BougeRV now sells two versions of its 3,500 BTU camping air conditioner, and the newer PC35 Pro draws about half the power of the original PC35 in BougeRV’s own sleep-mode test: 274W versus 563W at 86°F, according to the comparison table on BougeRV’s product pages. The Pro gets there with a variable-speed inverter compressor in place of the PC35’s fixed-speed one. It’s also about 12 pounds lighter at roughly 22 pounds and 5 decibels quieter at a rated 50 dB, while keeping the same 3,500 BTU cooling capacity, the same 21.6 × 11.8 × 11.0-inch body and the same IPX5 rating. I own and tested the original PC35 in a tent, so this comparison combines BougeRV’s published specs with what I saw using it, plus runtime estimates for both on common batteries.
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Specs come from BougeRV’s product pages and FAQs for the BougeRV PC35 and BougeRV PC35 Pro. My hands-on time is with the PC35, which BougeRV sent me for review; I haven’t used the Pro, so its runtime figures are estimates from BougeRV’s numbers. Here’s my PC35 tent test:
The quick answer
If you’ll run the AC from a battery or power station, the PC35 Pro is the better buy: by BougeRV’s sleep-mode figures it roughly doubles runtime on the same battery, and it’s easier to carry and quieter at night. The original PC35 still makes sense on campground hookups or a generator, where power draw doesn’t matter much, and it usually costs less.
PC35 vs PC35 Pro: side-by-side specs
| Spec | BougeRV PC35 | BougeRV PC35 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| SKU | CA005-BKUSAA | CA004-BKUSAA |
| Compressor | Fixed-speed | Variable-speed inverter |
| Cooling capacity | 3,500 BTU (1,000W) | 3,500 BTU (1,000W) |
| Power use, sleep mode at 86°F | 563W | 274W |
| Rated input power | Not listed on current page | 400W |
| Input voltage / rated current | AC 100–120V / 3A | AC 100–120V / 3A |
| Recommended cooling volume | About 212 ft³ | About 212 ft³ |
| Temperature setting | 61–90°F | 61–90°F |
| Working temperature | 60–109°F | 60–109°F |
| Modes | Rocket (Strong), Cool, Sleep, Fan, Dry | Rocket (Strong), Cool, Sleep, Fan, Dry |
| Fan speeds | 3 | 3 |
| Noise | 55 dB | 50 dB |
| Water resistance | IPX5 | IPX5 |
| Refrigerant | R290 | R290 (110 g) |
| Exhaust hose inner diameter | 5.0 in | 5.0 in |
| Size | 21.6 × 11.8 × 11.0 in | 21.6 × 11.8 × 11.0 in |
| Weight | 34.17 lb | 22.05 lb |
| Power source guidance | Battery or inverter with ≥2kW continuous output | Battery or inverter with ≥2kW continuous output |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
The compressor is the real difference
A fixed-speed compressor runs at full power, shuts off when the room reaches the set temperature, then starts again when it warms up. Each start pulls a surge, and while it runs it draws its full rating. A variable-speed inverter compressor slows down as the space cools and holds a steadier temperature at lower power. BougeRV says that’s why the Pro draws less, runs quieter and should last longer.
BougeRV’s only like-for-like power figure is the sleep-mode test at 86°F: 563W for the PC35 and 274W for the Pro. That’s a 51% reduction. Real draw will move with outside temperature, sun on the tent or van, insulation and how cold you set it, so treat these as BougeRV’s test numbers rather than a guarantee.
Same surge guidance for both
Even with the inverter compressor, BougeRV still asks for a battery, power station or inverter rated for at least 2kW of continuous output for both models, and it warns that many power stations advertise peak rather than continuous watts. In my PC35 review, BougeRV’s documentation noted startup current up to 18A at 110V, about 2kW. So the Pro’s lower running draw helps runtime, but it doesn’t let you drop to a small power station.
Runtime on batteries: worked estimates
Using BougeRV’s sleep-mode figures and about 85% usable energy after inverter losses:
| Battery (rated capacity) | PC35 at 563W* | PC35 Pro at 274W* |
|---|---|---|
| 2,048Wh power station | ≈ 3.1 hr | ≈ 6.4 hr |
| 2,560Wh (e.g. 12V 200Ah LiFePO4 + 2kW+ inverter) | ≈ 3.9 hr | ≈ 7.9 hr |
| 3,072Wh power station | ≈ 4.6 hr | ≈ 9.5 hr |
| 5,120Wh (e.g. two 200Ah 12V batteries or a 48V 100Ah bank) | ≈ 7.7 hr | ≈ 15.9 hr |
*Estimate: Wh × 0.85 ÷ watts. Example for the Pro on a 3,072Wh station: 3,072 × 0.85 ÷ 274 ≈ 9.5 hours. Each station or inverter still has to meet BougeRV’s 2kW continuous guidance.
For a full eight-hour night, the PC35 at its sleep-mode figure would use about 4.5kWh, while the Pro would use about 2.2kWh (estimates). That’s the difference between needing a large home-backup battery and getting through on a 3kWh-class station.
Solar to replace a night of cooling
Using daily Wh ÷ (5 peak sun hours × 0.75) as a rough rule:
| Nightly use | PC35 | PC35 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours (evening only) | 2,252Wh → ≈ 600W of panels | 1,096Wh → ≈ 290W of panels |
| 8 hours (full night) | 4,504Wh → ≈ 1,200W of panels | 2,192Wh → ≈ 585W of panels |
*Estimates. Hot, sunny camping weather helps solar production, but you’ll also be running the AC during the day in many cases. A couple of 200W panels, like the flexible one in my BougeRV Arch Pro 200W review, make a real dent in the Pro’s nightly use; the original PC35 needs a much bigger array.
Weight and portability
When I tested the PC35, the built-in handle made it easy to move around camp, but at about 34 pounds it’s a two-hand carry over any distance. The Pro’s 22 pounds is a meaningful drop for something you’ll lift into a truck bed, carry to a tent pad or move between a van’s sleeping area and the cab. Both share the same footprint, so a shelf or tent spot sized for one fits the other.
Noise at night
The PC35 is rated at 55 dB and the Pro at 50 dB. Decibels are logarithmic, so 5 dB is a noticeable step down, especially in a quiet tent. BougeRV credits the Pro’s inverter compressor for the improvement, since it can run slowly instead of cycling at full speed.
Setting up either one in a tent or van
- Vent the hot air outside. BougeRV says both need their exhaust routed out of the space, through a tent AC port, a slightly open door, a window vent panel or a tent-specific AC sleeve. Without venting, cooling drops and the unit can overheat.
- Size for the space. BougeRV recommends about 212 cubic feet of volume. Its Amazon listing describes cooling a 64.58 ft² two-person tent from 86°F to 68°F in Strong mode.
- Check the power source. Confirm the station or inverter’s continuous rating is 2kW or more. Plug straight into its AC outlet rather than through a thin extension cord.
- Use Rocket (Strong) mode to pull down, then Sleep. Strong mode cools fastest; Sleep mode is where BougeRV measured the 274W and 563W figures.
- Control it from the app. BougeRV lists app control for both, so you can change mode and temperature from your sleeping bag; the Pro’s Amazon listing also mentions a remote control.
Price at a glance
At the time of writing, BougeRV’s own store listed the PC35 at $349.99 (regular $599.99) and the PC35 Pro at $439.99 (regular $749.99) during a sale. Prices change often, so check current listings. At those sale prices the Pro costs about $90 more, which can be quickly offset if it lets you buy a smaller battery or fewer panels.
Which one should you buy?
| Your situation | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Off-grid tent or van camping on a power station | PC35 Pro | About half the sleep-mode draw, so roughly double the runtime |
| Light sleepers | PC35 Pro | 50 dB vs 55 dB |
| Carrying it far from the vehicle | PC35 Pro | 22 lb vs 34 lb |
| Campground hookups or a generator | PC35 | Power draw matters less, and it usually costs less |
| Occasional day use in a parked truck cab with the engine running | Either | Same cooling capacity and footprint |
FAQ
What’s the difference between the BougeRV PC35 and PC35 Pro?
The Pro uses a variable-speed inverter compressor, draws 274W versus 563W in BougeRV’s 86°F sleep-mode test, weighs 22 lb instead of 34 lb and is rated 50 dB instead of 55 dB. Cooling capacity, size, modes and IPX5 rating are the same.
Is the PC35 Pro more powerful?
No. Both are rated at 3,500 BTU (1,000W) of cooling. The Pro is more efficient, not stronger.
Can the PC35 Pro run on 12V DC?
No. Both models take 100–120V AC, so off-grid use needs a power station or an inverter.
What size power station do I need for the PC35 Pro?
BougeRV requires at least 2kW of continuous output. For capacity, a 3kWh-class station gives about 9.5 hours in sleep mode (estimate).
How many watts does the BougeRV PC35 use?
BougeRV’s comparison lists 563W in sleep mode at 86°F. Startup can briefly reach about 2kW, which is why BougeRV asks for a 2kW continuous source.
Do both need to be vented?
Yes. Like any compressor air conditioner, both produce hot exhaust that must go outside through the 5-inch hose.
Are they waterproof?
Both are rated IPX5, which covers splashes and water jets, not submersion.
How much space will they cool?
BougeRV recommends about 212 cubic feet, which suits a two-person tent, a truck cab or a small van sleeping area.
Bottom line
The PC35 and PC35 Pro cool the same small spaces with the same 3,500 BTU rating, modes and footprint. The Pro’s inverter compressor is what sets it apart: about half the power in BougeRV’s sleep-mode test, 12 fewer pounds and a quieter 50 dB. For anyone running off a battery, that makes the Pro the stronger choice. If you mostly camp on hookups, the original PC35 I tested still delivers the same cooling for less money. For my full hands-on impressions of the original, see my BougeRV PC35 review.