Are you looking for a supplemental heater for the coming year? An infrared heater might just suit you best. There are plenty of reasons that more and more people are setting them up in their homes.
Infrared heaters are best for those who want to keep a room warmer during the cold months without adding much to their monthly power bills. These heaters are also safe to use if you have young kids or pets at home.
This is because infrared heaters do not get hot like other heaters since they use infrared waves to warm objects near them. The waves make you feel warm and comfortable, which is why many people compare the heat provided through infrared to natural sunshine. These waves are safe and can heat a room very quickly too.
However, there are still various options available when it comes to buying an infrared heater, so it can be challenging to know which to pick. We reviewed the best choices for a new heater in 2020 in this guide, so you do not have to do all the research alone. We are confident that you will find something you love on this list!
Let’s begin! This is our guide to buying the Best Heater this year.
important Infrared Heater Features
When purchasing an infrared heater, there are some features that you will want to keep an eye out for. The following are the best product features that are signs of a high-quality product.
Wattage
First, you will want to check out how many watts the infrared heater uses. This will give you information on how much power is being used by the unit and what kind of performance level you can expect to receive.
Most infrared heaters are rated 1500W, which would be perfect for rooms that have 150 square feet or less. As a general rule, you need 10 watts for every square foot in the room you want to heat. So, if your room is 120 feet, a 1200W heater would be sufficient.
High-quality heaters usually use a range of watts between 1200W and 1500W. Finding something higher than that is generally impressive. The best infrared heater for you will fall into a range that you can use efficiently at home.
Safety Precautions
Infrared heaters are very safe to use; however, you will still want to make sure that it has some features in place to protect you. Plenty of new units will come with tip-over protection, shut down before they overheat, shut-off timers, and much more.
If you buy a modern heater, it is sure to have some safety features in place. Still, it is best to make sure the safety features suit your needs.
It is worth mentioning that the waves used by these heaters are safe and will not cause any harm at all to your body.
The Design
You will also want to consider what type of heater design will work the best for you. There are wall-mounted units, small and portable units, towers, fans, wood-stove units, and more! You can certainly find a design that suits the theme of your room.
Keep in mind that the design will affect how the unit runs. Different options might be more efficient in your home than others.
Top 10 Infrared Heaters
Best Overall
1. Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater, 1500-Watt
Key Features
Auto Energy Saving Model
Tip-over and overheat protection
Dual heating system with infrared quartz and PTC
Automatic shut-off timer
Comes with remote control
Our Rating
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Our Take
This Dr. Infrared heater is one of the most popular models on the market- you probably have already seen it somewhere before. Overall, we think this is the best electric heater on the market. It is durable, great at heating, and has everything you need in an infrared heater. The unit also has wheels, making it easy to transport from room to room in your home.
The most beneficial feature would be the Auto Energy Saving system that it has. This allows the unit to switch between high and low heat and shut down if it reaches a set temperature. Plus, it comes with a 12-hour timer that shuts it off. All of these together make for a very energy-efficient product.
This model has a heating range of 50 to 85 degrees, so you can feel comfortable knowing it will be able to warm your rooms. It is 1500W and positively reviewed online for everything it can do.
Customers have used this infrared heater in emergencies, and most were not able to tell the difference between the Dr. Infrared and their usual heating method- it warmed the space just the same.
Overall, we had to give this the “Best Overall” ranking. It is portable, efficient, has a recognizable design, and can warm a room in no time at all. There are very few complaints to find when it comes to this unit.
Most Features
2. Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI Infrared Heater
Key Features
Wifi connectivity so it can be controlled anywhere
Stays cool to the touch
Comes with a phone app
The wall-mounted design is space-saving
Hidden power cord
Our Rating
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Our Take
If you love appliances that can connect to an app, you might enjoy this one the most. This wall-mount Heat Storm unit works with a phone app, allowing you to change the temperature from anywhere. If you want to adjust the heat while you are out of the house, this product will let you do that.
You can set schedules in the app as well. That means that the heater will turn on and off at your set times- saving you a lot of money on your power bill. Plus, the surface of the heater does not get hot while running even at 1500W, keeping it safe to be used around kids and pets.
We also appreciated that it is wall-mounted. This feature keeps it out of the way and prevents it from taking up too much of your floor space.
We would recommend this unit to anyone who needs to be able to control their heat while not at home. Users of this product also say that it works perfectly in garages as well.
Best Wall-Mounted Unit
3. Dr. Infrared Heater 1500W Infrared Heater
Key Features
Works indoors or outdoors
Instant heat with 900W, 1200W, and 1500W options
Can be mounted on the wall or ceiling
Made with weatherproof materials
Comes with a remote control
Our Rating
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Our Take
If you need a wall-mounted heater in your garage or other workspaces, this Dr. Infrared units would be the best option for you. It is designed to work indoors and outside, so you can be sure that it will keep you warm in less insulated rooms.
The heater comes with an adjustable thermostat dial and remote, allowing you to keep the temperature at something comfortable for you with ease. It is mighty, with a maximum output of 5,600W.
Many customers stated that this heater works perfectly in garages or workshops. It allowed them to focus on their projects since it was also pretty quiet. However, the built-in thermostat is not always accurate, so you will probably want to make sure that you have your own thermometer in the room.
This unit is perfect for providing supplemental heat. It is efficient, is powerful, and can be attached to your wall easily. If you have limited space in your room, having a wall-mounted heater like this is quite helpful.
Overall, we found this unit was pretty powerful- making it great for rooms that lack quality insulation, such as garages. If you are planning on working a lot in your garage this year, you can rely on this compact heater to keep you cozy.
Runner Up
4. AmazonBasics Infrared Quartz Tower Heater, Brown Wood Grain Finish, 1500W
Key Features
Stays cool to the touch
High and low heat settings, plus fan only
Oscillation functions
Automatic 9-hour timer
Eco and sleep modes
Our Rating
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Our Take
The AmazonBasics infrared heater is a tower design, meaning that you get oscillation as a feature. As the unit rotates, your room will be heated more evenly. The company page says that this unit works best in small spaces.
So, if you need a heater to take to the office, bedroom, or a cabin, this product would be able to keep you comfortable easily. The design is also quite lovely and can match any theme at home.
There are a few different modes that are useful in this model. First, it has an eco mode that uses a lot less energy than it would otherwise. It comes with a sleep mode that runs the unit quietly and turns it off after a certain amount of time.
The final mode is fan-only. This feature makes the tower heater useful year-round. During the summer months, you could be using it to cool down your space instead of making it warm.
To summarize, we enjoyed all of the features that this infrared tower heater has to offer. Its various modes are useful in all sorts of situations, so we are confident that you will be able to stay comfortable.
Best Commercial
5. Dr. Heater DR966 240-volt Hardwired Shop Garage Commercial Heater
Key Features
Can be mounted to the wall or ceiling
Fan disperses heat through the room
Five louvers for adjusting the airflow
Adjustable thermostat
High and low heat settings
Our Rating
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Our Take
Do you think you need a commercial-grade heater? If so, this might be the best choice for you. It is excellent for heating huge areas, no matter the size. It is very powerful and still quiet as it runs, so you can focus on getting your projects finished.
This unit is suitable for heating evenly across space due to its large fan. It is a bit heavy at 27 pounds, but it is excellent at what it does. The heater can run at either 3000W or 6000W- which is the perfect wattage for commercial areas. However, this would likely be too much for someone’s home.
We also appreciated that you could easily control the airflow with this product. For instance, if there was an area you needed to warm quickly, this unit would be up to the task. It comes with a carrying handle, so you can quickly move it to where you want to.
It is worth noting that this is a hardwired heater- it does not come with a power cable. If you want to use this product at your commercial location, we recommend that you have a professional come install it for you.
6. LIFE SMART LifeSmart 6 Element w/Remote for Large Room
Key Features
Can heat a large room
Eco heat setting
12 hour stop timer
Digital thermostat with remote
Our Rating
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Our Take
This LifeSmart heater has a temperature range of 50 to 90 degrees F and runs at 1500W. It heats up quickly and is pretty energy efficient. It has three different running modes: high at 1500W, low at 1,000W, and an eco mode.
We would recommend that you use the eco mode if you want to run the unit at its most efficient. All you have to do is push a button, and the heater will check the temperature of the room. If it is less than 68 degrees, it will run. The unit shuts down when it hits that level of warmth.
This heater is supposedly designed to warm rooms up to 1,000 square feet. However, this seems to be way too high for the watts that it uses. You would only want to use this as a supplemental heat source- it can not keep your home warm like the advertising for this unit suggests.
The one downside to this item would be the controls. The modes are automatically selected as you go through the temperatures. Still, this compact and robust product is most worth purchasing for the eco mode.
7. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988A Garage Shop Heater
Our Take
If you are searching for an industrial-grade heater, this unit is one of the best options out there right now. It works quickly, heating spaces up to 600 square feet with ease. This machine is designed to keep your workspace warm.
It has an overheat safety feature, which shuts down the unit when it gets too hot. This feature prevents the unit from breaking down or starting fires- making it very safe to use in a commercial setting.
The thermostat seems to be accurate as well, so you can rely on it to shut off when it should. Customers mentioned that it is easy to control the settings on the unit and that they appreciated the dial for temperature control.
Finally, we think that this unit would be perfect if you needed a fan heater for commercial use. It is very powerful, meaning it might be too intense for use at home. Although, if you have a large garage that you want to warm up, this model could do it efficiently and fast.
8. TURBRO Suburbs TS20 Electric Fireplace Infrared Heater
Key Features
Beautiful design with realistic flames
Control the flame with or without the heat on
Cool to the touch surface
Overheat protection
Our Rating
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Our Take
The brand says that this aesthetically pleasing infrared space heater can warm rooms efficiently up to 1,000 square feet. The surface of the unit stays cool as well, even when it has been running for a very long time. This feature is needed if you have curious pets or young children at home.
The flame effects are a tremendous benefit. The warm light is charming and looks pretty realistic. This effect is created using LED lights, which last a very long time. Plus, you can even run the flames without having to have the heat on.
You do need to attach the legs yourself, although everything you need comes in the box. Some customers felt that these portions were hard to get on. However, the final standing heater was well worth it.
So, if you want a freestanding electric heater that can warm your home at a low cost- this would be it! The gorgeous flame effect is the most significant benefit, although the heater still functions perfectly in small rooms whether or not you have them turned on.
9. Fahrenheat FUH Electric Heater
Key Features
Heavy-duty structure
Automatic shut off system
5,000 watts
Adjustable angles to direct heat flow
Our Rating
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Our Take
This electric heater can warm any room in your home or garage, no matter how cold it is outside. The unit does disperse the heat through a fan, which means it is going to require a bit more maintenance than other infrared heaters we listed here. Luckily, the filter in this model is easy to clean.
The unit is a bit expensive, so you will want to only consider it if you are looking for an infrared heater to invest in. It is a bit heavy and bulky, but it is incredibly durable and robust. We would recommend this to anyone who wants to heat a low-insulated area, such as a garage.
This model is perfect for warming spaces that are 500 square feet or less. It can also be installed where you need it the most- walls, the ceiling, or leaving it on the floor are all possible. The most exciting feature is that you can even adjust the angle that the heat blows out.
However, the temperature accuracy of this product is not as good as we expected it to be. Even though it can sense a range of 45 to 135 degrees, barely ever is it correct. You might have to deal with the heater running longer than expected- so, you will want to have a separate thermometer available to deal with this.
10. Infrared Space Heater Portable
Key Features
Fast heating
Very quiet
Automatically adjusts the temperature
Tip-over and overheating protection
Our Rating
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Our Take
We would recommend this infrared space heater to anyone who needs a heater on a tight budget. It is pretty cost-effective, especially compared to other, larger models. It is simple to use, easy to transport and has a wide airflow range.
You would want to use this item in a bedroom or office- other rooms are probably going to be too large for it to be effective. This heater is not going to work well in a garage or any space that is not well insulated.
Because of that, we would say this is an excellent supplemental heat source only. It would be great for anyone who needed to warm their feet while they worked in a cold room. But, it is not going to heat a large area.
Many customers appreciated that it was light and compact and that it used very low levels of watts. People could quickly move it around the home with them during their day or carry it into work without any hassle.
In short, this compact space heater is best in two situations. You should consider it if you need a cheap heater or want a unit that you can easily carry with you during the day.
Infrared Heater Buyer’s Guide
When it comes to infrared heaters, there are a ton of models out there. It is no wonder that some people feel overwhelmed when trying to buy one for their home. We gathered all of the most essential information in this Buyer’s Guide for you.
We are confident that you will know exactly what you need when you are finished reading this section! First, let us start by talking about the infrared heater features you might want to have.
Fixed or Portable
Do you think you will want a fixed heater or one that you can transport? Many infrared heaters are already compact and portable, although there are mounted ones that you can not move. The models can be pretty light as well; some even come with wheels on them.
If you want a portable heater, then you will want to ensure that the model comes with a handle or a set of wheels. Otherwise, they can be awkward to move around. Portable models are also much better suited for zone heating.
Fixed models are usually much larger and heavier since they have more parts inside of them. They are designed to warm only one room but do so very well. If you are looking for a permanent fixture, installing it on the ceiling or high on the wall can keep it out of the way.
Important Infrared Heater Safety Features
When researching an infrared heater, you want to be sure that it is safe to use. Many models today have additional features that make them safer to run at home. We will be covering some essential safety features here.
The more your infrared heater has, the better.
Automatic Shut-off
When the set temperature is reached, the unit shuts down. This feature prevents the unit from overheating itself and stops it from running for too long. It usually only leaves the unit off until the temperature of the room starts to go down again.
Tip-over Safety Switch
This safety feature quickly powers down the unit if it falls over. While you might be sure it will not fall over, it is always better to have this switch for additional safety. Plus, if you have pets or kids, it will not be an emergency if they accidentally bump into the space heater.
Cool Touch Surface
This feature is another one that you will want to have around if there are young ones at home. Heaters that say “cool to the touch” on them are designed to have cool surfaces- no matter how long the heater has been running.
If anyone were to accidentally touch it, they would not be burned. The only hot areas on these infrared heaters are on the grate that emits the heat, which is usually not on the top where it is likely to be bumped into.
Overheat Protection
The final safety feature you want is overheat protection. This system will shut down the unit if it gets too hot- preventing it from burning itself out. If you want a long-lasting heater, you might want to invest in one that comes with this protection in place.
Heat Settings
Most heaters come with a low and high setting, while some also have an eco mode. These settings all use a different level of watts, so you can choose a range that you are comfortable with.
Eco modes are handy since they are designed to turn off the heater when the room is at the set temperature. Eco modes will also restart it once the temperature starts to fall, which keeps it from running always and wasting your energy.
Oscillation
Most infrared heaters do not oscillate, although some people still prefer that they have one that does. This feature rotates the fan, allowing the unit to heat your room evenly and more efficiently.
Timer
A heater with timer functionality is also going to be necessary. They let you decide in advance how long you want the infrared heater to run. If you plan on sleeping or leaving the house with the heater on, you should always set a timer before you step away from it.
Remote Control Functions
And finally, does the heater you are considering buying have a remote control? This feature is more for convenience than anything else. They make adjusting the heat easy and let you turn it on or off without having to get up.
Having a remote control is not always necessary, but most people prefer it since it makes the unit overall much easier to use at home.
Where You Should Put Your Infrared Heater
Infrared heaters work well when there is nothing placed in front of them. You will want to make sure that the air has free range to move around in. Placing your heater in the corner of the room while pointed towards where you are is usually the best way to feel warm quickly.
If you are using it in a garage or workshop, make sure that it is never blocked while turned on.
FAQ
Are Infrared Heaters Dangerous?
This question is asked a lot by people thinking about buying an infrared heater. The misconception that infrared is dangerous comes from the waves that they use to create heat. Infrared waves are not at all harmful to you.
In fact, infrared heating is one of the safest ways to provide supplementary heat to your home. The units usually have a lot of safety features and have surfaces that stay cool to the touch as well.
Can I Save a Lot of Money Using An Infrared Heater?
Without using one, there is no way to tell for sure the exact amount you will save. However, these infrared units are very energy efficient. If you run them on low or use an eco mode, you will be sure to save yourself some money.
The best way to use an infrared heater is to set it up in a small room. Keep your new unit in a place where you spend a lot of time if you want to see the most benefits from it. That way, you do not have to run your central heating in rooms you are not using- which is beneficial to your wallet.
Can I Leave my Infrared Heater on All Night?
You can. Infrared heaters can run for long periods of time efficiently. You will want to make sure that the model you have at home has safety features in place before you do this for the first time, however.
You will want to have overheat protection for sure. That way, you know that it will not burn itself out during the night. Plus, your heater should have a safety tip-over switch in place if you have pets that may knock it down during the night.
And finally, if you are going to leave it on, make sure that nothing is nearby. Place it away from objects, curtains, and a decent distance away from the wall.
