Hot tent camping has become popular, but not everyone needs a camp stove and the fuss of setting up a chimney. Sometimes all a camper desires is a little temperature boost which a heater can provide. Thus, we’ve rounded up the best tent heaters, providing a choice of size and fuel type.
The best tent heaters are:
- Honeywell HHF360V 360 Degree Surround Fan Portable Heater – Best overall
- Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy – Best Heat
- ISILER Space Heater, 1500W Portable Indoor Heater – Best Value
- Campy Gear Chubby 2 In 1 Portable Propane Heater – Most Versatile
- Honeywell HeatBud Ceramic Space Heater – Best For Tight Spaces
- Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy – Most Quiet
- AEscod 1500W Portable Electric Heater – Most Adjustable Angles
- Vornado Velocity 3R Space Heater – Strongest Fan
Scroll right to view all products >
Best Overall  | Best Heat  | Best Value  | Most Versatile  | Best For Tight Spaces  | Most Quiet  | Most Adjustable Angles  | Strongest Fan  | |
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
| Rating /5 | ||||||||
| Noise | 4.3/5 | 4..8/5 | 4.1/5 | 4.9/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.9/5 | 3.9/5 | 3.4/5 |
| BTU | 4.5/5 | 4.9/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 | 2.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Safety | 4.8/5 | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.8/5 | 4/5 | 3.8/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Weight/Portability | 4.6/5 | 3.8/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.1/5 | 4.9/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4.7/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.7/5 | 3.9/5 | 4/5 |
| Value for money | 4.7/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.9/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Review | It still produces substantial heat quickly, evenly spreading it 360°. It doesn’t weigh too much, is affordably priced, and is well-built. | Produces the most heat consistently although there is a slight hiss on its lowest settings. | Good value for money and it can also be used as a fan when you want to cool down. | The Campy Gear Chubby 2 in 1 Portable Propane Heater is a versatile piece of equipment. It can be used to cook your food and heat your tent. It also can be used with butane, isobutane, and propane, giving you greater fuel options. In addition, it weighs under 5 lbs. | The Honeywell HeatBud Ceramic Space Heater is an excellent choice for tight spaces, such as a 1-person tent or a snug 2-person model. It is well built, doesn’t weigh much, nor is it loud despite the tiny fan. | The Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy is high-quality durability in a smaller package. Thus, it takes up less space than Mr. Heater’s bigger models and won’t chew through as much propane. It is also fractionally quieter than the bigger Buddy. | The AEscod 1500W Portable Electric Heater is an affordable 1500-watt heater that has an adjustable head, so you can angle the heat to your preference. It weighs under 4 lbs., has a handle, and has overheating protection. | The Vornado Velocity 3R Space Heater has many positives. Its strong fan distributes heat very well and can be used in summer to keep you cool. Its safety features are almost as good as the Honeywell, with auto-shutoff if tipped over or overheats. It also remains cool to the touch. |
Best Tent Heater Compared
Honeywell HHF360V 360 Degree Surround Fan Portable Heater
Pros
- Produces 360° heat
- Quiet
- Affordable
- Excellent safety features
- 3 lbs.
Cons
- Requires electricity
- It will produce an odor for the first few uses
The Honeywell HHF360V 360 Degree Surround Fan Portable Heater is the top pick for the best tent heater overall. While it isn’t the warmest, it still produces substantial heat quickly, evenly spreading it 360°. It doesn’t weigh too much, is affordably priced, and is well-built. The blowing fan isn’t too loud, either.
But the most impressive aspect of the Honeywell is its safety features. Unlike many electric heaters, the outside casing doesn’t become hot to the touch, only warm. In addition, it has tip-over auto-shutoff, overheat shut-off, flame-resistant plastic, and a timer so you can ensure it will turn off even if you accidentally fall asleep.
Being electric, there is no worry about O2 depletion or monoxide poisoning. Nor do you have to keep flammable fuel and a burning flame inside your tent. However, it will only work where you can access enough electricity to meet its 1500-watt needs.
Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy
Pros
- 9,000 BTU
- 225 sq ft coverage
- Auto-shut-off for tipping, pilot light out, or low 02
- Durable
Cons
- 10.65 lbs.
- Won’t work over 7,000 ft
The Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy produces the most heat consistently. With a BTU rating of 9,000, it can heat up to 225 sq ft quickly. Also, it is quiet. There is a slight hiss on its lowest settings, but often if it is hard to tell it’s on without looking.
Like any propane heater, there are risks of oxygen depletion and monoxide poisoning. Thus, Buddy and other Mr. Heater models must only be operated in ventilated rooms.
Thankfully, Mr. Heater does take safety seriously. The durable and stable design has auto-shutoff for tipping, low 02, or if the pilot light goes out. The temperature smoothly adjusts, so you can reduce it in smaller spaces.
ISILER Space Heater, 1500W Portable Indoor Heater
Pros
- 2.4 lbs.
- ETL Certified
- Tip-over auto-shutoff
- Well priced
- 108 sq ft coverage
Cons
- The casing can get hot
- It isn’t as durable as higher-end models
The ISILER Space Heater, 1500W Portable Indoor Heater is good value for money. Despite weighing under 3 lbs., the 1500 watts can heat up to 108 sq ft. It can also be used as a fan when you want to cool down.
However, fans make noise, and ISILER is no exception. Admittedly, it isn’t much louder than the Honeywell models, but the difference is there. In addition, the outer case can get hot, despite being made from flame-resistant materials, ETL certified, and having tip-over auto-shutoff.
There are limitations to where you can take this heater, as it is electricity dependent. Nor is it as durable as the Honeywell. But it is a nice little heater at an affordable price. Not bad, so long as you are happy to do a bit of assembly after it arrives.
Campy Gear Chubby 2 in 1 Portable Propane Heater
Pros
- 9,000 BTU
- Heater and stove
- Runs on butane, isobutane, or propane
- CSA certified
- 2 lbs.
Cons
- It sounds like a Bunsen burner
- It is fiddley to operate
The Campy Gear Chubby 2 in 1 Portable Propane Heater is a versatile piece of equipment. It can be used to cook your food and heat your tent. It also can be used with butane, isobutane, and propane, giving you greater fuel options. In addition, it weighs under 5 lbs.
Thus, on the face of it, the Chubby seems like a better choice than your Mr. Heater. However, the Chubby is much louder, which not everyone enjoys. Also, it is harder to use due to the range of fuel choices. Like many butane and isobutane stoves, there is a knack, and they can be frustrating until you get the hang of it.
Lastly, it will only produce higher heat temperatures on propane. Butane and isobutane do not burn as hot. However, the Chubby struggles to run for over an hour. Thus, the Chubby is a camping stove that can also heat, rather than a heater than can also cook.
Honeywell HeatBud Ceramic Space Heater
Pros
- Safe
- Only uses 250 watts
- 1.05 lbs.
- Affordable
- Pretty quiet
- Case doesn’t get hot
Cons
- It only heats small spaces
- Electricity dependent
The Honeywell HeatBud Ceramic Space Heater is an excellent choice for tight spaces, such as a 1-person tent or a snug 2-person model. It is well built, doesn’t weigh much, nor is it loud despite the tiny fan.
Like its Honeywell big brother, it is very safe. It has tip-over auto-shutoff, overheat shut-off, and is a stable design. The only major difference in safety between it and the 360° is that it doesn’t have a timer to shut it off in the event you accidentally fall asleep.
So, if you are looking for a well-built, low-wattage electric heater for a tiny space, this is an excellent choice.
Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy
Pros
- Quiet
- Electricity free
- Auto-shutoff for tip-over and low 02
- Durable
Cons
- Heavy for the amount of heat it produces
- Prone to tipping
The Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy is high-quality durability in a smaller package. Thus, it takes up less space than Mr. Heater’s bigger models and won’t chew through as much propane. It is also fractionally quieter than the bigger Buddy.
However, it only has a 3,800 BTU and weighs 5 lbs. It balances on its stand, but the top-heavy design makes it prone to tipping over. In addition, because it is propane, it means you have to crack open windows to run it to ensure you don’t die of monoxide poisoning.
But Mr. Heater does take safety seriously. It still has auto-shutoff when it tips or senses a lack of oxygen. So, if you need a small heater that is electricity-free, it’s a good buy. But if you can use electricity, you can find lighter, warmer, and more affordable models.
AEscod 1500W Portable Electric Heater
Pros
- The heat can be positioned at many angles
- 1500 watts
- Overheat protection
Cons
- No tip-over protection
- Isn’t as durable as the higher-end models
- The case gets hot enough to burn
The AEscod 1500W Portable Electric Heater is an affordable 1500-watt heater that has an adjustable head, so you can angle the heat to your preference. It weighs under 4 lbs., has a handle, and has overheating protection.
However, if you knock it over, it will keep running. Also, the outside can get hot enough to burn. It is not a safe choice around young children, pets, or on the floor of a tent around anybody that’s clumsy. It’s a better pick for somebody using it in an RV or cabin where they might be a shelf to keep it safely out of everybody’s way.
Vornado Velocity 3R Space Heater
Pros
- 1500 watts
- Strong fan
- Excellent safety features
Cons
- Loud
- Expensive
The Vornado Velocity 3R Space Heater has many positives. Its strong fan distributes heat very well and can be used in summer to keep you cool. Its safety features are almost as good as the Honeywell, with auto-shutoff if tipped over or overheats. It also remains cool to the touch.
The problem is that the strong fan means it is loud. In addition, this isn’t cheap, and you could get a better product with the Honeywell and save a significant amount of money. So unless you are really looking for a summer fan and heater combo, it isn’t worth the price.
Tent Heater Rating Criteria
Noise
Heaters are generally quieter than fans and air-conditioning units. But there is usually some noise, such as a slight buzz from the heating element. Propane and fan heaters generally make the most sound.
However, Mr. Heater makes nearly silent models that only make slight hisses at their lowest settings. But of the two, Little Buddy is slightly less prone to hissing than the much hotter and heavier big brother.
Blow or fan heaters are noisier by nature. But the Honeywell 360 and Honeywell HeatBud blow with a consistently soft “white noise” sound. Some people consider this as an advantage when staying in highly populated campgrounds.
The loudest by far, is the Vornado Velocity, which isn’t surprising since it doubles as a summer fan.
BTU Rating
The BTU rating signifies how much heat it can pump out. However, fuel source, settings, and build will also affect how much heat the device can produce. Mr. Heater Buddy, with a 9,000 BTU, ties for the highest rating with Campy Gear Chubby.
However, Mr. Heat Buddy can consistently produce the most heat and keep a tent warm. The Chubby performs better than a stove and struggles to run for extended lengths. It also runs consistently better in butane or isobutane but won’t get as hot unless you use propane. However, Chubby and propane have a complicated relationship.
Safety
Heaters and tents are an uneasy combination, making safety paramount. The Honeywell 360, Honeywell HeatBud, and Vornado Velocity are the safest models:
- Tip over auto-shutoff
- Auto-shutoff if it overheats
- Their casing doesn’t become hot to the touch
- They can’t kill you with O2 depletion or monoxide poisoning
The Honeywell 360 also has a timer function, so it will still shut off even if you accidentally fall asleep while running.
The problem with these models is that they all require electricity, which isn’t available to all campers. Mr. Heater Buddy is your safest propane or butane tent heater. Unfortunately, they are not as safe as the top electric models due to O2 depiction and monoxide poisoning risk. In addition, you have a highly flammable fuel in your fabric tent, complete with a flame.
But despite the drawbacks to propane, Mr. Heater does an excellent job at meeting safety needs:
- Tip over auto-shutoff
- Low-oxygen auto-shutoff
- Pilot light-out auto-shut-off
- Solid base
Weight & Portability
Weight and portability matter when space is tight. The Honeywell HeatBud is the smallest design and doesn’t require transporting fuel. However, it can only warm small tents, such as for 1-2 campers, and needs electricity. But Campy Gear Chubby is your lightest electricity-free version and could warm a 4-person tent. However, you must ventilate while using it.
Durability
Mr. Heater Buddy is rugged and built to last. The cheaper choices are prone to breaking with no warning. Little Buddy and Honeywell 360 are quality builds that should last years rather than a single season.
Value For Money
The ISILER gives buyers the best value for money. It is affordable, although not the cheapest. It weighs less than 5 lbs., produces a decent amount of heat, isn’t obnoxiously loud, and its safety features are pretty good, including fame resistance and tip-over auto-shutoff. However, it will get hot to the touch and isn’t as durable as Mr. Heater and Honeywell models.
Final Verdict
We would stick with Mr. Heater or Honeywell for our camp heater needs. Both brands take safety seriously, put out durable products, and their models produce the promised amount of heat. Our choice of exact model would depend on the size of the tent, the type of fuel requirements, and the altitude of our campsite.