Anyone who has tried to use their garage in the winter months will understand just how much of a difference a garage heater can make. A cold, unwelcoming garage doesn’t make you want to spend time there and a good heater will let you get on with those car repairs or that DIY project.
We believe that the best garage heaters are well built, safe to use and provide the warmth needed to spend time in the garage. Many on the market simply don’t offer all of these benefits and as a result, they haven’t made it onto our list.
In the article below, you will find all of the key information you need in order to make an informed decision, as well as a list of the top 5 best garage heaters on the market right now.
Our Top Picks
Best Garage Heaters of 2020
Garage Heaters that are worth mentioning:
Our Top 10 best garage heaters
We have put together the best 10 garage heaters on the market right now, along with some key information and the pros and cons for each. This will allow you to make a more informed purchase and find the right one for your needs.
1. Mr. Heater F232000 Garage Heater
The first garage heater on our list is this one from Mr Heater, a well-known manufacturer who has created this 9000 BTU heater. That means it will effectively heat up an area of two 225 sq ft.
Performance:
This propane heater is one of the more affordable options on the list and has been approved for use indoors and outdoors, thanks to its clean-burning technology.
Safety:
It is an efficient unit that has impressive safety features including an auto-shutoff system. This takes over if the unit is damaged, oxygen levels are too low or the pilot light shuts off.
Portability:
For those that require a portable unit, this is a great choice because it has fold-down handles that allow you to move it around whenever needed.
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2. Optimus H-9010 Garage/Shop Heater
This is one of the cheaper models on our list and whilst there are a few drawbacks to this model, we can see why it is a popular choice for many consumers.
Features:
It is an electric-powered unit, using quartz heating elements and comes with a halogen light that allows you to work in areas with minimal lighting. It comes with a simple pull cord to switch on and off, so there are no buttons or panels to worry about. It comes on a mounting bracket which means it will be mounted out of the way and you can choose the location that works best for you.
Performance:
Where this unit falls down is that it doesn’t heat a particularly large area and can overheat after prolonged use. Furthermore, some customers have reported both the light and heater stops working after a short period of time, but it is hard to gauge whether this is a common fault.
Cost:
As an electric unit, it won’t be the most economic system so you need to monitor your electricity bills.
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3. TPI Corporation 198TMC Fan Forced Portable Heater
This garage heater from TPI Corporation made it onto our list in part because of its fan and heater combination, as well as its portability.
Performance:
Its fan-forced heating system means that you can use it as either fan only or the heat and fan combo. This ensures it stays useful all year-round, no matter whether it is warm or cold.
Controls:
This system has a thermostat on the side that allows you to adjust the temperature and it has a manual reset button which shuts the heater down if it overheats or falls.
Design:
It is a well made, small unit with a handle that means you can easily transport it around the house or between jobs if you work in cold spaces. Add in the fact it works with any standard plug socket and you have a great system for those needing a heater as part of their job or wanting to work in different rooms all year round.
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4. Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2 Blue Flame Vent-Free Garage Heater
Anytime a system offers a vent-free solution then you know they have really thought about what the customer wants. This fantastic garage heater from Dyna-Glo doesn’t need ventilation and packs a punch with a 30,000 BTU rating.
Features:
The features on this system are impressive too, with an accurate built-in thermostat that allows for control of the temperature, as well as adjusting to a preset temperature if you wish.
Safety:
Safety is another big plus on this garage heater, with an oxygen depletion sensor that shuts the heater down if there is a fall in oxygen or it detects high levels of monoxide.
Installation:
This heater can be mounted easily thanks to its quality mounting kit that is provided, making it a versatile option for the garage or any other room, particularly if you are short of space.
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5. Fahrenheat FUH724 240-volt Garage Heater
We’ve put this garage heater on our list because it is a great choice for those wanting to heat larger areas such as workshops or basements, as well as bigger garages.
Design:
This system hasn’t been designed to look particularly attractive but it has certainly been made to last, with a heavy-duty, sturdy design and build quality. Its mount is built-in to the system, reducing the chances of faults occurring and allowing you to mount it easily in any room you wish.
Safety:
It comes with a cut off switch that shuts everything down in the event it starts to overheat and will then restart once it has cooled. We love this safety feature as it really does protect your home and your family.
Controls:
You will find levers on the side that allow you to adjust the heat flow depending on which direction you want it to go in.
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6.KING KB2410-1-B2-ECO KB ECO2S
If you’re searching for the best electric garage heater then you will rarely go wrong with one from King. They make fantastic electric garage heaters and this really does tick almost every box.
Performance:
You can choose from a range of performance levels, from 5,000 Watts all the way up to 15,000 watts. This means no matter your size of the garage, as long as you have a power source then you will find a heater that does the job.
Efficiency:
As the name suggests, King hasn’t sacrificed energy-efficiency for the sake of performance and these are one of the most energy-efficient electric garage heaters on the market right now.
Features:
With this performance and efficiency comes at a relatively high cost, but you also get some nice features. You will get a bracket, thermostat and remote control, so you will have everything you need to get started. Overall, its efficiency should bring down electricity bills compared to older models and even a gas garage heater in some cases.
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7.Mr. Heater F260550 Big Maxx
Next up on our list is this super unit which is one of the best natural gas garage heaters available.
Performance:
It is a heavy-duty system, with a 50,000 BTU energy output, more than enough for large garages up to 1,250square feet. That means you’re covered for a multi-car garage, as well as a smaller garage.
Ventilation:
This natural gas garage heater is easy to ventilate, thanks to the option of both vertical and horizontal venting. You do need to make sure you have the space and fittings for ventilation but most garages should be okay.
Installation:
You can install this relatively easily without professional help and should you struggle with a natural gas source, you can turn it into a propane garage heater via the kit provided in the box.
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8.Mr. Heater F272700 40,000 BTU
Another on our best garage heater list is this propane gas heater from Mr Heater. This system works well as a portable garage heater and you will soon see why.
Performance:
This type of heater delivers up to 40,000 BTU, which should heat up a garage which has a size of 1,170 square feet. That is more than enough for most normal sized garages and even some larger ones.
Portable:
It uses an infrared heater that mays only 6lbs, so you can mount it anywhere and move it whenever you need if you are working in a specific part of your garage. This is a fantastic addition to an already well-designed system.
Maintenance:
It is relatively easy to maintain thanks to minimal parts but it is important to remember that you need to keep the area around it clear for safety. This isn’t that hard to do and the benefits far outweigh this minor inconvenience.
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9. Dr. Heater DR966 Hardwired 6,000 Watt Electric Garage Heater
We’ve selected this budget heater to make it onto our best garage heater list because it is a great, portable, quick fix heater than many of us want.
Performance:
It will heat up to 600 square feet, enough for a 2-car garage, thanks to its 20,500 BTU output. You can switch between different power outputs and works with a standard electric connection.
Design:
This is very easy to move around, designed to be carried by its handle and plug straight into the mains socket. For the price, this is an excellent portable garage heater.
Budget:
You will likely be able to get this electric heater for less than $200, making it a long-term investment, particularly for those that suffer from lower temperatures but have to work or spend time in the garage.
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10. NewAir G73 Hardwired 5,000 Watt Electric Garage Heater
This electric garage heater compares favourably with other small heaters, such as the Fahrenheat FUH54 but it has some standout features.
Design:
To start with, it is a more compact, lightweight version of other models weighing only 15lbs. This means you can easily move it around as required or place it up high with minimal effort.
Performance:
Despite its lightweight design, it still has an output of up to 17,065BTU and will heat up a garage that is 500 square feet. That is more than enough for most small garages or rooms. The only downside here with performance is it can take a while to heat up a garage this size. So don’t expect miracles because you do sacrifice some performance for size.
Budget:
This is another budget-friendly solution so for those wanting a simple electric heater for a small garage then you can’t go too far wrong.
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Summary
Thank you for taking the time to read our article on the top 5 best garage heaters on the market right now. As you can see, there is an array of types and sizes to choose from and it is important to find the right one for your individual needs.
One of the most important factors to consider is whether you want an electric or gas-powered system, as well as the size of the room you wish to heat. Once you’ve made this decision, it will help narrow down your search and ensure you find one that will do the job.
Gas Vs Electric
When purchasing a garage heater, you will need to choose between gas or electric. Both options have their pros and cons, as well as particular features that may suit certain households better than others.
Gas Garage Heater
Gas-powered garage heaters have the ability to heat up much larger rooms and properties, even as big as 5,000 square feet. Furthermore, they will often be a cheaper option over the long term than electric models but will require ventilation and replacement tanks.
Natural Gas Garage Heater
If you’re fortunate enough to have a gas line near to the garage, then a natural gas garage heater can be one of the most affordable options. If you already use natural gas in the house, you may be able to simply extend it to the garage.
Propane Garage Heater
For households that don’t have a natural gas line, then you can buy garage heaters that use propane tanks. One of the big benefits of this option is that you can easily buy these tanks from gas stations and other stores.
Electric Garage Heater
The electric garage heaters are often easier to use when compared to gas models and don’t require additional ventilation. You will normally plug these into the mains electricity system and mount them on walls, taking up less room than a gas unit.
Other key considerations
There are some other key considerations to think about before buying your next garage heater and each of these points may be more or less important, depending on your individual requirements.
Portability
Some customers may wish to be able to move the heater between different rooms, such as the garage and a spare room or workshop. If this is the case, then you need to consider how portable and lightweight the units are, as well as what kind of power connection they need. There are models on the market that have wheels and handles to make it much easier to move around.
Fan
You will want to look for models that include some kind of fan so that it will spread the heat around the room and not simply heat up a small section of the garage. This really does make a big difference and you will even find some heaters that include a fan-only setting for added functionality.
Thermostat
Fortunately, the majority of systems on the market now come with a thermostat, that allows you to monitor and control the temperature that the garage heater works at. This really does help you get the room warmed up and at the right temperature much more easily than cheaper and older systems will do.
Installation
Everyone should consider the installation requirements of a garage heater, against their own space requirements. If you have minimal floor space, then you will want to look for a unit with mounting brackets that allow you to install it on a wall. Perhaps you want to move it around and so don’t want a unit that must be mounted onto a fixed point.
Safety
You should make sure the garage heater comes with safety features that protect you and your household from overheating or potential fire risk. You will find a range of options here, from basic switches that shut the system off when it overheats, to ones that actually switch back on when it detects the system has cooled down sufficiently.
Almost all come with some kind of overheating protection, but make sure it also has a tip switch that will turn it off if the system ever falls over or gets knocked down. This is particularly important for those models that don’t get mounted in place or are on busy construction sites.
Understanding the heat range
Unfortunately, it can be quite complicated to understand the area that a garage heater will effectively heat. As a result, this is going to be a brief introduction and explanation on what to look for and how to calculate it.
On the majority of heaters, you will see a BTU rating and the number of watts. In essence, the higher the BTU and number of watts, the more heat generated and how much space it can heat up.
In an ideal world, the packaging will show the heating range for each model but if it doesn’t, then the easiest way is to use the BTU rating and a ratio of 10 watts to 1 foot (10:1). This means that if a heater has a measurement of 5,000 watts, then it will cover 500 sq feet.
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