Head to head · 2026
Mr. Heater Portable Buddy F232000 vs King Electric PSH2440TB Portable Shop Heater
Contender A
Mr. Heater Portable Buddy F232000
Budget Pick4,000 / 9,000 BTU of propane radiant heat from a 1-lb cylinder — the go-anywhere heater for garages, job sites, ice shanties, and power outages.
$89.97on Amazon
Price as of Aug 23, 12:31 AM ET — subject to change.
Contender B
King Electric PSH2440TB Portable Shop Heater
Editor's ChoiceA 3,750W / 240V portable shop heater with a thermostat, a mounting bracket, and a plug — garage heat without hardwiring if you have a 240V outlet.
$199on Amazon
Price as of Aug 23, 12:31 AM ET — subject to change.
Our verdict
The Buddy is propane, needs no electricity, and throws 9,000 BTU of radiant heat anywhere — with the ventilation and CO-alarm rules that come with burning fuel indoors. The King is a 240V electric heater that's safe to run in a closed garage all day and holds a thermostat, but it needs a 240V outlet. Intermittent sessions, job sites, outages, and cabins: Buddy. A garage you heat regularly and safely with the door shut: King.
Pick the Mr. Heater if…
- ✓No 240V outlet, or no power at all
- ✓Intermittent use: a couple of hours a week, job sites, ice fishing, outages
- ✓You'll always crack a window and run a CO alarm
Pick the King Electric if…
- ✓Regular use in a closed garage or shop
- ✓You want a thermostat and no combustion indoors
- ✓A 240V outlet is available
Spec by spec
| Spec | Mr. Heater Portable Buddy F232000 | King Electric PSH2440TB Portable Shop Heater |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.2 / 10 | 8.3 / 10 |
| Heat output | 4,000 BTU low / 9,000 BTU high | 3,750W (~12,800 BTU) |
| Fuel | Propane — 1-lb cylinder direct, or 20-lb tank via hose + fuel filter | — |
| Heater type | Radiant (ceramic tile burner), portable | Fan-forced electric, portable / wall-mount |
| Runtime | ~6 hr on low / ~3 hr on high per 1-lb cylinder | — |
| Room coverage | Up to ~225 sq ft (manufacturer) | ~350–400 sq ft insulated space |
| Safety | Oxygen depletion sensor, tip-over shutoff; indoor-safe only with ventilation | Overheat protection, steel housing |
| Ignition | Piezo, no batteries or power needed | — |
| Size / weight | ~9 × 14 × 15 in / ~9 lb | Compact steel housing with handle |
| Elevation | May not operate above ~7,000 ft | — |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
| Voltage | — | 240V, plug-in (dedicated circuit with matching receptacle) |
| Thermostat | — | Built-in adjustable |
| Mounting | — | Bracket included; also freestanding |
| Noise | — | Moderate shop-fan level |
| Cord | — | Short 240V cord and plug; never use with an extension cord |
Still deciding?
Read the full reviews for the complete story, or check both current prices — sale pricing swings this class of decision all the time.
$89.97on Amazon
Price as of Aug 23, 12:31 AM ET — subject to change.
$199on Amazon
Price as of Aug 23, 12:31 AM ET — subject to change.