Safe Tent Heaters for Camping
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A tent heater goes a long way to make your stay in the outdoors more comfortable, especially if you are camping under freezing conditions. It could be the difference between a long wait for the morning rays to pierce through the tent and a peaceful night’s sleep.
So, if you are adventurous enough to go backpacking and camping in the cold months of the year, then a tent heater should be at the top of your list. But you should not that tent heaters come in a range of styles, price points, and power levels.
It takes a great level of due diligence to find something that works for your camping situation. With so much to consider and numerous brands to choose from, making an informed decision can take a toll on your mind.
Luckily, we took the liberty to do comprehensive research on your behalf. After going through hundreds of customer reviews across different online retailers, below is our recap of the best & safest tent heaters for camping!
Why Do You Need a Tent Heater?
A tent heater is an essential piece of equipment that makes your tent a more livable space, more so when camping in the chilly months of the year.
If you decide to take your family for a camping adventure, you must protect them from the cold, even on warmer days of the year.
The early mornings late afternoons can sometimes be too chilly for comfort. But with a tent heater, you can create a warm and cozy environment that the kids will enjoy being in.
What Kind of Heater is Safe for Use Inside a Tent?
There are various designs of tents on the market. Some are powered by electricity while others use gas as fuel to produce heat. From a safety standpoint, electric tent heaters are the best to use inside a tent, albeit less convenient since you need access to a power supply.
There are no fumes or smoke to deal with when the heater is burning.
Are Camping Heaters Safe?
Camping heaters can be used safely inside a tent. They are designed to warm up the environment without inconveniencing you with smoke and other disruptions.
But just in case it rains at night, you want to find a raised area to place the electric heater so that it’s not sitting in the water.
Safest Tent Heaters for Camping – Reviews
Mr Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy
The Mr. Heater MH9BX Buddy tent heater stands out with its optimal delivery of power and convenience. It boasts a heat output range of 4000-9000 BTUs with the ability to cover a radius of 225 square feet.
This is enough coverage to sufficiently warm up even the largest family tents in the market. The unit only measures 9 pounds, which makes it highly portable.
It also features a fold-down handle that comes in handy when you want to transport it.
You can either connect a 1lb cylinder directly to the unit or use its swivel regulator to link to a remote fuel supply via hose and filter. The disadvantage of using the portable mode is that you don’t get much run time.
A full tank can only last around 4.5 hours, and this is when it is running on low power mode. So, if you’re planning to use it for long hours, then you better stock up on the gas before you leave.
Safety features are integrated into the heater make it a safe option for tents. It comes with an auto shut-off function that instantly goes active when the heater is tipped over. Additionally, this will turn off the heater automatically when it detects low oxygen levels or when the heater is lit at altitudes beyond 7000ft above sea level. This means the chances of a fire breakout are significantly reduced.
It also makes the MH9BX a great option when planning to camp in a mountainous region. You get all these functional features for a reasonable price, proving that there is value for money in your investment.
Furthermore, the manufacturer provides a warranty when you buy this unit, but remember to steer clear of using third-party accessories as it can void the warranty.
Mr. Heater Little Buddy
If you feel like the standard Mr. Heater Buddy above is too bulky for you, you can go for this mini version, which will be more apt for a smaller tent. The Little Buddy is compact enough to fit effortlessly inside your backpack.
Nevertheless, it is capable of heating a space of up to 95 sq, ft. You can fit it ins your small 2-person tent without taking up too much space.
Thanks to a 45-degree adjustable angle, you can point the heater in your desired direction so that the heat is focused where you need it the most.
Just like its bigger sibling, this heater is fitted with an automatic shut-off function that will cease heat output when someone tips it over. The same will happen when it detects low oxygen levels in the room.
When the attached fuel tank is full, the Little Buddy can run for a maximum of 5.5 hours, which is pretty impressive a unit its size. It also produces heat at full capacity without burdening you with unwanted odours or choking fumes.
All these useful features of the Mr. Heater Little Buddy make it a safe tent heater for camping when you are in the market for something minimalist.
AmazonBasics 500W Personal Heater
If you like to head out for camping adventures in the winter, then you need a heater to make your tent livable. The AmazonBasic 500W personal heater allows you to enjoy adequate heating without costing you too much of a dime. This is one of the most budget-friendly heaters out there and offers a basic design that won’t give you much trouble operating.
Despite this, it has all it takes to make for cozy nights under the stars.
Its ceramic coils warm up relatively quickly to kick the cold out of your evenings. You will be surprised at just how warm it gets and how quietly it burns. You can also get in a range of colours, which allows you to bolster your tent’s décor.
This also means that it will be a nice fit inside your bedroom during those cold winter nights. Unfortunately, there is no adjustable dial, LCD, or oscillation, you’ll have to contend with the simplistic design of the heater.
However, you won’t be disappointed by how it heats your space. Another useful feature is the tip-over protection that you’ll find on more expensive models on the market. This prevents accidental fires when the lamp is knocked over, ensuring that you sleep easy at night.
The heat output may not be the highest out there, but it’s just enough to warm small tents to your satisfaction.
If you’re heading out with a close friend or a spouse for a fun time in the outdoors, then the AmazonBasics 500W heater will be the perfect third wheel to bring along. Overall, this reasonably priced unit will be ideal for casual use and small adventures. You can’t depend on it during a family camping trip.
Opolar Electric Ceramic Camping Heater
This electric heater is very popular among campers thanks to three essential features that it offers. For one, it is quite compact for convenient portability on the trail and is equipped with an adjustable thermostat to let you regulate the heat as required. Lastly, it oscillates for uniform heat distribution. The combined working of these elements makes it a safe tent heater for camping that you can rely on.
A 70-degree range of motion should be adequate to heat a 2-person tent. It also helps to expedite the heating time so that you get a cosier and more comfortable environment inside the tent within a short time.
You also get a dial on the unit for adjusting the heat to your convenience, which is a useful feature that beats models with a high and low switch.
Although the heater is lightweight, there is no carry handle at the top. Instead, you’ll find all the controls positioned in this area. The maximum heating power produced by the Opolar electric heater is 5120 BTUs, which makes it suitable for a 4-person tent in the higher range. Anything larger will need more than the heating power this unit can offer to adequately warm up the tent.
Lastly, the oscillating motion of the heater while running is perfect for smaller tents with up to two people. This is because as the heater moves, the heat is spread around the tent more evenly.
Therefore, if you want a cozy interior for you and your spouse while camping, this is an option that won’t let you down.
Conclusion
Don’t let the winter cold keep you from exploring the outdoors through camping adventures. As long as you have a way to fend off the low temperatures, you should be good to spend the night outside. The safe tent heaters for camping reviewed above will come in handy when you pitch a tent during the cold months of the year.
FAQ
How Cold is Too Cold to Camp in a Tent?
If the nighttime temperatures get to a high of 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit, then you might want to think about turning on a heater inside the tent. This is too cold for comfort, especially for inexperienced campers. Anything between 50- and 65-degrees Fahrenheit may be considered comfortable for a camper.
Can You Suffocate in a Tent?
If your tent doesn’t have adequate ventilation, carbon dioxide build-up inside may lead to a fatal outcome. Suffocation is just one of them, although in extreme circumstances. The lack of oxygen is the main cause of this and may come about as a result of lack of free airflow or too many people inside a tent.
Can You Sleep with a Mr. Buddy Heater?
Mr. Buddy tents are totally safe to sleep with inside a tent. They are designed with safety features to ensure there is no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Usually, they have an automatic shut-off function that will extinguish the heater if it detects low oxygen levels inside the tent.
