Best Tent Heater 

best tent heaterCamping is a lot of fun activity, where we get to take some time off from the busy and modern life. When we go camping, we try to reconnect with nature, ourselves, and our family or friends. Many challenges come with camping, no matter which season you go.

Even if it’s summer, at night, the temperature can drop a lot, so you may end up waking up from the cold temperature inside the tent. One of the early lessons you learn about camping is that you should always go prepared. And one of the many things you need to buy for a fun and pleasant camping trip is a tent heater.

Should you take a quick look at the market, you will see that the number and variety of products are impressive, to say the least. If portability sounds (and is) like a fundamental feature for your tent heater, there are many other factors that you need to consider when buying.

To make it all more comfortable for you, we took a detailed look at some of the best options for tent heaters at the moment. Scroll down for the details.

Top

1. Honeywell HCE100B Heat Bud Ceramic Heater

For the camper who camps alone and is interested in buying a portable heater for the late summer nights, the Honeywell HCE100B Heat Bud Ceramic Heater is a perfect choice.

Honeywell HCE100B Heat Bud Ceramic Heater

See reviews and pricing on Amazon

PROS:
  • It’s small and portable.
  • It comes with safety features.
  • It runs quietly and has two settings.
  • It’s cheap and suitable for a small space in a tent.

CONS:
  • It’s tiny, so don’t hope to have resulted in a large tent.
  • You cannot adjust the angle for the heat.

It’s a personal heater with 250-watt energy efficiency, providing a good heat for your personal space. It’s not going to heat your tent, but it will keep you warm at night.

Ease of use is understandable, and the heater is made with ceramic technology providing quick and even heating. There are two settings to use, and the button controls are easy to operate. The safety features make the heater safe to use in a tent as it has a tip-over switch and cool-touch housing. The heater also comes with overheat protection so that you may use it safely throughout the night.

The heater is quiet and very easy to carry around. It’s as small as a computer speaker and will manage to improve your comfort on an early fall night at camping. For almost $20, the heater is a great solution when your money is tight.

Beggars cannot be choosers, and, for the buck you’re paying, the portable heater will make your late summer camping trips more pleasant, for sure.


2. Lasko Ceramic Portable Space Heater

The popularity of the Lasko Ceramic Portable Space Heater speaks volumes, and we can all understand why. After all, it’s a very cheap tent heater that keeps you warm when camping for a fair amount of time.

Lasko Ceramic Portable Space HeaterSee reviews and pricing on Amazon

PROS:
  • It’s small, compact, and ready to use out of the box.
  • It has an adjustable thermostat and three different settings.
  • It heats an excellent sized space
  • It’s portable and has safety features

CONS:
  • Some doubt its durability
  • It doesn’t come with remote control

As long as you have an electric power source, it would help if you used the wired and portable heater. It’s a compact and relatively quiet portable heater with a small footprint and three settings to choose from. High and low heat and fan only are the settings to use for making the air in your tent more comfortable. The heater also features an adjustable thermostat, allowing you to set the 1500Watt ceramic heating element as you want. There are 11 different temperature settings, and you only have to dial to the location you wish to at the moment.

The heater comes with a carry handle, which saves the portability issue. It’s powerful enough to cover a 300sq.ft. Space and has the safety features you want for the safe use of a portable heater. It presents overheat protection, so it doesn’t overheat when running for many hours. The build is good, and the cool-touch exterior keeps the heater cool even when running.

The heater comes ready to use out of the box, and you only need to plug it and set it to the desired temperature.

Keep in mind that for less than $30, you get a portable, easy to adjust, and a small heater that works for a tent and is an excellent bang for your buck. Why not give it a try?


3. Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane

The slim profile of Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane makes it a functional model to place in your tent, but its fast heating performance is just as impressive.

Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane

See reviews and pricing on Amazon

PROS:
  • It’s lightweight, portable, and has a slim profile.
  • It heats up very fast.
  • It can heat uninsulated tents
  • It’s made with the right quality materials

CONS:
  • You cannot adjust the heat
  • The risk for tipping over isn’t null

The portable heater comes with a long-lasting stainless steel burner so that it will take the use for a reasonable amount of time. The heater will heat your tent in just a couple of minutes, and the heat it provides is extreme.

The features and build recommend the heater for both indoor and outdoor use. It runs on a standard size one pound disposable propane tank and has an auto shut off valve. Therefore, the heater will shut off automatically so that you remain safe. The heater is made with a stainless steel finish, and copper hardware finish and steel is the primary material. It features an aluminum reflector with a safety grid, which makes it both safe and durable.

The stability is pretty good, as the heater has a large paddle foot plastic base. It’s lightweight and easy to pack, and its slim profile fits in any décor. The heating power is the selling point, as the heater will keep you warm even if your tent isn’t insulated.

All things considered, the heater will be a good purchase for your camping adventures, mostly if your tent isn’t insulated.


4. Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy

Don’t let the name of the Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy fool you as this heater is more significant than you’d expect. It’s big enough to fit and heat a 4-person tent, which turns it into a dependable option for families who go camping regularly.

Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy

See reviews and pricing on Amazon

PROS:
  • It heats an adequate space in a tent.
  • It’s easy to operate.
  • It comes with safety features.
  • It’s portable and looks nice.

CONS:
  • It doesn’t heat up very fast.
  • The sensors are quite sensitive, but it’s for your protection.

It’s an indoor-safe portable propane heater capable of heat space up to 95sq.ft. It runs without causing any odor, and the 450 heating angle ensures a pleasant spreading of the heat. You may safely use it up to 7000ft elevation.

The portable heater comes with safety features like an automatic low oxygen shut-off system (ODS) and accidental tip-over shut-off. It’s lightweight and easy to carry around and has just one heat setting. As long as you’re only interested in getting warm at night, it shouldn’t bother you.

Operation is straightforward as the heater only has on/off press buttons. Keep in mind that you need a vent area of at least four sq.in for the best ventilation throughout the operation.

Even if it’s not essential for a heater, this one looks cute and will bring some color in any décor.

With good things overcoming the bad, we can only say that the heater is a nice looking portable heater that will keep you and your family warm at night when camping. Isn’t this why you bought a portable heater?


5. Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy 4,000-9,000-BTU

Like everything else in life, some products are better than others, as some manufacturers have discovered what it takes to make high-quality products. Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if several Mr. Heater portable heaters make it to our top (and other tops too).  Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy 4,000-9,000-BTU is just another example of great heaters to bring on your camping. The portable heater gives a lot of heat, especially considering its size, and can keep you and your family warm through winter nights while camping.

Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy 4,000-9,000-BTU

See reviews and pricing on Amazon

PROS:
  • It heats space to 225sq.ft.
  • It’s portable and reliable.
  • It comes with safety features.
  • Setting it up and use is effortless

CONS:
  • The exposed flame of the element may pose a risk for pets, so make sure you keep them away from the heater
  • The control knob may get stuck

It’s a 4,000 to 9,000BTU radiant heater able to heat spaced up to 225sq.ft. Due to its features and build, you may safely use it inside and outside the tent. It’s almost 100% efficient, and it’s clean-burning. Keep in mind to only use it at altitudes below 7,000ft. Otherwise, it’s going to shut off.

Safety issues are solved as the heater features Auto shut off, tipped over. It will also shut off automatically when it identifies low oxygen levels or if the pilot light goes out. You have to connect it to a propane tank, which isn’t included. The BTU ratio increases thanks to the fold-down handle; you get maximum output with a minimalistic footprint.

Versatility is also checked with the heater, as you may adapt the heater from a disposable cylinder to a remote gas supply through a swivel regulator.

Setting up the heater is a breeze, and so it’s the use. You rotate the knob to pilot and push. Instruction is easy to follow, and the heater is an excellent buy for your camping.

Bear in mind that the qualities are many and that the downsides are minor, which only make the heater a wise purchase for your next camping experiences. Winter is coming!


6. KOVEA-OEM Little Sun Gas Heater CAMPING Outdoor 1.7 KW Ceramic Plat Korea

Campers looking for a portable heater with a more appealing appearance should check the KOVEA-OEM Little Sun Gas Heater CAMPING Outdoor 1.7 KW Ceramic Plat Korea. The soft colors and the subtle profile make the heater a nice looking and functional option for your camping experiences.

KOVEA-OEM Little Sun Gas Heater CAMPING Outdoor 1.7 KW Ceramic Plat Korea

See reviews and pricing on Amazon

PROS:
  • It comes with a gas control lever.
  • It has an adjustable leg for setting the angle of heating.
  • It features ceramic plates for superior heating power.
  • It has a carrying handle and a cute look.

CONS:
  • It’s not cheap
  • It doesn’t come with remote control.

But it’s more than meets the eye with the heater, as it’s loaded with features that recommend it for safe use inside the tent. The portable heater comes with gas control level and ceramic plates, two times larger than standard products. Therefore, the healing power of the heater is above average. Plus, the heat transfer plate improves the vaporization power of the gas, exhausting the gas completely. Ignition is stable, and the heater has a Pilot opening for safe ignition.

Operating is effortless thanks to the control knob, and so is the carrying thanks to the handle. The heater comes with a tilting leg so that you orient the heat according to your specific needs.

Safety isn’t skipped, and the heater features Auto shut off regulator; it will stop running in case of high gas pressure level.

As we’ve mentioned, the heater looks nice and fits in any décor.

Cute looking, powerful, and great for camping, the heater will make your outdoor experiences more pleasant for a long time.


7. Allegro Industries 9401‐50 Tent Heater

If you’re ready to make the splurge with your tent heater, don’t hesitate to look at the Allegro Industries 9401‐50 Tent Heater.

Allegro Industries 9401‐50 Tent Heater

See reviews and pricing on Amazon

PROS:
  • It’s rugged, challenging, and long-lasting.
  • It’s robust and reliable
  • It’s lightweight and portable
  • It heats fast and has safety features

CONS:
  • It’s not cheap
  • Its footprint could be smaller

Even if it’s a small heater (which means that it will take little space in your tent), it will give a lot of heat. Not only that, it’s portable, but it’s also versatile, so you may safely use it at home in a room when you come back from your camping trip. It has a green coating, so it doesn’t look bad at all,

The heater is ready to take a beat as it rocks a solid build with sober duty steel housing. It will take the challenges of camping for a very long time. The rugged body is easy to carry due to a rugged, easy to use, and fold carry-handle. The coating on the body isn’t just aesthetic; it’s also functional as it protects the heater from scratches or minor hits. We should also mention that, even if the heater looks rugged and durable, it remains lightweight. Carrying it around will be easy for all.

Adjustability is always an excellent feature on portable heaters, and Allegra doesn’t make an exception. It features an adjustable thermostat knob for effortless temperature control. Many portable heaters aren’t flexible, so the adjustable thermostat makes the heater even more appealing.

The Allegro heater runs on a single-phase motor with 60Hz frequency. Its burning rating is 1500watts of 5,000BTU heating capacity, with 115 CFM airflow. It also comes with a five-blade fan, so the heat is nicely spread.

Safety features aren’t skipped, and the heater presents an overheat protection system, so it will shut off in case of overheating. Using the heater shouldn’t pose issues for your safety while camping.

Even if the price may throw some campers off, the Allegra still stands as one wise investment to make in the long run, especially if you are determined to have the best comfort when camping.


What criteria should you choose when picking your tent heater?

There are several things to consider when selecting your tent heater, but one of the first things you need to figure out is the type of heater.

How many kinds of heaters are suitable for tent heating?

It’s the first criterion to use when shopping, as it’s going to narrow down your options significantly. It makes perfect sense that you have to choose a model that it’s safe to use when camping with so many trees around. First thing first, let’s see the main categories of portable heaters.

Propane Tent Heaters

They make the most popular choice for portable heaters and use propane for fueling. The sizes and shapes are various, so you have numerous options to check.

Most reliable models come with safety features such as a built-in mechanism for automatic shut-off when overheating or tipped over.

The most significant advantage with these heaters is that they’re portable and easy to use, whereas the main downside is proper ventilation. Also, it’s better that you don’t leave them on throughout the entire night, as there’s always a risk for oxygen depletion.

Electric Tent Heaters

If you have an electrical power supply or hookup (EHU), the electric tent heater is a reliable option for heating your tent. The source of fuel is electricity, and you have various shapes and sizes to choose from. Portable electric heaters are, in fact, car heaters, with convection and radiant heaters as main types.

Electric tent heaters are the safest choice and heat up fast, without causing condensation in the tent. They also come with auto-shutoff features and cool touch build, but you need a power source for running them. The air may also become dry, and you have to turn on/off the fan throughout the whole night, which is quite annoying.

Chemical Tent Heaters

They’re not quite tent heaters, but they work as backpacking heaters. Some of them are single-use, whereas others are reusable. The latter may be used up to 500 times, and they may run for 15 hours straight. They’re non-flammable, safe for human use and the environment.

With chemical heaters being relatively pricey and causing eye irritation to some customers, it makes sense why chemical heaters aren’t used much when camping.

What feature should you consider when selecting a tent heater?

Safety features are fundamental for tent heaters, but other factors make a heater reliable for camping. Here are the most significant to mention:

Automatic shut-off

Automatic shut-off is essential for tent heaters, as it means that the heater shut off automatically in case of overheating. You want to sleep throughout the whole night, without worrying or waking up for turning the heater off.

Automatic shut-off should also be available when the heater tips over. Should the heater tip or fall, it’s best that it shuts-off automatically.

Easy setup and operation

If you’re using an electric heater, you don’t need to worry about setting it up; you need to plug it in. However, if you want to use a propane heater, setup is necessary. You also have to provide ventilation for the heater.

Either way, you should always begin reading the user manual and following the manufacturer’s instructions precisely.

Once installed, you don’t want to have to learn how to use the heater. A model with easy access and to operate knobs/controls is always a safe choice for tent heating. Remote-controlled heaters are ideal, but it all depends on how much money you want to spend.

Portability

When you go camping or backpacking, you want everything to be easy to carry around. A tent heater with a carrying handle will ease out transportation. If the handle is also foldable, you probably hit the jackpot.

Build and durability

Even if you’re going to use the heater inside your tent, you still want the heater to have a rugged build. It should manage scratches, tips, and falls good; a model that it’s too fragile doesn’t make a reliable option for camping.

Look for models made with right quality materials, have excellent construction, and seem ready to take a beat. Also, the rugged build shouldn’t compromise lightweight as you want to move the heater around.

Small footprint

No matter how great, fast heating or lightweight your tent heater is, it doesn’t make a good option for your tent if it’s going to take half of the usable space. Heaters with a small footprint, the slim profile will heat the tent efficient, leaving you the space you need for comfortable camping.


FAQs

Q: What’s the brief definition of a tent heater?

A: A tent heater is a device heating up a small space through fuel or electricity, without posing high risks for your health. You may use it for camping, fishing, hunting, or other outdoor applications. They can also be used at home to complete the home heating system.

Q: Are tent heaters loud?

A: Most tent heaters will be reasonably loud when turned on, but they go more quite as they continue to run. Like everything else in life, some will be noisier than others, on the cause of some aspects. The quality of materials for housing, the motor, and the type of power they use will cause the level of noise of your heater running.

Q: How dangerous is it to use a gas heater?

A: Even if gas models tend to pose more risks for your safety, the units designed for indoor use should come with a feature that improves your safety. You should always read the user manual closely and run all the steps for safe installation. Always make sure that your gas-powered heater has an automatic shut-off and that the sensors are still active.

Q: What’s the best way to see how much propane your heater consumes?

A: The heat output of your heater comes in Btu/h. You have to divide the numbers by 21591, which represents one pound of propane in Btu.

If you’re determined to find out the gallons of propane used per hour, you need to divide the usage (in pounds) by 4.24; it’s pounds of propane per gallon.

As for finding out the whole load, you have to multiply the heater by gallons/pounds per hour.

Q: Should you or should you not use chemical heaters in the tent?

A: You should only use a chemical heater for emergencies. They’re not made to generate the same quantity of BTUs as gas or electric heaters will produce. They’re made for emergency use, so you shouldn’t go camping thinking that you’ll use the chemical heater every single time.

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