Tent Heaters Buying Guide

Love to camp outdoors but struggling with your sleep due to low temperatures in the night? Take a sigh of relief. Tent heaters are here to the rescue. Say goodbye to shivering hands and feet.

With a suitable heater, you can maintain a warm temperature in your tent and relax at night. However, selecting a suitable heater from the different options can become a tiresome task.

You have to gather information on different characteristics to make a suitable purchase. An extensive buying guide presents all the details in an organized manner. You can quickly analyze the products with your requirements with all the information in your hand and sour out the best product.

But, before starting this comprehensive guide, let us look into a quick introduction of the product to have a clear picture in mind.

What do you mean by tent heaters? Why do you need them?

Imagine a night under the stars or maybe near a lake with a bonfire and fireflies all around. Sounds mesmerizing! Camping is one of the most frolic activities that you can do with your friends and family. Whether it is the sun and warmth season or winter season, you can explore and have fun living in your tent and eating roasted marshmallows!

But staying outdoors means you also need protection. Winter seasons and rainy seasons can turn out to be very problematic because of the temperature drop. Then how can you survive in the cold weather? Well, the solution is tent heaters.

The tent heater will provide you with a warm and fuzzy environment inside your tent to not feel the cold around and sleep peacefully without shivering.

Keep reading this guide as we will cover every field so that you can purchase the best ones. Let us dig in!

Types of Tent Heaters

The tent heaters come in varied shapes and sizes for different purposes. They are designed in specific ways so that they can provide their goal without any hindrance. Let's get started with the types.

1. Tent heaters that are powered by battery and electric

These tent heaters generate heat from electricity. Electric heaters are highly popular because electricity is available easily and can be used easily too. These can be installed easily as it comes fully assembled and does not even require many installations to start it.

It comes with a switch that makes it work once you plug them into an electric source that will make it work.

However, the only concern is about the source of electricity. It might get problematic if your camping site lacks a source of electric power.

2. Gas Tent Heaters

The most commonly used gases for gas tent heaters are propane and butane. They are reliable as you only need a gas supply to heat your tent and make it comfortable. There is hardly any difference between propane and butane because they burn quite similarly. You can easily use this heater for any weather condition.

3. Wood Tent Heaters

The heat is produced by using wood that circulates the tent and creates a warm environment.

Some wood tent heaters come with stovetops, that gives you two advantages. They are delineated in such a way that you can heat your tent and also cook your food. You have to move this heater with manual labor as they are cumbersome.

However, it becomes difficult during the winter season when you cannot find any dry woods to burn.

4. Halogen Tent Heaters

These tent heaters work with the help of a halogen element in a bulb. These bulbs get all heated up and provide you with a warm environment. These heaters work for a long time as the bulb also works for a long time. The best part about the halogen bulb is that it does not turn dark. That means you can easily use it at high temperatures.

These heaters are the most reliable option when out in the woods because of their lightweight and easy use. You can efficiently heat your tent just by turning on the halogen light bulb.

Even if you switch off, they still give out heat for a long time. These bulbs are environment-friendly and a good option for an energy-efficient alternative.

5. Kerosene Tent Heaters

One of the oldest methods to create heat is the one that uses kerosene. This heater is very similar to a lamp. It has a wick that helps pull the energy as combustion from the kerosene and then gets converted into gas while heating.

Some tent heaters are manual as you will require a match-stick to light it up or even a battery that can help it heat up. The hot air keeps circulating inside the tent and keeps you warm because of the convection.

6. Chemical Heat packs

In case you want something comfortable to carry, and that can be used easily, you can try chemical heat packs. These tent heaters are sporadic as they require bags made of chemicals that will provide you warmth. You can easily stay warm for at least 15 hours.

The bags can be reused for around 500 times and also have a long shelf life. They are not at all harmful and not at all explosive.

Things to deem about while selecting an appropriate tent heater

Before you decide on purchasing any tent heater, make sure that you consider some crucial features. These features will help you in selecting an ideal tent heater that will run for a long time.

BTU Ratings

BTU ratings stand for British Thermal Units and is a significant mark for tent heaters. The amount of heat energy measures a heater produces it. It would be best to look for a heater that will effectively and efficiently heat your tent.

If you have a large tent and plan to go camping in the snow, look for tent heaters with a high BTU rating. If the ratings are high, then it means that the heater will give up more heat. A low BTU rating heater will be okay with a tent of small size.

The BTU ratings are done accordingly on the tent heaters. BTU ratings of 3000 are for the small tents and 18000+ for the large ones that will give more warmth. Always buy your tent heater according to your need and after inspecting your BTU ratings.

The best way to choose a heater with the perfect BTU rating is by measuring your tent's length, height, and width and then multiply it three times. This will help in measuring the cubic feet of the tent.

Also, remember the temperature of your camping site. This will help you in choosing the ideal tent heater with the correct BTU rating.

Size and Weight

Camping requires a lot of types of equipment, according to your necessity. So keeping it on the mind, you might look for tent heaters that are of less weight and easy to carry and should also fit in your backpack.

In case it is a single or double people camping trip, then a small heater will do sufficient. It can quickly produce the heat for the space required by two people. You can easily carry it around and also fit it inside the bag.

You will require a large heater with high BTU ratings for a massive family camping trip. Well, you can carry the heater in your vehicle quickly and set it up. The tent can also accommodate the heater easily as it is significant.

In case you plan on portable heaters, make sure that the tent heaters are easy to carry and easily fit in your backpack. It has to be compact and can be packed easily.

The weight should be comfortable enough for you to take. For gas tent heaters, do go through the size of the cylinders and choose accordingly.

Safety

One of the most vital factors while purchasing tent heaters should be safety. Since you will be using the heater inside your tent, ensure that it is safe from being flammable, catching fire, or even poisoning by gases. Carbon monoxide poisoning is very brutal and is a concern when you are using propane.

The heater that you purchase has to be safe in that closed and tight environment. The heater should be designed to detect the low oxygen level and switch off automatically easily. More safety features like switching off right after starting to get overheated should be installed.

It is best advised to buy tent heaters with a stable base and be switched off by tipping over the switch. It is indispensable, because at night when you are having a sound sleep, the heater can turn it off itself when it senses overheating or any other problem. There must be a calm exterior, too, so that it can avoid problems caused by coming in contact.

Do not make any haste while purchasing your tent heaters. Make sure that your heaters come with every safety measure so that you can avoid the unexpectable accidents.

Energy Source

Always consider the energy source when you are purchasing tent heaters. It is the most convenient factor to pay attention to produce heat.

Try buying propane tent heaters as they are readily available, give a clean-burning, and also, during frigid conditions, stay in liquid form. Do realize that fuel canisters will lug along if you are purchasing gas heated tent heaters.

A one-pound fuel canister is always seen working with most gas heaters that use propane. They are disposable. In case you are going with a lot of people, you can even carry an extra fuel canister with you. Some heaters also allow you to purchase large fuel tanks at a reasonable price to reheat your tent for the days of your stay.

Heaters that work on electricity require power sources and also plugging. Make sure that you carry a long size power cord, and your camping site has electric plugs. You can even use a generator and bring it along, but it depends on you.

Durability

What is the purpose of purchasing tent heaters if they can not sustain for long? If you are into camping and that too frequently, it is best advised to buy a tent heater that is highly durable and can withstand any extreme weather conditions that you might encounter.

Staying out in the woods, or even in any place, will be uncomfortable if your heater stops working. Well, you cannot understand the durability of a heater. Still, reading reviews will help you in choosing the ideal one.

Automatic Cut Off

After a long day of exploring and bonfire, all you look forward to is a night of sound sleep. Well, the automatic cutoff feature is about the heater turning itself off as a safety measure. You cannot sleep with the heater on.

However, campers who are well-experienced use this feature to have a night of uninterrupted sleep. The heater is designed to turn off on its own after a few hours of service and avoids mishaps.

Tip-Over Switch

The tent heaters with this particular feature are designed with such a mechanism to prevent any fire start from the device you are using.

This feature works when the heater falls or tips over, then the switch automatically turns off. It is a very safe feature as you cannot foretell any unexpected accidents.

Overheat Protection

This feature comes with a sensor that shuts down the whole heater if it feels that any part is getting overheated. This feature guarantees that none of the insides gets all heated up. It is like a knight in shining armor features that will protect you from any accident.

Operation

Do not operate or experiment with the device on your own. Before setting it up, read the instructions, and follow every step. People often try using it in their ways, when the heater starts going wrong and doesn't work for long.

If the instructions read that you can use it only outside, then use it that way only. That way, it will be safer and also serve its purpose for a long time.

Adjustability

Adjustability in temperature is one of the features that you should look for in your tent heaters. You can easily adjust the temperature to high inside the tent. When it is warm enough, you can lower the temperature. After all, you don't want to stay the whole night as a boiled potato.

To set up this adjustability, make sure that your tent is designed to provide you with efficient warmth when needed and cooling when required.

Noise

The tent heaters may often produce sound. Some heaters might produce very little noise, and some have a lot of noise. You should opt for heaters that make a minimal sound if you are a light sleeper. In case you are least bothered by the sound, then it's okay and looks for safety and efficiency features.

Well, we warn you not to wear any earplugs or device that cancels noise when you sleep out in the wild.

Price

The tent heaters come at a very reasonable price. However, if you are purchasing the gas ones, they might become expensive, but their quality is high.

However, if you are looking for less priced ones, you can explore every brand and finally decide. After all, you do not want to waste your money. So choose the ones that come with the features you prefer.

Ease of Use

Using a product that is too complex is not desirable for many. However, you won't face any problem when working with most of the tent heaters. They are easy to use. All you have to do is obey the instructions and set it up. Do not try to experiment with it on your own.

In case you encounter any difficulty, it is best to contact the dealer from whom you purchased your heater.

How to heat a tent while camping in winters?

Here are some tips for you to heat your tent during winters:

1. To retain the warmth, insulate your tent correctly.

There are specific steps that you need to follow to retain the heat in your tent. You will get to know about how to trap the heat too.

2. Cover the floor with a rug or carpet

As the floors absorb heat energy, especially during night time, covering up the floor will prohibit it.

3. Try using an extra cover material on your tent.

A tent cover will not only keep you warm but also protect from other weather conditions. It is a good option for both heat-producing and protection.

4. Opt good quality sleeping pad

After a hectic day of camping, a high-quality sleeping pad will not only help in retaining the heat but will also be comfortable for you to sleep.

5. The location to pitch the tent must be favorable.

Selecting the right location to pitch your tent is very necessary. You do not want to pitch it up in a very windy area where you won't retain the heat inside your tent.

Also, look for a sunny spot where you can quickly get the natural heat, and this will also help retain extra heat inside your tent. If you are camping at a snowy location, building snow walls will help to trap the heat inside.

6. Sleeping bag liners will be useful.

These bags help in increasing 25% of heat; thus, keeping you more warm. They drastically improve the heat inside but can be used for other reasons too.

Other ways to increase the heat are:

1. You can easily trap your tent.
2. By using sleeping pads that come with insulators
3. By using several blankets

7. The tent heaters should be safe for camping.

If you can follow all these steps, you can retain the heat apart from using the heaters. However, the best suggestion is to use gas heaters for controlling the warmth inside your tent.

Safety Tips for tent heaters

Since now you know about all the features you need to look for in a heater, let's give you insight into how to use each heater safely.

Electrical and Battery Heater

1. A heavy-duty extension cord will reduce the risk of your tent getting caught on fire.
2. Always keep the flammable substances away from the heater to avoid any explosion.
3. In case you experience power outage, it is best advised to carry a generator.

Gas tent heater

1. The site that you are camping must be well ventilated.
2. Even though gas cans are heavy, it is suggested to carry them thoroughly so that you can use it when the gas runs out. Pack according to the days you will be camping out.
3. When moving with gas cans, remember to put it on the ground to fall off and cause a fire.

Wood tent heater

1. Please keep away from flammable substances and also maintain distance from it.
2. Try carrying your wood.
3. The area should be airy and well ventilated.

Kerosene Heater

1. Always be careful while refilling and keep it away from flammable substances.
2. Children and pets should maintain distance from the heater.
3. The tent should be well ventilated as a congested area may cause breathing problems.
4. Always read the instructions attentively before setting it up.
5. The fire should be put out while refueling.
6. Do check that the area permits kerosene as some places don't.
7. Always put out the fire while sleeping to prevent any accidents.
8. The wick should be under check and cleaned frequently.
9. Always wait for the heater to cool down after extinguishing.

Chemical Heater

1. Avoid any direct contact with the skin as it may cause allergic reactions.

Now you can quickly go and purchase the ideal tent heater and camp under the stars!

FAQs

1. How much hot is too hot for my tent?

The tent should have breathable heat, not something that makes you sweat profusely. Once you get that, you will be able to sleep comfortably.

2. What are the steps to store the heater?

Every heater is different, so their storage needs are different too.

Still, you can try to cool it off and then store them in their respective cases.

3. Why are chemical tent heaters only used in emergencies?

Chemical tent heaters produce fewer BTUs than other types of heaters. Therefore, you should only rely on them in emergencies.

Final Verdict

Tent Heaters provide a safe and efficient way to enjoy night time in the wilderness. All you need is to select the best product.

Here in this guide, we have listed out all the critical elements that are useful while sorting out the best product. Skim through them and select an elite product for your trip.