Camping is a great way to connect with nature and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. However, when the temperature drops, staying warm can become a challenge. This is where battery-powered heaters come in. These heaters are portable, efficient, and safe to use inside tents. In this blog post, we will review three of the best battery-powered heaters for camping tents.
Table of Contents
1. STANLEY 5100 BTU, 1500W Heavy-Duty Electric Heater
The STANLEY 5100 BTU Electric Heater is a compact yet powerful heater that’s perfect for camping. It’s designed to heat up to 165 square feet, making it a great choice for heating a tent or small camping area. This heater is equipped with two heat settings and an adjustable thermostat, allowing you to control the amount of heat it produces.
The STANLEY 5100 BTU is also designed for quick heating. It’s a portable electric heater that heats up in seconds, providing immediate warmth when you need it. Despite its compact size, it’s capable of producing a significant amount of heat, making it a reliable choice for camping trips.
Pros
- Compact and Portable
- Easy to transport
- The heater heats up in seconds, providing immediate warmth when you need it
- Two heat settings and an adjustable thermostat
- Safety tip-over switch, which automatically shuts off the heater if it’s knocked over
Cons
- Limited Heat Distribution, best suited for small spaces
- No Temperature Indicators, making it difficult to set a specific temperature
- The heater is made of plastic, which may not be as durable as other materials
2. Dreo Space Heater
The Dreo Space Heater is a compact yet powerful device that promises to deliver efficient heating in a variety of indoor settings. It’s an excellent choice for those who want a portable and easy-to-use heater for their camping tents.
The first thing you’ll notice about the Dreo Space Heater is its sleek design. It’s compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around and set up in your tent. Despite its small size, this heater packs a punch when it comes to heating power. It’s equipped with Dreo Hyperamics Technology, which allows it to heat up more efficiently with up to 1500W working power. This means you can reach your desired temperature immediately, letting you feel fast, balmy heat straight away.
One of the standout features of the Dreo Space Heater is its energy-saving capabilities. It has an ECO Mode that adjusts the heat level automatically to reach your desired temperature while saving more on energy bills. You can personalize your comfort with the digital thermostat from 41 to 95 ℉, adjustable in 1℉ increments. This precise control over heat output ensures you get the right amount of warmth without wasting energy.
Pros
- Compact and portable, perfect for camping tents
- Efficient heating with up to 1500W working power
- Shield360° Protection system for safety
- Energy-saving ECO Mode
- Digital thermostat for precise temperature control
Cons
- Might not be sufficient for larger tents or campers
- Some users might find the operation noise a bit loud
- The heater’s effectiveness might decrease in extremely cold conditions
3. Lasko Space Heater
The Lasko Space Heater is a compact and portable option for those who need a small, personal heater for their camping tent. This heater is designed to provide a concentrated amount of heat in a small area, making it perfect for personal use.
One of the standout features of the Lasko Space Heater is its energy efficiency. It uses only 200 watts of power, making it a budget-friendly option for those who are conscious about energy consumption. This low wattage also means it won’t trip the circuit breaker, a common problem with larger, more powerful heaters.
Despite its small size, the Lasko Space Heater doesn’t skimp on safety features. It includes overheat protection and a cool-touch housing, ensuring it’s safe to use for extended periods.
Pros
- Compact and portable, perfect for personal use
- Ceramic heating element for quick and consistent heating
- Energy-efficient, using only 200 watts of power
- Safety features include overheat protection and cool-touch housing
Cons
- Not suitable for heating larger spaces
- No built-in thermostat for temperature control
- No tip-over shut off safety device
Portable Batteries for Camping
Having a backup battery is crucial when camping. It ensures that your devices, including your heater, stay powered up throughout your trip. But what happens when the battery runs out? If you don’t have access to electricity on your camping trips, you’re far better off with a portable power station.
Solar power has come a long way, here are our best recommendations for solar powered batteries for your camping trips.
1. Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Solar-Generator Station
The Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Solar-Generator Station is a versatile and reliable power source designed for outdoor adventures and emergency situations. This solar-powered generator is lightweight and compact, yet it packs a punch with a 505 Wh capacity. It’s perfect for long camping trips, overlanding adventures, or as a backup power source at home.
The Yeti 500X is equipped with four different port options, including AC, 12V, and 60W USB-C PD, allowing you to power a wide variety of devices. Whether you need to charge your smartphone, laptop, or tablet, this power station has got you covered. It also features a high-speed power-delivery port, capable of rapidly charging USB-C laptops, tablets, mirrorless cameras, and phones.
One of the standout features of the Yeti 500X is its solar charging capability. You can hook it up to a Goal Zero solar panel for solar charging, or top it off from a wall outlet at home. It also comes with a Boulder 50 solar panel for faster solar charging. Alternatively, you can plug it into your vehicle’s 12-volt outlet. The multiple charging options make this solar-power generator a great companion for your adventures.
Pros
- Multiple charging options, including solar, wall outlet, and vehicle charging
- High-Speed Charging
- Lightweight and Compact
- Comes with a Boulder 50 solar panel for faster solar charging
Cons
- A bit pricey compared to other portable power stations on the market
- Power Output is set at 300W, which is lower than some competitors in its class that offer 500W
2. DOKIO 220W 18V Portable Solar Panel Kit
The DOKIO 220W 18V Portable Solar Panel Kit is a versatile and compact solution for your power needs while camping. This solar panel kit is designed to be lightweight and easy to store, making it an excellent choice for those who need to conserve space in their camping gear. The kit is only 1.1 inches thick and weighs just 11.7 pounds, making it easy to transport and set up.
One of the standout features of this solar panel kit is its high conversion efficiency. With high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cells, you can expect greater power efficiency even though the panel is smaller than traditional models. This feature allows you to put a lot of power into your battery bank, maximizing system output by reducing mismatch loss.
The DOKIO solar panel kit is also a perfect choice for outdoor and emergency life. It comes with a 9.85ft (3m) cable length from the panel to the controller, making it suitable for most power stations and 12-volt batteries. Whether you’re in an RV, car, boat, trailer, or camping, this solar panel kit can provide the power you need.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to store, making it perfect for camping
- High conversion efficiency with high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cells
- Complete kit that works out of the box, suitable for all 12V batteries
- Protection against overcharging, overload, and short-circuiting
- Suitable for most power stations and 12-volt batteries
Cons
- The cables included in the kit are relatively short, which may require you to place your battery in the sun for charging
- The panels are somewhat flimsy and require careful handling to avoid damage
- The panels need to be flat and angled towards the sun for optimal power production
Conclusion
Having a battery-powered heater and a reliable back-up battery can significantly improve your camping experience. They provide the comfort and convenience you need to fully enjoy your adventure. Remember, the best camping trip is a comfortable and safe one.
To get the most out of your camping trips, we highly recommend you don’t skimp out on quality. That’s why we recommend this heater from Stanley, together with this power station from Goal Zero.
Hi I’m Tom! I have been a camper enthusiast ever since I went camping with my family as a kid, love everything that brings me closer to nature. Photographer, RV owner, husband and father, trying to help others interested in camping on this blog.