Mr. Heater Buddy vs Big Buddy vs Little Buddy vs Buddy FLEX: Specs Compared
Every Buddy heater side by side from Mr. Heater's spec tables - and which size fits your space
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Mr. Heater Portable Buddy (MH9BX)
4,000/9,000 BTU, up to 225 sq ft, 10.6 lb, one 1 lb cylinder or 20 lb with hose and filter, per Mr. Heater. Sold by Amazon.
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Mr. Heater Big Buddy PRO (MH18B)
4,000/9,000/18,000 BTU, up to 450 sq ft, 17.1 lb, two 1 lb cylinders or 20 lb with hose, per Mr. Heater; the listing adds a built-in fan. Sold by Amazon.
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Mr. Heater Little Buddy (MH4B)
3,800 BTU, up to 95 sq ft, 5.85 lb, one 1 lb cylinder, per Mr. Heater. Sold by Amazon.
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Mr. Heater Buddy FLEX
11,000 BTU max, up to 275 sq ft, about 2 hr high / 3.5 hr low on a 1 lb cylinder, 11.02 lb, per Mr. Heater. Sold by Amazon.
Check Price on Amazon →Mr. Heater's Buddy series all use the same approach: radiant propane heat, an oxygen depletion sensor, and a tip-over shutoff, and Mr. Heater lists them as indoor-safe. The models differ in output, area, fuel setup, and weight.
Buddy Heaters Side by Side (per Mr. Heater)
| Spec | Little Buddy | Portable Buddy | Buddy FLEX | Big Buddy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | MH4B | MH9BX | Buddy FLEX | MH18B |
| BTU settings | 3,800 | 4,000 / 9,000 | Up to 11,000 | 4,000 / 9,000 / 18,000 |
| Heats up to | 95 sq ft | 225 sq ft | 275 sq ft | 450 sq ft |
| Fuel | One 1 lb cylinder | One 1 lb, or 20 lb with hose and filter | One 1 lb cylinder | Two 1 lb, or 20 lb with hose |
| Run time | 5.6 hr | 3 hr high / 6 hr low | 2 hr high / 3.5 hr low | Up to 11 hr (two 1 lb) |
| Weight | 5.85 lb | 10.6 lb | 11.02 lb | 17.1 lb |
The Amazon listing for the Portable Buddy gives shorter run times (2.4 hr high, 5.4 hr low) than Mr. Heater's spec table. The Big Buddy PRO listing adds a built-in fan.
Buddy vs Big Buddy: How to Choose
Space: match the maker's square-footage rating to your room, then allow for insulation and cold. Fuel: both can run from a 20 lb grill tank with Mr. Heater's hose (the Portable Buddy page also calls for a filter); for long sessions, that beats swapping 1 lb cylinders. Carrying: at 10.6 pounds, the Portable Buddy is the easier one to move around; the Big Buddy is 17.1 pounds.
Common Questions
Is the Big Buddy twice as warm as the Buddy?
Its top setting is 18,000 BTU vs 9,000 on the Portable Buddy, and Mr. Heater rates it for 450 vs 225 square feet. Both also have 4,000 and 9,000 BTU settings.
Can I use either one in a garage?
Mr. Heater lists both as indoor-safe and lists garages among their uses. Keep a CO alarm running and follow the ventilation instructions. For a garage you heat every day, see our garage heater guide.
Bottom Line
The Portable Buddy for rooms, tents, and single work areas up to 225 square feet; the Big Buddy for spaces up to 450. See our propane heater guide for the full lineup, or kerosene vs propane if you're weighing fuels.
Sources
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