We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services.
A garage heater uses warm air to heat your garage like your HVAC system warms the rest of your house, making the space usable during the colder months. When it comes to garage heating, you can choose a unit powered by electricity, propane, or natural gas, and it can be freestanding or wall-mounted. Read on for the best garage heaters available on Amazon.
Top 5 Garage Heaters
*Links open to product retail page.
- Best Moving: Lasko Oscillating Ceramic Space Heater
- Best Propane: Dura Heat Propane Tank Top Heater
- Best Retro: Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater
- Best Control: Heat Storm WiFi Infrared Heater
- Best Natural Gas: Mr. Heater Big Maxx Natural Gas Unit Heater
Compare Top Garage Heaters
| Product | Power Source | Heat Output | Setup | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lasko Oscillating Ceramic Space Heater | Corded electric | 1,500 watts | Portable | 3 years |
| Dura Heat Propane Tank Top Heater | Propane fuel | 40,000 BTUs | Floor-mounted | 1 year |
| Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater | Corded electric | 1,500 watts | Portable | 3 years |
| Heat Storm WiFi Infrared Heater | Corded electric | 1,500 watts | Wall-mounted | 1 year |
| Mr. Heater Big Maxx Natural Gas Unit Heater | Natural gas | 50,000 BTUs | Ceiling-mounted | 3 years (parts), 10 years (heat exchanger) |
| Product | Power Source | Heat Output | Setup | Warranty |
Best Moving
Lasko Oscillating Ceramic Space Heater
- $33.91
- $49.99
- 32% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Uses forced air to heat the air instead of the objects in a space
✔ Has an eco mode to use less electricity
✔ Is easy to control with its remote control and touchscreen display
✘ Only works indoors
✘ Some customers received defective units that stopped working after a few uses
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said the heater was small but powerful. The product is slim and can fit in tight spaces, but it can still heat a large area quickly. Customers were also pleased with its cool-to-the-touch handle, which makes it easy to adjust or move. However, some customers indicated that the heater turned off on its own after a few hours of use and that the plug overheated on occasion.
Best Propane
Dura Heat Propane Tank Top Heater
- $60.99
- $98
- 38% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a built-in tip-over shutoff feature for increased peace of mind
✔ Features match light ignition
✔ Can operate for up to 14 hours
✘ Doesn’t work in windy conditions
✘ Can only be placed on a flat surface
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who were pleased with this product found that it had high heat output and was easy to set up. We also saw several compliment its compact design. However, some did say that the safety sensor was overly sensitive, while others were disappointed it did not come with a mounting bracket.
Best Retro
Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater
- $121.04
- $129.99
- 7% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Is quiet at 39 decibels, which is less sound than a normal conversation
✔ Has wheels for easy transportation
✔ Automatically shuts off after being on for 12 hours
✘ Doesn’t specify how many square feet it can heat
✘ Some customers complained about the company’s poor customer service
What Customers Are Saying
Most customers used this heater to heat parts of their home that their HVAC system didn’t reach well, like a basement or garage. They were able to leave it on for hours by setting it to the desired temperature, and the machine would automatically turn on and off to maintain that temperature. However, when customers received defective units that stopped working after a few uses, they struggled with customer service to get a diagnosis and a new part.
Best Control
Heat Storm WiFi Infrared Heater
- $105.29
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Is lightweight at only nine pounds
✔ Doesn’t get warm when it’s on, so it’s safe to touch
✔ Can be installed over an outlet
✘ Uses radiant heat, so it only heats objects, not the air itself
✘ Some customers kept getting an error message on the screen
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked the design of this heater because it’s slim and doesn’t take up too much wall space. They also said that it heated the space quickly and did so without making a lot of noise. A common complaint from customers was that they couldn’t get the unit to work because it kept showing an error message on the screen.
Best Natural Gas
Mr. Heater Big Maxx Natural Gas Unit Heater
- $429
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Can heat 1,250 square feet, the largest area out of the products in this review
✔ Comes with the brackets to mount it from the ceiling
✔ Can be installed in low-ceiling buildings because of its small size
✘ Installation may be too complicated for the average homeowner
✘ Some customers said their heater was loud
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said this heater was easy to install and installed it in less than a day, despite having limited plumbing and electrical experience. However, several customers complained about the heater’s noise. When they took apart the heater, they found that a loose blade was making the noise and had to contact the manufacturer for a new part.
How To Select a Garage Heater
Before purchasing a garage heater, consider what type of heater will work best for your garage, its fuel source, its heat output, and other factors. Read our guide below to learn about some of the factors that will help you make your decision.
Type of Garage Heater
Garage heaters can be broken down into two categories: fan-forced/forced-air and infrared/radiant.
Fan-Forced/Forced-Air Heaters
Fan-forced or forced-air heaters draw in cold air, warm it, and blow it back out into your space, making them efficient at heating large spaces. However, they make a lot of noise because they’re constantly pushing out the air.
Infrared/Radiant Heaters
Radiant or infrared heaters warm the objects that they’re directly pointed at and aren’t as efficient at heating a space. However, they provide steady warmth without stirring up dust particles.
Fuel Source
Your garage heater will be powered by electricity, natural gas, or propane.
Electricity
Electric heaters are the most popular because they’re easy to run. Simply plug them into an outlet and receive instant heat. However, they can be expensive because they use electricity from your home and can increase your monthly utility bill.
Natural Gas
Natural gas heaters are a good option if you already have a natural gas line in your home to run appliances and systems. They efficiently heat spaces for extended periods without increasing your electricity bill.
Propane
If you don’t have a natural gas line, you can opt for a propane garage heater. This type of heater produces similar heat to that of a natural gas heater, except it has a propane tank. Propane tanks require refilling, so unless you have an extra tank on hand, you could be left without a heat source until you get a refill.
Heat Output
Heat output is measured in wattage or British Thermal Units (BTUs). Wattage is most commonly used for electric heaters, while BTU is used for natural gas or propane heaters. The higher the wattage or BTU rating, the more heat the heater produces. Instead of purchasing a heater with the highest heat output, look for a heater with a heat output that matches the size of your garage.
Single-car garages up to 450 square feet should use a heater with 2,000 to 3,000 watts or 6,800 to 9,000 BTUs of airflow. Two-car garages between 450-700 square feet need a heater with 3,600 to 7,000 watts or 12,000 to 24,000 BTUs. Garages with more garage space that can fit three or more cars need a more heay-duty heater with 7,000 to 9,000 watts or 24,000 to 31,000 BTUs.
Keep in mind that these numbers aren’t an exact science. If it’s the middle of February, your garage will be colder and require more heat output to warm the space.
Portability
Garage heaters are either permanent fixtures or portable units that sit on the floor or a table. If you want to reposition the unit in your garage, look for a portable garage heater. Portable heaters are usually electric and can be plugged into a wall outlet.
Temperature Control
Many garage heaters have built-in thermostats or heat settings, allowing for the heat output that comes out of the unit to be fully adjustable.
Safety Features
Most space heaters come with safety features to prevent a fire from starting. Some common features include automatic shut-off after reaching a certain temperature to prevent overheating and shutting off after being tipped over. Some units are also cool to the touch to prevent them from burning your skin or catching nearby objects on fire.
Brand
Some of the most well-recognized garage heater brands include:
- Comfort Zone
- Dr. Inafred
- Dyna-Glo
- Heat Storm
- King
- Lasko
- Modine
- Mr. Heater
- QMark
Garage Heating Safety Tips
If you don’t properly install your garage heater or use it incorrectly, you could potentially start a fire. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind while operating your space heater:
- Turn off the heater when you aren’t using it.
- Leave at least three feet of floor space between the unit and any other objects in your garage.
- Supervise kids and pets when they’re near the unit.
- Don’t block the intake or exhaust vents on the heater.
- Before cleaning or maintaining the heater, disconnect it from its power source.
- If you have a freestanding unit, make sure that it sits on a solid, flat surface so that it doesn’t tip over.
- If you have an electric unit, plug it directly into an outlet instead of into an extension cord.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don’t put in a ventilation system with my heater?
Propane and natural gas heaters emit carbon monoxide. Without a ventilation system that takes this gas outside, it can poison the air and lead to health complications or death.
How much do garage heaters cost?
Here are some price estimates, broken down by fuel source:
- Electric heaters: $100-$400
- Natural gas heaters: $400-$800
- Propane heaters: $150-$450
However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, some propane heaters cost less such as the Mr. Heater Buddy Portable Propane Heater in this review.
What type of heat do electric garage heaters produce?
In most cases, electrical units produce radiant heat or infrared heat to heat the objects in your garage instead of heating the air. Most of the fan-forced units you find will be powered by propane or natural gas.
What are the benefits of using a garage heater?
Garage heaters are an efficient, safe, and inexpensive way to ensure your garage is staying heated during cold weather. While there are also other ways to keep your garage heated, using a powerful garage heater is the simplest method.
What is the cheapest way to heat a garage?
Standard garage heaters will be less expensive than other garage-heating methods like adding more insulation, using in-floor heaters, using a forced-air heater, or using a propane heater.
Why Trust The This Old House Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.