There are many factors to consider when choosing a heater. Before buying a one you should consider how many people you will need to keep warm, inside or outside use, and what kind of weather you will mostly be camping in.
This post goes in-depth on camping heaters and other relevant information. My recommendation is to buy a high-quality heater with plenty of power and durability, such as the Mr. Buddy Heater.
For me, I rather buy an item once and feel confident it will last me in the years to come. This heater has all the safety features you want and emits plenty of heat to keep you warm. It is lightweight making it easy to move from place to place. Almost every camper swears by this brand, they can’t all be wrong right?
Why the Mr. Buddy Heater is my top pick
The consensus among many campers is that the Mr. Buddy Heater brand is the best because of its high-quality products and versatility. This particular model isn’t too big or too small, but is very robust and will meet the needs of the average outdoorsman.
The Mr. Buddy Portable Heater model can be used both in and outdoors, which is ideal for camping. It comes equipped with safety features such as an oxygen depletion sensor and accidental tip-over safety shut-off. These are must have features in order to heat your tent.
This item is built by a reputable manufacturer that ensures a high quality product. This tiny but mighty heater packs a punch that can warm up a tent of up to 200 square feet. It can produce anywhere from 4,000-9,000 BTU’s (unit of measure for heat) which will keep you plenty warm while camping. It is powered by propane and engineered to run at maximum efficiency while leaving a small footprint.
It is easy to move from place to place because of its light weight (about 10 pounds) and built-in carry handle. Not to mention, this model comes in at a very reasonable price point.
There are tons of cheaper brands that will get the job done for a season. Over time these heaters get moved around a lot and you will quickly see wear and tear. Spending $20-$50 more on a quality heater will save you money in the long run with its durability.
Features To Look For In a Heater
- Safety Features
- Outdoors/Indoor use
- Power Source
- Size and Weight
- BTU Output (Measure of Heat)
- Burn Rate (Efficiency)
- Durability
Best Winter Heater
The Mr. Heater Portable Propane Heater is great for extreme weather such as winter camping, winter sports, ice fishing, or just heating up the garage.
This model is equipped with high wind resistance technology, pumps out up to 11,000 BTU of omni-directional heat, and has safety shut off valves.
While it is more expensive than the single burner model Mr. Buddy Heater, you get what you pay for. This heater packs a bigger punch that ensures you will be able to last in frigid weather.
My Favorite Electric Heater
My favorite electric heater I’ve seen on the market for rooftop tents is the Stanley ST-22A. It comes in at a fair price point and is able to heat up a space that reaches 165 square feet.
This unit heats up within seconds of powering on and has various heat level settings to control the temperature of tent. This portable unit also comes equipped with safety features that prevent it from overheating as well as a shutoff feature if it tips over.
The only negative to any electric heater is it requires a power source. Whether that be the campsite you’re at or a generator you brought to your remote location. Some prefer electric heaters, if you’re going to buy one this would be my recommendation because it is durable, safe, and most importantly warm!