With a wide range of new touring caravans available in the UK, it can be a daunting prospect to decide which is the best caravan for you and your family, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. So, too, if you’re an experienced caravanner looking to upgrade or downsize to something new. Where do you start?
Camping and caravanning are all about a love for the outdoors and the freedom that touring offers as you pitch up at the best caravan sites up and down the country. However, there are many types of caravan to choose from – purchase a tourer that’s inappropriate for your needs and it can become a costly mistake if you need to change it.
So, we’ve done the hard work for you to help you find the caravan to meet your requirements.
We’re able to choose the models in our guide in a couple of ways. Firstly, we run the Practical Caravan Awards, where our expert judging panel use our combined decades of industry experience to pick out the best caravans for the new season, covering a wide range of categories.
Couple this with our Owner Satisfaction Awards, where you, our readers, help the decisions of those looking to buy a tourer and we have a good basis to start selecting the vans that are just right for your needs.
For our most recent Owner Satisfaction Awards, run in conjunction with the Camping and Caravanning Club, we received 4,660 responses, giving us a good indication of the condition of the market.
Now, from all our sources, including our many tests and reviews, we’ve selected the standout models on the market so we can help you find the tourer that’s right for you. Each model is either new or revised for the 2024 season.
You’ll find caravans from the biggest brands on our list, including Swift, Bailey, Knaus and the winner of the best caravan manufacturer (new and pre-owned) at the Owner Satisfaction Awards 2024, Coachman, as we round up the best caravans on the market.
What are the best caravans to buy?
Swift Challenger Exclusive 580
Bailey Phoenix GT75 762
Coachman Laser Xtra 665
La Mancelle Fantaisy 360 CL
Coachman Laser Xcel 850
Xplore 304
Knaus Yaseo 500DK
The best caravans:
Swift Challenger Exclusive 580
- Price: £33,795
- Berths: 4
- MTPLM: 1631kg
- MiRO: 1456kg
- Payload: 157kg
- Shipping length: 7.63m
- Overall width: 2.28m
Reason to buy:
- Spec is excellent
Reason to avoid:
- No washroom window or shower roof vent
Drawing inspiration from Swift’s Conqueror range, the Challenger Exclusive 580 is a tourer that combines good looks with comfort. It was our judging panel’s pick for the best 4 berth caravan at our recent Awards and comes with one of the more popular caravan layouts, providing the transverse fixed bed / end washroom arrangement.
A standout feature for us in the tourer is its spec – it’s great throughout, with Alde heating, 4G Wi-Fi, Swift Command – the list goes on.
Then there’s the smart lounge. In here, we thought it was good to see settees that, despite being under 6ft, are comfy and provide plenty of room for four. A sunroof and Heki roof vent allow light to flood in, and it’s handy to have the choice of both a pull-out table in the chest of drawers and a freestanding option. We were impressed by the lighting too, which includes LED corner lights and three LEDs by the radio speakers in the ceiling.
The kitchen is at a similarly high level. Here the spec includes a microwave, a Thetford dual-fuel hob and oven, an Omnivent extractor fan and a 98-litre Dometic Series 10 two-way opening fridge, along with a stainless-steel sink.
The sleeping options in the island bed caravan should both provide a good night’s sleep – the transverse bed has Swift’s exclusive Duvalay mattress, and it makes a good day bed. Then, another comfortable double can be made up in the lounge as well.
One thing we would like to have seen is a washroom window and a roof vent for the shower, but it’s still a smart and stylish space, complete with a handbasin, Thetford cassette toilet and a mirror.
Full review: Swift Challenger Exclusive 580
Bailey Phoenix GT75 762
- Price: £27,499
- Berths: 6
- MTPLM: 1636kg
- MIRO: 1456kg
- Payload: 180kg
- Shipping length: 7.86m
- Width: 2.21m
Reason to buy:
- Adaptable sleeping set up, layout works well for families
Reason to avoid:
- Certain storage areas are tricky to reach
This 6 berth caravan was released to celebrate Bailey’s 75th anniversary and only has an MTPLM of 1636kg, despite being the longest and heaviest of the new range.
Stepping through the van’s ‘hall’ (complete with three shelves, a hanging rail and a mirror) and into the spacious lounge reveals an area with plenty of room for everyone, with light flooding in through that large central window. Impressively, there’s a Sonos Bluetooth speaker too, which replaces the radio. The dinette space comes with a clip-on table, which we think, would provide a handy place for the kids to eat.
If you want the work surface for kitchen accessories like a caravan kettle, you’ll find space by the sink with sockets nearby – and there will still be room to carry out food prep. As well as this, you’ll find a 700W microwave, an oven and grill, and a four-burner hob. However, one thing we did note was the half-height fridge could be on the small side for six.
A good washroom is always going to be an important feature in a family caravan, and we think this one certainly does the job. It’s spacious, with a nearside shower cubicle boasting its own light and roof vent, even if you only get a single drainage hole.
Something we should highlight is that some storage is tricky to access; for instance, the underseat lockers have no internal access flaps, instead requiring the removal of the slats.
However, one of our favourite features is the flexibility it provides families with when it comes to sleeping arrangements. The settees change into single beds, or, if you pull out the central chest, a double. There are two permanent bunks as well, each with a window. Then, there’s the choice of turning the side dinette either into a single bed with only a small infill cushion, or setting up a temporary bunk too.
Full review: Bailey Phoenix GT75 762
Coachman Laser Xtra 665
- Price: £41,365
- Berths: 4
- MTPLM: 1898kg
- MiRO: 1738kg
- Payload: 160kg
- Shipping length: 7.90m
- Width: 2.44m
Reason to buy:
- Very comfortable, long single beds
Reason to avoid:
- Washroom doors can clash with shower swing door
A couple who want to tour in a van with plenty of home comforts could find this is the best caravan for them.
For the 2024 season, the manufacturer has added the ‘Xtra’ to the 2023 Coachman Laser 665, now making it an 8ft-wide caravan. We like the feeling of separate rooms that can be created, thanks to the washroom being spread across the middle – it’s spacious and there’s the chance to create a dressing room by using the two dividing swing doors. However, one thing we did note – it’s worth factoring in the shower’s swing door to make sure they don’t clash.
The lounge is well-lit and comfortable, capable of seating six with ease. The sill is a good length too, so while you have the option, you may not need to use the central chest’s pull-out shelf or foldaway table. For 2024, the backrests are higher too, providing better support, while the smart matt black spotlights include a USB each. In fact, you’ll find six USBs in the lounge alone.
An impressive kitchen follows, including a 159-litre Thetford fridge with a separate freezer, a large sink, and a separate oven and grill, as well as a dual-fuel four-burner hob.
In another change from the Laser 665, the rear single beds are now wider and longer. No infill cushions are needed to make up the lounge’s double bed either – those higher backrests aren’t just comfortable, they’re practical too in the tourer that was our pick of the best caravan for couples.
Full review: Coachman Laser Xtra 665
La Mancelle Fantaisy 360 CL
- Price: £27,995
- Berths: 3
- MTPLM: 1420kg
- MiRO: 978kg
- Payload: 442kg
- Shipping length: 5.53m
- Width: 2.05m
Reason to buy:
- Comes with an excellent level of kit, payload of 442kg
Reason to avoid:
- No separate shower cubicle
Our top pick of the small caravans on the market for the 2024 season is part of the La Mancelle range that has been imported exclusively to the UK by Marquis Leisure.
It was the winner of the category at the Practical Caravan Awards 2024 for a quite simple reason. It’s got a layout that works and comes with brilliant levels of kit, at a price that we think offers good value for money – all in a length of only 5.53m.
We like that the three-berth tourer’s rear transverse bed has plenty of storage beneath; there’s the option of making up another single berth in the front dinette.
Then there’s the excellent level of kit provided throughout – take the kitchen, which includes a combined oven and grill, a two-burner hob and a Dometic cooker hood. On top of that, there’s the onboard water tank, Al-Ko AKS 3004 Stabiliser and Heavy Duty Corner Steadies – the list goes on. That’s before we draw your attention to that impressive 442kg payload!
Coachman Laser Xcel 850
- Price: £46,095
- Berths: 4
- MTPLM: 1929kg
- MIRO: 1769kg
- Payload: 160kg
- Shipping length: 7.90m
- Width: 2.44m
Reason to buy:
- Bright and feels spacious, kitchen has excellent workspace
Reason to avoid:
- Wardrobe moved from washroom to rear bedroom
If a spacious and comfortable tourer ticks the boxes for you, this luxury caravan is well worth considering.
For the 2024 season, Coachman has flipped the transverse rear island bed 180°, as well as giving the Xcel model the E&P levelling system as standard.
We found the lounge both well-lit and airy, with an extra-wide sunroof and Heki letting the light flood in. Importantly, the lounge of this twin-axle tourer is also comfortable to sit in, with taller backrests present. Similarly, there are matt-black spotlights with USBs in each corner too, while there’s also a wireless charging pad nearby.
Another change from last year’s model is seen in the kitchen, where Coachman has switched from Dometic to Thetford. Now it includes a Thetford oven and grill, dual-fuel four-burner hob and a 159-litre electronic fridge freezer, all from the same brand. There’s also an excellent workspace provided, thanks to an ‘L’ shape.
Swing doors reveal the central washroom, a spacious area which can create a dressing room. The shower cubicle itself has also had panelling added which helps to stop it from feeling like a white plastic box.
The wardrobe is now in the rear bedroom too – this is one new element we’re not completely sure about, simply because it’s harder to reach for anyone using the two berths at the front of the van. However, as spacious and comfortable vans go, this is hard to top.
Full review: Coachman Laser Xcel 850
Xplore 304
- Price: £18,549
- Berths: 4
- MTPLM: 1070kg
- MiRO: 913kg
- Payload: 107kg
- Shipping length: 5.54m
- Width: 2.18m
Reason to buy:
- Offers a lot for its price
Reason to avoid:
- L-shaped settees don’t always make up into good beds
We love how Xplore has done an excellent job of fitting so much into this tourer. It comes with what is one of our favourite arrangements, and we’re impressed by how it essentially provides you with two lounges even though it’s got an interior length of less than 4m. This gives you the choice of keeping the front bed made up if you so desire, as you can just use the side dinette during the day.
We also think its price of less than £20,000 is very impressive, considering the numerous problems the industry has faced with supply chain issues.
The new season has seen Xplore refresh the exterior graphics, as well as the interior upholstery, freshening up the tourer’s appearance.
A new Heki ensures the interior gets plenty of light, while we like the practicality of the layout – stepping inside, it’s surprising how spacious it is.
If you’re looking at the market for budget caravans, you’d be hard-pressed to beat the Xplore 304.
Knaus Yaseo 500DK
- Price: £27,590
- Berths: 3-5
- MTPLM: TBC
- MiRO: TBC
- Payload: TBC
- Shipping length: 5.28cm
- Width: 2.20m
Reason to buy:
- Clever space-saving features
Reason to avoid:
- Other vans in our guide look smarter
The Yaseo from Knaus is an impressive offering which we picked out as the most innovative caravan on the market for 2024.
Knaus has used the FoldXpand technology from its motorhome range to cleverly save space. This involves making the interior at the front larger, even though the overall length hasn’t been increased, while drag is reduced by its front profile design.
We really like the smart features that are found throughout – for instance, there’s a washbasin that can fold into the wall, while a collapsible shower cubicle can be found by folding out the washroom and taking out the seat box. Then there’s the double wall bed in the rear lounge.
There has also been an emphasis on saving weight, which makes this a more appealing prospect for towing with an electric car. While a gas heater is an option, the tourer itself is all electric too, which saves between 20kg to 30kg, the brand has said.
Buying a caravan: what you need to know
How do I decide what the best caravan is for me?
Think about how frequently you plan to use your caravan; where you intend to venture in it; how many people will use it – often, and occasionally; whether it’s a family tourer with toddlers or teenagers soon to leave home, a young couple or empty nesters looking for a child-free zone (or enjoying the occasional company of grandchildren), or for adventurous solo travel.
Then write your list of must-haves and would-likes – they’re very different. If you’ve owned a caravan before, what didn’t you like about your previous van that you’d like to get right this time? What would make your tourer the best caravan for you?
It’s just a caravan I need to buy, right?
Well, possibly not. You may also need or like (which comes back to our first question) a host of extras such as an awning for additional space on rainy days or to accommodate occasional sleepers, a motor mover to assist with manoeuvring the van at a campsite, solar panels and extra batteries if you like touring off-grid, an outdoor shower to hose down the dog and so on.
Some of these may come as part of the caravan package you buy, but you’ll need to deduct the cost of these from the overall price of your caravan if they don’t.
How do I match a suitable caravan to a towcar?
While it’s not a legal requirement, experience has shown that the weight of a laden caravan is best not to exceed 85% of its tow car’s kerbweight (unladen weight). This provides a stable combination and good towing performance. Legally, the caravan must not exceed the weight of the tow car or its maximum towing limit (determined by the manufacturer).
Therefore, you’ll need to take the weight of the caravan you intend on purchasing into consideration in relation to your tow car.
Take a look at our best tow car guide to see our top picks currently on the market.
What caravan can I tow with my driving licence?
On December 16 2021, the rules on towing officially changed. Under the new laws, anyone who passed their driving test after 1 January 1997 can tow trailers up to 3,500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) without taking the additional B+E test.
Previously, if you had passed your driving test on or after 1 January 1997, your tow car and caravan needed to have a combined MAM of less than 3500kg unless you passed an additional Category E driving test to attain a B+E licence. This allowed you to tow heavier combinations of tow car and caravan.
Drivers that passed their test prior to this date have been unaffected by the recent change in the rule, and may drive a car/caravan outfit with a combined weight up to 8250kg.
Can I keep a caravan in my driveway?
You should check any local byelaws in the area that you live to see whether you are prohibited from storing your caravan on a private driveway. In any case, it may be preferable, if only to maintain good neighbourly relations, to store your caravan in a secure storage compound when it is not in use; it could also help to reduce your insurance premium.
What does a new caravan cost?
Manufacturers design caravans aimed at specific markets, and purchasers with a particular budget in mind. Within our regularly updated Buyer’s Guide, which highlights the many models of caravans for sale, we categorise these markets as entry-level, mid-market, upmarket and luxury.
Entry-level, mid-market, upmarket and luxury
Entry-level caravans are great for first-time buyers and those with the most limited budget. Ranging anywhere between £15,000 and £25,000, these new caravans can be purchased for less than the price of a pre-owned van. Examples include the Xplore 304, a four-berth caravan that, at £18,549, is the lowest priced new caravan in our guide.
Mid-market tourers, ranging from £26 to £33k, is where the fiercest competition is among manufacturers, offering the most choice to customers looking to buy a caravan. All the largest UK manufacturers produce two- to six-berth caravans within this price range.
Upwards of this, you’ll find that caravans within the £34k to £39k price bracket reflect ever-more luxurious interiors, manufactured to a higher specification and, potentially, have a greater amount of gadgetry inside and out.
At the very top of the market are the most luxurious caravans, which retail from £40k for units from, for example, the Coachman Laser range or Buccaneer (from Erwin Hymer UK), and continental manufactured vans such as the Knaus Starclass or Eriba Nova. For an exclusive spec, you’ll be looking at British manufacturer Vanmaster, whose caravans range from £55k to £63k while the very pinnacle is the iconic American-inspired aluminium-riveted Airstream, now available in UK-tailored versions, which retail between £78k and £92k.
Our picks for the best caravans
How we review caravans
We are constantly testing and evaluating touring caravans of all sizes and budgets; since Practical Caravan magazine launched in 1967 we have reviewed thousands of caravans to build up an unrivalled knowledge of the models for sale; more than 400 of these caravan reviews are here on our website. Our reviews are unbiased and we’re not afraid to point out little niggles we think could be improved.
Initially, we take a ‘first look’ at new models and layouts that we believe warrant closer review and how they fare in relation to other caravans of similar size and price. Then we’ll run a full live-in test where we’ll head off for a weekend or an extended trip around the UK or overseas, just as you would. We’ll retain some vans for long-term tests over a period of six months.
We have an extensive team of testers who review all aspects of the caravan, from how it tows behind a tow car – including differing road conditions – to how practical and comfortable it is to stay in. We look at its build quality, its internal and external design, its layout and how well it functions.
Our team of testers are generally very experienced caravanners – and know what to look for in a good caravan, including from the perspective of a newcomer to camping and caravanning.
8 great benefits of buying a new caravan
1. Your own facilities
No need to share a campers’ kitchen, or traipse out to public amenities at night; you’ve your own on-board shower and toilet, and a kitchen you can call your own.
2. Home-from-home
There’s no place like home, except your own brand new caravan, which also offers your own home comforts to come back to after a busy day of activities or sightseeing.
3. You know where it’s been
Or, better still, where it hasn’t. With a brand new caravan, you know that it hasn’t been dragged along – or through – inappropriate ‘road’ surfaces.
4. You know how it has been used
A brand new oven that has never been used to cook chips, soft furnishings you know haven’t had sticky marmalade dropped on them and a washroom that you know hasn’t been used to hose down the dog!
5. A place for a good night’s sleep
Everyone sleeps better in their own bed, at their preferred temperature. That includes the bed in your own caravan rather than the unknown, possibly lumpy, too hard or too soft mattress in an overly hot hotel room.
6. Take your holiday with you
Enjoy the freedom of touring; when you’ve been there and done that, move on – except you can take that comfortable accommodation with you to the next place.
7. Enjoy the view
All the new vans reviewed here include large panoramic windows and, often, sunroofs to enjoy your view of the sea, the lake, the mountains, the stars. It’s one of the best things about camping in a caravan.
8. Extra peace of mind
Construction technology has come a long way in recent years and caravans built today are less permeable than some of yesteryear. Most mainstream manufacturers now offer lengthy bodyshell or water ingress warranties.
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