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?
Caravanning is 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 a wide range of tourers to choose from – purchase one 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. Whether you’re looking for one of the best 2 berth caravans or are more interested in a van that offers space for the whole family to spread out in, there’s going to be an option here for you.
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.
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 manufacturers that are producing the best caravans to buy. For our most recent Owner Satisfaction Awards, run in conjunction with the Camping and Caravanning Club, we received 2,421 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, featuring options from some of the best caravan manufacturers out there. Our experts have picked out some of their favourite caravans for inclusion in this guide. As well as a number of our award winners, it also features other models that we’ve seen and reviewed, all of which are on sale for 2026.
What are the best caravans to buy?
Swift Sprite Alpine 4 DB
Bailey Phoenix Black 640
Coachman Laser 480 Xtra
Elddis Whirlwind 868
Bailey Pegasus Black Edition Bologna
Swift Elegance Grande 845
Coachman VIP 545
Barefoot Bothy
Swift Challenger 390
The best caravan
Swift Sprite Alpine 4 DB
- Price: £21,495
- Berths: 4
- MiRO: 1118kg
- Payload: 145kg
- MTPLM: 1263kg
- Overall length: 6.45m
- Overall width: 2.23m
Reason to buy:
- A competitively priced tourer with a low MTPLM
Reason to avoid:
- Fridge could be on the small side for four of you, no microwave as standard
For the new season, Swift has streamlined its Sprites, releasing a pared-down and more back-to-basics range, with certain ‘luxury’ items now optional extras.
We’re fans of this approach, with the Alpine 4 DB particularly standing out. Those on a tighter budget get a stylish tourer, for less, with its low MTPLM of 1263kg opening it up to a range of caravan tow cars.
While there is no Al-Ko ATC or AKS stabiliser as standard, the exterior looks modern, an appearance that we thought was matched inside by the new Cherub soft-furnishing scheme. The lounge is spacious, and the panoramic sunroof makes it well-lit. We also found the sofa’s new sprung seat bases and tri-foam backrests comfortable, which we reckoned would be very welcome when the double bed was made up here.
While the kitchen doesn’t provide much workspace, there’s the option of using the three-burner hob’s glass cover to give yourself more room. Something that we did note – there’s no microwave as standard, but you still get a Thetford oven and grill, a 98-litre Dometic 10-series fridge, and a stainless-steel sink.
The washroom is another stylish space, where we liked how the White Stipple effect in the shower cubicle complemented the rest of the area’s dark wood finish.
At the rear, there is a dinette where the two bunks can be made up; not only are they easy to put together, but the area can be curtained off, too.
Storage impresses – we thought it would work well for families, with options including a full-height wardrobe, overhead lockers, and decent kitchen storage.
Full review: Swift Sprite Alpine 4 DB
Bailey Phoenix Black 640
- Price: £25,649
- Berths: 4
- MTPLM: 1438kg
- MIRO: 1276kg
- Payload: 162kg
- Shipping length: 7.35m
- Width: 2.21m
Reason to buy:
- Newly designed washroom door works well, modern interior
Reason to avoid:
- Fridge only 92 litres, table tricky to access
The tourer we chose as the best 4 berth caravan at the Practical Caravan Awards 2026 impressed us when we put it to the test.
Ok, it may not have ATC as standard, but you do get an AKS3004 stabiliser, and the tourer only has an MTPLM of 1438kg, despite being over 7m long.
Step through the stable door into a bright and comfortable lounge where six could sit. We like how the interior feels modern, thanks to the new window velour panels, which replace the curtains. There’s a pull-out shelf above the central chest, and we did think you may end up using this more than expected. This is because the table is stored beneath the rear island bed, which doesn’t stay up on its own.
There’s excellent workspace in the kitchen, even without the fold-out extension, while a four-burner dual-fuel hob, a combined oven and grill, and a flatbed microwave can all be found. We liked the quality look of the marbled splashback, although we noted the half-height fridge is only 92 litres.
However, it’s the central washroom which really stands out. Here, Bailey has reacted to customer feedback to create a concertina door which can be slightly folded towards you when you want to enter the bedroom.
This has a couple of advantages, not only giving you plenty of room to use the toilet when the door is swivelled out, but also making it easier to reach the bedroom. The island bed itself is very comfortable too. Then, in the lounge, the seating can be converted into a large double bed.
Full review: Bailey Phoenix Black 640
Coachman Laser 480 Xtra
- Price: £37,990
- Berths: 2
- MPTLM: 1550kg
- MIRO: 1425kg
- Payload: 125kg
- Shipping length: 6.43m
- Overall width: 2.44m
Reason to buy:
- A spacious caravan which will give couples plenty of room and luxury
Reason to avoid:
- Bed needs making up
The UK’s first 8ft-wide two-berth is an impressive van, and one that we named the best caravan for couples at the Practical Caravan Awards 2026, as we think it works incredibly well for two of you on tour.
We thought it had an incredibly stylish exterior appearance, with silvery sides and a rounded rear panel accompanied by 3D graphics and alloy wheels.
Step inside and you will find the extra width makes this an airy space, with three roof Hekis, a sunroof and the windows allowing light to flood in. The settees are comfortable, and you can really notice the additional room when you’re relaxing in the lounge.
The L-shaped kitchen is a bit on the compact size but offers decent workspace, a large sink, a dual-fuel four-burner hob, a separate oven and grill, a 137 litre slimline fridge, an extractor fan and a microwave. Not bad.
The washroom stands out too, with a large salad bowl-style washbasin, and a shower cubicle with excellent headroom and a marble panel that we think created a nice domestic vibe. However, we did note there was only a single drainage hole.
When it comes to sleeping, the two settees could be used as single beds, but only for those under 6ft tall. The other option is to make up a large double bed, although this requires slats which are quite widely spaced, so we’d advise taking care not to let them fall down.
There will be no shortage of storage options either, with a huge wardrobe in the rear washroom, a spacious shoe locker, overhead lockers, and an extendable basket shelf system among the selection. We’re also pleased to see Alde heating.
Full review: Coachman Laser 480 Xtra
Elddis Whirlwind 868
- Price: £29,999
- Berths: 6
- MiRO: 1565kg
- Payload: 180kg
- MTPLM: 1745kg
- Interior length: 6.39m
- Overall width: 2.44m
Reason to buy:
- Good storage, spacious kitchen and lounge
Reason to avoid:
- Sleeping arrangement may not be for everyone
The Whirlwind 868 is a back-to-basics caravan, targeted at families who are after a six-berth tourer on a budget, and we found it an impressive proposition when testing it.
The combination of the pale upholstery, the furniture finish, the sunroof and the Heki created a bright and well-lit lounge in the twin-axle tourer. Six could sit in comfort here, and could either use a foldaway table or a shelf pulling out from the central chest.
There is a spacious side kitchen too, with so much workspace that we reckon you probably don’t need the extension. A four-burner dual-fuel hob, a separate oven and grill, a microwave, and a fridge complete the setup.
We like how the central washroom gives you the option of using the front swing door and rear sliding door to seal it off and create a dressing space. It’s a nice size, with a large basin and mirror, even if the shower cubicle itself has no roof vent and only a single drainage hole.
One thing we did think is that the sleeping setup is not going to suit everyone. This is because the fixed double bed at the rear of the caravan is right next to two bunk beds, with the remaining two berths made up in the lounge. However, the bunks do come with their own windows and a spotlight.
We liked the storage too, with plenty of room for clothes, and good kitchen space.
Full review: Elddis Whirlwind 868
Bailey Pegasus Black Edition Bologna
- Price: £32,498
- Berths: 4
- MIRO: 1505kg
- Payload: 170kg
- MTPLM: 1675kg
- Shipping length: 7.91m
- Overall width: 2.43m
Reason to buy:
- Comfortable lounge, airy bedroom
Reason to avoid:
- Table is tricky to access
An L-shaped lounge is not the most common of caravan layouts, but we think the Bologna shows just how well such an arrangement can work. The tourer comes with both ATC and an AKS3004 stabiliser, and has an eye-catching exterior, thanks to new black decals and its smart silver sides.
That lounge is an impressive space, capable of seating seven. Well, we say L-shaped – it’s actually more G-shaped, particularly if the optional footstool is used. Bailey has also removed the blank wall that this layout generally comes with, instead adding a TV wall bracket and a small window, allowing plenty of light in.
Something we did find is that the table you’d use is stored beneath the bed, and we found it tricky to reach, as the bed base has to be held up.
The kitchen is L-shaped, and we think this is a nice touch, as it makes it a sociable space for the cook. There’s plenty of workspace, with the area nicely lit thanks to a large window, a round stainless steel sink, a separate oven and grill, a flatbed microwave, and a four-burner dual-fuel hob. There’s also a 122-litre slimline fridge.
The rear washroom may be a slight squeeze to get into when the bed is fully out, but it’s actually a nice, wide area, with a huge shower cubicle.
We liked how the bedroom area now feels airier, as there are no longer wardrobes on either side of the bed – you still get one in the corner, though, and you get plenty of other storage provided elsewhere. A double bed can be made up from the front settee, too, by pulling out the slats and removing two backrests, a process which our reviewer thought was “very easy” to do.
Full review: Bailey Pegasus Black Edition Bologna
Swift Elegance Grande 845
- Price: £44,155
- Berths: 4
- MiRO: 1901kg
- MTPLM: 2102kg
- Shipping length: 7.98m
- Overall width: 2.45m
Reason to buy:
- A well-planned and luxurious caravan with plenty of equipment
Reason to avoid:
- Will require a substantial tow car, lounge is a little on the small side
The 2026 Elegance Grande 845 may only have had minor design tweaks for the new season, but we thought it made what was already a luxury tourer even more appealing.
Coming with the popular end washroom and transverse fixed bed layout, this 8ft wide caravan is going to require a weighty tow car, due to its MTPLM of 2102kg. However, ATC and an Al-Ko stabiliser are both fitted as standard.
The settees in the parallel lounge are a little on the small side, but that’s a typical feature of this layout, and we still found plenty of room for four to sit in comfort. It also feels quite airy, thanks to plenty of windows, a panoramic sunroof, a midi-Heki, and the contemporary styling.
We liked the new splashback in the L-shaped kitchen, as it offers a neat utensil hanging rack and storage pockets. An integrated Dometic extractor fan is welcome too, as is a 177-litre Dometic fridge and a Thetford dual-fuel hob with a separate oven and grill. However, we did think the plateless microwave is a bit high up.
The washroom may lack a window, but the woodwork, mini-Heki and omnivent offset this. We appreciated the little touches that are provided, such as the shaver socket, too.
We also like how the transverse island bed has been widened, without making the bedroom feel cramped. The Duvalay mattress should ensure you sleep comfortably as well, always a welcome trait in the best caravans.
Storage is excellent throughout, and this is a well-equipped caravan too, with a spec that includes Alde underfloor heating, a 120W solar panel, diamond cut alloy wheels, and Swift Command, as well as being 4F Wi-Fi ready.
Full review: Swift Elegance Grande 845
Coachman VIP 545
- Price: £37,220
- Berths: 4
- MIRO: 1522kg
- Payload: 156kg
- MTPLM: 1678kg
- Shipping length: 7.37m
- Overall width: 2.31m
Reason to buy:
- Comfortable lounge, good kitchen workspace
Reason to avoid:
- Half-height fridge, no shower roof vent
The VIP 545 was redesigned for 2026 with the Jack and Jill washroom, the layout it initially came with when it first launched. The results proved impressive in a tourer that was highly commended in our best caravan for couples category at our 2026 Awards.
Inside, you get a comfortable front lounge, which is not only well-lit but could easily cater to four of you. We liked the pull-out shelf, which can be found above the central chest, thinking it would be a great place for snacks to go, while there’s the option of using the table, which otherwise lives in the sideboard unit to the right of the door.
The side kitchen is another useful area, offering plenty of workspace even without the extension, and providing room for a kettle and toaster. There’s a nicely sized sink here, as well as a dual-fuel four-burner hob, a separate oven and grill, a microwave, a smart marble splashback surround for the window, and even touch-sensitive dimmable lighting. We did note there’s only a half-height fridge, though.
It’s the washroom that stands out, however. You might think requiring space for three doors could result in a cramped space, but that’s certainly not the case. You may make do without a vent, but there are two mirrors, a large salad bowl-style basin, a ladder radiator and a nice shower cubicle. What we liked about it was how those at the rear could remain undisturbed at night if people are using the front berths, giving you a van that really does work well for two of you, even if you do have guests.
There is access to both sides of the rear bed, although the bed does touch the pillar. Then, at the front of the tourer, you can make up single beds that will be best suited to children, or a large and easy-to-make-up double bed. Storage is generally good throughout as well.
Full review: Coachman VIP 545
Barefoot Bothy
- Price: £25,500
- Berths: 3
- MiRO: 706kg
- Payload: 44kg or 144kg
- MTPLM: 750kg or 850kg
- Shipping length: 5.08m
- Overall width: 1.92m
Reason to buy:
- Lightweight and stylish, with plenty of options available
Reason to avoid:
- Limited kitchen and washroom facilities
The Bothy was our pick for the best small caravan at the Practical Caravan Awards 2026 and is Barefoot’s first ever three-berth, with the result an incredibly cosy and comfortable tourer.
It’s extremely lightweight, so you could tow it with one of the best small tow cars, and there are plenty of options to help you personalise it a bit more, including a selection of colours for its one-piece fibreglass body. It also comes with a 10-year body shell warranty against water ingress, and we thought the solid oak worktops in the kitchen had a quality feel to them.
Ok, there are compromises – there’s no shower, for instance, and the kitchen is a bit limited, with a 24-litre coolbox instead of a fridge, and no gas hob as standard, although it does have a Dometic sink. It also comes with a Thetford Porta Potti 345, instead of a dedicated toilet.
The U-shaped cushioned seating felt very supportive, which will come in very handy when you’re sleeping at night. As standard, this would be two single beds, but a joining kit it an optional extra (£395). The other, smaller berth is found at the rear of the tourer.
If you’re happy with the washroom compromise, we think this stylish van could be a great cosy touring base.
Full review: Barefoot Bothy
Swift Challenger 390
- Price: £25,195
- Berths: 2
- MiRO: 1004kg
- Payload: 114kg
- MTPLM: 1118kg
- Shipping length: 5.37m
- Overall width: 2.03m
Reason to buy:
- Stylish and comfortable with a good kitchen
Reason to avoid:
- Doesn’t have a sunroof, microwave could be hard to reach
Loosely based on the Sprite Compact, the Challenger 390 offers modern styling, comfortable seating and a good spec for the two of you on tour.
Thanks to its dimensions, we reckon it would fit on smaller drives, while its eye-catching side graphics and black alloy wheels create a striking exterior. ATC and an AKS hitch stabiliser come as standard, as does Truma CombiNeo heating, a 120W solar panel, although you do have to make without a sunroof.
Despite its size, we didn’t think the 390 had a compact lounge, particularly if it was just the two of you. The seating is comfortable, and the spec includes a JVC radio unit that can be found in an overhead locker and a wireless charging pad.
The bed is made up from the settees here, and can either be two single beds if you’re under 6ft tall, or made into a double bed.
The kitchen makes good use of the available space, with a large stainless-steel sink, a Thetford dual-fuel hob, a gas oven, and a microwave all coming as standard. One thing we did find – the microwave was in an overhead locker, so it could be tricky for everyone to reach.
The corner washroom also impresses, and certainly wouldn’t restrict you to full-facility sites only. The shower has a curtain, the moulded ABS sink unit has a large mirror above it, it’s well lit and ventilated thanks to a side window and roof vent, and it also has a Thetford electric flush toilet.
There’s decent storage provided for a van of this size, including overhead side lockers, a wardrobe with good hanging space, and an open shelf at the front.
Full review: Swift Challenger 390
The best caravan to buy: 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 caravan essentials 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 tow car?
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?
Before you think about towing a tourer, you’re going to want to ensure you have the right licence for towing a caravan. 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.
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.
How we choose the best 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, 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. When you’re buying 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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