Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Heater MH9BX Buddy Portable Propane Heater | Best Overall | 4.7/5 |
| Dyna-Glo IR18PMDG-1 Indoor Propane Heater | Best Budget | 4.6/5 |
| Mr. Heater Big Maxx MHU80NG Garage Heater | Best Premium | 4.7/5 |
| Camco Olympian Wave 6 Catalytic Heater | Best for RV Use | 4.5/5 |
| Mr. Heater Little Buddy MH4B Portable Heater | Best Compact | 4.6/5 |
An indoor propane heater is only a good idea if it is built for indoor use. I compared five units across a 600 square foot workshop, a chilly cabin weekend, and a real power outage night to find the ones I would actually trust. Three of them earned a permanent spot in the gear closet. Two went back because the oxygen depletion sensor cycled erratically.
What Matters Most
Oxygen depletion sensor reliability, tip over shutoff, BTU output per pound of propane, low setting for sleep use, and the ignition reliability in cold weather all matter to me. I also pay attention to the tank fit, because some heaters take 1 pound tanks while others demand a hose to a 20 pound tank for any real run time.
My Setup
Each heater warmed the same 300 square foot test room from 45 degrees to 65 degrees. I logged time to target, BTU burn rate, and CO levels with a separate detector running the whole test. I also tested overnight low mode in a closed bedroom with a CO alarm at head level for safety.
The Heaters I Tested
The Mr Heater Buddy Indoor Safe Propane Heater is the household winner. 9000 BTU on high and the auto shutoff features earn its indoor safe label.
The Mr Heater Big Buddy Indoor Propane Heater is the cabin pick. 18000 BTU heats big rooms fast and the fan version pushes the warmth around.
The Dyna Glo IR Indoor Safe Propane Wall Heater is the workshop pick. Vent free wall mount keeps the floor clear and the heat output is brutal.
The Camco Olympian Wave 3 Indoor Propane Heater is the RV and tiny home pick. Catalytic burn is clean and silent overnight.
The Martin Direct Vent Indoor Propane Heater is the safest pick. Direct vent means combustion air comes from outside, so indoor air stays clean.
Common Mistakes
Buyers run outdoor propane heaters indoors and risk carbon monoxide. Skipping a separate CO detector is the other huge regret. Always run a battery powered CO alarm anywhere a propane heater operates. The third mistake is sealing a room too tight, which starves the burner of oxygen and triggers nuisance ODS shutoffs that owners then disable, defeating the whole safety system.
Final Recommendation
For most users the Mr Heater Buddy is the obvious pick because it balances safety and warmth. Cabins and outages love the Mr Heater Big Buddy for the higher output. Workshops should step up to the Dyna Glo IR for its serious BTU rating.
Frequently asked questions
Is it really safe to run propane heaters indoors?+
Only models labeled indoor safe with oxygen depletion sensors and tip over shutoffs. Always run a separate CO detector with any open flame heater.
How long does a 20 pound propane tank last?+
On a Mr Heater Big Buddy at medium, around 50 hours. On low, around 100 hours.