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When the power goes out, many of us will want to have a propane heater on hand, and there are several that are the best brands on the market right now.
Being prepared for an emergency is one of the important aspects of life for most of us, especially when others count on us for their safety and security as well. Being able to provide an alternative source of heat when the power goes out is always one of our first priorities, but knowing which heater is the best for this can sometimes feel overwhelming, as there are many on the market to choose from.
These are the 7 best propane heaters for when the power goes out:
- Mr. Heater Vent Free Blue Flame
- Dyna-Glo Cabinet
- Mr. Heater 125,000 BTU Forced Air
- Campy Gear Little Guy 2 in 1 Portable
- Mr. Heater Little Buddy Swivel
- Dyna-Glo Blue Flame Vent Free
- ProCom Infrared Plaque
Staying warm in times of an emergency will always be top on your list of needs. When a winter storm knocks out your electricity, it can sometimes take some time for you to be back on the grid, depending on where you live and the severity of the situation. Having a solid backup propane heater will make a big difference in your comfort. There are some fantastic, high-quality units that will provide you with warmth while also being safe to use and not break the bank at the same time.
I’ve lived in a variety of places in my life, and have experienced my fair share of storms. Losing power for a week or two can be not only an inconvenience but concerning as well, especially when the temperatures are low, and staying warm is not just about comfort but a necessity as well. After doing extensive research on portable propane heaters, I’ve come up with a list of the best ones on the market today, and hope this will help you make an educated decision on which to buy before the next time your power is out and you find yourself needing that heater.
What Are the Best Indoor Propane Heater for When the Power Goes Out?
In the past few years, propane heaters have made some big advancements in style, size, and safety and can provide an excellent alternative heat source for your home, office, or other places where you may need additional heat to keep you and your loved ones warm.
Widely used and increasingly popular, propane heaters are ideal because the propane, when burned, vaporizes from the container in which it was stored, making it able to heat a space quickly, and spread evenly across a room.
Heaters that use propane are also ideal for home or office use because propane is less expensive than other options and is widely available.
It can also be stored in a smaller container than natural gas, making it easy to always keep propane on hand for future use.
It’s important to always remember that – when using propane – great care needs to be taken to follow the appropriate directions on how to use a propane heater, and make sure that the proper venting has been done to ensure that there is no risk of over-exposure to any humans or animals that may be in the heated space.
Propane is dangerous and even life-threatening if not cared for properly. Since propane is denser than air, it will accumulate close to the ground, and thus can harm a room’s inhabitants without them being aware of it until it’s possibly too late.
Propane heaters can be purchased either vented or unvented, which will alleviate much of the risk of harm. Make sure that whichever unit you choose, you are aware of what sort of venting needs to be in place in order for you to operate the propane heater properly, safely, and effectively.
Here are the 7 propane heaters that you should consider, based on your home and family’s needs.
1. Mr. Heater Vent Free Blue Flame Propane Heater - Model MHVFB30LPT
For anyone wanting a portable propane heater that is easy to move around a room, this Mr. Heater may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Though Mr. Heater makes a variety of different types of portable propane heaters, I like this one for its ease of use.
This heater can keep a space warm up to about 750 square feet, making it ideal for a living room, large bedroom, or even an entire small apartment.
It weighs in at 40 pounds, which makes it solid, but not difficult to move.
One of the best features of this heater is that the knobs are placed on top of the unit. This means that adjusting the heat output is not only easy to do, but it also means you won’t need to get near the front of the unit, which could result in accidental burns if the flame is high enough.
This Mr. Heater is also vent-free, making it a great choice for compact spaces.
The heater sells for around $350, which is a decent investment, but well worth it in my opinion if you want a heater that will work well and have plenty of safety features in mind.
2. Dyna-Glo Cabinet Heater – Model RA18LPDG
For someone who wants a propane heater that is even more portable than the one above, this Dyna-Glo would be a good choice to consider.
This Dyna-Glo is one of their smaller models, as the name infers. Being able to set it on a cabinet means you will be heating a room from a higher level than a floor, which may disperse the heat more evenly.
Though the Dyna-Glo Cabinet heater will only heat a space of about 450 square feet, its compact size allows you to move it around very easily, since it only weighs about 20 pounds.
The built-in oxygen sensor will shut off the unit if a problem occurs and there is not enough oxygen in the room to operate the unit safely. And, a built-in lighter means that you won’t have to mess with lighting the heater manually.
Another thing I love about this unit is that it is more aesthetically pleasing than many of the other heaters on the market.
Designed to blend in with your room, the dark black exterior is an appealing look, and the flame glows a warm orange, giving off a nice ambiance when turned on.
The Dyna-Glo Cabinet heaters sell for just under $100, making for an easy-on-the-wallet investment.
3. Mr. Heater 125,000 BTU Forced Air Heater - Model F271390
Another great heater that’s on the market comes from Mr. Heater again…but this one is substantially more impressive in its output than the one I reviewed earlier.
With a force of up to 125,000 BTUs, this heater can keep a room as big as 3,000 square feet warm and cozy, while also being safe and quiet while being used.
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and it’s how heat output is measured universally.
A unit that has upwards of 125,000 BTUs is capable of warming large areas, like office spaces, warehouses, or a home that has tons of open space.
The great thing about this heater is that, even though it’s a powerhouse when it comes to heat, it is easily transported, with a cone-type shape and handle of the top for easy carrying.
It also has a side thermostat that can be quickly adjusted when the room becomes too hot, and the temperature needs to be lowered.
For a unit with this type of air force and power, you may think it would be noisier than others. But, the engineers at Mr. Heater have designed this unit so that noise isn’t a factor, even when it’s running at high speed.
The Mr. Heater 125,000 BTU Forced Air Heater retails at just under $200, making it a great choice for larger environments where warmth is a priority, but you don’t want to invest more than necessary.
4. Campy Gear Little Guy 2 in 1 Portable Heater
Here’s a great option for a heat source when you want something super portable, lightweight, and inexpensive.
Made primarily for camping, the Campy Gear Little Guy is also great for those spots in your house that may be hard to heat with a standard-sized propane heater.
Think of spots like a bathroom or closet – places where you’ll need some heat when the power has gone off, but you don’t necessarily want to haul a large, 20-plus pound heater into the room with you.
Weighing in under two pounds, the Little Guy will give off up to 9,000 BTUs of heat, which is perfect for a two-person tent, a small bathroom, or your closet morning routine.
The other great thing about the Little Guy is that it can also be used as a cook stove, if you find that your lack of power also means that cooking is not possible.
The large, easy-to-read dial on the front of the heater can be moved from “min” to “max” quite easily. It’s also a great option for people who want to be able to use a propane tank or a fuel canister, which can be quickly inserted through the bottom of the heater.
The Campy Gear Little Guy comes in four fun colors: orange, dark green, blue, and taupe and sells for around $50 at most retail stores where you can buy camping equipment, or online.
5. Mr. Heater Little Buddy Swivel Propane Heater - Model F215100
An excellent propane heater to consider for your heating needs is yet another model by Mr. Heater, the Mr. Heater Little Buddy Swivel Propane Heater.
Once again, Mr. Heater has hit it out of the ballpark with this one. Designed to warm a slightly smaller area, this unit will be perfect for spaces up to around 100 square feet. It is also designed to be used inside or outside, so you can also take this heater out to the patio, back porch, or garage while you wait for your power to resume.
My favorite thing about this heater is that the bulk of it is a swiveling head, almost like a room fan would be.
The base is sturdy and stays put, while the top of it can be set to swivel as widely as 45 degrees, allowing you to provide continuous heat throughout a space.
With the Little Buddy, people won’t feel as though they have to crowd around one area in order to feel the warmth. The swivel design gives a more natural feel to how the heat is distributed throughout a space.
It also has an anti-tip over design, and – in the rare instance it does fall over – the unit will immediately shut itself off to prevent any accidental spillage from the propane to happen.
This small but superb swivel-style heater sells for around $70 in most places and is a great choice when sticking to a budget and sticking with something that is easy to store are both important to you.
6. Dyna-Glo Blue Flame Vent Free Propane Heater - Model GBF30DTDG
Anyone who doesn’t think that propane heaters can be cute, hasn’t seen the Dyna-Glo Blue Flame Vent Free one yet.
Dyna-Glo is another maven in the industry for producing high-quality and superbly safe propane heaters for use when the power has gone out and you need to keep your home heated.
Covering up to 1,000 square feet is not hard for this blue flame propane heater to do. You can also purchase a separately sold fan that can be attached to the unit and allow for even more square footage space to be covered.
At 28 pounds, it’s by no means the bulkiest heater that I’ve reviewed on this list, but it’s solid enough that you won’t worry about it being knocked over accidentally. If it is, however, there is an automatic shut-off valve in place.
Another interesting option that Dyna-Glo designed for this heater is that it can use either propane gas or natural gas to heat your home. This could add a real layer of convenience for some people. There is also a switch installed that will make it impossible for you to add the wrong type of fuel, depending on how you want to warm your space.
The Dyna-Glo Blue Flame Vent Free Heater will cost you a bit over $300, which makes it pricier than some of the others on my list.
But, if you want a workhorse of a propane heater, that will also be safe and give you peace of mind, this heater should seriously be on your list of those to consider.
7. ProCom Infrared Plaque Heater - Model ML3PHG
FInally, for a solid propane heater that will get the job done, do it safely, and stay well within a reasonable budget, consider the ProCom Infrared Plaque Heater for your home.
ProCom has a strong reputation for making quality heaters and other electronic devices for personal use. This heater is no exception to that.
Weighing in at 25 pounds, the ProCom is not one of the heaviest on my list, but still sturdy enough to feel stable when in use. The heat of this unit can warm a room of about 1,400 square feet, making it ideal for family rooms and kitchens that are part of an open floor plan.
The unit itself is aesthetically pleasing, and emits a warm orangish glow, giving it a fireplace-like feel. The push-button ignition is easy to use and this unit has an anti-tipping switch that will immediately shut it off if it is no longer in the upright position.
Costing around $140, this unit is a mid-range one, compared to others I’ve reviewed when it comes to cost. The ProCom is going to be perfect for a home where there is ample space that needs to be warmed, but you don’t want a unit that’s expensive or hard to transport and store.
