The 10 Best Infrared Heaters of 2024 From Our Hands-On Tests
Technology has made considerable advancements in so many areas, and heating is no exception. While you may be familiar with the convection space heaters used for decades, infrared space heaters are the latest innovation. To help shoppers decide on the best infrared heater for their needs, we put a variety of types and sizes of heaters through hands-on testing to determine their safety, effectiveness, and convenient features.
We discussed infrared technology with HVAC expert Justin Bohannon of Affordable Solutions HVAC & Electrical in Durham, North Carolina. He has more than 9 years of experience working with heating and cooling systems and he agrees that these options are among the most energy-efficient and effective heaters on the market. As he attests, “infrared heaters directly heat objects and people in their path, rather than heating the entire room. This targeted heating approach can lead to energy savings as the heater focuses on heating the occupants instead of wasting energy on unused spaces.”
Choosing the best infrared space heater to supplement a primary heating systemdepends on the space it will heat, as well as budget, portability, safety features, and mounting. In preparing this guide, we tested some of the best infrared heaters on the market and compiled a list of those that met our standards. The main features, functions, and performance in our tests are outlined below, followed by guidance and insight from experts on finding the right infrared heater for any home.
- BEST OVERALL: Dr. Infrared Heater DR-968H Portable Space Heater
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Trustech 1,500-Watt Ceramic Desk and Space Heater
- BEST STYLE: Twin Star Home Duraflame Infrared Quartz Log Heater
- BEST FOR GARAGE: Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 Portable Industrial Heater
- BEST FOR OUTDOORS: Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238 Outdoor Infrared Heater
- BEST WALL-MOUNT: Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI Smart Infrared Heater
- BEST BUILD QUALITY: Dr. Infrared Heater DR-218 Greenhouse Heater
- BEST FLOOR-STANDING: Duraflame 3D Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove Heater
- BEST FOR AIR QUALITY: EdenPure CopperSmart 1000 Infrared Heater
- BEST FOR PATIOS AND DECKS: Briza Infrared Carbon Heater
How We Tested the Best Infrared Heaters
There are a few things that matter when it comes to testing the best infrared heaters. For one, they must be safe, so they need a sturdy build and/or safety features. Next, they need to produce the right amount of heat.
To test them, we set up each of the heaters according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Some could sit on the floor, while others needed to hang from the wall or the ceiling. We set them up, turned them on, and checked features like remote controls and timers.
First, we examined each heater to see how sturdy or secure it appeared to be. If a heater could tip over, we made sure the safety shutoff worked. We also cranked the heaters as high as they could go to check the surfaces around the mounted heaters for safe temperatures.
Next, we checked the output. We turned each heater up to the max setting to see how quickly they’d heat up, and we played with the thermostats to ensure they were working properly. From there, we compared the design and build quality between each model.
Our Top Picks
We rounded up a bunch of models for hands-on testing and can say, with confidence, that the following are among the best infrared heaters on the market. They range from electric wall heaters to rolling, floor-mounted options, plus plenty in between.
Best Overall
Dr. Infrared Heater DR-968H Portable Space Heater
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Product Specs
- Wattage: 1,500
- Style: Wheeled
- Portable: Yes
What We Like
- Built-in humidifier keeps air more comfortable for sinuses and plants
- Can be adjusted easily with remote control, a convenient alternative to its low-sitting display
- Spreads heat through an entire living space; this heater heats spaces of 150 square feet
What We Don’t Like
- The display can be tough to read without crouching down
The DR-968H model from Dr. Infrared Heater can warm a room of up to 150 square feet quickly and efficiently with its quartz heating element and powerful blower. A programmable thermostat allows for setting the exact temperature from 50 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The 1,000-watt (W) “low” output setting and the “high” 1,500W setting let users tailor heat output and energy consumption, so they use only as much energy as a particular space requires. Also, the built-in humidifier keeps the warm air comfortable—something most other space heaters cannot do.
The addition of four durable caster wheels supports easy portability from room to room, and it includes a remote control that can operate the heater from across the room. The heater also features a quiet design. Safety features include a tip-over sensor, an automatic shut-off timer, and a cool-touch exterior.
We’re big fans of the Dr. Infrared portable space heater, and we’ve proven it through several tests. First, we can’t say enough about how nice it is to have a built-in humidifier to keep the air comfortable. We also really enjoy the remote control and the oscillating louvers that move the warm air around the space. Our only real complaint is that this model sits on the floor, and when looking at the display from a standing height, it can be hard to read.
Get the Dr. Infrared Heater DR-968H at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Best Bang for the Buck
Trustech 1,500-Watt Ceramic Desk and Space Heater
Product Specs
- Wattage: 1,500
- Style: Floor or table
- Portable: Yes
What We Like
- Incredibly compact design is super easy to take anywhere desired
- Excellent safety shutoff responsiveness; minimizes the risk of burning and fires
- Has a fan for hot days, making it useful year-round
What We Don’t Like
- Fan speeds can be a bit unreliable and inconsistent while in use
When it comes to finding a perfect infrared heater—one that’s portable, powerful, and budget-friendly—Trustech’s infrared heater is a solid option. At just 7.1 inches wide and 9.1 inches tall, this little heater packs 1,500 watts of heating power to keep small spaces toasty. With its lightweight and integrated carrying handle, it can work in any room with an outlet. This infrared heater produces 750 watts on its “low” setting and 1,500 watts on its “high” setting. It can even serve as a summer fan with a third “wind mode” setting.
Crucial to a portable unit, this model includes safety features such as a tip-over shutoff and an automatic overheat protection shutoff. It can only effectively heat a 200-square-foot space, but the portability of this unit is hard to beat.
The Trustech infrared space heater’s beauty lies in its portability. During testing, we found that the only thing holding this little heater back was its power cord—it can go anywhere that has an electrical outlet nearby. We liked the compact design, and when we tipped it over to test its safety switch, it was responsive and shut the heat off immediately (though the fan did continue to run). We’re also “big fans” of that fan, as the unit can sit on a nightstand or a desk and help manage comfort in both cold and hot weather. Our only complaint is that the fan speed was a bit unreliable—switching between the output wattages appeared to adjust the fan speed, but only sometimes.
Get the Trustech infrared space heater at Amazon.
Best Style
Twin Star Home Duraflame Infrared Quartz Log Heater
Product Specs
- Wattage: 1,500
- Style: Floor
- Portable: Yes
What We Like
- Produces a lot of heat; great for larger spaces like offices, bedrooms, and living rooms
- Comes with a convenient remote for hands-free adjustments when needed
- Unique style doesn’t take itself too seriously, looks like hot embers
- Projects realistic-looking flames onto walls; perfect for setting ambience or for Halloween
What We Don’t Like
- The fan is loud, which can be disruptive or annoying to some users
- Aesthetic may not be ideal for luxurious or formal spaces
If the ambience of a wood-burning fireplace without the risk and mess is appealing, this Duraflame model from Twin Star Home might fit the bill. It has realistic-looking faux logs and a rolling ember effect that users can adjust with the turn of a knob. Designed as a stationary unit, the heater’s dimensions allow it to sit inside most standard fireplaces, or anywhere else for that matter.
As a stationary unit, it doesn’t include as many safety features as typically seen in a portable model, but it does have a cool-touch exterior. The heater draws 1,500 watts and produces more than 5,200 British thermal units (BTUs), enough to warm most 1,000-square-foot spaces.
Although we thought the Duraflame looked more like a Halloween decoration than a space heater, we still gave it a shot. Puns aside, it warmed our hearts. The flames it projected on the wall looked surprisingly realistic, and the amount of heat it produced was impressive. We also liked the remote control, and while this model shouldn’t ever see the light of day in a formal room, it’s actually pretty fun. Our complaints? There are two: The fan is loud and, of course, the design aesthetic is a little cheesy.
Get the Twin Star Home infrared heater at The Home Depot.
Best For Garage
Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 Portable Industrial Heater
Product Specs
- Wattage: 5,600
- Style: Floor
- Portable: Yes and no—it needs 240V power
What We Like
- Cranks out the heat to provide consistent warmth throughout entire spaces
- Features overheat protection, an adjustable thermostat, and large fan; can heat small-to-large areas
- Compact design and carrying handle make it easy to transport if needed
What We Don’t Like
- Users might not have the right receptacle in their garage
- Locating the correct receptacle might be difficult for some buyers
Folks who spend lots of time in the garage all year long benefit from a safe, reliable infrared heater to stay comfortable. Dr. Infrared Heater’s DR-988 model can pump out between 14,335 and 19,110 BTUs—for perspective, 18,500 BTUs of heat typically can bring a 600-square-foot garage to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. It features an adjustable thermostat for dialing in the ideal temperature and a large fan to spread the heat evenly throughout the space. Although this fan produces more noise than most infrared units, it doesn’t exceed 45 decibels (within the noise range of an average fridge). It also has a carrying handle for easy transport.
Safety features include an automatic overheating shutoff and a mesh safety screen in front of the fan. Although a few more safety measures would have been nice, the unit is listed by Underwriter Laboratories (UL) for its safety. Instead of a typical 110-volt (V) power source, it requires a 240V power source that requires a dedicated 30-amp fuse.
We’ve tested this heater several times now, and it really does produce quite a bit of heat. It is compact, but the setup is not simple. The problem is that this particular heater’s required volt power and the receptacle that works with it (NEMA #6-30P) were difficult for us to find. But, if you can set up this infrared heater to run in your garage, it’ll definitely pump out the heat.
Get the Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 infrared heater at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Target.
Best For Outdoors
Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238 Outdoor Infrared Heater
Product Specs
- Wattage: 1,500
- Style: Ceiling or wall mount
- Portable: No
What We Like
- Smart installation bracket design makes the hanging process incredibly easy
- Comes with a remote, which is convenient when installed as a ceiling-mounted unit
- Excellent heat output yet silent operation; will not disrupt conversation with loud noise
What We Don’t Like
- The remote did not come with batteries; they’ll need to be purchased separately
- The cord could be longer, especially for a ceiling-mounted unit
To keep the patio partying going into chilly weather, consider Dr. Infrared Heater’s DR-238 model, which is rated for outdoor use. This 1,500W infrared heater has a weatherproof anodized aluminum housing that won’t degrade, and it includes adjustable mounting brackets to hang the heater on an outdoor wall or a ceiling. A carbon heating element and three heat settings allow for adjustable heat output, and it comes with a remote control.
During testing, we found Dr. Infrared Heater’s DR-238 model to be outstanding. First, the bracketry for hanging it on the wall or ceiling made installation incredibly easy. Also, we liked that this model produced a ton of heat without even the slightest hum. The remote was easy to use, and the heater was immediately responsive, but it was the only remote in the test to come without batteries. Also, we’d prefer a slightly longer cord for a ceiling-mounted model (it’s only 6 feet).
Get the Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238 infrared heater at Amazon,