What is the best electric garage heater? First, when choosing between infrared and fan-forced electric heaters, opt for the latter. This type of heater is the best option for the garage because fan-forced models are easy to mount and almost do not need maintenance. They are equipped with a fan that sucks in air, warms it, and uniformly blows it out to heat the space. Secondly, consider the power, which is expressed in watts. To heat large spaces, you will need devices with higher wattage ratings. For example, a 2,500W heater is able to warm about 250 square feet. And thirdly, make sure that the product is adjustable so that you could create “warmer zones” in your garage. We believe that the Fahrenheat 1874—5000W 208 / 240V Heavy-Duty Heater meets these criteria best.
Why have we chosen it? Fahrenheat is a brand of heating products owned by Marley Engineered Products, a trusted American manufacturer based in South Carolina. Fahrenheat heating devices are designed for different types of spaces, including bathrooms, workshops, garages. This brand is popular both with homeowners and professional contractors. The 1874-5000W model is ideal for garages as it is heavy-duty and powerful. That said, it is a space-saving solution allowing you to mount the heater to the ceiling. The heater is compatible with 208V and 240V circuits, so it will suit any garage. You can easily adjust louvers, directing the heat wherever you need. The device comes with a built-in thermostat and overheating protection.
Electric garage heaters are safe, clean, stationary or portable and may be mounted or moved to direct warm air where heat is wanted the most.
Table of Content
- 1 How to Choose an Electric Garage Heater?
- 2 What Is the Difference Between Models From Different Manufacturers?
- 3 Electric Garage Heater Reviews
- 4 10 Best Electric Garage Heaters Comparison Table
- 5 FAQ
How to Choose an Electric Garage Heater?
Types
Infrared (radiant) electric garage heaters are typically lightweight and portable. They operate at a higher temperature and direct heat toward objects that are close, or within the “line of sight”, to the heater. Energy is transferred through electromagnetic radiation like the sun. They heat objects rather than the surrounding air. They heat quickly and are good for short-term use, but cost more to operate.
Fan- forced (convection) electric garage heaters are easy to install and require minimal maintenance. They have a fan that sucks in cold air and uniformly blows out warmed air to heat the space. They take longer to produce sufficiently heated air to uniformly heat the space. Many models have variable-speed blowers to regulate heated air output.
Power
Electric heaters have a power rating expressed in watts. The higher the watts, the more powerful the heater is and larger space it can heat. The power rating refers to the heater’s operation under the ideal conditions. Purchase more power than what you readily need to account for drafts or quick heat loss due to lack of building insulation.
A 1,500W heater will sufficiently heat approx. 150SF; a 2,500W heater = approx. 250SF; 5,000W = approx. 500SF and so on.
Power adjustment
Most electric garage heaters have a tip-over safety switch that automatically shuts the heater off.
Overheat protection ensures the constantly-running electric heater will automatically shut off when it becomes too hot to safely function. It also protects the heater's internal parts from high-temperature damage.
Heating Element Type
Commercial- and industrial-grade heating elements are tubular steel, stainless steel, titanium or alloy. These heating elements allow efficient heat transfer from the resistance coil to the air to be heated. High-mounted infrared heating units use tubular heating elements that reach high temperatures and radiate heat from above.
Finned tubular heating elements are the most dependable and versatile industrial-grade heating solution. They are commonly used in convection, fan-forced and radiation electric heaters.
Voltage
Some electric garage heaters are intended to be mounted and hardwired into an electric panel by a certified electrician. Portable units are designed to plug into an outlet. Many garages have a standard high-voltage (220V / 240V) electric supply suitable for electric heaters. Low voltage (110V / 120V) lighting circuits are not suitable for most electric garage heaters.
Volume
Square foot area matters most when choosing an electric garage heater. Too much power is not efficient for small garages and small portable heaters are not powerful enough to sufficiently heat larger spaces.
Infrared garage heaters work best for smaller spaces. They start up faster, heat objects rather than the surrounding air and do not lose significant amounts of heat to drafts.
A medium-sized 1.5kw fan-forced heater also works well for smaller garages and spaces.
A more productive 4,000W - 5,000W forced air electric heater that can maintain optimal temperature over a long period is better for a large space than an infrared model.
What Is the Difference Between Models From Different Manufacturers?
Side-by-side brand and model comparisons contrast type, size, price, heat output (power) and efficiency. Many electric garage heaters are manufactured in the same factory, even though their designs and specifications are different. For example, Dr. Infrared heater units are sold for less even though they are made in the same factories that supply similar heaters for Home Depot and Sears.
Fahrenheat is a well-known, dependable brand that offers a wide range of durable, quick-to-heat industrial-grade heating solutions.
Comfort Zone and Dr. Infrared heater USA make low maintenance, industrial-grade electric heaters.
King electric garage heaters are specifically made for heating garages and outdoor buildings.
Newair electric garage heaters are very durable and can withstand the toughest working conditions.
Dayton electric garage heaters are designed specifically for enclosed areas and garages.
Reznor electric garage heaters are high-end devices that can be mounted in different orientations.
Which model is the most powerful, efficient, and beneficial?
- The most powerful electric garage heater is the one having the highest wattage.
- According to reviews, the All-Around, Most Beneficial model is the 7500W, ceiling-mounted, industrial-grade Fahrenheat FUH724 that adjusts to sufficiently heat any space up to 750SF.
- The Most Efficient electric garage heater models are made by Dr. Infrared Heater USA that employs high-efficiency blower systems that produce more heat with less power. Their infrared products heat the objects / people within the space rather than the air around them.
Electric Garage Heater Reviews
Below, you will find a review of the best electric garage heaters at a price ranging from $ 40 to $ 240. You may choose heavy-duty, industrial-grade models that can quickly heat up to 600SF or a budget option for under 50. These heaters also have different installation methods and can be ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted.
1. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988A Garage Shop 208 / 240V | Best Industrial-Grade
The industrial-grade, 5,600W Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 is a forced air electric heater that quickly heats and maintains continuous warmth in basements, garages or outdoor construction or work areas up to 600SF. It is sturdy, dependable and has a built-in carry handle for portability and easy transport. The 5-blade metal fan is protected by a finger-proof safety grille.
Overheat protection automatically engages when temperatures exceed the high-limit threshold. The DR-988 is fully-compatible with any 30amp, 240V / 280V electrical system. An acutely accurate electronic thermostat with a built-in dial control allows you to adjust temps from 45F. to 95F. degrees.
The DR-988 electric heater operates at a quiet 45dB. It also features a 6-foot heavy-duty power cord w / NEMA # 6-30P plug.
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Dr Infrared Heater: Check the current price
2. Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI Infrared Heater, WiFi | Best Wall-Mounted
The quiet, space-saving, 1,500W / 5,200 BTU / Hr Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX is Smart heater technology! This infrared heater is a lightweight, WIFI-enabled electric heating unit you control from your mobile phone. Download the App, plug in the heater, find the control panel, open the App and follow the prompts. It is an ideal portable or wall-mounted warming solution for bedrooms, bathrooms, offices or other indoor spaces approximately 500SF.
Temperatures may be adjusted from 40F. to 99F. degrees. The heater automatically shuts off when it reaches your desired temperature (plus / minus 2-3 degrees). It restarts when a 2-3 degree drop below your cued temp is detected.
Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX is designed to run on a 15amp, 110V / 120V, 60Hz grounded electrical circuit. It also features an LED control panel and temperature readout, a cool, safe-touch grille and auto tip over shut-off. All Heat Storm WIFI products use the Smart Life App.
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Heat Storm: Check the current price
3. Comfort Zone CZ220 Fan-Forced Ceiling Mount Heater | Best Durable
The Comfort Zone CZ220 electric heater is a steel-housed, 600W / 1200W dual-watt, infrared fan-forced unit. Highly-efficient PTC ceramic heating elements and reflective radiant quartz bulbs heat objects rather than surrounding air. Its tilt-bracket ceiling mount allows targeted heat output up to 90-degrees. A finned, metal safety grill protects the quartz bulbs from overheating or breaking. The CZ220 has four heat settings (750W to 1500W) and heats approximately 40SF.
The CZ220 radiant quartz heater also features three-position (Off-Low-High) switch control, pull-string for heat and 25W halogen worklight, built-in overheat protection and grounded cordset.
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Comfort Zone CZ220: Check the current price
4. Comfort Zone CZQTV5M Ceiling Mounted Radiant Quartz Heater | Best Budget Choice
This Comfort Zone CZQTV5M is a smaller, 20amp120V, infrared, ceiling-mount version of model CZ220. It has highly-efficient PTC ceramic heating elements and reflective radiant quartz bulbs that heat objects rather than surrounding air. Its tilt-bracket ceiling mount allows targeted heat output up to 90-degrees. It has four temperature settings (750W to1500W) and heats approximately 40SF.
The CZQTV5M radiant quartz heater also features three-position (Off-Low-High) switch control, pull-string for heat and 25W halogen worklight, built-in safety overheat protection and grounded cordset.
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Comfort Zone CZQTV5M: Check the current price
5. Fahrenheat 1874—5000W 208 / 240V Heavy-Duty Fan-Forced Heater | Best Ceiling Mounted
The heavy-duty, industrial-grade, 5,000W Fahrenheat 1874 electric heater quickly heats approximately 500SF of indoor or outdoor area. Its built-in bracket allows easy horizontal or vertical ceiling mounting. Adjustable louvers also allow you to direct the heat to any area. It is fully-compatible with any 30amp, 240V / 280V electrical system. This heater has an automatic fan control and variable wattage.
The cabinet has an epoxy-coated corrosion-resistant finish. Copper-brazed steel louver fins protect corrosion-resistant, steel-sheathed tubular heating elements. Overheat protection automatically engages when temperatures exceed the high-limit cutout. The Fahrenheat 1874 also features a built-in thermostat dial range from 45F. to 135F. degrees.
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Fahrenheat: Check the current price
6. EconoHome Wall Mount Space Heater Panel - with Thermostat | Best for Small Garages
The improved 400W / 1,364 BTU / Hr EconoHome Wall Mount electric space heater is an energy-efficient, no-fan, convection heating panel designed to run continuously without impacting allergy or asthma sufferers. It quickly and consistently heats indoor rooms including garages, RVs, and offices up to 120SF.
Its housing is made from superior triple reinforced / triple insulated, crack-resistant calcium silicate that may be painted to match any décor! This EconoHome heater operates on any 3.33amp, 110V / 120V electrical circuit. The plug-in thermostat and heat reflector allow temps to be adjusted from 41F. to 86F. degrees.
This wall mount electric heater may be plugged in or hardwired. It only uses 0.4Kw / Hr which is less than one-third what conventional space heaters consume. As much as 50% in home heating cost may potentially be saved. It additionally features safety overheat protection that automatically engages when temperatures exceed the high-limit threshold.
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EconoHome: Check the current price
10 Best Electric Garage Heaters Comparison Table
240-Volt 5600-Watt 11.5 in. L Garage Workshop Portable Baseboard Heater 
Phoenix Floor to Wall Unit 1,500-Watt Infrared Quartz Portable Heater with Built-In Thermostat and Over Heat Sensord 
17065 BTU Ceiling Mount Electric Fan-Forced Industrial Utility Heater Furnace with Safety Overheat Protection 1,500-Watt Infrared Ceiling Mount Quartz Electric Portable Heater 
1874-5000W 208 / 240V Heavy-Duty Fan-Forced Ceiling Mounting Heater 
EconoHome Wall Mount Space Heater Panel - with Thermostat - 400 Watt Convection Heater - Ideal for 120 Sq Ft Room - 120V Electric Heater - Save Up to 50% of Heating Cost - Overheat Protection 
ISILER Space Heater, 1500W Portable Indoor Heater, Ceramic Space Heater with Adjustable Thermostat & Overheat Protection, Hot Cool Fan Electric Heater for Home Office Garage with ETL Certified 
Comfort Zone 240V 25600 BTU Ceiling Mount Garage Heater 
Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater, 1500-Watt 
Star Patio Electric Patio Heater, Indoor / Outdoor Heater, Infrared Heater, Wall Mounted, Outdoor Heaters for Patio, Garage Heater, Space Heater, 1500W, Black, STP1580-SW FAQ
How do you service an electric garage heater?
After the unit has cooled down, use a vacuum cleaner w / brush attachment to remove heavy dust and lint from the heater's exterior. Use a damp cloth to wipe fine dust and lint from the grille openings and surfaces. Any servicing beyond routine vacuum cleaning requires unit disassembly, which should only be done by a qualified service person. This type of thorough servicing should be done annually.