Propane is a must for any space in need of serious heating. The best propane garage heaters are highly efficient, cost-effective, and very portable for heat on the go. Expect a propane heater to get that workshop space warm in minutes, rather than other fuel sources which can take 30 minutes to an hour.
A propane garage heater allows a lot of different features; thermostat, vent-less propane heaters, indoor safety features, different tank sizes, etc… Essentially I’m saying there’s definitely a propane heater to fit your garage/basement/shop needs. While most people believe propane heaters aren’t meant for indoor use, there’s actually a few vent free portable heaters that are meant to be used inside your garage. Below are my top picks for propane garage heaters, each has an overview of the most important specs (sq. ft. heating, BTUs, warranty) and a more in-depth review that will cover everything you need to know about a propane workshop heater before you make your purchase.
5 Best Propane Garage Heaters
_____
- Mr. Heater Big Buddy Portable Propane Heater
- Dyna-Glo Liquid Propane Forced Air Garage Heater
- Mr. Heater Propane Convection Heater
- Mr. Heater Infrared Radiant Propane Shop Heater
- Mr. Heater 40,000 BTU Gas Garage Heater
_____
1. Mr. Heater Big Buddy Portable Propane Heater
- 4,000- to 9,000-BTU radiant heater for spaces up to 225 square feet. Approved for indoor/outdoor use;...
- When operating the heater at altitudes over 7,000 FT above sea level the heater may shut off.
Mr. Heater’s ‘Big Buddy’ is also the top choice of portable heaters. This particular heater has huge amounts of reviews on Amazon and is only second to the other Mr. Heater model – the ‘Buddy’ (which is an Amazon #1 Best Seller). This propane space heater is safe for indoor use due to its great safety features and heats up to 400 square feet. While it’s not meant for huge spaces, this model topped our list because it’s incredibly portable and efficient.
A single propane tank can last one to two weeks of use, while a 20 pound propane tank can last one to two months of heavy usage. If you have a workshop or cabin you want heated all winter this is by far the most affordable option for both fuel and the initial purchase. It’s a quiet little propane garage heater packed with awesome features at a very affordable price. My review will go over these features a bit more and explain why this is my number one choice.
2. Dyna-Glo Liquid Propane Forced Air Garage Heater
- 80,000 BTU
- Heats up to 1,900 square fee
The Dyna-Glo torpedo heater (or bullet heater) is by far the best forced air heater available. It’s also the best value heater on this list starting at just under 75 dollars. This heater is ultra portable and lightweight, great for anyone planning on moving around a lot. The model to the left is the 60,000 BTU edition (heats up to 1,350 sq. ft.) but this line of propane heater is available from 30,000 to 300,000 BTU, so no matter how big the space this heater can heat it.
This is my top pick for outdoor heaters. While it could be used in a garage, it requires a large amount of ventilation, and there are no safety features like the Big Buddy to sense oxygen levels. Overall the Dyna-Glo is a powerhouse capable of heating anywhere on the coldest of days. Read my full review for all the details and be sure to check the price below to compare the various models.
3. Mr. Heater Propane Convection Heater
- 30,000-80,000 Btu portable propane convection heater
- For construction sites, workshops, barns, etc.; heats up to 1,900 square feet
Another highly reviewed heater, this model produces complete 360 heat evenly across the room. It comes in both an 80,000 and 200,000 BTU model, so it’s sure to suffice for any size workshop. The 80,000 BTU model easily heats a 1,900 sq. ft. room, which is plenty for most needs. Though it’s not for indoor use unless there’s adequate combustion and ventilation air available.
This heater is borderline commercial and may be overkill for your particular needs, but it makes the list for it’s powerful forced air ability for those looking to heat their garage in minutes, not hours. Read my full review for details and check the current price below to compare the 2 models.
4. Mr. Heater Infrared Radiant Propane Shop Heater
- 35,000-BTU portable propane radiant heater with folding handle and wheels
- Ideal for workshops or construction sites.Heats up to 875 sq. feet
This radiant heater comes fully assembled and can easily be hooked up to an existing natural gas line. To make things even easier it comes with an installation video, so setting up of this radiant infrared Mr. Heater is a breeze. An infrared propane heater is the best of both worlds. By utilizing the propane fuel it produces a more powerful radiant heat and it is very portable.
While it seems portable from first glance, it’s actually a bit less so when compared to torpedo forced air propane garage heaters. However, if you’re planning on working in one location, such as chopping wood or at a desk, this heater will be more comfortable since there’s no air blowing at you. I suggest reading the full review for a complete insight on this infrared propane garage heater.
5. Mr. Heater 40,000 BTU Gas Garage Heater
- Efficient, cost effective infrared heat
- For use in buildings with 12 to 15 ft ceilings
Through it’s efficient and cost-effective infrared heat, the 40,000 BTU Mr. Heater makes it in at spot five. While it’s actually more powerful than the previous heater in the #4 spot (heats up to 750 square feet through infrared heat), it narrowly missed out simply because it’s too powerful for most peoples garages. While it heats around a 3 car garage worth of space it also requires 12 – 15 foot ceilings for use.
Though if you can manage that this is a serious player in the gas propane garage heater space. It’s quiet, clean, odor free, and best of all it has no moving parts so that drastically reduces possible maintenance you could run into – and it has a good warranty to match. Let’s take a deeper look in my Mr Heater 40,000 BTU review and be sure to check the price for an up to date look.
Which is the Best Propane Garage Heater?
This list of the best propane garage heaters was put together using the following criteria:
- Sq. ft. heating ability
- Overall make and construction quality
- Features (portability, closed room use, safety features, etc..)
- Price for Value
- Brand Reputation
More insight on each unit is available in my in-depth reviews. Honestly, these are all great propane garage heaters, but which one is best for you is dependent on your needs. If you want an indoor and outdoor unit #1 is your best option. For cold weather and outdoor work a torpedo heater will be fitting. If you need instant warmth on blistering cold days (assuming you have some ventilation) the 360 propane garage heater is perfect.
For most of you though the Big Buddy heater should suffice, but each garage space and workshop have different needs you need to keep in mind. Below is a great video reviewing the Big Buddy propane garage heater. You’ll find a lot of the review is also applicable to other propane workshop heaters as well.