6 Best Compact Space Heaters for RVs That Nomads Swear By
Stay warm on the road with a compact RV heater. We review 6 nomad-approved models, focusing on key features like safety, efficiency, and low power draw.
The first cold snap in an RV is a wake-up call. Suddenly, the cozy freedom of the road is replaced by a damp chill that seeps through the thin walls and single-pane windows. Your rig’s built-in furnace is a power-hungry beast, draining propane and batteries, making a reliable compact space heater an absolute necessity for any serious nomad.
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Choosing Your RV Heater: Propane vs. Electric
The first and most important decision you’ll make is your fuel source. This choice isn’t about which is "better"—it’s about how and where you camp. Your decision between propane and electric will define your ability to stay warm both on and off the grid.
Electric heaters are simple, convenient, and generally safer for indoor, unattended use. If you primarily stay in campgrounds with electrical hookups, a small electric unit is a fantastic way to save your propane and avoid the noise of your main furnace. The major limitation is power. An RV’s electrical system is a delicate balance, and a 1500-watt heater will max out a 15-amp circuit all by itself. Try to run the microwave or a coffee maker, and you’ll be taking a trip outside to flip the breaker.
Propane heaters are the champions of boondocking. They give you the freedom to stay warm miles from the nearest power pole. These units sip propane efficiently and can heat a space quickly without touching your battery bank. However, they come with a critical responsibility. All combustion heaters consume oxygen and produce byproducts like carbon monoxide and water vapor. Proper ventilation and a working CO detector are not optional—they are life-saving requirements.
Mr. Heater Buddy: Top Propane Pick for Off-Grid
There’s a reason you see the iconic red Mr. Heater Buddy in countless van builds, skoolies, and RVs. It’s a proven, reliable workhorse for off-grid heat. It connects to a small 1-pound propane canister for ultimate portability or can be adapted with a hose to run off a larger 20-pound tank for extended use.
What makes it a staple is its built-in safety. The Buddy series includes both a low-oxygen sensor that automatically shuts the unit off if oxygen levels in the room get too low, and a tip-over switch that kills the flame instantly if it’s knocked over. These features provide a crucial margin of safety in a tight space.
The Buddy is a radiant heater, meaning it heats objects (including you) directly and quickly. It’s perfect for knocking the frigid morning chill out of the air while you make coffee. Just remember that it produces a significant amount of water vapor as a byproduct of combustion, which can increase condensation inside your rig. It’s a fantastic tool, but one you must use with active attention to ventilation.
Lasko 754200: A Reliable, Low-Cost Ceramic Unit
Stay warm and cozy with the Lasko 754201 Small Portable Electric Ceramic Space Heater. Safety features include overheat protection and a tip-over switch.
If you need a simple, no-frills electric heater for nights at a campground, the Lasko 754200 is the answer. This little box is one of the most popular space heaters on the market because it’s inexpensive, compact, and does its job without fuss. It’s a classic ceramic fan heater: an electric current heats a ceramic plate, and a fan blows air across it into your space.
The key to using a Lasko in an RV is managing its power draw. It has two settings: a high 1500-watt mode and a lower setting around 900 watts. The 1500-watt setting will provide a lot of heat, but as mentioned, it will monopolize an entire circuit. The lower setting is often the more practical choice, providing a steady stream of warmth without constantly threatening to trip your breaker.
This is a spot heater. It’s excellent for aiming at your feet while you work or warming up a small bathroom before a shower. While it includes an adjustable thermostat, it’s not the most precise. Think of it as a simple, directional heat source that you turn on when you’re cold and turn off when you’re warm. For the price, its reliability is hard to beat.
Vornado MVH: Best for Whole-Room Heat Circulation
Experience whole-room comfort with Vornado's Vortex Heat Circulation, evenly warming small to medium spaces. Enjoy personalized warmth with 3 heat settings and an adjustable thermostat, all while benefiting from advanced safety features like tip-over protection and auto shut-off.
Where the Lasko acts like a hairdryer, the Vornado MVH acts like a gentle breeze. This heater is designed differently. Instead of just blasting hot air forward, its "Vortex Action" technology creates a circulating current that heats the entire volume of a room more evenly. In an RV, where drafts and cold spots are common, this makes a world of difference.
The benefit of whole-room circulation is comfort and efficiency. You don’t get that one "hot spot" right in front of the heater while the other side of the room stays cold. Because it moves the air, it can often make the entire space feel comfortable on a lower temperature setting, saving electricity. It’s noticeably quieter than most budget fan heaters, too.
The Vornado is a step up in both price and performance. It comes with robust safety features, including an automatic shutoff and tip-over protection, and its cabinet stays cool to the touch. If you spend a lot of time on shore power and are tired of huddling in front of a basic heater, the Vornado is an investment in consistent, all-over warmth.
De’Longhi Radiator: Silent, Efficient Electric Heat
For anyone who can’t stand the constant drone of a fan, the oil-filled radiator is the perfect solution. The De’Longhi TRD40615T is a popular model because it delivers gentle, radiant heat in complete silence. It works by using electricity to heat a reservoir of permanently sealed diathermic oil, which then radiates warmth from its metal fins.
This type of heat is steady and comfortable, feeling more like a traditional home radiator than a forced-air heater. It doesn’t dry out the air and, once it’s up to temperature, it does a fantastic job of maintaining it. This makes it an ideal choice for running overnight while you sleep. No noise, no drafts, just consistent, quiet warmth.
The trade-off is speed and weight. An oil-filled radiator takes a while to warm up, so it’s not great for a quick blast of heat. They are also significantly heavier and bulkier than their ceramic counterparts. But if your priority is silent, sustained heat for sleeping or working in a quiet environment, the De’Longhi is the undisputed champion.
Camco Olympian Wave-3: Safe Catalytic Propane Heat
The Camco Olympian Wave-3 provides safe, adjustable 3,000 BTU catalytic heat without a flame. Its compact, portable design offers versatile placement options for spaces up to 100 sq. ft.
The Olympian Wave series represents a totally different approach to propane heat. Unlike the Mr. Heater Buddy, which uses combustion, the Wave-3 is a catalytic heater. It uses a platinum-impregnated ceramic mat to create a flameless chemical reaction with propane, producing low-intensity infrared heat.
The primary benefit of catalytic heating is its efficiency and safety profile. The process is over 99% efficient and produces far less carbon monoxide than a flame-based heater. This makes it a much safer option for sustained use inside an RV, though ventilation and a CO detector are still absolutely mandatory. It’s also completely silent and requires zero electricity to operate, making it a boondocker’s dream.
The Wave-3 is designed to be wall-mounted, making it a more permanent solution. It’s not a portable "point-and-shoot" heater like the Buddy. The upfront cost is also higher. But for nomads looking for a safe, silent, and highly efficient off-grid heating source to install in their rig, the Olympian Wave is the gold standard.
GiveBest PTC Heater: Ultra-Compact Electric Option
Experience rapid, whole-room warmth with this 1500W portable heater, featuring PTC ceramic technology for instant heat and multiple modes for customized comfort. Enjoy peace of mind with advanced safety features like tip-over and overheat protection, all controlled conveniently via remote.
Sometimes you don’t need to heat the whole RV; you just need to warm up your personal space. That’s where an ultra-compact heater like the GiveBest PTC Heater shines. It’s tiny, lightweight, and uses PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) ceramic technology, which is self-regulating and provides excellent protection against overheating.
Think of this as a task-specific heater. It’s perfect for putting under your dinette table to keep your feet warm while you work on your laptop. It can take the chill out of a small, closed-off bathroom. Because of its lower power draw, it’s less likely to compete with other appliances on the same circuit.
This is not the heater you buy to keep your pipes from freezing in a blizzard. It’s a supplemental heat source for targeted comfort. With standard tip-over and overheat protection, it’s a safe, low-cost way to add a little extra warmth right where you need it, without committing the power budget required by a larger unit.
Key Safety Features for RV Space Heater Use
Living in an RV means living in a small, mobile space filled with fabrics, wood, and flammable materials. Using any space heater requires your full attention and respect. There is no room for error. When choosing and using a heater, these safety features and practices are non-negotiable.
First, look for automated shut-offs. Tip-over protection is essential; if the heater is knocked over by a pet, a child, or a clumsy misstep, it must shut down immediately. Overheat protection is just as critical, using an internal sensor to cut power if the unit gets dangerously hot.
Second, practice situational awareness. The "3-foot rule" is your best friend: maintain at least three feet of clear space in all directions around your heater. Never place it near curtains, bedding, paper, or upholstered furniture. Finally, for any propane heater, you must ensure adequate ventilation by cracking a window or a roof vent. And above all, ensure you have new, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test them monthly. Your life depends on them.
Choosing the right heater comes down to an honest assessment of your travel style. The boondocker’s best friend will be useless to the full-time resort RVer, and vice-versa. By matching your heater’s fuel source and function to your needs, you can stay warm, safe, and focused on the adventure ahead.
