You might be shopping around for the best campervan heater to go in your conversion, or you might just want to add something to your current heating set up. Either way, it’s always good to consider whether your current heater is giving you the best you can get, and it can seem like there are endless options. That’s where this guide comes in, where we’re running through the heaters for a campervan that have impressed us the most.
If you’re not winterising a motorhome and are continuing to tour during the colder months, an efficient heating set-up becomes a must. Whether you’re looking for the best 12v heater for a campervan or a diesel option, our guide is here to help, as we share our top picks, featuring brands like Russell Hobbs, Kampa, De’Longhi and more.
What to look for in a campervan heater
You’re likely to have less room in your campervan than in a traditional motorhome, so you might want to think about where your heater will be going. All of these options offer supplementary heating rather than being installed into the hardware of your ‘van. Most models available work on corded electric so a hook-up is recommended.
In our opinion, electric options are the best choices for a campervan. They’re cheap, safe and efficient and most include handy features like thermostats and timers. You could opt for an oil-filled model, which can be quieter and less drying to the air than a fan heater and keep the airflow more stable. Whatever you’re looking for, our roundup of the best heaters for campervans should help you decide what’s best for you!
If you’re looking for other useful accessories for winter, take a look at our guide to the best motorhome dehumidifiers too.
Practical Motorhome is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
The best heaters for a campervan:
Dimplex DDF250B 250
ROMYSE Fan Heater
Russell Hobbs RHPH2001
Schallen Radiator
De’Longhi TRNS0505M Oil Filled Radiator
Best diesel and 12V heater for a campervan:
maXpeedingrods 12V 5KW Air Diesel Heater
Best electric heater for a campervan:
Kampa Cuboid
Pro Breeze Mini Heater
Campervan heaters – our top picks:
Russell Hobbs RHPH2001
- Dimensions: 4.49 x 4.17 x 7.09 cm
- Weight: 840g
Reason to buy:
- Super compact and can be used anywhere
Reason to avoid:
- Not as powerful as other models
If you don’t want to worry about your heater tipping over, or you’ve got a large van to heat but want to keep costs down, these nifty plug-in heaters are perfect. With a 500W maximum output, they’re safe as well as cheap to run and can be plugged into any standard socket. = The handy digital display lets you keep an eye on the temperature while the variable thermostat allows you to adjust the level to suit your needs and regulates the heat. One stand out feature is the timer, which allows you to run the fan for up to 12 hours before it automatically turns off. Designed with heat-resistant castors and handle, you can move the plug without having to wait for it to cool down. Other safety features include tip over and overheat protection.
maXpeedingrods 12V 5KW Air Diesel Heater
- Dimensions: 39 x 14.5 x 14.5 cm
- Weight: 3.7kg
Reason to buy:
- Easy to operate, efficient heating
Reason to avoid:
- More effort required to install and maintain
If you don’t mind getting stuck into some DIY, you could always consider fitting a diesel heater. this model from maXpeedingrods has a 9 litre fuel tank capacity and can be fitted to most vehicles, including campervans. The heater comes with all the kit you need for installation, including an energy efficient fuel pump, filter, exhaust pipe and tubing.
The heater utilises a combustion chamber and aluminium base which distribute heat quickly and evenly. With a fuel consumption rate of 0.16-0.5L/H, the unit is cheap to run and will operate in temperatures of -40 or +40. A bonus of this model is the remote control which has a range of 30 metres.
Kampa Cuboid
- Dimensions: 26.1 x 20.4 x 18.8 cm
- Weight: 1.1kg
Reason to buy:
- Efficient for its size
Reason to avoid
- 1st of 3 heat settings is quite cool
A popular choice for tents and campervans, the Cuboid heater from Kampa uses fan-forced heat giving you an instant burst of warmth. The casing is made from cool-touch materials so even when it’s been running for a while you’re able to pick it up without singed fingers. You can rest assured with the tip-over safety switch as well as the integrated thermal overheat protection.
The 3 settings include 2 heat settings of 750W and 1500W and 1 cooling fan setting, all controlled via a variable thermostat. The system will heat your space to the desired heat and aim to maintain it by turning on again once the temperature drops.
De’Longhi TRNS0505M Oil Filled Radiator
- Weight: 5.5kg
- Dimensions: 38.5 x 17.3 x 34.0 (W x H x D in cm)
Reason to buy:
- Smart appearance, useful carry handles, rounded edges
Reason to avoid:
- Heaviest option in our guide, may be too big for smaller ‘vans
There’s a lot to like about this De’Longhi as a campervan heater. My favourite feature about it is how smart it looks – with a curved shape, I think it is one of the more stylish options in our best heater for a campervan guide.
The shape offers more than just an injection of style into your ‘van’s interior though – if you inadvertently walk into it, it also helps to keep pain to a minimum. It weighs 5.5kg, which is among the weightier end of the scale of the products in our guide, but carry handles will help you to move it around as required. Coming with an adjustable thermostat too, it’s able to heat a space of up to 15m³. One thing worth considering is whether or not it would be too big for your ‘van.
Check the latest prices on Amazon now.
ROMYSE Fan Heater
- Dimensions: 13.5 x 13 x 19.5 cm
- Weight: 830g
Reason to buy:
- Built-in timer and great safety features
Reason to avoid
- Can be loud
Another great choice for heating small spaces is this super efficient electric heater. Offering 600W or 1200W of heating power, the fan uses a ceramic heating element and is powered by corded electric. The safety features are what set this model apart, which include an ABS fireproof case and automatic shutdown if it senses the air outlet is blocked or output temperature reaches 50 degrees.
An added benefit is the adjustable heating time meaning it will automatically run for 1, 2 or 3 hours before switching off. If no time frame is chosen, the fan will run for a maximum of 6 hours before shutting off, making it a good option for use at night.
Schallen Radiator
- Dimensions: 15 x 50 x 50 cm
- Weight: 3.42kg
Reason to buy:
- Cheap to run and quieter than fan heaters
Reason to avoid:
- Heavy
For an alternative to fan-assisted heaters, you can try an oil-filled radiator. Also powered by corded electric, this 800W model features 6 oil-filled fins which heat up quickly and provide long lasting heating for your campervan. The sleek design is easily portable, being just 38cm high and 28cm in length and built with a carry handle.
With an adjustable thermostat dial and temperature control, you can leave it on for extended periods of time with the added reassurance of tip-over protection and overheating prevention. Being an oil-filled heater rather than fan, the unit has improved heat retention so you benefit from it even when it’s cooling down.
Dimplex DDF250B 250
- Dimensions: 5.12 x 4.72 x 6.3 cm
- Weight: 700g
Reason to buy:
- Compact and variable thermostat
Reason to avoid:
- Best suited to small spaces
Super compact with a sleek design, this heater operates with a ceramic fan and is great for taking the chill out of a night in your campervan. The 16.5cm x 13cm unit is controlled by a variable dial thermostat so you can decide your temperature to a pretty accurate degree.
Powered by corded electric, the 230V heater has an output of 250W and has a USB port that can be used for charging mobile devices. The built-in safety switch will turn the unit off if it gets knocked over, while the device itself has been independently tested to stringent safety regulations.
Check the latest prices on Amazon.
Pro Breeze Mini Heater
- Dimensions: 10.5D x 16.5W x 19H centimetres
- Weight: 710g
Reason to buy:
- Lightweight and compact
Reason to avoid:
- Best suited to small spaces
Running on only 500W, this mini heater provides lightweight portability for anyone who wants a campervan heater with a low wattage and low weight. It comes with some useful features which can provide some valuable peace of mind when it’s in use – for instance, it has an auto-off tip-over switch, as well as overheat protection.
It’s also good to see it comes with an adjustable thermostat, so you can use the dial to reach the right heat for you. It’s also a compact option, so isn’t going to take up much space.
Written with contributions from Peter Byrne
If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered direct to your door or inbox every month. Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Motorhome magazine SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things motorhome related.
