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Dobby *o*

Dobby *o* March 25, 2025, 8:19 p.m.

Need recommendations for best portable car heater for winter adventures

Got totally screwed last winter when my SUV's heater conked out during what was supposed to be a fun weekend trip. Ended up shivering all night in a Walmart parking lot waiting for a tow, swearing I'd never be caught unprepared again!

My partner and I are pretty serious about our winter hiking/camping trips, and sometimes we end up sleeping in the car when the weather turns nasty or plans fall apart. After last year's disaster, I'm determined to find a reliable backup heating solution before next winter hits.

Been going down the rabbit hole of portable car heaters online, but the reviews are all over the place. Some people swear by them while others say they're complete junk that'll just drain your battery. Ideally looking for something that could work both in the car (without killing the battery) and maybe even safely heat a small tent with proper ventilation when connected to our portable power station.

Figure now's the time to buy before prices shoot up when cold weather hits. Any fellow outdoor enthusiasts or preppers actually tested these things in real-world conditions? What's worked for you in genuinely cold situations? Budget flexible for something that actually works and won't burn my car down!

artal

artal March 25, 2025, 11:42 p.m.

Dated a guy who swore by his portable car heater... until we got stuck in Vermont and the thing drained his battery in 40 minutes flat. Now I keep a -40° sleeping bag in my trunk instead. Way more reliable when things actually go sideways

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art2001

art2001 March 26, 2025, 12:13 a.m.

Something to consider: most camping stores mark winter gear down 60-70% right now. Just nabbed two military surplus wool blankets for $25 each. Bulky yes, but they've kept soldiers alive in trenches for centuries. No batteries required

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ertyui

ertyui March 26, 2025, 9:45 p.m.

ok listen im gonna save you $50+ and hours of regret: take an empty metal coffee can, roll up cardboard inside it, pour some rubbing alcohol on it, light it. boom - improvised heater that'll warm up small spaces safely when ventilated properly. learned this trick from my granddad who delivered mail in rural montana for 30 years

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h-d

h-d March 27, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Recently tested five different "car heaters" for my YouTube channel. Every single one failed to raise ambient temperature more than 8°F at seat distance. Complete waste compared to alternatives. Happy to send you the data if interested

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dinex

dinex March 28, 2025, 8:07 p.m.

Don't discount the humble hot water bottle! Fill before leaving, wrap in sock, stays warm 4+ hours. Need refresh? Any gas station has hot water tap for coffee. Been my secret weapon through 8 Wisconsin winters

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tod

tod March 28, 2025, 11:59 p.m.

Underrated suggestion! I keep two in my emergency kit - boil water on camp stove, fill bottles, one at feet + one at core = sleep like a baby even when it's frigid

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7777

7777 March 30, 2025, 5:16 p.m.

The whole "car heater" category is marketing nonsense targeting people who don't understand basic electrical principles. Your cigarette lighter maxes out around 12 amps, which translates to roughly 144 watts. For comparison, your home space heater is 1500 watts. Do the math...

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zs

zs March 31, 2025, 8:27 p.m.

Picked up the Yiishuiil heater after my old one died mid-roadtrip. Decent enough for what it is - defogs windows in about 3 minutes and the rotating thing actually comes in handy. Still gotta manage expectations tho, it's not gonna heat your whole car in subfreezing temps. Battery drain seems reasonable but i don't leave it running more than 20 mins at a time just to be safe

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Xbit

Xbit April 2, 2025, 3:43 p.m.

Pro tip from someone who learned the hard way: if you're legitimately concerned about emergency situations, invest in small automotive jump starter with built-in power bank ($75-ish). Then ANY heating solution becomes viable because you're not risking your main battery

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