Last Updated on November 7, 2021
A detailed review of the Mr. Heater Little Buddy MH4B, a compact and easy-to-use portable heater perfect for camping or outdoor activities in the winter.
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Details
The Mr. Heater Little Buddy can be used in tents, campers, cabins, workshops, garages, ice fishing huts or hunting blinds.
Specs
- Size 11x11x11 in.
- Weight: 5.85 lbs
- Fuel Type: Propane
- 3,800 BTU per hour
- Run Time: Approximately 5.5 hours
- Heats up to 95 sq. ft
- One button ignition
- Tip-over safety shut-off
- Automatic low oxygen shut-off system (ODS)
Review – Initial Impressions
When my brother handed me a relatively small box with the words Mr. Heater Little Buddy on it, I was more than a little skeptical. It looked like something you purchase from an infomercial. All skepticism went out the window after my first night using it. We were camping a little further north of Mammoth at June Lake last spring and the weather was still fairly chilly with plenty of snow in the surrounding mountains. I did exactly as my brother told me and turned it on maybe 20-25 minutes before we went to bed. We didn’t sleep with it on but we didn’t need to. The Little Buddy did an incredible job of heating up the tent so that it was comfortable for the rest of the night.
What I liked about the Mr. Heater Little Buddy
One of my favorite things about the little buddy is how small it packs up in the car. Space is incredibly valuable when you go camping, even when car camping, and anything unnecessary gets left behind. The Little Buddy comes in a box roughly 11x11x11in and for the amount of heat it puts out, I was super impressed.
The small portable heater operates on the disposable propane tanks that fit most camping grills which was another plus. Having to only bring firewood and a couple of the tanks was awesome. It doesn’t consume a ton of propane either. You get roughly 5.5 hours off of one tank but we only ran ours for about a half hour before bed each night.
It was surprising how little fuel it consumed for how much heat it cranked out. For its size, weight, and easy-of-use, the Little Buddy can easily heat up a wide range of tents and shelters during the colder months. Because it gets so hot, I was slightly nervous using it in my tent the first couple of times since there is always the chance something can catch on fire but the Little Buddy has an accidental tip-over safety shut-off feature. There will always be a slight risk but as long as it’s on a stable surface and nothing is touching it, I feel safe the little buddy won’t burn down my little two-man tent.
Drawbacks
I should note that the heater can be a little tricky to start at times. Usually I can get it to light within three tries but occasionally it likes to give me a hard time. Other than that I have no complaints for the little buddy.
Disclaimer: I have not used the Little Buddy in temperatures below 25-30 degrees Fahrenheit and I’m not sure how it would operate.
These heaters are amazing for hunting blinds as well! Many of the larger heaters are overkill in a small and enclosed space. I’ve started using mine in my workshop as well during winter, and if there’s bad snow (located in WV), it never hurts to throw it in the trunk in case something happens!