Mestic vs Dometic Air Conditioner: Which Is Right for Your Caravan?
Mestic and Dometic are two of the most searched brands for caravan and motorhome air conditioning. Both offer rooftop and split unit systems, but they sit at very different price points and take different approaches to features. This guide compares them using real specifications so you can decide which suits your vehicle and budget.
Rooftop Air Conditioners: Spec Comparison
Both brands offer rooftop units that mount in a standard 400mm x 400mm roof opening. Here is how their ranges line up at comparable cooling outputs:
At the entry level, the Mestic RTA-1700L delivers 1700W of cooling and 1960W of heating. The closest Dometic equivalent is the FreshJet FJX4 1700 at 1700W cooling but only 800W heating. The Mestic unit uses eco-friendly R290 refrigerant with a GWP of just 3, while the Dometic FJX4 range uses R32.
At the mid-range, the Mestic RTA-2600 offers 2600W cooling and 2400W heating with a noise level of 53dB. The Dometic FreshJet FJX7 2600 matches the cooling output at 2600W with 2300W heating.
At the top end, the Mestic RTA-3600i uses inverter technology to deliver 3600W of cooling and 3400W of heating at just 32.2kg. The Dometic FreshJet FJX7 3500 offers 3500W cooling and 3000W heating at 38.9kg. The Mestic unit delivers more cooling power while coming in lighter and at a considerably lower price point.
Split Unit Air Conditioners
Split units separate the compressor from the indoor unit for quieter interior operation and no roof modification. Both brands offer split systems, but Dometic has moved away from window-mounted splits in favour of their under-bench FreshWell range.
The Mestic SPA-5100 delivers 1471W of cooling at 55dB. It uses R290 eco-refrigerant, weighs 21kg, and installs via adjustable window brackets with no permanent modification needed. The Mestic SPA-3100 offers 938W for smaller vehicles.
Dometic's closest alternative is the FreshWell FWX4 under-bench unit at 2000W cooling. It is more powerful but requires permanent under-bench installation. For owners who want simple, removable cooling without structural changes, the Mestic split units are the more practical and affordable option.
Features Compared
Dometic's premium FJX7 and FJZ7 rooftop ranges include CleanAir purification, smartphone app control, and a 5-year warranty on parts. These are genuine advantages if air quality and extended warranty matter to you.
Mestic rooftop units include touchscreen controls, remote control, HEPA filters, LED mood lighting, night mode, timer functions and dehumidification across the range. The inverter models (RTA-2600i and RTA-3600i) offer the same variable-speed compressor technology as Dometic's premium line — continuously adjusting output for stable temperatures and lower energy use. Mestic units carry a 2-year warranty.
Both brands offer sleep modes for quieter overnight operation and fit standard 400mm roof openings. Both use soft-start or inverter technology to manage startup current on campsite hook-ups.
How They Compare at a Glance
| Category | Mestic | Dometic |
|---|---|---|
| Entry rooftop (~1700W) | RTA-1700L — 1700W cool / 1960W heat / R290 | FJX4 1700 — 1700W cool / 800W heat / R32 |
| Mid-range rooftop (~2600W) | RTA-2600 — 2600W cool / 2400W heat / 53dB | FJX7 2600 — 2600W cool / 2300W heat |
| Top-end inverter | RTA-3600i — 3600W cool / 3400W heat / 32.2kg | FJX7 3500 — 3500W cool / 3000W heat / 38.9kg |
| Split / compact unit | SPA-5100 — 1471W cool / 21kg / removable | FWX4 — 2000W cool / 21kg / permanent install |
| Price bracket | £ — ££ | ££ — £££ |
| Warranty | 2 years | Up to 5 years (premium range) |
Which Should You Choose?
Dometic is the established market leader with a broader ecosystem and longer warranty on premium models. If you want CleanAir purification, 5-year warranty coverage, or already run Dometic products and want to stay within one brand, their range delivers.
Mestic matches or exceeds Dometic on cooling and heating output at every comparable tier while sitting in a lower price bracket. The RTA-3600i inverter delivers more cooling power than the Dometic FJX7 3500 while weighing less. Mestic split units offer an affordable, removable cooling solution that Dometic does not currently match in format. If performance relative to price is your priority, Mestic is the stronger choice.
Browse the full Mestic air conditioner range to compare all rooftop and split unit models with full specifications.
Specifications sourced from mestic.uk and dometic.com. Correct as of April 2026. Check manufacturer sites for the latest information.