MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Review (After 4+ Years Living In A Camper)

I built my DIY campervan over 4 years ago. After a lot of research, I settled on the Maxxair brand for my roof vent fan and in this MaxxAir Fan Deluxe review I’m detailing everything I love, hate, and how I feel about my decision several years later.

In this article:

• My MaxxAir Fan Deluxe review: pros & cons
• Compare features of different MaxxAir Fan models
• Best places to buy MaxxAir Fan Deluxe

Disclaimer: This article features some affiliate links. I only endorse things I’ve personally used or that come highly recommended by trusted peers. If you purchase anything I mention using my referral links from Amazon, REI or other retailers I may receive a small commission. However, there is never extra cost to you. You can read more here. Thank you for your support.

MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Review Overview

I’ll dig into more detail about why I chose the MaxxAir Fan Deluxe in this article, but if you’re looking for the quick overview these are the top reasons I recommend this roof vent fan:

MaxxAir Fan Deluxe can operate in the rain.

This is crucially important because if it’s raining outside, it’s going to be humid in your van. A fan that can’t run while it’s raining is useless.

MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Is incredibly power efficient.

I can run my MaxxAir Fan Deluxe 24 hours a day and never run out of battery power. At its max speed it only consumes 2.8 amps, and chances are you have at least 100ah batteries in your camper.

MaxxAir Fan Models

There are 3 primary categories for MaxxAir Fan models. Even though the model numbers seem random and don’t make much sense, the general gist is this:

There are so many MaxxAir models and they aren’t labeled intuitively. I found it frustrating to figure out which features were included with which fans so I scoured the internet for hours and made a comparison chart to simplify it for you!

I have the MaxxAir Fan Deluxe 7500K in smoke. The only difference between 7500K and 7000K is the exterior color. These are the models I’m reviewing below.

MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Review: Pros

Now that we’ve covered the differences in available models, let’s dive into the MaxxAir Fan Deluxe review and why I think it’s the best option for campers.

1. MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Is Very Durable

After 4 years (and tens of thousands of miles) living in my van my Maxxair Fan Deluxe is still going strong!

One of the top considerations I had when choosing the best van roof vent fan was a reliable fan that wouldn’t need repairs while I was traveling.

Fixing broken things mid-trip is a major pain. I’d rather invest in top-quality products to begin with and never have to deal with the hassle of repairs in a Home Depot parking lot.

I have never had to fix or replace my MaxxAir Fan Deluxe. Since I purchased it, I have spent exactly $0 additional dollars – which I’d call a good investment!

As far as routine maintenance goes, I have to clean the fan blades a few times a year. It’s an easy job, and one that every fan requires.

You only need a small allen wrench to remove the fan blades. The easiest way to clean them is to hose them down in the sink. In total, it’s a 4 minute job.

2. I Use The MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Remote Daily

You can use the remote to change the fan speed, airflow (intake or exhaust), turn the fan on/off, open or close the lid, or to program the automatic thermostat.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure how much I would use the remote, but it turns out I use the remote almost exclusively. I rarely touch the controls on the fan body.

I like that the screen on the remote shows the interior temperature (the fan does not have a display, so this is only available with the MaxxAir Fan Deluxe model that has a remote.)

My fan is installed above the bed in the back of my van, so during the day I use the remote to adjust the controls instead of crawling across my bed to reach the fan controls.

I like the convenience of it, but the real selling point for me is that I can use the remote while I’m cozy in my bed without having to lift more than a finger. Ahh, the luxury 🧖‍♀️

When it gets too chilly at night I just push a button on the remote (from under my warm blankets) to turn my MaxxAir fan off.

There’s also a neat thermostat feature which handles this automatically, if you remember to set it.

Since the remote uses infrared, it works perfectly as long as it has a line of sight to your fan. Its also easy on the batteries, so I only replace those about once per year.

3. My MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Works In The Rain

There are two options if you want a roof vent fan that can run while it’s raining:

• buy one with a built-in rain shield that operates in the rain out-of-the-box
• install an additional rain cover over your roof vent fan to keep rain out

This is the primary difference between Fantastic Fan vs Maxxair Fan models.

Fantastic Fan models sense rain and automatically turn off – they cannot run while it’s raining.

All Maxxair Fan Deluxe models will keep working during rainstorms.

NOTE: Roof vent fans are marketed as “can operate in the rain” and “can sense rain”. These are very different things. Sensing rain doesn’t mean it operates in rain, it just means it automatically shuts off and closes itself when it senses precipitation.

Is it necessary to have a fan that can work in the rain? After spending several years living full-time in my campervan I think it’s absolutely necessary.

In fact, when it’s raining is typically when I need my fan the most. Humidity levels spike during rain storms and the inside of my van gets muggy and hot if I can’t vent that sticky air out.

ALT OPTION: If MaxxAir Fan Deluxe isn’t in your budget, you can get a lower model MaxxAir Fan and add a rain cover. This adds around $40 to the project cost and increases the overall height and clearance of your van.

4. 10-Speeds Create Powerful Air Flow

My MaxxAir Fan Deluxe can really move some air! On its highest setting it can replace the air inside my van and cools it down in minutes.

It comes with 10 speed settings so it’s easy to adjust to my specific need.

In really hot weather the highest speed setting works like a charm, but typically I’m comfortable with running it around levels 5 or 6.

MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Airflow

MaxxAir Fan Deluxe moves up to 900 cubic feet per minute (CFM).

If you’re like me, that number is relatively meaningless without context. The context: My Ford Transit (extended body, high roof… the biggest one they make) is under 600 cubic feet.

The MaxxAir Fan Deluxe can vent out all of the air in my van and replace it with fresh, cool air in under 60 seconds.

If I crack a window in the front of my van, and turn on the fan in the back it feels like a mild wind tunnel (if set to the highest setting.)

5. Very Energy Efficient, The MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Sips Battery Power

One of the best parts of the MaxxAir Fan Deluxe is that I never worry about draining my batteries. Maxxair Fan Deluxe is incredibly energy efficient.

Even at its max setting it only consumes 2.8 amps. That’s so efficient that even with one 100ah lithium ion battery you could run your fan on full speed for 2 days straight on a single charge.

MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Power Consumption

The MaxxAir Fan Deluxe power consumption is between 0.1 amps and 2.8 amps depending on which speed setting is selected.

All fans are most efficient at lower speeds, and exponentially less efficient at higher speeds. You can see that in the chart below.

An increase from 1 to 2 is only 0.1 additional amps. However, an increase from 9 to 10 is a jump of 0.8 amps.

Efficient is efficient no matter how you look at it (this is just splitting hairs), but if you’re low on power try running your fan below level 7.

6. Automatic Adjustments With The MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Thermostat

I love the thermostat feature because it allows me to set the temperature I want maintained in in my van. The thermostat will automatically turn the fan on or off, and will adjust the speed settings as needed.

If you’re doing van life with a dog, this feature is an especially important one!

If I have to leave my dog alone in the van for a short time, I set the thermostat so the fan turns on if it gets too warm.

TIP: I also rely on a temperature monitor as a safety backup, it sends alerts to my phone if the temperature spikes. I’ve tried several and share my experiences and which one I think is the best RV pet monitor in this post.

Another way I’ve found the thermostat on the MaxxAir Fan Deluxe useful is for automatically turning my roof fan off when temperatures drop at night – which is especially useful in the desert where the nighttime temperatures can drop by 30°F or more!

My only complaint about the thermostat is that when it’s on there’s an annoying LED light that can be bright at night (especially because it’s right above my bed). I’ve covered mine with a small piece of electrical tape.

The thermostat feature is available for MaxxAir Fan Deluxe models (and one MaxxAir Plus model).

7. Easy Installation For Beginner DIYers

I built my own DIY campervan with no previous experience, so finding products that could easily be installed was really important to me.

Cutting the opening in the roof was the most challenging part, but the fan installation itself was very straight forward:

• place the fan unit into the roof hole
• screw it in place
• clip the inside trim cover on
• and then connect two 12v wires

It was really easy to install my Maxxair Fan Deluxe.

In total, it took me less than 2 hours. If you’re somewhat handy you can easily do it in an afternoon. If you’re a pro then it’s probably a 45 minute job at the most.

NOTE: MaxxAir Fan models use a 14×14 inch square roof opening. This is a standard size across the RV community so if you’re replacing an existing fan it’s likely you can use the same hole without making adjustments.

TIP: Go heavy on your waterproofing. I used Sikaflex to seal the screw holes and around the perimeter of the fan. There’s no such thing as “too much” waterproofing, but not using enough can cause leaks.

8. Multiple Color Options

The MaxxAir Fan Deluxe is available in black or white exterior colors.

Actually, the black models are called “smoke” because they’re translucent and let some light through. For whatever reason, the white models are solid and don’t let light in.

All models are white on the inside, which is nice because it matches the interior of most campers and blends into the ceiling.

I have a black van so I really liked that I could find a black MaxxAir Fan Deluxe that doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb on my roof.

Not having a flashy white fan on top of my black van definitely helps me stealth camp a bit better.

My only complaint with the exterior color, is that there are still white components, even though the lid is black. The white parts aren’t obvious when the lid is closed, but when the lid is open they’re definitely visible.

NOTE: Because my black MaxxAir Fan Deluxe lets light in (and is right above my bed) I added a MaxxShade to the inside to block out light at night. I snaps easily onto the fan and has a rolling black-out shade. There are perforations to allow airflow through even when blocking light.

MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Review: Cons

Overall, I’m quite happy with my MaxxAir Fan Deluxe and the pros certainly outweigh the cons… but there are a few things I would like to see changed.

9. Can Be Noisy On Low Speeds

While I don’t believe all MaxxAir Fans have this problem, my fan seems to be slightly off balance. I’ve actually never heard anyone else have this same complaint, so it may be a very isolated issue.

This is not a problem on higher speeds because the velocity overrides the imbalance and the squeak goes away.

However, on low speeds (settings 1-3 out of 10) there’s a faint squeaking noise that started about a year after install.

It’s not noticeable during the daytime. However, I’m a light sleeper and it can be annoying at night.

Realistically, this hasn’t been a big problem for me. I don’t typically sleep with my Maxxair fan on unless it’s hot out, and then it’s on a higher speed and the noise issue goes away.

TIP: I prefer to run my Sirocco fan (interior wall fan) at night because it has 360 degrees of rotation and an auto-off timer.

10. Beeps With Each Adjustment

In the grand scheme of things this is almost a non-issue. But, for the sake of full transparency in my MaxxAir Fan Deluxe review I’m including every tiny thing that bugs me.

Anytime you change a setting, the Maxxair Fan Deluxe confirms adjustments with a beep. Including when the thermostat makes an automatic adjustment (turning on/off, changing fan speed), even in the middle of the night.

During the day it’s fine, but at night the thermostat beep can wake me up. If you’re a light sleeper you may not like using the thermostat feature at night for this reason.

The intent of the beep is to confirm the fan received your input, but it’d be helpful to have an option to disable it. My eyeballs can tell me the fan changed speed, I don’t need a beep.

11. MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Price

Look, I’m not afraid to invest money in a high quality product like the MaxxAir Fan Deluxe. But if it were less expensive I wouldn’t complain.

Considering how well it works, and how much you need it, I think the price is justified.

I’ve noticed that Fantastic Fan costs have been rising for the last few years. When I first wrote this article, there was an obvious difference in costs between the two brands.

However, the Fantastic Fan costs nearly the same as MaxxAir Fan models now. The features haven’t improved though, they still lack some major must-have things (like operating in the rain.)

Contrary, MaxxAir Fan Deluxe prices have remained fairly steady. For the past few years they’ve barely changed at all.

In general, if you can find a MaxxAir Fan Deluxe for below $350 you’ve got a good deal!

Why You Need a MaxxAir Fan Deluxe in Your RV Or Camper Van

Airflow

Camper roof vents create air movement within your van which helps with temperature control, moisture control and odor control.

The best way to create airflow is by having a van roof vent fan in addition to a window that can open and allow air to circulate.

TIP: Install your MaxxAir Fan Deluxe at the front or back of your van (not middle), and have a window at the opposite end. This will draw air throughout your entire van and make it easier to cool down in the summer heat.

Condensation & Moisture Control

When you exhale, your breath contains moisture. When the warm air from breathing hits cool surfaces in your van and turns to condensation, especially in colder weather.

Cooking and showering in a van can also create condensation.

Condensation will eventually lead to mold growth.

The best way to prevent this is by exhausting air moisture out of your van with your roof vent fan.

TIP: Leave your vent fan open in the winter. It doesn’t need to run, but opening it will allow warm, moist air to escape. Leaving my roof fan open also helps prevent frost on my windows in the mornings.

Ventilation & Odor Evacuation

Odors from cooking, or using the toilet in a van are easily vented through a roof fan.

Additionally, gas stovetops, diesel heaters and other items that burn fuel can produce dangerous gasses which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if not properly vented.

Climate & Temperature Control

Regardless of how well you insulate your van, a metal box in the hot sun is going to warm up.

Using a MaxxAir Fan Deluxe helps with climate control by circulating the cooler outside air through your van.

With the MaxxAir Fan Deluxe models, you can even set the thermostat so it knows when to turn on or off and maintain the set temperature inside your van.

Added Safety

Personal safety as a solo traveler is something I prioritized when building my van. One of the benefits of having a roof fan is the ability to get fresh air circulating without having to open my windows.

Not only can I be stealthier in cities, but I also have the option to keep my windows closed in areas where I don’t feel comfortable having them open at night.

Verdict: MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Review

Buy a MaxxAir Fan Deluxe for your van. If you’re looking for the next best option that’s a little more budget friendly then the MaxxFan Plus is a great alternative option.

The MaxxAir Fan Deluxe van roof vent fan is undeniably worth the price.

I am surprised how much I use the remote control (something I gave little thought to before buying), and I really appreciate being able to run the fan for as long as I want without worrying about draining my camper batteries.

While Fantastic Fan’s might be a few dollars less expensive, they come with fewer features and aren’t known for being as reliable.

A good roof vent for your van is one category you don’t want to go budget with, in my opinion. You’ll use it daily and it has a massive impact on comfort.

Not to mention, having to repair anything installed on your roof, particularly while traveling, is difficult and logistically challenging.

MaxxAir Fan Deluxe Review FAQs

These are some of the common questions I receive about my van’s roof vent fan.