Tent heaters are more popular than you might think, especially for those who are looking to camp year round and through the colder months. They are small compact and easy to carry around and make camping in the colder months of the year much easier and safer.
Picking one of the best battery powered tent heaters isn’t an easy task, however. These appliances retail in a wide array of price points, styles, and power levels – and thanks to the sheer amount of choices available in the market, the ostensibly simple selection process can easily turn into a seemingly impossible task.
In this article we are going to talk about what is a tent heater, what you should be looking for in a tent heater and the best ones on the markte right now.
Do I Need A Tent Heater?
The short answer is, yes – and that’s because in a survival situation such as outdoor camping, ensuring that you stay warm by any means necessary is essential in fighting off infections and viruses.
There is also sufficient scientific evidence proving that the four seasons of the year influence emotional behaviour and human moods differently. The gleams of sunshine we tend to take for granted keep the inner being glowing and the physical being erupting with positive energy.
According to an editorial posted by the Huffington Post, warmer days have been scientifically linked to mood boosts. The article went on to point out that Spring is also the same period you’ll find most people stepping out of their comfort zones to enjoy the bright sunshine.
Having said that, why do you have to limit your delights to natural seasons when you can easily manipulate the elements to your benefit?
In addition to using a high-quality tent, sleeping in a good quality sleeping bag, and wearing sufficiently warm clothes, investing in a battery-powered tent heater is another efficient way to manipulate the environment to your liking and combat the cold.
These units are particularly essential in colder climates where your tent’s walls aren’t as reliable as your home’s walls in protecting against the cold.
Remember, significant drops in temperature levels will put you at the risk of flu, hypothermia, and other avoidable ailments. These health risks are even higher for camping enthusiasts aged over 60 and those with pre-existing chronic ailments.
So, ensure you do not get caught off guard. Pack as required and do not forget to always bring along a battery-powered tent heater to easily face such dangers head-on.
When Should I Use a Tent Heater?
In extremely cold climates.
Camping enthusiasts who limit their outdoor expeditions to the fall and spring can likely manage to get by without feeling the need to invest in one of the best battery powered tent heaters.
All season campers, however, will most certainly have to add this appliance to their camping arsenal. Tent heaters will award you the freedom to camp whenever you feel like it, regardless of the time of the year. Rather than leaving the decision up to Mother Nature, you’ll get to choose when your adventures take place.
Let’s take winter camping, for instance.
Not long ago, camping during winter was basically a taboo. Today, however, thanks to the advancement of technological inventions, utilities like battery-powered tent heaters award us great levels of comfort when we choose to camp in cold weather.
Of course, you ought to note that camping in cold climates isn’t recommended if you’re a beginner camper, even with one of the best tent heaters in your arsenal. If you fall under this category and are still hell-bent on camping in the cold, then ensure you read extensively on winter camping trips as well as survival tricks that could come in handy should anything go wrong.
You’ll also need to be sufficiently equipped with reliable winter camping gear (these include a high-quality sleeping bag, a 4-season tent, and heavy clothing.)
With that in mind, if you take rainchecks and confirm that no dangerous weather has been forecasted and the trip poses no sort of serious risks, then you can rest assured that you’ll gain a lot from your winter camping experience. Campsites around the world are not nearly as crowded during these periods as you would find in fair weather, and you will also be able to bond with Mother Nature in an entirely different way.
You can also take pride in knowing that you spent a whole weekend in the open regardless of the harsh elements. Not most campers are willing to take on such a challenge.
Now comes the (arguably) most important question that you should ask yourself before making a final, educated decision while picking a battery-powered tent heater.
Are Tent Heaters Safe To Use?
While the heaters offer a lot of conveniences, they also retail with some serious safety and health risks. Even the slightest mistake or negligence can result in a fire, which can, in turn, result in a raging forest fire (and sometimes even death.)
Lots of regulators and companies have made significant strides to protect the environment as well as their customers against some dangers, but still, there are tips you ought to keep in mind to protect yourself and your loved ones even further.
Measures you ought to take when using your battery powered tent heater include:
1. Always Ventilate
Correctly aerating the tent you’re using ensures CO doesn’t buildup within your tent, will allow fresh air to aerate the small quarters, and will prevent condensation inside the tent due to heat buildup.
For instances when you will be using the appliance in your RV, ensure that you vent and crack open the windows for maximum air circulation.
2. Switch Off The Appliance Before Going To Sleep
Possibilities of CO poisoning, tipping over the battery-powered tent heater, and other scary risks are sufficient reasons to remind you to always switch off your tent heater immediately after getting in your sleeping bag to sleep.
Sure, some models retail with timers and sensors to counter these risks, but why take the risk?
3. Positioning
Properly positioning a tent heater is one of the most reliable recommendations that can help you reduce fire hazards. Make sure that you go through and follow the heater’s manufacturer’s instructions and always have sufficient ventilation in your tent.
What’s more? Do not place any objects close to the appliance as heaters produce a lot of heat. If you’ll be using a propane-powered tent heater, remember that most of them have not even been designed for indoor use.
I know those aren’t the ones you came here for, but that’s still important information you should keep in mind.
4. Understand Your Tent Heater Model’s Maximum Heat
If you keenly go through the booklet that arrived with your battery-powered tent heater, you should be able to find the highest heat level that your tent heater can reach. Understanding the appliance’s power can further help you make judgment calls when it’s time to position it.
This information can also help you understand if and when your heater possesses the potential to cause a fire.
5. Keep Brushes Away
If you are really roughing it in the middle of nowhere and haven’t taken easy paths to your campsite or campground, your first priority should be to make sure that you are picking an ideal spot. Campgrounds have been designed the way they have for a reason.
If you will be on the forest floor, then be wary of dried twigs, leaves, and brushes. If your battery-powered tent heater accidentally catches any of those ablaze, the fire can easily spread.
6. Avoid Using Stands With Your Tent Heater
If the battery-powered tent heater model you acquire retails with an inbuilt stand, then by all means, use it. Those additions have been specifically built by the manufacturers for the models they retail with.
If your unit didn’t come with a stand, however, and you’re upset at how low the tent heater is to the ground, then the biggest tip to remember is that you should never use a foreign object to raise the heater higher.
Pieces of firewood or milk crates can easily melt and cause fires.
Safety Features While Using A Tent Heater
Some safety features you should keep in mind while picking the best battery powered tent heater include:
1. Tip-Over Switches
For just in case you tip or knock over the tent heater, most of them can automatically switch off as a health and safety measure. Low oxygen sensors have also been included in some camping heaters, and in most of these, the feature will go as far as constraining the use of the tools in extremely high altitudes.
The feature is most likely to kick in at altitudes exceeding 6,000 feet above sea level.
2. Carbon Dioxide and Monoxide Sensors
High concentrations of either carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide gases in confined spaces can be toxic, to say the least. A good number of tent heaters in the market today retail with special sensors that can detect this and automatically shut down the heater’s fuel sources.
As you may have thought, the low oxygen sensor in some heaters can also perform similar auto-shutoff maneuvers.
3. Overheating Protection
Most heaters I’ve come across retail with auto shut off features that will keep your device at safe temperatures at all times.
Top 6 Battery Powered Tent Heaters
1. DEWALT DXH12B Portable Heater
One of the easiest ways to separate the best from the rest when picking a tent heater is to categorize the products according to their manufacturing companies. With that in mind, what better way to start an article on the best battery powered tent heaters than with a unit from one of the most reputable brands?
Founded in 1924, DEWALT is a leading American worldwide manufacturer best known for its ability to combine efficiency and durability in all its appliances. This DEWALT DXH12B is no exception.
Powered by the 20V MAX and FlexVolt battery families, this 12,000 BTU heater will be a reliable companion designed to keep you warm during your outdoor activities, including camping trips. Trust it to deliver constant odor-free heating, which makes it even more ideal for enclosed areas such as tents.
In regards to coverage, the unit will cover up to 150 square feet, which I’m confident is enough to keep you and your tent-mates cozy throughout the night. During my test sessions, it could effortlessly warm up a 6 person tent, so if you’re a fan of camping with your family, this masterpiece from DEWALT is worth a consideration.
What’s more? You can also count on DEWALT DXH12B to come in handy in scenarios that call for emergency heating alternatives as well. For instance, if the heat source at your home goes out for some reason, you can simply place this stroke of genius in your bedroom and drift through the night as if nothing has changed.
Some other areas where DEWALT DXH12B is recommended include shelters, hunting blinds, parties, picnics, storage buildings, garages, patios, porches, sporting events, trailers, and many more.
Another feature of DEWALT DXH12B worth noting is that the appliance will keep you and your tent-mates safe by shutting off automatically if oxygen inside the confined space runs low.
Never shiver through the night again – not even during some of the most freezing temperatures.
Notable Features
- Offers quiet and reliable electronic ignition
- Provides up to 7 hours of run time
- Retails with three USB ports for charging personal accessories and electronics
- Fitted with a high-velocity fan that will efficiently disperse convective heat
- Retails from a reputable brand
- Perfect for a 6 person tent
- 12,000 BTU propane heater
- Safe to use
- Powered by readily available batteries
Buy DEWALT DXH12B Portable Heater Here
2. Lasko 755320
The second product on our list, this unit stands out due to both its sheer power and efficiency. If you’re looking for something you can rely on and accurately control, then I urge you to take a closer look at this Lasko 755320.
Like the DEWALT model we just looked at, this one is also made out of some of the most durable material, which in turn, ensures many years of happy service.
The unit has also been praised by previous customers for being extremely dependable, making it an ideal companion if you’re planning on leaving for longer camping trips. You’ll never need to worry about sleeping in the cold with this stroke of genius in your collection.
Straight out of the box, another thing you will notice about Lasko 755320 is that it has been fitted with several easy to use digital controls on the top side. These include 2 heat settings, an 8-hour timer, adjustable thermostat, and widespread oscillation. For even further convenience, the package retails with a multi-function remote control.
What about its in-built safety features? Lasko 755320 boasts an overheat protection feature that will ensure the space heater doesn’t overheat even if you leave it on for a long period of time.
Another safety feature includes the cool to touch exterior, which implies that regardless of how long Lasko 755320 stays in operation, its outer surface won’t get hot one bit. This will protect anyone who comes into contact with the unit from serious burn injuries.
Having said that, camping isn’t the only suggested use for this battery-powered tent heater.
While researching to come up with the list, I came across lots of reviews where satisfied customers recommended it for golf carts. So, if you’re a golf fanatic but usually find yourself missing out on the sport during colder months, you don’t have to anymore.
Thanks to this model’s portability and compact nature, you can easily bring it along and enjoy hours of your beloved game without having to worry about how you’ll stay warm.
Use the digital display to adjust the heater’s thermostat and 1500 watt ceramic heating element.
Notable Features
- Retails with inbuilt safety features
- Very powerful and reliable
- Compact and portable
- Easy to use ideal for camping tents, trailers, golf carts, and more
- Fitted with 2 quiet settings, including low heat and high heat
- Fully Assembled
Buy Lasko 755320 Here
3. Honeywell HCE100B
This is the 1st of two products from Honeywell on our list, and to say that it has earned its spot in this list would be an understatement. Honeywell certainly outdid itself by designing this extremely portable and versatile heater that can accompany anyone during many activities.
Being one of the most powerful battery-powered tent heaters, you should expect it to generate sufficient heat (a fact that has been confirmed by its stellar reviews across multiple online retail platforms.) Using only 250 watts, the unit has been designed with ceramic technology that allows it quickly and efficiently heat whatever space you’d like to use it in.
Of all the tent heaters we have covered thus far, this Honeywell HCE100B is arguably the most portable. Weighing approx. 1.05 pounds and measuring 5 x 4 x 7.75 inches, you can rest assured that the unit won’t be a hassle to pack when leaving for your expedition.
Most importantly, while Honeywell HCE100B has been specifically designed for camping tents, the unit is also perfectly suited for other cool weather outdoor activities. Do you enjoy hosting garden parties, hunting, or perhaps just spending your precious time outside in the colder months? Then you’ll quickly find this battery-powered heater to be an exceptional purchase.
Honeywell has also decked out this tent heater with a wide array of safety features. These include a overheat protection, cool to touch exterior, and a tip-over switch. I’m confident we’ve already touched on the three safety features at different points in this guide.
Honeywell HCE100B also boasts a very durable stainless steel burner. It’s safe to say that it’s a product that once bought, is guaranteed to stay with you for years to come.
Notable Features
- Specially designed for personal warmth
- Perfect for use while camping, at home, and even in the office
- Easy to use and control
- Compact and portable
- Has a sleek design
- Fitted with a number of safety features
- Durable build
Buy Honeywell HCE100B Here
4. TRUSTECH Space Heater
Are you scouring the internet looking for a battery-powered tent heater that also doubles up as one of the best compact heaters? If yes, then this TRUSTECH Space Heater was designed with your needs in mind. This TRUSTECH Space Heater is also completely indoor safe, making it a perfect option not only for heating up your campsite but also for your tent’s inside.
The radiant heater delivers three different power levels fitted to accommodate your different needs depending on the weather of your camping location. These power levels include the 1500W high heat, 1000W low heat, and the natural wind mode. If this doesn’t prove the unit’s versatility, I don’t know what does.
TRUSTECH Space Heater also retails with several safety features, including an automatic overheat protection system that’ll automatically shut off the portable heater when its different parts start to overheat.
The tip-over protection feature will instantly shut off the battery-powered tent heater if it gets knocked over accidentally by you or someone else in your tent. This, in turn, avoids accidents from happening.
Notable Features
- Has a sleek design
- Fitted with multiple safety features
- Boasts three different power levels
- Compact, lightweight, and portable
- Can warm up a huge area
- Very powerful
Buy TRUSTECH Space Heater Here
5. Comfort Zone CZ707
This simple battery-powered tent heater may not look like much, but the little sucker packs quite a punch. You get a whopping 1500 Watts of power with this beauty, accompanied by 3 different heat intensity levels to help it accommodate everyone’s needs in your tent.
Comfort Zone CZ707 is optimal for parties and large tents, permitting you to bring your whole gang along regardless of the weather outside. The appliance will allow everyone in your tent to get sweet relief from the chilly weather in seconds.
I’m confident you’ll also be pleased to know that the unit has a safety feature that will automatically shut it off if it ever tips over. That makes the tent heater safe to use in windy weather as well.
Notable Features
- Durable and portable
- Safety features included to protect you
- Retails with an adjustable thermostat
- Simple design
- Energy efficient
- Boasts 3 different power settings
Buy Comfort Zone CZ707 Heater Here
6. Honeywell HHF370B
For the last best battery powered tent heater on this enumeration, we are back to Honeywell. Note though, last does not mean the worst – not by a long stretch. This particular model from Honeywell will prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it deserved a spot in this detailed enumeration.
Long are the cold nights when you kept feeling like you couldn’t zip your sleeping bag tightly enough. With this Honeywell HHF370B in your camping stash, you‘ll always feel toasty and enjoy restful nights of sleep after your days filled with adventures.
During my testing and review sessions, I noticed that the product’s verified customers love it for a wide array of reasons, but one of my favorites is the fact that the appliance comes in grey. Thanks to its neutrality, you can use the unit just about anywhere, and rest assured that it won’t stick out (something that seasoned campers expect from space heaters.)
This battery-powered tent heater also retails with two different heat settings that permit it to warm spaces of up to 250 square feet. That also makes it perfect for RVs, cabins, larger tents, and other areas that need heating but do not support central heating systems.
Some of the space that Honeywell recommends for this tent heater include sheds, barns, events, trailers, parties, picnics, and many more. The bottom line is, whether you’re a camping enthusiast or someone in need of a little warmth inside their garage, you’ll find a great number of uses for this Honeywell tent heater.
Notable Features
- Heats up to 250 square feet
- Portable and indoor safe
- Fitted with a wide array of safety measures
- Has a number of uses
- Durable and sturdy build
Buy Honeywell HHF370B Heater Here
Conclusion
Regardless of whether you’re just in need of some extra warmth inside your tent or are planning a winter camping expedition, battery-powered tent heaters are effective and safe accessories you should pack the next time you’re going camping.
Get a chance to enjoy the mesmerizing outdoors without stressing about hypothermia or any other cold-related horror stories?
