10 Best Safe Tent Heater For Camping In 2020 [Reviews & Buying 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.
Contents
- 10 Best Safe Tent Heaters for Camping [Table Of Comparison]
- Tent Heaters For Camping reviewed [Top 10]
- 1. Mr. Heater Buddy MH9BX Propane Radiant Heater
- 2. Mr. Heater MH4B Little Buddy - Best Portable Heater for Camping
- 3. Emergency Butane Heater Coherent Heat Source
- 4. Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane Heater
- 5. Coleman SportCat PerfecTemp Catalytic Heater
- 6. Lasko 754200 Ceramic Portable Space Heater
- 7. Dyna-Glo TT15CDGP Liquid Propane Tank Top Heater
- 8. Camco Olympian Wave-3 Catalytic Safety Heater
- 9. AmazonBasics 1500 Watt Ceramic Space Heater
- 10. Honeywell HHF360V
- Buying Guides of Best Safe Tent Heaters for Camping
- Frequently Asked Questions
- FINAL VERDICT
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.
| Product | Features | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
 Mr. Heater Buddy MH9BX Propane Radiant Heater | 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: $$$ More Details |
 Mr. Heater MH4B Little Buddy | BTU/hr: 3800 Heating Area: 95 sq-ft Fuel Type: Propane Run Time : 5.5 hours Weight: 5.85 lbs Dimension (inches): 12 x 9.75 | 4.6/5.0 Price: $$ More Details |
 Emergency Butane Heater Coherent Heater | BTU/hr: 600 Fuel Type: Butane Consumption : 100mg/hour Weight: 5.4 lbs | 4.2/5.0 Price: $$ More Details |
 Texsport Portable Propane Tent Heater | BTU/hr: 2890 Fuel Type: Propane Run Time : 4 - 6 hours / 1 lbs fuel cylinder Weight: 1 lbs | 4.4/5.0 Price: $ More Details |
 Coleman SportCat PerfecTemp Catalytic Heater | BTU/hr: 1500 Fuel Type: Propane Run Time : 14 hours / 16.4 oz propane Weight: 2.5 lbs Dimension (inches): 7.5 x 6.25 x 6.25 | 4.2/5.0 Price: $$$$ More Details |
 Lasko 754200 Ceramic Portable Space Heater | Wattage: 1500 Watt Power: Electric Weight: 3.5 lbs Dimension (inches): 14 x 7.6 x 10.1 | 4.0/5.0 Price: $ More Details |
 Dyna-Glo TT15CDGP Liquid Propane Tank Top Heater | BTU/hr: 9000-15000 Heating Area: 225 ft radius Fuel Type: Propane Run Time : 28-48 hours Settings: 3 levels Weight: 2.42 lbs Dimension (inches): 7.1 x 8.3 x 12 | 4.4/5.0 Price: $ More Details |
 Camco Olympian Wave-3 Catalytic Safety Heater | BTU/hr: 1600-3000 Heating Area: 130 sq-ft Weight: 6.9 lbs Dimension (inches): 14.5 x 11.75 x 4.88 | 4.3/5.0 Price: $$$$$ More Details |
 AmazonBasics 1500 Watt Ceramic Space Heater | 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: $ More Details |
 Honeywell HHF360V | 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: $ More Details |
Tent Heaters For Camping reviewed [Top 10]
1. Mr. Heater Buddy MH9BX Propane Radiant Heater
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 Liquid Propane Tank Top Heater
If you are looking for more heat during a cold and freezing winter camping season, check out the Dyna-Glo radiant single propane tank top heater. 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.
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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.
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:
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.
- Get your tent’s dimensions and calculate the cubic feet inside (height x width x length = cubic feet)
- 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.
- 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, a kerosene or propane heater 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!
