Heaters for Grow Tents
A grow tent heater gives you more control over your plants’ growing environment. So you can enjoy robust crops and healthy yields. Here we’ll look at some of the best models for different sized tents, as well as how to choose the perfect grow tent heater for your setup...
Top Heaters for Grow Tents
Let’s take a look at the top models of grow tent heaters available in the market.
Dreo Space Heater
The Dreo Space Heater is versatile, available in configurations like Standard, Motion Sensor, and WIFI, catering to various preferences. Safety features include Shield360º protection with tip-over and overheat safeguards, and flame-retardant materials, certified by its ETL listing for safety compliance.
Energy efficiency is a highlight, with ECO mode optimizing heat levels to save energy while maintaining comfort. Temperatures can be precisely controlled from 41 to 95 ºF via a digital thermostat.
The heater's 70º oscillation ensures even heat distribution, and its quiet operation is ideal for peaceful environments. Lightweight at just 1.8 kilograms, it's easily portable around the home.
The Dreo Space Heater's fast heating, energy efficiency, and strong safety features make it a top choice for enhancing indoor comfort.
Kismile Small Space Heater
The Kismile Small Space Heater is ideal for small grow tents and personal spaces due to its portability and compact design (5.24"D x 6.89"W x 9.13"H, 3.2 pounds). Available in black, with other color options featuring built-in or carrying handles, it integrates seamlessly into various settings.
It features three heat settings—High, Low, and Fan Mode for cool air—complemented by an adjustable thermostat for precise temperature control. Essential safety features, such as tip-over and overheat protection, enhance its reliability, automatically shutting off to prevent accidents.
Quiet operation below 50 dB ensures it does not disturb sleep or work, making it suitable for use in bedrooms or offices as well as grow tents. The Kismile heater is appreciated for its functionality in small spaces, ease of use, and effective heating capabilities, offering great value for its price.
LAPLOCK Ceramic Space Heater
The LAPLOCK Ceramic Space Heater is perfect for maintaining warm temperatures in small to medium-sized grow tents. Lightweight at only 1.5 pounds and available in blue, black, and white, this portable heater fits seamlessly into any grow setup.
It features a dual wattage system (800/1200 watts), effectively heating areas up to 170 square feet, suitable for standard grow tents. Its ceramic elements provide fast, even heating without open coils, ensuring safety for both plants and users.
Key safety features include overheat protection that shuts the heater off at 149°F and tip-over protection, crucial in active grow areas. With a noise level around 30 dB, it operates quietly, making it ideal for use in living spaces. Constructed from flame-retardant plastic, it offers durability and reduces fire risk.
The LAPLOCK heater scores highly for its effectiveness, safety, and portability, making it a valuable tool for indoor gardeners seeking a reliable heating solution.
Vornado MVH Vortex Space Heater
This discreet and petite yet powerful heater from Vornado provides very decent distribution using vortex air circulation. It is designed for use in small to medium sized grow tents and rooms.
While this is an affordable model, it offers a range of useful features including safety switches which kick in when the unit is tipped or starts to overheat.
It also has a cool-touch exterior and a carry handle for easy portability, even when in use.
The unit has 3 different heat settings 3 quiet heat settings (Low/750W, Medium/1125W, High/1500W) to allow you to find the perfect sweet spot between heat output and energy consumption.
Yet, while there’s a built-in thermostat you will need to use as thermometer with this one as it has no digital display.
Amazon Basics Personal Mini Heater
The Amazon Basics 500-Watt Mini Heater is a compact and economical choice for personal heating, priced at just $18.20. It's designed for small spaces such as office desks or bedside tables and comes in playful pink, with other color options like black, blue, and white to fit various decors.
This heater uses 500 watts with quick-heating ceramic coils, ideal for immediate warmth in small areas. It includes essential safety features like tip-over protection, enhancing its safety around children and pets.
Although not suited for larger spaces, its performance in personal settings is effective. With over 32,447 reviews, it scores well in safety, heat output, value, and energy efficiency, making it a favored option for a simple, safe, and efficient heating solution.
Heat Wave Convector Baseboard Heater
This cost-effective and petite heater is suitable for all kinds of indoor spaces. It's more than adequate to heat a medium-sized grow tent. It has thermal protection so it will shut off if it gets too hot, and there are two heat settings with 500W and 1000W outputs.
There’s also a tip-over safety switch which will cut off power to the unit should you accidentally nudge it over.
This unit has no fan built-in. So, while you may enjoy the quiet and discretion that it offers, you may want to supplement it with an oscillating fan to ensure even distribution of warm air around your grow tent.
Vivosun Seedling Heat Mat
This heat mat from VIVOSUN has a digital thermostat which allows you complete control over the temperature in your soil for optimal growing conditions.
It’s highly energy efficient at 120 Volts/60 HZ/8.3 max Amps/max Wattage 1,000W, and MET Standard Compliant so you can use it with complete peace of mind.
Position your plants atop this mat and it will help you to achieve the sweet spot for optimal growth (10-20°F above the ambient air temperature).
With only 3 controls, the thermostat is extremely easy to use, and setup is simple, even for those who have never grown before.
The mat itself is IP67 waterproof and can withstand extremes of temperature, while the thermostat has been impact and vibration testes, meaning that both can handle whatever circumstances throw at them.
At 10" x 20.75" it’s just the right size for a standard 1020 tray, although depending on how many plants you want to grow at once, you may need to invest in more than one.
Top Heaters for Larger Grow Rooms
While the performance requirements will be fairly similar for a large grow tent, the output and air circulation may need to be a little more robust. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some grow tent heaters that can be used for larger tents.
Pelonis PHO15A2AGW Electric Oil Filled Radiator
The PELONIS PHO15A2AGW is an effective heating solution for grow tents and small rooms. Available in white, black, and digital champagne, this model combines versatility with functionality, featuring portable casters and a carry handle for easy relocation.
It offers three heat settings (600, 900, and 1500 watts) controlled by a mechanical thermostat, allowing for precise temperature adjustments to optimize growing conditions or room comfort. The unit prioritizes safety with features like a power indicator, over-heat protection, and a tip-over safety switch, ensuring safe operation around pets or children.
The radiator operates quietly, providing steady heat without noise, ideal for environments requiring calm. With its strong performance, safety measures, and quiet operation, the PELONIS radiator is an excellent value, supported by a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
DeLonghi Convection Panel
It's able to heat up to 300 square feet, you may find that you’re able to achieve an optimal temperature just by having this unit close to your grow tent rather than inside it.
This unit has multiple heat settings, with a maximum output of 1500W or 5,120 BTUs. This unit is much more adjustable than those mentioned above and because it has a digital readout, you can take complete control of the temperature in your grow tent without needing a thermometer.
It has an eco function that can help you to find the sweet spot between the right temperature and low power use.
There are some cool safety features, too. As well as the standard cut off to avoid overheating, there’s also a tip-over switch which shuts the unit down if it becomes unstable.
Dreo Oil Filled Radiator
The Dreo Radiator Heater excels in providing efficient and safe heating for grow tents and indoor spaces. Available in black with 6 or 7 fins, its sleek design suits various room aesthetics, and its pedestal form factor ensures stable positioning for areas up to 300 square feet.
The heater features 1500W power with advanced heating technology that quickly and evenly warms a room through a stack effect for 360º air circulation. Safety features include V0 flame-retardant materials, a UL certification, a built-in tip-over switch, and a cool touch design to minimize burn risks.
It offers three heating modes and a smart ECO mode that adjusts to room temperature, optimizing energy use and reducing bills. The heater includes a remote control for easy adjustments and a 24-hour timer for scheduled heating, enhancing convenience.
With simple assembly and easy mobility provided by universal wheels, the Dreo Radiator Heater is a practical choice for maintaining warmth efficiently and safely in colder months.
Mr. Heater Portable Propane Heater
If you’re comfortable handling and using propane you won’t have any trouble with this unit from Mr. Heater. If you’re unfamiliar with propane, however, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the instructions and only use manufacturer approved accessories.
As we stated previously, propane has the advantage of being highly cost-effective and very low maintenance once it’s up and running. And this unit provides up to 220 hours of continuous heating for spaces of up to 225 square feet. More than enough for most large grow tents.
This robust unit has good build quality and some excellent safety features, including an auto shut off if the unit is tipped over, the pilot light goes out, or low oxygen levels are detected.
The unit can produce output between 4,000-9,000 BTU and the simple interface provides easy heat adjustment. However, this unit does not have a digital readout, so you’ll need a thermometer to see the exact temperature within your tent.
Palma Greenhouse Electric Fan Heater
This electric fan heater from Palma Greenhouse is designed to heat greenhouses of up to 120 square feet. Which makes it more than capable of heating large grow tents and rooms.
The powerful air circulation means that you’ll get great distribution of warm air across all of your plants.
The unit is extremely well made (in Germany) and its robust stainless steel construction provides great splash proofing for use in humid grow tents. It’s small and compact and because it’s floor standing, there’s no need to worry about it tipping.
While the air temperature is adjustable with a max temperature of 90 degrees (and maximum output of 5118 BTU or 1500W), this model does not include a digital thermostat. However, there is an equivalent with a digital thermostat included (for which you can expect to pay a little more).
Benefits Of A Grow Tent Heater
Using a grow tent provides you with more control over your growing conditions. But the ambient in the space surrounding your tent may be prone to fluctuations that can compromise your results.
When temperatures get too low, it can result in serious trouble for your plants. When plants fall below 60°F (15°C) it can place a lot of strain on them, and even make them more susceptible to molds and fungi.
A grow tent heater is a great way to exert more control over the growing environment and fit with your grow tent setup. Heat can protect your plants from dips in temperature, which might compromise their growth.
Heaters are a great addition to your grow room if there's no extra heat coming into the room. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that your grow lights will put out enough temperature. Especially if you live in a territory that’s prone to bouts of cold weather.
Features To Look For On A Grow Tent Heater
There are many, many grow tent heaters on the market today. How do you know which is the best choice for your setup?
Consumption
One of the most important is power consumption. Heaters can run at upwards 1500W, and as such, you can expect the wrong heater to add some real sting to your next energy bill.
Broadly speaking, the higher the wattage, the higher you can expect your bills to be, so opt for an energy-efficient model for future savings.
Type Of Heat
You’ll also need to consider the type of heat they provide. Do they only provide stationary heat? That may be fine for smaller tents but problematic for larger tents. Fan-assisted heaters will distribute heat more evenly across larger spaces.
Temperature Regulation
There is also the matter of temperature regulation. Does the heater have redundancies such as thermistors and thermal fuses to prevent power surges? Does it have a digital interface that takes the guesswork out of setting the perfect temperature?
Safety
How safe is the heater? What safety features enable it to provide you with peace of mind while you operate it?
At the very least, it should have an automatic shutoff to avoid overheating.
Ideally, it should also be made of robust materials and have a low center of gravity to avoid tipping over.
A heater with a timer is also beneficial because you can program it o shut off after a specific time. This makes for a safer growing environment and lower energy bills.
Types of Indoor Grow Tent Heaters
When you first start looking for a grow tent heater, it’s easy to be bamboozled by all the different types on the market. Let’s take a look at the benefits and caveats of each...
Ceramic Heater
Ceramic Heaters are well suited to mini grow tent. They use heated ceramic stones rather than exposed elements.
They get hot quickly and cool quickly after being shit down, making them a good choice for the safety-conscious.
Some use convection to circulate heat throughout the area while others offer directional heat.
Oil-Filled Heater
Oil-filled heaters are powerful and provide continuous heat, even for those who want to heat 24/7. Because they retain heat for longer, they are also highly energy efficient.
They produce no combustible gases they are nice and safe. You can also keep them running for long periods of time without reducing the humidity in your grow tent. The only downside is that they are costly.
Propane Heater
Propane heaters get really hot really fast, and combine easy setup with low-maintenance. So they’re a good choice for those who are new to growing.
Propane heaters produce emissions which may prove harmful to your plants, which is why proper ventilation is essential when using one of these heaters.
While propane is flammable, most have an automated shutoff feature, so they should be safe to use.
What Temperature Should Grow Tent be?
Broadly speaking, if conditions are right for human habitation, they’re right for growing cannabis. These wonderful little plants enjoy similar conditions to us.
Try and keep your temperature range between 70-85 °F (that’s 20-30 °C) during the day when your grow lights are active.
During dark hours, your plants will be perfectly happy in slightly cooler temperatures.
If you’re looking for optimal growth, however, you may want to tweak your temperatures slightly depending on the stage of the plant’s development.
Best Temperature For Vegetative Stage
For those who are new to growing- the vegetative stage is the early stage in the plant’s development. This is where the plant grows into the shape we recognize as the cannabis plant.
As such, plants prefer to be a little warmer in this stage. Between 70 and 78°F (20-30°C) is the optimal temperature range for vegetating plants.
Best Temperature For Flowering Stage
While the plants themselves have very similar needs throughout the growth cycle, flowering plants enjoy a lower temperature.
We find that reducing the temperature of your grow tent to 68-75°F (18-26°C) results in better bud quality. If you’re supplementing with CO2, daytime temps can be as high as 75-82ºF.
The reduction in temperature results in denser, more colorful and more fragrant buds with more trichomes (meaning more cannabinoids).
Best Temperature For Cloning
Roots develop best in warm conditions with high humidity. This is why they're usually stored in domes.
The optimum temperature is 74-78ºF and relative humidity at 75-85%. If you let your clones get too cold, they will dry and very likely die soon.
Increasing Temperature in a Grow Tent
There are many ways to do this, even without a grow tent heater. The best methods will depend on the size of your tent.
Heating A Small Grow Tent
Small grow tents can be heated by using an aquarium heater in a 5-gallon pail. This will also improve the humidity in your tent if conditions are a little too dry.
Alternatively, you may find that positioning the grow tent in a space with a lot of ambient heat (close to a furnace or ductwork with a high level of heat expenditure) helps you to get to a more optimal temperature.
Even a south-facing window that gets good access to sunlight can be a good place to position your grow tent for a temperature that’s more conducive to growth.
If you’re concerned about retaining heat in a small grow tent, try insulating the exterior with styrofoam or fiberglass insulation.
There are also small space heaters on the market which will do the job fairly well for small grow tents if you do not have access to a heater that’s specifically for horticulture.
Heating A Large Grow Tent or Room
Heating a larger grow tent represents more of a challenge. You need to maintain a consistent temperature around the space which is why the aquarium heater in a pail probably won’t be sufficient for a larger tent.
Likewise, a small space heater will blow hot air around your space, which may dry out the plants. If you can’t get access to specialist growing equipment, we recommend using an oil heater combined with an oscillating fan to distribute the heat more evenly around the space.
Final Word
Any of the above heaters will help you to maintain a temperature that’s conducive to healthy growth. And by giving you easy access to temperature control, you can get the perfect temperature for each stage of your plants’ growth.
Happy growing 🌱
