Best RV Heater in 2023 (Top 5 Reviews with Comparison)

by | Jan 17, 2023 | Uncategorized

Although most people may think that traveling in an RV is ideal in the summertime, the fact is that hitting the road in your mobile home is an excellent idea no matter what time of year it is.

However, if you plan on venturing out during the colder months of the year, then you’ll want to make sure that you can stay toasty when the temperatures plummet outside.

To help you stay cozy in your motorhome, we’re looking at the best RV heaters.

Whether you’re hoping to heat your whole vehicle or you just want a mini space heater for RV, these models are sure to be vital to surviving the cold weather, regardless of how chilly it is outside.

COMPARISON CHART

IMAGE PRODUCT

Camco Olympian Wave-8 8000 BTU LP Gas Catalytic Heater for RV

1. Camco 57351 Olympian Wave Gas Catalytic Heater

  • Durable construction
  • No electricity required
  • Runs off of propane
  • No flame, no fumes
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Oscillating Space Heater – Ceramic Forced Fan Heating with Stay Cool Housing - Tower with Remote Control, Digital Thermostat, Timer, Large Temperature Display and Efficient ECO Mode - by Bovado USA

2. Oscillating Space Heater

  • Fast, efficient heating
  • ETL certified & buit to be safe
  • Optimal comfort
  • Lower energy costs
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 Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy Indoor-Safe Portable Propane Radiant Heater 3. Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy Indoor-Safe Portable Propane Radiant Heater

  • Durable construction
  • Easy to use
  • Built-in safety features
  • Safe for indoor use
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 Lasko CD09250 Ceramic Portable Space Heater with Adjustable Thermostat 4. Lasko CD09250 Ceramic Portable Space Heater with Adjustable Thermostat

  • Compact design
  • 1500 watts of heating power
  • Rugged ceramic panels
  • Overheating protection
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 DeLonghi EW7707CM Safe Heat ComforTemp Portable Oil-Filled Radiator 5. DeLonghi EW7707CM Safe Heat ComforTemp Portable Oil-Filled Radiator

  • Sealed oil-filled chamber
  • Never needs refilling
  • Efficient convection heating
  • Powerful 1500-watt element
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OUR TOP 5 PICKS

#1 Camco 57351 Olympian Wave Gas Catalytic

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Camco Olympian Wave-8 8000 BTU LP Gas Catalytic Heater for RV

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Camco Olympian Wave-8 8000 BTU LP Gas Catalytic Heater for RV

Specifications

Item Weight 5 pounds
Product Dimensions 23.4 x 17.6 x 5.7 inches

Features

  • Durable construction
  • Runs off of propane
  • Safe for indoor use
  • No electricity required
  • No flame, no fumes
  • Heats up to 230 feet

When most travelers think about buying a heater for an RV, they assume that the best option is an electric model, since they are compact, easy to use, and relatively safe. However, considering that you may not always be connected to a power source, electric heaters aren’t necessarily ideal.

Instead, we’re starting with a propane heater, meaning that you can use it no matter where you are, whether you’re at a campsite or boondocking elsewhere. Let’s see how it compares to other space heaters.

Catalytic Heater

At first, you may imagine that a propane heater will be too dangerous for indoor use. Fortunately, though, catalytic heaters like this one are perfectly safe for RVs, tents, and other enclosed areas.

The reason it works so well is that it doesn’t use combustion to produce heat (no flame). Thus, rather than worrying about too much heat or dangerous fumes clogging up your RV, you can get clean, reliable heat all night long.

Also, catalytic heaters warm surfaces more than they do the air, so you don’t have to worry about your RV getting too hot and dry after a while. Overall, this space heater can be on for hours without any significant issues.

Heats 230 Square Feet

For the most part, space heaters for your RV are designed to help you out while sleeping, or while you’re in a particular part of your mobile home. However, if you’re camping somewhere cold, you don’t want to have to bring the space heater along when you move to a different section of the RV.

Thankfully, this catalytic heater is rated for spaces up to 230 feet, meaning that you should have no problem making your mobile home toasty warm, regardless of its size. Only the largest, most massive Class A RVs may have a problem, and chances are that they have built-in heaters anyway.

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#2 Oscillating Space Heater

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Oscillating Space Heater – Ceramic Forced Fan Heating with Stay Cool Housing - Tower with Remote Control, Digital Thermostat, Timer, Large Temperature Display and Efficient ECO Mode - by Bovado USA

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Oscillating Space Heater – Ceramic Forced Fan Heating with Stay Cool Housing - Tower with Remote Control, Digital Thermostat, Timer, Large Temperature Display and Efficient ECO Mode - by Bovado USA

CHECK PRICE

Oscillating Space Heater – Ceramic Forced Fan Heating with Stay Cool Housing - Tower with Remote Control, Digital Thermostat, Timer, Large Temperature Display and Efficient ECO Mode - by Bovado USA

Specifications

Power Source Corded Electric
Heating Method Ceramic, Fan & forced air

Features

  • lightweight & portable
  • Lower energy costs
  • ETL certified
  • Optimal comfort

Looking for a top-quality space heater that will keep you warm all winter long? Look no further than the Oscillating Space Heater from Comfort Zone. This powerful little heater is perfect for quickly and evenly heating up any room in your home, and its compact size makes it easy to carry from room to room as needed.

#3 Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy Indoor-Safe Portable

 Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy Indoor-Safe Portable Propane Radiant Heater

Specifications

Item Weight 9.5 pounds
Product Dimensions 7.7 x 13.4 x 15 inches

Features

  • Durable construction
  • Built-in safety features
  • 4000-9000 BTU range
  • Easy to use
  • Safe for indoor use
  • Tip-over protection

Although I personally love catalytic heaters because they’re safe and highly efficient, I understand that they are not for everyone. So, if you like the idea of running your heater off of propane to save electricity, then this model from Mr. Heater may be a better option. Let’s see what it has to offer.

98% Efficient

When using an electric heater, you have to worry about your wattage and amperage, and you can’t really use them if you’re not plugged into shore power. However, as long as you have a propane tank, this heater is always ready to go.

Part of the reason I like it so much is that it offers nearly 100% efficiency. No wasted energy – almost all of it is converted into adjustable heat to keep your RV nice and toasty all day and night.

Indoor/Outdoor Model

Because this is a combustion heater, it will emit fumes like carbon monoxide. Thankfully, it does have a highly sensitive sensor that knows when oxygen levels are getting low, and it will shut off automatically.

Because of this feature, you can use the heater both indoors and outdoors without any problems. I highly recommend ventilating your RV when using it inside, however, just to be safe.

Video

#4 Lasko CD09250 Ceramic Portable Space Heater

 Lasko CD09250 Ceramic Portable Space Heater with Adjustable Thermostat

Specifications

Item Weight 3.5 pounds
Product Dimensions 5.7 x 7 x 9 inches

Features

  • Compact design
  • Overheating protection
  • 11 heat settings
  • Rugged ceramic panels
  • Adjustable thermostat
  • Convenient carry handle

Although I’ve been praising the versatility of propane heaters, that’s not to say that electric models won’t be aptly suited for life on the road. If you have a sizeable generator or you can plug into shore power regularly, then these heaters are perfect for all sizes of RV.

11 Heat Settings

One of the issues I’ve noticed with heaters, in general, is that they only come with a few settings. Typically, they are high, low, and fan, meaning that it’s hard to find the perfect balance. In most cases, high is too much, and low is not enough.

Fortunately, this particular model has 11 settings so that it’s easier to find the right temperature for your needs. It also has a built-in thermostat so that you have more precise control over the output. This feature enables this heater to be used all year round.

Quiet Operation

Another complaint I have about most heaters is that they can be distractingly loud. Whether you’re trying to read or sleep, a noisy heater can be more than a little disruptive. Thankfully, this particular model is ultra quiet at all settings, so you may not even realize it’s on most of the time.

Video

#5 DeLonghi EW7707CM Safe Heat ComforTemp Portable

 DeLonghi EW7707CM Safe Heat ComforTemp Portable Oil-Filled Radiator

Specifications

Item Weight 25 pounds
Product Dimensions 5.9 x 13.8 x 24.9 inches

Features

  • Sealed oil-filled chamber
  • Efficient convection heating
  • Caster wheels for portability
  • Never needs refilling
  • Powerful 1500-watt element
  • Surface stays relatively cool

Although this next heater from DeLonghi uses electricity, the process by which it heats your RV is somewhat unique. This is a portable radiator, meaning that it can provide efficient heating to your mobile home, all with a slim vertical design. Let’s see what it can do for you.

Oil-Filled Radiator

The way that this heater works is that the interior is filled with oil, which is heated via an electric heating element. As the oil warms up, it used convection heating to increase the temperature of the surrounding area.

Overall, this system is kind of a mix of catalytic and standard heaters, meaning that it’s both efficient and safe to use. Rather than blowing hot air around your RV, the heat is more radiant, meaning that it feels better and can maintain temperature better.

ComforTemp Setting

Although I still don’t recommend using an electric heater without a generator or plugging into shore power, this particular model does have a ComforTemp setting which improves its energy efficiency. Compared to some of the other models on this list, you’ll use a lot less electricity with this heater.

Video

Related Post: Best Electric Heater for RV in 2020 (Top 5 Reviews with Comparison)

CONCLUSION

Although some of you may not appreciate the simplicity and efficiency of a catalytic heater, I can’t sing its praises enough. Assuming that you want flexibility, reliability, and versatility with your RV heater, you can’t go wrong with the Camco Olympian Wave which is my choice among best RV heaters we’ve listed.

Yes, it may take a little while to get used to the way this machine works, but once you do, you’ll wonder why you used anything else before. This heater is perfect for the RV life, whether you’re on a weekend excursion or you travel full-time.

Robert Mahon

Robert Mahon

RV Enthusiast

Robert Mahon is a seasoned adventurer and a passionate storyteller dedicated to the RV lifestyle. With over two decades of experience exploring the open road, Robert has become an expert in all things RV-related. His journey began with a simple desire to see the world from a different perspective, and it quickly evolved into a full-time passion. Robert's extensive knowledge of RV maintenance, travel tips, and hidden gems makes his writing both informative and engaging. As a key contributor to the RV Expeditioners blog, he shares his insights and experiences, inspiring readers to pursue their own RV adventures. When he's not behind the wheel or writing, Robert enjoys hiking, photography, and discovering new destinations off the beaten path. His deep appreciation for the RV lifestyle is evident in every post, making him a trusted voice in the RV community.

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