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A note before you buy: The real Mr. Heater Big Buddy (MH18B) is already covered twice on this site — the PRO Series and the standard version. Both are portable radiant heaters for tents and cabins, well short of what a real garage-scale search intent usually needs. So we’re reviewing DEWALT’s largest forced-air garage heater here instead: the DXH150FAV, built specifically for large-space garage and job-site heating.
Top 3 Recommended
Who It’s For
This heater fits a large garage, a multi-bay workshop, or a genuine job site needing serious heat output. At up to 3,750 sq ft of coverage, it’s far beyond what a small garage needs — this is the option for a large detached shop, a barn conversion, or a commercial-scale space. Quiet Burner Technology keeps the fan noise down relative to its output, a real consideration at this size. It’s overkill for a standard two-car garage, where DEWALT’s smaller 65,000 BTU model, reviewed separately, is the better fit.
Full Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| BTU output | 100,000 to 150,000 BTU/hr, adjustable |
| Coverage | Up to 3,750 sq ft on a 100 lb. tank, roughly 14-22 hours |
| Noise | Quiet Burner Technology — 50% less noise than standard units of similar size |
| Ignition | Continuous spark ignition |
| Fuel consumption | 4.8-6.8 lbs/hr |
| Minimum tank size | 100 lbs |
| Weight | 28 lbs |
| Included | 20-foot hose and regulator, 20 PSI regulator setting |
| Airflow | 400 CFM |
Source: DEWALT official DXH150FAV product page.
What Owners Praise
Raw heat output tops the list of owner praise, with reviews consistently confirming it heats a large detached garage or shop far faster than a smaller unit could manage. Quiet Burner Technology gets real credit here too, since a heater at this output level would otherwise be genuinely loud without it. The continuous spark ignition is another point of praise, described as more reliable than a standard piezo igniter for repeated daily startups in a work environment.
What Owners Report as Drawbacks
The 100 lb. minimum tank size is the most common adjustment for buyers used to a standard 20 lb. cylinder — this is a genuinely bigger commitment in tank size and weight than most portable heaters require. A second theme: at 4.8-6.8 lbs of propane per hour, fuel consumption is significant, and owners running it for extended periods report going through fuel faster than expected if they don’t size the tank correctly for their usage pattern. A smaller number of reviews mention the 28 lb. weight making it less of a one-person carry than smaller forced-air models.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 100,000-150,000 BTU output handles a large garage or shop fast
- Quiet Burner Technology keeps noise manageable at this output level
- Continuous spark ignition is reliable for repeated daily use
- 3,750 sq ft coverage suits genuinely large spaces
Cons
- Requires a 100 lb. minimum propane tank, a bigger commitment than a 20 lb. cylinder
- High fuel consumption at 4.8-6.8 lbs/hr for extended runs
- At 28 lbs, less convenient to move than smaller forced-air units
- Significant overkill for a standard two-car garage
Why This Site Doesn’t Point You to a Third Big Buddy Review
It would be easy to write yet another Big Buddy review under this slug and call it a day. But that helps nobody — the real product is already covered in full detail twice, and a third copy just adds noise without adding information. When a search phrase points to a product that’s already genuinely reviewed elsewhere on the site, the more useful move is pointing you to the real large-scale option the search intent is actually after, which is exactly what this page does with the DXH150FAV.
Installation and Maintenance
Connect the included 20-foot hose and regulator to a 100 lb. or larger propane tank per the manual. Run it only in a well-ventilated space, given its high output and fuel consumption. Check the hose connection each season with a soapy-water test, and keep the recessed controls and split barrel design clear of job-site debris for reliable operation.
Planning for a 100 lb. Tank Setup
Stepping up to a 100 lb. tank is a bigger commitment than most portable heater buyers are used to. It’s heavier, needs a stable dolly or stand rather than sitting loosely on the ground, and typically requires a professional exchange or refill service rather than a quick swap at a convenience store rack. Budget for that infrastructure alongside the heater itself. Owners running this heater regularly report the larger tank pays for itself in fewer refill trips once the initial setup is sorted.
How It Compares
Against DEWALT’s own smaller DXH65FAV, this DXH150FAV more than doubles the BTU ceiling and coverage area, the right step up for a genuinely large space rather than a standard garage. Against a real Mr. Heater Big Buddy, this DEWALT model trades portability entirely for raw heating capacity — the two serve fundamentally different use cases despite both showing up in "garage heater" searches.
Best for A large garage, workshop or job site up to 3,750 sq ft
Related Products
See our full garage and workshop heater guide, or check our propane heater worth-it breakdown before buying. Pair it with these:
