It’s the middle of winter right now as I write this, and I haven’t been camping for a while due to the cold. I’m missing being out in the woods, but my fiancee doesn’t want to go right now since it’s so cold. She’s a hot sleeper in that she gets cold quickly and needs something warm at all times to keep herself warm.
Which got me thinking.
At Explore Camping Life, I have written a ton of posts about different sleeping bags. It’s a piece of equipment that you always need when camping, and there are different types of sleeping bags for different climates and purposes.
But one topic I haven’t written about is perfect for right now….heated sleeping bags!
I actually can’t believe I haven’t written something about them before because my fiancee LOVES these. But it’s not only her: if you go camping in the fall or winter, or in areas that are further north, they’re actually really nice.
With all that in mind, it felt like it was time that I wrote my thoughts down for everyone on which were the best options out there so you can skip the ones that aren’t nearly as good.
For this post, I’ll highlight:
- A buying guide of what you should be thinking about when looking at a fan
- The five best options in 2023
- A FAQ section on key questions you might have regarding fans while camping
So, let’s get started!
Heated Sleeping Bags: A Buyers Guide
When buying a heated bag, there are a couple things that matter and you should think about. These include a couple of considerations specific to heated bags, but also include my staple consideration: weight!
- Weight: As with everything I talk about here on, it’s absolutely important to think about weight for heated bags. Due to their added heating features, these can get heavy. If you are going to be carrying this in your backpack, then you need to ensure that things are not too heavy
- Size: Not all heated bags are of the same size. With the added size from the heating set up, these bags often take up more space within a tent that you’d think. If a tent is rated for 4 people, but everyone is in heated bags, then I think you should assume 3 people in it.
- Temperature rating: The standard sleeping bag is rated for 35 degrees. A heated bag can definitely go to a lower temperature than a non-heated bag, but not all heated bags can go to the coldest temperatures. Before you buy one of these before your camping trip in Alaska, make sure the bag you are buying can handle the climate you’re going into.
- Down Material: Sleeping bags can be filled with real or synthetic down material. Both work to keep you and your significant other warm at night. However, some people can be allergic to real or synthetic stuff. Before you go camping, make sure you know if you are allergic and get the other kind. Trust me, your camping experience will be miserable otherwise.
Now that I’ve outlined some of the key features you should think about with a double, I’m now going to share my five favorite doubles from 2023.
Best Heated Sleeping Bags of 2023
My Favorite option & the original heated sleeping bag: FIRSERMO Heated Sleeping Bag
This is one of the most popular electric heated sleeping bags currently available in the market. This bag comes with a soft switch and 3 level controllers, you just have the hold the switch for 3 seconds to turn it on. It has three different temperature levels (red, white, and blue), you can choose as per your needs. A temperature sensor is placed inside the heating element to make it safer. If the temperature reaches more than 140 degrees Fahrenheit, this sensor cuts down the heating element automatically.
300TC synthetic is used to make its outer shell and 180 TC synthetic is used to make its inner fabric. Both materials are very durable and water-resistant. The best thing about this sleeping bag is that it is very easy to clean. You can machine wash it by using a normal washing product. You will also get a carry bag to store it and take anywhere you want. This bag comes with a money-back guarantee. So if you don’t like it, then you can reach the customer team for a refund.
Pros of FIRSERMO Heated Sleeping Bag:
- It features different levels of temperature
- Comes with a money-back guarantee
- Made of high-quality materials
Cons of FIRSERMO Heated Sleeping Bag:
- It is slightly expensive
Best all-purpose option: MalloMe Camping Sleeping Bag
If you are looking for a well-designed comfortable camping sleeping bag, then this bag from MalloMe is the best-heated sleeping bag option for you. This camping bag is specially designed to help you sleep better. Most people complain about their sleeping bags being uncomfortable on rough grounds but that’s not the case with this sleeping bag. It will give extreme comfort even if the ground is rough or hard. This bag is made of 100% polyester and it will keep you warm and safe in any type of climatic condition.
This sleeping bag is water-resistant and you will never have to worry about getting damp. It can be machine washed, you won’t have to put a lot of effort into cleaning it. The best thing about this bag is that it is skin-friendly. All the materials used to make it are 100% genuine. This bag also features a compression sack with straps, which makes it very easy to carry and transport. After receiving the product, if you don’t like it, then you can contact the support team for further inquiries.
Pros of MalloMe Camping Sleeping Bag:
- It is water-resistant
- Very durable and comfortable
- It is cost-effective
Cons of MalloMe Camping Sleeping Bag:
- The zipper is less flexible
Best high-end option: Hyke & Byke Hydrophobic Sleeping Bag
This sleeping bag from Hyke & Byke is one of the most durable camping sleeping bags. It is IDFL certified and comes with a lifetime warranty. I’ve met hundreds of people who have used this bag and most of them have given amazing positive reviews. This bag is super light and comes with amazing moisture resistance capabilities. As compared to other camping bags, it is more durable and compact. It features hydrophobic insulation and consists of waterproof fabrics, which makes it keep warm and dry.
The best thing about this camping bag is that it is available in different sizes and you can choose according to your choice and preferences. This bag offers amazing durability and with a little care, it can stay with you for a very long time. In summary, if you are a regular camper and want a sleeping bag that is both long-lasting and comfortable, then this sleeping bag will never disappoint you.
Pros of Hyke & Byke Hydrophobic Sleeping Bag:
- It is ultra-lightweight
- Comes with a life-long warranty
- Highly durable
Cons of Hyke & Byke Hydrophobic Sleeping Bag:
- It is slightly expensive
Most portable option: Agemore Camping Sleeping Bag
For all the people who are searching for good quality, portable heated camping bag, then this camping bag from Agemore is the best option for you. The outer layer of this bag is made of lightweight 210T Polyester and 190 Pongee is used for inner fabric. It features a composite metal fiber plate that provides amazing warmness even in extreme freezing temperatures. The best thing about this camping bag is that it provides faster heating and you can easily adjust by holding the setting button for three seconds.
It comes with different temperature levels and you can set as per your needs. Another great thing about this sleeping bag is that it is very portable. It is also very lightweight and won’t tire your shoulders. You can wash it with both machines and hands. This sleeping bag comes with a 100% money-back guarantee and you can easily return the product if it is not up to your expectations.
Pros of Agemore Camping Sleeping Bag:
- It is very portable
- Comes with a money-back guarantee
- Extremely comfortable
Cons of Agemore Camping Sleeping Bag:
- May not be comfortable for oversized people
- People either love it or hate it; there aren’t other options
Best entry-level option: Clostnature Camping Sleeping Bag
This Clostnature Camping Sleeping Bag is a perfect pick for people who do hardcore hiking and regular camping. It provides amazing comfort and specially designed to provide you quality sleep. It features a weather-resistant design, which makes it equally efficient for all types of weather. It doesn’t matter where you are sleeping and how hard the ground is, it provides the same comfort. This sleeping bag is very compact and doesn’t require much effort in transportation. It is easy and convenient to clean. It comes with a separated zip at the bottom that allows your feet to come out for better ventilation.
Pros of Clostnature Camping Sleeping Bag:
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- It is very easy to carry
Cons of Clostnature Camping Sleeping Bag:
- Average stitching in the inner material
Best Sleeping Bags: The FAQ’s
There are a couple of questions that many people have when they first start to look into these heated bags. With that in mind, I’ve put a couple of the most common questions below and did my best to answer them and help you out!
How much electricity do heated sleeping bags use?
It’s a good question.
The short answer is that it depends. The actual answer depends on which bag you use, what setting you turn the bag too, and how long the bag is turned on for. The longer the bag is on and the higher the setting, the more electricity you will end up using.
However, I’ve found that these bags actually don’t use that much electricity. A good battery pack typically is more than enough juice to keep one of these bags up and running for a camping weekend without much hassle at all.
Is a heated sleeping bag better than a battery-powered blanket?
For this one, I have a pretty strong opinion about the answer. If your goal is to go camping, then you should always get the sleeping bag over the blanket. The reason why is sleeping bags have two huge advantages that blankets just don’t have.
First, the blankets are NOT made for transportation. For that reason, they’re often heavier for their size and a huge pain in the butt to carry around in your gear bags when you go out camping.
Secondly, blankets are not nearly as resistant. They get much dirtier, are much harder to clean, and can easily get damaged past the point of repair while you are out camping.
Sleeping bags, on the other hand, are lighter, made to get dirty and easily cleaned, and much harder to rip than you would expect. They’re hardier, which is exactly what you want when camping.
If you are just going to have a campfire or BBQ in your backyard, though, then a heated blanket would work fine too.
Are there solar heated sleeping bags?
To my knowledge there aren’t any solar heated bags. This would be extremely nice because it would allow for a longer trip where you could just recharge with the sun. I love week-long trips, but electronics always die and it’s a pain in the butt if the bag dies halfway through!
I did find this though: Rab Solar Eco Synthetic Insulated Recycle Mummy Bag for Camping and Backpacking
Where can I find heated Sleeping bags?
So I’ve never seen these at big box stores like Walmart or Costco. Bass Pro Shops and Gander Mountain are also good options here, but I just buy all my camping stuff on here on Amazon since it’s cheaper and comes in two days anyway.
See you at the campsite!
