Best Overall
Mr. Heater Big Buddy Propane Heater
- It has a wide power output range of 4,000 to 18,000 Btu between three settings.
It has a wide power output range of 4,000 to 18,000 Btu between three settings.
- It does not come with a gas hose.
It does not come with a gas hose.
Lightweight and portable, the Mr. Heater Big Buddy Propane Heater has high, medium, and low settings producing 4,000, 9,000, and 18,000 Btu, respectively. It’s designed to heat spaces up to 450 square feet. The runtime is just over three hours on low and close to two hours on high.
During testing, we felt that it heated the room evenly, and we were able to detect the warmth up to 15 feet away. It was noticeably more effective at heating the garage than the 110-volt infrared room heater we used previously.
The heater earned bonus points from us because it was easy to set up and came with clear instructions that explained how to set up and operate the heater. However, no gas hose was included, so we ended up purchasing one with an adapter to use during our tests.
We found it fairly quiet for a propane heater, even with the fan running. However, we noticed that heat radiated upwards from the unit, so areas that were below the heater did not get as warm. And we would have preferred a longer cord so we could have more room to move it around.
Product Details: Type: Gas | Dimensions: 19x12x17.75 inches | Power Source: Propane, corded electric | Installation: Portable
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / PATRICK MCGOWAN
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / PATRICK MCGOWAN
Key Terms to Know
Btu: Btu, or British Thermal Units, are measurements that show the amount of energy a heater needs to produce heat. The higher the Btu rating, the more powerful the heater.
Best Propane
Mr. Heater Portable Propane Forced Air Heater
- It can quickly heat up a large area (up to 1,500 square feet) thanks to a maximum 60,000 Btu output.
It can quickly heat up a large area (up to 1,500 square feet) thanks to a maximum 60,000 Btu output.
- The heater does not have a built-in thermostat.
The heater does not have a built-in thermostat.
In just five minutes, the Mr. Heater Portable Propane Forced Air Heater made a chilly, 34°F space feel noticeably warmer, especially in the spot where we directed the heat. It’s one of the best garage heaters we tested in terms of power, featuring a maximum 60,000 Btu output.
Plus, it can run 12 hours at a time on a single 20-pound tank, making it a good option to have in case of a blackout or emergency situation. Easy-to-use dials let you crank the heat up or down, while a gas hose and regulator control gas pressure. The heater also has handles for easy carrying.
It can heat up to 1,500 square feet, so it works for medium to large garages or job sites. While the manufacturer says it is 50 percent quieter than other heaters, it was pretty loud (like a box fan on high)—you might need noise-canceling headphones to drown out the roar.
While we found this garage heater effective, it isn’t the most energy efficient, as it doesn’t have a built-in thermostat and can’t automatically adjust temperatures if it gets too warm.
Product Details: Type: Gas | Dimensions: 15.98x8.82x13.5 inches | Power Source: Propane gas | Installation: Portable, floor mounted, tabletop mounted
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LUCAS PETERS
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LUCAS PETERS
Best for Large Garages
Briza Infrared Electric Heater
- It features an IP55 rating, indicating a certain level of weather protection, so you can use it indoors and outdoors.
It features an IP55 rating, indicating a certain level of weather protection, so you can use it indoors and outdoors.
- There are no precise temperature control settings.
There are no precise temperature control settings.
The Briza Infrared Electric Heater heats objects instead of the air around them, which can save energy, especially if you have a large garage. Although there is no way to set an exact temperature, it offers three heat levels at 900, 1,200, and 1,500 watts.
In our tests, we were able to feel the heater’s warming effects in a three-car garage within minutes. The heater automatically turns off if it tips over, which is a nice safety feature. An IP55 rating offers protection against dust and wet weather, so you can use it to heat a patio or balcony.
We liked that the heater could be ceiling-mounted or set on the floor using an adjustable (included) 48- to 75-inch tripod. While we appreciate the versatility, it can only be set horizontally, which limits where it can fit—we wished we could tilt it vertically to place it in the garage corner.
As long as we remained within 10 feet of the heater, we were able to feel the heat. But not as much heat emitted from the back of the heater, so it felt significantly cooler behind the device. Our favorite aspect is that the heater doesn’t have a fan, making it virtually silent.
Product Details: Type: Electric infrared | Dimensions: 35.5x4x4 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Installation: Tripod, ceiling mounted
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HILDARA ARAYA
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HILDARA ARAYA
Best Ceiling Mounted
Comfort Zone Ceiling Mount Heater
- It has a remote control with a timer that you can program to turn on and off based on your schedule.
It has a remote control with a timer that you can program to turn on and off based on your schedule.
- The unit price, as well as installation fees, make this one of the most expensive models on the list.
The unit price, as well as installation fees, make this one of the most expensive models on the list.
Although the ComfortZone Ceiling Mount Heater is more expensive than other options, we think it’s worth it for uncluttered space in the garage. Installing the heater up high also allows the heat to spread evenly, so you won’t have to worry about cold pockets.
Made of heavy-gauge steel, it has a remote control with a 12-hour timer that cycles the machine on and off automatically, plus an overheating sensor. During testing, we found that the heater effectively maintained the temperature at 50°F.
We found that it made a quiet hum when running that didn’t drown out conversation or music. The heater is available in 5,000-, 7,500-, and 10,000-watt models, so you have a few options to best accommodate your space.
Installation is a bit more complicated, as the heater needs to be hardwired with the help of an electrician. Combining installation fees with the overall unit price does add up, making this one of the more expensive picks.
Product Details: Type: Ceiling mounted | Dimensions: 17.88x14x14.5 inches | Power Source: Electric | Installation: Hardwired
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KELLY LEWIS
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KELLY LEWIS
Best Hybrid
DEWALT Hybrid Portable Heater
- It has a wide base which makes it hard to knock over.
It has a wide base which makes it hard to knock over.
- This heater requires lots of ventilation, which might not always be possible in cold, winter months.
This heater requires lots of ventilation, which might not always be possible in cold, winter months.
The Dewalt Hybrid Portable Heater was easy to use, and we felt it was a safe option, even with kids nearby. This is because of an extra-wide base that makes it hard to accidentally knock over, and a safety switch that automatically shuts off the gas if the flame goes out.
During testing, we observed that the handle didn’t get burning hot when the heater was on, so we could pick it up and move it around. It’s powered by electricity with backup 20-volt max batteries, making it great for blackouts or to take camping. (Note: We did not test the battery feature.)
It’s powerful, featuring 68,000 Btu—enough to heat a three-car garage in the wintertime. We liked that it heated the space quickly on a snowy, 11°F day. But keep in mind that it needs plenty of ventilation (open doors or windows) to prevent the buildup of toxic gas.
On cold days, the heater might take a while to warm up. Our only other complaint is that the heater was extremely loud, and we could only carry a conversation if it wasn’t set at the max.
Product Details: Type: Electric, batteries | Dimensions: 20x13x17 inches | Power Source: Battery, electricity | Installation: Portable
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JODI ESPINOSA
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JODI ESPINOSA
Best Electric
Heat Storm Wifi Infrared Heater
- Smart features such as an Amazon Alexa and Google Home-compatible app let you create a heating schedule.
Smart features such as an Amazon Alexa and Google Home-compatible app let you create a heating schedule.
- It comes in limited color options.
It comes in limited color options.
While you could certainly install the Heat Storm Wifi Infrared Heater in your garage, it’s suitable for practically any room of your home. The heater’s power output is 52,000 Btu, and is designed for rooms between 150 and 750 square feet, depending on how well insulated they are.
The heater has convenient features, such as a thermostat, a remote, and an app that pairs with Amazon Alexa or Google Home, allowing you to make a heating schedule. You can also set your preferred temperature via the remote or the touchscreen panel on the body.
It scored top marks for safety during our tests—it remained cool enough to touch while running, and we felt comfortable leaving it on while our 3-year-old was in the room. We liked that the heater can be wall-mounted or portable, thanks to removable feet you can slide under the heater.
We found the heater extremely efficient; it was able to warm our two-room garage within 10 minutes and has an energy-saving mode. It’s also fairly sleek compared to other options, but we would have loved other colors besides black and white.
Product Details: Type: Infrared electric | Dimensions: 4x19x16 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Installation: Wall-mounted, floor mounted
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MIKE NAVARRO
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MIKE NAVARRO