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Looking for the full spec breakdown and verdict on the Wave-6 itself? Read our complete Camco Olympian Wave-6 review →
Camco’s Olympian Wave line is a catalytic heater family built specifically for RV mounting, sold in three sizes: Wave-3, Wave-6, and Wave-8. Unlike the Mr. Heater Buddy lineup covered elsewhere on this site, catalytic heaters produce flameless heat and are commonly permanently or semi-permanently mounted to an RV wall. This page compares the three sizes for RV use specifically.
Top 3 Recommended
Where the Wave Lineup Fits Against Buddy-Style Heaters
Camco’s Wave heaters and Mr. Heater’s Buddy lineup solve the same basic problem in different ways. A Wave heater trades portability for a permanent, wired-in install and completely silent, flameless operation. A Buddy heater trades that permanence for grab-and-go flexibility between an RV and a tent or garage. Neither is universally better — the right choice depends on whether you want a heater dedicated to one RV or one you can move between different uses.
What Makes Catalytic Heat Different
A catalytic heater uses a chemical reaction over a catalytic pad rather than an open flame. That produces heat with no visible flame and, notably, without a fan or any moving parts. It runs silently, which many RV owners prize over a Buddy-style radiant heater’s occasional piezo click or a furnace’s blower hum. The tradeoff is a fixed, non-adjustable output on some models, and a mounting setup that’s more permanent than a Buddy heater’s grab-and-go portability.
Wave-3: The Smallest Option
At 3,000 BTU, the Wave-3 suits a small camper van or a single-room teardrop trailer. It’s the lightest and least expensive model in the lineup, with the least fuel draw per hour. It’s undersized for a full-size travel trailer or motorhome living area. See our Olympian Wave-3 review for the complete spec table and verdict.
Wave-6: The Mid-Size, Most Broadly Recommended Option
At 6,000 BTU, the Wave-6 is the size most RV owners land on. It covers a mid-size travel trailer or RV living area without the Wave-8’s extra bulk and fuel draw. Its balance of coverage and efficiency makes it the default recommendation for most RV setups that don’t have specific reasons to size up or down. See our full Wave-6 review for the complete spec table.
Wave-8: The Largest Option
At 8,000 BTU with dual catalytic pads, the Wave-8 covers the most space in the lineup. It fits a larger travel trailer, a full-size motorhome, or an RV used in genuinely cold climates where the Wave-6 might run at maximum output constantly. See our Olympian Wave-8 review for its complete spec table and owner-reported pros and cons.
The Sizing Checklist
- Small van or teardrop trailer? The Wave-3 matches the space without excess fuel draw.
- Mid-size travel trailer, moderate climate? The Wave-6 is the most commonly recommended default.
- Large trailer, motorhome, or genuinely cold climate use? The Wave-8’s dual pads cover more space and colder conditions.
- Prioritizing silent operation above all else? Any Wave size delivers that, since none use a fan.
Mounting and Installation
Unlike a portable Buddy heater, Olympian Wave heaters are typically wall-mounted or floor-mounted with leg stands, connected to the RV’s fixed propane system rather than a swappable cylinder. That’s a more permanent installation decision. Camco sells leg stands that fit all three Wave sizes for a semi-portable setup, if a fully fixed mount doesn’t suit your use case.
Ventilation for Catalytic Heaters
Catalytic heaters still consume oxygen and require the same ventilation as any other indoor-safe propane heater, despite producing no visible flame. Follow the manufacturer’s ventilation guidance for whichever Wave size you choose, and see our RV propane heater ventilation guide for the complete requirements. Keep a battery-backed carbon monoxide detector in the RV regardless of heater type.
Fixed Output vs Adjustable Buddy Heaters
Some Olympian Wave models run at a single fixed output, more like the Little Buddy than the adjustable standard Buddy reviewed elsewhere on this site. Confirm whether your specific Wave size offers any adjustment before assuming you can dial down the heat on a milder night. A fixed-output catalytic heater in a well-sealed RV can run warmer than expected on a night that doesn’t need full output.
Cost to Run
Catalytic heaters are generally efficient with fuel relative to their BTU output, which is part of their appeal for extended RV stays away from an easy propane refill. Even so, budget more fuel use for the Wave-8 than the Wave-3 given the higher output, and factor that into your choice if you’re sizing based on cost as much as coverage.
Buying Considerations Beyond Size
Confirm the specific listing includes the mounting hardware you need, since some Wave-series listings are sold as the heater alone while others bundle a mounting kit. Check compatibility with your RV’s existing propane line before assuming any Wave size will connect without an adapter. A quick call to the RV’s manufacturer or a dealer can confirm the right fitting for your specific model year.
Upgrading From an Existing Wave Heater
An RV owner replacing an aging Wave heater with the same size doesn’t need to reconsider the sizing question at all, provided the original size served the space well. Anyone who found their current size ran constantly at maximum output, or barely ever needed its full output, has a natural signal to size up or down on the replacement rather than defaulting to the same model out of habit.
Verdict
The Wave-6 is the right starting point for most RV owners sizing an Olympian Wave heater, with the Wave-3 and Wave-8 covering the smaller and larger ends of the range respectively. All three share the same flameless, fan-free catalytic design that makes this lineup a popular RV-specific alternative to a portable Buddy-style radiant heater. Read the full Wave-6 review linked above for the complete spec table and verdict on the mid-size default.
Best for Mid-size travel trailers and RVs up to 200 sq ft
Related Products
See our RV and off-grid heater guide for the wider category. Pair any Wave size with these:
