There are some basic things that you need to consider when buying a portable car heater.
Type: There are three options when it comes to the types of portable car heater. However, the safest and best option is the 12V portable car heater as it can easily draw power from the car and is least likely to start a fire. Power: You need to consider the power required for the portable heater. The portable heater should be able to draw the required power from the car itself. Size and weight: It is important to know the size and weight of the portable car heater. It needs to be lightweight and the size should be such that it fits easily inside the car.
In this guide, we have listed the best portable car heaters with their best features, advantages, and disadvantages. Below, you will also find a detailed “Buyer’s Guide” on how to select the best car heater inclusive of all the factors and considerations that one must keep in mind while shopping for a car heater.
Best Portable Car Heater 2023
Best Portable Car Heater Reviews
1. AZLIXLH Portable Car Heater
AZLIXLH is a popular automatic interior heater brand that manufactures various portable heater options for cars.
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This 12V 150-watt car heater has sturdy & durable ABS material construction and has 1.4 meters long power cord for easy usage. Its small, compact, lightweight, and portable design does not occupy much space or block the vision. It uses ceramic PTC heating technology that starts heat emitting heat inside the car within 3 seconds (fast heating), efficiently, safely, and quietly. Its adjustable wind mode (hot wind & natural wind) will blow natural or hot air to provide clear driving vision and thereby aids in safe driving. This cooling and heating device is suitable for defrosting and defogging/demisting to have a clear windshield and windows in the winter and offer a natural cool breeze in the summer, thanks to its multi-functional features to use in multiple seasons. This heater offers a 70° wide-angle air supply, along with a free angle adjustment base of 360° horizontal rotation and 60° vertical rotation to meet your different needs. It is quite easy and simple to install – wipe the area you need to install this heater, tear off the double-sided tape of the base, install the unit in that place and press it firmly. Plug it into a 12V and then you can adjust the direction of the air outlet. Also, it is widely used in cars for camping or traveling and gets charged with the cigarette lighter. Specifications:
Power – 150 watts Type – 12V Portable Heater (Cigarette Lighter Car) Input voltage – 12V Material – ABS Features – Fast heating, defrosting, and demisting Angle Adjustment – 360° horizontal rotation & 60° vertical rotation Airflow Area – 70° Cooling Method – Air Suitable for – Mostly cars Dimensions – 3.46 X 4.52 X 1.37 inches Color – Black Weight – 290 grams Cable Length – 1.4 m
What we liked:
Versatile option with a quiet operation Quick heating for defrosting and demisting Adjustable wind mode for multiple-season usage. Sturdy ABS material construction with multi-angle rotating base. Small and compact design offering a wide heating area of 70°. Easy to install and safe to use
What we didn’t like:
Nothing much
2. TONSAN Portable Car Heater
TONSON is a known brand that brings various portable heater options to the market. Among them, this 12V 150-watt car heater is multifunctional that comes with both cooling and heating modes. Thus, it is perfect for demisting or defrosting the windscreens and windows in winter, and also as a cooling fan in summer. Its 180° rotational strong suction cup holds the glass and allows you to install the heater easily or place it on a non-slip mat. It uses the car’s cigarette lighter socket to heat the inside car quickly. All you need is to adjust the holder at your preferred angle. With its 10 seconds quick heating feature, it produces hot air for a clear windshield and defogs/defrosts to prevent blurred vision. The additional features like built-in fuse, anti-voltage, automatic power-off, low-energy consumption, safer use, low noise, natural/hot wind, and strong wind add to the advantages of the product. The dual adjustable wind modes not only bring warmth but also freshens the air inside the car along with preventing frost/fog from the windshield for a safe and comfortable journey. It is widely compatible with cars, taxis, trucks, jeeps, and SUVs. Specifications:
Power – 150 watts Type – 12V Portable Heater (Cigarette Lighter Car) Input voltage – 12V Material – Plastic Features – Fast heating, defrosting, and demisting/defogging Angle Adjustment – 180° rotation Cooling Method – Air (two modes – hot & cool) Compatibility – Car, jeep, truck, taxi, or SUV Dimensions – 6.02 X 5.63 X 3.35 inches Color – Black Weight – 13.2 ounces Cable Length – 1.5 m
What we liked:
Offers multiple protections for a safe and effective usage Energy-saving and durable alloy heating wire Defrosts and demists in 10 seconds Multipurpose and widely compatible Easy to install and simple to use 180° rotational base to adjust the direction
What we didn’t like:
Does not have 360° rotational movement. A bit expensive product
3. Qidoe Portable Car Heater
Qidoe is a known professional car accessory brand in the auto parts field, and they manufacture high-quality products. This 12V 150-Watt multifunctional car heater is one of their best product that is preferred by most people. With its adjustable wind mode and dual setting modes (heating and cooling), you can use this portable heater all year to demist/defrost in winter, and as a cooling fan in summer. It solves most of your problems while driving on the road like foggy windows, cold, frost, snow, bad smell, or rainy weather. Since it is made of high-quality material and long copper cable, it operates with less noise to keep your pets or kids stay warm and comfortable. It comes with a large air outlet design to remove fog/frost quickly and keep your windshield clear without blur vision. In addition, it can be used as a handheld heater, thanks to its hidden ergonomic handle design. Coming to its angle adjustment, it has a 360° rotating bracket that allows you to adjust the angle along with moving up and down as per your requirement. It uses a cigarette lighter plug design having a built-in fuse and offers various safety protections like automatic power-off protection, & anti-voltage. This car heater/defogger is widely compatible with all 12V vehicles like cars, SUVs, trucks, vans, and jeeps and is installed anywhere in the vehicle, as it won’t block sight. Specifications:
Power – 150 watts Type – 12V Portable Heater (Cigarette Lighter Car) Input voltage – 12V Material – Plastic Features – Dual purpose, defroster, heater, mute run, and purifying the air. Angle Adjustment – 360° rotation Cooling Method – Air (two modes – hot & cool) Compatibility – Car, jeep, truck, van, cab, or SUV (all 12V vehicles) Dimensions – 3.5 X 4.7 X 1.5 inches Color – Black Weight – 11.7 ounces Cable Length – 1.4 m
What we liked:
Cigarette lighter plug design 2-in-1 car heater – cooling fan and heating heater 360° rotary base and handheld design Purify the air in the car to clear the bad smell. Low energy consumption Mute run for silent/low-noise operation.
What we didn’t like:
Takes a bit longer time to warm inside the vehicle.
4. Hxeredue Portable Car Heater
Hxeredue has come up with an ABS portable car heater that provides warmth in winter months and cool air during summertime. This portable car heater comes with four main features – heating, cooling, demist, and defog. Thus, it clears the mist, fog, and frost on the rear/side windows along with the windshield of the car to have a safe and quick destination. With its 360° rotary holder, you can adjust the heater to any direction as required and the high-temperature air outlet ensures rapid heating with a 70° wide airflow area within 30 seconds. It is quite easy to install, as you need to place the heater on double-sided tape or a non-slip mat. Plug it into a 12V cigarette lighter socket and press the cool and heat switch to start working, making it suitable to use for all 12V vehicles in all seasons. Its ABS and polymer hard plastic and pure copper cable work fine without harming the car battery or its overall circuit. This single heater can solve various problems like cold, frost, foggy windows, and bad smells to enjoy the fresh air. Specifications:
Power – 150 watts Type – 12V Portable Heater (Cigarette Lighter Car) Input voltage – 12V Material – ABS Plastic & Copper Features – Dual purpose, defroster/ heater, and purifying the air. Angle Adjustment – 360° horizontal rotation and 90° vertical rotation Cooling Method – Air (two modes – hot & cool) Compatibility – Radiator Airflow area – 70° Dimensions – 6.5 X 4.9 X 3.3 inches Color – Black & Red Weight – 13.7 ounces Cable Length – 1.6 m
What we liked:
Silent functioning and dual purpose Adjustable direction for a comfortable driving Suitable option for both winter and summer Compact, durable, rapid heating, convenient, and versatile design 360° rotating base with adjustable direction
What we didn’t like:
The heating time is a bit more. Not compatible with all vehicles.
5. Gizovava Portable Car Heater
This portable car heater by Gizovava heats the windscreen quickly by attaching it to the 12-volt cigarette lighter outlet. The dual power modes (heating/cooling) clear the windscreen and windows (defrosting/demisting) from all sides quickly and are also used as a cooling fan. Its large outlet design provides for quick cooling and heating and thereby offers a clear view for a safe drive. It is quite easy to use simply plug it into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket and turn it on. It has built with fuse and auto power off protection for safe and effective use. It is widely compatible with all 12V cars/jeeps/SUVs/trucks that defog/defrost to make your travel and camping safe. It’s ABS plastic material along with anti-oxidation alloy heating wire will not only produce heat but also lasts longer. Its design is practical and convenient as its base can be rotated at a 360-degree angle. With its double-sided tape, you can easily fix and operate the heater at a place and it can be adjusted up/down/right/left as required. Also, it features a mute run for a silent operation, purifying the air inside the car. Specifications:
Power – 150 watts Type – 12V Portable Heater (Cigarette Lighter Car) Input voltage – 12V Material – ABS Plastic & alloy Features – Dual purpose, defrosting/demisting, mute run, and purifying the air. Angle Adjustment – 360° rotation Cooling Method – Air (two modes – hot & cool) Compatibility – All 12V vehicles Dimensions – 6.02 X 4.84 X 3.19 inches Color – Black Weight – 12 ounces Cable Length – 1.49 m
What we liked:
ABS plastic construction with alloy heating wire Universal 360° rotation to adjust up, down, right, and left. Heats and cools the area quickly Widely applicable to all 12V vehicles Easy installation and simple to use Suitable for demisting or defrosting windscreens and windows
What we didn’t like:
Takes a bit longer coverage time to warm the inside car area.
Things to Consider when Buying a Portable Car Heater
When selecting a portable car heater, there are several things that you need to consider. From the voltage required to the weight and the size, we have listed some of the basic factors that you need to consider when buying a portable car heater.
1. Type
12V portable heaters: The safest and best alternative to the factory heater are the 12V heaters which are specially made for use in the car. They usually work after drawing power from the car after plugging in the cigarette lighter socket of the car. The portable car heaters should have an inline fuse for safety and should be wired directly to the battery. Residential portable heaters: These heaters can be used in the car, but they are not designed for enclosed and small spaces. Also, it can be fatal by causing a fire as the manual asks to keep inflammable objects far from the heater. One more issue with the residential portable heater is the required wattage. Portable propane heaters: These heaters come with a higher risk of suffocation and fire. Therefore, they should not be used in such enclosed spaces as cars.
2. Power
Power is a crucial feature when you are considering any portable car heater. This also depends largely on the size of the car you are using. For instance, a 12V portable car heater is sufficient for small cars but does not work well for larger cars or motorhomes.
3. Weight
As you need to carry the portable heater around, the heater must be lightweight. The lightweight structure of the portable car heater will allow you to carry it easily from the car to your house and back without any fatigue. The lightweight design will also make it easy for you to store when not in use.
4. Size
Before investing in any portable car heater, you need to check its dimensions. This is a very crucial step as you need to see if the portable car heater fits easily inside the car. It will become a useless investment if the heater is not suitable to use in the car.
5. Functionality
You need to decide why you need a portable car heater. Whether you need to keep the whole car or RV warm or for the windscreen to melt the frost or a heated cushion that is capable of warming your whole body. Different portable car heaters are suited for each function, so you can choose the one you need accordingly.
6. Compatibility
You need to make sure that the 12V lighter port in your can handle the portable car heaters. These heaters mostly use the lighter port to draw the power from your car. If the lighter port is not sufficient then you will need an inverter to draw power.
Final Words
The bottom line is that portable car heaters can be used in case the factory heating system has failed, but they are not as strong. Replacing the real car heater system is expensive and requires a lot of installation work. Thus, this 12V 150W portable car heater is sufficient for the whole winter season.
Our first recommendation is AZLIXLH Portable Car Heater, as it uses ceramic PTC heating technology that heats the car inside area quickly and efficiently. It is multi-functional that demists and defrosts in winter and cools the air in summer. It offers a wide 70-degree airflow area and a 360-degree rotational base to adjust the angle as required. If you are looking for an ultra-portable design, then go with TONSAN Portable Car Heater. It is widely compatible with all 12V vehicles and is multi-functional that can be used as a defroster, demister, or heater that can be adjusted easily. In case if you are looking for a handheld yet get fitted on the vehicle, then go with Qidoe Portable Car Heater. It comes with a high-quality design that offers both heating and cooling to use in all seasons. Its portable ergonomic handle allows you to use it as a handheld heater.
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