Best Battery-Operated Heaters

Sometimes, it gets challenging to keep yourself warm during the winters, especially when traveling. Most people living in cold areas have heating in their homes, but you need a portable heater to keep you warm if you go camping or to a ski lodge.

Battery-operated heaters are the best tool to keep you warm while going out as they don’t require a live electric source and are generally more lightweight. But it can be a real problem to choose an appropriate battery-operated heater as there aren’t many effective options available. 

This article will feature the best battery-operated heaters as well as some propane and kerosene heaters as they also fit the description of portable and lightweight heaters.

I have spent over a day finding the best battery-operated heaters currently in the market. In this review, you will learn:

• What are the top seven battery-operated heaters?
• Comprehensive buyers guide along with frequently asked questions on battery-operated heaters.
• Every battery-operated heater with its specialty and pros and cons.
• Hopefully, your next battery-operated heater.

7 Best Battery-Operated Heaters 

1. DEWALT DXH12B Heater: Best Battery Operated Heater 

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Features 

• Power: Score 10/10
• Portability: Score 8/10
• Run Time: Score 9/10
• Safety: Score 9/10

Technical Specifications 

• Style: Propane/Battery
• Power: 6,000 – 12,000 BTU
• Size: 10.5 x 15.75 x 14 inches
• Weight: 14 Pounds
• Warranty: 2 years

Bottomline 

The Dewalt heater is among the few actual battery-operated heaters (the others in this list are propane or gas-powered) and comes with multiple handy features such as LED LightBar and 3 USB ports for charging.

Pros: 

• This heater has three USB ports and a 20V battery for powering it.
• It features a LED light bar that provides enough light in the dark for minimal tasks.
• The high-velocity fan makes sure the heat circulation is adequate.
• It has a quiet operation.

Cons: 

• The heater is quite heavy.
• Some customers say that the customer service is not satisfactory.

Details 

• Battery Powered: This heater by Dewalt is among the very few authentic battery-powered heaters in the market. You will require AAA batteries to operate the ignition.
• USB Ports: The heater features three USB ports that help you charge electronics accessories like mobile phones or a LED light.
• Capacity: The dual tank capacity of the heater offers you a total of seven hours of runtime.
• Modes: The heater has multiple modes to control the heat, which is operated by a knob. It also has a tip-off sensor.
• Fan: It has an integrated high-velocity fan to disperse the convective heat effectively in the whole area. 
• LED Light Bar: The heater has a convenient LED light bar that provides enough light for outdoor working conditions. The FlexVolt and 20V MAX battery power it.
• Alternate Power Source: It works with an one-pound propane tank and a twenty-pound tank with an adapter.  
• Quiet: The heater is highly reliable and has quiet electronic ignition.

2. Mr. Heater MH9BX Buddy Propane Radiant Heater: Best Propane Radiant Heater

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Features 

• Power: Score 9/10
• Portability: Score 9/10
• Run Time: Score 8/10
• Safety: Score 7/10

Technical Specifications 

• Style: Propane
• Power: 4,000 – 9,000 BTU
• Size: 7.7 x 13.4 x 15 inches
• Weight: 9 Pounds

Bottomline 

The power and portability make this propane heater a perfect choice for camping.

Pros: 

• The tip-over sensor makes it great for outdoor use, especially for camping.
• It has two heat modes, but even the low heat mode is enough to keep you warm.
• The heater is easier to carry.
• This heater is heavy-duty.

Cons: 

• The consumption is slightly high; therefore, it is impossible to get through the night on a one-pound propane cylinder.
• It can raise the levels of carbon monoxide.

Details 

• Power: This heater is a 4,000 to 9,000 BTU propane radiant heater that can be used for an area of 225 square ft. It is compatible both outdoors and indoors. The clean-burning make sure it is 100% efficient.
• Heat Settings: The heater has both high and low heat settings. This heater connects to a one-pound propane cylinder with a swivel regulator.
• Auto shut-off: The heater shuts off automatically if the pilot light shuts down or if it detects low levels of oxygen. 
• Fuel Consumption/Burn Rate: This heater has a burn rate of 0.044 Gal/Hr at 4,000 BTU, and at 9,000 BTU, the fuel consumption has 0.099 Gal/Hr.
• Running Time: It runs for 5.4 hours on low setting and 2.4 hours on high setting.
• Heavy Duty: The heater features a heavy-duty wire guard and an easy-grip handle.
• Note: The heater will shut off while operating at altitudes over 7,000 ft above sea level.

3. Mr. Heater MH4B Little Buddy Propane Heater: Best Portable Heater

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Features 

• Power: Score 7/10
• Portability: Score 10/10
• Run Time: Score 8/10
• Safety: Score 8/10

Technical Specifications 

• Style: Propane
• Power: 3,800 BTU
• Size: 11 x 11 x 11 inches
• Weight: 5 Pounds

Bottomline 

This heater is among the most lightweight and easy-to-carry heaters available in the market.

Pros: 

• The heater weighs only five-pound making it highly portable.
• It is entirely indoor safe.
• It is pretty easy to use.

Cons: 

• It takes a lot of time to ignite.
• It’s not too powerful.

Details 

• Indoor-safe: This portable heater by Mr. Heater is perfect for room/tents with an area of 95 square feet. It is not made for motorized vehicles.
• Odor-Free: The heater does not create any kind of odor while heating. It has a 45-degree heating angle. 
• Sensor: The heater has an ODS, an automatic shut-off system when the oxygen goes low. It also has a tip-over sensor. This heater works up to an elevation of 7,000 Feet. 
• Easy Operation: The heater features quite straightforward on/off buttons. It requires a one-pound disposable propane cylinder for operation (not included). 
• Capacity: The runtime of this heater at maximum setting is 5.6 hours. 
• Ventilation: This ­heater by Mr. Heater needs ­a­ vent­ area­ of­ at least four­ square­ inches­ ­for­ proper amount of ventilation while working.
• Stand: The heater has a convenient 8-inch stand attached to it that keeps it off the ground.
• Portability: This heater is among the most lightweight heaters you can find in the market, weighing only five pounds. It also has an easy-grip handle for better portability.

4. Dyna-Glo Kerosene Convection Heater

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Features 

• Power: Score 8/10
• Portability: Score 7/10
• Run Time: Score 10/10
• Safety: Score 8/10

Technical Specifications 

• Style: Kerosene
• Power: 10,500 BTU
• Dimension: 12.6 x 12.6 x 21.26 inches
• Weight: 14.35 Pounds

Bottomline 

The Dyna-Glo Kerosene Convection Heater is an indoor heater that is safe to use and also quite efficient.

Pros: 

• Since kerosene is cheaper and also more efficient, this heater will be a more economical alternative to the propane heaters.
• It is quite safe to use indoors and does not cause any odor.
• It is very easy to use.

Cons: 

• This heater is pretty expensive compared to its counterparts.
• The heater takes slightly long to ignite appropriately.

Details 

• Great Indoor Heating: The Dyna-Glo Kerosene Convection Heater is perfect for indoor use. It has a power output of 10500 BTU, and it can heat up to 500 square feet.
• Burner design: The heater features an ergonomically designed burner that is astonishingly efficient in providing maximum heat from the kerosene.
• Capacity: The kerosene heater works up to 13 hours when the kerosene tank is full. The capacity of the kerosene tank is 1.1 gallons.
• Tip-over switch: The heater has a tip-over switch for proper safety.
• Easy To Use:  The heater is relatively straightforward to use with automatic ignition and shuts off with just one touch. It also features variable wick settings.
• Convenient Monitoring: You can monitor how much of the kerosene remains in the tank thanks to the runtime fuel gauge. 

5. GASLAND MHA18B Propane Heater: Most Powerful Heater

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Features 

• Power: Score 9/10
• Portability: Score 7/10
• Run Time: Score 9/10
• Safety: Score 8/10

Technical Specifications 

• Style: Propane
• Power: 18,000 BTU
• Size: 22.4 x 16.7 x 12.9 inches
• Weight: 17.06 Pounds

Bottomline 

It is a powerful propane radiant heater that works for more extended periods.

Pros: 

• The heater has a huge tank that can carry 20 pounds of liquid propane.
• The heater runtime is 20 hours, even on the high heat mode.
• The wheels make it pretty easy to move from one room to another.

Cons: 

• This heater is the heaviest on the list.
• It is a little expensive too.

Details 

• Propane Heater: The Gasland heater is a heavy-duty heater. You require a 20-pound propane cylinder for the operation. There’s no electricity required.
• Safe: This propane heater shuts off automatically in case of low oxygen and tip-over for your safety. The heater is perfect to use in a basement.
• Ergonomic Design: The Gasland propane heater is portable and comes with a space-saving design. It is effortless to take this heater from one room to another without any issues because of the easy carry handle and built-in rolling wheels. The heater’s tank is also inside the cabinet, giving it an excellent simplistic design.
• Runtime: The runtime of the heater is up to 20 hours when the tank is filled at high heat mode.
• Three Modes: The heater has three heating modes, including low, medium, and high, for customizable heating. It maintains the right amount of heat inside the room. 
• Heat Outputs: The heat output is 6,000, 12,000, and 18,000 BTU at low, medium, and high heating modes, respectively. The heater can heat 450 square feet.
• Quiet: The propane heater is extremely quiet and does not disturb you during any work.

6. Campy Gear 2 in 1 Propane Heater & Stove

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Features 

• Power: Score 8/10
• Portability: Score 10/10
• Run Time: Score 7/10
• Safety: Score 7/10

Technical Specifications 

• Style: Propane
• Power: 9,000 BTU
• Size: 7.76 x 7.56 x 6.97 inches
• Weight: 3.05 pounds

Bottomline 

It is an excellent two-in-one stove and heater, perfect for camping.

Pros: 

• You can use this heater as a stovetop too.
• You also get a 5.9-inch pan with the heater.
• This heater is extremely lightweight, weighing only 3.05 pounds.

Cons: 

• It has no safety sensors.

Details 

• Dual Function Heater: This propane heater is robust and offers 9,000 BTU power. It also works as a stovetop for cooking, making it complete equipment for camping.
• Quick Heating: Along with a power out of 9,000 BTU, it also has an impressive 360-degree radiant heating design.
• Easy Usage: The 2-in-1 Heater and Stove works perfectly with 110g and 230g isobutane/butane/propane fuel canisters. It just needed to be nested inside the stove or a one-pound propane cylinder for more extended usage.
• Easy Cooking: The flame control of the stove and heater can be adjusted according to your various cooking needs. It also features a stand to support a 12-inch pan and pot. A 5.9-inch pan will be included in the package.
• Portable: The propane heater weighs just over three pounds and does not take much place, so you can keep it pretty much anywhere you want. It is among the most lightweight heaters you can find in the market.
• Easy Cleaning: You can wipe it easily with a damp cloth to clean the heater easily.
• Running Time: You can expect the heater to run for around 2.5 hours.
• Suited For Camping: This heater is made perfectly for camping as it will help you cook delicious meals during the day and then sleep peacefully during the night. 

Buyers Guide

Power

For any heater, power is a significant factor. The power of heaters is generally measured in BTU (British Thermal Unit). Most portable propane heaters or battery-operated heaters have a maximum power of 18,000-20,000. 

A high-power heater also means that it will ignite quickly and keep your room or tent warm for more extended periods.

Portability 

Portability was the top factor of this article. Electric corded heaters are the most common type of heaters found in the market. But they are not very portable even if they are small in size simply because of the fact that you won’t get a power supply everywhere.

Once you leave out corded heaters, the most significant factors to make a heater portable are the weight and size. A portable heater shouldn’t weigh more than 20 pounds even though ideally, the weight should be less than 10 pounds. 

Run Time 

The running time of the heater depends pretty much on where it’s getting power. Battery-powered heaters are usually better than kerosene or propane heaters (you also don’t need to carry fuel tanks for them). 

But you will hardly find any battery-operated heaters in the market. A portable heater must have a running time of at least 6-7 hours so that you don’t need to worry about the fuel running out in the middle of the night.

Safety

Safety is a massive factor for heaters, and sensors usually ensure safety in heaters. Most high-quality heaters have two sensors: an oxygen sensor and a tip-over sensor.

The tip-over sensor shuts down the heater when it falls, and the oxygen sensors shut it off when the cannon monoxide levels go high.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is it safe to put a heater in a tent?

Using a heater in a tent is never without risk, but you can use a heater if it has the proper safety features for a tent. Still, it’s usually a good idea to use a heater in a tent when you are awake.

Do solar heaters work in winter?

Yes, they do work in winter, but they are not as fulfilling as summers, so you will have to rely heavily on your immersion heater, boiler, and other backups.

Conclusion 

Let me highlight three options as a final summary of my review:

The best option is the DEWALT DXH12B Heater. This is because it’s safe and has multiple heating options.

The Mr. Heater MH9BX Buddy Propane Radiant Heater is another great choice. It offers longevity.

If you are looking for a value for money option, you can also consider the Campy Gear 2 in 1, which works both as a heater and stove at a very reasonable price point.