Dyna-Glo vs Mr. Heater — Which Brand Should You Buy?
Dyna-Glo and Mr. Heater are the two most popular brands for propane wall heaters, portable heaters, and forced-air construction heaters in the US. Both are sold at Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, and Amazon. Here's how they stack up across every category.
Quick Comparison
| Category | Dyna-Glo | Mr. Heater |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | GHP Group (Pleasant View, TN) | Enerco Group (Cleveland, OH) |
| Wall Heater Range | 6K–30K BTU, blue flame + infrared | 10K–30K BTU, blue flame + infrared |
| Portable Propane | HeatAround 360, cabinet, tank top | Buddy series (market leader) |
| Kerosene Heaters | Convection + radiant, 10K–23.8K BTU | Limited selection |
| Forced Air (Construction) | 40K–650K BTU kerosene + LP | 30K–400K BTU kerosene + LP |
| Electric Garage | 4,800W–15,000W with dual heat | Limited models |
| Price Range | Generally 10-15% lower | Slight premium |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year (3 years on Buddy) |
| Availability | Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, Menards | Amazon, Home Depot, Walmart, Lowes |
Wall Heaters
Both brands offer vent-free wall heaters in blue flame and infrared configurations. Dyna-Glo has the wider lineup — you can get models starting at 6,000 BTU (200 sq ft) all the way up to 30,000 BTU (1,000 sq ft) in both propane and natural gas. Mr. Heater starts at 10,000 BTU.
Dyna-Glo also offers thermostatic models with 5-level adjustable temperature control at every size, while Mr. Heater reserves thermostatic control for its higher-end models. Both brands include oxygen depletion sensors (ODS) for safe indoor use, and neither requires electricity.
Winner: Dyna-Glo — wider BTU range, more configurations, and thermostatic control at every price point. Browse Dyna-Glo wall heaters →
Portable Propane Heaters
Mr. Heater dominates this category with the Buddy line — the Little Buddy (3,800 BTU), Buddy (4K–9K BTU), and Big Buddy (4K–18K BTU) are the best-selling portable propane heaters in the US. They're compact, reliable, and have a cult following among campers, ice fishers, and off-grid enthusiasts.
Dyna-Glo competes with the HeatAround 360 (7.5K–18K BTU), cabinet heaters (18K BTU), and tank top models (15K–40K BTU). The HeatAround 360 provides true 360-degree radiant heat that the Buddy can't match, and the 18K BTU cabinet heater is a strong choice for workshops.
Winner: Mr. Heater — the Buddy series is hard to beat for portability and brand trust. But Dyna-Glo's tank top and cabinet heaters offer better value for stationary use. Browse Dyna-Glo portable heaters →
Kerosene Heaters
Dyna-Glo is the clear leader in indoor kerosene heaters. They offer both convection models (WK24BK, WK11C8) and radiant models (RMC-55R7B) from 10,000 to 23,800 BTU. Mr. Heater doesn't have a comparable indoor kerosene lineup.
Winner: Dyna-Glo — essentially uncontested in indoor kerosene. Browse Dyna-Glo kerosene heaters →
Forced Air & Construction Heaters
Both brands offer kerosene and propane torpedo-style forced air heaters for job sites. Dyna-Glo goes higher on BTU output (up to 650,000 BTU vs Mr. Heater's 400,000 BTU max) and generally prices 10-15% lower for equivalent models.
Winner: Dyna-Glo — higher max output and better pricing. Browse Dyna-Glo forced air heaters →
Electric Garage Heaters
Dyna-Glo has a strong lineup of 240V electric garage heaters from 4,800W to 15,000W, including dual-heat models that let you switch between half and full power. Mr. Heater has a smaller selection in this category.
Winner: Dyna-Glo — more models, dual-heat technology, and competitive pricing. Browse Dyna-Glo electric garage heaters →
The Bottom Line
Choose Dyna-Glo if: You need a wall heater, kerosene heater, electric garage heater, or high-output forced air heater. Dyna-Glo offers more models, more BTU options, and consistently lower prices.
Choose Mr. Heater if: You need a portable propane heater for camping, ice fishing, or emergency backup. The Buddy series is the gold standard for compact, portable warmth.
Both are solid brands with US-based companies, widely available parts, and 1-year warranties. You won't go wrong with either — it comes down to which category you're shopping in.