HEYDUOTON Portable Propane Heater for Camping, Outdoor Small Space Patio Garage Heaters, Self Ignition Radiant Cordless Heater Foldable Gas Tank Holder for Hiking Ice Fishing Hunting Tent Backyard

Why I reached for the Heyduoton V3 heater

Cold mornings are when your gear earns its keep. I wanted a small, packable heat source I could trust for shoulder-season camping, ice fishing days, and quick warmth in a drafty garage bay. The Heyduoton V3 heater checked the right boxes on paper: compact, one-push ignition, adjustable output, and a stabilizing base for 1 lb propane cylinders. After several outings and a few long evenings in the shop, here’s how it actually performs.

Setup and portability

The V3 is refreshingly simple. It’s designed for standard 1 lb CGA600 propane cylinders: screw the heater head onto the bottle, nest the bottle into the fold-out base, crack the valve, and press the ignition. No batteries, no hoses, no tools. The piezo igniter lit mine on the first click most of the time, and even with gloves on I could manage the control knob without fumbling.

Packability is a strong suit. The lamp head rides in its own molded protective case, which kept the mesh and reflector from getting dinged when tossed in with stakes and cookware. The foldable base is light and low-profile, so the whole kit fits easily in a daypack or bin. One thing I wished for: a way to clip the head case to the base for a single, self-contained package. As is, they’re separate pieces, which is fine—but combining them would make it harder to misplace one half of the system.

Heat output and real-world coverage

Rated at 3,800 BTU, the V3 is not a room heater—it’s a personal radiant heater. Used as intended, it’s very effective. Within seconds of ignition you can feel a concentrated beam of warmth. Think of it as a sunlamp for your hands, knees, and torso rather than a device that warms the entire volume of air around you.

• In a 2–3 person tent (doors cracked for ventilation), it took the edge off a 35°F morning. Sitting a couple feet in front of it, I was comfortable in a midweight layer. Move to the far side of the tent and the effect fades.
• In a pop-up fishing shelter, it created a clearly warm zone at 3–5 feet. Hands thaw quickly, gloves and socks dry reliably.
• In a one-car garage bay (door partially open), I used it as a spot heater at a workbench. It won’t lift the ambient temperature of 200 sq ft by itself, but it made that immediate workspace comfortable.

Radiant heaters are inherently directional. The V3’s head is fixed, so you aim the heat by rotating the bottle/base. I would love a tilting or swivel head for finer control, but moving the cylinder works well enough.

Controls, stability, and operation

The adjustable control knob offers a useful range from a gentle, fuel-sipping glow to full output. The flame stays stable at low settings and responds predictably in quarter turns. There’s a soft hiss at higher output—quieter than most catalytic-style heaters—and I didn’t notice any objectionable odor beyond a brief whiff at ignition and shutdown.

Stability is better than I expected. The fold-out base cups a 1 lb bottle securely and lowers the center of gravity. On packed dirt and plywood it felt planted; on uneven ground I still took care to level a small spot first. The unit doesn’t advertise a tip-over shutoff, so physical stability matters. I did not test intentional tipping (nor would I recommend it), but between the base and the heater’s light head, it’s a reasonable setup for outdoor use.

Build quality is solid for the weight class. The reflector and guard are neatly assembled, the welds are clean, and the surfaces shrugged off damp mornings without spotting. It’s not a tool I’d leave out in the rain, but I’m not babying it either.

Fuel use and runtime

A 1 lb propane cylinder holds roughly 21,600 BTU. At the V3’s max 3,800 BTU output, that’s about 5.5–6 hours, and longer at partial settings. In practice I rarely run it wide open for more than a few minutes. My typical pattern is a high-output start to get warm, then backing down to maintain comfort. A single bottle comfortably covers an evening at camp or a long session in the shelter.

Because it runs directly on 1 lb bottles, there’s no hose to tangle or leak, and no separate 20 lb tank to carry. If you plan to run it frequently in one spot (say, a shop corner), an adapter hose for a larger tank would be convenient—but use only appropriate, rated components and keep the heater in a well-ventilated area.

Safety notes

This is a radiant propane heater designed for outdoor or well-ventilated spaces. A few practical guidelines from my use:

• Ventilation matters. I keep a tent door cracked or a shelter vent open at all times, and I never run a propane heater while sleeping.
• Clearances are non-negotiable. Maintain space ahead of the emitter—no fabrics, gear, or hands too close. The front grill gets very hot.
• Assume no oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) or tip-over shutoff unless stated by the manufacturer. Operate as though those safeties are not present.
• A portable CO alarm in enclosed spaces is cheap insurance.

Used with that mindset, the V3 is predictable and safe in the kinds of environments it targets.

What it’s best at

• Quick, personal heat in cold, open air
• Compact camps where pack size and weight matter
• Ice fishing shelters and blinds with good ventilation
• Spot-heating a workbench or tool area rather than a whole room
• Situations where you want instant on/off without a long warm-up

Where it falls short

• Whole-space heating: 3,800 BTU won’t warm a large room or a big wall tent by itself.
• Aiming flexibility: with a fixed head, you turn the bottle to change direction; a tilt/swivel would be nicer.
• All-in-one storage: the separate base and head case work fine, but they don’t lock together.

None of these are dealbreakers; they’re inherent trade-offs in going small and simple.

Maintenance and longevity

There’s not much to maintain. Keep the emitter and guard free of debris, avoid crushing the mesh in transit, and cap bottles to keep dust out of the threads. The rust-resistant surfaces handled damp field conditions without any immediate discoloration. Long-term, I expect the igniter and valve to be the wear points on any heater of this type, but after multiple cycles the action remains smooth and reliable.

The bottom line

The Heyduoton V3 heater succeeds by focusing on the essentials. It’s light, it lights reliably, and it puts a tight beam of heat exactly where you need it in seconds. The stabilizing base makes 1 lb bottles feel secure, and the protective head case is a thoughtful touch that keeps the most fragile component safe on the move.

If you’re picturing a furnace for a whole shelter, this isn’t it. If you want targeted warmth for hands, boots, and a small working area—with minimal bulk and fuss—the V3 hits the mark. I’d like a tilting head and an integrated carry solution, but those are wishes, not warnings.

Recommendation: I recommend the Heyduoton V3 for campers, ice anglers, and anyone who needs compact, immediate, directional heat in outdoor or well-ventilated spaces. It’s efficient with 1 lb bottles, easy to operate, and built sensibly for field use. Use it with proper ventilation and clearances, and it becomes one of those small pieces of kit that makes cold weather much more manageable.