Mr. Heater Big Buddy Portable Heater vs Camplux Portable Propane Heater

Both heaters top out at 18,000 BTU and claim 450 sq ft, so the real choice is form factor. The Big Buddy is a 16.9 lb radiant box you can carry and run off two 1 lb cylinders, which suits cabins, tents and power outages. The Camplux is a wheeled unit built around a 20 lb tank with a tank shelf and cage, which suits a garage or patio where it stays put. Owners of both praise fast heat and simple single-knob lighting; the Big Buddy has the longer track record and far more ratings, while the Camplux draws complaints about propane burn on high and a fiddly rear grate.

• Choose the Big Buddy if you need heat you can carry to a cabin, tent or job site and run from small disposable cylinders or an optional hose to a 20 lb tank.
• Choose the Camplux if the heater will live in one spot like a garage, porch or patio and you want to roll it around on casters with a 20 lb tank riding on board.