The best garage heaters in 2023

Whether it’s to avoid pre-commute morning chills or help you get through that weekend project, garage heaters are there to keep you warm. But there’s a lot to look into, including safety concerns (noxious fumes) and the scary possibility of accidentally winding up with one of those 240V plug-ins and nowhere to plug it. To get you on the right track, and with an appliance that suits your needs, we’ve compiled a list of the best garage heaters, with every angle and style covered.

How we chose the best garage heaters

It shouldn’t surprise you, but the two primary factors that go into any selection for an entry onto the best garage heaters list are heating quality and safety features. Without these two factors, an item cannot be considered for the list. The next things we considered are the types of customers that need garage heaters and the types of garages those customers have. For example, if you’re the standard garage user who just wants to hop into a car without freezing, you should probably just go with the Heat Storm Phoenix Wi-Fi Edition. But, if you’re a tinkerer, there are many more things to consider. But no matter what your situation, it is our firm belief that we’ve probably found something of quality for this list that will suit your needs.

The best garage heaters: Reviews & Recommendations

As we’ve organized the following list, we’ve organized it to be human-based first garage-based next to the best of our ability. What does this mean? Human situations, such as wanting overhead heating, come before garage considerations whenever possible. In other words, as you’re browsing this list, consider your personal situation first, as the best garage heaters are those that solve your problems.

Best overall: Heat Storm Phoenix Wi-Fi Edition

Why it made the cut: Provides the best heat for average families looking to pop into the car.

Specs

• Power source: Electric (1500W)
• Size: 4 x 19 x 16 inches
• Placement: Wall mounted
• Heating style: Infrared

Pros

• Fast, concentrated heat when and where it matters
• Simple installation
• Robust safety features
• Easy to control remotely

Cons

• Best for quick trips to the car

Generally speaking, there are two types of garage heater customers: those who want to heat up their garage to stay in it and work and those who want to hop in the car in comfort. The vast majority of people will be in the latter group, and this is the heater for them.

The Heat Storm Phoenix weighs a mere nine pounds and connects with your standard American 110/120-volt outlet. This simple setup and outlet connection easily makes it one of the best electric garage heaters. It provides radiant heat, which emanates from the heater, and can be wall-mounted next to your garage entryway. This, in combination with its WiFi-enabled remote controls, means you’ll be able to reach your car in comfort and then switch the heating element off after you drive away.

It’s also worth pointing out that radiant heat works relatively quickly, unlike convection heating, as it sends out rays of heat. In the same way, it can be highly energy efficient if used in the right manner. You aren’t spending power heating up the far corners of your garage, after all.

Finally, it is worth pointing out how much emphasis is put into the safety blocks of this machine. It has a child lock, tip-over protection, an air filter, and overheating shut-off, so even if you forget to turn it off after leaving the garage, you can have peace of mind about the safety of your garage.

Best year-round: Dyson Pure Hot + Cool HP07

Why it made the cut: This heater provides heat in the winter, cooling in the summer, and air purification all year long.

Specs

• Power source: Electric (1500W)
• Size: 9.76 x 8.07 x 30.08 inches
• Placement: Freestanding
• Heating style: Convection

Pros

• Provides heating and cooling
• Uses HEPA filter for cleaner air
• Very safe, no blades
• Controlled via Alexa

Cons

Dyson’s Pure Hot + Cool HP07 is a multi-functional tool that won’t get in the way once winter turns to spring. This is because, at its heart, the HP07 is a tool meant for making your air livable, no matter the season on air temps. In winter, it warms as a 1500-watt heater, and in summer, it cools. In spring and fall, you can keep running it; its air filtration system still sorts out dust and allergens as small as 0.3 microns in diameter

There’s a lot to like about the design of the HP07 as well. In the same vein as many of the best air purifiers, it has a dual-filtration design. Carbon filters sort through organic matter, while HEPA filtration gets the fine particles. Plus, it uses a bladeless fan, making it super safe for curious fingers as well. Finally, the whole thing is controllable via Alexa, making for easy, hands-free temperature adjustments. We consider this heater to be one of the best space heaters.

Best smart: GoveeLife Smart Electric Heater

Why it made the cut: This programmable ceramic heater provides heat on your schedule.

Specs

• Power source: Electric (1500W)
• Size: 7.87 x 7.87 x 25.59 inches
• Placement: Freestanding
• Heating style: Ceramic convection

Pros

• Contains 24-hour timer
• Smart voice controls for Google, Alexa, and IFTTT
• Easy to use
• Tip over and overheat protection

Cons

• Internal thermostat not perfect

If you’re the type that looks forward to getting into your garage after a long day of work, the thought of wasting time waiting for the temp to rise can be painful. That’s why we like the GoveeLife, which can be controlled via smart-home devices/assistants and has a 24-hour timer for heating that works around your schedule.

The control system for this heater is highly reviewed for its ease of use. Once you’ve connected the heater to your WiFi and the GoveeLife app or your smart system, things go pretty smoothly. It’s also only ~8 pounds, so positioning it where you want won’t be difficult. And if that weight scares you due to the possibility of pets or curious children knocking it over, do be aware that it has tip-over protection alongside the usual overheating protection.

Best personal: Mr. Heater F215100 “Little Buddy”

Why it made the cut: This works perfectly for a single person needing heat by their side at all times.

Specs

• Power source: Propane
• Size: 11 x 11 x 11 inches
• Placement: Freestanding
• Heating style: Radiant

Pros

• Hot local heat
• Tip over protection and low-oxygen shutoff
• Uses convenient, disposable propane cylinders
• Nearly silent

Cons

• Needs (small) ventilation area

It’s easy to get too fancy with your garage heating, warming up the whole place, when a little buddy could do the trick. For occasional garage use where you just need a warm boost, Mr. Heater’s “Little Buddy” is there for you. With a single one-pound, easy-to-install canister of propane, it produces over five hours of warm heat in a small area surrounding it. The Little Buddy runs quietly.

Despite its small size and an allowance for indoor usage, the Mr. Heater Little Buddy does require a small amount of ventilation. If there are any issues, a low-oxygen shutoff will turn off the Little Buddy immediately, and it has tip-over protection in case you knock it over.

Best overhead: Comfort Zone CZQTV5M

Why it made the cut: Pushing out radiant heat and functioning as a light source, this heater will help you get work done.

Specs

• Power source: Electric (1500W)
• Size: 5.25 x 26.5 x 14.3 inches
• Placement: Overhead, ceiling mount
• Heating style: Infrared

Pros

• Dual heat and lighting action
• Safety grill for active workspaces
• Adjusts to 90-degrees
• Overheat detection

Cons

Typically, the rule of hot air rising prevails, eliminating the ability to have effective overhead heating options. However, as one of the best infrared heaters, which push out heat in a ray-like manner), this product allows you to circumvent this seeming law. The Comfort Zone CZQTV5M’s combination of radiant heater and overhead lamp works wonderfully in this regard; if its light can reach you, so can its heat. This fantastic combination makes it one of the best garage heaters for those doing work on top of a table or workstation, especially at night.

The Comfort Zone CZQTV5M features a solid metallic frame with a sturdy mounting bracket to be affixed above the workstation in your garage or in a central location that works for you. Below the mounting area, a 90-degree angle of rotation will allow you to pivot that vital light and heater combo. A protective keeps stray two-by-fours from smashing up anything important. The Comfort Zone CZQTV5M has two heat settings, 750W and 1500W, though we wish there were a few more as you might want to dim the heat more as you build up inner heat from working.

Best propane: Mr. Heater F299730 

Why it made the cut: Provides the flame-based heat propane lovers crave.

Specs

• Power source: Propane
• Size: 28 x 10 x 26 inches
• Placement: Freestanding or wall-mounted
• Heating style: Blue flame convection

Pros

• Provides blue flame heat you can see
• CSA-certified for safety plus low-oxygen shut-off
• Includes thermostat and mounting gear
• No batteries or electricity required

Cons

• Propane can be tricky to use

The Mr. Heater propane heater provides the reliable flame-based heat that we often think of when “heater” pops into our minds. That’s because it is powered by propane, not electricity. This means that you’ll be required to connect it to a propane source, such as a tank, and keep that source filled, but also means that you’ll have a source of heat that can get you through winter power outages. (And keep enough tanks in the storage shed, and you can run those grills and fire pits, as well.)

Those worried about safety issues from gas will be happy to know that Mr. Heater uses a low-oxygen detector, which shuts the gas off on the off chance that dangerous conditions are detected. It is also made to be indoor safe, is CSA-certified, and does not require venting.

Best 240V electric: Dr. Heater DR966

Why it made the cut: This affordable heater is perfect for your 240V hookup.

Specs

• Power source: Electric (6000W)
• Size: 14.5 x 13 x 14.5 inches
• Placement: Wall mounted
• Heating style: Infrared

Pros

• Intense heat
• UL-certified safety
• Works well with large, uninsulated garages

Cons

Americans run on 110/120V appliances. That’s how our electricity grid delivers power. Unfortunately, many of the best garage heaters (at least in terms of power) take a 240V approach. If you don’t already have 240V capabilities installed in your garage, it can be a hassle, but if you do, consider the Dr. Heater DR966.

It pumps out heat at 6,000 watts (or 3,000 for a lower heat setting), which is about four times the rate that typical 120V heaters do. The point-and-shoot infrared style makes it the best for longer garages with “leaky,” uninsulated walls.

Best for open garage: Briza Infrared Patio Heater 

Why it made the cut: Tripod-standing heat that extends the warmth of your garage.

Specs

• Power source: Electric (1500W)
• Size: 35.5 x 4 x 4 inches (element)
• Placement: Freestanding (on tripod)
• Heating style: Infrared

Pros

• Functions safely outside of garage
• Wide heating element
• Included tripod
• Automatic shut-off safety

Cons

• Limited range for heating

Many of us like to keep the garage door open, extending our working area out into the driveway. This is especially critical if we’re sawing due to the dust, or need the open air to prevent getting knocked out by toxic fumes. The Briza, which works indoors and out, can safely extend the warmth of your garage into the area outside of it. With an IP55 rating, it is quite safe even under a drizzle, and you can be sure it won’t be taken out by a plume of sawdust.

Lengthwise, the Briza is nearly a yard long, giving you a healthy amount of steps outside of your garage while still aligning next to it. The infrared heating element only warms for about 6 feet, however. This makes the strategic play to put the Briza in parallel with your driveway, maximizing your garage “extension.” When not in use as one of the best garage heaters, the Briza also turns out to be one of the best patio heaters.

Best budget: Amazon Basics Oscillating Ceramic Heater

Why it made the cut: This is the best freestanding heater under $50.

Specs

• Power source: Electric (1500W)
• Size: 7.52 x 6.34 x 10.04 inches
• Placement: Freestanding
• Heating style: Ceramic convection

Pros

• Highly affordable
• ETL-list and TUV-certified
• Tip-over protection and overheating shut-off
• Even heating throughout garage

Cons

• Lacks advanced features
• Not for high-humidity areas

The Amazon Basics ceramic heater is a very basic style of heater that is simple to use. Just plug it in and turn it on to start pumping out warm air. This version, which oscillates, helps disperse the warmth evenly throughout your garage. If you want the heat closer to you, moving the Amazon Basics ceramic heater about your garage is easy, even if you’re carrying other things due to its carrying handle.

Admittedly, the biggest draw of this heater is that it has a low price. Even before sales and discounts, you can get three of these for about $100. What really counts is that it doesn’t skimp on having a quality fan, a reasonably long power cord, or safety certifications and features. However, it should be noted that Amazon warns against usage in “high humidity rooms,” which, if you live in certain regions, could include your garage. Otherwise, this is the best garage heater for those on a strict budget.

What to consider before buying garage heaters

While you may have a solid grasp of what you want in your garage, it is quite possible there are some lingering questions about what makes the best garage heaters worth it for your setup and lifestyle. Plus, safety is incredibly important for heaters, so you’ll want to understand these features fully.

Usage style

The most important thing to consider when buying a garage heater, or anything for that matter, is how you will use it. This consideration weighed heavily on our minds when choosing the reward categories above, and it should for you, as well, as you peruse garage heaters.

What follows is a listing of common customer self-descriptions, alongside the considerations and recommendations we make for those customers:

I hate being chilled before getting in my car in the morning. If you’ve just stepped out of the shower, have wet hair, and need to go to work, the walk from your warm home to your car is highly unpleasant. Your garage heater should be located next to your garage entrance, possibly wall-mounted. Radiant, infrared heat works well in this case, as the heat stays “local” better than other heaters, but many heating styles will work. Remote turn-on and turn-off are essential for your needs. We consider this to be one of the most common types of garage heater consumers, which is a large reason why the Heat Storm Phoenix Wi-Fi Edition is our overall best garage heater.

I want to use my garage. You have a lot more options. Spend more time considering ideal placement as well as your favorite type of heating when choosing your garage heater. If you already have a 240V connection, use it. In general, though, convection heaters are the best garage heaters for people who spend larger amounts of time in them.

I want to tinker in my garage. The ideal heater for the tinkerer will either be an overhead infrared heater that can warm the hands directly or a nearby convection heater. Infrared choices will work particularly well if you work in one place and mainly have trouble with exposed areas of the body, such as the hands, getting cold. They’re also the heater of choice for drafty, open garages. A convection heater will work fine, too, and provide better full-body heating in enclosed garages.

Compatibility

It may seem strange to consider compatibility when talking about heating, but the fact is that not every heater will suit your garage. High-powered 240V heaters may not work for you if you’re an American and don’t have suitable adaptations in place. The result could be anything from an underpowered heater to damage to your machinery.

Similarly, if you aren’t already comfortable with propane usage, connecting tubes and tanks may be a challenge. Those systems may be incompatible with you.

Safety

Heat, fires, and gasses are all deadly. Understanding what safety mechanisms and regulations are in play, as well as a bit of chemistry, is vital for picking out the best garage heaters.

By and large, the two most common types of safety features for heaters are tip-over protection and overheating shut-off. The first turns the heater off when it is knocked over to prevent rugs, carpets, or other flammable objects from getting too much heat from being knocked over by you, your pets, or your children. The latter keeps the machine from burning too hot. Depending on the company, they may go by slightly different names, and “automatic shut-off” may mean one or both of these features. Remember that wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted garage heaters may not need tip-over protection.

Safety certifications are another assurance that the product you are buying, if used with proper care, is safe. The common UL and ETL listings indicate that a third party has evaluated the product for safety. The two labels are nearly identical in meaning. TUV certifications show that a series of critical “tests” have been passed. For example, the TUV electric room heaters certification mark requires IPX4, a safety test, and production was monitored.

For propane heaters, the safety of propane itself may be an issue. Low-oxygen sensors are common for such heaters and will automatically turn the heater off. These sensors, also known as “Oxygen Depletion Sensors,” may not fully work in situations where there is incomplete combustion, however. Still, it should be noted that—when working properly—propane heaters give off little to no Carbon Monoxide. As all things can malfunction, we still recommend using one of the best carbon monoxide detectors whenever using propane indoors.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best garage heaters

By purchasing one of the above garage heaters, you will be able to tackle a variety of situations in your garage and come out warmer and happier. As mentioned previously, the best garage heaters are those that alleviate human-centric issues first and conform to the needs of your garage second. No matter what your needs, or the kind of garage you have, you should be able to find a suitable garage heater on the preceding list.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.