When traveling throughout the winter or on cold evenings, having a portable gas heater for your RV is essential.
When you want to feel extra cozy and warm when RVing, having the appropriate one may truly make or break your trip.
Of course, when including a portable heater on your packing list, you must also take into account its size, safety, and heat output.
Clearly, safety comes first.
Maintain enough ventilation and a carbon monoxide detector at all times, just in case.
We put a number of portable propane heaters for interior use in RVs to the test and compiled a list of our top picks.
The Mr. Heater Buddy Radiant Heater, which has 9,000 BTU, is our top selection.
It is very portable since it is so effective and secure.
When deciding what to pack for a road trip, keep all of these things in mind.
No matter which portable propane heater you decide on, including one in your camping supplies is a smart idea, particularly if you want to go on expeditions during the winter or in colder areas.
Here, we examine the top 6 propane heaters for RVs, each one ideal for a different lifestyle and price range.
Overview of the Top 6 Portable Propane Heaters for RVs
- Overall Best Propane Heater for Campers: Mr. Heater Buddy Radiant Heater (9,000-BTU)
- Best Small Propane Heater: Mr. Heater Little Buddy (3,800 BTU)
- Most Powerful Portable Propane Heater: Gasland Propane Radiant Heater (18,000 BTU)
- Most Budget-Friendly Propane Heater for Campervans: Camco Olympian Wave 3 Catalytic Heater (3,000 BTU)
- Quietest Portable Propane Heater: Mr. Heater Vent-Free Radiant Propane Heater (10,000 BTU)
- Best Wall-Mounted Propane Heater for RVs: BLUU Propane Heater (20,000 BTU)
#1. Mr. Heater Buddy Radiant Heater (9,000-BTU)
The Best Propane Heater for Campers in General
One of the most well-liked portable RV heater brands available is Mr.
Heater, and for good reason.
They are cost-effective, effective, and secure.
This particular Mr. Heater is ideal for almost any size camper since it consistently warms an area of 225 square feet in 20 minutes or less.
The unit’s adaptable grey hue complements any design style.
It’s quite simple to take up and carry to anywhere you need heat since it weighs less than 9 pounds.
It fits easily in most spaces of your RV thanks to its dimensions of 15 inches tall, 13.4 inches wide, and 7.7 inches thick with a fold-down handle.
We felt secure using it inside because to the Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) and the unintentional tip-over safety shut-off.
It also functions flawlessly outside.
It certainly kept our feet and legs extra toasty while we gazed at the stars beneath the chilly, bright sky in the mid-thirties.
The 1lb propane tanks normally only provide 4-5 hours of heat on low and around 2.5 hours on high, therefore we advise obtaining the 1lb to 20lb propane adapter hose for situations where you may require heat for extended periods of time.
7,000 feet or above in elevation may be too high for this heater to function.
When buying extra items for the heater, make sure they are authentic since Mr.
Heater products prohibit the use of illegal attachments and accessories.
Otherwise, your warranty will be voided.
What We Favorite
- Safety-related automatic shutoff
- Immediately heats up the area
- Compact and adaptable
What Frustrated Us
- To operate it longer, it requires a hose adapter and a bigger propane tank.
- Must buy Mr. Heater’s accessories and attachments.
#2. Mr. Heater Little Buddy (3,800 BTU)
Favorite Mini Propane Heater
You need go no farther than the Mr. Heater Little Buddy if you want something small, lightweight, and simple to use.
This tiny guy can quickly heat up to a 95 square-foot space, making it perfect for a small to medium RV.
It is small and can easily accommodate a 28-footer while standing 18 inches tall, with the base hooked to the propane tank and the output resting at a 45-degree upward angle, warming the area rapidly and effectively.
This heater is so small and light that you can even strap it to your bag while going on a fun overnight camping trip in the woods.
However, it should not be used on a golf cart or other motorized vehicle.
If you want to use this heater often, bring additional propane tanks as it is only compatible with 1lb propane tanks.
About 5 to 6 hours of heat may be obtained from one tank.
As it is fairly top-heavy, one thing to watch out for when putting it up on your RV is making sure it is standing on a level area.
The low oxygen sensor and tip-over auto shut off are among the safety features that it shares with Mr.
Heater Buddy, its older sibling.
Always proceed with care while putting up portable heaters.
What We Favorite
- Compact
- Very portable
- Excellent for small to medium sized areas
What Frustrated Us
- Being especially cautious inside due to its top-heavy nature
- Only allow 1 pound propane tanks
#3. Gasland Propane Radiant Heater (18,000 BTU)
Portable Propane Heater with the Most Power
This Gasland Propane Radiant Heater from Gasland Outdoors is what you need if you want something to heat your whole RV.
Our RV was incredibly cozy because to the even heating it provided!
This huge heater can produce 6,000, 12,000, and 18,000 BTUs on the three-heat setting, which is more than enough power to heat your whole setup.
It includes built-in rolling wheels and an easy-carry handle, and it has a maximum heating capacity of 450 square feet.
However, at its maximum setting, this heater can run for about 70 hours on a single 20-pound tank of liquefied propane.
There is no need to worry about disrupting your sleep since it operates softly for its size.
This heater also works flawlessly outside and can virtually match (and even surpass, if we’re being really honest) the heat of a traditional bonfire.
If your firewood requires time to dry out as well, it is ideal to use outdoors after a wet day.
This heater may not be used above an altitude of 4,500 feet and contains the typical safety measures seen in most (low oxygen sensor and tip-over shut off).
This item weighs 17.4 pounds without the tank and is 21.7 inches tall and 15 inches broad.
Due to the size and heat output, we do not advise utilizing it in a smaller RV.
What We Favorite
- Fast and silently operates
- Good value for the performance
- Wheels improve maneuverability.
What Frustrated Us
- Ineffective at higher altitudes
- Heavy
- Not appropriate for compact areas
#4. Camco Olympian Wave 3 Catalytic Heater (3,000 BTU)
For smaller RVs, this little portable heater is ideal.
There is no doubt that it will warm you up where you need it most thanks to its two settings (low at 1,600 BTU or hot at 3,000 BTU).
The Most Economical Propane Heater for Campers
It is portable and wall mountable, and it can cover an area of up to 130 square feet.
Its dimensions are 14.5 inches tall, 11.75 inches broad, and 4.88 inches thick.
It weighs just 9 pounds.
This kind of heater is a catalytic heater, which means it heats by a process using propane, oxygen, and catalyst rather than an open flame.
Because there is no open flame, this method of heating is not only very effective but also much safer.
Additionally, it operates entirely silently and has a safety shut-off in case of a tip-over.
Although you may use this warmer outside, we do not advise using it to heat more than two persons at a time.
For individuals who have a campervan, this would be a great solution since it is secure to use in compact areas like vans.
A fantastic small portable warmer for your RV, outdoor gatherings, or inside your tent is the Camco Wave 3!
What We Favorite
- Compact
- Very high heat output
- Runs quietly
What Frustrated Us
- Feels rather cheap
- Not recommended for use outside
#5. Mr. Heater Vent-Free Radiant Propane Heater (10,000 BTU)
Portable Propane Heater with Lowest Noise
The list does indeed include another Mr. Heater propane heater.
When we said that they are the market leader in developing portable, secure, and effective heating goods, we weren’t lying.
The Mr. Heater Vent-Free Radiant Heater is a great candidate as a mainstay for your RV heating experience due to its streamlined design, radiant heat output, and wall mounting option.
This object has a height of 22.5 inches, a width of 19.75 inches, and a length of 11.25 inches from front to back.
It is a little less portable than some of the other items on our list due to its size, but you can still move it.
This heater may also be mounted on the wall so that it becomes a more permanent fixture in your RV.
On one gallon of propane, it will burn for about 9 hours when operating at its top setting of 10,000 BTUs.
As a radiant heater, this appliance heats the items in its immediate vicinity rather than the air.
Considering that no unused space is being heated, this is more efficient.
If you decide to install this heater in your RV, you must be especially cautious since, unlike other Mr.
Heater products, it lacks a tip-over shut-off valve.
Additionally, it may only be applied at altitudes lower than 4,500 feet.
What We Favorite
- Dependable radiant heat
- May be put on a wall
What Frustrated Us
- Not equipped with a tip-over shutoff valve
- Not as portable as other choices
#6. BLUU Propane Heater (10,000 BTU)
The top RV wall-mounted propane heater
With ease, a 500 square foot room can be heated with this portable BLUU propane heater, which offers a ton of additional warmth.
This specific heater is especially energy-efficient since it lowers its core temperature after reaching the temperature you choose.
The handy knobs on the adjustable thermostat let you choose your desired temperature.
Additionally, this heater has an automated shut-off that will turn it off if the oxygen level drops too low or it topples.
Additionally, it has a grill on the front that keeps anything from contacting the heater’s hot components.
If you have dogs or small children, this is really excellent.
The BLUU Propane heater is very compact and simple to travel, measuring 18.7 inches by 12.4 inches by 19.5 inches with an easy-grip handle.
The setup was fairly portable, making it simple to move it around to heat various spaces or take outside on a chilly evening.
What We Favorite
- Very portable
- Heating that uses less energy
What Frustrated Us
- More expense
How to Select a Propane Portable Heater
It’s crucial to take these things into account when determining which portable propane heater is best for you.
The maximum and lowest BTUs, mobility, cost, and safety features were the main factors we considered while assessing these heaters.
You could place more value on some of these considerations than others, but we discovered that the Mr.
Heater Buddy Radiant Heater was our top pick.
Here are a few things to think about while completing your study.
#1. BTUs
British Thermal Units, or BTUs, are used to quantify the heat output of a propane appliance.
The heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit is equal to one BTU.
On propane heaters, the BTUs may vary greatly.
It is crucial to take into account the size of the area you want to heat as well as the BTU output of each heat setting.
#2. Portability
You should search for a propane heater that is light and portable since you’ll be transporting it in your campervan or RV.
Numerous items on our list are compact, lightweight, and equipped with carrying handles.
Larger units may be heavier but heat more quickly if mobility isn’t as vital to you.
If you’d like a more permanent solution, there are also gas heaters that are placed on walls.
#3. Budget
Always take the cost into consideration.
Select a propane heater that will do the job and won’t need replacement very soon.
Choose a heater that is very efficient as well.
Trying to remain warm with a heater that isn’t efficient is the worst.
The choices on our list all have excellent reviews, albeit some are more costly than others.
#4. Safety
We believe that safety is the most crucial element.
The need of ventilation cannot be overstated when utilizing portable propane heaters.
The heater’s burner consumes the oxygen in the air and converts it to carbon dioxide if there isn’t enough ventilation.
This list includes several propane heaters with low-oxygen sensors, which is a nice feature.
Leaks of propane may start fires that are fatal.
When you may detect a gas leak during the day and get early notice of a problem, this might not be the case while you are sleeping.
Install a propane detector and keep it in good working order to provide early issue detection.
If there is a low oxygen level in the air, the heater will turn off automatically.
It is a good idea to leave a window opened or leave a door open to enable circulation in your room so that the area surrounding your heater is properly ventilated.
Because burning propane creates moisture, which may lead to condensation in your room, better ventilation also increases the efficiency of your heater.
Carbon monoxide, a quiet, flavorless, colorless, and lethal gas, is produced when propane is burned.
When utilizing a propane heater inside an RV, it’s crucial to have good ventilation and a carbon monoxide detector for your protection.
In addition to having the tip-over shut-off, several of these recommendations provide piece of mind, particularly if you have children or travel with pets.
This safety feature is included on the majority of smaller portable propane heaters.
You may just attach your heater to the floor if you have a bigger heater and are worried.
On our list, there are various wall-mounted choices as well.
Finishing Up
If you want to heat your RV effectively, a portable propane heater is undoubtedly an excellent tool to have.
The majority of the options on our list heat vast areas rapidly and quietly.
Additionally, they are all transportable, making them ideal for utilization inside RVs, outdoors on chilly nights, or both.
You may continue to use your RV as the temperature lowers if you have a portable propane heater.
During the winter, you may go on travels to new places with colder temperatures or keep traveling and camping.
A nice propane heater will be a plus when the weather turns chilly and you need a little more warmth.
A good diesel heater is one excellent alternative for heating your camper and for more serious RVers who wish to live in their camper in winter.
Camping in the summer is excellent, but it can also be exciting and comfortable in the winter.
The Mr. Heater brand gets the greatest reviews overall when compared to all the alternatives, and any of their items would be ideal for fulfilling your demands.
The Mr. Heater Buddy Radiant Heater, which has 9,000 BTU, is our top selection.
It just strikes that ideal balance between being neither too huge nor too little, neither too hot nor too cold.
It’s perfect, and I hope this list will make it easier for you to locate the one that’s perfect for you as well.
