Nights can get chilly, and winter temperatures make it very difficult to work on projects out in your workshop or garage. Trying to wrench on a project or fiddle with tiny screws, bolts, and nuts with cold fingers This is where the best garage heaters come in. There’s a broad range of the best garage heaters available on the current market, and you can use them to complete your project and turn your garage into a warm haven all year round.
Whether you want electric or propane, we’ll feature both on our list of the top 10 best garage heaters. You’ll be able to compare the products side by side and see how they stack up to one another to help you select the best one to suit your needs. At the end, a short buyer’s guide will show you what to consider when you shop.
Taking your time when you pick out the best garage heater is a good idea because this is an investment that can last for years.
1. Fahrenheat FUH Electric Heater – Top Pick
This garage heater comes with an easy-to-install wall mount system that allows you to put it up vertically or horizontally when you build your garage. Once you mount this garage heater, all you have to do is plug it into the 240-volt socket and switch it on. It’ll run right out of the box. If you’re someone who wants to adjust the direction of the warm air it puts out, you can use the adjustable louvers that this product comes with to point the fan-forced air into any direction you want it to go.
There is a water-resistant coat on this garage heater that works to keep it rust-free for years at a time, and this can make it last longer. There is also a built-in shut-off feature on this heater that prevents it from overheating. This feature will also keep the heating element from burning out, and it has an adjustable thermostat but you can’t set an exact temperature. It can heat up to 400-square feet of space, but it doesn’t come with a remote control to adjust your set temperature. It’s compact, lightweight, and very durable.
Benefits:
- Plugs into a 240-volt socket
- Easy to mount to the wall
- Can direct the air in multiple directions
- Built-in shut-off feature
- Heats up to 400-square feet of space
- Lightweight and durable
- Host of safety features
Drawbacks:
- No remove included
2. Dimplex 4000-Watt Garage Heater – Step-Up Pick
Saving energy is a delicate balancing act, but this unit manages to combine power with energy-saving technology. It’s not an overly large unit, but it can put out a decent amount of heat to keep your garage warm as you work without sending your energy bills through the roof. The internal components of this unit are newly improved, and the exterior has a very solid shell on it to help protect against damage and general wear and tear with heavy usage. It’ll stand up to most garage and shop environments with ease.
This is a slightly noiser garage heater though. It can shake and rattle a small bit when it’s on, but a smaller space can amplify the noise to make it seem much louder than it really is. This is a 4,000-watt heater with a stainless steel heating element, and it has an epoxy powder-coated finish on it. The bracket lets you mount it on the wall or ceiling, and you can pivot and swivel it to direct the heat. There is an automatic overheat protection on it to prevent damaging the unit.
Benefits:
- Energy-saving technology
- Solid exterior
- 4,000-watts
- Stainless steel heating element
- Epoxy powder-coated finish
- Swivel bracket included
- Automatic overheat protection
Drawbacks:
- Can sound relatively loud
3. NewAir Portable Garage Heater – Mid-End Budget Pick
This is one of the more durable heaters available on the market with a decent price point, and it’s a very popular model. It works best in a small shop, playhouse or garage as it can only heat up to 500-square feet. You do need to hardwire the heater rather than plugging it in and starting it, so you should have a professional perform the installation to ensure that it’s secure. Hardwiring the unit instead of plugging it in will also lower the overall maintenance you have to do on this unit to keep it in good shape.
This garage heater does come with a built-in thermostat with an automatic shut-off feature, so you won’t have to worry about accidentally forgetting to turn it off when you leave. You can mount this heater to the ceiling to optimize the position of the airflow to keep you warm. It has a powder-coated stainless steel body that will withstand a lot of wear and tear, and it can last for years after you buy it. It has the ETL certification for electrical safety, and there are adjustable louvers that let you direct the heat anywhere you like.
Benefits:
- Heats up to 500-square feet
- Hardwired model
- Adjustable louvers
- Powder-coated stainless steel body
- ETL certification for electrical safety
- Thermostat built in
- Can last for years
Drawbacks:
- No automatic shutoff
4. Comfort Zone Industrial Steel Heater – Bargain Budget Pick
You want something solid when it comes to your garage heater, and it doesn’t necessarily have to have fancy features or look nice. If you don’t mind aesthetics and you’re on a budget, this is the heater that can work well for your needs. It’s a great pick for anyone who wants options, and it comes with three different heat levels on it. This can make a huge difference for anyone who wants to slightly heat up the garage or have something more powerful as the temperature drops. It comes with a very solid build to it, so you don’t have to worry about exterior damage when it comes to this system.
It does use a bigger amount of energy when you use it, so you may find yourself having a higher electric bill when you use it for hours at a time at higher temperatures. You can use a fan-forced heater that saves space by mounting directly to the ceiling, and it has a hardwired installation process that reduces your maintenance needs in the long run. It uses heavy-gauge steel in the design, and it has louvers that let you direct the heat to different parts of your garage as you work. There is a dual knob thermostat that lets you adjust the temperature easily, and the built-in sensor turns the heater off before it gets too hot.
Benefits:
- Built-in safety sensor
- Mounts to the ceiling
- Won’t overheat with extended use
- Dual-knob thermostat
- Three different heat levels
- Heavy-gauge steel materials
- Louvers
Drawbacks:
- Uses a higher energy level
5. Dr. Heater Commercial Garage Heater – Best For Smaller Garages
When it comes to a high reputation for quality products, Dr. Heater is a very well-known brand that routinely outperforms the competition. This is a fan-forced electric heater that runs at 3,000 to 6,000-watts. You get a very compact design that is great for smaller garages or shops, but it has a surprisingly high heat output that can heat small, medium, or large spaces in no time. This product gets hardwired into the wall to ensure that it lasts for years, and you can mount it directly to your ceiling or wall.
It does come with a power cord that means you have a little more setup to do when you get it, but it shouldn’t take too long from start to finish. You get the bracket to mount this heater in the original purchase, and the adjustable thermostat has a high or low setting. You get an eight-inch fan that gives you excellent airflow with minimum noise and turbulence, and it gently distributes the warm air through the space. The five louvers allow you to adjust and direct airflow from one space to the next.
Benefits:
- Eight-inch fan
- Five adjustable louvers
- 3,000 or 6,000 watts
- Hardwired to the wall
- Mounting bracket included
- Powerful heat output
- Saves energy
Drawbacks:
- Can overheat quickly on higher settings
6. KING Electric Garage Heater – Best For Mild Climates
The goal of any heater you get is that it’ll actually heat up the entire space while being dependable, and this is what you get with this product. There are a few extra features included in this product, but the selling point is that it can adequately heat your garage when colder weather comes around each year so you can keep working comfortably. You get a fan-forced unit that puts out a decent amount of heat, so much so that you may have to turn it down after it runs for 15 to 20 minutes. There are built-in safety features that make it safe to run for hours at a time without it overheating.
It comes set up to use on a remote control too, and this allows you to quickly adjust the temperature without leaving your spot to keep you comfortable. The customer support is more difficult to get in touch with if you have a problem, but this shouldn’t be a huge issue for you. There is a high-mass steel fin heat exchanger that is very comfortable, and it has both power on and over-temperature indication lights. The adjustable louvers allow you to adjust and direct your air flow. The built-in thermostat lets you see what the temperature is at a glance.
Benefits:
- Puts out a lot of heat
- Remote control capabilities
- High-mass steel fin heat exchanger
- Adjustable louvers
- Built-in thermostat
- Can run for hours without overheating
- Easy to set up
Drawbacks:
- Fan motor has a reputation for failing
7. NewAir 5600 Watt Garage Heater – Best For Insulated Garages
When you’re trying to heat your workshop or garage so you can get to work on your wood burning projects, you want quick heat. It’s nice to have customizable heat settings on your unit to help drive away the cold as quickly as possible. This fan-forced heater excels in this area, and the speed in which it puts out heat is a huge selling point for this unit. It can effectively heat up to over 500-square feet with little effort, and it’s also a quite rugged heater that won’t stall out when you use it.
There are temperature control knobs on this heater that ensures that you’re able to keep a constant set temperature. This product won’t keep up with a very large space though, so keep this in mind when you purchase it. It has a durable design with a metal frame that will withstand a huge range of use, including in different temperature conditions without failing, and the fan is also metal. This product won’t get too hot with hours of use either, and it has a quieter runtime than you’d get with other units.
Benefits:
- Heats up to 500-square feet
- Metal body
- Keeps a constant temperature
- Easy to set up
- Compact design
- Fan-forced heater design
- Lightweight
Drawbacks:
- Can’t keep up with large spaces
8. Dr Infrared Heater – Best For Travel
This industrial electrical heater with a fan offers a large amount of heat for indoor spaces. It can easily bring the air temperature up to 95°F, but it’s not hugely energy-efficient. You get a low-intensity infrared element built into the design that can heat up to 600-square feet. You’ll get an adjustable thermostat that lets you choose a temperature starting at 45°F and up to 95°F. This is a huge range that allows you to find the temperature where you’re more comfortable as you work. There is also built-in overheating and discharge protection, and there is an automatic shutoff feature.
One nice thing about this garage heater is that it offers a carrying handle on the top of the unit that makes it very easy to move around and portable. There is a power cord that you can plug in almost anywhere you have a 240-volt power source. This includes a portable generator, and this makes it viable to heat outside. There is a small cord storage unit that only lets you pull out as much cord as necessary to prevent tripping hazards. It’s also compact and very lightweight.
Benefits:
- Has a large temperature range
- Heats up to 600-square feet
- Built-in overheating protection
- Carrying handle on top
- Cord storage
- Plugs into any 240-volt outlet
- Compact and lightweight
Drawbacks:
- Not very energy-efficient
9. Heat Storm Wi-Fi Infrared Heater – Best For Wall Mounting
This garage heater has a very solid reputation inside the industry, and it’s a very budget-friendly option that you can mount onto the wall when you install it. You get integrated Wi-Fi capabilities that let you manage the heater’s temperature using your smartphone device, and it’s a good choice for people who don’t have a lot of space on their deck, patio, porch, garage, or garden shed who don’t have a huge amount of floor space to spare. This product is an excellent pick for anyone who wants to be able to adjust the temperature without having to get up and go to the heater.
You’ll get a huge amount of safety features in this garage heater that ensures there are no hazards when you use it. The budget-friendly price is very useful if you’re on a tight budget but need a heater to keep your space comfortable. It has a safe to the touch grill that doesn’t get hot when it’s on, and you can easily hide the cord inside the heater when you install it near an outlet. The wall and the whole unit will stay cool, and there are no feet included if you want to sit it up on the ground. It runs on a 110-volt plugin.
Benefits:
- Wi-Fi capabilities
- Wall mount system
- No hazards due to safety features
- Budget-friendly pricing
- Easy to hide the cord
- Plugs into a standard outlet
- Easy to install
Drawbacks:
- Doesn’t heat a large area
10. Mr. Heater Gas Unit Heater – Best For Commercial Buildings
The final garage heater on our list is from Mr. Heater, and this is a natural gas heating unit. It’s capable of heating up larger areas and shops up to 1,250-square feet without struggling, and it’s a very heavy-duty product that has an external access onboard thermostat that helps you quickly and efficiently manage the temperature. You get a powered exhaust that allows you to vent it horizontally, and it’s a very durable and reliable unit that will keep your space warm and comfortable without breaking the bank or putting a strain on the elements.
You’ll get a few angle brackets with this garage heater that allow you to mount it however you see fit. There is a slightly higher price tag attached to this model, and you need eight feet of clearance from the base of the heater and the floor in order to install it correctly. There are also multiple warranty policies attached to this product from the date of service, including a 10-year warranty on heat exchanger defects and a three-year limited warranty on parts. It also comes with a natural gas to liquid propane conversion kit when you buy it.
Benefits:
- Can convert it to propane
- Ceiling mounts included
- Can heat up to a 1,250-square foot space
- Multiple warranties attached
- Durable materials
- Vents horizontally
- External access onboard thermostat
Drawbacks:
- More complex to operate
Best Garage Heaters – Buying Guide
What should you look for when you start shopping for the best garage heaters? They’re not all equal and they can get expensive, so you want to get it right on the first try. Below, we’ll outline the biggest buying points you want to consider when you shop.
Anyone who has a smaller garage can get away with installing and using a smaller heater, but high ceilings and larger garages need more power to keep the temperature up.
Power Rating
One of the most important aspects of your garage heater is the power rating. If you get one powerful enough, you could use it to heat your garage all year round or heat your porch when you finish building it. Many brands list the heater’s power rating right on the box, and they’ll usually give you an approximate square footage it’ll cover. However, the power rating assumes you have the best conditions possible, so pick out the best garage heater that has a slightly higher power rating than you need.
Getting a slightly higher power rating covers you if you have drafts or poor insulation in your garage. The ceiling height is something else to remember because taller ceilings give the room more space to circulate the heat, and this means your heater will have to work harder. Generally speaking, a larger garage will need at least 4,000 to 5,000 watts to fully heat it.
Safety Features
When you work in your garage, keeping yourself and anyone else in there safe is a top priority. There are dozens of safety features available on the best garage heaters that work well. If you have a shutoff switch, it’ll turn the heater off if it accidentally falls over to prevent a fire. Some heaters have overheating protection built right into the design that shuts the heater off if it gets too hot. This protects the internal workings too.
For maximum safety features, get a heater that has a cool touch design. This prevents the exterior from heating up when it runs, and it’s a great way to prevent burns if you have animals or kids in the vicinity. If your kids had a sleepover and came out to the garage to talk, this will help keep them safe. Check for any certifications or accreditations with your heater, and take a few minutes to go through reviews and see what they say.
Keeping your family and kids safe is your top priority, so you never want to run a gas-powered heater in an enclosed space because the fumes can reach toxic levels.
Heater Type
There are a few different heaters you can choose from when you pick out the best garage heater. Fan forced heaters come with an integrated fan that you can adjust. They produce a lot of heat, and they work well to quickly warm up a medium or small-sized garage. Infrared or radiant heaters are next. They produce more comfortable heat, but they’re not really powerful. You have to have them very close to you or have a small space to heat.
Finally, the third type of best garage heater uses natural gas, diesel, or propane to run. They don’t need electricity to run, and they can heat a space very quickly. However, you don’t want to use them in an enclosed area because they produce fumes, and this can be dangerous to breathe in. All of these heaters come in portable or fixed designs.
Ease of Installation and Assembly
You can get a heater that comes assembled and ready to use straight out of the box, and others require that you put them together before you use them. If you like to DIY, putting the best garage heater together may not be a problem for you. If it is, look for a pre-assembled one. Other types of heaters require that you hardwire them into your existing electrical connections, and this is a job best left for the professionals.
Adjustable Features
Do you need your best garage heater to adjust the temperature or is one steady one okay? Maybe you’re in the process of pricing out how much it would be to replace the windows in your garage, so you have drafts. Or, you could want to move the heater from the garage to your home. If so, having an adjustable temperature control would be nice. This prevents you from switching it on and off as you get too hot. Some heaters also come with a remote control, and this adds a layer of convenience to it.
Being able to adjust the temperature on your best garage heater ensures that it doesn’t get too hot or too cold as you work.
Length of the Power Cord
If your best garage heater plugs in, check the power cord length. You want it to be long enough that you can reach all over in your garage without having to unplug it and plug it back in a thousand times. Six feet is a very common length, but this isn’t long enough for larger garages without an extension cord. If you have a high-output heater, finding a safe extension cord can be challenging, so go for a longer cord in general to save yourself the hassle.
Portability
Do you intend to keep your heater in one place or move it around? If you want to move it, portability is going to be a big issue to pay attention too. If you get one with a carrying handle, it’ll make moving it that much easier. Casters and wheels help too if you choose a larger industrial heater. It all comes down to whether you want a portable garage heater or a fixed one. Decide what you’re going to use the heater for most and go from there to make a solid choice.
The right heater gives you the flexibility to work on your projects in your garage all year round, no matter what the temperature and weather is doing.
Bottom Line
The best garage heater will change depending on the size of your space and how often you have to use it. Before you start shopping for your best garage heater, look at our short reviews. They allow you to compare several high-quality options before you buy, and our guide can help you understand what features you want to consider. Pick out the best garage heater and stay warm all year round!
