The Best Tent Heater To Fulfill Your Camping Needs

The Best Tent Heater To Fulfill Your Camping Needs

Tent heaters have become an essential tool for campers spending time overnight in their camping sites especially during the winter. It provides the necessary warmth that is sure to make winter camping comfortable and exciting.

Tent heaters vary in quality and so in price. Without a doubt, the best tent heater go for high prices while those of considerably lower quality go for lower prices. Here, you will find the best tent heater, considering many things.

Let's have a look the list that has provided the best tent heaters in categories, from highest of classes to the niche tent heaters. This list has been professionally crafted, from the reviews gathered from passionate campers worldwide. 

These have been experimented to be the best available and acquisition of such brings forth the desired experience in tent warming. Winter camping is therefore just as enjoyable as when the grass is greener. 

Which Is The Best Tent Heater For Your Needs? Editor’s Picks

Now let me show you top 4 best heaters for your trip with editor rating.

RANK

PRODUCT / FEATURE

THERMAL OUTPUT

EDITOR RATING

1

The favorite heater of them all

4000-18000 BTU

9.5

2

Perfect choice for heating indoors or in a tent

4000-9000 BTU

9

3

Low price but high effective

N / A

8.5

4

Ideal for everyday heating & when the power goes out

30000 BTU

9.5

1 # Top Pick - Mr. Heater MH18B

Editor Rating:   9.5 / 10 

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Via Amazon.com

Mr. Heater MH18B is my favorite heater of them all. Mr. Heater is relatively light, its weight is just 11 pounds, making it suitable for travel.

The heater also has non-adjustable legs that are made of rubber, making it very stable.

The heater has a powerful fan that spreads heat favorable across tents.

Mr. Heater MH18B is also suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

I like that the heater is free of smoke when burning, and provides an nearly 100-percent efficiency and can heat up to 18,000 BTU/HR for 300 sq. ft., an impressive range.

One fantastic feature that you will love the heater shuts off whenever it falls or when the oxygen levels go down. Campers can control temperatures easily by the control knob.

However, this heater is restricted to a certain altitude (7,000 FT above sea level) above which it is bound to shut off by itself. It is thus advisable that this heater is used below that altitude.

PROS

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    Nearly 100-percent efficiency, can heat up to 18,000 BTU/HR for 300 sq. feet. 
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    Lightweight & Portable
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    Powerful fan that spreads heat favorably
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    Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use
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    Automatic shutdown when the heater falls or oxygen levels go down
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    Control knob allow to change heat levels to steady temperatures

CONS

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    You may realize gas smell if you are in a small area 

Editor Rating:   9 / 10 

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Via Amazon.com

If by any chance you find that Mr. Heater MH18B does not satisfy your needs, then Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy can be a perfect alternative.

It is a very good choice if you are finding a heater for enclosed spaces like large tents. This 9.5-pound heater is accompanied by a 1 lb. cylinder which serves well in heating and I am impressed by its ability to burn a wide perimeter (up to 225 sq. ft.)

Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy is suitable for campers going to small humid areas. The heater has a fold down handle for campers which makes sure the heater retains minimal footprint while giving it maximum output.

Interestingly, with a hose and filter, users can utilize the swivel regulator to effectively switch to a remote gas supply from a disposable cylinder.

However, this heater is not able to operate over 7000 ft. above sea level and goes off when it detects low oxygen levels or falls. This feature will impress you as it is a safety precaution to prevent further damage to the heater.

Apart from tents, Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy is also suitable for heating small conference rooms and workshops.

PROS

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    Nearly 100-percent efficiency, can heat up to 18,000 BTU/HR for 300 sq. feet.
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    Portable
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    Safety turn-off when the heater falls and when low on oxygen
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    4 position control knobs for heat setting
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    Comes with Spark igniter
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    Maintenance of compact storage by fold down handle

CONS

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    It is not an ideal choice for using outdoors

3 # Budget Pick - Lasko CD09250 Ceramic Heater

Editor Rating:   8.5 / 10 

Lasko CD09250 Ceramic Heater is sure to impress campers who are low on cash. This heater has very many impressive features even though it comes out relatively cheap.

Lasko CD09250 Ceramic Heater is very portable, it is very lightweight, just 3.5 pounds.

I find this tent heater suitable for enclosed places of a limited perimeter effectively and stands out as one of the most used tent heaters by campers. It is mostly used for an emergency heater as it becomes of handy in most emergency cases.

Safety standards are kept too by the availability of a safety shut off which takes effect when there is a significant pressure change.

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Via Amazon.com

With automatic shut-off if it overheats, I feel safe when heating my tent at night.

Lasko CD09250 Ceramic Heater is a small heater but strong power that can adapt our expectation with good price. This is one of my favorite heaters. 

PROS

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    Low price but highly efficient
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    Environmental friendly
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    Automatic overheat protection for safety, and cool-touch exterior 
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    Efficient in tent heating
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    Adjustable thermostat easily by selecting from 3 quiet settings-high heat, low heat, or fan only

CONS

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    Does not have any mounting holes to hang on a high location
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    Not perfect for large tents

4 # Upgrade Pick - Dyna-Glo IR30PMDG-1

Editor Rating:   9.5 / 10 

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Via Amazon.com

When money is no major option, you’re going to want the very best when it comes to your heater. With that in mind, look no further than the Dyna-Glo IR30PMDG-1.

The heater has been built by the latest infrared technology; you will, therefore, appreciate how efficiently it heats up a tent. I really impressed with its efficiency, up to 30,000 BTU/hour.

What cuts it out for me with this tent is that it does not require electricity to operate yet burn with the same intensity as those using electricity.

With this advantageous feature, Dyna-Glo IR30PMDG-1 becomes an excellent selection for heating when camping far in the woods where there is no electricity.

This tent heater is therefore environmentally friendly as it runs on propane which emits harmless heat.

Dyna-Glo IR30PMDG-1 can heat up a considerably larger perimeter (1000 sq. ft.) economically and is also suitable for emergency heating of homes, garages, and cabins.

PROS

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    Highly efficient, can heat up to 30,000 BTU/hour  
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    Very easy to set up
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    Built-in oxygen depletion sensor
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    Heat up a large perimeter, up to 1,000 sq. Ft  
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    Very safe, it doesn't require electricity to operate 
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    Easy for your desired temperature safe manually

CONS

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    Doesn't have a thermostat
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    It is not a lightweight heater (25 pounds)

Other Products You May Love

RANK

PRODUCT / FEATURE

EDITOR RATING

5

Best Indoor Tent Heater

7.5

6

Ideal For Open Heat Areas Such As Workshops, Tent, Basements & Garages

7

7

Very Lightweight, Just 2 Pounds Heater With Auto-Shut Off Feature

8

8

Ideal Cooking Stove For Campers & Warm Up Your Tent Too

8

9

Ideal For Camping Emergency Situations

8

10

A Perfect Choice For Open Camping

7.5

5 # Best Indoor Tent Heater - Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy

Editor Rating:   7.5 / 10 

Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy is an indoor safe propane heater suitable for spaces of up to 95 sq. ft.

The heater is very simple for campers, with an on and off system that makes it easy for you to use.

Just as other preceding tent heaters, Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy has safety features to prevent further damages to it in case of emergencies when you are camping.

Such is the availability of switches that turn off when the heater tips off or when low oxygen level is detected.

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Via Amazon.com

The heater can serve you for at most five and a half hours, spreading heat free of odor at all times. It can also be used in many of your other setups such as cabins, garages, and porches.

Finally, Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy has a 3,800BTU/hr heat setting that allows you to control your comfort level.

PROS

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    Auto shut off when the heater tips off
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    Long lasting charge
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    Lightweight (5 pounds) and easy for carrying in your camping trip
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    Swift usability
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    Suitable for many enclosed set ups

CONS

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    Not suitable for higher altitude
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    No attach point to hang this heater

Editor Rating:   7 / 10 

Patton PUH680-N-U Milkhouse Utility Heater is ideal for open heat areas such as workshops, tent, basements, and garages. You will fall in love with its outstanding design and its rugged steel housing.

I like how you can regulate heat regulation from one area to another, with its comfort control thermostat.

Patton house utility heater is ideal for areas where there is a need for constant airflow and ventilation. Such are the setups aforementioned.

The knobs are easy to control, allowing the user to maintain the required heat level in all instances.

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Via Amazon.com

You will not have to worry about the heater breaking if it falls, the Patton Milkhouse Utility Heater has front guards to protect it in case it falls. The heater may thus fall on hard surfaces yet still be intact.

What attracts me to this heater, however, is that it can go off automatically in case it tips over, proving very safe indeed. Campers will also love how the heater is portable and safe when carrying, all possible because of its handles.

PROS

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    3 options (1 - 3 packs for choosing)
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    Easy to adjust temperature manually
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    Automatic thermostat
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    Front guards protect the heater in case of accidental tip over
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    Suitable for open environments of considerable perimeters

CONS

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    Steel housing makes it heavy
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    Has a high heating capacity which can be dangerous

Editor Rating:   7.5 / 10 

If you want to feel instant heat immediately you walk into your tent from the cold; then the Comfort Zone CZ460BK Motion Sensor Ceramic Heater is the heater you deserve.


The Comfort Zone CZ460BK Motion Sensor Ceramic Heater is one of the most technologically advanced heaters of the 21st century, with a motion sensor that goes on and off when you walk in and out of the setting.

The Comfort Zone CZ460BK heater provides utmost satisfaction in heating.

What more could you ask for in comfort?

You can also operate The Comfort Zone CZ460BK with or without the sensor.

The heater uses little power and is thus less likely to cause you power disruptions when in use; it has a minimal hi/low wattage.

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Via Amazon.com

You have to appreciate its motion sensor feature, which enables the heater to turn off after 30 minutes when it detects no movement around. It comes on immediately on at the slightest detection of motion.

Faultiness in the motion feature is not frequently reported, and it has been discovered that faultiness comes when you allow the heater to fall one too many times, and not because of manufacturer’s faults.

Should the heater not detect motion for two hours, it permanently shuts off. The heater is made of a cool housing and can detect overheating and thus turn off at its onset. You will love how light it is, just 2 pounds.

PROS

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    Sensors detect motion
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    Able to operate with or without motion sensors
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    Utilizes less power
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    Automatically turns off heating after 30 minutes of no motion detection
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    Lightweight

CONS

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    Sensor may get damaged when tipped off
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    Some campers may not like that it permanently turns off after 2 hours of inactivity

8 # Best Multi-function Heater - TMS Portable Military Camping Wood Stove

Editor Rating:   8 / 10 

TMS Portable Military Camping Wood Stove is an ideal cooking stove for campers. Its ability to heat your food sufficiently is incredibly fantastic.

Apart from that, you will be able to heat places around you just like a regular tent heater.

For campers pitching up a tent around the lake, this is a perfect fit. Cooking has never been better with TMS Portable Military Camping Wood Stove.

I find this kitchen stove is safer than having an open fire. The TMS Portable Military Camping Wood Stove has great folds that provide a flat heating surface.

This heater is portable and durable. Also, the heater has rear air regulators, and you can access its bottom easily when cleaning. 

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Via Amazon.com

Among the tools that accompany the stove is a stove pipe. It has a heavy steel construction, and you can use its top grate when the stove is not in use.

The stove has extension legs for improved stability. However, when indoors, you must install and ventilate the stove correctly.

PROS

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    Excellent cooking stove
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    Safer than open fires
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    Dual sized cooking pipes
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    Air regulators ensure proper aeration
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    Stable

CONS

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    Requires extra care when indoors

9 # Best Emergency Camping Emergency Butane Heater

Editor Rating:   8 / 10 

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Via Amazon.com

Camping Emergency Butane Heater is sure to impress campers who are low on cash, and for impromptu camping trips especially in the middle of the month. This heater has very many impressive features even though it comes out relatively cheap.

Camping emergency butane heater is very portable, and people with lots of kids can benefit greatly from it. It is designed with a cartridge compartment that only adds up to its portability.

I find this tent heater suitable for enclosed places of a limited perimeter effectively and stands out as one of the most used tent heaters by campers. It is mostly used for an emergency heater as it becomes of handy in most emergency cases.

I love that the heater uses propane, and is a double coherent source. This utility ensures the heat emitted is free of any toxic substances. It is favorably excellent in gas consumption with an intake of 100gm/hr.

Its weight certainly helps a lot (5.4 pounds) - this is very light and makes the heater portable. This kind of tent heater can be carried on back packs in the same regard.

The tent heater comes with a ceramic burner which is one of the best stoves in the world and most importantly to you as a camper;

Safety standards are kept too by the availability of a safety shut off which takes effect when there is a significant pressure change.

PROS

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    Low price but highly efficient
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    Suitable for emergency heating
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    Environmental friendly
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    Favorable gas intake
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    Safety shut off
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    Efficient in tent heating

CONS

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    Not suitable for high altitudes
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    Risky to little kids if left unattended

10 # Best Open Area Heater - Broan-NuTone 6201 Big Heat Heater

Editor Rating:   7.5 / 10 


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Via Amazon.com

The 32-pound Broan-NuTone 6201 Big Heat Heater is highly durable, with rugged steel and durable finish and I recommend it if you want to spend some time in the open, small tents and workshops preferably.

The heater comes with a safety shut off feature that goes off instantly when you accidentally tip-off the heater, preventing further damage. You, therefore, don’t have to worry too much when the heater falls accidentally.

In case of overheating, the overheat protection shuts off the heater, and the caution light instantly signals you of the excess heat. This feature contributes to its durability.

Additionally, with the fan-only option, you can operate the fan to cool the area, disabling its heating capabilities.

For you to get the required temperature at the setups, the heater possesses a thermostat control. Its handle is also well designed for you to provide balance holding, and its surface is protected by the bumpers placed.

Adding also to its durability is the stainless steel material that makes it, and therefore you do not have to worry about rust.

PROS

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    Highly durable
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    Safety shut-off prevents further damage during accidental tip-offs
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    Overheat protection that protects against overheating
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    Caution lights alert when the heaters cooling condition is critical

CONS

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    Suitable for open camping only

What Should We Consider When Choosing A Tent Heater?

1 / Size

You cannot always carry all of your stuff while going on a hike. Lots of luggage, in any case, will make you tire quickly and in the long run slow you down.

You should always, therefore, consider the size of the heater before you set out on a hike. With big heaters you will always be taking multiple breaks to take a breather, small heaters however just offer the opposite experience.

2 / Weight

Just as the size dictates, heavy heaters will slow you down. I prefer light heaters when I go out on a hike. Heavy heaters will always just slow you down.

3 / Fuel

Different types of heaters consume various types of fuel. Try being economical by choosing what is easily available and goes for lower prices.

4 / Efficiency

When you buy a heater, you expect that it will serve its purpose adequately and with great enjoyment.

Heaters have different levels of efficiency; it is therefore only prudent that you go for what will work best to keep you and your family warm in the cold winter.



How To Heat Tents Without Electricity

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Heaters are known to use a high voltage and may at times cause power disruptions. Campers have found heaters which do not use electricity as a perfect replacement for this defect showed by electric heaters.

These heaters provided just the required amount of heat for campers. Though mostly used in emergencies or when there is no electricity in the camping areas, non-electric tent heaters are also convenient when used in place of electric heaters as the utilities are the same.

There are many ways of heating up a tent without electricity. Use of non-electric tent heaters stands out as the best way to do so.

Among the ways of heating a tent without electricity are;

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    Hot Water Bottle
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    Heating rocks
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    Mylar Thermal Blanket
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    Catalytic Heaters
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    Sleeping pads

The Bottom Line

Mr. Heater MH18B clearly crosses the finish line first.This heater as I have mentioned is light and easy to pack therefore making it suitable for travel. The heater is also durable than the other heaters and it is also very stable.

I also found a good video to check out when finding good tips for clean my heater. It is the following video from Mr. Heater chanel on YouTube.

Camping without tent heaters is not a common doing among campers. One must at all times be accompanied by heaters when camping especially in cold or humid areas. These tools of the trade are very essential.

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The list crafted guides through the purchase of the best tent heaters. This list is designed by the best for the best. Did you find it exciting and educative? 

Please leave your comment and share with friends and family looking to get the best heaters for the best camping experience.