Few things can ruin a camping adventure faster than chilly weather. If the idea of shivering in your tent isn’t your idea of fun, then you will want to invest in a camping heater to warm up the space.
But what should you look for in your camping heater? There are lots of factors that affect the functionality of your heater; from its size, fuel source, and even safety level. The best way to make the right purchase for your camping trip is to understand what kind of camping heaters are available.
The kind of heater you get depends on your needs. Some heaters can run safely inside your tent, while others need plenty of ventilation or an electric power source. A few brands pride themselves on their ultra-portable options for travel in the backcountry, while some heaters are so massive and sturdy they can only be used in a campground. A priority for many people is getting a heater with highly customizable temperature controls, while others are entirely satisfied with two settings: ‘on’ and ‘off.’
Not quite sure what your preferences are? This guide of the 16 best camping heaters will help you out.
16 Best Camping Heaters That Are Safe To Use
Knowing what to look for in your camping heater can be tricky, but this guide will cut through the confusion and help you make the right decision for you. Below, we’ve reviewed 16 of the best options to help you start your search.
1. Heater F232000: As one of the most popular indoor propane heaters in America, it’s little surprise that the Mr. Heater F232000 made our list. This heater is capable of keeping you warm no matter what, despite weighing less than ten pounds. The heater is capable of exerting 400 to 900 BTU in 225 square feet, which is more than enough power to keep you warm in your tent without polluting the air around you. Best of all, the heater will automatically shut off if tipped over or it detects too little oxygen, ensuring that your safety is never compromised.
2. Electric My Heat Personal Heater: Camping alone has its benefits, but staying warm often isn’t one of them. This personal heater is designed to keep you cozy even without body heat to rely on. Only 200 watts of electricity is required to keep it running, ensuring that warming up your personal space isn’t difficult. You won’t have to stress about your safety either, as the plastic heater has a self-regulating ceramic element, automatic overheat protection, and remains cool to the touch no matter how long you keep it on. So long as you have an outlet accessible, this heater is the perfect personal companion.
3. Heater F274830 MH18BRV Big Buddy Grey Indoor-Safe Portable RV Propane Heater: If your camping heater needs to heat up a large area, you can’t do better than the Mr. Heater Big Buddy. The heater can heat up to 300 square feet through an efficient combination of convection heat air flow and radiant heat, ensuring that you stay warmer for longer. For extra safety, the heater has auto-shutoff if it gets tipped over, if the pilot light goes off, and if it detects low oxygen levels. You can also adjust the heat level controls to ensure the temperature stays steady for hours on end.
4. 754200 Ceramic Heater by Lasko: So long as your campsite has an outlet, you’ll be good to go with this versatile camping heater. Easy to use and highly versatile, this Lasko ceramic heater has a variety of heat setting between 900 and 1500 watts so that you can get the temperature you want. In case the weather gets a little too warm, the heater also comes with a cooling-fan feature to create some ventilation in stuffy tents. Take it with you once, and you’ll never go on a camping trip without it again!
5. Heater F215100 Little Buddy: If you’re looking for a small but powerful heater, the Mr. Heater Little Buddy is the perfect companion for your next chilly camping trip. This compact heater is designed to heat a tent or a camper sufficiently, and it’s even small enough to fit in a backpack. Like most heaters in the Mr. Heater line, this one is designed with a built-in sensor that will cause it to shut off if conditions get unsafe, ensuring you won’t need to worry about starting a fire if you accidentally kick it over.
6. Comfort Zone CZ707 Personal Heater Fan|2 Heat Settings: Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, this little heater can still put out 1500 watts of heat to keep you warm, making it an ideal option for solo campers that want a way to keep a small tent warm. Best of all, it only weighs three pounds, meaning that it fits comfortably in almost any backpack. Keep in mind, though, that this heater needs some form of ventilation to function correctly.
7. Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane Heater: While this heater looks a lot like the Mr. Heater Little Buddy, it’s actually a little cheaper and slightly less powerful. Nonetheless, it is a perfect camping heater for staying warm on chilly spring nights when the temperature dips lower than expected. Made out of durable stainless steel, this heater has a sizeable stabilizing paddlefoot to prevent it from tipping over. If it does, though, you can rest assured that the heater will turn itself off.
8. Zodi Outback Gear X-40 Hot Vent Tent Heater: If you don’t want to deal with anything but the best in regards to portable heating, the Zodi Outback X-40 is the top of its class. This heater can deliver up to 40,000 BTUs and is made out of rugged metal that is constructed to work well in any outdoor situation. You can power it with a 12-volt power system that is set up in seconds, ensuring you have a consistent supply of safe, clean heat without dangerous fumes. Be warned, though, that the entire heater ways over 34 pounds, not including the propane tank.
9. TMS Portable Military Camping Wood Stove: Are you looking for a low-tech option to stay warm while ice fishing or winter camping? This military-style wood camping stove might fit the bill. Designed to work in tents with a stove pipe vent, the TMS stove is lightweight and portable, and it’s designed to work equally well for heating or cooking in small spaces. Best of all, many stove components can be tucked directly into the stove body for easy transportation.
10. Portable Butane Gas-Powered Outdoor Camping Heater 5,800 BTU: Don’t fret about ever being cold while camping again: this stove makes staying warm simpler than ever. This infrared ceramic burner has automatic piezo ignition to provide you with the benefits of a high-end unit without the weight. You can get up to five hours of operating time on an 8 oz butane bottle, and the temperature of the stove is fully adjustable to let you optimize your environment. For those who are interested in carrying only the lightest equipment with them or being prepared for any situation, this heater is an excellent choice.
11. Camplux Portable Outdoor Camping Butane Gas Heater Adjustable Ceramic Burner 4400BTU: For those that want to take advantage of an efficient camping stove, the Camplux butane heater is a portable option that is safe to use just about everywhere. Take it with you camping, fishing, or to music festivals, and you’ll never need to worry about getting cold. The heater uses 8oz butane canisters, and it can burn for several hours before needing a refill. Protection systems are in place, so you won’t have to worry about it getting overpressurized or leaking gas, leaving you free to enjoy the heat.
12. Dyna-Glo TT15CDGP 15,000 Liquid Propane Tank Top Heater: Stay warm no matter what this coming camping season by relying on this Dyna-Glo propane heater. You can choose from three heat settings (9,000, 13,000, and 15,000 BTUs) ensuring you always have the heat you need at hand. This heater is fully ready to use right out of the box, and the included hand wheel makes it simple to connect it directly to your propane tank. The advanced double mesh burner is designed to withstand heavy winds, meaning you can operate this stove in unforgiving outdoor conditions without concern.
13. Honeywell HCE100R Heat Bud Ceramic Heater: This portable, personal ceramic heater is the answer to your cold concerns next time you go solo camping. Designed to provide just enough heat for one person, this heater fits well in a variety of personal spaces, from the office to your tent. This heater will pump a room full of heat fast, and at just 250 watts, it is impressively energy efficient. Four fun colors will let you match your heater to your personality as well.
14. Stansport Portable Outdoor Infrared Propane Heater: If you think that an infrared heater sounds like a strange idea, you certainly haven’t tried this Stansport portable heater. This personal-sized heater is designed to keep you warm on your next trip. Just 16.4 ounces, it provides up to 3,100 BTU of heat with three convenient settings. The included metal dish helps you focus the heat where you want it, ensuring that the fuel isn’t wasted.
15. Letouch Rechargeable Hand Warmer 5200mAh: Are you looking for a simple way to keep your hands warm on your next outdoor trip? This innovative camping heater design is actually an electric hand warmer that will be the perfect accessory for your next skiing, camping, hiking, or fishing trip. These double-sided warmers will keep your hands at a comfortable temperature (between 104- 131 degrees F, depending on the setting) and they will help release any pain connected with continually having cold hands. As an added benefit, the USB power bank has enough power to let you charge your phone in an emergency.
16. Off Grid Comfort Portable Tent Heater – 12VDC – Forced Air: Keep your tent toasty warm during the offseason with this versatile camping heater designed o keep you comfortable no matter what. Rugged construction ensures that you can take it everywhere without risk, and a 10-foot power cord ensures that you don’t have to worry about ventilating toxic fumes from your tent. By utilizing forced air just like your home furnace, this heater is designed to warm you quickly while giving you complete control over the process.