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Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Best Tent Heater: Reviews Buying Guide
Whether on a leisurely camping trip or an adventurous expedition, a tent heater can make the difference between a pleasant night’s sleep and a cold, uncomfortable night. It’s not just about comfort; it can be a life-saver in extreme temperatures.
- Safety precautions: Ventilation, flammable material distance, tip-over safety.
- Efficiency and portability: Compact, lightweight for transport.
- Power output: Measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units).
- Extra features: Built-in fan, adjustable heat settings.
- Power source compatibility: Electric hookups, gas fuel.
Few activities call back to the roots of humanity quite like camping. For the seasoned adventurer, it’s an opportunity to test your limits or to escape from the monotony of structured life.
For families, fans, and newbie campers alike, it’s a chance to enjoy nature and reacquaint your body with nature’s simple entertainment. Read on for the rest of our Best Tent Heater guide.
Best Tent Heaters
However, only a foolish camper goes out into the wilderness unprepared. In this guide, we’re going to go over one of the most essential pieces of gear that you need to bring if you are going camping in the winter or any cold environment: tent heaters.
Essential Camping Gear, Camping Safety, & Why You Need A Tent Heater
Like all outdoor activities, camping can come with risks. They can be in the form of challenges but, in most cases, come in the form of oversight.
Going out without the gear that you need, at the least, can prove extremely inconvenient, dampening your entire trip. Being without the right gear in the wilderness at worst can lead to illness and even worse outcomes.
The motto of the Boy Scouts is “Always be prepared,” which applies to any outdoorsman who intends to brave the elements.
But one of the most overlooked factors when planning camping trips is how you will stay warm. Never underestimate the need for a source of heat. Exposure to cold is one of the highest causes of death among campers.
When camping or hiking in the winter, many think of jackets, scarves, gloves, and other clothing without considering the chance to bring an additional heat source.
There are a Few Reasons to Pick Up a Tent Heater
- If you’re camping in a cold environment or during the Winter, you’ll need a way to stay warm. You don’t want to feel your extremities going numb in the middle of the night.
- Tent heaters are a great way to dry off in emergencies. It’s very common for people to fall into icy water and go into hypothermic shock, which can cause the heart to stop. Without a fast way of drying off and raising the person’s core temperature, they may face lasting damage or even death.
- A sleeping bag will feel better if the area near it is warm before you get into it. It’s terrible hopping out of your clothes and into one and playing the warm-up waiting game.
- If you take your kids on camping trips, you need to invest in a tent heater. Children are much smaller and get cold quicker than adults. If they are kept warm and cozy, your children will sleep much sounder and won’t complain about the cold all night.
- Tent heaters are also great for heating your food. Some woodfire heaters even double as a working stove, allowing you to cook your food. Electric and gas heaters are also great for warming up some pre-cooked canned food.
What You Need To Know About Buying A Tent Heater
Before you purchase your first tent heater, you should know your options. A few features are especially important to consider.
Different people will have different needs depending on their style of camping, the environment they’ll be in, and the size of the tent they’ll be sleeping in.
Durability
Durability is one of the first things to look for when purchasing outdoor equipment. When you’re going camping, you need durable equipment.
When you’re hiking through the woods and mountains, it’s very easy to drop your equipment accidentally, or for it to bounce around in the back of your truck and get dinged up while driving on the unpaved dirt trails.
You don’t want to get to your camping location in the Alaskan mountains only to discover that your primary heat source has become irreparably damaged on the way there.
At that point, your only options will be to turn around and return home or cut your firewood with a hatchet and light it up with flint and stone as the pioneers did.
When looking at tent heaters, you want to find one that can withstand small drops and take a beating without sustaining damage.
Types of Tent Heaters
Your unit needs fuel to produce heat. Most commonly, this comes in the form of electricity, wood, or gas. All are good options, but depending on where you’ll be camping, you may or may not have access to these fuel sources.
It’s important to get the heater that is most applicable to the type of camping you’ll be doing most often.
Electric
Electric heaters are very popular and are by far the easiest to use. All you need to do is plug them in, press the button, and you’re ready. However, they do require you to have a source of electricity.
This limits their usage to a few select environments. RV Campers commonly use electric heaters that can plug the heater directly into their camper’s power source or in public camping locations with a city electric supply.
Wood
Using a wood-fired stove is one of the oldest methods of heating your tent. It’s been used since the days of the first settlers.
You can use them almost anywhere, and most places where you’ll be camping will be located in wooded environments where you’ll easily be able to fuel your fire.
Most wooden heaters also come with a small stovetop, which is ideal for heating food.
The disadvantages are that these units are often heavy and require people to lift and move around. Also, they require you to find wood and be able to start your fires.
If you’re hiking in a desert or winter environment where wood is scarce or a very wet environment where there isn’t any dry wood suitable for fires, then you’re out of luck.
Gas
These are favored among campers for their reliability. The only thing that you need to bring is your supply of gas. Most heaters will either use propane or butane which both burn similarly.
Gas-powered heaters can work in any environment, no matter how rainy or windy the weather is.
However, the disadvantage of using a gas tent heater is that once you run out of gas, you’ll have nothing to fuel your heater with unless you pack a trunk full of gas cans.
These gas cans can also be pretty heavy to lug around if you have a long hike to your campsite. These heaters are ideal for those going on short camping trips without access to wood or electricity.
Heat Output
Depending on the size of your tent and how many people will be camping with you, you may need more or less heat.
If you’re hiking solo or with a partner and you have a small tent, then you’ll only need a unit that has a heat output of 1,500 or 2,000 BTU.
However, if you plan on camping in sub-zero temperatures or you have a large group tent to heat up, then you’ll need something with a heat output closer to 10,000 BTU.
What Size Tent Heater Do You Need?
Generally, the higher the heat output, the larger the tent heater will be. However, quite a few small heaters pack a punch and have higher heat outputs than you would expect.
Size matters when looking at how long you’ll need to hike.
If you’re just driving to a campsite and unloading, it’s no problem working with a larger heating unit, but if you have to hike a few miles or climb up a mountainside, you need something compact, lightweight, and easy to carry.
What Makes A Tent Heater A Good One?
The perfect tent heater is the one that will fit your camping style. If you’re going to invest in a good heater, then you don’t want to waste your money buying something that you’re only going to use once before setting it in the garage to collect dust.
You want something that you can use time and time again.
If you make a lot of small solo camping trips, a small gas heater will probably be best. If your family enjoys extended stays in RV parks or public camping locations, a large electric heater may be best.
And if you’re a traditional outdoorsman who knows how to start a fire and wants to stick to his traditional roots, then a wood-fire stove will be a great option.
Where Should You Get Them From
Although it’s popular to buy secondhand camping equipment, tent heaters are not something you want to trust to fate. You can run into unexpected issues when you purchase a used model.
A lot of times, the person or pawn shop from which you’re buying your heater will not tell you the full truth about the unit or simply may not know.
It’s common to hear stories from campers who purchased a used electric or gas heater and went out to their campsite only to find out that only half of the electric heating cores were operational or that the gas line had a leak which caused twice as much fuel burn.
While this won’t necessarily be the case with every secondhand purchase, it’s certainly widespread, and it’s not something that you want to risk discovering after you’ve made a long trip.
The other disadvantage of buying secondhand tent heaters is that you don’t get a warranty.
Sure, you might save $50 up front, but when your unit fails three weeks later, you’ll have no way of getting your money back or replacing your unit.
At the end of the day, purchasing used heaters can cost you far more money than buying a brand-new one.
All of the heaters we’re about to review are well-reviewed products listed on Amazon. When you purchase tent heaters from Amazon, you will purchase them either directly from the manufacturer or an authorized distributor.
This is cheaper than buying a unit from your local camping store (which can add a 15-20% upcharge), and the customer service will be better.
If you have an issue or defective product, all you need to do is contact the distributor, and they will handle all of your problems. If you purchase your tent heater from a physical store, you’ll have to return to that location to solve any issues.
You may even have to stand in line for 45 minutes waiting your turn to be seen by a rude customer service agent who’s had a bad day and wants to take it out on you.
Many of these products are even eligible for Amazon Prime, which means that if you’re a Prime member, you can have them shipped to your doorstep in two days.
Now, you can find a great deal on a heater and have it ready to go for your upcoming weekend trip.
Our Recommendations
To make your choice more accessible, we’ve sifted through hundreds of competing products and selected the top ten best tent heaters on the market. These units are made with quality in mind and are built to last.
We’ve included the top five options for individuals who will be camping in different environments and another five that we think are great alternatives for anybody. Let’s dive in!
Best Wood Heater: Winnerwell Woodlander Deluxe
Features:
- Durable stainless steel construction
- It comes with a chimney stack
- Built-in Oven
- Glassdoor allows you to see the status of your food
Overview:
This is it if you’re looking for the ultimate wood fire stove and tent heater. The Winnerwell Woodlander Deluxe will last you a lifetime, and you’ll probably be able to pass it on to your kids.
This portable stove is great for medium—to large-sized tents. It will keep your area warm and allow you to cook small meals.
Built-In Oven
This stove will keep your tent warm, and you can even cook your meals in it! The main compartment will burn your wood logs, and there is a miniature oven slot in which you can fit small casserole dishes or cans of food.
Camping out in the cold is no excuse not to have a warm meal! The oven even has a tiny glass door that lets you keep an eye on your food while it’s cooking so you’ll know as soon as it’s ready.
Collapsible Chimney Stack
The Woodlander Deluxe has a collapsible chimney stack that allows it to fit into any size tent. It’s important to use a chimney when burning wood. This will ensure that the smoke doesn’t build up inside your tent and suffocate you.
Stainless Steel Construction
This woodfire stove is constructed exclusively from stainless steel. This makes it incredibly easy to clean between uses and makes it very lightweight and easy to carry for short distances.
The other great advantage of having stainless steel is that it’s rust-proof. Traditional wood stoves used to be crafted from cast iron, which could build up a lot of rust over the years and eat holes straight in the metal.
You will never have to worry about that happening with this stove.
Best Gas Tent Heater: Mr. Heater Propane Big Buddy Portable Heater
Features:
- Burns propane gas
- Can heat up to 400 square feet
- Multiple heat settings
- Built-in oxygen depletion sensor
- Automatic safety shut-off
Overview:
The Mr. Heater Big Buddy is the ultimate camper’s companion. It looks good, is easy to use, and can even warm up large tents. It even has some important safety features that will prevent worst-case scenarios.
Fueled By Propane
You only need to bring a large propane tank that you can pick up at your local grocery store or gas station.
Screw the gas line onto the tank valve, plug in the cord to a small power source, press the start button, and you’ll be warm and toasty in just a few short minutes.
Multiple Heat Settings
One of the great things about this unit is that it has multiple settings. You can choose whether you want your heat output to be 4,000, 9,000, or 18,000 BTUs.
This makes it a very versatile unit. With 4,000 BTUs, you can easily heat up a small to medium-sized tent, but if you have a larger tent or you’re in an extremely cold environment, you can crank it up to 18,000 BTUs.
Oxygen Depletion Sensor
This is a great safety feature. Burning propane can release dangerous carbon monoxide into the air.
Gas heaters are entirely safe when burning, but if there is a leak in the tank or the gas line, carbon monoxide levels can overtake the oxygen levels, which can cause people to pass out or even die if they are exposed to too much.
The Mr. Heater Big Buddy has a built-in oxygen depletion sensor, which automatically shuts off the pilot light if it senses that oxygen levels in the air are too low.
This can potentially save lives and is one reason this unit is the best gas-powered heater on the market.
Automatic Tip-Over Shut-Off
If your heater tips over while you’re sleeping, it can cause your entire tent to go up in flames. At the very least, it can burn a hole through the material and cause lasting damage.
Luckily, this unit automatically shuts off whenever it becomes unlevel or tips over, so you can sleep soundly in your tent every night.
Best Electric Heater: Vornado MVH Vortex Heater
Features:
- Three heat settings
- Advanced safety features
- Quiet operation level
- 5-year warranty
- Even heat circulation
Overview:
Although this unit is marketed for people in their bedrooms, it works even better in a tent. The Vornado MVH Vortex Heater is incredibly durable, can survive small drops, and won’t be damaged by bumping around during your travels.
Vornado has a reputation for building incredibly high-quality heating and cooling products; this model is no exception. A limited 5-year warranty even backs it.
Quiet Operation
Falling asleep in a sleeping bag is already hard enough, and having a loud heater in the room can make a difference to some people.
The MVH Vortex heater is whisper-quiet, and you won’t even be able to tell that it’s on. This means that you’ll be able to fall asleep faster than a baby in a cradle. Just don’t forget to turn it off!
Circulates The Heat
This Vornado heating unit has a built-in fan that helps to circulate the heat throughout the room evenly.
Most electric heaters only center the heat around a central point, meaning you must be positioned directly in front of the heater to stay warm.
The built-in fan will suck in the surrounding air and warm it up so that way the entire tent will stay warm and cozy.
5-Year Limited Warranty
Vornado has a reputation for great customer service and high-quality products. They are so confident in their products that they stand behind them with a full 5-year warranty.
That means if anything malfunctions or mysteriously stops working, Vornado will repair or replace your heater free of charge.
Great Safety Features
This heater has an automatic tip-over shut-off, meaning you can rest easy at night knowing that your heater won’t tip over and set your tent on fire while you’re sleeping. It also has an automatic shut-off that keeps the temperature steady at night.
Whenever the room temperature drops, it will cut on; whenever the room is warm, it will shut off, which can conserve electricity and keep you from getting too hot.
Best Large Tent Heater: Zodi Outback Gear X-40 Heater
Features:
- Easy to set up
- Complimentary storage bag
- Propane-fueled
- Heat output of 40,000 BTUs will heat almost any large tent
- Compact Size
- Starts with a small battery
- Durable, all-metal construction
Overview:
If you’re going camping with many people and have one huge tent or a network of combined tents, then the Zodi Outback X-40 is precisely what you need.
This unit is a monster, putting out 40,000 BTUs, which is enough to heat a small home. Research teams and military operations set up these types of heaters in the middle of the Arctic Circle.
Easy To Set Up
To set up your Zodi X-40, position it in a central location, hook it up to a standard 5-gallon propane tank and a 12-volt battery, and you’re ready to heat your entire tent.
Big Heat, Small Unit
Most competing units that produce 40,000 BTUs weigh over 100 pounds and are incredibly awkward to move around and transport.
This unit weighs just over 35 pounds, so it’s lightweight enough for anybody to pick up and move. It even comes with a complimentary storage bag to keep it safe and easily transport it from place to place.
Starts With A Small Battery
Unlike many gas heaters, which require plug-in power to operate the starter, the Zodi Outback X-40 only needs a small 12-volt battery to start. This means you can bring the heater anywhere, even in the middle of the Arctic Circle.
As long as you have a tank of propane and a battery to spark the pilot light, then you will have heat. One battery charge will give you around a hundred starts.
Built To Last
When an expedition party depends on a heater, you need a unit that will never malfunction. The Zodi X-40 is constructed entirely from stainless steel.
It is incredibly durable and will last you for years. It can handle drops, tip-overs, and even a few angry kicks. It will keep on working in even the harshest of environments.
Best Portable Tent Heater: Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane Heater
Features:
- Small and compact
- Cordless
- Great for solo hikers
- Puts out 3,000 BTUs
Overview:
Sometimes, you need something small and portable. The Texsport Heater weighs less than 2 pounds and can easily be stored in your backpack or camping bag. It’s great for solo hikers looking for a little extra warmth during the chilly nights.
Cordless
This tent heater is entirely cordless, and to start it, you just press the little red button, which causes a tiny chemical spark, which is enough to ignite the burner. Other gas tent heaters require you to hook them up to a battery or plug into an outlet to operate the starter.
Heat Output of 3,000 BTUs
Even though this is a pocket-sized heater, it can still put out enough heat to warm up most small tents. This makes it ideal for campers who have long hikes and aren’t able to haul around a heavier unit. This portable unit can provide the same heat as other bulkier competitors.
Alternatives
If these aren’t what you’re looking for, we’ve compiled a list of great alternatives. These are all high-quality tent heaters that will serve you well for a long time; let’s check them out!
Comfort Zone CZTT1 Single Tank Top Propane Heater
Features:
- Adjustable gas and heat output
- It can run for 28 hours at a time
- Simple and easy to use
- Connects to all 5-gallon propane tanks
Overview:
If you’re looking for simplicity, the Comfort Zone Single Tank Heater is perfect. Just screw it onto the top of any 5-gallon propane tank, press the start button, and you can warm up any small to medium-sized tent in minutes.
Adjustable Gas and Heat Output
This tent heater has a handy little adjustment knob which allows you to fine-tune the amount of fuel that is being burned.
That means you can choose between using a small trickle of gas to warm up your socks, or you can turn the knob to full throttle and warm up your entire tent in just a few minutes.
Connects To Any 5-gallon Propane Tank
The problem with many gas heaters is that they require you to visit special outdoor stores to purchase miniature 1-pound propane tanks.
These can often be hard to find and are commonly out of stock. Not to mention, they will only burn for a few hours at a time before they need to be replaced.
The Comfort Zone CZTT1 can attach to any standard 5-gallon propane tank. These are easy to find at your local grocery store or gas station. They’re also far more cost-effective and can burn continuously for longer.
Camco Olympian Wave Heater
Features:
- Adjustable temperature
- Doesn’t require electricity
- High-quality filter catches any residual gas
- Operates silently
- Built-in safety shut-off valve
Overview:
The Camco Olympian Wave has a truly unique heating method known as catalytic heating. It operates the same way that the sun does by directing heat waves towards a certain area and warming those objects.
It uses low-pressure gas like propane for fuel and is very lightweight and easy to transport.
No Electricity Needed
Many heaters require an electric connection to start. This Camco tent heater has a Piezo chemical starter suitable for 20,000 ignitions. That means that even if you started this unit every single day, it would still last you for almost 55 years.
High-quality Filtering
Many gas-powered heaters release dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide into the air, especially if you’re in a small tent. This heater has a state-of-the-art multi-layered filter that will catch and absorb any extra gas that escapes.
Silent
The Camco Olympian Wave is entirely silent. You won’t be able to hear a sound while it’s operating. This is because it uses cutting-edge catalytic heating.
It turns the heat generated from burning propane into direct heat waves. These heat waves automatically radiate from the metal grid and don’t require a noisy fan.
VCJ Portable Space Heater, 1500W/750W Electric Room Heater with Thermostat
Features:
- Electric heater
- Heat output of 5,000 BTUs
- Powerful fan
- Rigid housing
- Easy to transport
- Lightweight
Ultra-quiet
The quiet operation of a space heater means it won’t interrupt your peaceful slumber or productive day. It works wonderfully in a variety of settings.
Mechanism for Extreme Heat
The space heater turned off automatically when the temperature reached the danger point. Relax and unwind all night long in the comfort of a warm bed.
Temperature Control with Three Settings
The Blowing Angle is variable, so it can be used in a variety of situations. The room temperature can also be controlled to meet your needs.
Easy To Transport
The heater has a large, high-quality plastic handle on top, which makes it easy to pick up and carry by hand or to hook onto one of your backpack’s equipment loops. It also weighs just over 12 pounds, which means that you can carry it around for miles.
TMS Portable Wood Stove
Features:
- Great for cooking
- Will keep any large or extra-large tent warm all night long
- Built from heavy-duty rolled steel
- It comes with a complimentary carry bag
- Fold-out grate makes it easy to dry your clothes
Overview:
If you’re looking for a small, affordable wood stove and tent heater, then the TMS Portable Wood Stove is a perfect choice for you. It’s lightweight, easy to transport, and is multi-functional.
Warms Up Your Tent In Minutes
Once you start the wood fire, your tent will immediately begin to warming up. The built-in chimney will blow all of the smoke outside, and your tent will be filled with the smell of fresh wood.
It’s all-natural, and you don’t have to worry about harmful gases being released or about finding an electric outlet.
Complimentary Carry Bag
Unlike most stoves, this unit can be fully disassembled and fit into a medium-sized carry bag, making transportation easier. Just throw it over your shoulder, and you can take it to your campsite without asking for your buddy’s help.
Easy To Use Cooking Tubes
Most wood camping stoves have an oven slot, but the TMS has handy cooking tubes that are perfect if you’re trying to warm up cans of food, fresh vegetables, or a frozen Hot Pocket.
Warming Grates
The TMS stove has useful grates on top that you can set your socks, gloves, and other wet clothing on. Within minutes, the hot stove will warm and dry them, allowing you to go back into the cold.
Coleman SportCat PerfecTemp Catalytic Heater
Features:
- 1,500 BTU heat output
- Catalytic heating technology
- One cylinder runs for 14 hours
- Small and compact
- Eyelets for easy hanging
Overview:
Coleman has been making quality camping products for a long time. The Coleman SportCat lets you put catalytic heating technology in your pocket. It’s perfect for solo campers and people who need a bit of additional warmth in their tent at night.
Runs for 14-Hours
The catalytic heating unit attaches to a standard 1-pound handheld propane tank.
With traditional gas-powered heaters, this would last less than 8 hours, but thanks to the catalytic heating technology, you can get 14 hours of continuous use before you need to replace the tank.
Easy To Hang Up
The Coleman SportCat has two small eyelets that make it easy to hang inside your tent. You only need a small string or zip-ties, and you can safely secure it to just about anything. This saves valuable ground space, especially in a small tent.
Lightweight
Including the cylinder, this unit weighs less than 2 pounds, making it easy to fit in your hiking bag. If you have multiple people, then each person can bring their heater.
This is perfect for hikers who have to traverse steep inclines and hike a long way to their camping location, as it saves you from having to lug a bulky heater everywhere.
Summary
When considering a Tent Heater, there are several key factors to keep in mind to ensure safety, efficiency, and convenience. Firstly, safety precautions are paramount.
The heater must have adequate ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide buildup and to promote healthy air circulation.
It is also essential that the heater is positioned at a safe distance from flammable materials to prevent potential fire hazards. Additionally, a tent heater with a tip-over safety feature is highly recommended, as this immediately switches off the heater if it falls over, thereby reducing fire risks.
Regarding efficiency and portability, the ideal tent heater should be compact and lightweight for easy transport. Power output is another crucial aspect, typically measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units).
The higher the BTUs, the more heat the device can produce, making it more suitable for larger tents or harsher weather conditions.
Extra features can enhance the tent heater’s usability and performance. A built-in fan can help distribute heat evenly throughout the tent, while adjustable heat settings offer flexibility depending on your comfort level and weather conditions.
Lastly, power source compatibility is vital. Whether it’s electric hookups or gas fuel, ensure your tent heater is compatible with the power sources available at your camping location.
In conclusion, you can select the most appropriate tent heater for your needs by considering safety precautions, power output, extra features, and power source compatibility.
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