temperature range of 0 to 32 degrees Celsius or 32 to 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Moreover, motorhome thermostats operate on a 12-volt direct current (DC) system, while residential thermostats draw power from a 24-volt alternating current (AC) technology. The voltage difference can make it impossible to turn a 24VAC thermostat into a 12V RV thermostat.

However, some manufacturers have products compatible with both residential and motorhome heating/cooling systems. RV owners must check the device’s technical specifications and manufacturer recommendations to determine usage. Otherwise, it would be best to stick to thermostats specifically for RVs.

How do I know if my RV thermostat is bad?

There are a few tell-tale signs of a motorhome thermostat starting to fail.

First, RV owners might notice a warmer or colder ambient temperature than the thermostat’s display indicates. People might experience increased sweating even when the thermostat’s setting is 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Campers might also feel chilly even though the device presents 90 degrees on the screen.

This issue denotes a signal problem from the thermostat to the heating/cooling appliance.

Second, digital RV thermostats might present a blank screen. Although the device might still be functional, it would be challenging for RV owners to program the preferred temperature settings.

Third, thermostats communicate with heaters and air conditioners to maintain the ideal ambient temperature and stop working when they exceed that level.

Hence, RV owners can suspect a failing RV thermostat if the air conditioner or heater works continuously, even though the room is already colder or warmer than the set condition. RV owners will also not hear an audible “click” when adjusting the thermostat settings.

Are there different types of RV thermostats?

RV owners can categorize mobile home thermostats in at least three ways.

First, RV owners can classify these devices as either analog or digital. Analog devices have metallic strips that contract and expand with temperature changes. On the other hand, digital RV thermostats feature a circuit board with integrated sensors for controlling heating/cooling appliances.

Second, thermostats can be programmable or non-programmable. As the name implies, programmable RV thermostats allow RV families to set different device parameters.

For example, a device can set the motorhome temperature at different levels and various schedules. Meanwhile, non-programmable thermostats retain the set temperature until the user modifies it.

Third, modern digital thermostats have advanced features. For example, a WiFi thermostat for RV empowers RV owners to remotely control their device, only requiring a wireless internet connection. They could be in another location, and RV owners can still set and manage their RV thermostats.

A smart thermostat for RV is the coolest gadget any RV owner can have. An example of this technology is the Google Nest Learning Thermostat.

It features advanced artificial intelligence that learns an RV owner’s temperature preferences and creates an appropriate schedule. It also has other advantageous functionalities for modern RVers.

 Why do you need an RV thermostat?

In general, the main reason you need a thermostat is to regulate the temperature inside your home, workplace, or other space. However, there’s a reason you need a specifically made RV thermostat.

See, regular thermostats, such as the ones you find in our home, run off a small transformer, which provides 24 volts to the thermostat. With an RV, you don’t need this much voltage because the RV already runs off a battery.

Instead, an RV thermostat runs off 12 volts. In the end, this difference in voltage is the main difference between a regular thermostat and an RV thermostat. But there are other smaller differences between the two that are worth mentioning.

For example, an RV thermostat will typically have a high/low fan speed to control the air conditioning/hear inside your RV better. It’s subtle differences like this that make getting a specifically made RV thermostat extremely essential.

Where to buy an RV thermostat?

As with any product these days, the best place to buy is Amazon. However, there are other online sites that are fantastic providers of these devices. For instance, Campingworld.com is a tremendous secondary online source for buying RV thermostats.

And if for whatever reason, you’re not comfortable buying one online, you could also go to your local Wal-Mart or Home Depot. Both these stores should have a reasonable selection at relatively fair prices.

Overall, I’d recommend buying one online as the price tends to be a lot lower than what’d you find at your local Wal-Mart or Home Depot. Then, if you’re not comfortable installing it yourself, calling in a professional to do the job for you.

As you’ll see in our next section, it’s possible for a regular RV owner to install one themselves, but I implore you, make sure you’re comfortable and actually able to do the replacement such as dometic thermostat replacement or Coleman RV thermostat replacement.

See, if you mess the installation up, it could damage other parts of your RV and end up costing you more than a professional installation would cost. So, it might end up being more cost-effective to pay for the professional installation regardless.

How to replace an RV thermostat?

Well, it depends on the model you plan on getting. However, here’s a great write up on hunker.com to give you some idea about what it will generally be like. Honestly, I’d still opt for getting a professional to do the installation.

It just isn’t worth the hassle or the damage that a mishandled RV thermostat installation could do to your RV. And finding a professional isn’t that hard to do; simple, type “thermostat installation” into Google and find the best-rated professionals in your local area.

However, if you think you’re capable, it can be pretty cost effective to do it yourself because an RV thermostat wiring installation can be expensive.

Conclusion

As a result of being more comfortable with all things RV thermostat, there’s no reason you should be stressed about upgrading/replacing your old one. In fact, with all this new information, I classify you as an expert on this subject.

Now, all you have to do is figure out what exactly you want in an RV thermostat and find the best RV thermostat for you. Maybe it’s even one of the ten from our product review section!

We would like to thank you for reading this article. Find out more about how to choose the most trusted RV air conditioners, RV roof vent fans, RV vacuums and RV grills with our reviews and ratings. Furthermore, please take a look at the most popular RV dehumidifiers, 12 volt refrigerators, RV washer dryer combo and RV heaters, to buy the best one for your RV appliances, heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

William Turner

Hi, I am William Turner, a junior color consultant. My work is to create designs that make visual impacts as desired by clients. I am here to introduce you to the current color trends and combinations that create the right mood for your rooms.