Words and photos from 
4wd talk
I’ve been using a diesel heater for some time now, and I honestly can’t imagine camping and overlanding without one. The days of being cold are over with the instant, dry heat of a diesel heater!
Even if you don’t do much (or any) cold weather camping, having a diesel heater in your kit is a fantastic amenity for those chilly summer nights while camping. I’ve been in some hot spots over the years – Death Valley among them – and even in locations like that, a heater is often necessary at night.
So, what are the top diesel heaters of 2023? Let’s find out!
Top Diesel Heaters of 2023: Planar Heaters 4kw Portable Diesel Air Heater
This 4kw portable diesel air heater from Planar Heaters is a self-contained unit that comes with everything you need to get instant, dry heat in your tent, camper, van, or other sleeping accommodations.
The bright yellow case is easy to see at night and offers crushproof protection and rain resistance, so you don’t have to worry about tough weather conditions causing it harm.
This is a dual-fuel unit and runs on either diesel or kerosene, both of which require 12-volt power as well. Either way, you can enjoy dry heat for about eight hours from roughly one gallon of fuel.
Planar has equipped this portable diesel heater with a silencer to minimize noise. There’s an air intake filter to keep the unit breathing, and a remote-wired controller is included so you can adjust the heater’s output without having to get out of bed. That’s a nice touch!
As I explain in the video above, I’ve had this unit for about a year now, and I’ve used it in all sorts of conditions in all kinds of locations. Each time, it worked like a charm and provided instant dry heat for my rooftop tent. And with 4kw of power available, there’s enough output to heat my tent and a buddy’s tent at the same time.
Plus, at 25′ x 19′ x 19′ and 33 pounds empty, this heater is easily portable and doesn’t take up much space in the bed of my Jeep Gladiator. When you’re overlanding, space is at a premium, so gear with a small form factor is appreciated.
All in all, I’ve had a great experience with this heater. The build quality, ease of operation, quiet operation, and incredible heat output are just a few reasons why this heater is on our list of the top diesel heaters of 2023! You can even get a 2kw version (shown above left) if 4kw is too much.
Learn more about the Planar Heaters 4kw Portable Diesel Heater
Top Diesel Heaters of 2023: Planar Heaters 2kw Diesel Air Heater
If you don’t need a portable diesel heater and want to install one in your rig, another fine option is this 2kw diesel air heater from Planar Heaters.
I’ve had this heater installed in my Turtleback Expedition Trailer for about a year and a half, and it provides plenty of heat output for my SMRT Summit Suite Rooftop Tent.
Actually, with 2kw of heat output, this heater is more than enough for campers, vans, and boats up to 25 feet in length. Just hook it up to 12-volt or 24-volt power, fill it up with diesel or kerosene, and away you go!
The heater comes with an installation kit, an operating manual, and your choice of an analog or digital controller. Likewise, the heater has a self-adjusting system so you can operate it at elevations ranging from sea level to 8,200 feet.
It’s a small unit, too – 12.76″ x 4.65″ x 4.69″ and 15.7 pounds.
Check out my field test of this heater in the video above to see this bad boy in action!
Learn more about the Planar heaters 2kw Diesel Air Heater
Final Thoughts
With that, you have a few excellent options for getting instant, dry heat for your overlanding adventures. Whether you need something portable or installed in your rig, these heaters are among the best available on the market today.
I encourage you to check these heaters out in more detail, do your due diligence, and invest in one that suits your specific needs. As I said before, I can’t imagine camping without a diesel heater – and once you have one, you won’t be able to imagine it either!
