Which heats a larger space?

The Big Buddy. It is rated for up to 450 sq. ft. at 18,000 BTU. The Portable Buddy is rated for about 200–225 sq. ft. at 9,000 BTU.

Is the Big Buddy worth $30 more?

Yes if you need more than 9,000 BTU or more than about 225 sq. ft. of coverage. For a tent or small room, the Portable Buddy does the job for less.

Which runs longer on one set of cylinders?

The Big Buddy, because it uses two 1 lb. cylinders: about 10.8 hours on low against about 5.4 hours for the Portable Buddy on one cylinder. Per cylinder, runtime is similar.

Can either run off a 20 lb. tank?

Yes, both can, but each needs a hose, and the Portable Buddy also needs a filter. The Big Buddy's dual regulators connect to a 20 lb. tank with Mr. Heater Buddy accessories.

Are they safe indoors?

Both carry an oxygen depletion sensor and a tip-over shut-off and are marketed as indoor-safe. They still burn propane, so follow the manual on ventilation and never use them while you sleep.

Which is easier to carry?

The Portable Buddy. It is smaller and has a fold-down handle. The Big Buddy is 19 x 12 x 17.75 in. and heavier.

Mr. Heater Big Buddy Heater vs Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy Radiant Propane Heater

Buy the Big Buddy if you need to heat a space up to 450 sq. ft. or want 18,000 BTU on demand. Buy the Portable Buddy if you are heating a tent or small room up to about 200–225 sq. ft. and want to spend less. On November 3, 2026 the Big Buddy is $119.99 at Tractor Supply Company and the Portable Buddy is $89.97 at Home Depot, a $30 gap. Both are rated 4.4 out of 5, but the Portable Buddy's rating rests on 1,686 reviews against 7 for the Big Buddy.

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