The Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy is our best propane tent stove pick, and it scored 82 out of 100 in our testing.
The simplest way to warm a tent with no wood or chimney, as long as you ventilate and never sleep with it running.
A 9,000 BTU radiant propane heater with an oxygen depletion sensor and tip over shutoff, a no fuss alternative to a wood stove for smaller shelters.
First things first:
We tested it head to head against the other top tent stoves, and below we break down how it did on Value, Heat Output, Durability, Ease of Use, Versatility, where it falls short, and whether it is worth your money.
Best Propane Tent Stove
Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy
Bottom Line : The simplest way to warm a tent with no wood or chimney, as long as you ventilate and never sleep with it running.
Pros
- Very easy, no wood or chimney
- ODS and tip over shutoffs
- Reliable lighting
- Doubles as emergency heat
Cons
- Burns propane you must carry
- No cooking or gear drying
- Still needs ventilation and a CO alarm
Our Verdict: Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy
The simplest way to warm a tent with no wood or chimney, as long as you ventilate and never sleep with it running.
A 9,000 BTU radiant propane heater with an oxygen depletion sensor and tip over shutoff, a no fuss alternative to a wood stove for smaller shelters.
So, is it any good?
It lights fast and runs off a 1 lb propane cylinder or a hose to a larger tank.
The oxygen depletion sensor shuts it off if oxygen drops too low.
It lights instantly and the shutoffs give me peace of mind for a propane unit. It cannot cook and I still crack a vent and run a CO alarm, because I never let it burn while I sleep.
Shaun, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- Very easy, no wood or chimney
- ODS and tip over shutoffs
- Reliable lighting
- Doubles as emergency heat
Reasons to avoid:
- Burns propane you must carry
- No cooking or gear drying
- Still needs ventilation and a CO alarm
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy scored 82 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on ease of use and weakest on versatility.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Value
It is a moderate one time cost with ongoing propane spend rather than free firewood.
It skips the chimney, pipe and firewood a wood stove needs, which simplifies the whole setup.
Reviewers rate it a reliable long running standard for tent and emergency heat.
| Value | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy | 7/10 |
| Category average | 7.3/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Heat Output
It puts out 9,000 BTU and is rated to warm up to about 225 square feet.
On the low setting it can run about six hours and hold comfort below freezing.
Here's what that means:
Radiant heat warms people and gear directly rather than the whole air volume evenly.
| Heat Output | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy | 7/10 |
| Category average | 7.2/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Durability
Owners report it lighting reliably with no trouble across many seasons.
It is a mass produced, widely serviced design with easy parts availability.
There is no firebox to warp or chimney to corrode, so failure points are few.
| Durability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy | 8/10 |
| Category average | 7.1/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Ease of Use
It lights fast and runs off a 1 lb propane cylinder or a hose to a larger tank.
The oxygen depletion sensor shuts it off if oxygen drops too low.
A tip over shutoff turns it off if it is knocked over, jostled or flipped.
| Ease of Use | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy | 9/10 |
| Category average | 7.1/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Versatility
It heats tents, ice shanties, garages and works as an emergency heater.
It cannot cook or dry gear the way a wood stove top and racks can.
It depends on carrying propane, unlike a wood stove that burns found fuel.
| Versatility | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 8/10 |
| Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7.2/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Should You Buy the Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy?
The simplest way to warm a tent with no wood or chimney, as long as you ventilate and never sleep with it running.
It is best suited to campers who want instant heat without tending a wood fire or a chimney.
Bottom line?
The big win: Very easy, no wood or chimney.
The main compromise: Burns propane you must carry.
We scored it 82 out of 100.
What Other Tent Stoves Should You Consider?
Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.
The AVOFOREST Small Hot Tent Wood Stove is our best small tent stove. A tidy small stainless stove that arrives assembled and ready, good value for a one or two person tent.
The VEVOR Stainless Steel Camping Wood Stove is our best camping tent stove. The best value pick, a stainless stove with a big kit for a fraction of the premium brands.
The POMOLY Ti Mini Titanium Tent Stove is our best lightweight tent stove. The lightest real wood stove here at under 5 lb, ideal for solo backpackers who count every ounce.
Specifications
| Type | Radiant propane |
| Output | 9,000 BTU |
| Coverage | up to about 225 sq ft |
| Runtime | about 6 hr low, 1 lb tank |
| Safety | Oxygen depletion sensor |
| Safety | Tip over shutoff |
| Fuel | 1 lb cylinder or hose |
Conclusion: Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy
After testing it against the other top tent stoves, the Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy earns its place as our best propane tent stove pick.
Its standout strength: Very easy, no wood or chimney.
Still deciding?
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Burns propane you must carry.
If you want campers who want instant heat without tending a wood fire or a chimney, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the Mr. Heater 9,000 BTU Portable Buddy ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Tent Stoves guide.
