9 Best Portable Indoor Propane Heaters Small, Gas Heaters 2023

9 Best Portable Indoor Propane Heaters Small, Gas Heaters 2023

Here at the Strategist, we like to think of ourselves as crazy (in a good way) about the stuff we buy, but as much as we’d like to, we can’t try everything. This is why we have People’s Choice, in which we find the best-reviewed products and single out the most convincing ones. (You can learn more about our rating system and how we pick each item here.)

And while we’ve written about lots of ways to stay warm — including the best-infrared heaters, the best outdoor heaters, and the best space heaters — here, we’ve rounded up the best propane heaters, as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Amazon.

What is a portable propane heater?

A portable propane heater is exactly what it sounds like. In essence, it is a small heater that can be easily moved and relies on propane as its main fuel source. Propane, if you don’t know it, is originally a flammable gas that is produced as a by-product of fracking and similar procedures designed to collect natural gas.

Propane is produced in abundance and is important as an inexpensive fuel source for the average individual. When it appears as a by-product, it transforms from gas to liquid and is stored in special containers to prevent fires. When propane is connected to a device, it is converted from a liquid to a gas and is usually ignited to create a fire that releases energy in the form of heat.

It is important to note that there are a variety of propane containers and the heaters use different ones. Be sure to read the instructions that accompany any portable propane heater to purchase the correct product and stay safe.

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How does a propane heater work?

Propane heaters work in a number of ways. However, the main premise is that the liquid propane that is kept in its sealed tank is then transformed back into gas, where it can be ignited to create a fire or used to heat an internal filament within the machine. In addition to this basic premise, propane heaters can be classified according to the scientific principle that they use to transfer heat. Most are considered radiant or convective.

Radiant propane heaters follow the basic premise of thermonuclear energy transfer. This may sound a bit confusing, however it means that the device follows the same principles as the sun. Energy can appear as radiation. Not dangerous nuclear radiation, but the movement of wavelengths through space.

In a radiant propane heater, propane is used to generate heat that is transferred through radiation to objects instead of being carried through the air and the environment.

Propane convection heaters follow the scientific principle of convection. This should sound like a familiar process to anyone who has seen soup cook or studied lava. Basically, the principle states that cold gases and liquids sink while hot liquids rise.

In a convection heater, the device draws air into the machine and forces it over a heated surface or filament. As the air heats up, it rises to a separate section of the device and is then released or blown back into the room. This keeps the atmosphere moving and helps keep a room warm.

In addition to radiant and convection heaters, you may have heard of forced air options. Forced air heaters typically use radiant or convection heating. The forced air portion of the heater refers to the amount of air that comes out of the machine after it has been heated. Forced air heaters are designed to cover large areas, so they should NEVER be used indoors. It’s too easy to overheat in that scenario and potentially cause a fire.

Best propane heater with fan

Mr. Heater Big Buddy Propane Heater 4.4 stars, 1,915 reviews$400

“I feel like I’ve been cheated,” one reviewer professes. “I got this Mr. Heater to try and stay warm while camping during wintertime. What I got was Satan himself in a small box.” They add, “You walk into my 8-man stand-up tent in the middle of a blizzard and within minutes you would be begging for cooler weather.” One reviewer agrees that this Mr. Heater Big Buddy “Really cranks out the heat.” Another even swears, “This will heat up a 1,800-square-foot single-story house in less time than it took to write this review.” One feature that gets a lot of praise is the built-in fan, which, one reviewer notes, “makes a bit more noise than I would prefer but it’s not objectionable,” adding, “The fan helps distribute the heat throughout the room better than without it operating so I keep it ON all the time.” Another says, “I love the fan feature, which evenly distributes throughout the room.”$400 AT AMAZON

Best propane golf-cart heater

Mr. Heater MH4GC Golf Cart Heater $100 now 31% off4.3 stars, 820 reviews$69

“This puppy will blow the toupee right off your old bald head as you wheel around your South Florida golf course flinging balls 40 feet in the dead of winter,” one reviewer raves. And lots of others agree that they are more than satisfied with the amount of heat this propane heater puts out. One user who lives in a golf-cart community says, “I can tell you that this heater has been a Godsend.”

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They add, “We have a cover on our golf cart, but still needed to have several blankets to cuddle with just to keep somewhat warm in the winter months. Now we are able to ride comfortably with only a jacket and light blanket.” Another owner writes, “ We ride around the campground when the temperature is in the 30s and 40s with no problem.” Reviewers also rave about the long-lasting propane tank and safety features, like this reviewer who works in a beverage cart and says, “A tank usually lasts me at least a couple days, and I spend about eight hours a day on the Bev cart.” They add, “It also cools very quickly so after my shift I don’t have to worry about letting it cool down before packing it up.”$69 AT AMAZON

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Best portable propane heater

Texsport Sportsmate Portable Propane Heater $76 now 34% off4.3 stars, 518 reviews$50

Reviewers refer to the simplicity of this propane heater as a main selling point. “This heater is dependable 100 percent of the time no matter how cold or windy it is,” one reviewer writes. “You simply open the valve and hear the gas, put a lighter to it, it almost immediately turns red hot and it keeps you warm.” Another who says they “wanted a bare-bones heater with the least to go wrong” admits, “Yes, I have to light it with a BBQ starter, but this I know will work every time.”

Another reviewer attests that they, “Tried many others and this one can’t be beaten for simplicity, ease of use, reliability, and price.” Beyond easy, lots of reviewers also note that this propane heater works great in their golf carts. “I purchased this for our golf cart and with the handy cup holder adapter and our cover it kept us nice and toasty on those chilly evening strolls,” one writes. They add, “As a matter of fact it will cook you out if you don’t turn it down to the lowest possible setting.”

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Best Indoor Propane Heater

INDOOR PROPANE HEATER	MAXIMUM HEATING CAPACITY	WEIGHT	WARRANTY	BUY NOW
Martin Propane Wall Heater	8000 BTU	29 lbs	1 year	Check the Price
Mr. Heater Portable Propane Heater	18000 BTU	16.4 Lbs	1 year	Check the Price
Dyna-Glo Propane Heater	12000 BTU	15 lbs	1 year	Check the Price
Dura Heat Propane Heater	–	4 lbs	1 year	Check the Price
Dewalt Propane Heater	68000 BTU	14.8 lbs	2 year	Check the Price
Procom Heating Propane Heater	10000 BTU	16 lbs	1 year	Check the Price

6 Best Indoor Propane Heater Reviews

1. Martin Propane Wall Heater 

Martin is a very premium brand that can surely provide you a long life option. Here is an indoor propane heater from Martin.

In The 1st position, we have a premium option from Martin. It is an 80000 BTU machine that is specially designed for indoor usage as it can be wall-mounted. It is a direct vent wall heater with a built-in thermostat that lets you monitor the heat dispersion precisely. The thermostat also has a low and high adjustment for maintaining the heating intensity.

The direct vent gas heating technology provides a safe and clean energy output, which is economical in the long run. The installation is also not that difficult as you have to connect the heater to a gas fitter simply and it is good to go. The heating grills are made up of die-cast aluminum for high build quality with a glass-ceramic window for safety. It has 1 year of warranty period from the manufacturer.

Best Features:

• 80000 BTU heating capacity
• Designed for indoor usage
• Can be wall mounted
• Direct vent wall heater
• Built-in thermostat
• You can monitor heat dispersion
• Low and high adjustment for thermostat
• Direct vent gas heating technology for safety
• Die-cast aluminum grills
• Glass-ceramic window for safety
• 1-year warranty

Pros:

• Premium build quality
• Best option for wall mounting

Cons:

• Price tag is very high
• Warranty period is short regarding the price tag

2. Mr. Heater Portable Propane Heater

Mr.Heater is a lesser-known name in the market. But, it has a highly portable indoor propane heater mentioned below.

Mr. Heater Corporation MH18B Portable Propane Heater is our 2nd recommendation on our list of the best indoor propane heaters. It has a very high heating capacity of 18000 BTU that can be adjusted into 3 stages that are 4000, 9000, and 18000 BTU. You can use this heater to heat up to 450 square feet without any problem. It has 3 different heating adjustments that are low, medium, and high that are needed according to different weather throughout the year.

The automatic low oxygen shut off system turns off the system in case there is a lack of oxygen in the surrounding. There is another safety feature that is the accidental tip-over safety shut off that will turn off the device to prevent any unfortunate accident. To start up the unit, simply push and rotate the knob according to your requirement, and it’s that easy. You can see 2 swivel regulators as well that will allow you to use remote gas supply from a single hose and filter. It also has a 1-year warranty that is pretty good for the price range.

Best Features:

• Compact option
• 18000 BTU maximum heating capacity
• 3 stage heating adjustment
• 4000, 9000, and 18000 BTU settings
• Heats up to 450 square feet
• Low, medium and high heating available
• Automatic low oxygen shut off system
• Accidental tip-over safety shut off system
• Safe to use
• Easy to use with just 1 knob
• 2 swivel regulators
• 1-year warranty

Pros:

• Compact and portable option
• High heating capacity

Cons:

• Heating area is small
• Not suitable for bigger rooms

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3. Dyna-Glo Propane Heater

Dyna Glo is known for its value for money options. You can get a similar indoor propane heater from Dyna Glo.

In the 3rd position, we have an all-around value for money option from Dyna Glo. The Dyna-Glo IR12PMDG-1 has up to 12000 BTU maximum heating capacity while the device is liquid propane ready. The heating takes place via the infrared technology that works by radiating heat towards outside via the heating grills. You will get 2 heating adjustment options that are 6000 and 12000 BTU, respectively.

It is capable of heating up to 300 square feet area while the heating settings can be adjusted via the control knob in the back. Also, it does not require any external supply whatsoever to operate. Hence, it can be a great companion in case of a power cut. You can also get an optional fan from the market that increases the heating range. It has 1 year of the warranty period from Dyna Glo.

Best Features:

• 12000 BTU maximum heating capacity
• Liquid propane ready heater
• Infrared technology for heating
• Heating grills on front
• 2 heating adjustment options
• 6000 and 12000 BTU working modes
• Capable of heating up to 300 square feet area
• Adjustment knob in the back
• Does not require any external supply
• Optional fan available to increase heating area
• 1-year warranty

Pros:

• A backup option in case of power outage
• Great heating capacity

Cons:

• Heating area is very small
• Needs external accessory to increase heating area

4. Dura Heat Propane Heater

Dura Heat is popular for its affordable as well as compact options. They have a similar indoor propane heater in their lineup.

Next up, we have the most compact option from our list. The Dura Heat TT-360 is a small yet highly capable indoor propane heater. It has a wide heating area of up to 1000 square feet. Still, it is very safe to use as it has the built-in tip-over shut off feature that prevents any accidents that might be caused due to improper positioning. It is the best option only for indoors as it does not perform as well in the windy outdoor conditions.

It has a match light ignition system that prevents auto turn on or accidental turn on. You can quickly connect this propane heater with any tank because of the L tank connection. The outer body has a resistant chrome emitter guard that does not allow rust formation that might cause performance decrease over time. It has 1 year of warranty period from Dura Heat.

Best Features:

• Most compact option
• Highly capable indoor propane heater
• Wide heating area of up to 1000 square feet
• Safe to use
• Built-in tip-over shut off feature
• Match light ignition system
• Quick connect L tank connection
• Resistant chrome emitter guard on the body
• Does not get rust easily
• 1-year warranty

Pros:

• Very compact heater
• Very wide heating area

Cons:

• Propane tank sold separately
• Cannot perform in windy conditions

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5. Dewalt Propane Heater

Dewalt is highly popular for their heavy-duty power tools and accessories. Here is a similar indoor propane heater from Dewalt.

Here, we have a heavy-duty propane heater from Dewalt that can be ideal for indoors as well as outdoor site work. As it has a massive heating capacity of up to 68000 BTU, it can definitely warm up the surroundings even on the coldest nights of winter. It has a stainless steel body that provides it a very durable build quality. There is an electrostatic powder-coated finish on the top of the steel body for an extra layer of protection. You don’t have to worry about any noise as it has a special quite burning technology that makes it up to 50% quieter than other options.

As it is a cordless indoor propane heater, it requires a single 20 volts battery that you need to purchase separately. Although you will not have to purchase the battery again because it is a rechargeable battery. The heat rate can be adjusted via the adjustment valve anywhere between 27000 BTU to 68000 BTU. It has a maximum temperature limit for a safer operation. It is backed by 2 years of warranty from Dewalt, making it the most reliable option.

Best Features:

• Heavy-duty option
• Most reliable option
• Ideal for indoors as well as outdoor site work
• 68000 BTU heating capacity
• Stainless steel body
• Durable build quality
• Electrostatic powder-coated finish
• Quite burning technology
• 50% quieter than other options
• Cordless indoor propane heater
• Runs on 20 volts battery
• Rechargeable battery
• Heat adjustment valve
• 27000 BTU to 68000 BTU heat adjustment available
• Maximum temperature limit for safety
• 2-year warranty

Pros:

• Durable option
• Heating capacity is very high

Cons:

• Heating area is not defined
• Not suitable for smaller rooms

6. Procom Heating Propane Heater

You probably have not heard about ProCom before. But it is surely worth checking out their heavy-duty indoor propane heater.

In the end, we have another indoor propane heater that can be mounted on a wall for the best installation. The ProCom ML1PHG is a ventless infrared plaque heater that has a heating capacity of 10000 BTU. As the product is assembled in the USA, you can expect high-quality parts being used for manufacturing. This liquid propane gas-operated heater can provide heating around 500 square feet.

You can have full manual control over the heating with the help of on/off switch on the top. This will prevent any mishap due to automatic usage. It is rated for up to 99.9% efficiency with vent free gas burning as you will not need any outside duct or chimney for exhaust. It has a built-in pilot oxygen depletion sensor for the maximum safety of users. You will be getting a year of warranty on this heater.

Best Features:

• 10000 BTU heating capacity
• Infrared plaque heater
• Assembled in the USA
• High-quality parts being used for manufacturing
• Liquid propane gas-operated heater
• 500 square feet heating area
• Full manual control
• Safe to operate
• 9% efficiency with vent free gas burning
• No duct or chimney required
• Built-in pilot oxygen depletion sensor
• 1-year warranty

Pros:

• Oxygen depletion sensor is great as it is a ventless heater
• High build quality

Cons:

• Heating capacity is moderate
• Heating is not adjustable

Buying Guide For The Best Indoor Propane Heater

As you may have observed, there are a couple of properties that are repeated for each product but have a different value, such the size, heating capacity, portability, etc. To get the most suited product for your job, you need to analyze all of these features and get the most optimum option for yourself.

As it is not a very easy task, we are helping you with that via our buying guide given below. This buying guide contains each of those important parameters and their necessity regarding various applications. Hence, you can easily prioritize the features that you need the most and get the perfect heater accordingly. Therefore, we will suggest you read the buying guide completely before finalizing your purchase. Here are the key aspects of an indoor propane heater that should keep in mind before buying one:

1. Overall Heating Capacity

As the main aim of an indoor propane heater is to heat up a room, the heating capacity plays an important role. The heating capacity is generally given in the BTU, generally known as the British thermal unit.

In our list of the best indoor propane heaters, you can find the heating capacity varying from 8000 BTU up to 68000 BTU. Hence, there is certainly one or two options that are best suited for your needs. Also, make sure you consider the heating area as well as that also affects the heating capacity.

2. Size – portable propane heater

The size is an important factor as it is an indoor device. Similarly to many indoor devices, you should be considering as compact a device as possible as it saves a lot of space in the room and does not clutter your storage area.

But, the smaller devices generally lack power. Hence, you need to go with a bigger option if you require a higher power output. Therefore, before confirming your choice, make sure you check out the power requirement as well as the space available in the room to get a perfect size.

3. Portability

The portability becomes a necessary feature if you wish to use the indoor propane heater in several different locations. There can be different locations inside the same house, such as a living room, sleeping room, kitchen, etc. Or, you might have to carry it around on your job site for a controlled work environment.

You can also look at it as a heating device for camping if you are planning a trip in cold weather. The portability is largely affected by the size and weight of the heater. A large-sized device will not fit, whereas a heavier option will be difficult to carry.

4. Reliability – portable propane heater

An indoor propane heater consists of many critical parts that can fail and make the entire heater incompatible or straight up useless. To make sure your indoor heater does not fail for a long time, you need to confirm its reliability.

The reliability is largely dependent on the build quality and the quality of parts used for manufacturing the heater. As it is not possible to check the durability of each part physically, you can simply take a look at the warranty period allotted by the manufacturer. In this warranty period, you can get the failed parts repaired or even replaced for free of cost.

Conclusion

A decent indoor propane heater can be a lifesaver in terms of providing warmth and comfortable sleep in the cold nights of winter. You will not find anything more relaxing than a warm, open fire in the winter. The indoor propane heater will give you a similar experience with much less investment and with a high safety factor. As there are many options available for a propane heater, it can get a little confusing while choosing one option amongst all.

Hence, we have drafted this article about the best indoor propane heaters on the market. You can read about the indoor propane heaters and easily decide which one is the best option for you. We are also providing a buying guide to help you along the process. But, here are our top recommendations in case you want a little extra help in deciding the perfect option:

• Flirt, we will recommend you the Dura Heat propane heater as it is marginally affordable as compared to other options from our list. Even at the cheaper piece tag, it offers up to 1000 square feet. It is also the most portable option on our list as it weighs only 4 lbs, excluding the propane tank.
• Although, if you are looking for a heavy-duty option, then the Dewalt propane heater is the best option for you. With a huge heating capacity of up to 68000 BTUs, it can be easily used for any professional work. It is backed by 2 years of warranty from Dewalt.
• But, if you want a propane heater that can be fitted in a wall, then you should go with the Martin Propane Wall Heater. It is the most premium option on our list with 8000 BTU heating capacity and 1 year of warranty from Martin.

Are portable propane heaters safe to use indoors?

Used properly, indoor propane heaters are safe. … Never place anything on top of an indoor propane space heater. Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home or space where you use your indoor propane space heater. If you have a portable propane indoor space heater, do not move it while it is on.

Are ventless propane heaters legal in Canada?

The dangers of using ventless gas heaters are MANY and VERY controversial. At this writing, unvented gas stoves, gas logs, and fireplaces have been outlawed altogether in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the US, it is illegal to install vent-frees anywhere in the States of California and Montana.

How long will a 20lb propane tank last on a heater?

10 hoursA standard 20lb. propane cylinder will last for up to 10 hours in an outdoor gas heater.

Are propane heaters safe in a tent?

Yes, propane heaters are safe to use to heat up your tent and that is, as long as you follow the proper directions in their usage as explained in the operating manual when setting up, turning on, and turning off the heaters.

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Last update on 2024-07-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API