Best Duck Boat Blind Heater (2021 Reviews)

If you’d like to stay warm in your duck boat,

so warm that you are almost comfortable…

…then this review is for you.

A good blind heater can make a drastic difference when it’s freezing out.

We wrote this article to help you find specifically which heater is best for you.

Top Pick

Based on the research, the Mr. Heater Hunting Buddy is the clear top pick. This is the best option out there for a duck boat heater. It is capable of a lot of heat and has some great safety features that are worth having inside of a hunting boat.

The 6 Top-Rated Duck Boat Heaters

Editor's Pick	Brand	Rating
Top Pick	Mr. Heater Hunting Buddy	9.6
Runner Up	Mr. Heater MH9BX	9.4
Runner Up	Mr. Heater MH15C	9.2
Runner Up	Texsport Portable	9.1
Runner Up	Texsport Bulk Tank	8.9
Runner Up	Mr. Heater MH4B	8.8

Best Duck Boat Heater: Mr. Heater Hunting Buddy

When it comes to a duck boat heater, the Mr. Heater Hunting Buddy is our top choice.

Here’s why so many hunters are using these heaters:

These heaters put out a lot of heat. Rated for 6,000 – 12,000 BTU, they are capable of heating up to 300 sq ft.

You control the heat setting with an easy to use control knob.

The Mr. Buddy heaters also have some great safety features.

They have a built in sensor that will automatically shut the heater off if it detects there is not enough oxygen in the air.

The heaters also have an automatic shutoff system in case the heater accidentally gets tipped over.

The unit is made for 1 lb. disposable propane tanks. It also comes with the option to hook it up with a hose to a large 20 lb. propane tank.

This heater has a silent start and is quiet when running so you don’t have to worry about it scaring game.

Key Features:

• 6,000 – 12,000 BTU
• Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS)
• Tip-Over Safety Shut-Off
• Silent Start
• Portable

Runner Up: Mr. Heater MH9BX

Our runner up choice is the Mr. Heater MH9BX. This heater is very similar to the Hunting Buddy above but has a lower heat rating of 4,000 – 9,000 BTU.

This is adequate for an area up to 200 sq ft.

It has all the same safety features mentioned above.

Mr. Buddy offers a case that goes with this heater which can store a couple extra propane tanks.

This is a great option if you don’t need the higher heat ability of the Hunting Buddy.

Key Features:

• 4,000 – 9,000 BTU
• Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS)
• Tip-Over Safety Shut-Off
• Silent Start
• Portable

Runner Up: Mr. Heater MH15C

For those of you looking for the most amount of heat possible, the Mr. Heater MH15C is a great option.

This heater can supply a whopping 8,000 – 15,000 BTU which is adequate for up to 375 sq ft.

You can also tilt and use the heater as a cooker to make breakfast or heat up some coffee.

You can use either the 1 lb. tanks shown or 20 lb. propane tanks.

Key Features:

• 8,000 – 15,000 BTU
• Heater/Cooker
• Tip-Over Safety Shut-Off
• Silent Start
• Portable

Runner Up: Texsport Sportsmate Portable

If you prefer a small, portable option, consider the Texsport Sportsmate.

It can supply up to 3,000 BTU which can still make a significant difference if the heater is being used for a single hunter.

As far as safety features, this heater will automatically shut off if it detects the flame has gone out for some reason.

It only uses disposable propane tanks, either 1 lb. or 14.1 oz.

Key Features:

• 3,000 BTU
• Portable

Runner Up: Texsport Bulk Tank Heater

If you are looking for a more traditional, large tank propane heater, Texsport Bulk tank heater is a good pick.

For boats that have the space, a large tank heater can be pretty convenient. You don’t have to carry the heater with you and you have to fill the 20 lb. tank much less frequently than if you use the disposable 1 lb. bottles.

It is capable of up to 10,000 BTU and has the same auto shut-off feature if the flame goes out.

The 20 lb. propane tank is not included.

Key Features:

• Up to 10,000 BTU
• No Flame Shut-Off
• Uses 20 lb. Tank

Runner Up: Mr. Heater MH4B

Another option for a small, portable heater is the Mr. Heater MH4B. Similar to the Texsport portable above, Mr. Buddy designed this heater for single person use.

It can supply up to 3,800 BTU, enough for up to 95 sq ft.

This small heater has the same safety features as the Hunting Buddy, the low oxygen shut-off and accidental tip-over shut off.

The reason we rated it below the Texsport portable is because it is more expensive.

Key Features:

• 3,800 BTU
• Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS)
• Tip-Over Safety Shut-Off
• Silent Start
• Portable

Who Should Buy a Duck Boat Heater

Here’s the story:

A few years ago we hunted out of a boat when it was below freezing outside. We did not have any heaters.

It was miserable.

Picture being so cold you can hardly get your fingers to move when it is time to pull the trigger.

So, after that we tried out a portable heater. The difference was profound.

The difference was enough for us to say that we will not hunt out of a blind in the cold ever again if we can help it.

Sure, it’s sounds great to “be tough” and not use a heater but in our opinion there is no point in being miserable if it is preventable.

Important Features to Consider

• BTU Rating. BTU rating is important because you want a heater that makes a difference you can feel. If you hunt in very cold weather, or in a boat or blind that is poorly shielded from the wind, consider one of the heaters above with a higher BTU rating.
• Safety Features. You can feel cramped when duck hunting out of a boat between a couple of hunters and all their gear. There is always a chance of bumping a heater and knocking it over. Some hunters will doze off between groups of birds or if it is a slow day. Features like oxygen level detection or auto tip-over shut-off can make these scenarios much safer.
• Fuel Source. All of the heaters above use propane. They range from using small disposable tanks up to 20 lb. bulk tanks. Obviously if you don’t have the room for one, don’t buy a heater that uses a large tank.

FAQs

How long does a tank last?

This depends on the model and tank size. Most of these heaters last a couple of hours using a small disposable propane tank. You can order these in bulk online.