If you are looking for the best ceramic heater for your RV road trip during the colder months, we will be discussing some of the top-rated RV ceramic heaters on the market. These products have been reviewed by campervaners and RV owners who have actually used them in winter and came back to tell their stories. We’ll also share some of our own personal tips as campervaners that we’ve learned from RVing along the way over the years. Hopefully, it will help make your decision a bit easier!
What is the Best Ceramic Heater for RV?
Below you’ll find the list of the top 6 Best Ceramic Heater for RV. We compiled this list from ceramic heaters for RV we have used, asked others about, and researched further to give you the best possible roundup. With many years of experience with RV ceramic heaters you can be assured that this article will give you what you’re looking for.
We also wrote a buying guide and answered some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) at the end of this article.
1. PELONIS PH-19J 1500W Fast Heating
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 17.6 x 7.7 x 7.7 inches (44.7 x 19.6 x 19.6 cm) Type: Convection Heating Element: Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts Certifications: ETL Certified |
The Pelonis PH-19J tower space heater is one of the various air treatment products offered by this brand. It features an elegant black and white tower design with a slight 83-degree vertical offset inspired by the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It comes with high ratings on Amazon due to its lightweight and easy-to-carry construction, ease of use, and remarkable heat output.
The unit features two manual control knobs to adjust the heat settings and thermostat to your comfort. Furthermore, it comes with an oscillating feature that helps to disperse the heat more evenly around your space. The heater features a fast-heating ceramic element that takes three seconds to heat up to 70 degrees, giving you instant warmth. It also uses combined radiant and convection heating methods to create and disperse heat at a steady temperature.
The PH-19J comes with overheating and tip-over safety features that help to prevent accidental fires. It also has a low 52-decibel operating noise that many users find convenient. One should also note that the thermostat works a little differently on this model because its heating style delivers a consistent temperature. Therefore, it enables one to set the desired temperature range without cycling the unit on and off like other heaters.
Pros
- Two heat settings and thermostat deliver consistent heat for comfort,
- Elegant design with small footprint fits neatly in tight spaces,
- Vertical offset and oscillating function increases the scope of directional heating,
- Excellent heat output for small and poorly insulated rooms,
- Delivers a quiet operation even in the highest setting
Cons
- The heater is not energy efficient,
- The thermostat is not programmable to a specific temperature
2. Lasko 751320 Ceramic Tower Space Heater
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 23 x 7.4 x 7.3 inches (58.4 x 18.8 x 18.4 cm) Type: Convection Heating Element: Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts Certifications: ETL Certified |
The Lasko 751320 Ceramic Tower Space Heater is one of the brand’s best-selling models, with over 18,000 ratings on Amazon. The heater combines several exceptional features, making it one of the most advanced units available at an affordable price. It features an elongated and self-regulating ceramic heating element that provides warmth in high or low settings. The heater also comes with a programmable thermostat that enables you to set the desired temperature between 60°F – 85°F in 5-degree increments.
However, some people find this temperature difference inconvenient because they prefer more incremental degree adjustments to set a specific temperature for comfort. On the upside, the heat output is remarkable compared to other models in its price range, while its oscillating feature and high-velocity fan help to disperse the warmth more evenly. We also like that it comes with a 7-hour auto-shutoff timer and a multi-function remote control for convenience.
The Lasko 751320 features a slim tower profile that enables easy portability while taking up minimal floor space. It also comes with safety features that include overheating protection and a self-regulating heating element to prevent fire accidents. While the heater comes enclosed in a cool-touch housing, some users note that it can get hot enough to burn when handling it. Also, it does not feature tip-over protection and may be a concern for people with pets and young kids.
Pros
- It comes fully assembled and ready to use out of the box,
- The multi-functional remote controller enables easy operation,
- The oscillating feature warms your space quickly and evenly,
- The high-velocity fan delivers excellent heat output and quiet operation,
- Slim design and lightweight construction allows easy portability
Cons
- The thermostat has a wide temperature adjustment range for comfort,
- It does not have a tip-over auto switch off
3. PELONIS PHTA1ABB Portable
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 8.5 x 7 x 5.8 inches (21.7 x 17.8 x 14.8 cm) Type: Convection Heating Element: Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts Certifications: ETL Certified |
The Pelonis PHTA1ABB is a portable ceramic space heater featuring a programmable thermostat and three heating options. The Pelonis brand produces various air treatment appliances, and this unit is one of their highly-rated ceramic space heaters on Amazon. It is equipped with a fast-heating ceramic element to warm up small spaces and features two heat settings at 1500 watts and 900 watts.
Plus, it comes with a fan-only setting that blows cool air for use during the warm months. While this model is compact and lightweight, many users note that it delivers a decent heat output for their rooms. However, it may also be noisy when operating on its highest setting, which may be unattractive to people who are sensitive to noise.
The space heater also features an adjustable thermostat to regulate the desired temperature by cycling the heat on and off. However, some users have noted that the thermostat has too much hysteresis, and the room may get too cold or warm before the thermostat kicks in to regulate. Therefore, it may not be suitable for applications where maintaining the ideal temperature is a concern.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight construction for portability,
- Impressive heat output for its size and warms up quickly,
- User-friendly manual control knobs for easy adjustments,
- Multi-purpose settings allow flexible use all year round,
- Features overheating and tip-over protection safety features
Cons
- The thermostat has too much hysteresis for comfort,
- It may be louder than similar units from other brands
4. Lasko Ceramic Adjustable Thermostat Space Heaters, 754200 Silver
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 9.2 x 6 x 3.7 inches (23.4 x 15.2 x 9.4 cm) Type: Convection Heating Element: Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts Certifications: ETL Certified |
The Lasko Ceramic Space Heater 754200 model is one of the most popular units from this American-made brand, with over 32,000 global ratings on Amazon. It is also a compact unit under 1-foot tall, making it easy to place on a shelf or countertop for convenience. The Lasko 754200 is a convection-style heater with a fan that circulates the heat effectively in small spaces. While it is one of the smaller models available, it is one of the best performing space heaters in heat output, temperature control, build quality, and versatility.
The Lasko 754200 features three heat output settings that include high, low, and fan only. Many users note that the fan is quiet when running, and the exterior shell remains cool to touch when the heater is on. While it comes with an overheat cutoff, the heater does not feature tip-over auto-shut-off, which is a safety hazard for people with kids and pets. The adjustable thermostat maintains the ambient temperature to your liking by cycling the heater on and off. This feature also helps to reduce your energy costs by ensuring the heater is not running full time.
Pros
- Compact sized design for easy portability and storage,
- Three heat settings with an adjustable thermostat to warm efficiently,
- Quiet operation is convenient to use in any space,
- Also effective in poorly insulated places such as tents and garages,
- Excellent build quality that comes with a 3-year warranty
Cons
- The heater may be loud in the highest setting,
- Does not have tip-over protection for safety
5. Lasko CT16450 Small Portable 1500W Oscillating
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 9.2 x 6 x 3.7 inches (23.4 x 15.2 x 9.4 cm) Type: Convection Heating Element: Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts |
While the Lasko CT16450 Portable Heater features a tower design, it is flexible enough to use as a tabletop or a floor space heater. Plus, its slim and elegant profile gives it a small footprint, while the built-in handle makes it easy to carry it to the areas where you need warmth. Although it is smaller than it looks, many users have noted that it has a better heat output than expected and performs well in poorly insulated areas such as garages.
The CT16450 features user-friendly manual controls that include two heat settings at 1500 watts and 900 watts. It also features an adjustable thermostat to regulate the temperature and an oscillating feature that helps to spread the warmth in the room faster. The fan has a quiet operation that many users appreciate and comes with a 6-foot power cord that enables a flexible range of movement. The heater comes with a self-regulating ceramic element that automatically shuts itself off when it gets too hot and features a cool-touch housing. However, this unit does not feature tip-over protection, while some people had their heaters quit on them after a couple of months.
Pros
- Compact tower design enables flexible storage and portability,
- The widespread oscillation feature spreads the heat faster around the space,
- The cool-touch exterior and self-regulating ceramic element enable safe handling,
- Two heat settings deliver a decent heat output
Cons
- It may have a short service life,
- It does not have tip-over protection
6. Infray Space Heater 1500W Oscillating Ceramic Tower
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 16 x 6.4 x 6.4 inches (40.6 x 16.2 x 16.2 cm) Heating Element: Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts |
The Infray Space Heater features an elegant tower design with rounded edges and a circular base. It has a circular digital display panel on its face with the control buttons on the base stand and a built-in handle at the back. The control functions include two heat settings and a natural wind mode for warm days, and the heater is suitable for a 100 – 200 square foot room. It also comes with a multi-functional remote control to make operation convenient and a 12-hour timer that you can pre-set in intervals of two hours.
The Infray heater offers excellent value for money because it features advanced features at almost $20 less than the competition. Furthermore, it is only 16 inches tall and is compact for RV spaces. While it comes with a timer, it does not feature a thermostat to maintain the room temperature. So, one would have to regulate the heater between low and high settings manually for comfort. We also like that it is quiet while running and that it comes with a flame LED light for ambiance, which is a nice touch to its design.
Pros
- Elegant curvy design with a hidden handle for versatile application,
- Quiet performance with a 12-hour timer function for work and nighttime use,
- Tip-over and overheat protection prevent accidental fires,
- Has flame LED lighting to create a warm ambiance,
- Digital controls and remote operation are convenient
Cons
- It does not feature a thermostat to regulate temperature,
- It may have a short lifespan
Verdict
Based on all of our experience with RV ceramic heaters, we found that PELONIS PH-19J 1500W Fast Heating is the best ceramic heater for RV available today.
Our Premium Option is Lasko 751320 Ceramic Tower Space Heater with all the best features and high-quality materials, but that’s only if you have more money to spend.
However, if you are on a slightly tighter budget, you can also consider the PELONIS PHTA1ABB Portable as an affordable alternative.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying ceramic heaters for RV
Heating efficiency
Different fuel options may offer different levels of efficiency in regards to their usage and cost. Generally, electric heaters are the cheapest option, while gas and propane heaters may be better in terms of heating capabilities and convenience.
Though more efficient than an electric heater, a propane heater may still cost more to run in the long term. A gas or propane leak could also be very dangerous and costly if present. There is also a danger of carbon monoxide buildup when using such heaters, which can even lead to death if enough is inhaled. Electric heaters, though generally less efficient than other methods, are also usually safer.
Energy sources & usage time
There are multiple ways we can generate heating in your RV. Lets look at propane models. They are typically more efficient than their electric counterparts because the only outlet required is for electricity to power the fan. However, these propane models will require larger tanks and periodically needs to be refilled at gas stations. There are now newer models that come with propane adapters that allow you to refill small bottles from your car. All types of RV heaters operate using 12v DC or 120v AC outlets.
Durability & storage capacity
Maintaining your RV is crucial to keep it clean and functional. Other than the usual vacumming and dusting once a month, checking for fuel levels on a regular basis and keeping it full with fres gasoline is also critical. They should ideally not be kept and stored stagnant for longer than 6 months. Humidity and condensation are known to damage internal components and can cause bigger problems like corrosion.
Questions and Answers About ceramic heaters for RV
What heater size should I get for my RV?
The heater size you should get depends on how much it needs to heat. The higher the BTU, the bigger the heater and vice versa. Consider the climate where you’ll be traveling, size of your RV, how good is the insulation and how warm you like to keep your space.
What are the safety measures for RV heaters?
If you are using a gas or propane heater, make sure there is proper ventilation in place to avoid carbon monoxide buildup. Please ensure a distance of at least two feet (60cm) away from all objects.
Also, read and follow any manuals that came with your unit! Electric heaters tend to be safer to operate and should have a built-in safety kill switch. Ensure the electric wiring is properly installed and adequate to the power of your RV heater.
Can you put a wood burning stove in an RV?
The answer to this question depends on the layout of the RV, but generally speaking it is possible if you have sufficient clearance area. Wood burning stoves are often too large for use in an RV’s kitchenette but if your vehicle is much bigger, like a converted school bus, then you might be able to install a wood burning stove.
Another consideration is fuel supply – being outdoors really takes away from that convenience factor. If you have access to wood where you’re staying then this stove should suffice with proper precautions like ventilation and fire protection.
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