The Best Garage Heaters For Workshop Comfort, Tested

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Garage Heaters For Workshop Comfort, Tested and hope the blog can help you. Learn the ins and outs of garage heaters, find out what features to look for, and see which models are top performers.

For DIYers and hobbyists, a garage can often be project central. It can be the place to store tools and to work on a variety of projects—even when temperatures are low.

Fortunately, a garage heater can banish the shivers when it’s cold out. Selecting the best heater for a garage depends on several factors, including the size of the garage, the preferred type of fuel, the importance of portability, and essential safety features.

Keep reading to learn more about some of the best garage heaters, as well as what we experienced during hands-on testing with our favorite products.

  1. BEST OVERALL: Comfort Zone Ceiling-Mounted Industrial Heater
  2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Lasko Digital Ceramic Space Heater With Remote
  3. BEST FOR CEILINGS: Fahrenheat FUH Electric Garage Heater 
  4. BEST INFRARED: Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 Portable Industrial Heater
  5. BEST FOR BARNS: Mr. Heater MH200CVX Propane Convection Heater
  6. BEST COMMERCIAL-GRADE: Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 240-Volt Commercial Heater
  7. BEST INDOOR/OUTDOOR: Briza Infrared Carbon Indoor/Outdoor Heater
  8. BEST FOR PLUMBED GARAGES: Bio Green 110-Volt Palma Greenhouse Fan Heater
  9. BEST CORDLESS IGNITION: DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Forced-Air Propane Heater
  10. ALSO CONSIDER: Flame King Portable Propane Forced-Air Heater
The Best Garage Heater Option mounted to a garage ceiling
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila

How We Tested the Best Garage Heaters

We put these garage heaters through their paces, considering installation, output, and (to a degree) safety features. First, we removed each unit from the box and set it up according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Many didn’t need any setup, while others required attaching legs, hanging brackets, and installing wiring. We took note of each, relative to the type of heater, as we expected gas and 220-volt heaters to be a little more involved.

Then, the heaters were tested for output. We turned each heater on inside the garage, taking note of how long it took to reach the desired temperature. At this point, we evaluated the additional features, such as humidifiers, thermostats, and timers.

Finally, we checked each heater’s safety features, such as cool-touch surfaces and tip-over shutoffs. Replicating the low-oxygen cutoff would’ve been dangerous, so we took the manufacturer’s word for it.

Our Top Picks

The lineup below includes some excellent heaters that we hand tested in real-life situations. They proved to be top-notch in their heating method for heat output, safety, and overall quality. Organized by category, this list can help folks find the best garage heater to stay warm while working.

Best Overall

Comfort Zone Ceiling-Mounted Industrial Heater

 The Best Garage Heater Option: Comfort Zone Ceiling-Mounted Industrial Heater
Photo: amazon.com

This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.

Bob Vila Approved badge

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 

  • Power source: Electric, 240 volts
  • Installation style: Mounted
  • Heating method: Forced air

What We Like

  • Simple to install; can be hardwired or fit with a cord for a 30-amp outlet
  • Grill is very easy to remove and take apart for cleaning when necessary
  • This model pumps out plenty of heat, and it’s easy to control temperature

What We Don’t Like

  • Does not come with the needed wire or cable clamp; separate purchases required

The Comfort Zone electric garage heater is a semipermanent option that mounts on a ceiling or a wall. It can be hardwired into the home electrical system, or fit it with a plug-in cord for a 30-amp outlet. The heater’s durable steel body is resistant to impact damage, and a dual-knob thermostat at the base makes it easy to control the temperature in the garage.

This 5,000-watt forced-air electric heater has adjustable louvers and a variable-angle mounting bracket to direct airflow wherever necessary. A built-in sensor in this garage heater ensures that the unit won’t overheat. If the temperature gets too high, the device switches off immediately to prevent internal or external damage. It proved to put out plenty of heat.

While the Comfort Zone is a quality garage heater, setting it up was a bit of a mixed bag. It didn’t come with the 240-volt pigtail or box entry (the cable clamp that secures the wire to the box), so these must be separate purchases. Otherwise, it was very easy to set up. Another plus: Removing the grill is simple, making future cleanings a breeze.

Get the Comfort Zone garage heater at Amazon

Best Bang for the Buck

Lasko Digital Ceramic Space Heater With Remote

 The Best Garage Heater Option: Lasko Digital Ceramic Space Heater With Remote
Photo: amazon.com

Product Specs 

  • Power source: Electric, 120 volts
  • Installation style: Portable
  • Heating method: Forced air

What We Like

  • Remote control for adjusting temperature and modes
  • Very powerful heat output yet super-quiet operation; won’t distract users with noise
  • Has an oscillation mode, overheating protection, and cool-touch exterior

What We Don’t Like

  • No tip-over protection; continues to heat when knocked down

The Lasko ceramic space heater is well suited for the garage—or any indoor location where a bit of extra warmth would be welcome. Just pick it up by the built-in handle and find a suitable location with an accessible power outlet. The heater can be adjusted via the control panel on the top of the unit or with the included remote.

Once the heater is turned on, users can opt to set an automatic timer that will turn it off when it reaches the scheduled time, or let it run nonstop until it is switched off manually. The 1,500-watt heater boasts several additional features, including oscillation, overheating protection, and a cool-touch exterior so that users can maneuver the unit while it is in use without getting burned.

During testing, the Lasko proved to be a surprisingly powerful (and very quiet) heater. While it wasn’t able to heat the whole garage, it did make a significant difference in the immediate area. We also liked that it has a remote control for adjusting the temperature and swapping through modes. The oscillation mode is particularly nice for spreading a bit of heat over a larger area, like a workbench or a shop floor. The only complaint is that this fairly tall heater doesn’t have any tip-over protection. We left it face down on the garage floor for over a minute, and it just continued to heat.

Get the Lasko garage heater at Amazon.

Best for Ceilings

Fahrenheat FUH Electric Garage Heater

 The Best Garage Heater Option: Fahrenheat FUH Electric Garage Heater
Photo: amazon.com

Product Specs 

  • Power source: Electric, 240 volts
  • Installation style: Portable
  • Heating method: Forced air

What We Like

  • Simple bracket style makes installing this model on the ceiling easy and straightforward
  • Compact yet durable design ensures that it will last for years in most workshops
  • The shroud has positionable louvers that aim heat downward, effectively warming the area below

What We Don’t Like

  • Necessary wire or knockout cable clamp are not included; separate purchases required
  • Does not include a power cord; must be direct wired

Midrange electric garage heaters like this are a good choice for those who prefer a ceiling-mounted heater. This powerhouse has a built-in overheating detection system that will shut down if the temperature gets dangerously high.

Control the heat output with the simple analog dial at the base of the unit and redirect the flow of warmth with the adjustable mounting bracket and louvers. This 5,000-watt heater comes with a built-in thermostat and a thermal safety shutoff. However, the unit does not include a power cord, so it must be direct wired to a dedicated 240-volt outlet with a 30-amp breaker.

During testing, the Fahrenheat FUH electric heater proved to be a solid choice in a compact design. The hanging bracket was easy to install, and adjusting the angle of the heater was as simple as loosening the two mounting nuts and positioning the unit. Also, this model’s shroud aims the heat downward, warming the space below it. But its lack of a 240-volt wire or cable clamp means shoppers will have to make separate purchases

Get the Fahrenheat garage heater at Amazon, Northern Tool + Equipment, or Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Best Infrared

Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 Portable Industrial Heater

 The Best Garage Heater Option: Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 Portable Industrial Heater
Photo: amazon.com

Product Specs 

  • Power source: Electric, 240 volts
  • Installation style: Portable
  • Heating method: Infrared and forced air

What We Like

  • Solid, heavy-duty construction feels like it will last in even the busiest workshops
  • Simple setup and controls; includes auto function to maintain constant temperature
  • Compact design produces a lot of heat; uses both infrared and forced air

What We Don’t Like

  • Does not come with needed plug adapter

If infrared or fan-forced heating is more appealing than convection heat, then this Dr. Infrared garage heater is a great choice. It has a dual heating system that incorporates a radiant infrared heating element, which can quickly warm up physical objects, like people and tools, and it has a fan-forced heating system to warm up the air in the garage.

The heater needs a 208-volt or 240-volt connection to function properly, allowing it to run at up to 5,600 watts. Once the garage heater is set up in a safe location away from flammable material, the temperature dial can be set between 37 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit, and it will automatically maintain this temperature as long as the heater switch is on “auto.” The heater will run continuously with the switch set to “on.”

If ample heat is the primary goal from a compact heater, the Dr. Infrared Heater can deliver. Although this is an industrial-grade heater, there isn’t much setup or installation to do: Just remove it from the box. However, this unit does run on 240-volt electricity and uses a NEMA #6-30P plug, which many users may not have on hand (we didn’t); budget some extra cash for the outlet and an electrician, if needed.

Get the Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 garage heater at Amazon or Target.

Best for Barns

Mr. Heater MH200CVX Propane Convection Heater

 The Best Garage Heater Option: Mr. Heater MH200CVX Propane Convection Heater
Photo: amazon.com

Product Specs 

  • Power source: None, piezo heater
  • Installation style: Portable
  • Heating method: Convection

What We Like

  • Tons of heat output at its maximum setting makes it suitable for large garages
  • Top section collapses and slides down over the lower section for easier storage
  • It doesn’t need electricity thanks to the piezo ignitor, making it great for barns without power

What We Don’t Like

  • It produces 75,000 British thermal units (BTUs) on low, which is too much for a small garage

When it comes to heating large barns and garages, Mr. Heater’s propane convection heater might be the top choice. This large, barrel-style heater produces between 75,000 and 200,000 BTUs, meaning it can heat up to 5,000 square feet of garage space. And since the heater works on convection, it will start a cycle that helps warm the space evenly.

This Mr. Heater model features a collapsible upper section that slides down over the lower section when not in use. This makes it easy to store. It also has a thermoelectric safety valve to shut the unit off if the flame goes out.

If there’s one thing our test revealed, it’s that this heater is built for wide open spaces (within a barn or garage, of course). Even at its lowest setting, it produces 75,000 BTUs, filling the space quickly with heat. We felt our small test garage heat up within a few minutes, and it raised the temperature 15 degrees Fahrenheit in 20 minutes. However, it’s likely too much heater for a small garage, but the fact that it doesn’t require electricity means it can be used to keep horse barns, construction sites, and other similar off-grid buildings warm.

Get the Mr. Heater garage heater at The Home Depot (2-pack).

Best Commercial-Grade

Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 240-Volt Commercial Heater

 The Best Garage Heater Option: Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 240-Volt Commercial Heater
Photo: amazon.com

Product Specs 

  • Power source: Electric, 240 volts
  • Installation style: Wall or ceiling mount
  • Heating method: Forced air

What We Like

  • Design is smoother and more attractive than most similar commercial heaters, which are typically very boxy
  • Hardware in this kit is of higher quality than most other garage heaters
  • Tilting louvers allow users to direct airflow exactly where it’s wanted

What We Don’t Like

  • Will most likely require an electrician to run the 240-volt circuit
  • Product description infers that a wall-mounted thermostat is included, but our test unit didn’t have one

The Dr. Infrared 240-volt commercial heater might be a great option for those in the market for a high-quality heater with ample output. This model features two modes: 3,000 watts and 6,000 watts. It has an adjustable thermostat built into the heater, but it also comes with an additional thermostat to install on the wall for better control of the temperature. It is a direct-wire application, meaning that instead of a cord to plug in, the installer hardwires it into a 240-volt circuit.

We’ve tested a few of these wall- and ceiling-mount heaters, and this Dr. Infrared hardwired shop heater is one of the nicest. The design is smooth and appealing, rather than overly boxy like mo

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