Winter camping can be quite enjoyable, but it's not enjoyable if your toes are frozen, and you're so desperately trying to keep them that way that you can actually drop into a deep freeze. The capability to keep your body at a comfortable temperature is an incredibly important part of winter camping. One of the easy-to-implement ways to improve your level of comfort while you camp is to hook up a firewood-burning stove or heater.
Don’t choose the heater out strictly based on price. The old saying, “you get what you pay for” is true--but there is a wide range of prices and it can end up costing you a lot more money than you actually need to spend.
Best Heaters for Tent Camping
Budget: Comfort Zone CZ707, Stansport Portable Outdoor Infrared Propane
Small Heaters: Honeywell HHF360V, Mr. Heater Little Buddy, Vornado Velocity 3R
Large Heaters: Mr. Heater Portable Buddy, Mr. Heater MH12B Hunting Buddy, Campy Gear 2 in 1 Portable Propane Heater & Stove
The Mr. Heater Portable Buddy is our best tent heater because to its enormous heat output, amazing features, and pricing.
The Portable Buddy is ideal for campers, deck owners, and RV users who need to stay warm at night. One-click piezo sparking and an adjustable heat knob produce 4000-to-9000 BTUs. Most campsites should have enough heat for 3 to 6 hours.
The oxygen depletion sensor shuts down if it detects rising carbon monoxide levels, and unintentional tipping over safety measures prevent your tent from catching fire if it falls over.
How to Choose the Right Tent Heater for Camping
It can be relaxing and rewarding to sleep in the great outdoors. However, with that said, it can get pretty chilly when you're outside late at night, even during the year's warmer months. That's why it's crucial to choose the best tent heater for camping. These are a few things to consider when shopping for your tent heater.
What Is Your Budget?
You can find heaters at several price points. Because of this, thinking about what you're comfortable spending can be helpful before you start seriously shopping. Having a clear budget in mind means that you can use price filters. You'll be able to focus on the options that are affordable for you.
With that said, you may not want to focus on buying the cheapest heater available. Instead, you'll want to look at what you'll get for your money. If your budget is too limited, you may have a subpar heater.
When setting your budget, you shouldn't just focus on saving money. Instead, make sure you buy a high-quality heater that will deliver great value.
How Much Space Do You Have?
You'll want to ensure you have enough room for the heater you choose. If you pick a heater on the larger side, you may not have a lot of room left over in your tent. That's why you'll want to consider the size of your tent when shopping for a heater.
If you're buying a heater online, it's essential to look at the product dimensions to see the size of the heater you're buying. You can't guess the size of the heater based on how large it looks in images. You'll want to see exactly how large the heater is and compare that against the size of your tent.
While you'll want to avoid buying a heater that's too large, you should also stay away from too small heaters. If your tent is on the larger side, you'll need to buy a bigger heater if you want to heat your entire tent. Take the time to find a heater for a tent that's the right size for you.
What Do the Reviews Say?
If you're eager to head out on your next camping trip, you might want to buy a heater as soon as possible. However, if you take your time and think over your purchase carefully, you'll wind up purchasing a product that you're a lot happier with.
The best way to learn more about your options is to take a closer look at reviews. You should check out various reviews and see what people have been saying about different heaters. If you see that a specific heater has been getting a lot of rave reviews, you'll want to check that heater out and see if it might work for you.
It would help if you also were wary of a heater that's received mixed feedback. If other customers are having issues with a heater, there's a good chance that you could encounter the same problems. So if you show a little bit of caution when shopping for a heater, you'll be able to avoid making a purchase you regret.
How Portable Is the Heater?
You're likely going to be carrying your camping heater around with you. Because of this, you'll want to avoid anything on the heavy side. It would help if you thought about the portability of any heater you're interested in buying.
If a heater doesn't seem very portable, it might not be a smart purchase. When looking at the size of a heater, it's wise to look at its weight as well. Stay away from any heaters that will be difficult for you to lug around.
You may want to look for a heater that you'll easily be able to load into your backpack. If you buy a heater like this, you'll be able to bring it on your camping trips without any issues. Portability will have a significant impact on the experience you have with a heater, which is why you should try to find something that's highly portable.
Does the Heater Come With a Warranty?
You'll want to make sure you'll be able to use and enjoy the heater that you've chosen for many years. Because of this, it's a good idea to look for a heater under warranty. You can benefit from the protection that a warranty provides.
Of course, you won't just want to check to see whether or not a heater comes with a warranty. You'll also want to see how long the warranty lasts and how much coverage it provides. If you take a closer look at warranties, you'll quickly notice that some warranties are much better than others.
If you take the time to find a high-quality heater, there's a good chance that you'll never have to use the warranty. With that said, knowing that your heater is under warranty can give you some peace of mind. So check the warranty ahead of time to see if your heater will be protected.
Does the Heater Have Useful Safety Features?
It's important to stay safe when you're camping. While a tent heater can be an excellent heat source, there are risks associated with using any sort of space heater. As an example, a heater can be a fire hazard. That's why it's wise to search for a heater with the right safety features.
When you're evaluating a heater, you should look closely at the features that it offers. Pay especially close attention to safety features. If the heater tips over, will it automatically shut off? Does the heater have a built-in timer?
Most modern heaters come equipped with safety features, which means it shouldn't be too difficult for you to find a heater that offers the kinds of features you're looking for. However, if you find a heater lacking essential features, you'll want to cross that heater off your list and look at some of your other options.
Do You Know What Type of Heater You Want?
You'll find that you have a range of options when you're shopping for a tent heater. Gas heaters, electric heaters, radiant heaters, and several other options exist. Every type of tent heater has its advantages and disadvantages.
It's a good idea to think about what you're looking for so that you can find a heater you'll be happy with. If you don't know much about the different types of heaters on the market, it's a good idea to educate yourself.
If you know what you're looking for, you'll be able to search for the best heater in that particular category. Whether you decide you want a propane or an electric heater, you'll want to make sure that your heater does everything you need it to do.
Is the Heater Noisy?
You'll want to ensure you get a good night's rest when you're sleeping in your tent. For example, choosing a heater that makes a lot of noise could keep you up all night.
Try to find out how loud a heater is before you buy it. Even if you're a heavy sleeper, you may have issues with a noisy heater.
Most reviewers will mention how loud or quiet a heater is ahead of time. You may also be able to watch video footage of heaters in use so that you can heat them for yourself.
Are You Buying Your Heater From a Dependable Vendor?
You'll want to make sure you choose the best available heater, but you'll also want to make sure you purchase that heater from a vendor you can trust. You should look for a vendor with a large selection, a positive reputation, fair prices, and plenty of information about the products they sell.
If you've had positive experiences with a vendor that sells camping equipment in the past, you may want to take a closer look at the heaters that they have available. If you're unsure where to shop, ask people where they purchased their tent heaters. You should find plenty of people that can give you recommendations.
If you work with the right vendor, it will be much easier for you to purchase your new heater. You'll be able to avoid potential headaches and get the heater you want on time.
If you choose the right tent heater for camping, you'll have a much better experience on your camping trips. Of course, it would help if you didn't have to shiver at night in your tent. If you pick the right heater, you'll stay warm all night.
Other Ways to Heat a Tent
Getting a good camping heater is a great way to stay warm while camping, but there are other ways to keep the cold out, such as:
Bottles of hot water
These cheap and straightforward bottles can distinguish between a good night's sleep and a bad one. When you add a flask to keep some warm water in case you get cold, you have a personal heater.
A rechargeable heat pod
The rechargeable heat pod is like a hot water bottle that keeps you warm for a long time. It is safer and more convenient than a hot water bottle, though. This pod can be charged in just 5 minutes and doesn't need hot water, so there's no chance of leaks or getting burned.
A plug-in blanket
You can use it to warm up a chair or a bed. Then, when it's time for bed, you can either move it to another bed or turn it off and unplug it. You'll be surprised at how warm you get.
Patio heater
Patio heaters can be hung up safely as long as there is enough space between the heater and the tent material. They can quickly warm a large tent and give off a lovely light.
