Winters can be very crucial for you if you like outdoor sports. You mostly have to give up on your favorite activities because the weather is too harsh, and you can barely spend a few minutes outside under the sky.
Well, we have come up with a perfect solution for this problem of yours. You need not give up on any of the activities now and enjoy everything the same way as you did in the summers.
Several portable propane heaters are being manufactured now.
These can be attached with cylinders and put best to use when you go camping or hunting on a cold day. These are specially designed to keep their surroundings warm.
They emit heat and make you feel toasty out in nature as well.
If you are an outdoor enthusiast and do not want to miss anything because of the cold, these propane heaters can be your best friend. They help you keep warm, are lightweight, and are easy to carry around.
These heaters last longer than electrical heaters and can keep you cozy for many years.
A list of the best propane camping heaters for outdoor use has been given below. You can buy any of these and not worry about the cold when planning a trip into the woods with the children or golfing with your chums on the weekend.
These are simple to use and can work for pretty long hours, keeping you warm and comfortable even in bitterly cold.
Contents
Top Picks of 2024
1. Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane Heater – Best For Camping
This is one of the best propane heaters manufactured for outdoor use. It is made with high-quality stainless steel that makes it extremely durable and long-lasting. It is perfect for outdoor activities, frigid weather and gives up to 2,890 BTUs.
It is lightweight and can be lifted easily when heading to the desired area.
It can easily be attached to disposable propane fuel cylinders that can be filled up and used continuously for up to six hours.
The Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane Heater comes with an inbuilt safety feature. It has an auto shut-off fuel valve that can turn the heater off if the flame goes out.
Top-notch camping equipment can be your partner and keep you warm on a cold day.
It also has an aluminum reflector and a control knob that can be used for heat adjustment.
- It has a cotton mesh covering
- Auto shut-off fuel valve
- It gives up to 2,890btu’s
- It has a low heat output
The Texsport Portable Outdoor Propane Heater comes with a cotton mesh covering that does not allow the heat to come out, which can be extremely dangerous.
The auto shut-off valve can turn off the fuel as soon as the flame wears off. It can give high British thermal units but has a low heat output.
The flame might start to sputter and eventually stop after some time.
2. Martin Portable Outdoor Camping Infrared Propane Gas Heater – Portable Camp Heater
This heater can be your best friend during all the outdoor activities. The Martin Portable Outdoor Camping Infrared Propane Gas Heater is a camping essential and provides a thermal output of 3,100 BTUs.
It provides radiant heat and has an adjustable heating control system. It keeps you warm and helps you enjoy your camping day to the fullest.
These can also be used when going ice fishing or hunting and can be attached effortlessly on top of a propane cylinder. It can continuously provide you with seven hours of heat, even at the highest speed. It is a catalytic heater and extremely safe to use.
It does not emit carbon dioxide or any harmful fumes and is safe to use inside a closed tent. These can easily be operated and are very simple to use with an on and off-controlling knob.
These are best to direct the heat towards a specific position, in or outside the camp. Hence, these can be the best propane camping heaters for outdoor use and are very durable.
- It is a catalytic heater
- Easy and safe to use
- Produce heat directed towards a certain point
- The cylinder base is not firm and can be flimsy
Martin Portable Outdoor Camping Infrared Propane Gas Heater can even generate flameless heat by a chemical reaction.
This makes them extremely safe and handy to use, especially in hazardous environments. They can even provide heat at a specific location, but the base attached to the cylinder is flimsy and makes it dangerous.
3. APG Portable Space Gas Heater
This is an extremely lightweight gas heater that can be very handy and easy to carry when going to your camping spot. It is made up of high-quality materials like steel, alloy, etc., and ensures life-long service.
The APG Portable Space Gas Heater can be mounted easily on top of the gas cylinder and provide radiant heat for three long hours. They come with built-in safety features and are very simple to light.
These have an adjustable valve and can even last a whole night when attached with the right size of the gas tank. It has a total weight of 320 grams and is petite in size, and can fit perfectly into your backpack.
The on and off function and thermal outflow of these can be regulated by knobs. These can be best for you if you do not like to carry big and heavy stuff and make yourself tired before enjoying the camping night with friends.
This small heater can keep you warm and comfortable throughout your trip.
- High-quality materials used in manufacturing
- Extremely lightweight
- Can work for a whole night
- The knob regulation isn’t accurate
The APG Portable Space Gas Heater is made with high-quality materials such as copper, steel, aluminum, etc. that makes it durable and long-lasting.
It weighs almost 320 grams and fits perfectly in your bag.
If attached to the right side of the cylinder, they can work for almost 24 hours. The knob for regulating the heat outflow becomes faulty after some use.
4. Portable Gas Catalytic Heater
The Portable Gas Catalytic Heater employs a catalytic heating system that makes it immensely safe to use. It is a flameless heater that can keep you cozy and provide you with the same warmth as a normal gas heater.
This heater is manufactured with advanced technology and comes with two foldable legs that support and help during outdoor use. This versatile heater provides thermal outflow up to 3,000 BTU on a cold day under the sky.
These can work for almost seven hours when mounted on a one-pound gas cylinder.
This portable catalytic heater is very efficient, saving up to 45% of the heat wasted by using flame-type heaters.
These are very handy and are definitely the best propane camping heater for outdoor use. These can be used safely in the tents without causing an accident.
- Extremely efficient and eco-friendly
- It comes with foldable legs
- Very safe to use
- Low heat output because small in size
The Portable Gas Catalytic Heater saves energy and is very environmentally friendly because it produces flameless heat.
It comes with two foldable legs that make these small heaters easy to use when encamped on a riverside in the woods.
This is made with the latest technology and is immensely safe to use. Due to its small size, the heat output can be low, and it might take time to raise the temperature inside a tent.
5. Stansport Portable Outdoor Propane Infrared Radiant Heater
If you feel like ditching your friends on a camping day just because of cold weather, then this radiant heater can be your best friend. It can easily be carried around and comes with a safety cage.
These prevent the flame from coming out when set at high temperature and have a metal handle that makes it easy to lift.
These heaters can be fixed on the gas cylinders and four settings to adjust the heat output. It can be set from zero to very high depending on the intensity you want and the heater’s location.
It can warm up your tent while the backside metal plate prevents dispersing and directs the heat towards a particular point.
This portable infrared heater has a thermal output of up to 3,100 BTUs and has a plastic base for the cylinder.
This gives stability and is very easy to operate. These heaters can help you continue your adventures in the freezing months of cold.
Hence this can be your partner throughout the camping weekend.
- It has a metal handle to lift easily
- It comes with four temperature settings
- The metal plate prevents heat from dispersion
- A match is needed for ignition
This Stansport Portable Outdoor heater comes with a metal handle that makes it very handy and easy to lift even when it is turned on.
You can set the temperature according to your preference, while the metal plate helps you direct the heat at a certain point. These do not have a matchless ignition which is the only downside it has.
6. Mr. Heater MH4B-Massachusetts
Mr. Heater MH4B-Massachusetts is a small-sized heater that is convenient and very lightweight to lift. The shape of this heater makes it look like a torch and can be attached to the backpack as well.
The handle has an amazing grip, and these can be mounted on the propane cylinders easily.
They come with an automatic ignition system and can be lightened up simply by pressing a button located on one of the sides.
These are odor-free and have built-in safety features, which make them safe to use both indoors and outdoors. In case of any accident or tumbling over, the auto-shutoff system ensures that it will not cause any fire.
These MH4B heaters might look compact in size but can heat up to 100 square feet with a thermal output of 3800btu’s.
They are made with heavy-duty wire, which prevents any accidents and ensures long-life service. Hence, these can be the best propane camping heater for outdoor use, which does not let you miss out on any adventures.
- The handle comes with an amazing grip
- Automatic shutoff system
- Matchless ignition system
- Not suitable for icy weather
Mr. Heater MH4B-Massachusetts has an amazing grip and comes with a handle. This makes it easy to attach to your camping bag.
These have a matchless ignition system which makes them very handy and safe at the same time. But these might not work well in bigger tents or extremely harsh weather conditions.
7. COSTWAY 15,000 BTU Propane Tank Top Heater
This heater comes with a well-built rust-proof steel frame that makes it very durable and does not deform after using it for some time.
The COSTWAY 15,000 BTU Propane Tank Top Heater has a guard over the burner that makes it safe to use. These can keep you warm and comfortable and can be ideal if used for outdoor activities.
This heater comes with safety and a heat regulator valve. These can adjust the heat levels and produce up to 15,000 BTU’s of thermal output suitable for very cold and big tents.
The safety valve ensures protection when the cylinder tips over by mistake. It immediately blocks the gas supply turning off the heater.
The metal dish prevents the heat from dispersion and resists strong winds when placed outdoors near a riverbank.
It is stable and safer to use because of the presence of zinc-plated steel legs. Hence it can be the best propane heater when you are going out camping.
- Heats up to 400 square feet
- Comes fully assembled
- Solid built with rust-proof steel
- The heat can be very intense
The COSTWAY 15,000 BTU Propane Tank Top Heater comes fully assembled and saves you from the hassle.
These heaters have a strong build which makes them extremely durable. This has the capacity to heat up to 400 square feet, but this can be intense when placed in a tent and might have harmful effects.
Buying Guide
When you love camping and do not want to let go of any opportunity to get out of the house, even in the cold, then these propane heaters can be of great use.
They can be carried easily and keep your tent warm and toasty when encamping on a riverside.
But before buying a propane heater for camping, the following things should be taken into consideration.
These can help you find the best heater and improve your camping experience.
Heat Ignition
When in search of propane heaters, you will find out that propane heaters have multiple types of ignition systems, e.g., a manual ignition system, an automatic ignition system, etc.
Each of them has the same function to ignite and burn the gas. But it is recommended to buy a heater with an automatic ignition for heating the desired room.
The heaters that have an automatic ignition system are very safe to use and have a hassle-free operation.
You simply have to press the button on the heater to make it work. After some time, they might stop working and need to get repairing.
Like every other piece of equipment, these also need maintenance.
Quality
A high-quality propane heater must be bought. The parts of the heater must be made up of metal and have a strong build.
They should be long-lasting and durable because these will be your only source of heat when you are out under the sky in the cold.
They should be portable and easy to lift and carry all the way to the desired spots.
The quality should be top-notch because you do not want to come back from the midway just because the heater has stopped working.
These should be thoroughly checked in the open air before packing.
Heat Output
Once you have decided to buy a heater before heading out to camp, it is necessary to evaluate the size of the tent you’ll have to stay in.
The heater should be brought according to the tent size so that it can keep you warm and comfortable throughout the trip.
You have to look for British Thermal Units, BTU in a heater. The more the people and the bigger the tent, a heater with high BTU should be purchased.
It is easy for these to raise their temperature inside the tent and keep you all warm.
These will have high heat output helping you fight the intense cold on a December night.
Size and Weight
As we all know, we have to carry stuff all by ourselves when camping in the woods.
It would be best if you packed smartly because you do not have the luxury of unlimited space like traveling in your cars.
The size and weight of the objects should be taken into consideration. A small heater that weighs between two to four pounds should be bought.
It should be petite in size and lightweight so that it can be lifted easily.
However, you also need to consider the weight of the propane tank that will provide you enough gas for the number of days you have to spend out there.
Safety Features
Propane heaters are simple to use and not very complicated as compared to electric heaters.
These should definitely have some safety features that can prevent you from any accident.
They must have some built-in features that ensure customer safety and protection.
They must have an ODS sensor that is common among the vent-free heaters. The sensors can detect the drop in the oxygen level and shut off the fuel automatically.
This feature is a must-have and is very important to ensure your protection. If the heater catches fire in any condition, the sensor switches on the button and shuts the heater off immediately.
FAQs
What is the best portable propane heater?
The best propane heater is one that has a strong metal build and is easy to carry when heading out for a short trip into the forest.
They should have an automatic ignition system and must come with a built-in ODS sensor.
Can you heat a tent with a propane heater?
Yes, you can definitely heat a tent with a propane heater. It is necessary to buy the heater according to the size of the tent. The bigger the tent, the bigger the heater should be so that it can keep you warm under the cold sky.
Is it worth switching from oil to propane?
Yes, switching from oil to propane is definitely worth it as it helps you save a lot of natural resources. It can also increase your efficiency from 82 percent to 96 percent.
Can you leave a propane heater on all night?
Although propane heaters come with many inbuilt safety features, these should never be left on all night.
It would help if you always kept your guards up and never left these unattended. Please take all the necessary precautionary measures and turn them off when leaving the tent/room.
Conclusion
You can find dozens of propane heaters, but only a few of them will work properly when placed outdoors or in the camps.
A list of the best propane camping heaters for outdoor use is mentioned in the article above.
It can help you find the one that can accompany you for your camping trip up in the woods. The best two among these, according to us, are:
- Portable Gas Catalytic Heater provides flameless heat, which makes it eco-friendly. These are also very efficient and safe to use. These have no harmful effects and come with two foldable legs that provide support when using outdoors.
- COSTWAY 15,000 BTU Propane Tank Top Heater is the best for use in icy conditions. These have a high thermal output that can keep you warm and cozy. This heater is made with rust-proof steel that makes it durable and ensures service over the years.
These heaters are the best and keep the tent warm, giving a very homely feeling right under the sky.
You can simply turn these on and hop into the sleeping bags while enjoying the campfire on a riverside.
These heaters can give you an incredible camping experience that can be cherished life-long. Happy Camping!
References:
- https://www.hipcamp.com/journal/camping/top-10-winter-camping-tips-to-help-you-stay-warm
- https://www.rei.com/blog/camp/camping-tip-how-to-sleep-warm
I am passionate about nature, the outdoors, and animals. Also, I am the one who knows how to “rough it” in style.