Disclaimer: if you are looking for powerful heaters, current battery technology lacks the energy density for such high-demand applications. This means that all the heaters listed in this article are considered “battery-operated” because they are portable but don’t run on actual batteries. Once battery technology improves and manufacturers start offering true battery-operated heaters, we will update this article 😊
You might be looking for something simple and portable to heat you – battery-operated heaters are the right option.
While many people might get confused about the term “battery operated,” in this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about this type of heater.
Even if they do not run on actual batteries, some heaters are still considered battery-operated heaters because of their design and functionality.
Let’s first reveal the four best battery-operated heaters – we have a video below, or scroll down a little to read the article.
Best 4 Battery Operated Heaters
1. Best overall: DEWALT DXH12B
DeWalt is one of the most popular battery-powered heaters, and it’s not a coincidence.
What’s amazing about DeWalt is that it can be used as a power bank – it has 3 USB ports for charging personal electronics and accessories.
It can provide a run-time of 7 hours, which is great when you’re going fishing, camping with your loved ones, or hiking.
The little LED light is great when you use this heater at night; it helps with visibility.
It’s very quiet, and 20V batteries power it.
2. Best alternative: Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX
This heater is great for both indoor and outdoor use – it has a 9,000 BTU rating, which can cover around 225 sq. ft. without any problems.
What’s amazing about this heater is how safe it is. It has an auto shut-off system if it detects low oxygen levels. This feature is helpful when used in your home or other interiors.
At max power, this heater can run up to 3 hours. I recommend only using the highest power level when you need instant heating.
It has a built-in handle, so moving it around shouldn’t be a problem.
📍Tip: if you want to distribute the warmth better, this wood stove fan fits Mr. Heater perfectly. You can also check our full review on the best wood stove fans here.
3. Most portable: Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B
This heater has the most awesome design and practical heater you’ll find.
Don’t be fooled by its size just yet – it can heat up to 100 sq. ft. Pretty impressive for a heater this size.
What surprised me was that even this heater has a low oxygen shut-off system, so it’s very safe to use indoors.
On maximum BTU (power level), it can run up to 6 hours.
Although it’s mostly used when hiking or camping, you can still use it in your bedroom.
4. Most advanced: Mr. Heater MH60QFAV
This is a very powerful heater, so make sure you have a need for powerful heating.
It can run up to 14 hours on 30,000 BTU output and around 6 hours on 60,000 BTU output.
It can heat a 1,500 sq. ft. area indoors without any issue.
What I love about it is QBT technology, which makes it 50% quieter than an average propane heater.
In my opinion, this heater is best to use in the garage or outdoors.
While it has a built-in handle for easier moving, I wouldn’t carry it with me when hiking because of the weight.
Important Factors When Choosing The Best Battery-Operated Heater
Maximum Temperature
Depending on your needs, you should always check out for the maximum temperature of the battery-operated heater.
Usually, people carry battery-operated heaters when camping, so you might want to look for a higher maximum temperature than you think you need.
Charging Time
A good battery-operated heater doesn’t require a lot to charge.
Essentially, you want something that charges faster than your smartphone – a good heater should not take more than 3 hours to charge fully.
Run Time
Run time is one of the most important things you must consider before buying this type of heater.
You’ll most likely use this heater when you’re away from home, so pay attention to the run time of each heater.
In my opinion, run time should be at least 2 hours.
Battery Capacity
Battery capacity is similar to run time but not exactly the same.
Battery-operated heaters have a similar battery capacity to USB heaters.
Battery capacity is measured in MHz; the higher it is, the better.
Portability
Although all battery-operated heaters should be portable, not all have the same type of portability – the same as with space heaters.
Some might be pocket-sized heaters, while others you pack in your bag while traveling.
Choose the portability type that fits you the most, depending on your needs.
Download this FREE cheat sheet to find 28 tricks that can help you save on your electricity and heating bill each month.
Click here to get a FREE Cheat-SheatWhy Can’t Batteries Power a Heater?
Heaters usually require a high voltage to run successfully. Current battery technology doesn’t have the energy density for such high-demand applications, so it’s no wonder most heaters are propane or regular space heaters.
Batteries are more commonly used in smaller devices, and alternative energy sources like natural gas or grid electricity are more practical for large heaters due to their higher energy density. Researchers are working on improving battery technology, but as of now, it’s not widely used for big heaters.
However, there are still some battery-operated heaters – such as hand and neck warmers.
That being said, battery-operated heaters are suitable for various situations. They work well when camping, fishing, hiking, or other outdoor activities.
The best thing about battery-operated heaters is that they are easy to carry everywhere. That’s the biggest advantage among other powerful heaters, such as radiant or ceramic heaters.
Safety Tips When Using Battery-Operated Heater
The first thing I would recommend you do is to keep the heater away from the fire.
People often go camping, and they might put a battery-operated heater near the fire – that’s something you should avoid doing.
Another thing is always to check if the heater is waterproof; even then, I would still be careful not to put it near the water.
A good thing that you don’t have to worry about is overheating because the heater can run while the batteries are charged – that’s a good safety side of battery-operated heaters.
Download this FREE cheat sheet to find 28 tricks that can help you save on your electricity and heating bill each month.
Click here to get a FREE Cheat-Sheat
