Top 5 Best Skylights For Your Campervan (Our Best Of Guide)

Getting out and about and exploring the world in your camper is one of life’s great pleasures. But it does come with some problems and one of these is that allowing light and fresh air into the camper can be tricky, unless you’re willing to sacrifice security and privacy. 

But that’s where a skylight comes in. They’re affordable, for the most part, easy to fit and provide an excellent solution to internal natural light and airflow. But if you’ve never purchased one before, you might be wondering which is best and we’ve got the answer! We’ve been checking out some excellent skylights, from the most high end to those that are great for the occasional weekend away. Let’s take a look!

What Is A Skylight And Why Do I Need One?

A skylight is essentially a window that is placed on the roof. These installations can also open to let in fresh air and they make an excellent addition to your campervan. What’s more, they’re often very easy to install.

Inside your campervan, things might feel a little dark and dingy and that’s the last thing you want when you’re trying to enjoy nature. By adding a skylight, you’ll be allowing enormous amounts of natural light to flood into the van without the need to compromise privacy. 

Moreover, if you’re worried about having the doors open for security reasons but still want ample airflow through the van then a skylight is the perfect solution.

Top 5 Skylights For Campervan

We have been looking at some of the best skylights for campervans and we’re pleased to tell you that there are a good amount of options. But since we know you only want the best for your van, we’ve chosen some top picks that are sure to be a crowd pleaser.

OUR TOP PICK

Flame 04328B01D Vent Crystal Porthole, White / Smoked transparent

There are plenty of rave reviews about this skylight so we simply had to check it out and we were massively impressed. Not only is it superb in every way but it’s also one of the more affordable products which just proves that you don’t always have to spend a fortune to get a good product. 

The skylight features a mesh cover as well as the main plastic cover which is great for keeping out unwanted bugs and other things. Moreover, you will notice the addition of a battery powered fan which keeps the air moving; perfect on hot summer’s days.

While this isn’t the largest skylight for a campervan, it’s certainly more than sufficient for a small camper with a couple of occupants. It’s easy to install and can simply be sealed into place although some users prefer to secure it with screws. Do not that screws are not included in the box. 

Pros

Cons

Battery powered fan

Doesn’t come with screws

Easy to install

Dual covers

Great for smaller vans

Affordable

BEST FOR KEEPING OUT BUGS

Dometic Mini Heki Style 25-42 without forced ventilation

If you’re happy to invest a little more in getting a high quality skylight for your campervan then we would suggest the Dometic Mini. This is a minimal looking skylight that has a wealth of features that aren’t instantly apparent. 

For example, it comes with an adjustable inner frame that will keep out insects as well as allowing you to alter the amount of light you let in. The cover is made from double acrylic glazing so is durable and will stand the test of time. 

It’s incredibly easy to install and comes in a medium size making it versatile enough to be used with a variety of different vans.

Pros

Cons

Easy to install

Expensive

Made from strong materials

Adjustable

Suitable for a wide range of vans

Blackout screen included

BEST VALUE

Roof Vent Sky Light Caravan Motorhome 400 x 400mm Flynet Beige MPK Rooflight

For some people, the idea of spending a small fortune on a campervan skylight is absurd and while we wouldn’t recommend going overly cheap, there are some great examples of affordable yet well made skylights and this one from MPK is one of them. 

The frame is made from a robust plastic while the dome features dual layers for added durability. Not only this but the double skin design means that airflow is still improved inside the van even when the dome is closed. 

With an adjustment handle, you can open the skylight to five different positions and there is a flyscreen to keep out those pesky bugs. Although, this is removable if you don’t need to use it. 

Pros

Cons

Easy to install

Doesn’t come with screws

Made from durable materials

No blackout screen

Five position opening

Flyscreen

Affordable

BEST VENTILATION

AutoShield © Campervan Boat Horsebox Camper Black Top Skylight Roof Vent Motorhome 420x420mm…

We love this skylight from Autoshield thanks to the superior airflow it creates. Not only does it open the campervan up to the outdoors but it comes with a very effective built in fan. This is great for hot weather or if you’ll be cooking inside the camper. 

The mesh internal cover allows light to flood gently in while the black outer cover is ideal when you want a little more darkness. You really are getting the best of both worlds. 

It uses a simple handle to open the roof light which makes this one beautifully easy to operate and installation is easy thanks to pre-drilled holes. Moreover, there is a strong seal which will prevent leaks so you’re getting a very durable and reliable product. 

Pros

Cons

Easy to install

Handle can be a little stiff

Comes with built in fan

Won’t leak

Durable materials

Black over cover

ALTERNATIVE CHOICE

Amarine Made Marine Access Hatch Boat Hatch Lid Deck Access Hatch & Lid 10-5/8' X 14-3/4' - White or...

While most of the products we have looked at have been designed specifically for campers and caravans, this one is actually designed for use with a boat. However, that doesn’t mean that it cannot also function as a skylight for your camper. 

Keep in mind that this is an incredibly simplistic design that simply opens and closes but it’s perfect for letting in light and fresh air without compromising security or privacy. What’s more, this is a very affordable product so it is perfect if you aren’t looking to break the bank. 

But despite being cheap, it’s made from very high quality materials that will resist ageing from UV damage and is very weather and water resistant. The rubber seal will ensure that no water seeps through during rainfall and while it doesn’t come with screws, it is relatively easy to install. So, if you’re looking for a nice alternative to a regular campervan skylight, this might be worth your consideration. 

Pros

Cons

Very affordable

Not technically designed for campers

Hardwearing and high quality materials

Doesn’t come with screws

Simplistic design

Lets in lots of light

Easy to install

How To Choose A Skylight For Your Campervan

While the concept of the skylight is pretty similar regardless of the product, not all are made equal, so you will want to make sure that the skylight you’re choosing is fit for purpose. By taking a quick look over the features to work out whether they match your needs, you can feel confident that you’ll end up with something that’s just right!

Cover

When you’re looking for a good quality skylight, it’s a good idea to check out the cover. These products come in many different forms. Some have a blackout option while others have a much simpler design that simply allows the user to open and close the skylight. There are some whose outer cover can be adjusted to different angles giving you options in how it is opened. This means you can simply open it a few centimetres just to allow in a small amount of light and air or on the flip side, you can angle the cover to one side letting in full sunlight.

Many skylights also come with a built-in fan to help improve airflow inside the van and are ideal if you’ll be cooking inside. 

You may also wish to look for a cover that features an insect mesh especially if you plan on camping in the height of summer when those creepy crawlies will be out in force. 

Ease Of Installation

Installing a skylight to your campervan will involve some basic DIY skills. You’re going to need a tool such as a jigsaw to create the hole in the top of the van. Unless, of course, you’re simply replacing an existing skylight, in which case, the hole will already be present. 

You’ll also need to ensure that the skylight has all the correct fittings and fixtures including screws although you will notice that these aren’t always included as part of the package. In this case, you’ll need to source them elsewhere but make sure that they are the correct size and strength. 

There will be a seal around the edge of the skylight to ensure no rain or moisture can get in so you’ll want to make sure that this is easy to fit. Provided that the skylight comes with clear instructions and you have the tools needed, it shouldn’t be a hugely difficult job. If it is, we’d recommend looking for something simpler. 

Price

It’s more than possible to get a budget campervan skylight however, keep in mind that these typically don’t come with a whole host of features and usually do nothing more than allow in a little light and air. On the other hand, there are some very expensive skylights that have all the major features and then some. 

While there’s no right or wrong when it comes to setting a budget, we would suggest purchasing the best you can afford. If you’re camping in your van regularly, it’s worth investing in something that’ll perform well and stand the test of time. However, if you only take a couple of weekends away each year then you could get away with something a little less high end. 

Build Quality

The last thing that you want after installing your skylight is to find that the materials are substandard and that the skylight breaks pretty quickly. You need to ensure the best quality materials and construction especially if you’re going to get a lot of use out of the skylight. 

One of the best ways to understand the build quality and durability of a skylight before purchasing is to read online reviews. Consumers tend to be very critical of things like this so they’re likely to detail any problems in their reviews. Do keep in mind that if there are only one or two negative comments in a sea of hundreds then this may be a coincidence. However, if every previous buyer talks about poor quality, it’s best to avoid the skylight regardless of its other features. 

Conclusion

If you’ve been feeling a little cramped up in your campervan then you’re not alone. Many of us want the advantage of light and fresh air but short of opening all the windows and doors, it’s not always possible. That is until you consider installing a skylight. 

These roof windows are perfect for excellent airflow and letting in lots of light without having to sacrifice either your privacy or security. We’ve looked at some of the best campervan skylights out there, all that’s left for you to do is pick your favourite!