The Top 5 Best Bivvy Heaters for Carp Fishing
If you're tired of freezing your tiger nuts off in your bivvy in the colder months of the year, you need a bivvy heater.
A decent heater can be the difference between being comfortable with the ability to focus on your fishing, or being so uncomfortable that you wished you never had ventured out in the first place.
These heaters come in different forms and have different fuel types depending on your needs.
In this article, we will take you through the best bivvy heaters available right now. We’ll explain what features to look for in a bivvy heater and talk through some of the pros and cons of each suggested product.
The Best Bivvy Heaters
Let's dive straight into the five best bivvy heaters we have used in recent times that have all been proven to do the important job of providing heat and comfort when needed.
#1. Highlander Compact Gas Bivvy Heater
Key Features:
- Adjustable angle for directional heat
- Simple &safe automatic piezo electric ignition
- Variable temperature control
- Efficient ceramic heating element with safety guard
- Safety locking mechanism for gas canister
Specifications:
- Size: L 30cm x W 30cm x H 27cm
- Weight: 2.3kg
- Materials: Durable Steel
This Yellowstone gas bivvy heater is one of the best bivvy heaters on the market because it is so simple to use.
You have a dial to control the gas and the heat settings as well as an ignition switch, that's it. At full blast, this heater will quickly warm up the biggest of bivvies as it puts out a whopping 1.3kW of power.
The construction of this bivvy heater is really impressive. It is pressed steel, so it is nice and robust, and the warmth lingers within the body of the heater to offer additional heat even when it isn't on.
It is a very cleverly designed heater that is sure to bring a lot of warmth and comfort to any winter fishing trip.
Check out the following video that shows how to use the product...
Here is what we like and dislike about the bivvy heater based on our own experiences and reviews...
Pros
Cons
#2. Outwell Katla Camping Heater
Key Features:
- Powerful 1500 watt output
- Lightweight and quick to heat
- Two power settings
- Adjustable thermostat
- Tip-over safety switch
Specifications:
- Size: L 21.5cm x W 16.6cm x H 29.7cm
- Weight: 1.5kg
- Materials: Plastic & Metal
If you fish at any lakes that offer mains power near the bank or indeed you possess an outdoor power bank, this is the perfect bivvy heater for you.
It is so powerful that most anglers only ever use it on the lowest power settings, but there is a full power setting if the winter weather is very cold.
While most bivvy heaters will only ever come out of the shed in the wintertime, this one will be your best friend during the summer months too. This is because this bivvy heater has a cold setting as well.
So, you can use it to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. While others sweat their tiger nuts off, you'll be as cool as a carp!
As the tackle tarts would say, design matters in all things carp fishing. Fortunately, this bivvy heater looks great. It has a retro design that is compact and lightweight.
So you can look great, stay warm and catch some carp in the colder months; sounds about perfect to me.
Here is what we like and dislike about the bivvy heater...
Pros
Cons
Alternative Electric Heater:
#3. Portable Bivvy Heater and Cooker
Key Features:
- Endless fuel supply
- Metal construction but lightweight
- Folds up compact and packs flat
- Sturdy Structure
Specifications:
- Size: L 8.2cm x W 8.1cm x H 11.6cm
- Weight: 0.249kg
- Materials: Hardened Stainless Steel
As this bivvy heater involves making a fire, we wouldn't recommend using it inside your bivvy. Instead, set it up just outside your bivvy or brolly system, and it will force the warm air into it and heat it up.
This is a brilliant bivvy heater when used correctly, and you can use it to cook as well. It has a solid surface to place your kettle or frying pan on, so cooking and heating are super easy.
The best thing about this bivvy heater, though, is that you don't need to take any fuel with you. You can use fallen twigs that you can find around the lake. All you need is a lighter, and you can cook and keep warm at the same time.
Finally, another feature that we love about this bivvy heater is how compact it is. It slots together with tabs and is made from metal, so it is very solid when it's put together. However, once taken apart, it is the most compact bivvy heater on the market right now.
Here is what we like and dislike about this portable bivvy heater...
Pros
Cons
Alternative Wood Burning Heater:
#4. Mr Heater Little Buddy Bivvy Heater
Key Features:
- Automatic low oxygen shut-off system
- Safety tip over switch
- 5.5 hours worth of heat
- Very simple controls
Specifications:
- Size: L 27.9cm x W 27.9cm x H 27.9cm
- Weight: 2.27kg
- Materials: Metal & Plastic
This great little heater is compact yet very powerful, so your bivvy will heat up in no time.
There aren't any heating controls on this one. As in, when it's on, it's putting out its maximum power and you can't adjust it. We've put that as a con below, but only because other bivvy heaters do have some heat settings.
We actually think this bivvy heater works perfectly just the way it is. It heats up a bivvy or a small tent so quickly that you'll likely be turning it off in 20 minutes.
We also love the safety features of this bivvy heater. It has a trip switch, so if the heater is knocked from your bivvy table or knocked over on the floor, the gas supply is turned off.
It also has a low oxygen sensor, which will stop it as well. Sure, the price of the heater is high, but it is exceptionally well built and the perfect size for fishing.
Here is what we like and dislike about this bivvy heater based on our own experiences and reviews...
Pros
Cons
#5. Bright Spark Portable Gas Heater
Key Features:
- Widely available gas canisters
- Instant, controllable heat
- 1.3kW ceramic heating element
- Adjustable angles
Specifications:
- Size: L 29cm x W 20cm x H 27cm
- Weight: 2.34kg
- Materials: Metal & Plastic
This compact bivvy heater has very easy-to-use controls that you can operate with gloves on.
We suggest you use this heater just outside your bivvy, purely from a safety perspective, but even just outside, it can make a real difference to the internal temperature of your bivvy.
On full power, this heater will burn about one gas canister per hour. However, it generates so much heat so quickly that you'll never need to run it at full heat. On a medium heat setting, it will heat up the surrounding space in minutes and keep going for hours.
Overall, this bivvy heater is powerful, compact, and very well designed. It is made from metal and built to last plenty of winter carp fishing sessions.
Here is what we like and dislike about this bivvy heater...
Pros
Cons
What to look for in the best bivvy heaters
Whichever bivvy heater you buy, safety has got to be the most important thing to keep an eye out for. Without safety features, a bivvy heater can be extremely dangerous.
Some of the bivvy heaters we use, feature switches on the bottom of the heater, for example. These must be depressed for the heater to work, so if the heater falls over, it will turn off.
Simple safety features like that will keep you warm in your bivvy but safe as well.
Other features that your bivvy heater should have are good heat output and the right fuel type for your needs. If you like to move around the lake and chase the fish, carrying around loads of gas canisters may not be ideal.
So, finding a bivvy heater with a fuel type that keeps things compact is perfect. Ideally, you want it to fit easily into your rucksack and definitely onto your carp barrow.
You also need a bivvy heater that can give out enough heat to make your fishing shelter warm and toasty quickly. Otherwise, well, it isn't much of a heater, is it?
To recap, here are some common features of bivvy heaters to keep an eye out for:
- Fuel type – gas, electric, petrol, wood? Which is best for you?
- Safety features – will the heater be safe in your bivvy?
- Power output – the higher the output, the hotter your bivvy will be
- Size – a bivvy heater shouldn't take up too much room in the bivvy or on your barrow
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions On Bivvy Heaters
Still have some burning questions about bivvy heaters? If so check out the following most asked questions we get on the subject.
What Are The Different Types Of Bivvy Heater?
Bivvy heaters can come in all shapes and sizes and have different fuel types as well. The fuel type of your bivvy heater is the most important thing to pay attention to. Bivvy heater's fuel types are gas, electric, alcohol, wood, and rechargeable battery.
Each type of bivvy heater offers heat, of course, but finding the right option for your fishing trip is really important.
Gas bivvy heaters, for example, are typically the best option as they are compact, and the gas canisters don't take up too much room in your gear bag. However, some gas bivvy heaters do use a lot of fuel.
Some electric bivvy heaters only work with mains power which means they can't be used at every venue. Some wood-burning bivvy heaters are not allowed at all venues and should never be used inside the bivvy.
Instead, wood-burning bivvy heaters should be used outside, close enough that the warm air heats the bivvy safely.
There are good and bad things to be said for all bivvy heaters, so choosing the right one for your needs is really important. We've included the pros and cons of the bivvy heaters above so that you can see which fuel type is right for you.
Can You Use A Gas Heater In A Bivvy?
Yes, you can, but we'd only recommend you use a gas bivvy heater that has suitable safety features installed.
Some of the best gas bivvy heaters have low oxygen shut-off systems, and some also have switches on the bottom. If the heater is knocked over, this switch is tripped, and it turns the gas supply off.
You can use a gas heater in a bivvy, but it should be designed for the job. That's not to say that you must buy a gas heater made by a fishing company. Camping gas heaters have the same safety systems in them too.
So, if you're going to buy a gas heater for fishing, just make sure it is designed to be used in a small space. And that has the safety features that will keep you safe while you're staying warm.
Are Bivvy Heaters Safe?
Most bivvy heaters on the market are gas, and with any gas heater, there is a risk of it catching your bivvy alight. This is why good quality bivvy heaters have safety features built-in and why we strongly recommend you research the bivvy heater you buy.
Having these safety features means you can fish all year round and be just as safe and warm in the winter as you are in the summer.
Bivvy heaters are safe, as long as you buy a good quality heater. Sure, you may have to spend a bit more than you wanted, but a good quality bivvy heater will see you through decades of winters safely, so they are well worth it.Final Thoughts
The best bivvy heaters should be durable, safe, and economical with their power output. The heaters we have suggested should cater to most fishing situations.
Hopefully, you now have a good idea of what the different types of bivvy heaters are available to purchase and you have maybe found the perfect heater for your next winter carp fishing trip.
If you are in the market for other bivvy accessories, we have a great article on the best bivvy lights which you can see here.
Thanks for reading.
Tight Lines!
All of the fishing tackle featured in this article can be found at one of the following online shops...
Related Articles...
Best Bivvy Lights
This article will provide recommendations on 7 of the best bivvy lights that are all great options to make your night carp fishing sessions easy and efficient.
Best Bivvy Tables
In this article, we explore the best bivvy tables available in the UK right now. We’ll take you through what features to look for in a bivvy table as well as the pros and cons of our suggested products.
Best Carp Bivvy
With a huge variety on the market, the aim of this article is to provide you with the information you need to pick the best carp bivvy that suits your style of fishing.