Camping Panda
Camping is often seen as a warm season activity. The truth, however, is that camping in winter can give a whole new dimension to your adventure. Exploring the frosted outdoors can feel like magic, but it can become a nightmare unless you have the right gear.
An important piece of equipment is a tent heater to keep you warm after a long day spent in low temperature. Since not all portable heaters are suitable for the purpose, check out our rundown to find the best tent heater for winter camping around.
Power
Is it powerful enough?
Heat
Is it adjustable?
Economical
Is it fuel-saving?
Safety
Is it safe to use?
Portability
Is it easy to carry?
Usability
Is it easy to use?
Lifespan
Is it build for years to come?
Durability
Is it sturdy enough?
12
Hours Researched
17
Products Evaluated
6k
Reviews Considered
5
Sources Researched
The Mr. Heater Buddy is undeniably the best tent heater for winter camping. This versatile model runs on propane and is ideal for anything you’re throwing at it, from emergency heating in survival situations to using in a tent, camper, or RV.
An ideal choice for winter car camping as well as fishing or hunting, it can be used both inside the tent and outdoors, so you can keep warm while cooking food over a campfire. A max runtime of three hours at max heat also makes it energy efficient.
What we like:
What we don't like:
Ideal to use in ventilated tents but not so suitable for enclosed spaces – such as a vehicle – the Texsport propane heater is designed for those who like to travel light. It’s small enough to fit into a backpack, and works with standard 16.4 oz propane tanks.
The runtime is not excessive, but you can get up to 2.5 hours on the highest setting – around 5 hours if you decide to run it on low. The stainless steel burner and aluminum reflector enhance efficiency. Small and light, it’s perfect for hikers, car campers, and preppers alike.
What we like:
What we don't like:
Allegro Industries impresses with the 9401-50 tent heater, a model designed with commercial tents in mind, but equally suitable for car camping. It runs on 120V AC, which basically means you’ll have to pair it with a portable power generator or 12V DC adapter.
That said, you can unlimited runtime and high heat efficiency, for a comfortable sleep even in the lowest temperatures. The unit can raise the temp inside the tent with around 50°F in under 60 minutes. All these features will cost you, but the heater is undoubtedly worth it.
What we like:
What we don't like:
A powerful propane heater suitable for large, vented tents, the Dura Heat TT-360 is an excellent choice for long-term winter camping as well as commercial tents. It works with 20-lb propane tanks and delivers a whopping runtime of up to 14 hours.
It also impresses with a stainless steel deflector and high heat output of up to 40,000 BTU. The temperature is adjustable, so you can making it suitable for smaller and larger spaces alike. Just keep in mind that it could release noxious fumes, so you should avoid using it in tents without vents.
What we like:
What we don't like:
Smartly called Big Buddy, this portable propane heater by Mr. Heater is nothing but our best choice’s big brother. Design-wise, it looks similar to the Buddy above, but it’s a tad more cumbersome.
It’s still relatively easy to carry, and perfect for winter-time car camping. Capable to output up to 18,000 BTU, it’s suitable for tents up to 450 square feet. Like most Mr. Heater heaters, it’s safe to use indoors, and also suitable for the outdoors. It has three heat adjustments as well as automatic ignition for seamless operation. And all this comes at a price that won’t break the bank.
What we like:
What we don't like:
The Mr. Heater Blue Flame might not be the most portable heater out there, but it’s still a great choice for winter car camping. Its main advantage is the compact footprint paired with a generous heat output. Suitable for spaces up to 1,000 square feet, it’s one of your best bets for big tents.
Another highlight is the fashionable blue flame that can add a dash of style to your camping experience. Like most Mr. Heater heaters, the Blue Flame is dependable and reliable. An excellent choice if you have a big tent and don’t mind the higher price tag.
What we like:
What we don't like:
Perfect for all kinds of winter camping situations, the ProTemp Cabinet Heater is suitable for anglers, hunters, and tailgaters who want to explore the outdoors in the colder seasons without worrying about frostbites during the night.
Working with 20-pound propane tanks, it features matchless ignition and adjustable heat levels. On low, it can run for up to 24 hours continuously, or up to 19 hours if you decide to use it on high. The heater is ideal for spaces up to 450 square feet.
What we like:
What we don't like:
Built with adventurers in mind, this emergency heater appeals to car campers and backpackers alike. It’s compact and lightweight, easy to carry, and as easy to operate as a butane camping stove.
It works with standard 8.8-ounce butane canisters and is ideal for smaller, vented tents. Perhaps not your best bet for super-cold weather, but great for camping in zones with milder winters.
What we like:
What we don't like:
After Buddy and Big Buddy, Little Buddy comes as an alternative for hikers, backpackers, or car campers who love to travel light. It’s lightweight, compact, and works with camping-sized, 16.4-ounce propane tanks.
Designed for smaller tents, it sits directly on the tanktop and radiates heat at a 45° angle. Adjustable heat levels and also suitability to use outdoors make it ideal for a variety of camping situations. Small yet mighty, the Little Buddy will surely keep you toasty warm inside your tent even in the colder months.
What we like:
What we don't like:
The Camp Chef Alpine is a wooden stove perfect to use to heat up a large tent. It is ideal for the avid campers, hunters, or anglers who like to spend lengths of time exploring the outdoors, even in the colder weather.
Running on wood, it provides cozy warmth and also doubles as a kitchen stove. Its wide, flat top can hold multiple pans and pots, while the side racks are perfect for storing utensils or drying up your clothes. The stove is easy to assemble, but needs a hole in the chimney. If you don’t mind that, this is undeniably one of the most versatile tent heaters you can get your hands on.
What we like:
What we don't like:
Tent heaters are not a popular gear for some campers, especially during winter, which we believe is a bit crazy. They are willing to invest hundreds of dollars for a 4-season tent, winter sleeping bag having the highest insulation rating and well-insulated hiking boots. They are even willing to add extra weight for undergarments, socks, and gloves. But they fail to include additional heating sources like tent heaters in the list. Here is a buying guide on what should be the buying considerations for the best tent heaters.
There is no hidden agenda behind the need for a tent heater; they add extra warmth. Unlike sleeping bags or winter clothes that provide extra warmth through insulation, tent heaters actually generate their own heat providing a more efficient way of adding warmth. They don’t just protect you from the cold, they provide you with heat. You can usually control the heating output to easily adjust the temperature or rather the heat output.
They’re designed with the campers in mind, thus easy transportation was put on top of the list. They are cordless which are usually battery-powered electric or propane, but they are also lightweight and come with a built-in carry handle.
There are two main fuel types for portable tent heaters: electric and gas.
Corded electric models work great for RV camping however this is not quite applicable with tent camping where there is no electricity source. Battery-powered electric tent heaters are a more viable choice for tent camping. Downside of this is, battery-powered heaters are small and most don’t provide a very high heat output. Our choice for an electricity powered tent heater is the Allegro Industries 9401‐50 Tent Heater. It runs on 120V AC which you then have to partner with a 120V DC adapter.
Gas tent heaters are far more common with choices between propane and butane powered as most popular. The Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy is our top pick for propane powered tent heaters. This model can run up to three hours of continuous use with 9,000 BTU heat output. The Camping Emergency Butane Heater is our pick for butane powered tent heater. Though it cannot compete with the propane powered heaters, it has 4,400 BTU heat output which is considerably enough for areas with milder temperature.
Apart from their lower heat output, electricity powered models are prone to run out of power especially for on trips running for multiple days. Although they’re more reliable, propane models are a little more difficult to use than electric tent heaters.
Heat output is the amount of heat the heater can produce per hour and is measured in BTU or British Thermal Unit.
A good range of BTU rating for tent use is anything between 1,000 BTU to maximum of 5,000 BTU. The size of the tent plays a big factor on the recommended BTU rating.
Our pick the Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane Heater has a BTU rating of 2,890 which has fared in cold weather and can warm up larger tent areas of up to an 8-person tent capacity.
Just a reminder that both propane and butane releases carbon monoxide during the burning process to create heat. Regularly check the gas line for any leakage. Use gas-powered heaters on a well ventilated areas or choose a tent heater that has a sensor that can detect oxygen depletion like the Mr. Heater MH18B Portable Propane Heater.
One main reason campers mindfully neglect tent heaters is because it will add weight to an already heavy gear. Fortunately, there are quite a few smaller, lighter options on the market that should fit your space capacity and needs. We absolutely liked the compact design of Mr. Heater Portable Little Buddy weighing only around 7 lbs and can easily fit in your backpacking bag.
Typically, the size of the tent heater is proportional to the amount of heat the unit produces. Just take a look at the ProTemp PT-18PNCH-A Propane Cabinet Heater which weighs around 17.11 lb but has a BTU rating of 18,900 and can efficiently warm up a 450 square feet tent.
A bigger tent would probably require a larger, more powerful heater and we have two recommendations for that. Imagine being able to heat up a small tent up to a commercial tent! Well, Dura Heat TT-360 Propane Tank Top Heater can do just that with its adjustable temperature feature. It has an amazing 40,000 BTU heat output. Another pick is the Mr. Heater Blue Flame Heater with its 30,000 BTU heat output. Its fashionable blue flame can heat up a 1,000 square feet space easily.
Durability is not just a factor for tent heaters but is one of the top factors to look for in any camping equipment. Generally you would want a tent heater built from durable materials like steel, aluminum or titanium. Your camping heater must be able to stand up to all of the abuse that the outdoors can throw at it. Our top pick is on this list, the Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy. It is made from steel and nickel and is ideal both for indoor or outdoor.
Suiting most campers, the Mr. Heater Buddy is the best tent heater on the market. This model is perfect for tents of most sizes, it is relatively easy to carry, and boasts clean combustion for safe indoor use.
Electric heaters, such as the Allegro Industries Tent Heater, are the safest to use in a tent. If you don’t have access to an outlet, a propane or butane heater is equally safe, as long as you use it according to the instructions and ensure proper ventilation while in use.
Besides using a tent heater, you should also insulate the tent for winter camping and invest in instant heat packs or hot water bottles to use in your sleeping bag.
Yes, an electric heater will keep a tent warm and is generally safer to use than a gas heater. However, you will either need to carry a power generator with you or choose camping sites with access to electricity outlets.
If you’re concerned about using a gas heater in a tent and don’t have the means to use an electric one, you can heat a tent with hot water bottles, hot stones – you can use a campfire to heat them, but make sure they are cold enough to place in the tent without damaging it – and instant heat packs. Also, insulate the tent with pads, plastic foil, and blankets to trapin warmth for longer.
