No matter what you want to get up to in your garage – and let’s face it, we use our garages to do all sorts of things, from storage to hobby activities, and even recreation – the weather can sometimes put a dampener on the fun, quite literally. That’s where the best garage heater examples out there come into play, and if you read on, you’ll discover how a garage heater can be a great addition to the home or even the workplace.
We conducted a thorough search of the best heaters out there, and that resulted in a list of ten that really make the grade. That elite gathering of the ten best garage heaters on the market is headed by our Editor’s Choice – the brilliant Dimplex DGWH4031G. We just couldn’t overlook the fact that this beast will effortlessly heat an area of 400 square feet and produce 13.640 BTUs of warmth while being robust and tough enough to survive any setting. We didn’t stop there, however, and there are nine other heaters on our list, each bringing a unique set of features to the table.
We’ve put hours of detailed research into compiling this article, and you’ll find ten detailed product reviews that take everything from dimensions and weight to BTUs and coverage areas into account. After that, there’s a useful buying guide which will help you find the best garage heater for your needs.
More features: Auto safety shut off; energy-saving
The Dimplex DGWH4031G makes the top of our list primarily because it’s versatile. This heater ticks a lot of the garage heater boxes, and Dimplex boasts that this unit is capable of heating a full 400 square feet of space and producing a BTU rating of 13,640. The Dimplex is a fan-forced or fan-assisted model and comes with a 4000-watt stainless-steel element, so it’s perfectly capable of operating in harsh or damper environments.
Dimplex give you automatic temperature control here, which ranges between 45 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. That should be enough to keep you toasty and warm on even the coldest of days or nights. Residual heat is employed by the Dimplex heater in order to make fan operation more efficient, and you can mount this unit to either a wall or a ceiling, depending on your site requirements. When you want to direct the source of heat, the Dimplex DGWH4031G has a handy swivel feature.
For users with larger spaces to heat, but without a great deal of space to mount a heater, the Dimplex DGWH4031G will be a great choice because it measures in at just 11 inches by 9 inches. When you consider the BTU rating of this heater, that’s relatively compact – and the mounting options make this unit even more versatile for those with challenging siting requirements.
All in all, the Dimplex DGWH4031G has a lot going for it, and it’s got a great rating for a heater that doesn’t weigh a heck of a lot or take up too much space in the garage.
More features: EZ flame adjuster; tip over switch
The Sengoku HeatMate HMN-110 makes the number two spot on our list of the ten best heaters for your garage or workshop, and it’s the first of the kerosene burning heaters on our chart. This heater pushes out a respectable 10,000 BTUs of heating power, and Sengoku boasts that this unit is capable of heating a space that measures as large as 380 square feet.
This kerosene heater comes equipped with an extra-large capacity fuel tank. That comes in the form of a 1.2 gallon – or 4.5 liters if you prefer to work in metric – reservoir, which will hold enough fuel to keep your garage space heated for up to fourteen hours when you need it, without the need to refuel. That’s an outstanding feature to have if you tend to work long hours in your garage or workshop, or even if you need to keep the heater running overnight.
Where safety in the garage or workshop is concerned, the Sengoku HeatMate HMN-110 has you well and truly covered. You get an automatic safety shut off, which will protect you in the event of an unplanned collision or accident. There’s also absolutely no need to keep matches or another form of ignition lying around because the Sengoku HeatMate HMN-110 is fitted with a convenient push button starting feature. That also means you don’t need to hook the Sengoku HeatMate HMN-110 up to an electrical outlet and means you can use this heater wherever you like – even if your garage is way down at the bottom of a garden or paddock. This is a great heater and will suit many users out there.
More features: Safety Overheat Protection System; thermostat control; fan-forced
The next heater on the list of our ten best garage heaters is the Comfort Zone CZ220. The main idea behind the Comfort Zone model is space saving and you can mount this heater on either a wall or a ceiling, in order to save valuable floor space – which is great in a workshop where you need to site a lot of tools and equipment, ideal in a car garage where you need room to park, and excellent in a garage where you want to store a lot of stuff.
You’ll need to hard-wire the Comfort Zone CZ220 into your mains wiring, so bear that in mind when you budget and keep some funds aside to get a qualified electrical tradesperson to carry out the install for you.
This heater is constructed from steel, so it’ll take a few knocks and bangs where needed. It’s also fitted with louvers, which will help to direct heat where you need it to go, and keep things more efficient. You can also choose to mount the Comfort Zone CZ220 at one of several different angles. Combined with the built-in fan, all of that makes for a pretty effective heater.
The manufacturer here puts great weight on their design of the heater controls, and it does seem like they did a great job on that. All in all, this garage heater is a great option that has some neat features and doesn’t cost a great deal of money at all.
More features: Remote control; LED display
Next up on our comprehensive list of the ten best garage heaters on the market is the compact Heat Storm Phoenix Floor to Wall Infrared Space Heater, which is one heater that is aimed more at a domestic market and is not limited solely to garage use by any means.
The Heat Storm Phoenix Floor to Wall Infrared Space Heater is an extremely portable 1500 watt unit, and the heating method here is infrared. This heater has pretty limited power, but it’s enough to heat up a small room or office, as well as a compact garage when the temperature outside isn’t likely to dip too low. What that means in terms of a rating is just 5,200 BTU of heat output – so, be very careful to only select the Heat Storm Phoenix Floor to Wall Infrared Space Heater for an appropriate space and suitable conditions.
The Heat Storm Phoenix Floor to Wall Infrared Space Heater lets you choose from two power modes. The first utilizes the complete 1,500 watt power rating of the unit, while the alternative setting only uses 750 watts – which makes this a great option where a steady, low background heat is required.
The biggest attractions with the Heat Storm Phoenix Floor to Wall Infrared Space Heater are its portability, lighter weight, and the compact design. There’s an app if you’re that way inclined, and a clear LED display lets you know what’s what – even if you don’t want to take to the internet.
Overall, this is a great compact heater, but it’s limited to use in smaller spaces.
More features: Wall Mount hardware and legs included; variable output.
Up next here is the Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT, which is a vent-free heater. The first thing to mention about this garage heater is that there is no need for any source of external power, so that makes it a great option where power outages are frequent, or where you simply don’t have access to any form of electrical supply.
The Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGTT can be mounted to either the wall – and there’s a handy bracket supplied for that application – or used on the floor, by way of fitting the heater with the supplied feet.
The Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT employs a blue flame to provide heat, and the manufacturer boasts that the blue flame version of heater does a better job in narrower or more cramped areas because it warms the air, unlike a radiant heater – which tends to warm objects.
The Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT can throw out a very respectable 30,000 BTUs of heating power, and safety is covered because there is an automatic low oxygen shut-off system fitted. It’s important to note that the Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT isn’t safe to use at altitudes higher than 4,500 feet, due to combustion issues.
You get electronic Ignition on the Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT, which is always handy. You’ll need a natural gas supply, not propane, and this unit will heat a large area – in fact, anything up to 750 square feet.
Overall, the Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT will be a fantastic garage heater in the right setting.
More features: Built-in oxygen depletion sensor
The next heater on our chart of the ten best garage heaters out there is the Dyna-Glo IRSS18LPT-2P. This is a liquid propane-fueled heater and works by the principle of infrared heat transfer.
The Dyna-Glo IRSS18LPT-2P boasts a heat rating of up to 18,000 BTUs and promises to warm up areas of up to 700 square feet. There are three heat settings on the Dyna-Glo IRSS18LPT-2P – you guessed it, low, medium, and high. However, the choice is more extensive in reality because this heater has a very nice control knob, which will let you set the unit at pretty much any level you find comfortable.
The Dyna-Glo IRSS18LPT-2P is another good option for users out there who experience regular power outages because it requires no power supply to operate. That means you’ll have a source of heat in the garage, no matter how the weather or the electricity grid behaves.
A downside to the Dyna-Glo IRSS18LPT-2P is that there is no fan fitted to the unit, although you do have the option of buying a separately sold fan unit. Going down that route will allow you to heat a bigger area than when you are using the heater without fan assistance. It’s also slightly disappointing that you have to buy a floor leg kit as an extra too.
More features: Thermostat; horizontal or vertical mounting options
One of the smallest heaters on our list is the next heater up for discussion, and that heater is the Cadet Com-Pak CSC151TW. You don’t get a massive BTU rating with the Cadet Com-Pak CSC151TW – it’s limited to just 5,120. However, what you absolutely do get is a relatively cheap, compact and user-friendly garage heater that has a lot of punch for a smaller unit.
In the right garage, the Cadet Com-Pak CSC151TW will definitely do a decent job of rapidly and efficiently heating up your space – without requiring too much in the way of effort or brain activity. The manufacturer claims that the Cadet Com-Pak CSC151TW will heat an area of up to 200 square feet, and the built-in fan will only serve to facilitate that more rapidly.
The most notable attribute of the Cadet Com-Pak CSC151TW is its mounting method. This heater flush mounts into a cavity wall, and while that limits the spaces it can be installed in (you won’t be able to use this on a brick wall) when you do fit the Cadet Com-Pak CSC151TW, you will be using up very little garage space indeed. The supplied kit includes everything you will need for installation, including a wall can and a thermostat for hard-wired installation.
More features: Thermostat; ergonomic handle
The next heater on our list is the DeWalt DXH75KT, which is a portable heater that’s designed for use where you need a significant source of direct heat. Be aware that this unit is mobile, but it isn’t mounted on wheels and weighs 72 pounds when the fuel tank is full, so in this case, portable is a relative term.
Coming from DeWalt, this unit has been designed for worksites and for use when carrying out construction in poorer weather, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it at home in the garage. However, it’s critical to remember that this kerosene heater employs an open flame and it’s essential you are extremely careful to remember where it is at all times. You’ll also need to be extremely cautious about providing adequate ventilation to ensure safe use.
What you do get with the DeWalt DXH75KT is a huge 75,000 BTUs of heating power. That sort of output and rate of heating enables areas of 1,750 square feet to be adequately warmed up – pretty impressive!
Overall, the DeWalt DXH75KT is going to be a monster in the garage heating stakes, but it won’t be for everyone. For most domestic users, this thing will be overkill, and the safety concerns in a frequently used home environment probably outweigh the benefits anyway. Great in the right setting, inappropriate in most garages.
More features: Fresh air ionizer feature
The last heater on our list of the ten best garage heaters out there is the compact Lasko 760000. This garage heater is rated at 1500 watts and provides 5,118 BTUs of heating power, so it’s suitable for smaller garage spaces. It arrives fully assembled and employs a ceramic element.
The ‘Glide-System Pivot’ lever allows users to control where they direct the air flow from the unit. The controls on the Lasko 760000 garage heater are pretty good, and there is a timer incorporated too.
The Lasko 760000 is built to save space, and it’s a slimline unit that will be great to use in a more confined space. It’s also far less likely to get knocked into than many garage heaters, which tend to be bigger and bulkier.
Some users will be attracted to the Lasko 760000 because it comes with a multi-function remote control, which makes it very convenient to use when you need to adjust the heat level frequently. For easy of motion, there’s a handy built-in carrying handle.
All in all, the Lasko 760000 is a heater for a specific type of space. It won’t heat massive areas, and it’s not designed for industrial use. In the right garage, the Lasko 760000 will do a decent job, and it doesn’t cost a packet.
More features: Automatic safety shutoff
Many garage heater buyers out there will need the option to mount their unit on the wall, and the third garage heater on our list of the ten best gives you precisely that option. It’s the Mr. Heater MH25LP garage heater, and this unit proves that sometimes, very good things actually do come in smaller packages.
This heater is a pretty simple and straightforward piece of equipment, and that will be a big plus for users who don’t need bells and whistles and just want to heat a space with as little fuss as possible. The heater sits on a no-nonsense bracket that is easy to install, and will quietly do a job – while you do yours, if you intend to mount this garage heater in a workshop area.
The Mr. Heater MH25LP boasts a huge BTU rating that amounts to 25,000 units of heating power, and this thing will quickly raise the temperature in any area. The Mr. Heater MH25LP burns propane gas and works as a radiant heater, so there is no fan mechanism to fail, and you can also expect quiet operation – this is an excellent heater for use where noise might be an issue or if your garage is situated within the main structure of your home.
The Mr. Heater MH25LP can heat 550 square feet, so it’s great for larger garages. There is zero assembly to do with this heater. Just get it out of the box and mount it. Overall, the Mr. Heater MH25LP is a useful, powerful, and convenient garage heater option.
Buying any type of appliance can be challenging, and there is always a vast range and choice on the market when it comes to the task of finding the right model for your own needs. It can be difficult to know which way to turn and impossible to decide just where to start. Luckily, we’ve put together this handy buying guide, which is designed to get you up and running when it comes to choosing your own new garage heater. We’re going to take a look at what some of the features and specifications you are going to come across when you conduct your search, and we will examine what each of those different terms and attributes means, in plain language.
As with anything, choosing the best garage heater for your specific needs will just be a case of working out what you want it to do – before you buy it. Your level of success will only ever be as good as the thought you put into the process of choosing your heater. It’s helpful to understand a little bit about how garage heaters – and heaters in general – operate. When you’re selecting any type of appliance, knowing how and exactly where you will be using it is the key to making a great decision and ending up with a heater that will give you years of service. If your garage space is large, that will influence your buying decisions – and likewise, if you’re heating a smaller area. Availability or the lack of an electrical supply will be a factor for some, while portability or size and weight might come into the process for many.
Radiant or Infrared garage heaters, such as Heat Storm Phoenix Floor to Wall Infrared Space Heater, work well because they’re simple and provide a very direct, local source of heat – which can work well in a smaller garage. You’ll find that in a larger space, however, radiant heaters will struggle to push heat out sufficiently to reach corners which are less local to the heat source. A solution to this problem can be to use more than one radiant heater, and many people find this more controllable and efficient than relying on just one heat source in a bigger space.
Fan-assisted heaters are great for areas that you don’t tend to spend a lot of time in. This is because the integral fan enables the heater to warm up a space very quickly. Fan-assisted heaters work by passing cold air over a heating element and then circulating that air back out after it’s been warmed up.
Kerosene or natural gas heaters, like DeWalt DXH75KT or Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT, are the most portable option of all of the garage heater types. Because Kerosene and natural gas heaters don’t require an electrical supply in order to work, you can use them in remote areas, so they’re a great idea if you’re off the grid – or even if you live in an area where you experience many power outages. Great care should be taken, however, when using kerosene or natural gas heaters in enclosed spaces, and you’ll need enough ventilation to make sure that the fuel can be combusted thoroughly for safe operation. You’ll also need to be aware that with kerosene and gas-powered heaters, it’s dangerous to use or work with combustible materials.
BTU Stands for British Thermal Unit. BTU is essentially a measurement unit of energy, and it refers to how quickly a heating appliance is capable of raising temperature. The unit was derived based on increasing the temperature of a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. What that all means in terms of garage heaters is that the higher the BTU rating you see on the specifications of an appliance, the more rapidly it will be capable of raising the temperature in the space where you intend to use it. This comes down to what you need from your garage heater. If rapid heat increase isn’t a priority for you, then BTU rating will be less important than if you need a heater that can increase the warmth in an area very quickly. So, for example the average BTU count features Mr. Heater MH25LP and it is capable to heat up to 550 sq ft.
Coverage area refers to the size of the space you require your new garage heater to heat. If you are looking to provide adequate heat in a bigger garage or even a workshop, then you will need to limit your search to heaters that can handle the job and boast a more extensive coverage range. Smaller heaters will not be able to handle the task of heating your area properly if they are not designed and rated to do so, and it’s absolutely essential that you take this into account before you commit to making a purchase.
Dimensions and weight matter. Every user will have a different end goal in mind when they look to purchase a new garage heater, and each new heater will be expected to perform its purpose in a different environment. When it comes to looking for your own new garage heater, you will need to think carefully about how you want to use it, and where you will need it to be located. The heaters on our list come in various shapes, sizes, and weights. For example, our top three heaters range between three pounds – for the wall-mounted Mr. Heater MH25LP – and more than twenty-two pounds in the case of the Sengoku HeatMate HMN-110. Consider the size of the area you want to heat, and make a decision on a garage heater based also on the space you have available to site it.
With any appliance, having a good warranty is very important. Not only does a decent warranty signal that a manufacturer has some confidence in their device to perform a job, it also suggests that the construction quality of the appliance is sound and that the materials used to make it are up to the job of keeping it functioning for an appropriate period. Even with a reasonable warranty period, however, it’s essential to check the fine print and take into account who will be responsible for costs associated with returning the appliance for repair in the event it breaks down. Especially with bulkier items such as appliances, shipping costs can mount up, so take care to read the warranty terms in full.
Buying a heating appliance that you’re likely to be working near, or even operating vehicles or lawnmowers around means keeping safety in mind, and for that reason, many garage heaters incorporate a range of safety features that are worth considering. You’ll find that some portable garage heaters have a tip-over switch installed, and this protects against accidents by cutting the power to the heating element if the heater gets knocked over unintentionally.
Thermostats in heaters, like in Comfort Zone CZ220, ensure that operation is safe, even when that operation is prolonged – as is the case with many garage heaters. Thermal overload sensors will also cut the power to the heater if it’s in danger of overheating.
In terms of extra features that are not safety-related, you can look out for adjustable louvers if it’s a thing that you often need to direct your heat source toward a particular object or area – for instance, if you are carrying out work that requires drying time. Carrying handles are almost essential on portable heaters, so if you want to move your garage heater around a lot, look at the carrying features the manufacturer is providing. If that’s the case, you might also want to check out how cool the body of a heater will be after operation, and some heaters have a cool-touch feature, which makes them very user-friendly. Staying with portable heaters, if the model you’re considering is large and heavy, make sure you look at the wheels. Wheels make life easy, and it’s why they’ve been around for a while.
Garage heaters come in many shapes and sizes, and a quick look at our review section will tell you that the price tends to vary less with these devices than with many other appliance types. While you can go out and get yourself a garage heater for under a hundred bucks if you’re tight on cash – as with the Heat Storm Phoenix Floor to Wall Infrared Space Heater – most of our garage heaters are priced within the $100 to $200 price bracket – such as the Mr. Heater 30,000 BTU Vent Free Blue Flame Natural Gas Heater MHVFB30NGT. Two exceptions to this would be the big DeWalt heater and the Mr. Heater MH25LP 22,000-BTU Propane Radiant Heater, which just about tops the 280 dollar mark.
So there we have it, we’ve looked at the ten models and the best garage heater that topped our chart was the Dimplex DGWH4031G. We were impressed by this unit’s all-around ability to produce a hefty 13.640 BTUs of heating power and cover a massive area of up to 400 square feet. We think it’ll be a great addition to any garage.
The Dimplex DGWH4031G was followed closely by the Sengoku HeatMate HMN-110 in second place on our list. The Sengoku puts out a whopping 10.000 BTUs of heat and will give you a vast coverage area of up to 380 square feet, which is no mean feat.
In third place, and taking out our top pick for the Best Electric Garage Heater was the excellent Comfort Zone CZ220, which produces 17.065 BTUs of heating power. It enables a coverage area of up to 400 square feet.
