If you love traveling, we bet your bucket list is full of new places you plan to explore all year around. Checking off your list may sound as simple as getting into your RV and driving off to your dream destination. But that is not always the case — your destination might be up to you, but the weather certainly isn’t.
If you don’t want anything to get in the way while you camp in your RV, you will need a heater to warm you up in the cold seasons. Even if your motorhome comes with a built-in furnace, you will need more than that to keep you warm in frosty weather.
List of the 10 Best RV Heaters for Boondocking
Finding the right heater for RV boondocking can be tricky. That is why we have compiled a list of the ten best heaters in 2022. We have also included a handy buying guide to help you make the best choice. Let’s dive in!
1. Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy Propane Radiant Heater
To kick off our best heaters for RV boondocking list is the F232000 MH9BX Buddy propane radiant heater by Mr. Heater. The heater generates between 4,000 to 9,000 BTU, making it the perfect choice for spaces of up to 225 square feet. You will love that you can use it both indoors and outdoors, thus the perfect companion for your escapades.
The Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy Heater offers the flexibility of selecting between high and low heat settings. You can use the heater for up to 5.4 hours when on low setting and up to 2.4 hours when running on high.
You will also appreciate the thoughtful safety features. The heater features a heavy-duty wire guard to prevent accidents. The Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) warns you when the oxygen level in the room is low. The heater also automatically shuts off when it tips over, so you don’t have to worry about fire incidences.
It has a swivel regulator that allows you to use a disposable cylinder or connect to a remote gas supply when you purchase a hose and filter.
The heater is portable and comes with an easy-grip handle, making it easy to move between use and storage. Its heavy-duty design makes it durable to withstand the harshness of the wild, and you also enjoy a one-year limited warranty.
- Portable
- Clean burning
- Easy to operate
- Designed to take up less space
- It comes with multiple advanced safety features
- It offers both low and high heat options
- Approved for outdoors or indoors
- The tip-over sensor can be triggered with a slight movement of the unit
- Its body heats up
2. GiveBest Electric Space Heater with Thermostat
The portable electric space heater from GiveBest stands out for its 2 in 1 feature. You enjoy a heat output of 1500W or 750W and a cool air fan for flexible use during winter and summer.
You will also love the convenient temperature control feature. The unit’s thermostat control turns off the heater when it reaches a preset temperature and then turns it back on when it falls below the temperature to give you comfortable warmth.
The GiveBest electric space heater also comes with tons of safety systems. The flame retardant construction prevents any fire hazard. It also has an automatic safety feature that turns off the heater when it overheats. The heater also turns off automatically when it tilts over and comes back on when placed in an upright position. Its indicator light remains on when the heater conducts power to remind you to unplug it when not in use.
The heater is quiet, so you can use it even when you don’t need distractions, like when you’re sleeping. Thanks to the ceramic heat technology and high-speed fan, the heater emits enough heat to fast heat 200 square feet of space.
Thanks to its compact design and inbuilt carry handle, you will find the heater portable, perfect for your wild camping. You also get two color choices to match your style.
- Quiet
- Two heat levels
- Compact yet powerful
- Portable with a convenient carry handle
- Auto-off feature when tilted to prevent accidents
- Has an indicator light when on for safety
- The thermostat helps maintain a stable temperature
- Only suitable for tiny spaces
3. Lasko 755320 Ceramic Space Heater
The Lasko 755320 ceramic space heater has tons of advanced features that you will love without compromising its size and weight.
The 1500W heater comes with a digital display that allows you to switch across settings stress-free. The digital thermostat and display offer you the convenience of selecting the best temperature as you monitor the temperature on the screen. You can also schedule the heater for up to eight hours, thanks to the automatic timer.
It features two quiet heat settings. You can select high and low heat or automatic settings. You will enjoy the oscillation setting that distributes warm air to your entire space. What’s great is that the remote-control feature lets you operate all these settings from where you are. No need to get up or stoop low whenever you need to change the room’s temperature.
The built-in safety features ensure you won’t have to worry about fire hazards. The heater has an overheat protection that keeps it from overheating even when left on for long. You will also appreciate that its exterior does not heat up even after using the heater for hours.
It comes with tons of convenience features, including a carrying handle and a 6-foot power cord. It also comes ready to use.
- Two heat settings
- Automatic off timer
- Remote control for convenience
- It comes with built-in safety features
- Lightweight with a carry handle
- Digital controls for ease of use
- Three-year limited warranty
- It doesn’t have an automatic tip-over shut off
4. Lasko CD09250 Ceramic Heater
The Lasko CD09250 ceramic heater is small yet powerful, thus a perfect choice for small spaces such as your RV.
It offers three heat modes which are also quiet. You get to choose between low or high heat and fan only.
You will love the adjustable thermostat that lets you set the 1500W heater to your preferred temperature. It also offers eleven different temperature settings, so you can be sure to find one that you are most comfortable with.
It is also easy to use as you can change the various temperature settings at a simple dial. You will appreciate the incorporated safety features. It has an overheat protection feature to ensure your heater does not overheat even when left on for long. The cool-touch exterior ensures your heater is safe to touch at all times.
The Lasko CD09250 ceramic heater is a perfect companion, thanks to its portability. It further includes a carry handle to let you conveniently take it with you. You will also love the compact size that makes it even easier to move from one place to another.
The heater comes fully assembled so that you will be enjoying the warmth in no time.
- Adjustable thermostat to match your preferences
- Three quiet heat settings
- Automatic overheat protection
- Cool-touch exterior
- Compact and portable
- Easy to operate
- It does not shut off automatically when tipped over
- Knobs have to be adjusted manually, but they are easy to operate
5. Andily Space Heater with Thermostat
The Andily space heater is compact to fit into most spaces and is straightforward to operate, thanks to the simple manual knobs. It is also powerful to meet your heating needs.
The heater features an adjustable thermostat to give you the freedom to choose the warmth you are most comfortable with, and it maintains the set temperature in your space. You also get to enjoy the flexibility of three heater modes: high heat of up to 1500W, low heat of 750W, and fan only.
When it comes to safety, the Andily electric space heater has got you covered. Its power indicator light allows you to tell whether the heater is plugged in or not just by looking at it. The overheat protection system shuts off the heater when its parts overheat. The unit also features a tip-over safety feature that switches off your heater when tipped forward or backwards.
Its ceramic construction lets you enjoy fast heating, offering you abundant warmth within just two seconds. It also means your heater can take anything thrown at it to serve you for long.
The heater comes fully assembled, so you will be good to go in no time. You will also appreciate the carry handle that lets you conveniently bring the heater with you when needed.
- Durable
- Rapid heating
- Three heating modes
- Overheat protection
- Tip-over safety shut-off
- Compact and portable
- Easy to operate
- Manual knobs
- Too noisy for some users
6. De’Longhi EW7707CM ComforTemp Oil Filled Radiator
The De’Longhi ComforTemp radiator has tons of convenient features, making it an excellent oil-filled heater for RV boondocking.
The heater lets you select from three heating modes for customized warmth. You can set the heat as high as 1500W or as low as 700W. The thermostat allows you to adjust the heater to your preferred setting with easy-to-use buttons.
Your space will remain at the set warm temperature for your comfort, and you also get to benefit from lower energy bills, saving you money. The heater offers multiple heat levels, so you can be sure to select one that best suits your needs.
The De’Longhi heater stands out for the incorporated wheels, making it hassle-free for anyone to move the heater, especially given its weight. The unit shuts off automatically when overheated for safety.
It is maintenance-free, meaning you won’t have to keep refilling the oil. It also features a rust-resistant construction so you can enjoy extended use. The heater also has a sleek appearance that you will love. It is noiseless for use even when sleeping.
You will love that it comes with a three-year warranty for worry-free purchase and use.
- Energy efficient
- Easy-to-use control panels
- Three heat settings
- Overheat protection function
- Maintenance-free
- Three-year warranty
- Takes too long to heat a space
- Heavier than most heaters, but the built-in wheels make it easy to move around
7. Honeywell 360 Degree Surround Heater
The Honeywell HHF360V heater stands out because of its make. Its 360 degrees design emits heat all around to warm up the entire room fast. The 1500W heater is powerful yet compact to meet your heating needs.
The adjustable thermostat ensures that you can customize your space’s warmth to suit your needs. You have the option of selecting between two heat settings: low with an output of 900W and high of up to 1500W. The fan-forced feature ensures your space will warm up in no time.
The Honeywell heater comes with multiple safety functions. It has a 360-degree tip-over safety feature and an overheat protection function to prevent your heater from overheating. You will also find the automatic off-timer to be helpful.
The heater’s exterior and handle are cool to touch, so you can move your heater whenever stress-free. The heater also has a power light to let you know when it is on so you won’t forget to unplug it.
The heater is small in size and comes with an easy-to-grab handle, making it easy for you to carry along. It also comes with only two dials, thus easy to operate. You won’t have to worry about setting it up as it comes fully assembled.
- All-around heat output
- Fan forced technology
- 360° tip-over safety feature
- Overheat protection function
- Compact yet powerful
- Cool-touch exterior
- Convenient handle
- No remote control
8. Suburban 2438ABK NT-16SEQ Furnace with Black Grill
The Suburban 2438ABK NT-16SEQ furnace is mighty and durable, thus perfect for replacing your RV’s inbuilt furnace.
The heater has an output of 16000 BTUs which is powerful enough to heat a vast space of up to 800 square feet. The output does not compromise the heater’s size, as you still get a compact unit that will comfortably fit in your RV.
The Suburban furnace also has multiple safety features. It automatically shuts off its gas valve when it senses there is no flame to prevent fire hazards. It also comes with a vent assembly to vent its air intake and combustion exhaust outside your motorhome for safety.
You will love that this unit vibrates less, producing less noise. The heater can run using your battery as it operates on 12 volts. It also uses electronic ignition for improved efficiency compared to units with conventional pilot lighting. You will appreciate that it is a ductless heater for hassle-free installation.
- Durable
- Powerful enough to warm up large spaces
- Uses minimal power
- Easy to install
- Electric ignition
- Compact size
- Vent assembly
- Not portable
9. Camco Olympian RV Wave-8 Catalytic Heater
The Camco Olympian RV Wave-8 heater offers comfortable radiant heat and uses low energy, making it convenient for warming up your RV.
The Camco Olympian heater has a high heating capacity and robust operation, making it an excellent primary or alternative heat source. It can warm up 290 square feet of space in seconds to keep you warm in no time.
You will love that it is energy efficient. It operates on low-pressure gas directly from the source to ensure minimal fuel consumption. Running on low-pressure gas means you won’t have to worry about increased costs from electricity drain or connecting the unit to a battery.
You can adjust the unit from 4200 to 8000 BTU per hour. Its safety shut-off valve protects your home against fire hazards.
The Camco Olympian catalytic heater offers the flexibility of using it as a portable heater or wall-mounting it to meet different needs. The heater has a built-in automatic Piezo-electric sparker that makes it easy to start and lasts up to 20,000 starts.
You will enjoy the quiet operation for peace of mind. It comes with a one-year warranty for worry-free use.
- Auto-shutoff valve
- Can be mounted on the wall or used as a portable unit
- Built-in automatic electric sparker
- Fuel-efficient and cost-saving
- Noiseless
- One-year warranty
- No tip-over safety feature
10. Amazon Basics Portable Eco-Smart Space Heater
The Amazon Basics Eco-smart space heater is small yet mighty to suit your RV’s heating needs. It can heat a room of up to 1000 square feet and a 9-foot ceiling height. You can be sure it will suffice.
The heater comes with an adjustable electronic thermostat to allow you to choose the room temperature you are most comfortable with. You can further adjust the temperature from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
You will appreciate that it comes with an LED display that makes it easy to read and operate. We love the remote-control feature that allows you to operate the unit from your comfortable position.
The Amazon Basics heater comes with a built-in overheat sensor, so you won’t have to worry about safety. It offers four infrared heating elements, and you can choose between the power output of 750W to 1500W. We particularly love the ECO-smart setting that saves you energy bills.
It is portable, which makes it perfect for traveling. What’s more, it also comes with a one-year limited warranty from Amazon Basics for a worry-free purchase.
- Remote control
- Portable
- LED display
- Overheat sensor for safety
- Eco-friendly design and use
- One-year limited warranty
- Too noisy for some users
Buying Guide — Choosing the Best Heater for RV Boondocking
The heaters on our list offer some fantastic features that make them the best of the best. However, it can be overwhelming to decide on one when you don’t know what to look for. This buying guide highlights all the essential features a heater for RV boondocking should have. Let’s take a look!
Efficiency
How much fuel does your heater consume to warm up the space? How fast does it warm up your space? You will need to check the British Thermal Unit (BTU) to determine how much space the heater can heat.
A higher BTU rating means better heating performance. For instance, 7000 BTUs can effectively warm up 300 square feet of space, while a 5000 BTUs unit is perfect for a 150 square feet space.
Power or Fuel Consumption
Another essential feature to consider is how fast the heater uses up fuel or power within a certain period. This information is crucial as you will have the ability to estimate the amount of fuel supply you will need when out camping. You don’t want to get stranded in the cold in remote areas without an extra heat supply.
Safety Features
You know the rule – safety first. Your RV heater is no exception.
We recommend a heater with built-in safety features like an auto shut-off when the heater tips over, a cool-touch exterior, and an overheat protection system. Some heaters also come with a built-in carbon dioxide sensor.
Durability
Keep in mind that you will be on the road most of the time and will have to move the heater from place to place. Be sure to choose one that can withstand the bumpiest of rides and the constant disturbances.
We recommend going with a heater with a long-lasting exterior for extra protection. One that comes with a warranty would also be an excellent option for your peace of mind.
Maintenance
How easy is it to maintain the RV heater? Whether you are an expert or novice when it comes to RV heaters, you probably don’t want to spend your precious time repairing a broken one. Save yourself time and effort by buying a low-maintenance heater.
Noise Level
While this might not be the first thing that comes to mind when shopping for a heater, it is certainly something to consider.
In general, units that come with fans are noisier compared to the fanless ones. So, if you want fewer distractions to match the serenity of your camping environment, we recommend a noiseless unit.
Cost
Just as important as other factors, you need to look at the heater’s price and ensure that it fits into your budget and your desired features and performance. Luckily, you have tons of options to choose from. So, you will be sure to find one that suits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the different types of RV heaters to choose from?
The two common types of RV heaters are electric and gas heaters.
Electric heaters are preferable because they are low maintenance. Additional benefits include durability, affordability, less noise, and the convenience of not needing extra fuel. On the downside, you can only use it if you have an electric power source. Also, its exterior heats up quickly.
Meanwhile, gas heaters produce more heat. However, they are more expensive, and you will always need to bring along a refillable gas tank.
2. I have a built-in furnace in my RV. Do I need a heater?
Whether or not you need an additional heater for your RV depends on your needs. However, our answer is yes – even if you have a built-in furnace in your RV, you might still need a heater as a secondary heat source.
We recommend getting a stand-by heater to save you if the current furnace breaks down or for backup when you need extra warmth. Who knows what can happen in the wild?
3. How do I know if an RV heater is the right size for me?
If the heater is too big, it will consume more energy and increase your bills. And one that is too small will not warm up your space as needed.
Luckily, most RV heaters mention their heating capacity. Make sure to double-check that it matches your square footage before buying one. Generally, you need about 10 Watts for every square foot.
Conclusion
Road trips are a lot of fun, especially when your RV is warm and cozy. A good heater for boondocking can make your adventure comfortable as well as exciting.
Whether you want a heater as a primary or secondary source of heat, a replacement for your existing one, or a backup for your current unit, you will find your perfect match on our top 10 list.
We hope our guide on the best heater for RV boondocking will be helpful as you make this decision.
