Original Article: Electric Tent Heaters – Top 5 of 2020
When summer comes around, you can’t help but get excited for some warm summer camping trips. Hiking in a T-shirt and shorts, beautiful sunny summits, dips in the lake, and dropping that outer layer at night if you huddle close enough to the fire.
Although those days are in sight, it can still get pretty chilly in the shade of the trees, and even in the middle of summer, depending on your altitude and location, it can drop to low 40’s or 50’s overnight.
As we mentioned in our article on tent footprints, you can lose a lot of body heat while sleeping in your tent. The floor acts as a heat sink, stealing vital warmth, and leaving you vulnerable to hypothermia.
While you can get yourself a Zero degree sleeping bag, a sleeping pad with a high R-value and a thick tent footprint, these methods still rely on your body heat to maintain a safe internal temperature.
If you want to camp in the late fall, early spring, or even in the winter months, getting an electric heater for your tent is the best way to ensure you can sleep comfortably and safely. Check out these 5 recommendations for electric tent heaters that are sure to keep you cozy in your tent.
5 Best Electric Tent Heaters
1500W Portable Ceramic Space Heater
SaleThis portable heater is perfect for the tent because of its small size, fire-resistant metal shell, adjustable thermostat, and fan-powered ceramic heating element. With a convenient handle and upward-facing angle, it is great for heating up a small room such as your tent space. One of the most important things it has, besides the thermostat, is the fail-safe shut-off which will turn off the heating element if the temperature exceeds the limit value. It will then turn back on once the temperature dips back to a safe level. With the ability to switch between natural breeze fan mode, and comfortable heater mode, you can use this electric tent heater for any season! I also particularly appreciate the metal shell and elevated foot stands, which will keep the heat away from the floor of your tent, lessening the risk of melting the material.
FEATURES
- 1500W, ETL Certified, Fire-resistant shell
- 2-second rapid heating and angeled legs for ideal heat circulation
- Adjustable thermostat with 41-95℉ range and overheating protection automatic shut off
- Can heat a room up to 108 sq ft
- Small but powerful design
- Efficient Ceramic heating element, perfect for a 2 or 3 person tent
- Extremely safe for use in a tent
- Not very ergonomic, hard to carry in your pack
- Makes some noise while on (50dB)
Honeywell Fan Forced Energy Efficient Heater
SaleThis is my personal favorite, as it’s energy-efficient technology allows for superior heating while saving electricity. With a 360-degree design, this electric tent heater is optimal for heating smaller, 2- person tents. This model has low and high settings, an adjustable thermostat and automatic overheat shut-off protection. Also, unlike the other options, this one comes with cool-touch plastic housing, which is excellent for tents! The 360 design will prevent this from tipping, but it does come equipped with tip switches and auto-off timer options. Most importantly, the shape and size of this electric tent heater will allow you to travel with it much easier than the other options on this list. One drawback of this electric tent heater is that it doesn’t have ceramic heating elements, which are much more durable than the soldered heating elements, but it will still provide enough heat and lower your risk of melting your tent floor.
FEATURES
- Powerful 1500W, 360-degree design
- Cool-touch plastic housing
- Anti-tip switches, auto-off timer, 2x overheat shut-off
- Soldered Heating elements
- 360-degree design
- Small, lightweight and cool to the touch
- Multiple settings
- Energy-efficient
- Not ETL certified
- Soldered heating elements instead of Ceramic
- Very noisy
Stanley 5100 BTU Heater
Stanley makes great products for all different kinds of adventures and their electric tent heater is no exception. This heater comes in a strong, compact design, with simple controls, and quick heat-up times. At 5100 BTU’s this can heat up a room that is up to 165sq feet, making it great for larger tents or even pop-up campers! With multiple control options and a thermostat control dial, this unit is sure to keep you nice and toasty. One issue I do have with using this electric heater for your tent is that its design seems to be geared more for a construction-site setting. It does come with tip-over switches, but it doesn’t have an automatic timer or overheat shut-off. Some users claim that this can easily tip over and the hot air outlet can get red hot, which is not good to keep near flammable tent material. With that being said, this electric tent heater is incredibly durable and puts out great heat, you just have to be very careful when using it and ensure that you are doing so safely. I would say that this can be used in a tent if you are able to secure the heater in the corner away from any sleeping bags, otherwise, it would be especially useful in a pop-up camper or Lean-to!
FEATURES
- 5100 BTU’s capable of heating a room up to 165 sq ft 1500 Watts
- Multiple heat settings and adjustable thermostat
- Heats up in seconds
- Anti-tip switch
- Portable design
- Durable and strong construction
- The most powerful heating option, which means it can be used in the winter
- Portable design and quiet fan
- Doesn’t have auto-off safety options
- Front heating element gets red hot and should never be touched
Opolar 1500W Space Heater
This electric tent heater is quite similar to that of the Stanley model, however, it has the safety features that the Stanley lacks, while still putting out a decent amount of heat. With an ETL certification, 1500W of power, three fan modes, and an adjustable thermostat, this electric tent heater surely holds its own. It also comes equipped with overheat shut-offs and tip-over protection. I think that the shape of this heater is much more suitable for a tent environment, however, they do warn you to keep it at least 3 feet away from any walls and that it works best in the middle of the room. This can be tough to do in a smaller tent, but with PTC ceramic heating elements and a fire-resistant cover, you can definitely make it work to your advantage.
FEATURES
- 1500W powering PTC Ceramic heating coils
- Multiple fan modes and adjustable thermostat
- Automatic overheat shut-off, tip-protection, and ETL certified
- Durable and sturdy
- Great safety features in a strong, powerful design
- Ceramic heating elements
- Fire-resistant cover
- Bulky design makes it hard to travel with
- Tough to place in a smaller tent
VIVREAL Portable Space Heater
This electric heater may say that it’s a desk heater, however, I think that means it’ll also work great in a tent. Being that it has a small, ergonomic design, its perfect to place in the corner of your tent. If it is safe enough to place on your desk at work, then it is safe enough to keep at your side while you sleep. With 3 control settings and an adjustable thermostat, as well as overheat shut-offs and anti-tip shut off protection, it will provide great heat, while also fitting nicely in the tent. It even has a 90-degree oscillating function and heat-resistant handles for easy transport. The company even provides a 2-year warranty and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, which can help you be more sure about your purchase considering this is the highest-priced item.
FEATURES
- 1500W capable of heating a room up to 190 sq ft
- 2 heat settings, cool fan function, and adjustable thermostat
- Overheat protection and anti-tip shut-off protection
- 90-degree oscillating function and safe to touch handles
- Ceramic heating elements
- 2-year warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Small heater that packs a punch
- Great safety features and ergonomic design
- Heaviest option, and hard to carry on the go
Things to Consider when Buying an Electric Tent Heater
It might seem daunting to look at this list and notice that there are only a few small differences between these five options, however, there are quite a few things to consider which will help to narrow it down.
Usage
The main thing to consider is what type of camping you’re going to be doing. If you are camping in the winter, you’ll want to go with the strongest option and get an electric tent heater that is 1500W or more. However, if you just want to be able to camp longer in the season and will only be needing the electric tent heater a few times a year, then the best bet is to get one of the smaller, safer options.
Saftey
You also need to factor in the type of tent you will be sleeping in. If you are in a small, one or two-person tents, then you need to ensure that you get the safest option available, and be sure to read all safety precautions so that you can use the heater as the safety features intend. Many of the options here are ETL certified, which means that they have been approved by Intertek’s Electrical Testing Lab. Much like OSHA, Intertek is a nationally recognized testing center that ensures products meet safety standards and contributes to safe working and living environments. Being that tent material can be highly flammable, finding an electric tent heater that is ETL certified is very important!
If you are in a larger tent or even something like a pop-up camper, you can opt for the larger electric heater options. While it is important to make sure that they follow safety standards, if you are in a large enough tent, you may not have to be so careful, as the extra room allows you to spread out more and keep items away from the heater.
Feasibility
The final, and in my opinion the most important thing to consider, is where you will be taking your electric tent heater. With a quick google search, you’ll notice that you can find a number of portable heaters that run on propane, like this Mr. Heater Propane Radiant Heater. These options allow you to travel with the heater and being that they don’t require electricity, you might want to bring them on primitive camping trips where there aren’t outlets to plug into. Though these are great for more open environments, a propane heater is incredibly dangerous in a tent.
Because of this, we recommend these electric heaters instead of one powered by gas. Now you’re probably thinking, “Okay that’s great if I’m at a campsite with access to electricity or if I’m right next to my car, but what if I want to use an electric tent heater while out on the trail?” If that’s what you’re looking for, we recommend these two products:
Sale- ▲ GIGANTIC 42000mAh BATTERY WILL COVER ALL YOUR NEEDS: The AIMTOM SPS-155 Portable Generator, which has an IMMENSE 42000mAh 155Wh power capacity, is ideal for powering appliances at a campsite, a tailgate party, home improvement projects or can even double as a flashlight for emergencies.
- ▲ ONE POWER GENERATOR FOR ALL YOUR DEVICES: Power up your laptop, stereo, CPAP or any other home appliances via the 110V/100W AC outlet. Use the 3 x 5V USB outputs to charge your mobile phone, iPhone, iPad, GPS or action cameras while the 3 x 12V DC outputs are perfect for car refrigerators, fans and more.
- ▲ TAKE YOUR POWER SUPPLY WITH YOU ANYWHERE: Even though our power station features a HUGE 42000mAh lithium battery, it weighs ONLY 3.48lbs. Plus, the comfortable and ergonomic handle will make carrying your outdoor emergency power sources a breeze. Just slip it in your car trunk and embark on your next adventure.
- ▲ SO QUIET, EFFICIENT POWER: Rest assured that your portable battery will not disturb you or your loved ones, since it utilizes a built-in power inverter and runs quietly. It can be recharged via supported solar panels (Not included), car port, or AC wall outlets. Its built in MPPT controller automatically optimizes charging process and maximizes power extraction from solar panels under all conditions.
- ▲ ADVANCED BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: The built-in BMS protects you against overcurrent, overvoltage, and over-temperature, ensuring the safety of you and your devices and prolonging battery life. It also features a built-in cooling fan to avoid overheating when charging.
HARNESS THE POWER OF THE SUN: The AIMTOM 60W folding solar panel is here to help you take advantage of the sun’s unlimited power and help you power up your laptop, iPhone, camera, wireless speaker, portable power station or solar generators. Charge your laptop directly from sunlight with the 10-in-1 connector kit (except for MacBooks). MC4 cable, DC-to-Clamp, DC-to-DC cables are also included. 60W OF GREEN, ECO-FRIENDLY POWER: Instead of carrying bulky powerbanks or looking for an outlet, you can enjoy unlimited, eco-friendly power no matter where you are with our portable and easy-to-transport solar power generator. NEVER RUN OUT OF BATTERY AGAIN: This premium, handmade solar charging panel will help you charge up to 2 devices at once thanks to its USB and DC outputs, so you can rest assured that you and your loved ones will not run out of juice. Plus it is made of SunPower solar cells which has the highest efficiency of 22.2%. CHARGE ALL YOUR DEVICES ON-THE-GO: The innovative safety functions make this folding solar power charger ideal for all your devices, including Android smartphones, laptops, iPhones, action cam, radio, wireless headphones, DSLR camera, GPS or any other electronic device. DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT YOUR SOLAR CHARGER: Want to take all the fuss out of your next camping or hiking trip? Want to enjoy the comforts of your home even if you are in the middle of nowhere? Our folding power charger is exactly what you need!
These two items, when paired together, are an amazing way to bring electricity with you on the go. Many hikers already use portable chargers for their phones, but now you can bring this power station to charge all your devices, including your electric tent heater. I personally use this portable solar charger, and it has served me well on many different trips. The AIMTOM products are a bigger and better version, allowing you to bring one of the smaller electric tent heaters and keep you nice and cozy in your tent, no matter where you decide to rest for the night.