Keep Your Pets Safe: The 4 Best RV Temperature Monitors Reviewed

Stay cool, nomads. But not too cool. Rather, maintain the perfect ambient climate in your rig with the best RV temperature monitors on the market!

Temperature monitors are an often overlooked but crucial piece of RV gear. This is ESPECIALLY true if you have pets. The statistics of RV-related pet deaths caused by extreme temperatures are actually rather harrowing.

However, these ARE avoidable tragedies. With this simple piece of gear, you can monitor temperature and you’ll be fully attuned to your motorhome’s climate even when on an adventure.

Now, temperature monitors are a tricky piece of gear. But using my expertise in hands-on RV living experience, I’ve selected the best for most people through the lens of budget concerns.

The Temp Stick Pet RV Temperature Monitor is my personal top pick. It skimps on no features, offering everything you need. However, it does so on a Wi-Fi-based system with no ongoing running costs.

But that might not be the right fit for you! Wi-Fi is not a guarantee on the road or at some RV parks. Your furry companion deserves the BEST protection.

In that case, step right up. We’ve got more expensive and comprehensive cellular systems (as well as more budget-friendly ones too). Don’t take any chances with your furry fwend!

Every degree counts.

RVs, Pet Safety, and the Dangers of Not Having a Temperature Monitor

Not all RVing happens in RVs! Sometimes, we like to get out of the house (so to speak) for some nature and activities.

But not all adventures are pet-friendly. And generally, that means leaving the pets at home in the RV.

Look, we all know the advice. DON’T leave your kids and pets in a locked vehicle. Comfy vehicles or not, RVs aren’t any different.

RVs can turn into death traps in minutes—especially for pets. Even if you’ve parked in the shade, the temperature inside an RV can rapidly climb to dangerous levels.

A study by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) found that on a 70°F day, the temperature inside a vehicle can hit 100°F in just 20 minutes. Throw in the humidity factor and the heat index can start feeling more like 120°F(!!!).

These numbers don’t lie. Each year, hundreds of pets in the USA die from heat-related incidents in vehicles, including RVs. In other reports, the AVMA states that a mere 10°F temperature increase can be the difference between life and death for pets locked inside. 

Meanwhile, another study found that in just 60 minutes, the interior temperature of a vehicle can rise by 40°F. Even even with the windows cracked! This means a few minutes can result in a critical threat. This is obviously a huge risk when exploring outside your RV with the pets at home.

So what do you do? Simple! Install a temperature monitor in your RV.

Now while gizmos aren’t necessarily a top must-have for all RVers, they are for any who own pets. These pet-saving devices maintain a vigilant eye over your RV’s climate, returning real-time feedback and updates on temperature and humidity levels. That means if anything changes, spikes, or deteriorates, you can be back in a jiffy!

But, there are different solutions to this problem. Specifically, there are two main types of RV temperature monitors:

1. Wi-Fi-based monitors
2. Cellular-based monitors

So let’s explore and see what the solution is for you!

Wi-Fi Pet Temperature Monitors

Wi-Fi monitors are a solid choice for RVers who routinely stay at campsites with a reliable internet connection. These devices hook into the RV park Wi-Fi connection to send real-time updates straight to your cell phone. 

With these, you can check your RV’s interior temperature from basically anywhere! The only thing you need is to be able to connect to the internet. Provided that’s in place, active monitoring and alerts about critical issues are only ever a swipe away! 

But remember, Wi-Fi monitors are only as reliable as their internet connection. They work well in RV parks, campgrounds, or if you’ve installed robust RV internet solutions in your rig. HOWEVER, they should not be relied on if the internet itself is unreliable (or just unavailable).

In that case, you need something more like…

Cellular Pet Temperature Monitors

Cellular pet temperature monitors up the ante. Moreover, they’re especially excellent for anybody who likes visiting national parks, boondocking, or staying in a remote park-ups with limited or unreliable WiFi. 

These monitors use existing cellular networks to send temperature updates and alerts to your phone. The only thing they need is cellular coverage.

This makes them incredibly reliable and trustworthy devices. Even if your RV or the WiFi router experiences a power outage, you’ll still get the warning. The only thing the monitor needs is charged batteries and a cellular data plan. The downside to this robust coverage is that the subscription plan adds to ongoing costs to the monitor. 

This is a LIFESAVER when going boondocking or camping off-grid (or just stationed in an RV park with unreliable WiFi). Personally, I wouldn’t trust any gadget or person with the well-being of my beloved pawed pal. So the extra reliability in a cellular monitor’s functions is, admittedly, a lot of much-needed peace of mind.

Safety ALWAYS comes first. That goes double with the little critter we’re charged with protecting! Don’t take chances.

The 4 Best Pet Temperature Monitors for RVs Reviewed

Ok! Ready for the selection? I’ve got four brilliant solutions coming at you right now!

Please note that I’ve categorized these per their functions rather than anything else. That means two WiFi and two cellular temperature monitors, with one of the WiFi units being the budget choice.

Unfortunately, that means there is no definitive answer to the single best RV temperature monitor. Instead, pick the system and price range that works for you.

Best WiFi

1. Temp Stick Pet RV Temperature Monitor

• System: WiFi
• Range: -40°F to 140°F
• Batteries: 2 x AA

First up, we have the best WiFi-based solution for RV aficionados. If you spend a lot of your travel time living in RV park communities (with reliable WiFi), the Temp Stick is the perfect temperature and humidity monitor for you! It’s the straightforward no-fuss choice but with just enough bells and whistles to hold its own against feature-loaded cellular counterparts.

The Temp Stick is battery-powered, running on just two AA batteries that offer a mighty impressive 1-2-year battery life! Apart from the occasional health check, there’s very little maintenance required.

As such a whizz-bang top-quality RV gadget, it’s also got an array of other cool features that put it a cut above other Wi-Fi options. This includes…

• Unlimited text alerts (not just email alerts).
• Up to a month of offline data recording if it loses connection.
• Integration with home automation systems like Alexa and IFTTT.
• And week-round customer support!

The downside here is that Temp Stick does rely entirely on WiFi for connectivity. While it can continue recording data offline, it needs an active connection to send updates and alerts. That can pose a real issue for going off-grid.

But the upside to the downside is that there are ZERO hidden fees. Unlike cellular monitors, there’s no extra data plan or ongoing costs required.

So, if a Wi-Fi solution cuts the mustard for your travels, the Temp Stick is easily the best choice. That said, Wi-Fi really isn’t the most comprehensive solution. If you need more for your furbabies, I have more…

Best Cellular – Verizon

2. Waggle Pet RV Temperature Monitors

• System: Cellular (Verizon Network)
• Range: -40°F to 140°F
• Batteries: Built-in rechargeable battery

“More” is the Waggle Monitor. This is a Verizon-based cellular system tailoring its design specifically to pet protection. Perfect for off-grid travel, this monitor only needs a cellular connection to send real-time alerts

In comparison to the Temp Stick, the Waggle is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (the best part). This beasty battery lasts a staggering 4-6 days on one charge. I’m a huge fan of this. It completely eliminates strict power management or reliance on your RV’s battery and electrical system (except for infrequent charging).

On the alert side, the Waggle sends updates via text, email, and the Waggle app. It monitors the temperature and humidity levels of its environs, of course. However, it also sends alerts in case of power loss and low battery levels!

Comparatively to the Temp Stick, the downside here is the price. It’s a higher upfront investment followed by ongoing costs to connect to the Verizon network. Specifically, these plans are…

• $129 for 6 months
• $199 for 12 months
• $299 for 24 months

Now, while some fluctuations may occur, this cements the Waggle as a pricey device. I’d say it offers the most comprehensive coverage on this list. This is particularly true as Verizon generally has a better reputation for coverage in rural and remote areas.

It’s a good solution for anybody who needs the BEST mentoring system for their RV. However, if you need something between the Wi-Fi level of protection and these costs, try the next product.

Best Cellular – ATT

3. MarCELL PRO Cellular Pet RV Temperature Monitor 

• System: Cellular (AT&T Network)
• Range: -20°F to 140°F
• Batteries: AC Power + 1 x AA (backup)

In many ways, the MarCELL PRO is very similar to the Waggle. But there are a few key differences.

It’s just as great a unit, offering slightly less coverage at lower prices. But you really need to consider these differences before making a choice between the Waggle or MarCELL.

Firstly, the MarCELL’s power options are more diverse. It primarily operates on AC power (such as the outlets you use at home), which means your RV will need either an electrical system or a high-quality inverter charger to support it. However, this functionality is also accompanied by a backup AA battery slot in case of a power outage. So if your RV handles AC power, then you’re looking at a dual system with oodles of reliability!

Secondly, the MarCELL runs on the AT&T network instead of Verizon. This means better coverage in certain regions and worse in others. (Though you’re unfortunately missing out on Verizon’s better reputation for remote areas.)

There is still sadly a subscription plan. And it’s either cheaper or more expensive than the Waggle depending on what you sign up for. The MarCELL’s ongoing costs are…

• $24.95 per month.
• Or $14.95 per month when subscribing annually.

So on an annual plan, this is cheaper than the Waggle! But on a monthly renewal, it’s actually more expensive. Still, the flexibility of having a month-to-month option also edges out the Waggle (in my opinion).

So, basically, against the Waggle, it’s a cost-benefit analysis. The Waggle gives more comprehensive coverage at higher prices. Meanwhile, the MarCELL offers less for less. 

Realistically, I can see the Waggle serving full-time RVers better as they can milk longer subscription plans while venturing to all kinds of places. Meanwhile, the MarCELL’s monthly subscription is better for short-term RV living. But really, this is the kinda call you’ve just gotta weigh up yourself.

Best Budget

4. Govee WiFi Pet RV Temperature Monitor 

• System: Wi-Fi
• Range: -68°F to 140°F
• Batteries: 3 x AAA

Right. Back to something simple! Our last temperature and humidity sensor is Wi-Fi-based and a solid budget choice if all these calculations and running costs have proven a bit nauseous.

It’s much like the Temp Stick but cheaper! Powered by AAA batteries, there’s no need to worry about a power outage. As a Wi-Fi system, there are no hidden fees and no subscription plans either. You just pay for the device, and you’re good to go! 

Despite its budget-friendly leanings, the Govee is still more than sufficient to guard against the risks outlined by the AVMA. It provides robust real-time temperature and humidity levels via its companion app. Plus, it offers the ability to export up to two years of historical data in a CSV format! Maybe that’s a bit overkill but it’s still a cool feature.

There are some other features the Govee skimps on to keep prices down. It doesn’t have any sort of home automation systems integration. Neither will it keep recording temperatures for later if it goes offline.

But this is all the cost of doing business if you’re after cheaper business! With no ongoing costs like cellular systems and a cheaper upfront investment than the Temp Stick, the Govee is the clear winner for budget travelers. If you’ve got reliable Wi-Fi and want to save some cash, this is easily the monitor for you!

Our Verdict: What’s the Best RV Temperature Monitor

All finished! Happy doggos and perfect interior climates are just a few settings away.

By now, the purchase should be clear. Unless you want the budget Govee, it’s just a matter of choosing between the cheaper WiFi-based Temp Stick or a more expensive cellular monitor. Then, if it’s the latter, you just choose your carrier!

Personally, I recommend the Temp Stick Pet RV Temperature Monitor if you have the internet to support it. It’s just as robust in terms of features as the cellular choices. And (unless you really need continual, uninterrupted operations), the lack of expensive ongoing running costs secures it as the savviest buy.

Otherwise, choose a cellular system. The Waggle Pet RV Temperature Monitor is definitely the most robust if you can afford the ongoing costs. Verizon’s remote coverage (even in some national parks) plus that insane battery life (best part in my opinion) is just such a win.

Whatever you do though, start monitoring your temperature today: get a temperature monitor! There aren’t any chances worth taking on the road. That goes double for the health and safety of your traveling pawed companion!

It’s dangerous to go alone out there. It never hurts to take a friend. Just remember to keep your friends as happy as they keep you by adding a temperature monitoring system to your rig today!