Mr Heater is known for its high-quality and durable products. The Little Buddy (F215100 MH4B) is no exception and comes in hand for smaller tents. We have prepared a detailed review of this product and hope can address all your doubts!
Being the entry model from Mr Heater, the product is affordable and offers excellent value for money. Apart from monetary aspects, Little buddy is compact and powerful, ensuring optimal outcomes for cold nights.
Without further due, let’s go for our review.
Mr Heater Little Buddy Review
Review summary
Pros
- Compact and Lightweight
- Ideal for backpackers and solo/dual campers
- High quality and heavy-duty material
- Great value for money
- Simple Set and easy set up
- Quiet
Cons
- No adjustable heating settings
- Limited heating for big tents
- Small propane bottle might require constant replacement
- No carbon monoxide sensor (you can buy one separately)
Output
The Mr Heater Little Buddy can produce up to 3,800 BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour.
BTU is a standard unit to measure thermal energy, and putting it in simple words, 1 BTU is the amount of energy needed to heat 1 pound of water (~450g) by one Fahrenheit degree (at sea level).
According to Mr Heater, this is sufficient to heat areas to 95 square feet (8.82m²). Therefore, Little Buddy might be most appropriate for smaller tents or personal use.
One of the downsides of the product is that you cannot adjust its output potency. The product might consume more propane than required on not-so-cold nights because it does not have adjustable heating settings.
Size and Weight
Little buddy is small and lightweight, measuring 11 x 11 x 11 inches (28 x 28 x 28cm) and weighing 5 pounds (2.26kg).
Therefore, this heater is ideal for moving around and an excellent alternative for backpackers or solo campers.
Bear in mind that it can get even smaller and lighter if the propane recipient is extracted.
Safety Features
Mr Heater Little Buddy comes with two necessary safety devices: a low-oxygen detector and tip-over shutoff mechanisms. As the names suggest, the equipment stops working in case low oxygen levels are detected or if the device inclines excessively / tip-over.
Overall, propane heaters can produce carbon monoxide, a dangerous gas that can lead to poisoning, internal tissues damage, and even death. This gas is one of the trickiest, given it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless.
If you plan to use little buddy in closed environments for prolonged periods in closed environments (i.e. your tent), you should consider buying a carbon monoxide detector.
Tips: Always leave an area for air circulation. According to Mr Heater, Little Buddy requires a vent circulation area of 4 square feet (0.37m²).
Suggested Article
Are Propane Heaters Safe in a Tent?
Camping can be a lot of fun, but if you’re not prepared for the cold, it can be miserable. Even in the summertime, it can
Quality and Durability
Overall, Mr Heater is widely recognised for its product’s high standards. Even though Little Budy is the entry line option, it comes with heavy-duty material, which is known for lasting multiple years.
Ease to install, operate, and handle
The equipment is compact and very easy to handle and install. It comes with 3 different pieces:
a) The heater head
b) a Plastic Base
c) A propane gas bottle.
When attaching the propane bottle to the heater head, make sure that there are no gas leaks. The video below shows a step-by-step guide on how to install it.
Once everything is connected, you can press and hold the red start button for 30 seconds, and your equipment will be radiating heating soon (watch the video below for further details).
Value For Money
Given all the features above, we have no doubts that Mr Heater Little Buddy offers the best value for money in the market for small heaters. We carry around one model for our winter trips, and it has been with us for more than 5 years.
You probably can find cheaper options, but their quality is inferior, and they tend not to last too long. If you consider the long term, it is a minor investment (less than $100) that will provide you with comfort, reliability, and safety.
Mr Heater Little Buddy - Promotional Video
FAQ
Is it safe to use Mr Heater Little Buddy in a tent?
Yes, it is. However, we recommend you read the instructions carefully before using it.
A significant part of tent heater incidents reported by campers is equipment misuse and unsafe practices when using the heating devices, such as leaving the heater running for long hours without monitoring conditions.
Consider buying a carbon monoxide detector to avoid potential poisoning and NEVER sleep with the heater turned on.
Will Mr Heater Little Buddy heat a big tent?
No. Given its small size, they are recommended for small tents or personal use (it might do a good work for a couple as well). For larger tents, we recommend Mr Heater 232000 MH9BX Buddy.
Does Mr Heater Little Buddy require ventilation for operation?
Little Buddy requires a vent opening area of approximately 4 square inches (minimum) for adequate ventilation during operation. Do not use other fuel burning appliances inside.
How do I clean and maintain my Little Buddy Heater?
The video below shows a step-by-step maintenance guide for Mr Heater Little Buddy Heater.
Is Mr Heater Little Buddy waterproof?
Mr Heater recommends NOT using Little Buddy if any part has been under water.
Where can I buy extra propane bottles for Mr Heater Little Buddy?
You can easily order it through Amazon or any other store. To clarify, a 1lb (pound) bottle is the same as a 16oz (ounce) bottle. We recommend buying a pack of 4 or 6.
Avoid exposure to high temperatures and keep them away from potential flames when storing them.
Are there other good tent heater alternatives?
Yes, there are. We recommend you reading the following articles:
a) Tent Heaters – The Camping Air Conditioner
b) How to heat a tent without electricity? (thecampingairconditioner.com)
c) Are Propane Heaters Safe in a Tent? We answer in this post. (thecampingairconditioner.com)
Mr Heater Little Buddy - Verdict
Little buddy is an excellent propane heater and extremely easy to install, carry around and operate.
With an excellent value for money offer, it comes with essential safety devices (auto-shutoff mechanisms) for low oxygen levels and tip over. The heater is ideal for small tents and/or individual usage (it can also work for a couple).
On the downside, it does not come adjustable heating and carbon monoxide detector, and 1lb propane gas bottle might require constant replacement (a full bottle is supposed to last for approximately 5 hours).
All in all, we believe that this is the best option in the market for small propane heaters.
