The wide selection of ‘vans on offer in the UK means it can be hard to know how to go about finding the best campervan for you and your needs. Choose the right one and you’ll have an excellent base for making some amazing memories, but if you purchase a camper van that doesn’t meet your requirements, it could prove to be an expensive mistake. So how do you find the ‘van for you? That’s where this guide comes in.
Owning a campervan gives you the freedom to explore, allowing you to pitch up at one of the best campervan sites in the UK. Before you can relax and enjoy the benefits of on tour life, however, you’ll need to find the right model.
We’ve been able to compile this guide in a couple of ways. Firstly, we run the Owner Satisfaction Awards, where our readers vote, telling us how they’ve got on when buying their ‘vans, in the process, allowing us to identify the leading campervan conversion companies and the best motorhome manufacturers. Our most recent set of Awards saw us receive 5,013 votes, giving us an in-depth insight into the industry.
Then there are the Practical Motorhome Awards, where our expert judging panel picks out the best campervans for the upcoming season across a number of categories.
Combine this with the many reviews we’ve conducted, and we’re in a strong place to choose the camper vans that will meet your needs.
In this guide, you’ll find models from some of the biggest names in the industry, including Adria, Pilote, Swift and more, as we share our pick of the best campervans.
What’s the best camper van to buy?
Campaway Casa
Auto-Sleeper M-Star
Swift Carrera 144
Adria Active Duo
Joa Camp 60G
Pilote Vega V600G X Edition
Benimar Benivan 144
Bailey Endeavour B62
S&L Apollo
Auto-Sleepers Air
The best campervans:
Campaway Casa
- Berths: 3 (plus a child’s bed)
- MTPLM: 2800kg
- MiRO: 2140kg
- Payload: 380kg
- Shipping Length: 5.30 m
- Width: 2.30 m
Reason to buy:
- Sociable arrangement, useful day-to-day ‘van
Reason to avoid:
- Washroom could be more than you need
This range of VW-based raising-roof campervans has been created for the customer who wants a ‘van that can both be parked on a drive and includes a toilet. We think the innovation shown here is highly impressive, as the toilet’s inclusion isn’t at the expense of a forward-facing raising roof, so headroom is good.
Seating is comfortable too, whether it’s in one of the two swivelling cab seats or the third travel seat.
We really like the campervan’s sociable setup – the chef can face everyone else while cooking, as the combined sink and hob are on top of the unit behind the driver’s seat, with a small Dometic fridge located beneath. There’s a generous amount of workspace by campervan standards too. The kitchen space is nicely lit, and offers a microwave, two USBs, a wireless charging pad, an Eberspächer air and water heater and even room for a small TV.
The toilet is situated in the nearside rear corner and can be curtained off. If you have a tailgate awning, you could create a full washroom, with an external hot and cold shower attachment and a towel rail both provided.
Head into the raising-roof and there’s a well-lit roof bed, but the single bed is, we think, more impressive. Made up by collapsing the travel seat and joining it to the swivelled passenger seat, you achieve a bed of more than 7ft! A child’s bed can be made up too.
Full review: Campaway Casa
Auto-Sleeper M-Star
- Berths: 2
- MTPLM: 3880 (est) kg
- Payload: 480 (est) kg
- Shipping Length: 7.10 m
- Width: 2.02 m
Reason to buy:
- Excellent storage provided, kit level is superb
Reason to avoid:
- There’s no getting away from the price tag
The ‘van we picked out as the most luxurious camper van at the recent Practical Motorhome Awards 2024 simply exudes class.
Comfortable heated, swivelling leather seats can be found in the cab, along with an easy-to-operate large touchscreen. The camper van comes with plenty of high-tech features, such as Lane-keeping Assist and Cruise Control, as you’d expect with a Mercedes base vehicle.
The M-Star has the popular rear-lounge layout, with two comfortable sofas coming in buttoned leather, or fabric furnishings if preferred. The backrests are thin but supportive, and four scatter cushions create a homely vibe. The campervan’s 2.02m width means it’s a narrow space though.
Kit levels throughout are fantastic, ranging from the Truma roof-mounted air conditioning and Alde wet heating system to six radiators and an Avtex Smart HD TV with a soundbar. In the kitchen, you’ll find a full oven and a separate grill, as well as a Thetford dual-fuel hob – impressive for a campervan. There’s also an excellent workspace, thanks to a pair of flaps, while loose-lay carpets are fitted throughout.
An estimated MTPLM of 3880kg means you’ll need a C1 licence to drive it but plenty of storage is provided to make the most of the estimated payload of 480kg, including six lockers in the rear lounge, a three-quarter height wardrobe, and numerous kitchen lockers.
If the best campervan for you is one that comes with everything you could desire as standard, we’d say you’d be hard-pressed to beat this.
Full review: Auto-Sleeper M-Star
Swift Carrera 144
- Berths: 3
- MTPLM: 3500kg
- Payload: 571kg
- Shipping length: 6m
- Width: 2.26m
Reason to buy:
- Kitchen impresses for a campervan, washroom is good
Reason to avoid:
- Rear lounge could feel cramped, beds perhaps not suited to taller people
The Carrera 144 offers a good spec level by campervan standards, including a Thule awning and fitted cab blinds.
Four can sit comfortably in the front dinette after swivelling the seats of the standard Ducato cab, with a Heki and sunroof allowing daylight to flood in.
The rear lounge may feel a bit cramped, a feeling enhanced by the narrow gangway. Despite this, four can sit fairly comfortably here too, and should all be able to watch TV (check out our motorhome TV guide if you need one). Al fresco dining fans will appreciate the tabletop that slots into position outside too.
Kitchen workspace is excellent, thanks to a work surface extension – the spec also includes a fold-out bin, a two-burner hob and a 90-litre Dometic fridge. We’re impressed by the storage throughout too, which includes a half-height wardrobe, a large overhead locker in the kitchen and a big drawer underneath the nearside settee.
The washroom particularly stands out – there may be no separate shower cubicle but a foldaway basin maximises the space, while the wall’s marbling effect and the basin’s mint-green splashback look smart and inviting.
There’s no avoiding that the ‘van is not suited to very tall people, with the rear lounge settees only 1.70m long when the double bed is made up. However, we appreciate that you don’t need platforms to set the double up but instead rely on a clever set of slats that fold out from the nearside to clip onto the offside settee. It’s also handy to only need a single infill cushion to make up the third berth in the front dinette.
Full review: Swift Carrera 144
Adria Active Duo
- Berths: 4
- MTPLM: 3010 (est) kg
- MiRO: 2387kg
- Payload: 623kg
- Shipping Length: 4.99m
- Width: 1.96m
Reason to buy:
- Rising roof is well made, seating is comfortable, tailgate awning is a useful optional extra
Reason to avoid:
- No separate windows in rising roof
Coming on a Renault Trafic base, the winner of the best small campervan category at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2024 provides a smooth and steady drive. It makes an ideal day-to-day option, with the two sliding doors (one on each side) allowing rear passengers to get in and out with ease.
Something that stood out was the efficient way the rising roof fastens and unfastens – it not only feels secure but also avoids the canvas spilling out. However, while there are two uplighters here, there are no windows; instead, you get mesh on all three sides, with a solid opaque canvas that can be removed, even if it is a fiddly task. The bed is comfortable though, while the rock’n’roll bed below is easy to fold down and move.
Unsurprisingly for a ‘van that’s less than 5m in length, storage is at a premium. However, a side awning is provided in the optional Comfort Pack (£3590), and there’s also the option of a dedicated tailgate awning (£580). The latter particularly impressed our judging panel, as it creates valuable extra space and could give you a temporary washroom, providing room for a Porta Potti and utilising the external shower already at the rear (take a look at our best portable toilet for a campervan guide if you need one for your ‘van).
The kitchen peninsula includes a 42-litre fridge and single burner hob, while it’s good to see cab blinds included as standard too.
The ‘van is also perfect for lovers of the outdoors – that exterior shower is ideal for washing down muddy kit, while the bench inside moves backwards and forwards as necessary to create more storage. The latter feature is useful if you need to transport bulkier items when you’re using it as a day-to-day vehicle too.
Full review: Adria Active Duo
Joa Camp 60G
- Sleeps: 2
- MTPLM: 3500kg
- MiRO: 2860kg
- Payload: 640kg
- Length: 5.99m
- Width: 2.05m
Reason to buy:
- Good storage, omfortable rear bed
Reason to avoid:
- No window in washroom
This is a cheerful and competitively priced camper van for couples to consider.
A full lounge can be made up by swivelling the smart – and comfortable – captain’s seats around. There is a dinette table that could initially appear narrow, but it comes with a big swing-out extension. A vent keeps things cosy, while we like how the Heki, white locker doors and the off-white upholstery combine to create a bright space.
The kitchen doesn’t come with an oven, but you do get a two-burner hob and a half-height fridge. There’s also a small sink and an extension for the worktop.
We really liked the rear bedroom when we saw it, with a Heki providing plenty of light, while ambient lighting and two directional spotlights can be turned to in the evening.
The washroom reveals the camper van’s modular design, as you’ll find a moulding for a window instead of an actual window. It’s a plain area, with the shower in the same space as the handbasin and the tap also serving as the shower head. We think the headroom could be better, but a large mirror is provided, as is a rooflight.
We also like that storage is fairly good throughout.
There may be the odd sign of cost-cutting, but on the whole, this is a comfortable option to consider, and a worthy addition to our best camper van round up.
Full review: Joa Camp 60G
Pilote Vega V600G X Edition
- Berths: 2 (4 optional)
- MTPLM: 3500kg
- MiRO: 2850kg
- Payload: 650kg
- Length: 5.99m
- Width: 2.05m
Reason to buy:
- Impressive kitchen storage, comfortable rear bed, good washroom
Reason to avoid:
- Clothes storage is at a premium, no room for an oven in the kitchen
Based on a Citroën Relay, the Vega V600G X Edition doesn’t have a central drinks holder in the cab, but we actually think this is quite handy, as it provides a useful space for storing something like an awning bag while you’re driving to your campsite. Swivel the cab seats to face the two front lounge travel seats and an extendable table – we appreciate that, like the Benimar Benivan 144 which also features in our guide to the best camper vans, there are heating vents to keep this area warm during the colder months.
The Heki makes up for the lack of a sunroof, while striplights under the locker, LEDs and reading lights will give you a well-lit area in the evening. Another welcome addition is being able to attach the table to the kitchen peninsula for a spot of alfresco dining.
Our reviewer and judge at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2024, Peter Baber, thought the kitchen storage was possibly the most impressive he had ever seen in a campervan of this size. It includes a large set of drawers beneath the inline two-burner hob and sink. Combine this with the overhead locker and the slimline fridge and you get a kitchen space that works well, even if there is no room for an oven.
In the washroom, we thought it was a smart touch to have shelving behind a large mirror. Slide away the toilet and you’ll also get extra shower tray space in what is a well-lit area, although there is only a single plug hole.
If you opt for the optional double bed, it’s easy to make up with the table and seats in the lounge, with the cushions simple to fit and no infills required. Then there’s the comfortable rear bed which comes to 150cm wide. This is a good width and an improvement on previous models, but it’s been achieved by removing a wardrobe. This means clothes storage is at a premium with no hanging space provided, so if there are four of you, it could be a squeeze.
However, the option of folding the transverse bed up with clasps means you have room for a bike or similar items.
Full review: Pilote Vega V600G X Edition
Benimar Benivan 144
- Berths: 2
- MTPLM: 3500kg
- MiRO: 2853kg
- Payload: 647kg
- Length: 5.99m
- Width: 2.05kg
Reason to buy:
- Competitively priced, decent headroom in the washroom, comfy transverse bed
Reason to avoid:
- Limited space in the kitchen, clothes storage is limited
Coming with Fiat alloys, a Standard Ducato cab and a 140bhp Ducato engine, we were very impressed by this competitively priced campervan when we saw it.
There’s no getting away from the lack of a sunroof in the cab, but we didn’t think it had too much of an impact, with the beige and toffee upholstery adding a pop of colour. The front lounge also features a Heki, which keeps things bright. In this space, a clip-on table, which comes with an extension, can be used by the two rear bench travel seats and the cab seats when they’re swivelled around.
We like how this front lounge can still be used if you’re touring in the winter, thanks to the two Truma heating vents beneath the table – this is an area that is typically neglected in other ‘vans, so it’s good to see and the type of thoughtful addition we look for in the best campervans. We also appreciate the option of clipping the table onto the edge of the kitchen peninsula, ideal for lovers of outdoor dining during the warmer months.
The kitchen has a fairly small workspace if the extension isn’t used, but we found it fairly simple to set up. There is also a sink, which is in line with a two-burner hob, and a mains socket, but we found space quite limited here.
We think the headroom in the washroom is decent by campervan standards. Bright, with an opaque window, we would like to have seen more than one drainage hole for the shower, but the inclusion of a shelf for toiletries is welcome.
The rear transverse bed is also incredibly comfortable, and handily, can be folded up with a clasp to give you room for storing a bike. Storage is generally good, but our one complaint was the lack of room for clothes, with no wardrobe provided.
Full review: Benimar Benivan 144
Bailey Endeavour B62
- Berths: 2
- MTPLM: 3500kg
- MiRO: 2873kg
- Payload: 627kg
- Length: 5.99m
- Width: 2.50m
Reason to buy:
- Has an excellent spec as standard, including a reversing camera and six-speed automatic gearbox, surprisingly spacious washroom
Reason to avoid:
- The double bed is an effort to put together
The Endeavour range initially launched at the October NEC Show in 2023, and when we put the B62 to the test, we thought it was a very impressive introduction from Bailey. It has a standard Ford cab, comes with a 2.0-litre 155bhp engine, and offers a good spec as standard, including a six-speed automatic gearbox and a reversing camera. We thought its chrome blue exterior was very smart too.
One thing we noticed was how it’s set apart from many campervans by the large aisle it has, which Bailey has achieved by fitting a tambour door to the side washroom. Close this tambour door and we found there was good headroom – we were further impressed by the two drainage holes that are provided in the shower tray.
While the cab seats swivel smoothly and there are swan-neck reading lights at the front, the main seating is found at the rear, with comfortable U-shaped seating extending across the barn doors. A tabletop and leg can be found beneath the offside seating, and the whole area is nicely lit, thanks to two rooflights, while ambient lighting and spotlights are ideal for the evening.
The sofas make good single beds, providing a length of 1.9m, but we did think making up the double was a bit tricky. There are no slats – instead, a double-hinged wooden platform is folded out and rests on ledges at the front of the settees, with the backrest cushions then folded together with a part then detached to create the infill. There’s no denying it’s comfortable, but we did think it was a lot of work.
We also found the kitchen extension juts into the lounge, but we like how the three-burner hob is thoughtfully placed, out of reach of any breeze. A combined oven/grill, three mains sockets and a half-height fridge are provided too.
Full review: Bailey Endeavour B62
S&L Apollo
- Berths: 2
- MTPLM: 3500kg
- MiRO: 3050kg
- Payload: 450kg
- Length: 6.36m
- Width: 2.26m
Reason to buy:
- Innovative kitchen with two useful extensions, handy front desk option, comfortable rear lounge
Reason to avoid:
- Step down and up to reach rear lounge, no separate shower cubicle
We were really impressed by this well-planned camper van when we saw it.
The ‘van comes with a rear lounge layout, one that the converter has said is its most popular. Despite this, there’s still room for a small circular table at the front, which for further ease, is stored near the kitchen. Once you’ve swivelled the driver’s seat, you can use this as a desk – this is a feature that we really liked, particularly with USB, 12V and mains sockets all to hand. The lighting is good too.
Having to step down and up again to reach the rear lounge is a tad annoying in an environment which has slightly restricted headroom – however, it means you avoid exposed pipes from the Truma Combi 4E boiler. Once in the lounge, we found the upholstery comfortable and appreciated the flexibility provided by being able to choose between using the round table or alternatively, a rectangular option – both provide good legroom.
This is another well-lit area, with large windows letting light flood in, while four spotlights and five LEDs can be relied upon in the evenings. There’s also a TV, which lives behind a tambour door.
The kitchen comes with a three-burner gas hob, a microwave, a combined oven and grill, a large sink and a 90-litre fridge. We thought the two large extensions were a welcome feature too, providing plenty of work surface.
While there’s no separate shower cubicle and only a single drain hole in the washroom, a push-button shower head is provided, and we thought the drying rail being positioned in the curve of the wall is a clever touch.
When it comes to sleeping arrangements, the settees can be used as single beds, although we found the double bed easy to make up.
Storage will always be an important consideration when choosing the best campervan for you, and here, it’s good. For instance, there’s a slide-out hanging rail in the wardrobe beneath the fridge, offering some easy loading. There are also numerous overhead lockers dotted throughout, while at the rear of the campervan, a small ‘boot’ like area can be accessed.
Full review: S&L Apollo
Auto-Sleepers Air
- Berths: 4
- MTPLM: 3200kg
- MiRO: 2400kg
- Payload: 800kg
- Shipping length: 4.97m
- Width: 2.27m
Reasons to buy:
- Good storage, plenty of headroom in raising roof
Reasons to avoid:
- Portable toilet
If there are two of you touring and you’ll have the occasional visitors staying, we’d say this camper is strongly worth considering.
When we saw this ‘van, we were impressed by just how spacious it actually is, despite its size – it’s only 4.97m in length. Capable of sleeping four, the roof is raised on gas struts, while we though the integrated awning light that comes with the Thule pull-out awning is a great addition.
Inside the campervan, you’ll find a bench seat which provides some useful versatility – you can slide it forwards or backwards, courtesy of a locking lever. We did find that moving the bench seat forwards could make it harder to reach the cupboard where the portable toilet is kept in the kitchen though.
A bracket for the steel table leg sits to the side of the front seat, and you can then swivel the cab seats around. We found the three belted travel seats to be comfortable.
The raising roof is simple to operate – up here, there is a double bed, while we thought the headroom on offer was impressive for too. This is reached by a ladder, although while you get side vents, no night-time lighting is included.
In the lounge, you can create a comfortable bed which we think would be more than adequate for most adults.
We liked that the side kitchen combines decent storage options with an opening window, complete with a blind and fly screens. A Dometic two-burner hob is a welcome addition, as is the grill underneath. The worktop is in a stylish charcoal colour, while a deep sink and 45-litre Dometic compressor fridge are also provided.
The previously mentioned Dometic portable toilet is kept in the kitchen cupboard, but we’d recommend putting this at the rear of the camper when you’re pitched up, as it makes accessing it a lot easier.
We thought the storage options on offer in this campervan were very innovative. Cupboards and a small wardrobe can be found by lifting the tailgate at the rear, while the cold shower could be very welcome if you’re returning with muddy boots and want to wash them down.
There’s further storage on the rear nearside, while the seat base provides additional room.
On the rear nearside, you’ll also find the LPG filling point and a gas BBQ point, while the waste water emptying point and hook-up connection are on the opposite side.
Full review: Auto-Sleepers Air
How do I decide what the best campervan for me is?
Some of the key things to think about include how regularly you intend to use it, where you want to go in it, and how many of you will be staying in it, on both a regular and occasional basis. For instance, is it for solo travel, or will you be touring as a couple? Perhaps you’ll have grandchildren staying over occasionally?
The next step is to decide what are your must-haves, compared to those things that are more would-likes – what are the things that would make it the best campervan for you?
How we choose the best campervans
Since Practical Motorhome launched in 2001, we’ve been putting the latest releases to the test, reviewing them in real-world conditions. We make sure every test is fair, pointing out the pros and the cons of each model. You can find out more about our testing process on our About Us page.
We also run the Practical Motorhome Awards, where our expert panel pick out the best motorhomes across a range of categories, judging the latest releases for the upcoming season.
Combining this with our Owner Satisfaction Awards, where our readers vote to let us know how they got on when buying a ‘van, puts us in a strong position to begin picking out the standout campervans.
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