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. That’s where this guide comes in.
The right campervan provides you with an excellent base for making some amazing memories, but if you purchase one that doesn’t meet your requirements, it could prove to be an expensive mistake.
That’s why we’ve rounded up the best campervans on the market – to help you identify the one that will suit you. You’ll find campervans from some of the biggest names on our list, including Ford, WildAx and Benimar…
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 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.
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 best campervans.
The best campervans: mini reviews
Benimar Benivan 122
- Price: £54,495
- Berths: 2
- MTPLM: 3500kg
- MiRO: 2985kg
- Payload: 515kg
- Shipping length: 6.36m
Reasons to buy:
- Improved bed system
- Good sunroof
Reasons to avoid:
- Pedestal table small for four
- Windowless washroom
The campervan that was the winner of the best van conversion over £50,000 is one that really impressed us when we reviewed it. It’s based on an extra-long wheelbase Fiat Ducato, and is ideal for anyone who wants a front dinette and rear lounge.
One of our favourite features is the sunroof – it’s tinted black and has a peaked top, letting light flood in – while the ‘van also comes with 16-inch alloy wheels and a 160bhp Fiat Ducato engine.
We thought the front lounge was an inviting space – you can swivel the cab seats to create a sociable area. However, something we did find was the pedestal table is a little small if there are four of you, and if you’re sitting on the right-hand bench seat, you’ll need to stretch for the table.
The rear lounge is nicely lit too, courtesy of a Heki, four spotlights, and ambient and strip lighting. The locker doors have a smart ivory gloss edging, combining with the zigzag patterned cushions to inject a bit of stylish character into the interior. We thought this was a great space, with room for up to six to relax in.
The table from the front lounge can also be set up in here; we were impressed by the fact that even if you do this, there is still plenty of legroom on offer. After you’ve finished with it, you can then stow it away in a slot between the rear lounge and washroom wall.
If you want to watch television on tour, you’ll be pleased to head there’s room for a TV in the space immediately above – if you’re looking for a model, our best motorhome TV guide will be worth a look.
When it comes to making up the bed, this is the type of campervan layout that typically requires you to slide two platforms out from beneath the settee base cushions, before folding down the legs to support the double.
However, we’ve always found these fold-down legs can be problematic, as they can get trapped when the platforms are being pushed back in the morning – this can be an issue if you’ve stored luggage there too. We like the solution on offer here. The pull-out platforms have no legs – instead, you fit two metal rods that fit across the rear aisle, and then slot into notches on both sides of the bed.
The double is 1.80m wide and is a comfortable place to sleep – due to its size, you also have the option of using them as two singles instead, if you’re less than around 5ft 11in.
The kitchen area is a well-lit space. In here, you get a two-burner hob – it’s linked to the sink, which makes it easy to clean. As well as that, you will also find a combined oven/grill, an 85-litre fridge, and a fold-up extension flap.
The side washroom is windowless, but you will find a small vent in there to provide ventilation. There is also a rectangular sink, which we thought was a good size. A curtain can be used to wrap around the shower, although there’s only one drainage hole, so we’d recommend keeping your ‘van parked as level as possible.
The storage in this ‘van is impressive, as you may expect from one that makes it onto our best campervan round-up. There are six decent overhead lockers in the rear lounge, while a wardrobe can be accessed above the fridge – the kitchen also provides decent options, including a deep cutlery drawer, while the washroom has shelves behind the mirror.
Full review: Benimar Benivan 122
Auto-Sleepers Air
- Price: £66,995
- 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. 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
Ford Nugget Plus
- Price: £73,134
- Berths: 4
- MTPLM: 3400kg
- MiRO: 2214kg
- Payload: 1186kg
- Shipping length: 5.33m
- Width: 1.98m
Reasons to buy:
- Fixed toilet
- Good headroom in rising roof
- Layout is good if touring with children
Reasons to avoid:
- Narrow space between lounge and kitchen
The Ford Nugget Plus is a little bit bigger than the standard version, with the longer wheelbase giving it an overall length of 5.339m, compared to the Ford Nugget, which comes in at 4.972m.
This extra room means it comes with a fixed toilet at the rear – an addition we like. We’d previously found the Nugget to be an excellent drive, and we were pleased to note that’s it’s a trait shared by the Nugget Plus.
It’s easy to raise the rising roof; simply release a catch at the back and “give the roof a shove to allow the gas struts to do the rest”, as our reviewer David Motton, put it. When it’s set up, the roof gives you 2.4m of headroom.
The Nugget Plus has a rear kitchen and central lounge layout, something you don’t often see in campervans. This gives you a separate cooking and living space, which can be invaluable if you’re touring with young children. The layout means that while one of you cooks, the other parent can look after the kids. The bench seat being closer to the front seats also leads to a more sociable setting when you’re on the road, as it’s easier to chat while you drive.
We also really liked the sliding door being included on both sides too – it makes the camper more family-friendly, as it makes it easier to get children in on the nearside when you’re parked on a road. It also has the additional benefit of allowing you to exit on the more sheltered side when the weather’s wet and windy, helping the cab to stay dry.
However, there are cons too – we found the gap between the lounge and kitchen to be narrow, and if you’re touring as a couple, you may prefer a combined kitchen and lounge to give yourselves a more intimate setting.
When it comes to the kitchen, you get a two-burner hob and 40-litre fridge but you don’t get an oven.
Folding the bench seat into a bed was described as being “not the most intuitive process until you get used to it” by our reviewer, but the clip-in ladder makes accessing the upper bed a simple affair.
Full review: Ford Nugget Plus
Jöbl Kampa LE
- Price: £58,750
- Berths: 4
- MTPLM: 3000kg
- MiRO: 2490kg
- Payload: 510kg
- Shipping length: 5.30m
- Width: 1.94m
Reasons to buy:
- Comfortable main bed
- Good design for washroom divider
Reasons to avoid:
- No dedicated washroom
- Table could be bigger
This is a campervan that has an array of extras on offer. We like the headroom the pop-up roof provides, while it’s easy to enter the rear of the ‘van, thanks to the tailgate. You’ll find the 30-litre waste-water tank is in here, while the mains socket and 60-litre fresh-water tank is on the offside.
In the lounge, there are two forward belted seats, which we thought were sporty in appearance. The pull-up headrests are also smart additions.
You have the option of swivelling the front seats towards the rear too, allowing four of you to dine together. The table is slotted in here, although we would like to have seen one that was just that little bit bigger. When it’s not in use, the table sits behind the rear nearside seat, with the leg by the side door.
There are no spotlights, but we think the LEDs still create a bright interior when it gets dark. You’ll find two mains sockets in the kitchen with USBs, while there’s also an air outlet for 2kW Eberspãcher diesel heater in the lounge.
As a 2+2 camper, the high-top will allow you to pull down another bed but it’s only really big enough for children and is accessible via a ladder.
The main sleeping area can be used as two singles by pulling out the seat base and lowering the back, with infill cushions plugging the gaps; alternatively, the seats can be slid together for a double bed. It’s extremely comfortable.
Good cupboard storage is provided in the kitchen, where you will also find a small worktop. We liked the position of the LED downlighter, while you also get a two-burner hob, sink and oven/grill. As well as this, you’ll find a Dometic 45-litre fridge, which has some shelving above it.
If you’d like a dedicated washroom, the LE isn’t the camper for you. However, you can separate an area at the rear with a slide-out divider, and here, you’ll find a Dometic electric-flush toilet and stainless-steel handbasin. You also get a hot water supply.
We think the divider has a really good design – when you’re not using it, simply slide it out of the way.
Overall, we think this NCC-badged camper is an impressive option, although we would like to have seen a BBQ point and shower fitted as standard.
Full review: Jöbl Kampa LE
WildAx Europa
- Price: from £54,995
- Berths: 2
- MTPLM: 3500kg
- Payload: 400kg
- Shipping length: 6.36m
- Width: 2.05m
Reasons to buy:
- Good improvements on previous models
- 141-litre fridge
Reasons to avoid:
- Table storage options could be improved
- Double can be tricky to put together
Coming with a rear lounge, we thought the Europa was a cleverly designed two-berth when we tried out our test model.
The washroom has been adjusted from previous models, meaning there is now room for a small cupboard and overhead locker between the front washroom wall and driver’s seat.
It’s a nicely lit interior, with strip lights and two spotlights providing night time options, while a Heki and two side windows can be relied on during the day. We thought the U-shaped seating was great as well.
When it comes to the table, you have two small ones that you butt together – this is done so, if you only need one, you have the option of saving yourself some space.
The kitchen comes with a three-burner gas hob and spice rack. Another new addition is the fixed rectangular sink – the older model had a sink that slid out from beneath the worktop. This previous set up did mean there was more workspace, so you now have to make do with a smaller amount – however, this is offset by a large extension.
As well as this, you get a microwave and a 141-litre fridge, complete with a separate freezer section.
The washroom provides good headroom once you’re in there, although there is a step into it. A smaller fixed basin has replaced the folding basin you saw in previous models. A design element we really like is how the small mirror is included in the ceiling’s curve.
You’ll find that the shower shares space with the washroom; there’s only a single drainage hole. We’d recommend keeping the blind down in here, as it’s a clear window, but it combines with the roof vent to keep the room ventilated.
By removing the backrests at the end of the lounge, you create the single beds. The nearside one is 6ft 4in. We did find the double tricky to put together, as you need to remove boards from beneath the centre of the ‘U’ and then put them head to tail in the gap, although we liked that no infill cushions are required.
Storage is good – you get 10 overhead lockers, along with a half-height wardrobe above the nearside settee. We’d say this is a decent size for storing clothes for two, even though the table posts are kept in here.
There are two cupboards which store the table tops, but we did feel that when you’re using them, the space essentially becomes a bit unnecessary.
We liked the presence of a shelved cupboard in the front lounge though, while the kitchen also boasts some good options.
Full review: WildAx Europa
Malibu Van 640 LE RB GT Skyview
- Price: from £56,680
- Berths: 4
- MTPLM: 3500kg
- Payload: 655kg
- Shipping length: 6.36m
- Width: 2.05m
Reasons to buy:
- Plenty of optional extras
- Clever design
- Good lounge
Reasons to avoid:
- No oven or microwave
- Expensive with all the extras included
We really liked this campervan when we reviewed it. The price starts from £56,680 if you opt for the Charming GT Skyview spec, which, amongst other things, gives you a sunroof, but the model we reviewed came with extras that raised the total price to £80,855.
While that makes our test model the most expensive option to make it onto our best campervan round-up, it provided us with a very comfortable touring experience. We also like that you can pick and choose the options you want too, allowing you to keep the price reasonable by only adding the must-haves to your ‘van.
The extras our model came with includes a raising roof (£3,530), an engine upgrade (£2,735) to 160bhp, Fiat’s nine-speed automatic gearbox (£1,090) and more – you can find out more about these in our full review.
We also like the numerous clever touches that are included in the ‘van – for instance, hiding the roof behind black runners not only conceals the gap but also cuts down on the whistling noise you could otherwise get when driving.
Inside, it’s a cosy vibe, while the range of optional extras allow you to kit it out as you see fit. For instance, the £1,010 Main Cabin Pack, which provides extra ambient lighting, as well as a microfibre insulating ceiling cover. The former perfectly complements the circuit and the LEDs under the lockers, meaning you’d get three ways to light your lounge.
We liked that the clip-on table is well-made, and the circular extension means it reaches anyone sitting in the driver’s seat if they swivel round as well.
At the rear, there are two singles – there’s no option to create a double, as it would interfere with the storage options, but they’re both an excellent size.
The rear windows include a headboard too, so you don’t need to worry about damaging the concertina blinds. It’s a good idea, although if you’re taller, you may find yourself wishing they were positioned just that bit higher up.
It’s well-lit, with a Heki included as the raising-roof only covers two-thirds of the camper. There are also three LEDs running down either side of the lockers – these can be controlled by a single switch.
We found that the partition doesn’t completely seal off the front as there’s a small chunk of light that squeezes through the top, but we like that you essentially get three rooms in this ‘van, including the roof bed.
The latter is trapezium-shaped, with canvas walls around it. Two LEDs provide light, while there’s plenty of room for a large double bed. We thought the securing system was great too – the chance of the side walls getting snagged is cut, thanks to the runners on the outside, while internally, two Velcro straps play a part in tucking the front panel away.
Compared to some campers we’ve seen, the main fixing points felt solid too – they’re metal clasps that simply need twisting tightly.
The kitchen comes with a two-burner gas hob but no oven, microwave or grill. Despite this, you do get a 90-litre compressor fridge and a good amount of work surface. The sink is also an adequate size and comes with a split cover.
The washroom provides a conventional setting during the day, with a triangular basin and decent mirror. When the evening comes around, you can fold the washroom door out to shut off the rear section, essentially giving you a washroom / dressing room.
The shower area can be created by swinging the toilet below the nearside bed with a foot pedal. Then, after unrolling two tambour doors and using two flaps to protect the window and toilet recess, you get a good space, that features two drainage holes and a separate shower head.
You could think this sounds elaborate, but what we like about this setup is that it means one person can use the shower while the other gets ready in the dressing room area. It works well, we thought, although we would like to have seen a towel rail included.
The best campervans provide good storage options, and that’s certainly the case here, with a large drawer provided under the travel seats. The rear bedroom also provides a large hanging wardrobe, accessible by lifting the slats up or via a door.
Full review: Malibu Van 640 LE RB GT Skyview
Volkswagen Caddy California
- Price: £29,965
- Berths: 2
- MTPLM: 2350kg
- Payload: 601kg
- Shipping length: 4.50m
Reasons to buy:
- Minimal sway
- Double bed easy to make up
- Useful detachable zip-up compartments
Reasons to avoid:
- No toilet or sink
- Cab seats don’t swivel
The Volkswagen Caddy California is nice and steady to drive, even if we did think it was a tad sluggish in the lower gears. We liked that there was minimal sway though, even when going around sharp corners.
The interior comes with a bed that can be made up independently of the row of back seats. It’s simple to do, even for one person; simply flatten the backrests and then unfold the bed. It has a length of 1.98m and is 1.07m wide.
The rear of the ‘van includes a one-burner gas hob, that can be pulled out until it locks. It can then be pushed back at the press of a button.
It has a tailgate which we think rose high enough to give the ‘van some useful shelter while you’re cooking. We also really like the presence of the cutlery and kitchenware drawer beneath the hob, while under the bed, you can find a foldaway table and chair set in a storage bag.
The front windows comes with magnetic blinds, while the rear ones have detachable zip-up compartments, a nice addition that can store up to 5kg and also double up as day bags.
Something to note with this VW is that the cab seats don’t swivel, meaning you have to make do without sitting around a table; instead, you get fold-down tables behind the cab seats (think aeroplane-style).
If washroom facilities are an important factor, it may not be the ‘van for you, with no toilet or sink included.
However, you do have the option of taking out the rear bench, which will provide you with additional storage.
Full review: Volkswagen Caddy California
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