6 Best Electric Heaters For Limited RV Power That Nomads Swear By

Nothing trips an RV breaker faster than a standard home space heater. You plug it in, feel a glorious blast of warmth for three seconds, and then… darkness. The coffee maker, the lights, everything goes silent because you’ve just asked for more power than your system can give. This is the classic mistake that separates seasoned nomads from first-timers, and it’s why choosing the right low-wattage heater isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for a comfortable and functional life on the road.

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Understanding RV Amps and Heater Wattage Limits

Before you buy any heater, you have to do some simple math. Your RV’s electrical system is a finite resource, measured in amps. A standard household outlet provides 15 amps, and many campground hookups are limited to 15 or 30 amps. Your heater’s consumption is measured in watts. The formula is simple: Watts / Volts (usually 120V in the US) = Amps.

A typical 1500-watt space heater from a big-box store pulls 12.5 amps (1500 / 120 = 12.5). On a 15-amp circuit, that leaves you with just 2.5 amps for everything else. Your fridge compressor kicking on, your laptop charger, even the overhead lights could be enough to trip the breaker. This is why standard heaters are practically useless for anyone not plugged into a robust 50-amp service.

The goal is to find a heater that sips power, not gulps it. We’re looking for models that draw between 200 and 750 watts. This low draw, typically between 2 and 6.5 amps, leaves you plenty of electrical headroom. You can stay warm without having to plan your every move around the power panel.

Lasko MyHeat: Ultra-Low 200-Watt Personal Heat

The Lasko MyHeat is less of a room heater and more of a personal comfort device. At just 200 watts, it pulls a tiny 1.7 amps. This is the heater you can run off almost anything, including a small portable power station or a low-output inverter, without a second thought.

Think of it as a targeted heat source. It’s perfect for placing on a desk while you work, under the dinette table to keep your feet warm, or in a small bathroom to take the edge off a cold morning. It won’t heat your whole Airstream, but it will make your personal space comfortable without impacting your power budget.

Because of its incredibly low draw, the MyHeat is a boondocker’s best friend. It provides that little bit of warmth that makes a cold morning bearable, using a fraction of the power required by other heaters. It’s a supplemental tool, but one that many nomads find indispensable for its efficiency and minimal electrical footprint.

Amazon Basics 500W: A Simple, Reliable Choice

Sometimes, simple is best. The Amazon Basics 500-watt ceramic heater is a no-frills workhorse that does one job well: provide a steady stream of warmth with a manageable power draw. At 500 watts, it consumes just over 4 amps, leaving plenty of power available on a 15-amp circuit for other small essentials.

This heater is ideal for smaller rigs like camper vans, teardrop trailers, or for heating a single zone like a bedroom in a larger RV. It’s not going to turn a 30-foot trailer into a sauna, but it will effectively raise the temperature in a small, enclosed area. Its simplicity is its strength—usually just a single switch and a tip-over safety feature means there’s very little that can go wrong.

For many nomads, this is the sweet spot. It’s more powerful than a personal heater but still conservative enough for limited shore power or a decently sized battery bank and inverter. It’s the kind of reliable, set-it-and-forget-it device that gets you through a chilly evening without any electrical drama.

Vornado VH202: Efficient Whole-Cabin Circulation

Vornado heaters work differently than most. Instead of just blasting hot air in one direction, they create a vortex that circulates all the air in the space. This whole-room circulation means they often feel much more effective than their wattage rating would suggest, as they eliminate cold spots and create a more uniform temperature.

The key for RVers is the VH202’s low setting, which runs at 750 watts. This pulls about 6.25 amps, a manageable load for most systems. While it has a higher 1250-watt setting, the low mode is where it shines for off-grid or limited-power situations. The constant, gentle air movement makes a small cabin feel consistently warm and comfortable.

The tradeoff is a slightly higher price point and a fan that runs continuously to maintain circulation. However, for those in Class B vans or small travel trailers, the Vornado’s ability to efficiently heat the entire living space on its low setting makes it a top contender. It’s a smart heater, not just a hot one.

GiveBest PTC Heater: Versatile 750W Low Setting

This style of portable heater is incredibly popular for one reason: versatility. The GiveBest PTC heater, and others like it, typically feature two heat settings: a high of 1500 watts and a low of 750 watts. For nomads, the 1500-watt setting is mostly irrelevant, but that 750-watt low setting is pure gold.

At 750 watts (~6.25 amps), this heater provides a significant amount of heat while staying well within the limits of a 15-amp hookup or a capable inverter. It gives you an option that’s more powerful than the 500-watt basics but still half the draw of a standard heater. It’s enough to warm up a mid-sized RV’s living area on a cool day.

This two-setting design makes it a great "all-in-one" choice. You can use the low setting when you’re conserving power and reserve the high setting for those rare times you’re plugged into a 30-amp or 50-amp service and need a quick blast of heat. It adapts to your power situation, which is the essence of nomadic life.

De’Longhi Oil-Filled: Silent, Radiant Warmth

If the hum of a heater fan drives you crazy, an oil-filled radiator is your answer. These heaters, like the popular models from De’Longhi, use electricity to heat oil sealed within their fins. They then radiate warmth into the room, heating objects (including you) instead of just the air.

The two biggest advantages are silent operation and a gentle, non-drying heat. Because there’s no fan, they are perfect for sleeping. The heat they produce also lingers, as the hot oil continues to radiate warmth even after the thermostat cycles off. Many models feature a low 500-watt or 700-watt setting, making them an excellent low-power option.

The downside is their size, weight, and slow heat-up time. They don’t provide instant warmth like a ceramic heater. But for steady, quiet, overnight heat that won’t dry out your sinuses, they are unmatched. They create a comfortable, residential-feeling warmth that many full-timers swear by.

Caframo True North: Built for Off-Grid Living

When you’re ready to invest in a purpose-built solution, you look at brands like Caframo. Originally designed for the demanding marine environment, the True North heater is built for the rigors of life in a small, moving space. It’s sturdy, compact, and designed with low power consumption as a priority.

Its standout feature is multiple low-wattage settings, often 600W, 900W, and 1500W. The ability to select a 600-watt or 900-watt mode gives you precise control over your energy use, allowing you to dial in the perfect balance between comfort and conservation. This is a level of control you won’t find in cheaper, mass-market heaters.

This is not a budget option. You’re paying a premium for robust construction, safety features designed for mobile use, and efficient low-amp performance. For the serious full-timer who depends on their gear day in and day out, the True North is a worthwhile investment in reliability and peace of mind.

Choosing Your Heater: Ceramic vs. Radiant Heat

Ultimately, your choice will likely come down to one of two technologies: ceramic forced-air or oil-filled radiant. There is no single "best" option; the right choice depends entirely on how you plan to use it.

Ceramic (Forced-Air) Heaters are best for quick, directional heat.

• Pros: Heat up instantly, are lightweight and portable, and are great for warming a specific area fast.
• Cons: The fan can be noisy, the heat dissipates the moment you turn it off, and the moving air can feel drying.
• Best For: Taking the chill off quickly when you get back to the RV, warming your feet while you work, or heating a small bathroom before a shower.

Radiant (Oil-Filled) Heaters are superior for slow, silent, ambient warmth.

• Pros: Completely silent, provide a gentle and non-drying heat, and retain warmth even when cycled off.
• Cons: Slow to heat up a room, heavier and bulkier, and can be hot to the touch.
• Best For: Overnight heating while you sleep, maintaining a stable temperature throughout the day, and for anyone sensitive to noise or dry air.

Many full-timers actually carry one of each. They use the ceramic heater for a quick 10-minute blast of warmth and the oil-filled radiator for silent, steady heat through the cold night.

Finding the right heater isn’t about raw power; it’s about electrical intelligence. By understanding your amp limits and choosing a heater that works within them, you trade the frustration of tripped breakers for the simple comfort of a warm space. Start by calculating your power budget, then pick the tool that best fits your rig and your lifestyle on the road.