Warm Up Your RV with One of These Efficient Electric Heaters
Combat chilly temperatures and cool nights by adding a compact, RV-ready electric heater to your packing list

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If you travel in a camper during the winter, staying warm is an important factor. One of the best ways to ensure everyone inside is comfortable is with an electric heater. These compact and lightweight units can be stowed away in the RV and are powerful enough to heat up the whole vehicle. Check out the best RV heaters to consider for your future travel excursions.
Sure, your RV is great at protecting you from all of the unpredictable weather of the outdoors, with hard sides, a cozy and comfortable place to relax, and even shade from the hot sun. But when temperatures drop and evenings get chilly, getting the temperature just right — and perfectly warm — inside can be a bit tricky. The solution? Stash a portable electric heater right inside your RV.
These small, efficient heaters come in many different forms, and they’re just the right size for campers, with enough heat to battle the crisp chill that can enter in fall, winter, and spring. Even better, an electric heater is so easy to use inside your RV. From powerful models that can heat your whole interior to smaller versions suitable for your RV’s sleeping spaces or bathroom, there’s an electric heater for every RVer’s needs.

Black+Decker Personal Ceramic 1500W Heater
- Two heat levels plus adjustable thermostat
- Lightweight, with convenient handle
- Self-regulating ceramic heating element
Selanto Portable Electric Space Heater
- Quick-working ceramic heating element
- Four heating and fan settings
- Tip-over and overheating automatic shutoff
- Eco and low heat modes are the same
- Gets hot while running
Dr Infrared Portable Space Heater
- Heats up large spaces effortlessly
- Uses both infrared and ceramic heating
- Can heat up to 85 degrees
- Heavy
- Loud fan
Our Methodology
In my search for the best electric heaters for RVs, I looked for compact devices that could warm up either area within a camper or the entire interior space, without sacrificing too much space or sucking up significant electric power. These portable heaters all run on electricity, but I considered details like power consumption, wattage, and efficiency in comparing them to one another. Additionally, I looked for heaters that worked quickly, offered multiple temperature control options and settings, and included important safety functions like tip-over protection, timers, and automatic shutoff. And I dove into users’ reviews to get a sense of which RV electric heaters performed best while out on the road and at campgrounds.
Best Electric Heaters for RVs Reviews & Recommendations
Specs
- Size: 7.3 in L x 6.3 in W x 9.2 in H
- Wattage: 1,500 watts
- Settings: Low and high
Pros
- Two heat levels and an adjustable thermostat
- Self-regulating ceramic heating element
- Tip-over and overheat protections
- Lightweight with carrying handle
Cons
- Can get noisy while running
Specs
- Size: 6.5 in L x 4.9 in W x 8.8 in H
- Wattage: 1,500 watts
- Settings: Low, high, eco, and fan
Pros
- More settings for more customization
- Affordable price
- Quick-working ceramic heating element
- Tip-over and overheat protection
Cons
- Eco and low heat modes are essentially the same wattage
- Gets very hot up close
Specs
- Size: 13 in L x 12.5 in W x 17 in H
- Wattage: 1,500 watts
- Settings: Low and high
Pros
- Can heat large areas easily
- Dual heating systems, featuring infrared plus ceramic heating
- Heats quickly and blows air powerfully
- Electronic thermostat can reach up to 85 degrees
Cons
- Fan is super loud when running
- Heater is heavy
Specs
- Size: 5.51 in L x 6.69 in W x 10.31 in H
- Wattage: 1,500 watts
- Settings: Low, high, eco, and fan
Pros
- Four modes, including eco and fan only settings
- Oscillates 70 degrees
- Advanced PTC ceramic heating element for quick warmth
- Tip-over and overheating automatic shutoff
Cons
- Very loud
- Doesn’t automatically turn back on once desired temperature is reached
Best Stay-Cool Electric Heater for RV
Comfort Zone 1500-Watt Electric Quartz Infrared Radiant Tower Heater
SEE ITSpecs
- Size: 12.5 in L x 8.3 in W x 22.8 in H
- Wattage: 1,500 watts
- Settings: Low and high
Pros
- Dual quartz tubes radiate heat
- Fan-assisted heat dispersion
- Adjustable thermostat paired with two heat settings
- Top-mounted, easy-to-reach controls
Cons
- Loud for some personal preferences
- Heavy and tall
Our Verdict on Electric Heaters for RV
Built for portability and yet powerful enough to actually heat up your RV’s interior, the Black+Decker Personal Ceramic 1500W Heater is one of the best devices you can buy. It gets to work fast, and it’s ideal for countertop or RV bedroom use when temperatures drop. The Selanto Portable Electric Space Heater is also a solid choice, with great value for its price and speedy heating.
What to Consider When Buying an Electric Heater for RV
What makes a great electric heater for your RV? Keep these key details in mind as you shop, search for, and compare different options. They’re aspects that’ll help you find a heater that’s safe, easy to use, and energy-efficient for your camper’s needs.
Types of Electric Heaters for RV
Fan-Forced Electric Heaters
One of the most common kinds of RV heaters you’ll find is fan-forced electric heaters. This kind delivers heat by pushing air through an electric heating element, then using a fan to circulate that warmed-up air throughout your space. They work slowly, but their heat gradually builds and fills up your space. This kind of heater is great for longer-term heating or maintaining a warm temperature. However, they can take a while to heat larger, more open spaces.
Infrared Electric Heaters
An infrared heater delivers heat quickly and pretty powerfully. These electric RV heaters emit infrared rays, radiating heat outwards into a space to add warmth. Instead of warming up the air within a room, they heat objects. You can feel the heat from one of these electric devices as soon as it’s powered up. However, because they heat objects and work so quickly, they need a bit more supervision and monitoring than fan-forced or convection heaters.
Convection Electric Heaters
Convection heaters are somewhat similar to fan-forced electric heaters. They work slowly to heat up rooms and spaces, gradually adding heat by warming the air. However, instead of using a fan to push and pull air, convection RV heaters use convection currents to get warmth flowing. This kind of heater is great for small spaces, like the bedroom of your RV, as they can fill compact rooms more quickly with warm air.
Electric Heaters for RV Key Features
Automatic Shutoff
Automatic shutoff is a convenient and super handy feature in an RV heater. There are two kinds of automatic shutoff that are beneficial: auto shutoff when the heater heats your space to the desired temperature, and auto shutoff on a timer. Both are great for ensuring your camper doesn’t get too warm, but they’re also helpful at ensuring your heater doesn’t overheat dangerously. Having auto shutoff ensures you can easily keep the heat at just the right level, without worrying about the heat generated posing a problem.
Tip-Over Protection
Tip-over protection is a must-have for any small, RV-ready electric heater. Whether you’re running your heater while you’re asleep, enjoying the outdoors, or even hanging out in your camper, you never know what might happen. And if a heater gets tipped over, it poses a big risk, both in overheating, electrical and structural damage, and potential fire. So, with tip-over protection, your electric heater will shut off if it falls over or gets knocked down. That can be a preventative feature that provides crucial safety and peace of mind.
Multiple Temperature Control Settings
While pretty much every small electric heater features different levels of heat – often as simple as high and low setting choices – it’s possible to get even more customized heat. For the smartest and most convenient heater, you’ll want to opt for one that offers multiple temperature control settings so you can adjust as needed. Look for a heater that gives you low, medium, and high choices; if you want even more control over your warmth, you can find products that’ll actually let you set an exact temperature.
Electric Heaters for RV Pricing
An electric heater for your RV is pretty reasonable in price. You can find budget-friendly picks for $50 or less, though these electric heaters will be very small and may not offer as many features (like customizable temperature settings or automatic shutoff with timer). Spend between $50 and $100, and you’ll find larger electric heaters that suit RVs as well as models with all of the latest, smartest features.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
Q: What’s the cheapest way to heat an RV?
A: It really depends on what kind of heater you’re considering and its energy efficiency. While propane is often touted as the cheapest option, electrical heaters can actually use very little energy — especially if you’re buying a newer model with an Energy Star rating. Plus, when you’re plugging in at a campsite, you don’t need to worry about the cost (or refilling a propane tank) of heating up your interior.
Q: Can a solar generator power an electric RV heater?
A: If your RV’s electronics and electric appliances are being run off your generator, you can definitely use your solar generator to power your heater. As long as you’re plugged in and powered up, whatever power source you’re using for your RV can also power your electric heater.
Q: Is it safe to use an electric heater in an RV at night?
A: Just like any regular ol’ electric heater, you can use an electric heater inside your RV overnight. However, to err on the side of safety, it’s a smart idea to keep your heater on a timer so it automatically shuts off (and doesn’t overheat). Or, opt for one that has automatic shutoff after so many hours or at a certain temperature.

Why Trust Us
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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