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A portable ice-fishing shelter lives or dies on how well it holds heat, and the propane “Buddy”-style heater line dominates that space for good reason — reliable auto-shutoff safety features for enclosed spaces. These six are real, currently sold portable heaters suited to fish house use, from ultra-portable single-tank units to flameless catalytic heaters.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mr. Heater MH18B Big Buddy | $100-$140 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Mr. Heater MH9BX Buddy | $70-$100 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy | $35-$50 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | VEVOR Propane Tank Top Heater | $50-$80 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Camco Olympian Wave-6 Catalytic Heater | $100-$140 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Mr. Heater Portable Buddy FLEX | $80-$110 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Mr. Heater MH18B Big Buddy
The high-output option in the Buddy line, heating up to 450 square feet — enough for a spacious hub shelter — with auto-shutoff for tip-over and low-oxygen conditions.
- Up to 18,000 BTU output
- Heats up to 450 sq. ft.
- Auto-shutoff: tip-over, low-oxygen (ODS), and pilot-light safety
- Enough output for larger multi-person hub shelters
- Trusted safety-shutoff features for enclosed spaces
- Bulkier and heavier than the smaller Buddy models
Mr. Heater MH9BX Buddy
The mid-size Buddy heater, running on a 1lb propane tank with two heat settings and a fold-down carry handle — a common single-angler shelter choice.
- Runs on a 1lb propane cylinder
- Two heat settings
- Fold-down handle for portability
- Good balance of output and portability for a small shelter
- Same trusted Buddy safety shutoffs
- Less output than the Big Buddy for larger shelters
Mr. Heater F215100 MH4B Little Buddy
The smallest, most affordable Buddy heater, screwing directly onto a 1lb propane cylinder for 3,800 BTU of heat in a compact package.
- 3,800 BTU output
- Screws directly onto a 1lb propane cylinder
- Most compact and affordable Buddy model
- Lowest cost entry into the trusted Buddy heater line
- Very packable for a solo angler
- Limited heat output for anything but a small one-person shelter
VEVOR Propane Tank Top Heater
A high-output tank-top propane heater rated up to 42,000 BTU, aimed at users who want significantly more heat output than the standard Buddy line.
- Up to 42,000 BTU output
- Tank-top mounting design
- Higher output than any standard Buddy model
- Much higher heat ceiling for larger or poorly insulated shelters
- Less refined safety-shutoff reputation than the established Mr. Heater Buddy line — ventilation matters even more at this output
Camco Olympian Wave-6 Catalytic Heater
A flameless catalytic heater (3,200-6,000 BTU) that runs silently with no flame, flue, or chimney needed, usable portable or wall-mounted in a shelter.
- 3,200-6,000 BTU catalytic (flameless) heat
- No flame, flue, or chimney required
- Usable portable or permanently wall-mounted
- Silent operation, no fan or blower noise
- Flameless design some anglers prefer for enclosed spaces
- Lower peak BTU ceiling than the VEVOR or Big Buddy for very cold conditions
Mr. Heater Portable Buddy FLEX
A newer, more flexible entry in the Buddy lineup that runs on a 1lb cylinder or, with the included hose, a larger remote propane tank.
- Runs on 1lb cylinder or remote tank via included hose
- Same Buddy-line auto-shutoff safety features
- Sits between the Little Buddy and MH9BX in output
- More fuel flexibility than the fixed 1lb-cylinder Buddy models
- Same trusted safety-shutoff design
- Newer model, less field-tested history than the long-running Big/standard Buddy
Buying tips
- Always crack a vent in an enclosed fish house when running any propane heater — even models with low-oxygen shutoff sensors need fresh air exchange to operate safely.
- Match BTU output to shelter size: roughly 3,800-9,000 BTU covers a compact 1-2 person flip-over shelter, while a spacious hub-style shelter benefits from the Big Buddy’s 18,000 BTU or higher.
- A catalytic heater (Camco Olympian) runs flameless and silent, which some anglers prefer over the more common radiant Buddy-style heaters, at the tradeoff of a lower max BTU ceiling.
- Carry a battery-powered CO detector rated for portable/RV use inside any enclosed shelter running a propane heater, regardless of the model’s built-in safety sensors.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.