Best RV Temperature Monitors Compared

Published:  04/02/2025

Protect your pet with a temperature monitor in your RV

Protecting your dog's safety while RVing requires a reliable RV temperature monitor. When choosing between cellular RV temp monitors and Wi-Fi RV temperature monitors, reliability, connectivity, and robust alert systems are paramount.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown, comparing popular models like Temp Stick, Waggle, Marcell, Necto, TempIQ, and RV Whisper, specifically focusing on their suitability for RV pet safety and remote temperature monitoring to prevent heatstroke and ensure your pet's comfort. The Micro-Air EasyTouch RV Thermostat and the SensorPush Temperature & Humidity Sensor are other popular options that requires Wi-Fi. 

When selecting a temperature monitor for your RV to ensure your dog's safety, it's crucial to consider reliability, connectivity, and alert systems. Here's a breakdown comparing the listed devices, with a focus on their suitability for pet monitoring:

Consistent monitoring is paramount. Each system works either on Cellular or Wi-Fi. Which one you choose depends on your connectivity ability. 

A note to my Canadian friends: I have been told from an Canadian reader that for Canadians most monitors don't work. "Most up here use CabinPulse". 

Cellular: Ideal for remote areas without reliable Wi-Fi.   

Wi-Fi: Suitable when consistent Wi-Fi is available.

Regardless of your choice, thoroughly test your chosen monitors in various locations to ensure they function reliably.

Device Comparison

CELLULAR MONITORS 

The ability to get rapid alerts is critical! Rapid temperature changes inside an RV can be extremely dangerous for pets. Heatstroke can occur very quickly. Therefore, a monitor that sends alerts instantly when temperatures deviate from safe levels is vital.

Cellular Monitors (Marcell, Necto, Waggle): Cellular-based systems are generally considered the best system because they excel at quick alerts because they don't rely on potentially unstable Wi-Fi. Cellular monitors often prioritize text alerts, which tend to be the fastest form of notification.

Marcell Temp Monitor on Amazon 

• Uses cellular networks (Verizon or AT&T), offering reliability in remote areas.   
• Provides temperature, humidity, and power outage alerts.   
• Requires a subscription.
• Very reliable, and highly recommended by many RVers.

Necto Temp Monitor on Amazon 

• Cellular connectivity with the ability to connect to the strongest cellular signal available between T-Mobile, AT&T, and Cellular One.   
• Offers good value with included subscription time.
• Provides temperature, humidity, and power outage alerts.   
• Highly rated for reliability.

Waggle Temp Monitor on Amazon

• Cellular-based, designed specifically for pet safety.   
• Offers temperature, humidity, and power outage alerts.   
• Some models include GPS and geofencing.
• Requires a subscription.
• While popular, some users have found other options more reliable. 

WI-FI MONITORS
RV Whisper Temp Monitor, Temp Stick, TempIQ: 

• These rely on Wi-Fi connectivity, which can be unreliable in remote areas.   
• If your RV has a good mobile hotspot setup, these options may be viable.
• These typically do not require subscriptions.

RV Whisper Offers Comprehensive RV Monitoring: RV Whisper is more than just a temperature monitor.

It's a comprehensive RV monitoring system that works with ANY Power Watchdog unit, and integrate with various sensors to track: 

• Temperature and humidity
• Battery voltage
• Shore power status
• Propane levels
• Tank levels (fresh, gray, black)
• Door open/close status
• Water leaks

Recommendations for Dog Monitoring:

• For maximum reliability, especially when traveling to remote areas, a cellular monitor is highly recommended.
• Necto and Marcell are very highly rated for reliability and are excellent options.
• Waggle is also a strong contender, especially if the GPS tracking features are desirable.   
• Always consider the potential for cellular dead zones when relying on cellular monitors.
• Ensure any device you choose has a reliable power backup in case of outages.

Battery Backup Systems

Cellular Monitors (Marcell, Necto, Waggle): These typically include dedicated, rechargeable battery backup systems. This allows them to continue monitoring and sending alerts during power outages.

Wi-Fi Monitors (RV Whisper, Temp Stick, TempIQ):  Temp Stick: Uses standard AA batteries for operation, not as a dedicated backup system.

RV Whisper and TempIQ: Generally rely on external power and do not have built-in battery backups.

If a battery backup is a critical feature, cellular monitors are the preferred choice.

Monitoring RV Temps with SensorPush

While not specifically designed for pet temperature monitoring like the other monitors mentioned, the SensorPush HT.w Smart Temperature & Humidity Sensor is an excellent tool for RV owners who want to monitor their RV's temp for their pet's safety. This Bluetooth-enabled sensor provides accurate readings of both temperature and humidity, crucial for preventing your pet's environment from getting too hot, too cold, or too humid.

Using the free SensorPush app on your smartphone (available for iOS and Android), you can easily see real-time temperature and humidity data, view historical graphs to spot trends, and most importantly, set custom alerts. These alerts notify you immediately if the RV's temperature goes outside a safe range for your pet, giving you peace of mind whether you're stepping out for an errand or exploring a national park. The sensor stores up to 45 days of data onboard, which automatically syncs to your phone whenever you're within Bluetooth range.

Stay Connected: Remote Monitoring with the G1 WiFi Gateway

The SensorPush G1 WiFi Gateway is a small device that connects to your local Wi-Fi network (or via Ethernet). Its primary function is to receive data from nearby SensorPush Bluetooth sensors SensorPush HT.w Smart Temperature & Humidity Sensor
then upload that data to the SensorPush cloud service.

You first place SensorPush Bluetooth sensors (sold separately from the Gateway) in the areas you want to monitor within your RV. For pet safety, this would typically be in the main living area where your pets are, (and you can also monitor critical systems like the refrigerator or water lines in winter.)

Bluetooth to Gateway: The SensorPush sensors use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to transmit their temperature and humidity readings. The G1 WiFi Gateway needs to be placed within Bluetooth range of these sensors. Think of it as a central hub that "hears" all the sensor data.

Gateway to Cloud (via Wi-Fi/Ethernet): Once the G1 Gateway receives the data from the sensors, it then uses your RV's existing Wi-Fi network (or an Ethernet connection if available) to send that data to the SensorPush cloud service. This is the crucial step that enables remote monitoring.

Cloud to Your Phone (via App): The SensorPush app on your smartphone or tablet (available for iOS and Android) connects to the SensorPush cloud. This means you can access real-time temperature and humidity readings, view historical graphs, and receive alerts from anywhere in the world, as long as your phone has an internet connection.

Alerts for Pet Safety: This is where it becomes invaluable for RV pet owners:

Customizable High/Low Alerts: You can set specific high and low temperature (and humidity) thresholds in the SensorPush app for each sensor.

Push Notifications: If the temperature in your RV goes outside of these safe ranges, the SensorPush app will send immediate push notifications to your smartphone. This allows you to quickly react to situations like a power outage affecting your AC, or a furnace malfunction, preventing your pets from being exposed to dangerous conditions.

No Monthly Fees: A significant advantage of the SensorPush system is that the cloud service and remote monitoring capabilities come with no recurring monthly fees, which is a big plus for budget-conscious RVers.

Summary:

SensorPush Sensor alone: Requires Bluetooth for local monitoring with your phone. No Wi-Fi or cellular needed directly by the sensor.

SensorPush Sensor + G1 WiFi Gateway: Requires Bluetooth between the sensor and gateway, and Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) for the gateway to connect to the internet, allowing for remote monitoring from your phone (which can use Wi-Fi or cellular).
So, while the sensor itself is Bluetooth-only, if you want the critical feature of remote monitoring and alerts (especially useful for pet safety in an RV), you'll need the G1 WiFi Gateway, and that gateway will require a Wi-Fi connection.

The Micro-Air EasyTouch RV Thermostat

The Micro-Air EasyTouch RV thermostat is a popular choice for RV owners. 

Remote Temperature Monitoring: The EasyTouch RV thermostat connects to your smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This allows you to check the exact temperature inside your RV from anywhere in the world (as long as your RV has an internet connection). This is crucial for peace of mind when you're away from the RV.

High/Low Temperature Alerts: This is a major benefit for pet owners. You can set custom high and low temperature thresholds within the Micro-Air app. If the temperature inside your RV goes above or below these set limits, you'll receive immediate notifications on your smartphone. This allows you to react quickly in case of power failure, AC malfunction, or sudden weather changes, ensuring your pets aren't exposed to dangerous temperatures.

Remote Control: Not only can you monitor the temperature, but you can also adjust your RV's AC or heating system remotely through the app. If you see the temperature rising, you can turn on the AC. If it's getting too cold, you can activate the furnace or heat strip.

"Away" Mode (or similar functionality): Some users report a feature that allows you to set specific high and low temperature limits for when you're away from the RV, similar to a "pet mode" or "away mode" on smart home thermostats. This helps maintain a comfortable environment for your pets when you're not there to manually adjust it.

Real-time Updates: The app provides real-time updates on the current temperature, set temperature, and HVAC mode, giving you a comprehensive overview of your RV's climate.

How it Works (General Steps):

• Installation: The Micro-Air EasyTouch is designed for relatively easy, DIY installation as a drop-in replacement for many major RV thermostat brands (like Dometic and Coleman).
• App Connection: Download the free Micro-Air EasyTouch app on your iOS or Android device.
• Connect to Thermostat: Connect the app to your EasyTouch thermostat via Bluetooth (for local control) or Wi-Fi (for remote control from anywhere).
• Set Temperature Preferences: On the thermostat itself or through the app, set your desired temperature for cooling and heating.
• Configure Notifications: Go into the app's settings and set your high and low temperature alerts. This is where you specify the temperature range you want to maintain for your pets.
• Monitor and Adjust: From your phone, you can now monitor the RV's temperature and receive alerts if it goes outside your set range. You can also adjust the temperature settings remotely as needed.
• Important Considerations:

Internet Connectivity: For remote monitoring and control, your RV needs a reliable internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular hotspot). If you lose internet, you won't receive alerts or be able to control the thermostat remotely. Some users even recommend having a separate, dedicated internet source for monitoring to ensure continuous connectivity.

Power Supply: While the EasyTouch can control your RV's climate, a power outage will affect your AC/heating systems. It's crucial to have a backup plan, such as a generator or an emergency contact at the campground, in case of power failures.

While Micro-Air offers various models of the EasyTouch RV thermostat (like the 351, 352C, 354C, 355C, and 356), they all share the core "EasyTouch RV" functionality that is beneficial for pet monitoring. The specific model you need depends on your existing RV's HVAC system (e.g., whether it's a Dometic or Coleman, single-zone or multi-zone, and the specific wiring).

The key takeaway is that the EasyTouch RV line of thermostats from Micro-Air provides the smart features like Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity, remote monitoring, and temperature alerts that are so valuable for keeping pets safe in an RV.

Govee Temperature Monitor

Keep your pets safe in your RV with the Govee temperature monitor This inexpensive device gives you both temperature and humidity readings, and it's incredibly easy to set up. Simply take it out of the box, pair it with the app, and hang it up. A quick tip: place it away from high-humidity areas like the bathroom or kitchen sink to avoid skewed readings. Just remember, your Wi-Fi router needs to support 2.4GHz for compatibility. Also, native alerts are app push notifications, so if you need traditional SMS, you might explore third-party integrations like IFTTT.

Disadvantages: 

• Notification Methods. Govee primarily uses app push notifications. While effective when your phone has data/Wi-Fi and notifications are enabled, they might be missed if your phone is in "do not disturb" mode, you're in an area with poor cell service, or your phone's battery dies. 
• Lack of Native SMS/Call Alerts: Dedicated pet monitors (like Waggle, MarCELL, Necto) are designed to send SMS text messages and sometimes even make phone calls, which are generally more reliable and urgent forms of notification, especially in an emergency. They often send alerts to multiple contacts.
• Requires a good reliable Wi-Fi connection. 
• Because it requires Wi-Fi, your Wi-Fi router will likely go offline unless you have a robust battery backup for your router specifically. Dedicated cellular monitors often have their own internal batteries and cellular connectivity, allowing them to send alerts even during a power outage. 

Advantages:

• Cost-Effective: Govee is significantly cheaper upfront, with no ongoing subscription fees.
• If you always have reliable RV Wi-Fi: If you primarily camp in areas with strong, consistent Wi-Fi, or you have a very robust mobile hotspot setup that you trust implicitly, a Govee can work very well.
• Peace of Mind for less critical situations: For monitoring general comfort and getting a heads-up, it's excellent.
• If you're typically close by: If you're only away for short periods or within a reasonable distance, the Wi-Fi limitation might be less of a concern.
• Basic Temp/Humidity Needs: If you just need temperature and humidity and nothing more, the Govee does that well.