Testing the Best Propane Heaters for Warming Up Your Space
Propane heaters are an incredibly effective way to quickly heat a medium to large living space using liquid propane (LP) as fuel, making them suitable for a range of heating needs.
We researched more than 30 propane heaters and then selected several top-rated models for hands-on testing by the Bob Vila test team. We also consulted Alex Rushwin, technical service manager for Enerco Group, manufacturer of the ever-popular Mr. Heater line of propane heaters.
Today’s propane heaters burn cleaner and are safer than early models. “Mr. Heater patented the first indoor propane heater back in 2000,” Rushwin says, “and that was a huge step forward for portable propane heat.” Since then, Mr. Heater has improved on the technology, and their indoor heaters are safer than ever.
Finding the best propane heater for your purposes depends on how you will use it, where it will be used, the heat output you need, and the important safety features included. While intended use varies, each of the following models excelled in our hands-on tests and earned its spot in this lineup of the best propane heaters.
- BEST OVERALL: Mr. Heater MH9BX Portable Buddy Heater
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Mr. Heater MH4B Little Buddy Propane Heater
- BEST TANK TOP: Camplux Outdoor Tank Top Propane Heater
- BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Dyna-Glo Delux 300,000 BTU LP Forced-Air Heater
- BEST PATIO: East Oak Pyrol Outdoor Patio Propane Gas Heater
- BEST INDOOR: Dyna-Glo 30K BTU LP Blue Flame Vent-Free Heater
- BEST FOR GARAGE: Mr. Heater MH18CH 18,000 BTU Cabinet Heater
- BEST TABLETOP: East Oak Torch Outdoor Patio Propane Gas Heater
How We Tested the Best Propane Heaters
We examined several factors when choosing the propane heaters we wanted to test. Safety was essential, and beyond that, we looked at heat output (British thermal units, or BTUs), heater type (convection vs. radiant), ease of use, and cost. We considered the brand; after all, Mr. Heater and Dyna-Glo are well-respected names in the propane heater world. Still, we didn’t automatically dismiss smaller niche brands if the heaters were durable, safe, and highly rated.
The actual testing of the heaters was pretty simple; after all, they serve one primary purpose: to warm up a space or warm up nearby objects and people. We noted how easy (or challenging) the heaters were to assemble, and then we connected them to propane tanks or bottles, as called for by the manufacturer.
We tested the heaters’ ignition features and noted how much heat they produced and how quickly. Each propane heater was scored using a rubric. The better the heater performed on a test, the more points we awarded. After testing, we averaged the points to determine our top pick and to establish the best uses for each model.
Our Top Picks
The following are some of the best propane heaters on the market in their respective categories. They were selected for quality and price, with a focus on the shopping considerations mentioned above.
Best Overall
Mr. Heater MH9BX Portable Buddy Heater
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Product Specs
- Type: Radiant
- Heating power: 4,000 or 9,000 BTUs
- Weight: 10.6 pounds
- Safety features: Tip-over shutoff, ODS
What We Like
- Propane bottle is easy to connect thanks to a swivel regulator that tilts outward
- Portable and compact design features a sturdy fold-down handle for easy carrying
- Comes with an oxygen-depletion sensor and tip-over shutoff for safe operating
What We Don’t Like
- Lower BTU range not sufficient for heating spaces larger than 250 square feet
Rushwin says that Mr. Heater’s Buddy series is one of its most popular sellers, and it’s been one of our favorites for years, as it was our standby heater for mountain camping adventures. The MH9BX was new to us though, and we were impressed right off the bat by the new swivel-connector feature that allowed us to twist the 1-pound propane bottle into position with ease. Some of the older models didn’t have the swivel connector, so good going, Mr. Heater! That’s a huge plus.
The Buddy MH9BX has an attractive design with a sturdy fold-down carrying handle that makes it easy to pick up and take wherever it’s needed. The heater has a choice of two heat outputs, either 4,000 or 9,000 BTUs, making it capable of heating up to 225 square feet of space. We tested the MH9BX in a 180-square foot room, and on high, it raised the temperature from 70 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in just 30 minutes. It’s a radiant heater, so it warms objects, not the air, but the heated objects in turn warmed up the room.
This heater is able to burn propane at near-100 percent efficiency, which makes it an option for indoor applications. Its oxygen-depletion sensor (ODS) ensures that the oxygen level never drops to a dangerous point. Plus, its tip-over safety mechanism immediately shut the heater off when we tipped it over.
Read our full review: Mr. Heater MH9BX Portable Buddy Heater
Get the Mr. Heater MH9BX propane heater at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best Bang for the Buck
Mr. Heater MH4B Little Buddy Propane Heater
Product Specs
- Type: Radiant
- Heating power: 3,800 BTUs
- Weight: 5.8 pounds
- Safety features: Tip-over shutoff, low-oxygen sensor
What We Like
- Lightweight and portable, making it convenient for various outdoor uses
- Reliable emergency heat source for indoor use with clean-burning technology
- Warms nearby objects and people via its radiant heating design
- Safety measures include low-oxygen sensor and automatic tip-over shutoff
What We Don’t Like
- Radiant heat only—does not come with a fan and will not warm large rooms
Our second Mr. Heater pick is the Little Buddy MH4B, which provides instant warmth at an attractive price point. Not only is the Little Buddy easy on the wallet, but it’s also simple to carry along when tailgating or just spending a little time bird-watching on a chilly day. It’s an excellent pick for supplemental indoor emergency heat, too. It burns clean and comes with a low-oxygen sensor that shuts it off if the oxygen level in the space drops to an unhealthy level.
The Little Buddy is designed to heat spaces up to 95 square feet, so we tested it in a bathroom, where it raised the room’s temperature by 15 degrees Fahrenheit in 30 minutes. Keep in mind that temperature increases will vary depending on the type of space, starting temperature, and whether the space is insulated or if it is being used as a tent heater without any insulation.
Like its big brother, the Buddy heater, Little Buddy is a radiant propane heater, and it warms nearby objects—and people. We found it excellent for warming our gloved hands outdoors, but it doesn’t blow hot air. The tip-over shutoff turned the heater off immediately when we laid the Little Buddy on its side.
While this little propane heater isn’t powerful enough for warming up large rooms, it’s an excellent small heater that’s safe for indoor use.
Get the Mr. Heater Little Buddy propane heater at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart.
Best Tank Top
Camplux Outdoor Tank Top Propane Heater
Product Specs
- Type: Radiant
- Heating power: 9,000 to 30,000 BTUs
- Weight: 5.07 pounds
- Safety features: Tip-over shutoff
What We Like
- Easily attaches to the top of a 20-pound or larger propane tank
- Dual burner design allows for adjustable operation and heat regulation
- Provides significant radiant heat—suitable for warming outdoor jobsites or ventilated shops
What We Don’t Like
- Requires ventilation; isn’t suitable for in-home use, which limits its applications
Tank tops aren’t just sleeveless attire for hot summer days. The Camplux Tank Top propane heater attaches to the top of a 20-pound or larger propane tank, and it quickly warms nearby objects or people—making it a handy heater for outdoor use or in ventilated shops and garages.
This is not an in-home model; the manufacturer suggests having a 0.5-square-foot opening for fresh air for every 15,000 BTUs being used. For example, if using both burners simultaneously on the highest setting (total of 30,000 BTUs), opening a 24-inch wide window just 1 inch would be sufficient. A door does not need to be wide open; just crack a window.
It comes with two radiant burners and attaches securely to the steel collar at the top of a standard propane tank. It was easy to connect to the tank and held firmly throughout our tests. We tested the Camplux dual-burner propane heater in a mobile workshop with an open-end wall.
It was simple to connect to the top of the propane tank and easy to light—but be aware this is a manual-light heater; we had to insert a lit match in a hole in the side of the reflective cover and then slowly turn on the propane. It fired right up. Each side lights and operates independently.
The Camplux Tank Top heater provided a lot of radiant heat—so much that we couldn’t stand any closer than about 4 feet without feeling uncomfortably hot when running it on the high setting. On the low setting, it was more tolerable, but it still puts out a lot of heat. It didn’t appreciably raise the temperature in the mobile shop, but that was due to one end of the shop trailer being completely open, which allowed cool breezes to blow through.
This is a powerful, no-frills propane heater for use in a ventilated workshop or on a jobsite.
Get the Camplux propane heater at Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., The Home Depot, or Wayfair.
Best Heavy-Duty
Dyna-Glo Delux 300,000 BTU LP Forced-Air Heater
Product Specs
- Type: Convection (forced air)
- Heating power: 300,000 BTUs
- Weight: 32.6 pounds
- Safety features: Overheat shutoff, delayed ignition shutoff
What We Like
- A high-performance model capable of rapidly warming large workspaces
- Adjustable thermostat provides heat control between 35 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit
- Features reliable electronic ignition, overheating protection, carry handle, and cord wrap
What We Don’t Like
- Requires an electrical outlet to operate, which limits flexibility in use
- Must be connected to a 100-pound or larger propane tank
Here come the big boys in the propane heating world! The Dyna-Glo Delux isn’t a heater that most will want to keep in a living room unless the living room happens to be around 7,000 square feet in size, but it is an excellent option as a space heater in a large garage, barn, warehouse, or worksite because it can produce up to 300,000 BTUs.
We took the Dyna-Glo to our shop and connected it to a propane tank—but nothing happened. It didn’t fire up. We saw the pilot light flicker inside and smelled propane, which led us to shut down the unit promptly, but there were no flames or heat. We suspected the reason might be a too-small propane tank, and we were right—the instruction manual specifies connecting the Dyna-Glo to a tank no smaller than 100 pounds. So, that’s what we did; we hauled in a larger tank and tried again, and the heater fired right up.
And, boy did it put out the heat! Within 30 minutes, our shop went from a chilly 56 degrees Fahrenheit to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a forced-air (convection) heater—a strong fan blows heat out of the front end of the combustion chamber at a forceful rate.
Ventilation is a must: The manufacturer recommends 11.25 square feet of open-air space when running the heater at maximum force. It features a safety shutoff if it overheats and another shutoff that keeps the heater from igniting if propane has been circulating through. The latter is to prevent the type of fireball that can result if propane gas is in the combustion chamber before it ignites.
The Dyna-Glo must also be plugged into an electrical outlet to power its heavy-duty fan. While it weighs 32 pounds, it has a carrying handle and a built-in cord wrap, making transportation easier. Overall, this powerful heater will keep large areas toasty warm, but don’t use it in the house.
Get the Dyna-Glo Delux propane heater at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best Patio
East Oak Pyrol Outdoor Patio Propane Gas Heater
Product Specs
- Type: Radiant
- Heating power: 48,000 BTUs
- Weight: 57.3 pounds
- Safety features: Anti-tilt, flame-out protection, low-oxygen sensor
What We Like
- Embossed design in stainless steel makes it an attractive addition to many types of outdoor areas
- Heats up in just 5 minutes and provides up to 15 feet of heating diameter
- Efficiently heats nearby objects and people—perfect for outdoor entertaining
- 20-pound propane tank is concealed right inside the base of the unit
- Adds a measure of ambience in addition to offering cozy heating
What We Don’t Like
- Assembly is complex and time-consuming; plan on devoting a minimum of 1 hour
The East Oak patio heater offers ambience and is a stunning focal point for a chilly outdoor winter gathering, but plan on spending at least an hour or more assembling all the parts. As we were setting it up, more than once we wondered whether the heater would be worth the hassle of trying to peel off the stubborn protective blue film—with some pieces coming off in tiny bits rather than sheets—and then putting together literally everything on the unit.
Once we got the East Oak pyramid heater together and fired up, we changed our minds—it was worth it. The glass cylinder in the pyramid’s center showcases beautiful dancing flames that rise to the upper vent, where the heat is reflected downward and outward toward anyone standing nearby. The outdoor temperature and breezes will affect its heating range, but we could feel warmth when standing about 10 feet away.
This is strictly an outdoor propane heater, so don’t take it in the house—it needs ample ventilation. It comes with tip-over shut-off protection and also shuts down propane flow if the flame goes out to keep propane gas from leaking into the air. We tested both, and they worked well.