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Are you looking for a quick and effective way of heating your garage? Whether you are fixing your car or working on a new DIY project, a garage heater can keep you snug and super warm during the colder months of the year. Just because there is a chill in the air, the icy rain is bucketing down, or there is crisp snow on the ground, there is no reason why you should have to forgo working in your garage. Garage heaters provide you with the warmth you need in just a few minutes.
The 6 Best Garage Heaters
- Mr. Heater Indoor-Safe Portable Propane Radiant Heater
- COSTWAY Propane Heater
- Modine Natural Gas Hot Dawg Garage Heater (Our Top Pick)
- Heatstar By Enerco Overhead Garage Heater
- Fahrenheat Electric Garage Heater
- Dr. Heater Infrared Garage Shop Heater
Our Top Pick for the Best Garage Heater
Our top pick for the best garage heater is the Modine Natural Gas Hot Dawg Garage Heater.
The Modine Natural Gas Hot Dawg Garage Heater is a very economical way of heating a medium or large-sized garage. It is powered by clean natural gas that will save you money in the long term and will provide you with a massive amount of superheated air, and it is eco-friendly. The Modine Hot Dawg is a quiet operator and it can be installed on the wall or ceiling.
It can be easily installed, but if you prefer a professional to do the work, Modine provides a professional electrician to install the unit for a very good price. Once you install the Hot Dawg, you can enjoy its benefits straight away. The storm may rage outside and the bitter winds may blow, but you’ll be snug and warm in your garage or workshop.
When it comes to choosing a garage heater, there arethree mainthingsto consider:
Firstly, you need to consider the size of your garage or workspace and where you will place the heater. Is your garage or workshop small, medium, or large? Do you want to place the heater on the wall or install it in the ceiling, or do you want a portable free-standing heater that you can move around the room or place on a table?
Secondly, you need to think about the particular power source the heater uses and how the heater generates its warmth such as a radiant/infrared-red or fan-forced heater.
Thirdly, you need to consider the heater’s power capacity such as the wattage or level of BTUs it can produce.
Choosing the Best Garage Heater for you
Size of Your Garage
If you have a small garage, choosing a garage heater that is too powerful may cause your working space to be too hot and stuffy. However, if you have a large area to cover and you choose a heater that is too small, it will not have enough power to heat the space.
Some heaters arefree-standingand they sit on the ground and offer you a lot of portability, so you can move them around to the place where you need the heat. You can place them under a table to keep your legs and feet warm or even place one on a workbench to have a constant source of warmth while you work.
There arewall-mounted heaters, which are great space savers. However, depending on the type of heating they generate, fan-forced or radiant, they may not be strong enough for a large garage.
Also, when you are thinking about the size of your garage, consider the height of the ceiling. If your garage or workshop has a high ceiling, around 6-7-feet high, you may have to consider a morepowerful heateror one that is fan-forced. You also have to consider the ventilation ducts in the wall that can cause the room to lose heating.
Power Source: Propane, Natural Gas or Electric
Garage heaters can be powered either by propane, natural gas or electricity.
The best thing about gas-powered garage heaters is that they can be veryeconomicaland can heat a room very quickly. If you have a large space to heat and you will be needing the heat for many hours during the day, then a gas-powered garage heater is a very good dollar-saving option.
Although they are great for heating larger areas, you should take care with gas-powered heaters, as they can be dangerous to use in an enclosed space. And as they come with a gas bottle, you need to check that it has been turned off properly, and the bottle will require maintenance to keep it in proper working order.
– Natural Gas Garage Heaters
Natural gas garage heaters are the preferred heating choice for many people and an efficient and clean source of energy. To use natural gas you will need to have gas lines installed so that you can hook up your heater. Although installing natural gas in your home can be expensive initially it will save you money on your operating costs in the long term.
There are two types ofnatural gas heaters: a fan-forced garage heater that blows warm air and an infrared tube heater that radiates heat. Both of these types of heaters can burn natural gas and also LP gas. Remember: natural gas heaters can leave toxic gasses behind, so you will have to install a venting system to eliminate any fumes.
- Remember: As natural gas can leave toxic gasses behind, you will have to install a venting system to eliminate any fumes.
– Electric Garage Heaters
Electric garage heaters are very popular. They can produce a consistent amount ofsuper-heated airor radiant/infrared heat. Although they may not provide the best level of heating over a large area, they work well in small to medium spaces. Most models have an automatic turn-off switch or sensor in case you knock the unit over and they usually have more than one setting that allows you to control the level of heat.
Radiant/Infrared Garage Heaters
Radiantor infrared garage heaters localize their heating so they are powerful enough to heat up a small space and they generate the heat quickly. Some infrared heaters are freestanding and they are very portable and you can move them around wherever you need some heat, while others can be mounted on the wall. The only problem with some radiant/infrared heaters that are mounted on the wall is that you need to stay relatively close to them to enjoy their full heating benefits.
Fan-forced Garage Heaters
If you have a large garage, then a verypowerful fan-forced air heateris a great choice as it can fill the space with warm air for a long period of time, even in the coldest conditions, so you can stay nice and warm. The fan draws in the cold air and the strong element inside the heater warms up the air and the fan blows it out into the room. A fan-forced garage heater can produce a lot of heat and it will heat a room quickly.
The downside of using a fan-forced garage heater is that if you are using it in a small space, it can suck the air out and make the room stuffy. Some fan-forced heaters give you the option to turn off the heat and just leave the fan running, to clear the air.
Power Output Level
If you choose either a gas-powered garage heater, you need to consider the amount of BTUs(British Thermal Unit) the heater can generate.
Small heaters can generate from4,000-9,000 BTUs, which will be sufficient for heating a small garage to 250-feet. If you have a 2-car garage or a workshop that measures 500-600-feet, then choose a gas-powered heater that can generate 25,000 BTUs.
For larger garages or workspaces that measure 1000-feet and more, choosing a garage heater that can produce from30,000-60,000 BTUswill create a cozy, warm space for you to work in.
If you want to use an electric heater in a small to medium-sized garage or basem*nt that measures from 500-600-feet, anelectric garage heaterthat can produce 2500-5000-watts will keep you nice and warm.
Safety Features
When you use any sort of heating appliance, safety features are important to consider, especially in a working environment.
– Cool-touch or Wire Guard
Radiant heaters may have a cool touch surface or ahigh-temperature wire guardthat protects you from its very hot surface.
– Overheating Protection
As heaters can generate a lot of heat over a long period of time, they can overheat, which can damage the unit. An automatic shut-off system or an inbuilt high-temperature safety switch will make sure that the heater turns itself off. Some gas-powered heaters have an integrated safety sensor that shuts off the heater and prevents it from overheating or if there are any flame-outs.
– Tip-over Switchor Sensor
Heaters can get knocked over when you are busy working in the garage, so most good-quality heaters have a tip-over switch or sensor that turns the heater off.
Settings
Heat settingsallow you to adjust the level of heating to suit the indoor conditions inside your workspace. Look forhigh and low settingsor a thermostat that allows you to change the settings: low-level warmth for crisp spring mornings or a high-level setting for those bitterly cold winter days or nights.
– Adjustable Louvres
Some fan-forced heaters come withadjustable louversthat allow you to direct the heat where you want it to go.
– Power Cord or Hose Length
If you are choosing an electric garage heater for a medium-sized garage, the length of the power cord is important. Most heaters come with a6-feet power cord, which gives you that much-needed portability to move the heater around your garage as you work.
Somepropane gas heatersgive you an extra-long 10-feet hose to connect the heater to the propane gas tank or bottle, which gives you that extra flexibility.
– Carrying Handle
Portability is important. Ahandleallows you to move the heater easily, and it can protect you from burning yourself if you want to reposition the heater when it is turned on and generating heat.
6 Best Garage Heaters – Reviews
1. Mr. Heater Indoor-Safe Portable Propane Radiant Heater
If you have a small garage that measures up to 225-square-feet and would like an economical way of heating it quickly, theMr. Heater Indoor-Safe Portable Propane Radiant Heaterwill keep you snug and warm. The compact heater can provide between 4,000-9,000 BTUs of comfortable radiant heat from a 1lb propane gas cylinder.
To enjoy the maximum benefits of its warmth you need to position the heater so that it is close to you, either near your feet or you can place it on the table. There is a fold-down handle that makes it easy to move the heater around your garage or workshop and the handle also folds down on the top of the heater, so it will not take up a lot of storage space when you want to pack it away.
For extra safety, there is an integrated auto-shutoff feature that is built into the heater, in case it is accidentally tipped over, and the safety shut-off will also turn the heater off if the oxygen levels drop too low or if the pilot light goes out.
There is 2 heat (low and high) settings, a 4-position control with a built-in Piezo igniter that makes it easy to light the gas, and a swivel regulator for easy LP cylinder and hose installation. The large, durable porcelain-coated heating surface directs radiant heat over a substantial area, and the high-temperature wire guard protects you from the heater’s hot surface.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Ideal for heating a small room
- Quick heating
- Compact and lightweight
- Generates a lot of heat
- Economical
- Two heating settings: low and high
- Automatic shut-off
Cons
- Not ideal for heating a large garage
2. COSTWAY Propane Heater
If you have a large garage or a workshop with a high ceiling that feels like an igloo in winter, the COSTWAY Propane Heater is the ideal choice as it can generate an incredible amount of heat very quickly.
Featuring a powerful heavy-duty motor, the COSTWAY heater produces up to 60,000 BTUs, which heats an area of 2195-square-feet, and will keep you cozy and warm all winter long.
If you need more heat on a bitterly cold winter night, the heater has 2 heat settings on its convenient variable dial control, and the wide opening allows the heated air to be distributed over a large area. An adjustable heating angle allows you to direct the heat wherever you need it most. For long-lasting warmth, the heater provides heating for hours on the high and low setting.
An automatic ignition prevents delayed ignition and accidental flameout, so you can have the safe heating you need on demand.
This heater is very portable, compact, and lightweight, and the adjustable steel base has a control knob that allows you to raise or lower the heater to an optimal angle. The handle makes it easy to move the heater around.
You do not have to worry about the unit overheating as it has overheating protection and if you accidentally knock the unit over, the integrated safety sensor shuts off the heater. For extra peace of mind, the heater is UL listed and certified by the CSA. This garage heater is very quiet and only produces 63 dB.
The heater comes with an extra-long 10-feet hose which can be easily connected to a 20 or 40 lbs propane gas tank.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Ideal for a large garage or workshop
- Very powerful heater
- Portable, compact, and lightweight
- Overheat auto shut-off protection
- Easy to connect to a gas tank
- Can be connected to a 20 or 40 lbs propane gas tank
- Adjustable heating angle and base
- Carrying handle and extra-long 10-feet hose
Cons
- Ignition needs to be held down for longer than 30 secs
- Need to be connected to a power source so you may need an extension cord
3. Modine Natural Gas Hot Dawg Garage Heater
Modine has been manufacturing high-quality heaters since 1916 and itmaintains this dedication by designing a compact Natural Gas Hot Dawg Garage Heater that can pump out a serious amount of heat of 45,000 BTUs for up to 1000-square-feet in just a few minutes.
The Hot Dawg heater is made for both residential and commercial purposes, so you do not have to worry about the freezing temperatures invading your workspace in winter or braving those chilly spring mornings, as its hot air will make you feel as warm as toast inside your garage or workshop.
With its neutral color, compact design, whisper-quiet operation, it will work silently in the background while you work, and with 85% energy efficiency, it is good value for money. Besides its ability to heat a large area very quickly, the Modine heater gives you the choice of a natural gas or electrically powered heater. It can be installed as an electric heater or can be attached to a natural gas or propane tank. It is very versatile as you can install it on the wall or ceiling.
If you need extra ventilation, the Hot Dawg has tube ventilation attachments and it can also be hooked up to a thermostat for temperature control. Although the heater can be easily installed within 1 or 2 hours, Modine does offer installation by an expert electrician.
Pros
- High quality
- Industrial strength heater
- Ideal for large garages up to 1000-square-feet
- Can be used as an electric or gas-powered heater
- Can be installed on the wall or ceiling
- Additional vent pipe attachments
- Can be hooked up to an external thermostat
- Quiet operation
- Easy installation for most people
- Economical
- Professional electrician available for installation
Cons
- Expensive
- Not ideal for heating small areas
- Requires ventilation
4. Heatstar By Enerco Overhead Garage Heater
If you have a 2-car garage or a workshop that measures 500-600-square-feet, theHeatstar By Enerco Overhead Garage Heatergives you an excellent level of radiant heat up to 25,000 BTUs per hour, which can keep you warm and comfortable throughout the coldest months.
As the Heatstar is powered by natural gas, this heater is 99.9 fuel-efficient and eco-friendly, so you can enjoy its clean and safe heating while also saving on power bills. The heater is easy to install. All you need to do is just hook up the included thermostat with the required wiring (not included with the heater), mount the heater to the wall, and set up the natural gas connection, and hey presto! Instant heat!
The adjustable thermostat allows you to control the level of warmth, and the radiant/infrared heat can effectively heat the surrounding air, so the Heatstar is a great choice for those buildings that have high ceilings up to 7 or 8-feet. As the heater is built from non-corrosive materials, it is very durable and CSA certified.
The Heatstar comes with the wall-mount bracket and thermostat, but you need to purchase your own wiring. Enerco also offers apropane gas-poweredheater that can be attached to a 40lb propane gas cylinder.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Very good level of radiant heat
- Cost-effective
- Easy installation
- Quiet
- Thermostat and wall-mount bracket included
- Great customer service
Cons
- Not ideal for large garages
- Wiring not included
5. Fahrenheat Electric Garage Heater
It may be small, but theFahrenheat Electric Garage Heatercan generate a lot of heat, so it is a great choice for a small or medium-sized garage, basem*nt, or workshop that measures up to 500-square-feet. With the ability to produce from 2500-5000-watts it can provide you with a whopping amount of hot air to keep you super warm on those cold winter days.
The heater has a built-in ceiling mount bracket, so it can be mounted on the wall or attached to the ceiling and the adjustable louvers allow you to direct heat to where you need the most warmth.
The only downside of the Fahrenheat is that it cannot be simply plugged into an electric socket and has to be hard-wired in, so you may need an electrician to install the unit, and as there are no settings on the heater, you will need an external thermostat to control the level of heat, especially as it can get very hot, up to 135°F, in a small space.
Pros
- Ideal for small and medium-sized garages
- Very powerful heater
- In-built ceiling-mount bracket
- Industrial construction
- Can be mounted vertically or horizontally
- Great space saver
Cons
- Requires complex electric installation
- Need to purchase your own external thermostat
- No settings
6. Dr. Heater Infrared Garage Shop Heater
The Dr. Heater Infrared Garage Shop Heater features a specially designed industrial heating element and a 5600-watt fan that produces 18,500 BTUs at full power, so it can provide plenty of heating very quickly for a large garage that measures up to 600-square-feet.
With a sturdy bright red steel construction, the Dr. Heater Infrared garage heater is guaranteed to last. It comes with a fan switch that has dual controls: On and Automatic, and the built-in thermostat control can be adjusted from low to high. You will be able to work in total comfort as the advanced fan provides continuous warmth from 45-95°F without any hot or cold spots.
Extremely portable, this heater has a convenient handle and a heavy-duty 6-feet power cord, so you can place it on a workbench, cabinet, or floor. Safety features include finger-proof intake and discharge grills and high-temperature overheating cut-off protection. This garage heater requires a NEMA #6-30P receptacle for the 3-pronged 6-30R plug and professional installation is required for residential use.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Ideal for a large garage or workshop
- Sturdy construction
- Fast and effective industrial heating element
- Powerful fan provides a very good level of heating
- Built-thermostat can be adjusted from low to high
- On/automatic switch
- Finger-proof intake and discharge grills
- Extremely portable
- Convenient handle and heavy-duty 6-feet power cord
- Does not generate too much noise
Cons
- Professional installation is recommended for residential use
- Fan can malfunction or overheat if it gets clogged up with dust and debris
- Needs to be unplugged after turning the thermostat dial to the OFF position
Our Top Pick for the Best Garage Heater
Our top pick for the best garage heater is the Modine Natural Gas Hot Dawg Garage Heater.
The Modine Natural Gas Hot Dawg Garage Heater is a very economical way of heating a medium or large-sized garage. It is powered by clean natural gas that will save you money in the long term and will provide you with a massive amount of superheated air, and it is eco-friendly. The Modine Hot Dawg is a quiet operator and it can be installed on the wall or ceiling.
It can be easily installed, but if you prefer a professional to do the work, Modine provides a professional electrician to install the unit for a very good price. Once you install the Hot Dawg, you can enjoy its benefits straight away. The storm may rage outside and the bitter winds may blow, but you’ll be snug and warm in your garage or workshop.
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