Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy Radiant Propane Heater vs Mr. Heater Little Buddy Heater
Buy the Portable Buddy if you need real heat: 9,000 BTU covers up to 225 sq. ft., and it has two heat settings. Buy the Little Buddy if you only need to take the chill off a tent, ice shack or small room and want the smallest, lightest unit. The Portable Buddy is $89.97 at Home Depot as of November 3, 2026; the Little Buddy is $79.99 at DICK'S Sporting Goods as of November 3, 2026. The $10 gap buys more than double the output, so the Little Buddy only makes sense if size and weight matter most.
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Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy Radiant Propane Heater
4.4$79.99at Tractor Supply CompanyObserved at 11:31 AM
Choose the Portable Buddy if you are heating a large tent, garage or room up to about 200–225 sq. ft. and want a low and high setting.
Pros
- 9,000 BTU heats roughly 225 sq. ft., far more than the Little Buddy
- Low 4,000 BTU setting stretches a 1 lb cylinder
- Fold-down handle and swivel regulator for hose-to-bulk-tank use
- 4.4 out of 5 from 1,686 ratings
- Indoor-safe with ODS and tip-over shut-off
Cons
- Costs $10 more at the best price found
What separates them
| Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy Radiant Propane Heater | Mr. Heater Little Buddy Heater | |
|---|---|---|
| Max heat output | 9,000 BTU (4,000 BTU low setting) | 3,800 BTU, single setting |
| Heated area | Up to about 225 sq. ft. | Up to 95 sq. ft. |
| Runtime on a 1 lb cylinder | Up to about 5.4 hours | Roughly 3 to 6 hours depending on setting and conditions |
| Weight | Heavier, with a fold-down handle | 5.85 lbs |
| Footprint | Rectangular body, wider stance | 8 in. round stand, 9.75 in. wide |
| Heat settings | Two: 4,000 and 9,000 BTU | One: on or off |
| Remote gas supply | Swivel regulator accepts a hose and filter for a bulk tank | Runs on 1 lb cylinders |
Price history
$89.97$54.99
- Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy Radiant Propane Heater: lowest $79.99 on Nov 3 at Tractor Supply Company.
- Mr. Heater Little Buddy Heater: lowest $54.99 on Nov 1 at Runnings; $79.99 on Nov 2.
Prices at every store
Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy Radiant Propane Heater
- Home DepotNew
In stock
$89.97Free shippingObserved at 11:31 AM - DICK'S Sporting GoodsNew
In stock
$99.99+ $9.99 shippingObserved at 11:31 AM - Tractor Supply CompanyNew
Availability unknown
$79.99+ $5.99 shippingObserved at 11:31 AM - WayfairNew
Availability unknown
$98.99Observed at 11:31 AM
Also available at
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- Phantom OutdoorsCheck price at Phantom Outdoors
- Root BrothersCheck price at Root Brothers
Specs compared
| Spec | Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy Radiant Propane Heater | Mr. Heater Little Buddy Heater |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Source | Combustion | Propane, Gas |
| With Automatic Shut-Off | Yes | — |
| Fuel Type | Propane | — |
| Finish | Red | — |
| Portable | Yes | — |
| Heating Capacity | 9,000 BTU | — |
| Heat Output | — | 3,800 BTU |
| Heating Area | — | 95 sq. ft. |
| Heating Method | — | Radiant |
| Power Type | — | Propane |
| Automatic Shut-Off |
Questions and answers
- Which one heats a two-car garage?
- Neither is a good fit for a full garage. The Portable Buddy tops out at about 225 sq. ft. and 9,000 BTU, so it suits a one-car garage or a large tent at best. The Little Buddy at 95 sq. ft. is too small.
- Is the Little Buddy worth saving $10?
- Only if space and weight are your priority. The Portable Buddy gives more than double the BTU and a low setting for $10 more at current best prices.
- Which lasts longer on a 1 lb propane cylinder?
- The Portable Buddy on its 4,000 BTU low setting runs up to about 5.4 hours. The Little Buddy's 3,800 BTU output is close to that low setting, so runtime is similar, but the Portable Buddy can also run on a bulk tank with a hose and filter.
- Are both safe indoors?
- Both are vent-free and carry an Oxygen Depletion Sensor and a tip-over shut-off. Follow the manufacturer's clearance and ventilation instructions either way.
- Which is easier to carry to a hunting spot?
- The Little Buddy. At 5.85 lbs with an 8 in. round stand it packs easily. The Portable Buddy is larger and heavier, though its fold-down handle helps.
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