Best Heaters for Tent Camping

Winters can be severe in the US, and temperatures can fall below the freezing point in some states. However, winter can still be a fun time for camping, and there are many places where you won’t freeze while camping and enjoy your excursion to the fullest. For your convenience, we have selected the best heaters for tent camping after looking through and testing several.

Because, if you are not adequately prepared, you might end up having the worst experience of your life! A tent, bedding, blanket, pillow, jackets, socks, shoes, food, stove, and heaters are must-have items during winter campings to stay warm and safe.

Our selection of the best heaters for tent camping is based on the heat they produce, safety, and compact and portable design. 

What To Look For In Camping Tent Heater

Heating Capacity

The best heaters for camping should be excellent at heating closed spaces. Generally, a heater’s capacity to heat a room is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU). One BTU is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by 1°F. However, the same is applied to rooms and closed spaces. 

If you wish to buy a heater for a tent then you should consider the surface area of the tent before you buy one. To determine the number of BTUs per square foot that you need to heat the tent, multiply the square foot by 20 BTUs. If the area of your tent is 250 feet, then a heater with 5,000 BTU is sufficient to heat it properly. 

Compact and Portable

As you want to buy a heater for camping, you should consider the size and weight before purchasing. 

Heaters that are too large cannot be transported to the campsite as they are too difficult to move from one place to another. Choose one that is easy to carry and move around. Some heaters also have small wheels attached underneath them, allowing you to roll the heater around without picking it up.

Safety Features

The best heaters for camping should be safe as well. Heaters can cause severe damage when they are overheated. 

It is always best to select a heater with overheating protection or a killswitch that shuts off the main power as soon as the heater starts to overheat. 

Similarly, you should always opt for a heater that has an oxygen sensor in it. These heaters are perfect as they can sense if the oxygen in the room has dropped below a certain level, after which they immediately shut down. 

Ergonomic

Heaters that are easy to use and operate are far more convenient than heaters that are complicated to use. You should select a heater with simple controls and a user interface so that you can operate it with ease. 

Other features such as multiple operating modes and functions are also important. Powerful heaters capable of releasing extra fumes are nice, but the fumes emitted from the heater should be non-toxic and odorless. 

1. Givebest Electric Heater For Tents – Best Heaters For Tent Camping

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Features

• Heating: 8/10
• Safety: 9/10
• Compact: 7/10
• Powerful: 8/10

Technical Specifications 

• Dimensions: 7.9 x 6.2 x 10.2 inches
• Weight: 2.99 pounds
• Heating method: Forced air
• Color: Silver
• Temperature range: 0°F to 158°F
• Wattage: 1,500 watts  
• Heating range: 200 square feet
• Heater Type: Electric Heater

Bottom Line 

This camping tent heater is very quiet. The maximum amount of noise created by this heater is less than 45 decibels. This feature makes this heater suitable for people to sleep at night. 

Pros 

• This heater has multiple operating modes
• You will also find this heater to be ergonomic with easily adjustable settings
• Safety features for your protection
• It is portable with easy to carry handles
• This heater will heat a tent quickly

Cons 

• If you don’t close the heater correctly, then cold air will escape from the sides.

Details 

• Excellent Heating: This camping heater is an excellent product with multiple heat settings. There are two primary settings, one with 750 watts power and the other with 1,500 watts power. The first mode is warm, whereas the second mode will be even warmer. 
• Safe and secure: You can ensure the protection of your family members while using this heater, as this heater is made from flame-retardant material. The automatic safety shut-off feature in this heater will switch off the heater when it overheats. 
• Powerful: This heater is ideal for heating a tent because it can heat an area of 200 square feet in a short period of time. The high-tech anti-tipping fan in this heater will give a decent output of heat. 
• Compact and portable: This portable heater weighs just under 3 pounds. It also has a handle, making carrying and traveling easier. 

2. Mr. Heater Camping Heater – Editor’s Choice

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Features 

• Heating: 9 /10
• Safety: 8 /10
• Compact: 7 /10
• Powerful: 8 /10

Technical Specifications 

• Dimensions: 7.7 x 13.4 x 15 inches
• Weight: 9 pounds
• Heating Method: Radiant 
• Color: Red
• Heating Area: 225 square feet
• Heating Capacity: 4,000 to 9,000 BTUs
• Heater Type: Propane Heater

Bottom Line

One of the unique features of this heater is that it provides clean burning. You will get 100% efficient burning with this heater, helping to avoid harming the environment.

Pros 

• This heater has a relatively low rate of oil or gas consumption
• It has an ergonomic design for convenient use
• Special safety sensors for your protection
• High heat output from this heater is excellent for frigid regions
• Effective over a large area

Cons 

• If you don’t regularly lubricate the turning knob, it might get stuck in time.

Details

• Powerful Heating: This camping heater is fairly powerful and efficient. Your tent will heat up in a matter of seconds once you start using this heater as it has a heating capacity of 4,000 to 9,000 BTUs. This heater has an effective range of 225 square feet. 
• Safety features: You also get additional oxygen depletion sensors in this heater. These sensors will cut the power to the heater when the oxygen level drops below the ideal level. This heater also has an anti-tipping design that will cause the heater to automatically shut off if it falls.
• Ergonomic: This camping heater also has a user-friendly dial. This dial helps change the temperature. You can swiftly change the temperature from low settings to high settings instantly.
• Portable: You can carry and travel with this heater easily as it is lightweight. There is also a compact handlebar so that you can pick it up.

3. Andily Portable Heater – Best Value For Money

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Features

• Heating: 9/10
• Safety: 9/10
• Compact: 8 /10
• Powerful: 8 /10

Technical Specifications 

• Dimensions: 6.2″ x 4.74″ x 8.3″
• Weight: 3.03 pounds
• Heating Method: Forced air, convection
• Color: Gray
• Heating Range: 260 square feet
• Wattage: Up to 1,500W
• Heater Type: Electric Heater

Bottom Line

This camping heater has a unique operational mode known as the E-save mode. This mode is capable of saving electricity while not compromising on the performance of the heater. 

Pros 

• This heater has four modes of operation 
• You will consume less electricity with this heater
• It also has safety features to prevent any accidents
• The compact design of this heater makes it ideal for camping 
• This heater will quickly heat the entire room

Cons 

• In some cases, the heater might overheat, so it is better not to touch it when it does.
• If the power supply is not adequate, the heater will not work properly.

Details

• Quick heating: This heater can quickly heat the entire room in a matter of seconds. This heater is made from ceramic. Ceramic is an element that can quickly heat up. The effective range that this heater can cover is 260 square feet. 
• High Performance: You get four modes of operation with this heater, namely high heating mode, low heating mode, fan mode, and energy-saving mode. This heater works at up to 1,500W, starting from 750W on the low setting. 
• Accident resistant: You can use this heater without worrying about accidents because it will automatically shut off whenever it overheats. There is also an additional killswitch that shuts the heater whenever it is tipped forward or backward. 
• Portable: This heater’s small and compact design makes it your ideal companion for camping, especially in colder regions. 

4. Mr. Heater Little Buddy For Tents

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Features

• Heating: 9/10
• Safety: 8/10
• Compact: 9/10
• Powerful: 7/10

Technical Specifications

• Dimensions: 11×11×11 inches
• Weight: 5 pounds
• Heating Method: Propane
• Color: Green
• Heating Range: 95 square feet
• Heating Power: 3800 BTU
• Heater Type: Propane Heater

Bottom Line

This mini heater is easy to operate as it has a simple on and off switch. It requires a minimum of 4 square inches of vent area. Otherwise, there will be no proper ventilation in your room.

Pros 

• This camping heater is completely odor-free. 
• Portable propane heater for camping
• 45 degree of heating angle for spreading heat into a room
• Automatic oxygen sensor ideal for safety features
• You will find this heater very durable and the base to be very stable

Cons 

• This heater will need proper ventilation, so you will need to give this heater enough space to operate.
• The propane tank on this heater might feel heavy to some.

Details 

• Excellent Heating: This camping heater will work fine up to a high altitude of 7,000 feet. The 45-degree heating angle on this heater will help dissipate the heat produced. The heating capacity of this heater is 3,800 BTU. 
• Safety: This heater has an automatic low oxygen shut-off system. This system will detect the oxygen level in the tent and switch off the heater if the oxygen is too low. Due to this feature, there is no risk of suffocation and breathing problems.
• Compact: This is a mini heater, as it is very compact and light. You can carry this heater when camping outdoors thanks to its ease of carrying.
• Powerful: The fumes that are emitted from this camping heater are entirely odorless. These odorless fumes are non-toxic and safe. You will find this mini heater effective over a surface area of 95 square feet. 

5. Honeywell Surround Heater

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Features

• Heating: 9/10
• Safety: 9/10
• Compact: 8/10
• Powerful: 9/10

Technical Specifications

• Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 11.5 inches
• Weight: 3 pounds
• Heating Method: Radiant, forced air
• Color: Charcoal Gray
• Heating Range: 360-degree surround design, approx 200-300 sq. ft.
• Wattage: 1,500 watts
• Heater Type: Electric Heater

Bottom Line

The surround heating feature is one of the unique features of this camping heater. This camping heater releases hot fumes from all the sides, giving the tent or the room a 360-degree heating effect. 

Pros 

• This heater has a surround heating feature
• Two heat settings for your convenience
• Double protection against overheating
• This heater is also very user friendly, with an easy to use interface
• Portable and compact design for easy handling

Cons 

• If the heater overheats, the side of the heater might start melting

Details 

• Heating: There are two heating modes in this camping heater. You also get an additional thermostat, and this will keep you cozy at all times. The 1,500W output of this heater will heat up the tent quickly. 
• Performance: You will find the user interface on this heater to be very easy to understand and use. The interface has all the correct modes and methods to regulate the temperature in your camps efficiently. It operates with a surface area coverage of 200 to 300 square feet. This heater works via a forced fan method. 
• Safety: You get a double protection safety feature in this heater. The automatic switch in this heater will shut the fuse if the heater overheats. The overheating sensors in this heater will protect from fire hazards. 
• Compact: You can easily carry this heater as it is small and compact. A portable heater is an easy way to add warmth on camping trips. 

6. Campy Gear Chubby Camping Heater

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Features

• Heating: 8 /10
• Safety: 8 /10
• Compact: 8/10
• Powerful: 7/10

Technical Specifications

• Dimensions: 7.76 x 7.56 x 6.97 inches
• Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Heating Method: Radiant
• Color: Navy blue
• Heating Range: 360-degree radiant design, approximately 200-300 sq.ft.
• Heating Power: Upto 9,
• 000 BTU
• Heater Type: Propane heater and stove

Bottom Line 

The most distinctive feature of this heater is that it can also act as a gas stove. You can cook your meals on this heater, and when you feel cold, you can use it to keep you warm. You can reap the benefits of both these functions while camping. 

Pros 

• This heater heats up spaces very quickly
• You can use this heater for precise cooking of food
• 360-degree heat radiant design
• You will not pollute the environment thanks to its clean-burning
• Compact design for easier travel

Cons 

• The gas stove might not function properly in places where it is very breezy
• The valve knobs on this might be slightly hard to rotate.

Details

• Heating: This heater for tents has a unique 360-degree radiating design. This design helps to easily circulate the warm air inside the tent at a quicker rate. You will find that this heater covers 200-300 square feet. The exceptional heating of this heater is due to its high 9,000 BTU output. 
• Safety: You get a clean-running heater and an additional stove feature. There will be no release of any kind of toxic fumes with this heater. All the heat that is radiated by this heater is safe to breathe in. 
• Compact: This heater does include an additional pot and hose. You can also carry this heater while you are trekking or camping.
• Ergonomic: You can also use this heater as a stove. These three modes are the following: cook-only mode, heat-only mode, and cook and heat mode. 

Frequently Asked Questions On Best Heaters For Tent Camping

Is it safe to sleep in a tent with a propane heater? 

Yes, it is entirely safe to sleep in a tent with a propane heater as long as you follow all the steps correctly. You will be provided with instructions and a warranty with all heaters so that you have a great ownership experience. Some heaters come with longer warranties than others, but most coverages are generally long enough to ensure reliability and customer support.

Heaters of all sorts have some sort of risk attached to them. You will remain safe and sound if you take all the precautions and follow the instructions manual completely.

Do not place items in the immediate vicinity of the heater, and this means anywhere air enters or exits the heater, as this could result in damage to both the heater, your belongings, or your health. Having objects in the way would also mean less efficient heating.

Can I use an electric heater in the tent? 

Yes, you can use an electric heater in a tent, but you need to make sure that you can provide the correct voltage required to the heater or it will not function properly. 

Safety is also an important issue that you need to consider while purchasing an electric heater. Many tents can be very compact, so as mentioned in the previous answer, be sure that you are able to leave enough space for the heater that its vicinity is clear of other objects.

Most campsites do not have an electricity feature, so it is better to go for heaters that work on alternative power sources. 

How effective are tent heaters? 

Tent heaters can be fairly effective and efficient. You need to consider the surface area over which these heaters are effective when buying a heater. Mini heaters are effective over as small as 100 square feet of surface area, but this may be enough if your tent is small.

The bigger heaters can manage to efficiently heat a larger surface area of around 250 square feet. This detail will be mentioned in the product description of your heater. You can select the heater considering the size of your tent. 

Conclusion

Heaters can make your camping experience worth cherishing. They will not just keep you protected during cold nights but also can prove to be your lifesaver during difficult times. Some heaters can even be used for cooking needs.

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

The best option in our opinion is the Givebest Electric Heater. This camping tent heater is very quiet and efficient. The maximum amount of noise created by this heater is less than 45 decibels. This feature makes this heater suitable for people to sleep at night.

The Mr. Heater Camping Heater is another great choice. This camping heater is quite powerful and quick. Your tent will heat up in a matter of seconds once you start using this heater.

If you are looking for a value for money option, you can also consider the Andily Portable Heater, which is fast to heat, produces abundant heat without open coils, and is long-lasting, all this at a very reasonable price point.

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