A winter camping trip can provide some time alone and the opportunity to enjoy nature. Camping in the winter will be quieter than in the summer, so there will likely be fewer neighbors. You will enjoy your camping trip more if you select the right tent for each season, use a warm sleeping bag, layer strategically, and use a tent heater. The best tent heaters for winter camping that we have researched and chosen are listed below.
When planning a winter camping trip, consider the following considerations if you have never done it before. Discover what gear you’ll need when you check out our post on winter camping essentials. These winter camping tips and hacks will help you have a great time. Besides keeping you warm, these tips will make your winter camping trip more enjoyable.
Using a tent heater on extra cold nights is the most efficient way to stay warm.
1. Mr. Heater Indoor-Safe Portable Propane Radiant Heater
The Mr. Heater Portable Buddy tent heater is a good choice among tent heaters. In addition to being our top recommendation this year, it has also consistently ranked high in our rankings.
It has an impressive track record from Mr. Heater, which is a reputable company with a long history of creating high-quality products. The Portable Buddy has a classic time-tested design that makes it virtually indestructible. Along with my more recent Portable Buddy, I still have one that works perfectly from nearly 15 years ago.
Portable Buddy provides between 4,000 and 9,000 BTUs per hour and weighs just over 10 pounds, has an oxygen depletion sensor, and automatically shuts off in case of tip over. The device can be used with propane cylinders up to 1 pound, or a hose can be bought to connect it to five pound or twenty pound propane canisters.
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2. Honeywell HHF360V 360 Degree Surround Fan Forced Heater
While designed for campers who have limited equipment (tents, food, sleeping bags), the Honeywell 360-Degree Surround Heater is also a great choice for campers who are near RV connections at a campsite. With two different settings of heat and only one fan, this unit circulates air rather than pushing heat, which is ideal for warmer climates.
Easy transportation is made possible by the chassis’ sturdy base and carry handle. Aside from overheat protection, auto-start and auto-stop timers, and tip-over protection, Honeywell electric heaters are among the safest on the market. The heater rotates 360 degrees to distribute comforting heat, making it ideal for small gatherings.
3. Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy Indoor Safe Propane Heater
Mr. Heater’s Little Buddy tent heater finished runner-up. As a result, it is the best choice for budget-conscious consumers looking for a propane heater that can be used outdoors. Also, I love the fact that the Little Buddy is so lightweight. It is in fact even more suitable for using inside small tents than Portable Buddy due to its size.
The 3,800 BTUs of its smaller brother are enough to keep you warm while not being as powerful as its bigger brother. With Mr. Heater’s commitment to safety, the Little Buddy includes a depletion sensor to detect oxygen and a tip-over safety switch to prevent accidents.
One of the few negative aspects of tent heaters is their base. Using a small base, the heater mounts to the propane canister, and the top screws into the base. The heater is consequently relatively wobbly (which poses a safety risk in enclosed spaces) and does not hold a large propane cylinder. Propane tanks larger than 20 gallons will not be compatible with this unit. Mr. Heater Little Buddy is ideal for campers in milder climates.
4. Campy Gear Chubby 2 in 1 Portable Propane Heater & Stove
After just reviewing the Campy Gear Chubby 2-in-1 Propane Heater and Stove, we are very excited about it. It’s an innovative portable heater with a cooking platform that changes the way you think about portable heaters.
Preppers and survivalists will therefore find this Campy Gear heater to be a great choice. This stove can also be used for cooking along with being an excellent emergency heater. There is 9,000 BTUs of heat generated by the propane-powered heater. The compact design of this product makes it convenient for taking on camping excursions and for using inside tents.
Moreover, we also love the cute design, as well as the impressive performance and durability of this heater. Style is hard to beat when it comes to camping gear, and this tent heater is definitely a good example.
5. Texsport Sportsmate Portable Propane Heater
With its compact design and exceptional performance, the Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane Heater is a fantastic portable outdoor propane heater. It is not possible to use camping heaters inside tents – they are only designed for use outdoors.
Despite the fact that it isn’t the best option, it’s still a good way to stay warm around a campsite. Mr. Heater Portable Buddy Heater performs almost as well in cold weather as in warm weather. This service not only offers affordability, but also convenience.
Texsport’s simplicity is complemented by its straightforward design. The device is extremely functional because it attaches to a propane canister through a stable base. An element of heat is then attached to the device’s top. Providing 3000 BTUs of heat, this outdoor heater is energy efficient. You can direct heat using aluminum reflector plates.
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6. Comfort Zone Electric Fan-Forced Electric Heater
A sleek metal case and compact design make the Comfort Zone Personal Heater the perfect companion for a comfortable outdoor experience. There are a lot of additional features on this device that can help you end cold nights for good. It’s the perfect solution for cold nights, thanks to its compact design and reasonable price.
In addition to the high limit safety fuse and power indicator light, this unit has a power indicator light for your safety. You can keep a comfortable body temperature in the wilderness with the help of a personal heater.
When you have to block out the annoying whizzing noise most electric heaters make, getting a good night’s sleep may be a challenge. The Comfort Zone noise-free bathroom can make your time in the bathroom virtually noiseless.
7. SEEYANG 2-in-1 Camping Portable LP Gas Heater
A completely different “look” than the previous two heaters, the SEEYANG tent propane heater looks more like a lantern for a camping ambiance. Available in two different colors, this heater puts out 13,000 BTUs and provides 360-degree radiant heating. It comes with a 5-foot rubber hose to attach to a 20-pound propane tank.
Unlike other tent heaters, this option allows for cooking and warmth. The 2-in-1 design means you don’t have to take a camp stove and a portable heater. The top plate allows you to cook a pot of soup, and the switch makes it easy to go from cooking to heating.
8. Campy Gear Little Guy 2 in 1 Portable Propane Heater & Stove
A smaller version of the Campy Gear Chubby, the Campy Gear Little Guy 2-in-1 Heater & Stove comes with a built-in thermometer. Like the Chubby from Campy Gear, this practical heater generates heat 360 degrees around and has 9,000 BTU output.
In addition to being very light, this compact heater weighs less than 1.6 pounds, making it only half a pound lighter than the Chubby. With the heater stove, you can run it on butane, butane isobutane, and propane, making it a very versatile appliance.
9. Mr. Heater MH9BX Portable Buddy Indoor-Safe Radiant Propane Heater
The Mr. Heater 4K/9K BTU Portable Radiant Tent Heater offers tremendous power and an attractive price, along with dual sensors for safety and security. To protect you and your family from harm, it will automatically shut off if it falls, or if its oxygen quality drops below a reasonable level.
A Mr. Heater 4K/9K BTU outdoor heater is all the heating you’ll need for 225 square feet all night long. A hose connects the hose to the propane tank. When you reach over 7,000 feet above sea level, this system will shut down pretty easily. Sensors that detect oxygen depletion are more likely to detect it when the air is thinner.
However, regardless of these shortcomings, this heater provides excellent warmth and won’t consume too much fuel. One of my close friends has been using it in their camper without issue for years. Aside from minimizing costs, this space heater makes efficient use of propane.
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FAQ’s
Is there an alternative to camping heaters?
There are some alternative methods of keeping warm on a camping trip besides buying a powerful electric camping heater:
- This cheap and simple bottle can significantly improve the quality of your sleep. Personal heaters can be made from a flask filled with warm water, and a thermos filled with boiling water.
- If possible, always use an electric blanket to heat chairs and beds; when it is time to go to sleep, either remove the blanket and switch it off or unplug it.
Can you tell me why I need a camping heater?
The last thing you want during your camping trip is to not be able to sleep due to the cold. In addition to wearing multiple thin layers of clothing and sleeping on a well-designed camping mat, you may want to consider adding a well-designed camping heater.
What are the best ways to heat a tent in cold weather?
Tent safety is a concern with camping heaters, since they tend not to be tent-compatible, so it’s important to read the instructions before using your camping heater.
Wood-burning stoves with flues should not be used inside tents with stove openings, unless the tent and heater are designed to work together properly. The combustion of fuel can produce invisible carbon monoxide, which can cause a fire. When using tent heaters at night, you should follow our advice on using electricity safely on the campsite.
Are tent heaters okay to keep on all night?
A tent heater can be used indoors safely, but you should never leave it running continuously all night. You should not sleep with your heater on during the heating season. The items you need for keeping warm during the night include sleeping pads, cold-weather sleeping bags, synthetic clothes, and others. As well as being great additions to your camping gear, these are great additions to your camping experience all year round.
