9 Best Space Heaters For RV Which Are Safe To Leave On Overnight

The purpose of an RV is to give you an opportunity to travel with the comforts of your home. While traveling in an RV, you get to visit many places and gather a lot of experiences.

However, if you are traveling to a place that is a lot colder than what you’re used to, then you will need a space heater for your RV.

A space heater ensures your RV is warm as per your needs. Apart from heating, portable space heaters are not only safe but they also help you in avoiding the damage to your appliances that can be caused by the freezing weather.

Most of the RVs are equipped with a heating system but not everyone likes those in-built heaters.

Some people don’t have an in-built heater in their RVs whereas, others like to update or change their heating system as per their requirements.

People like to customize their RVs because if a person is a full-time RVer, their RV reflects their lifestyle and they want everything to be perfect.

Whether you are looking for the safest space heater for RV or you just want to upgrade your original space heater with portable one, this guide will help you in deciding the best and safest space heater for your RV.

RV Space Heater Safety

If you are planning to spend a lot of time in your RV in the winters then you should consider investing in a high-quality portable heater for your RV.

When shopping for space heaters, safety is one of the major concerns that can arise in the mind of an RVer.

In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association, the second biggest cause of house fires is the heating systems.

This means house owners, as well as RV owners, are quite reluctant when it comes to installing a space heater.

However, you do not need to be scared because even though, heating systems can be a hazard but the majority of RV fires are not linked with the space heaters.

If we follow the safety guidelines for using a space heater in our RV, then no such problem will occur.

Here are some of the most important safety guidelines that you should follow:

• Flammable items should be 3 feet away from the space heater.

• Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

• Supervise children and never leave them unattended near a space heater.

• Regularly check smoke, propane, and carbon monoxide detectors in your RV.

• Avoid using a damaged space heater.

At A Glance:Our Top Picks For Best Space Heater for RV In 2023

There are different kinds of Space Heaters with various features as well. The best RV Space Heater must suit your budget and preferences.

If you are still considering other factors such as efficiency, safety, and Durability, then here are the 9 best RV heaters for you to choose from.

 10 Best safest space heater for your RV in 2023

1: Overall Best: Lasko Ceramic Portable Space Heater

This Lasko ceramic heater is one of the best space heaters because of its functionality as well as durability.

It includes an adjustable thermostat which can be really useful for RV owners. You can adjust the heat depending on your requirements.

The best thing about this space heater is that it is not as bulky as other heaters.

So, it won’t acquire a lot of space in your RV. It can be easily moved from one place to another.

It is super easy to use and if you want to change the heating settings, all you have to do is to turn the dial and that’s it.

It comes with three different settings that can be adjusted as per your requirements.

It also has a quiet setting. You can select low heat, high heat, and fan only. So, depending on your location’s weather, these settings can be changed.

Another best thing about this space heater is the inclusion of safety features.

Even if you leave it on for a long time, it won’t get overheated and its exterior will remain cool.

This makes it perfectly safe for children. You do not need to assemble it because it’s ready to use. You just need to adjust the heat settings as per your weather.

However, despite being an amazing space heater, it also has a disadvantage.

As compared to other RV space heaters, it is a bit noisy which can be annoying sometimes. If you are the type of person who cannot bear noise then it would be really hard for you to use this heater.

The best thing about this space heater is that it is not as bulky as other heaters.

So, it won’t acquire a lot of space in your RV. It can be easily moved from one place to another.

It is super easy to use and if you want to change the heating settings, all you have to do is to turn the dial and that’s it.

It comes with three different settings that can be adjusted as per your requirements.

It also has a quiet setting. You can select low heat, high heat, and fan only. So, depending on your location’s weather, these settings can be changed.

Another best thing about this space heater is the inclusion of safety features.

Even if you leave it on for a long time, it won’t get overheated and its exterior will remain cool.

This makes it perfectly safe for children. You do not need to assemble it because it’s ready to use. You just need to adjust the heat settings as per your weather.

However, despite being an amazing space heater, it also has a disadvantage.

As compared to other RV space heaters, it is a bit noisy which can be annoying sometimes. If you are the type of person who cannot bear noise then it would be really hard for you to use this heater.

With all its amazing features, we can say that this is surely a great space heater that RV owners can use in their RVs. It can heat up space quickly and it is also great to use if you have kids.

Things We Like

Things We Don’t Like

2. safest space heater for RV: Camco 57351 Olympian Wave-8 LP Gas Catalytic Heater

Our pick for the best safest RV space heater is this Camco Olympian Catalytic heater. We picked it because of its durability and safety features.

Instead of using electricity, this heater uses propane and can help you save money on electricity costs.

This heater will heat up your RV without consuming electricity so you don’t have to worry about the power supply or the costs associated with it.

It provides around 4000 to 8000 BTU which makes it a great source of heating. If the weather is too cold then you can also use it as a secondary heating source.

Another perk of using this Camco space heater is that it does not make much noise while operating.

If you are the person who enjoys silence while sleeping or while reading a book, then you’ll surely appreciate this space heater.

RVs have limited space and therefore, it is important to always consider the safety aspect of a space heater.

The heater is absolutely safe which makes it a great choice for RV owners. It produces warm and comforting heat. You can use it on the floor and you can also mount it on the wall.

However, this space heater only uses HD-5 propane gas. HD-5 propane gas is quite similar to HD-10 and both types of gases are easily available.

Therefore, you must be careful while using this gas so that you don’t end up accidentally using HD-10 instead of HD-5.

On the downside, even though this heater has so many benefits, it is a bit expensive as compared to other RV space heaters.

Keeping the pros and cons of this Camco space heater, we can say that this heater has a lot of benefits.

Even though it also has a few disadvantages but they are not a lot. This makes it an ideal space heater for RVs.

It is also quite safe and can be used even if there are kids around. Even though it is expensive but considering a lot of benefits it has to offer, we can say that the price you pay will be worth it.

Things We Like

Things We Don’t Like

3. Best Wall-Mounted: Ontel Handy Heater Wall Heater

Wall heaters are not only a great way to save some space on your RV but they can also heat up space quite quickly.

As the name shows, this heater is handy and can easily be mounted on a wall.

It is one of the smallest space heaters for RVs.Its height is only 6.2 inches and its thickness is only 3.3 inches.

Due to its compact design, it can be mounted anywhere in your RV. Another helpful feature of this space heater is that its power consumption is very low.

It only uses 350 watts of power. Leaving a heater on for a long time can be dangerous but not with this heater. 

It has a great safety feature that includes a timer which can be really helpful if you are a forgetful person. If you think you’ll forget turning it off, simply use a timer and you’re good to go.

It will be turned off at the specified time. This feature makes it quite safe because you know that even if you forget turning it off, it will still not be a problem.

It has two different settings and you can select a high setting or allow setting as per your requirements.

However, it also has a few disadvantages despite being very handy and useful. Every time you need to use it, you will have to adjust its settings manually which can be annoying if you are planning to use it for a long time.

It does not include any kind of presets that can save you from the hassle of manually adjusting the settings.

Overall, this handy heater is one of the best wall mounted heaters that you can buy. It can easily be mounted on your RV’s walls and will take minimal space.

Considering its advantages and disadvantages, we can say that it is a great investment for your RV.

Things We Like

Things We Don’t Like

4. Best Lifespan: Andily Electric Space Heater For RV

For our best lifespan pick, we chose this Andily electric space heater because of its durability and longevity.

Due to its compact size, this heater is portable and can easily be moved from one place to another. It is very easy to carry and includes a strong handle.

It provides 1500 watts of heating and can heat up your RV quite quickly. It allows the user to choose from three different heat settings.

These settings include high heat, low heat, and fan only. The high heat setting provides heat of 1500 watts whereas, the low heat setting provides a 750 watts of heat.

It includes manual controls and comes fully assembled. So, when you buy this one, you won’t have to assemble it and you can start using it right away.

It also includes an indicator light that lets you know when the heater is on and when it is turned off.

Ceramic heaters are long-lasting and considering the durability and high-quality material used in the manufacturing of this heater, it is surely one of the best and long-lasting space heaters.

Due to this reason, it was picked as the best lifespan choice. This space heater also includes a thermostat that you can adjust as per your needs.

As far as the safety features are concerned, this electric space heater includes an automatic overheat system that protects it from overheating.

Apart from this, it also includes a tip-over switch which shuts off if the heater is tipped over.

Moreover, this product is also ETL certified. However, it makes noise while operating.

Overall, this Andily electric space heater is not only the safest but also durable electric space heater that you can use in your RV.

It includes many great features such as an adjustable thermostat, handles for portability and different heat settings.

However, the inclusion of safety features makes it ideal for RV owners whose priority is safety when it comes to heating systems.

Things We Like

Things We Don’t Like

5. Best Upgrade Pick: Lasko 755320 Ceramic Tower Heater

Lasko ceramic tower is one of the best space heaters when it comes to power and flexibility.

It is made with high quality and durable material that protects it from being overheated.

You can even touch it easily while it is on. It also includes a handle that allows you to move it from one place to another.

RVs have limited space and you need to plan everything carefully so that you don’t end up having a lot of clutter in your RV.

This space heater has a compact design and you can place it anywhere in your RV.

This Lasco ceramic tower comes with a multi-function remote control that allows you to control the setting without manually pushing the buttons.

This remote control is really helpful especially if you have mobility issues or you want to change the settings but don’t want to get up from your bed.

Apart from this, the heater also includes an oscillating feature. Due to this feature, the heater spreads the heat evenly in your RV.

Another perk of this heater is that it does not make a lot of noise while operating.

This Lasko heater also has a self-regulating feature. Apart from this, the heater also has an auto-off timer that you can use if you are a forgetful person.

Both these features are great safety features that ensure you are using your space heater in a safe and secure way.

However, it does not include a thermostat function if it is set on low power.

All in all, we can say that this space heater for RV is not only efficient but it is also safe to use.

It can heat up your RV quite fast which makes it an ideal choice for RV owners.

It includes safety features and is also very easy to use. It can also be controlled remotely which is great.

Things We Like

Things We Don’t Like

6. Best Lower Energy: DeLonghi EW7707CM Portable Oil-Filled Radiator

You can use this DeLonghi Portable Oil-Filled heater for a long time because of its durability.

It is made with high-quality steel assembly. It distributes the heat evenly in your RV and makes it a cozier place for you.

Even if the weather is too harsh, you can still trust your DeLonghi oil-filled radiator because it heats up your RV quite fast.

This unit includes a sealed oil reservoir and there is no need to refill it. Due to this, it is quite easy and convenient to use.

It also includes a temperature button that allows you to control the temperature of your RV.

Apart from this, it also includes an adjustable thermostat. This thermostat includes three settings for the heat that you can use to adjust the heat as per your requirements. This heater comes fully assembled and ready to use.

Even though it includes many amazing features but the best thing about this product is the inclusion of patented thermal slots.

These thermal slots can increase the heat flow and are really useful when it comes to heating your RV.

It is completely safe to use all thanks to its safety features. It includes an anti-freeze setting that is helpful in colder weather.

It also includes a thermal cutoff setting. This can prevent the pipes from freezing.

Some users complain that the product is expensive but considering all its amazing features and the luxury it provides, we can say that it is an ideal choice for RV owners.

Overall, this DeLonghi Portable Oil-filled radiator is a great product if you are looking for a safe and secure space heating system.

It includes many features that ensure reliable heating across your RV in a safe manner.

Considering the pros and cons of this unit, it can be concluded that it is one of the best space heaters for RV.

Things We Like

Things We Don’t Like

7. Best Durable: Broan-NuTone 174 Wall Heater

This Broan heater is a durable and high-quality heater that you can install in your RV. Its outer side is made of metal.

Apart from this, this space heater can easily be mounted on any wall of your RV.

When you look at this heater, it looks like a small cube and its small size might make you doubt it.

However, it can heat up your space quite fast and is very durable. The heating setting can be customized as per your requirements.

So, if you want to heat up your space quite fast then use the highest setting and then change the setting to normal once the desired temperature is reached.

If the setting is set to lowest, it will take some time to get your RV heated.

Apart from the above-mentioned features, this heater also has safety features included.

The best feature is that in any case if it gets tipped over, it will shut down automatically.

In any case, your heater is tipped over, it will be turned off automatically to avoid any kind of damage.

Despite having a lot of advantages, it also has a few drawbacks. If you just bought a brand-new unit, it will release a chemical smell.

Even though this is common with a lot of heaters when they are brand new but still it can be a bit uncomfortable.

Apart from this, it also vibrates while being operated which can be annoying sometimes.

Most probably, this vibration is produced by the fan but it can be uncomfortable for some people.

Overall, this Broan NuTone big heater is an ideal choice for RV owners who like heaters with a compact design. With its design, it can be mounted anywhere across your RV.

The inclusion of safety features also makes it safe to use which means you don’t need to be concerned about the safety of this heater.

Things We Like

Things We Don’t Like

8. best heater for rv boondocking: Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Portable Propane Heater for camper

Mr. heater is a household name when it comes to heaters and one of their best products is this indoor safe portable radiant space heater.

It is efficiently designed and made with high-quality material. The best thing about this portable space heater is the inclusion of its efficient safety features which makes it a great choice for RV boondocking.

Its safety features include an automatic shut off feature. This feature allows the heater to shut down if it is tipped over.

On the other hand, the heater also has the sensors to detect oxygen level and if the oxygen level gets low, it will shut down.

Apart from this, the heater will also shut down if the light goes out.

If you have a propane tank, then you can connect it to the tank. However, you can also fuel it up by using a propane canister.

Please keep in mind that if you want to use it overnight, it will use more propane so we would recommend you buy an adaptor and then connect it to a 5-pound propane tank.

At its lowest setting, it will consume about 1 pound of propane per 5 hours.

Another great feature of this heater is that it makes no noise while operating.

So, if you want your good night’s sleep in peace, you would definitely love this heater.

Overall, we can say that this heater has a lot of benefits. Even though it also has a negative point but its advantages outweigh its disadvantages.

Therefore, we can say that Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX is one of the best propane heater for camper.

Things We Like

Things We Don’t Like

9. Best Amazon Choice: AmazonBasics Oscillating Ceramic Space Heater

If you are looking for a ceramic space heater for your RV, then this AmazonBasics Oscillating ceramic space heater is one of the best ceramic heaters available in the market.

It is portable so it can be placed anywhere across your RV.Moreover, it is very user-friendly and is super easy to use.

It includes an adjustable thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature as per your requirements.

One of the best features of this oscillating space heater is the inclusion of the oscillation feature.

This feature enables the heat to disperse in multiple directions so that the heat can be evenly spread across your RV.

Due to this feature, your RV will be the warm and coziest place in just a matter of minutes.

This heater comes with three different options you can choose from. These options include low heat, high heat, and fan only.

This ceramic space heater also includes an indicator light that allows you to know when the heater is on and when it is turned off.

Its safety features include tip-over switch, auto shut off and overheat protection.

In case it tips over, it will automatically shut down. The unit includes overheat protection but if in any rare case the unit gets heated, it will automatically shut down.

You also have the option to choose from two different colors; black or silver.

However, it makes some noise while operating which can be uncomfortable for some people.

Overall, considering the pros and cons of this ceramic space heater, we can say that it is one of the best ceramic heaters available.

If you want a heater that is portable, lightweight and completely safe to use in your RV then you should consider this oscillating ceramic space heater.

Things We Like

Things We Don’t Like

What Is an RV Space Heater & How Does It Work?

During the winters when the temperature can cause discomfort, an RV space heater is the ultimate solution.

An RV space heater is a heating system used to keep your RV warm and cozy during the winters. 

There are different types of RV heaters and depending on the type, they operate in different ways.

However, most of the RV space heaters use a centralized heating element to produce heat.

Most of the RV space heaters are portable which makes them very easy to use.

You can place them anywhere in your RV and can also move them from one place to another.

If you are planning to make your RV much more comfortable in winters then you should consider buying the safest space heater for RV.

Types of RV Space Heaters

Following are the most common types of RV space heaters:

Gas Heater

One of the most common types of RV space heaters is the gas heaters. This type of heaters uses combustion to produce heat.

These heaters include a combustion chamber that has multiple burners in it. These burners are ignited and as a result of ignition – they produce heat.

This heat is then transferred to the heat exchange chamber. Once the desired temperature is achieved, the heat will be blown out.

This heat is responsible to raise the temperature in your RV.There are two main types of gas heaters. 

The first one is a propane heater whereas, the other one is a natural gas heater. Propane is a man-made gas.

Propane heaters are quite safe to use because they do not emit any harmful gases. On the other hand, natural gas emits greenhouse gases.

Electric Heater

An electric heater is also a common type of heater used in RVs. Basically, electric heaters convert the electricity into heat and then this heat is dispersed across the RV.

Heat is produced when an electric current passes through a resistor. This heat is then released through a vent.

Electric heaters do not emit any kind of gases. However, sometimes they require the aid of a fan to disperse the heat in an efficient way.

Oil Furnace

An oil furnace works just like a gas heater. However, it includes a cavity with oil in it.

When the oil burns in this cavity, the heat is produced and then this heat is blown through the vents.

Oil furnace does not produce carbon monoxide while burning so it is quite safe to use.

How do we choose?

Our goal is to educate our readers and help them in making informed decisions when it comes to their RV.

We want to help you pick the right space heater for your RV so that you can enjoy the comforts and coziness it can bring in the winters.

We have extensive experience in RVing and Camping and by using our experience, we have picked some of the best products available in this niche and then compared them by offering the plus points as well as the negative points of every item.

How did we pick the best ones?

There are certain things that you should look for when buying the safest space heater for your RV.

With our extensive experience in RVs, RV accessories and gears, we picked the best products in this category so that you know what you’re buying.

Some of the factors that we considered while picking the best products are:

RV Space Heaters FAQ and Safety Tips

Are Space Heaters Safe to use in RV?

Heating systems can be dangerous if they are not properly sued. But if a space heater includes built-in safety features and you follow the instructions while using it, it can be completely safe to use.

Can Space Heaters Catch Fire?

Yes, if you are not careful while using the space heater and do not follow the safety instructions then they can catch fire. Therefore, always follow the safety guidelines to be safe and to avoid disasters like fire.

Can Space Heaters Save Money on Your Electric Bill?

Yes, propane and gas heaters can help you save money on your electric bill.

Are Space Heaters Energy-Efficient?

Yes, space heaters for your RV are available in small sizes and compact design. Not only they are portable but they can also be energy efficient.

Can Space Heaters Create Carbon Monoxide?

If a space heater is not installed properly or is not being used properly then it can release carbon monoxide. Therefore, it is very important to follow the guidelines properly.

Is it Safe to Leave a Space Heater Unattended?

It is not recommended to leave a space heater unattended for a long time. Some of the heaters have a timer that you can use if you are a forgetful person.

Simply, set a timer and the heater will automatically shut down once the timer goes off.

However, if your heater does not have a timer then you should not leave it unattended especially if kids are around.

Is it Safe to Sleep with a Space Heater on All Night?

It is not recommended to sleep with a space heater on all night. Heating devices are dangerous if left unattended.

Other RV Heating Alternatives

A space heater is one of the most effective ways to heat up your RV. However, if you do not want to use a space heater, here are a few alternatives that you can use:

• You can add an extra layer of insulation to your RV. Insulation is a great way to keep your RV warm. However, in very colder areas where the temperature is very low, this method would not be very effective. 

• You can insulate your RV windows.

• You can consider covering all the roof and wall vents.

• You can use solar panels to heat up your RV. Solar panels can not only help you in keeping your RV warm but they are also energy efficient.

• You can use a wood stove in your RV.