Updated Oct 20, 2026 · 2 picks · Prices checked Oct 20, 2026
In a winter outage, the goal is to keep one room livable, not to heat the whole house. Indoor-rated propane heaters like the Mr. Heater Portable Buddy, Bob Vila's best overall, have an oxygen-depletion sensor and a tip-over shutoff and run on 1-lb bottles. The smaller Little Buddy suits a bathroom or small bedroom. Indoor-rated does not mean risk-free. These heaters still burn fuel in your living space, so follow the maker's instructions for a fresh-air opening, run a battery carbon monoxide alarm in the same room, keep anything that burns well away from the front, and never run one while sleeping. Pick a small interior room, close it off, and dress in layers to stretch your fuel.
★ Top Pick
Mr. Heater Portable Buddy (MH9BX) 4,000-9,000 BTU
Why it's hereBob Vila's best overall propane heater: indoor-safe radiant heat with oxygen-depletion sensor and tip-over shutoff; heats up to ~225 sq ft on 1-lb bottles. Keeps a room livable when the furnace is out.
⚠️ Carbon monoxide can kill. Use indoors only with a fresh-air opening (crack a window per the maker's instructions), run a battery CO alarm in the same room, and never run a heater while you sleep.
