A garage heater has to be safe for use and capable of warming up one of the coldest spots in your home. Your garage is sensitive to outside temperatures more than any other spot in your home. A garage heater can help you keep the garage warm during the toughest times of the year.
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Top 3 Best Garage Heaters in 2023
Product | |||
Brand | Homegear | Fahrenheat | World and Main |
Dimensions | 17 x 12 x 13 inches | 12.5 x 12.4 x 14 inches | 17.88 x 14 x 14.5 inches |
Item Weight | 12 pounds | 24 pounds | 16 pounds |
Item model number | NCHH-5201ii | FUH54 | CZ220 |
Best Electric Garage Heater
1. Homegear 1500W Infrared Heater – A Basic Electric Option
You can start your search for a heater for your garage by looking at the Homegear 1500W Infrared Heater. This electric model uses mica and quartz infrared heating tubes. These work with a blower fan to produce heat and move it around in moments. With a 5100 BTU total, you can use this to cover a basic garage.
An overheat protection sensor identifies how well the unit operates based on how much heat is being produced. You can use the sensor feature to identify how well the heater is operating and that the unit will not struggle.
A remote control is included to help you with getting the heater running. The remote helps you with managing your heater. The unit also comes with a digital display that shows details on how well the heater is working. You can get an idea of how warm the unit is when you review the content.
Pros
- The remote is easy to use
- Easy to set up
- The six-foot cable provides enough room for setup
Cons
- The port that the heat comes out of is small
- The design is too basic
2. Fahrenheat FUH54 Heater – You Can Install It Anywhere
While the unit can work in many settings, it is best to use the heater on a wall. You can get this unit secured on any flat wall surface. You can also hang it on a taller surface if preferred. The bracket system used here allows you to get the unit prepared horizontally or vertically depending on your preference.
The fan-forced heater includes a single-pole thermostat. The unit can be adjusted from 45 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. A single knob is included on the bottom part to help you with adjusting the heat setup and to make it work well enough.
A series of louvers are included on the front. These are slats that can be positioned at many angles. You can use these to position how well the air will move in a space, a point that is helpful if you plan on using the heater on a low or high surface in your space.
Pros
- The bracket is easy to work with
- Offers a simple adjustment feature
- Heats up very quickly
Cons
- The control knob is too small
- Takes a bit for the thermostat to adjust
3. Comfort Zone Industrial Steel Heater – Get It Ready On a Ceiling
While the Fahrenheat heater offers a useful design, the Comfort Zone heater goes one step further. The unit offers a similar setup, but the setup works with three separate heat levels. You can get this heated at up to 5000 BTU to help you with heating up much of your garage.
The unit has louvers that are easy to adjust. The handle includes a good design that keeps the heater up and can be hung from a ceiling. The handle provides a few holes for mounting, although you can get the unit hung without being too hard to follow.
The thermostat can be adjusted with a knob in the middle part of the bottom surface. The thermostat control feature is easy to follow.
The heavy-gauge steel body provides a firm design. The unit works well without being worn out when used appropriately.
Pros
- Can fit many ceiling spaces
- The louvers are easy to adjust without burning yourself
- Takes only a few moments for the unit to power up
Cons
- Not much of a control setup
- Does not mount well on the wall
4. Prowarm Electrical Forced Air Industrial Fan – Easy to Adjust
The adjustable design on this Prowarm fan is easy to handle. You can position the fan in many spots thanks to how the fan weighs a little under fifteen pounds.
The ceramic heating element on the inside keeps the weight down. The stainless steel body keeps the unit firm and ready for use. You can also change the heating angles on the unit to your liking thanks to the mounting handle that comes with the setup. The design is easy to prepare and gives you a better angle for handling the unit that works in moments.
You can also control the settings on the fan with the remote control that comes with the unit. The remote offers a simple layout for handling the heat total and for keeping the unit active.
The auto-oscillation feature is another point to note here. The setup works by preventing damages caused by something tilting or overheating. The unit will turn off automatically if it sees any sudden changes in its position or temperature.
Pros
- Responsive for your control setups
- Can work at any angle
- The design provides a simple approach for use that works in a few moments for convenience
Cons
- The auto-shutoff feature may be too sensitive
- The anchor needs to be fastened carefully for work
5. NewAir G56 Garage Heater – Compact and Effective
NewAir makes this electric garage heater a compact choice that handles air with a small fan. The steel body is paired with an electric heat ring that produces enough heat to cover about 600 square feet of space.
A single-pole thermostat is included. The dial can be turned to produce an appropriate temperature setting. The unit will stay warm at the temperature you set the model to.
A small handle can be found on the heater’s top part. The handle is ideal for when you need to carry the heater unit around. Seeing how the heater weighs about 16 pounds, it should not be a challenge for you to get the heater working.
The fan design works well without producing lots of vibrations. You can place the heater around many surfaces in your garage, although this may work best if you hang it on a ceiling or wall surface to get extra coverage.
Pros
- The heating ring heats up in moments
- The steel body offers a firm set up for use
- You can install the unit on any walled surface in moments
Cons
- Does not include anything you can direct the air with
- The unit feels somewhat cool at the start due to the fan
6. LifeSmart 6 Element Heater – A Simplified Approach
You won’t have to stress for long when getting the LifeSmart 6 Element Heater to work for you. The heater operates as a basic electric model and has a small body that can be carried out to many spots. At around twenty pounds, you can move the heater up to a workbench or other space as needed.
You won’t have to worry about the heater impacting anything in your space. The heater works with a secure control panel that helps you keep the heat from being too intense. Also, the port that the heat comes out of is situated on the top part, thus ensuring the unit will not heat up any surface that you place the heater on. The arrangement ensures there’s no problem with getting the heater active.
A twelve-hour timer is also included in the setup. The timer can be read on the digital display on the control panel. The display also shows the temperature setting in Fahrenheit and Celsius alike.
Pros
- Comes with an Eco setting that uses less power
- The classy metal look blends in with many spots
- The extended cord is flexible and does not heat up
Cons
- The humidity in your area might decline
- Works best in a small garage
7. DMCSHOP Electric Patio Heater – Compact For Use
You can use this Patio heater option as your last choice for a heater. The DMC SHOP garage heater uses a PTC body that generates heat only as needed. The unit does not generate heat at the same rate all the time. The heater will cool down on occasion to ensure the heat produced will not be intense. Therefore, the internal temperature of the heater will not be overly high.
But the most important part of the feature is that the design offers a small body. This unit is around five pounds in weight and is made to go on many surfaces. You can add this to a workbench in your garage. The design can also be adjusted by angle to help you position the heat in any spot you prefer.
The unit offers a quick starting feature that operates in about three seconds. The unit will start producing heat that quickly after you start the unit up. This produces a quick setup that makes the unit work fast.
Pros
- Easy to position at different angles
- The legs on the bottom ensure a firm set up for heating
- The air that moves out goes along evenly and is not hard to handle
Cons
- The slots that cover the shield are a little too wide
- The power cord is short
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8. Mr. Heater F260550 Big Maxx Heater – Natural Gas Heating For Big Spaces
Mr. Heater comes on top as the best gas garage heater if you’re looking for something that can handle a larger space. This is a natural gas-powered heater that you can install around the wall or ceiling in your spot. The design helps you get the heat that you require while working with a spark-ignition feature. The heater can cover about 1,200 square feet of space, thus making it more than capable of handling a large garage space.
The low-profile design ensures you can get the Mr. Heater unit installed in a low-ceiling building. You will require a minimum clearance of eight feet from the floor to the ceiling for this to work, although that should not be hard to find.
Two angle brackets are included on the heater for mounting purposes. The design of the setup helps you with getting the heater up and running in no time. The best part of using this is that it only takes a few moments for you to get it set up provided that you have an appropriate natural gas connection ready for use.
Pros
- Comes with natural gas to liquid propane conversion kit
- Provides a firm vent system
- Can work with a half-inch gas connection for your convenience
Cons
- Does not include a thermostat
- No visible control features on the heater’s body
9. Heatstar by Enerco F160550 Heater – Works With Many Heat Options
You can get the Heatstar by Enerco F160550 Heater to work without being hard to handle. The heater is easy to support and provides a powerful design that can handle 1,250 square feet of space. This is thanks to the natural gas connection that can handle the more powerful motor inside the unit for keeping warm air moving well.
The natural gas support is powerful, but you can get this to work with propane fuel if desired. You can use a half-inch gas connection to make the unit work as well. The design can also work on a low-clearance ceiling at eight feet in height, thus offering a better support setup.
The spark ignition feature ensures that the heater will keep on working and can operate in the most intense conditions. Two angle brackets are also included to help you with securing this on a category 1 vertical or category 3 horizontal vent setup. The arrangement ensures the connection will work effortlessly.
Pros
- Can work in many rooms without risking overheating
- Easy to support in most spaces
- Does not take much to switch from natural gas to propane on this model
Cons
- Can be hard to handle in some cases
- Needs to be placed in an open space for the best results
10. Pro-Temp Variable Propane Forced Air Heater – For Propane-Powered Heat
The Pro-Temp forced air heater provides extra heat for any garage thanks to its propane-powered body. The heater can handle up to 1,500 square feet of space.
The unit can link up to a propane tank and will take a while for it to use up the fuel. You can run this off of a 20-pound propane tank for about ten hours on average. The heat control feature on the side gives you extra control over how well the unit works.
Since this is a propane-powered unit, the heater will require you to ensure your space is accordingly ventilated. The great news is that the heat is powerful enough to where you can leave the garage door open while in use and you will not be at risk of harm.
The height controller feature on the bottom makes it easy for the heater to be adjusted as well. You can handle the height feature by using the small knob near the front part, thus helping you to adjust the overall positioning of the setup for your convenience.
Pros
- Easy to power up with a propane tank
- The valve knob lets you adjust the flow of fuel in moments
- The unit responds well to heat level changes
Cons
- Requires an open space for use
- Does not come with a warning when the tank is about to run out
A Buying Guide for Best Garage Heater
How Is the Garage Heater Powered?
You can start by finding a heater that is powered by one of the following:
- A natural gas heater will work when you have an appropriate gas line available. This is a less expensive option as it provides you with a clean source of energy. But you will need to get a gas line installed accordingly for this to work.
- Liquid propane heaters can help to warm up a spot, but this will require you to use several propane cans for the heater to work. You’ll have to get a small heat source applied to the propane as well.
- A gas-powered garage heater can work as a traditional generator in that it will use a small engine to produce heat. The unit will work only as long as you have enough fuel in the heater.
- Infrared heaters can help with producing an infrared ray that will generate heat. This can work in many spots, but you need to watch how far you place the heater from others to ensure no one will be at risk of harm.
- Electric Garage heaters can be mounted in many spaces and do not require added flames. The amount of heat you produce will be limited to whatever the outlet on your property can handle.
- Hot water heaters take hot water from a plumbing system and blow it through a heat exchanger, thus producing extra heat for your space. While such a heater can be useful, you might have to put in some extra effort in trying to install the material.
- A steam heater can work as a hot water heater but will instead use a boiler that uses steam for getting energy.
How Big Should the Garage Heater Be?
You must ensure your gas-powered or electric garage heater provides enough space for heat. The British Thermal Unit or BTU rating can help you identify how much power the heater can generate. A model with a higher BTU total can cover a larger space.
A small heater can handle about 5,000 BTUs, which is enough for heating space up to 250 square feet in size. A larger garage that fits two cars and has a workshop might require more than that. A 600-square foot garage would need at least 20,000 BTU, for instance.
How Do You Install It?
You can get the best heaters for garage use in many forms. You can find some that are easily portable and can be placed on the floor. Others are wall-mounted utility heater models that can go on any surface after installation. Check on the heater you use to see how well it can be planned in your space and how you can move the unit around certain spaces.
Where Are the Vents?
The vents on a portable garage heater should be found on the front part. These vents will carry the warm air out and move it along your room. The vents should be arranged well enough while ensuring the air can move along without being stuck in one spot.
Some of the best garage heaters will include vents that you can adjust. These vents can move in different directions to redirect hot air.
What Is the Power Cord Length?
See how long the power cord is when finding something of value. Your garage heater needs a long enough cord to where you can secure your unit in a spot that is not far from a power outlet but still have a bit of flexibility to work with when getting your setup ready.
What Safety Features Are Included?
The best garage heater should include various safety features for your protection. These include such features as:
- A wire guard will produce a firm design that ensures the wire that you touch will not be at risk of harm.
- An overheating protection system will identify when the heater is overactive. The unit will stop the heater when the temperature readout gets a little too high.
- A tip-over switch or sensor will identify when the heater has tipped over. The unit will shut off when it notices a change. This is for garages and other spots where someone might accidentally get in contact with the heater.
- A timer feature may be included in some models. You can set the timer to allow the heater to shut off after a certain amount of time.
How Do The Controls Work?
Look at how the controls on your garage heater of interest work. You might find a model that comes with a few buttons on the base. The buttons will let you adjust the intensity of the heat. Some models let you adjust the timer on the base. The surface should not be hot to the touch if or else the controls will not be easy to manage. Anything with a display that lets you know what controls you’re using right now also helps.
You can also find some models that use remote controls. A remote provides you with access to the heater’s functions without having to touch the heater itself.
Editor’s Pick
the best choice based on our analysis of quality garage heaters is the Fahrenheat FUH54 Heater. Our analysis has found that the Fahrenheat unit offers a useful body that can be mounted in many spots. You can get this secured on any wall or ceiling of interest to you. The control features also do well in helping you to adjust the way how the air moves out.
Conclusion
The garage heater models around offer many useful ways for helping you to heat your space. You’ll find that your heater won’t have to be cold for long when you use the right heater for your space.