A safe tent heater can make a lot of difference between a chilly sleeping environment and an inviting space. The best heaters for tents will take the edge off on a winter’s evening without becoming too powerful and overbearing. Remember that in order for a tent heater to be fully safe, you must read the instruction manual. Without the proper knowledge , you won’t know how to make sure you’re operating it well.
The following products are all small, user-friendly electric safe devices that stand out for their safety rating. You can use them with peace of mind (if they’re set up correctly) on any winter camping trip.
For this article, fuel-burning devices and catalytic heaters were not considered for review, as most of these devices can be dangerous to use inside such a small place. They can be used in a safe manner, but this requires constant supervision, thus taking away the comfort of relaxing sleep.
Also, at the end of the day, keep in mind that you want to heat a space with walls made of fabric. The heat loss will be great if you don’t insulate your tent for winter
1. Opolar Electric Ceramic Camping Heater
With a maximum heating power of 5120 BTU’s, this can only work properly inside a small tent, not bigger than a 4 person tent. Its compact size can also make it fit such a small space as a 2 person tent. Anything larger would require much more BTU’s to heat the space.
This oscillating motion is best for smaller tents with more than one person as it means that the heat spreads out around the tent. However, this remains one of the most popular tent heaters on the market.
2. Honeywell 360 Degree Electric Tent Heater
This is an alternative solution that might work well in larger tents. The 360-degree heat can spread through the tent to keep everyone in each corner as warm as possible. It might not have the longevity for use at home but it can work for occasional camping trips.
The manufacturer only provides us the wattage (1500w), therefore we can imagine that it won’t produce more than 6000 BTU – which, as said for the previous product, only works well with small size tents.
3. AmazonBasics 500W Personal Heater for small tents
This option isn’t going to offer enough for every camper, especially those larger tents in the coldest months. However, this is a fun choice for couples that head out now and then and need to take the edge off the air temperature a bit.
The 500 watts heating power means that it can only be used inside very small tents.
So why is it included in this list? Well, it’s made by Amazon, which means it’s cheap and reliable, perfect for small adventures and casual use.
4. Wonnie 2019 Portable Fan Heater
There are three settings on this heater instead of two. There are high and low heat settings and the addition of a fan for cool air. This adds to the functionality for different applications across the year. The heater also has a small carry handle built into the back for portability and safety features for tipping and overheating. Furthermore, there is the promise of minimal noise for those quiet nights in the countryside.