Best Camping Gas Heaters for Tents

If you plan to camp in a cold environment, you will want to heat your tent, which is why we made our selection of the best camping gas heaters for tents. Keep reading to find out more:

Cold-weather tents can be effectively heated safely using wood-burning tent stoves or propane gas heaters. The gas heaters are more convenient if you are in an area without wood or when the tent is without a pipe jack.

One thing to note is that your propane heaters might not work correctly at high elevations, and you probably won’t have access to wood. If this is your case, your best bet is to check out some insulated tents.

Quality gas heaters usually combine several safety features to be used indoors and outdoors. They are generally designed to work with gas tanks but also have connectors for larger gas bottles for an extended heating time. Those presented here have a burning power good enough to heat even the largest cold-weather tents.

Our List Of Best Portable Propane Gas Heaters

Here are the tent gas heaters ordered by their BTU output from lowest to highest:

Each of the heaters in the list has something unique that sets it apart from its competitors. These are also products from the best-known brands in this industry.

1. Mr. Heater F232017 MH9BXRV Buddy

• BTU Output: 4,000-9,000
• Dimensions: 14.25″ x 15″ x 9″
• Weight: 8.78 lbs
• Heating Coverage: 200 ft²

This is one of the best-known and most popular radiant heaters on the market, with thousands of user reports, so we know a lot about it. The output range is 4000-9000 BTU. So it is a bit low compared to its competitors here in the list. Though they claim it can heat enclosed spaces like large tents up to 200 ft² (19 m²).

Lightest Option

Pros:

• It’s very lightweight
• It’s very reliable
• Excellent integrated ignition

Cons:

• It doesn’t have the strongest output

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The heater is designed for propane and uses radiant heating technology developed by Enerco. The heater has an integrated Piezo sparking mechanism with the Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) and accidental tip-over safety shutoff.

The specifications claim it can operate at altitudes of up to 7000 ft (2100 m). It weighs 8.78 lb (4 kg) and is the lightest on the list.

See more in this video:

2. Mr. Heater Buddy FLEX Portable Radiant Heater

• BTU Output: 11,000
• Dimensions: 15.35″ x 10.95″ x 16.54″
• Weight: 11.02 lbs
• Heating Coverage: 275 ft²

This propane heater comes with 110000 BTU output, and they claim it can heat a space of up to 275 ft² (25 m²). It is packed with some exciting and patented features.

You have an electric ignition system based on a battery. The heater is indoor-safe because of its numerous safety features that include an integrated heater and accessory controls, Quick Connect Accessory Rail system, a patented Thermal Shut-down System (TSSTM), Emergency Low Oxygen Safety System (ELO2TM), and Apex 50° Tip-Switch (A50°TM).

Best Seller

Pros:

• Comes with excellent safety features
• The fan helps to spread the heat
• It can work up to 9,000 ft

Cons:

• It’s pretty expensive

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

One interesting detail is that you can attach their Mr. Heater Buddy FLEX Portable Radiant Cooker to this heater. The heater has an accessory button, and connecting the Cooker is easy. The Cooker is also designed to be attached to the Heater for transportation.

The weight of this heater is 11.02 lb (5 kg), and its dimensions (L x W x H) are 15.35 x 10.95 x 16.54 inches (39 x 28 x 42 cm). Fuel consumption and burn rate are 0.121 Gal/Hr. It is designed to work up to 9000 ft (2740 m) of elevation. Here is a bit more:

3. DEWALT Portable Radiant Heater

• BTU Output: 6,000-12,000
• Dimensions: 15.75″ x 14″ x 10.5″
• Weight: 14 lbs
• Heating Coverage: 450 ft²

This heater has an output in the range of 6000 – 12000 BTU. They claim this is enough to heat up to 450 ft² (42 m²), though they show much more significant numbers that do not look so realistic to me on Amazon.

You have three heating settings, and according to its specifications, its dual tank capacity is for 7 hours of run time. But it’s pretty heavy at 14 lb (6.35 kg).

Best Run Time

Pros:

• Strong construction
• The LED light
• USB ports

Cons:

• Too heavy

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Regardless of these optimistic numbers, it has an excellent design with reliable electronic ignition. It has a rugged handle with a LED light bar, and it is equipped with a high-speed fan.

You have the usual safety features, including a tip-over safety switch and Oxygen Depletion System, and they claim it is indoor safe. It has 3 USB charging ports, and its DEWALT 20V or FLEXVOLT battery powers its electronics. See how it works:

4. Flame King 20000 BTU Dual Tank Propane Heater

• BTU Output: 5,000-20,000
• Dimensions: 18″ x 12″ x 18″
• Weight: 20.8 lbs
• Heating Coverage: Not Stated

This heater comes with an impressive output ranging from 5000 to 20000 BTU. But there is more to this camping heater that sets it apart. You can choose any output in the given range, and this is connected to an integrated thermostat. So you can select the desired temperature, and the heater will switch on and off whenever necessary to maintain the desired temperature.

Top Pick

Pros:

• Excellent output
• You can change the output
• Built-in fan

Cons:

• The thermostat is noisy when shutting down

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

There is a compartment for batteries that run a built-in fan that helps in dispersing the heat in the tent/room. You also have an auto ignition and several safety features, including a built-in Safety Fuel Shutoff, a Safety Tilt Shutoff, and an exterior Grate Guard.

It also has a compartment on the back with a place for two propane tanks. But it can work with one tank only. The heater is quite heavy, with 20.8 lb (9.4 kg), and its dimensions (L x W x H) are 18 x 12 x 18 inches (46 x 30 x 46 cm).

Final Thoughts

So this was our selection of the most exciting camping gas heaters for tents with a variety of output values and features. They all have integrated safety features that make them safe for indoor use. They are portable and relatively small, so they can be transported in the car and used anywhere outdoors.

These are great options for cold-weather fishing, hunting, and camping. For outdoor use, their output is such that they can heat a relatively small shelter like a hunting cabin, a fishing or camping tent, or a trailer. If you use such a heater in the tent, the tent must be ventilated yet closable to preserve the warmth.

Let me know if you have questions; there is a comment box below.