Having a portable window heater defroster on colds days can be very handy to have.
There are many units available most of which are 12 volt defrosters that sit on the dashboard.
One thing to keep in mind is that 12-volt systems don’t put out a lot of energy and so can be slow when it comes to defrosting a window.
It really comes down to how cold it gets as to how well one works. With that said even if the heat they put out is low they do still give out some.
A 12-volt electric heater can never replace a vehicles built-in heater but can help speed defrosting along.
Everyone will have a different experience with 12-volt window defrosters, so be sure to read the reviews on Amazon or elsewhere to be sure a unit is a good fit for you.
There are many good units available with some of our favorite picks below.
As always be sure to read the reviews on Amazon, forums, here, or elsewhere to be sure a unit is a good fit for you.
Our Picks for Best Portable Car Window Defroster
- Wagan EL6311
- DEALPEAK Portable Car 2 in 1 Heater Fan
- HITOPTY 12v Electric Car Dash Fan
- NewZhu 12-Volt Defroster Defogger
Wagan makes this small unit that can sit on the dashboard or a handle can be used that pulls out.
While the heat it puts out will be minimal, as long as 12 volt units are understood it does what it is built to do.
This small unit is built to to help defrost a window.
It simply plugs into a vehicles cigarette lighter and is ready to be used.
It sits on a dashboard pointed at a window to help defrost it with an output of 200 watts.
This unit for HITOPTY is not a heater but a 2 speed fan that blows out a lot of air.
Since 12 volt window defrosters don’t put out much heat a good fan can be a good alternative.
The NewZhu is a 12-Volt window Defroster Defogger for cars and trucks.
It is an oblong unit that sits on a dashboard and blows out hot air toward the windshield.
The base has a swivel for it to move about 360 degrees and point it at any spot needed.
Summary
When is comes to 12-volt electric car heaters getting to know your vehicles cigarette lighter system is a good thing to do.
A fuse will go to the cigarette lighter to protect the wiring and they can vary from 10-15 Amps.
How many amps a heater can draw is important since the more amps the more the heat given out.
Don’t ever insert a higher amp fuse then a vehicle is rated for as every car or truck was designed in a specific way to protect it.
Most portable units will use between 6-8 amps as to not overload a system but it is always best to check to be sure.
Also never run a unit without the car running or else the the battery will likely get drained and be unable to start the car.
Be sure to read the comments and reviews on Amazon or elsewhere to be sure unit is a good fit for you and your vehicle.
I recently had a Ford Windstar with defroster issues (its the vent in sealed duct work
wont open junk bad design.)
I decided try one these defrosters such a thing should be available at all auto stores.
Since I had one i loaned out years ago didn’t get back it was a good heater only.
So Harbor freight had one like mentioned it has a handle for portable use too.
Driving at 25-30 mph in town at 30 degrees out side works but with rear heater off.
On highway at 45-60 mph window fogs up it is same as others internally all case styles vary”
So not totally useless but gets 2 stars. It runs at 15 amp fuse draw on unit so you need a lighter socket wired to battery , as heaters will melt the thin 16-22 gauge wire and pop the mini blade fuses @5 amp in your cars. Always use that one for phones and Gps , and small devices only. You should always have someone install a 12 gauge wire to cig lighter socket from battery fused 10-15 amps when buying a new car.