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10 Best Safe Tent Heater For Camping In 2022 [Reviews And Guide]

Camping and hiking is an outdoor activity, and most of us love doing that. However, sometimes it becomes difficult during the cold seasons. You may have the best 4-season camping tents, woolen socks, extra thick jackets, and beanies, but the cold, unforgiving air will still hinder your fun.

The best solution to your predicament is getting yourself a nice, safe to use tent heater. If you are in a dilemma of which heater is more ideal for you, we got you covered. This article will guide you on the best 10 safe tent heater for camping currently on the market and also a few tips on what to look for before purchasing your next tent heater.

For those who wish to skip straight to the final verdict, here is a quick recap on our top choices.

best value

  • Easy and simple to use
  • Heats up to 15 ft. radius
  • Last up to 48 hours (9,000 BTU) and 28 hours (15,000 BTU) on a 20 lbs tank
  • hi-efficiency steel heat reflector

Popular

  • Economical, can last up to 5.5 hours
  • 3800 BTU/hour
  • Portable - can fit into hiking bag
  • Heats up area for up to 95 square-feet

10 Best Safe Tent Heaters for Camping [Table Of Comparison]

We have designed a comparison table below for your easy reference. However, it is important to note that the positions are in no particular order of importance. 

ProductFeaturesOur Rating


Mr. Heater Buddy MH9BX Propane Radiant Heater
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BTU/hr: 4000/9000

Heating Area: 225 sq-ft

Fuel Type: Propane

Run Time : 3 - 6 hours

Weight: 10.6 lbs

Dimension (inches): 14.25 x 9 x 15
4.8/5.0

Price: $$$

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Mr. Heater MH4B Little Buddy
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BTU/hr: 3800

Heating Area: 95 sq-ft

Fuel Type: Propane

Run Time : 5.5 hours

Weight: 5.85 lbs

Dimension (inches): 12 x 9.75
4.6/5.0

Price: $$

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Emergency Butane Heater Coherent Heater
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BTU/hr: 600

Fuel Type: Butane

Consumption : 100mg/hour

Weight: 5.4 lbs
4.2/5.0

Price: $$

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Texsport Portable Propane Tent Heater
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BTU/hr: 2890

Fuel Type: Propane

Run Time : 4 - 6 hours / 1 lbs fuel cylinder

Weight: 1 lbs
4.4/5.0

Price: $

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Coleman SportCat PerfecTemp Catalytic Heater
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BTU/hr: 1500

Fuel Type: Propane

Run Time : 14 hours / 16.4 oz propane

Weight: 2.5 lbs

Dimension (inches): 7.5 x 6.25 x 6.25
4.2/5.0

Price: $$$$

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Lasko 754200 Ceramic Portable Space Heater
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Wattage: 1500 Watt

Power: Electric

Weight: 3.5 lbs

Dimension (inches): 14 x 7.6 x 10.1
4.0/5.0

Price: $

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Dyna-Glo TT15CDGP Liquid Propane Tank Top Heater
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BTU/hr: 9000-15000

Heating Area: 225 ft radius

Fuel Type: Propane

Run Time : 28-48 hours

Settings: 3 levels

Weight: 2.42 lbs

Dimension (inches): 7.1 x 8.3 x 12
4.4/5.0

Price: $

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Camco Olympian Wave-3 Catalytic Safety Heater
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BTU/hr: 1600-3000

Heating Area: 130 sq-ft

Weight: 6.9 lbs

Dimension (inches): 14.5 x 11.75 x 4.88

4.3/5.0

Price: $$$$$

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AmazonBasics 1500 Watt Ceramic Space Heater
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Wattage: 1500W

Setting: 3 adjustable output

Weight: 2.86 lbs

Dimension (inches): 7.5 x 5.9 x 9.4

4.6/5.0

Price: $

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Honeywell HHF360V
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Wattage: 1500W

Heating Area: 360° surround

Setting : 2 adjustable output

Weight: 3 lbs

Dimension (inches): 8 x 8 x 11.5
4.5/5.0

Price: $

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Tent Heaters For Camping reviewed [Top 10]

1. Mr. Heater Buddy MH9BX Propane Radiant Heater

Safe tent heater for camping

This is the best tent heater for small and enclosed spaces and comes with a variety of world-class features, making it our top choice. This 4,000-9,000 BTU portable propane heater is not only best for camping tents and RVs but can also be used for barns, workshops, picnics, emergency heat, tailgate parties, etc.

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2. Mr. Heater MH4B Little Buddy - Best Portable Heater for Camping  

This camping heater is another product from Mr. Heater that boasts of undefeated features. It has almost all the good features from the 1st tent heater reviewed above, only a bit more light and more portable.

You can easily fit this in your hiking bag or even carry it separately, as it is very lightweight- weighs 5 lbs. and a little over 6 lbs., when connected to an external cylinder. It is the best tent heater for heating small spaces of up to 95 sq. Ft.

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3. Emergency Butane Heater Coherent Heat Source  

The Tooluze Butane Heater is slightly different from other conventional heaters available in the market. As opposed to the use of Propane, it uses Butane as a source of its power. With a maximum output of 600 BTU, the heater burns 100mg of Butane in an hour.

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4. Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane Heater   

This is yet another light and portable propane heater. With a weight of just 1 lb., one can easily place it in their carry bags and freely move with it. This tent heater is made from metals for durability.

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5. Coleman SportCat PerfecTemp Catalytic Heater    

The Coleman SportCat PerfecTemp Catalytic Heater is one of the best portable outdoor heaters, perfectly designed for tents and RVs. Weighing only 2.5 pounds, it can be easily carried around without any constraints. 

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6. Lasko 754200 Ceramic Portable Space Heater    

The Lasko 754200 Ceramic Portable Space heater is the ultimate definition of killing two birds with one stone. It can be used as a very efficient space heater during winter and also as a fan during the hot summers just by turning off the heater.

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7. Dyna-Glo TT15CDGP 

If you are looking for more heat during a cold and freezing winter camping season, check out this Dyna-Glo model. This propane heater is designed to not just heat the air but also to target objects and people mainly.

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8. Camco Olympian Wave-3 Catalytic Safety Heater 

The Camco Olympian Wave – 3 is a very efficient heating source. The absence of a fan or blower is convenient for those who prefer it quiet without any noise.

It can be mounted on a wall or surface, thanks to its small compact size. The heater is powered by low-pressure liquid petroleum gas to emit between 1,600 BTUs to 3,000 BTUs per hour to heat up to 130 sq. feet of space.

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9. AmazonBasics 1500 Watt Ceramic Space Heater 

The small yet powerful AmazonBasics 1500 Watt Ceramic Space Heater is ideal for your outdoor tents or RVs, making you feel comfortable especially during the colder seasons of the year. It is a very portable device which can be easily carried around thanks to its sturdy carrying handle.

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10. Honeywell HHF360V  

Closing our list is the Honeywell HHF360V. This is one of the most energy efficient portable space heaters. Providing a 360-degree all-around warmth, this camping heater will save you the energy that would have been required to heat every corner of the space, at once.

Read More


Buying Guides of Best Safe Tent Heaters for Camping

Although there are several ways that you can keep yourself warm in the tent without a heater, it is still undeniable that a portable tent heater comes in really handy.

However, there are so many different types of tent heaters, differ in size, power output, and what they use to run; be it gas or electricity. In this section, we will take you through what to look out before purchasing your best tent heaters.

Understand the Type of Heater You Require

There are four major types of tent heaters; including battery-powered, gas powered, electric and wood powered.

  • Gas powered heaters are mostly powered by Butane, Propane or liquid petroleum. They are more common due to their effectiveness and portability. They can be used almost everywhere, but some models require ample ventilation as the fumes may deplete oxygen supply.
  • Electrically powered heaters are equally effective if not better. However, they are only useful when your tent or RV is next to a socket or electric power outlet. Electric tent heaters cannot be used in a jungle because you will not find electric sockets in the forest. Well, not unless it is a designated camping site with electric sockets.
  • Battery powered heaters are not common as compared to the two above. This is because regardless of their impressive portability, they emit very low heat outputs and they also do not last long. They are not so much recommended for very cold places as you will get disappointed.
  • Wood powered heaters are also not so much common. They are best when you are a group of people and camping in the forest or jungle because there is more than enough firewood to light up your heater. These heaters are also not so much portable and may require you to take them by car to your camping site.

Durability

You should do your research and check what material makes up the best tent heaters. It should be one that can take on minor accidents such as hits or drops without incurring significant damages. Some very durable heaters are made from long-lasting metals such as copper or even stainless steel.

Noise Emission

Does the tent heater you wish to purchase produce too much noise? This is one of the questions you should always ask before buying a tent heater. If you are a light sleeper and the slightest noise can keep you awake, then it is advisable you look for the one with low noise or no noise at all.

It is never advisable to sleep with earplugs or noise cancellation headphones when you are out in the wild because of some obvious reasons.

Size and Weight

If you are hiking or travelling by bike, you don’t have to strain yourself when carrying a tent heater. It has to be something that takes a minimal space of your essential gears, too.

If your mode of transport to the campsite is by car, then you don’t have to worry much about the size. But still, why would you carry a very big and heavy tent heater while you can comfortably get a lighter and smaller one which is as efficient or even better?

Safety Features

Most modern tent heaters have certain safety features which make them ideal for use in tents and RVs. Manufacturers consider the fact that accidents may also occur and always look for ways to prevent bad things from happening. Some common safety features include:

  • Tip-over safety switch which automatically switches off the heater when someone tips over it. This prevents accidents such as fires from happening.
  • Oxygen Depletion sensors which are most common in gas-powered heaters. These heaters usually release carbon monoxide (a very harmful gas) into the air, and they use up oxygen for more heat production. In essence, if the tent is small and not well ventilated, you will be competing for oxygen with the tent heater. Oxygen Depletion Sensors (ODS) automatically switches off the heater when the oxygen levels in the tent are getting lower.

Stability

This is one of the most overlooked features when buying a tent heater. Sadly enough, this is one of the causes of accidents in tents. The floor of your tent might not be the most stable part, and so before buying a heater, you should first confirm its stability and also check if it has alternative methods of placement.

Find out the Total Costs

By finding out the total cost, we don't necessarily mean only the price of the heater. Of course, this should be the first factor to consider before making the purchase. After settling on the type of heater you want to use, whether propane, butane, LP gas or batteries, you should also find out how much of such will last you through your entire stay.

All heaters will come with a manual on their consumption Oand you will be able to find out how much gas is required to last your entire stay. Furthermore, find out which type will be friendlier to your pocket and that you can manage for a longer duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What size of tent heater do I require?

Size matters a lot when it comes to tent heaters. As expected, larger heaters will have a larger heat output as compared to smaller versions. However, some small-sized heaters produce more power than you would expect.


Furthermore, the mode of transport and the duration of your camping also matters. If you are hiking, a small heater should do just fine as you don’t want to be exhausted carrying heaters. However, if you are driving to your site, then even a larger one isn’t that bad.


2. How much BTU do I require?

BTU stands for British Thermal Units. For you to measure how much of BTUs you require, the math is pretty simple.

  1. Get your tent’s dimensions and calculate the cubic feet inside (height x width x length = cubic feet)
  2. Deduct the outdoor temperature from the required inside temperature. If you do so in Celsius then use this formula: temperature increase x cubic feet x .2394 = required BTUs.
  3. If you are calculating it Fahrenheit then: temperature increase x cubic feet x .133 = required BTUs

3. Where are the best places to place a heater?

A tent heater should be placed at a position where the entire tent can be heated. It should also directly face the person or people using it, but not too close. It should be placed at a secure place away from someone accidentally tipping over it.


4.What kind of heater is safe to use in a tent?

Ideally, kerosene or propane heaters will do the job just fine. Just make sure to keep it away from the contact with the tent.


5.Are catalytic heaters safe in tents?

Yes, catalytic heaters can be used inside the tents. They don’t produce flame nor CO2 so they are perfectly safe to use inside a tent.

FINAL VERDICT

Buying the best safe tent heater for camping is a very tedious job. You have by now understood the different types of heaters available and are ready to make your choice from our suggestions.

As a personal pick, we would definitely go for the Mr Heater Buddy MH9BX Propane Radiant Heater due to its robust functionality, and not forget to mention that it is also topped with world class quality and superb safety features.

Even so, all the heaters mentioned in our list are the most recommended brands by tent and camping experts. Always have our buying tips in mind before setting out to purchasing your next tent heater. Above all, have a cozy time on your next camping trip!


4.8/5.0
Our Rating
Douglas Keister

I am an adventure fanatic that loves nature and adventure sports like kayaking, camping and water sports. I have been doing this for almost 10 years now and have learned quite a few tricks. With my experience, I hope to provide you with the most reliable and accurate information for your next adventure.

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