The best space heater for your garage depends on your garage size and the heater’s intended use. In any case, you’ll want a space heater that is efficient and reliable. In this article, we’ll recommend several of the best garage heaters, including electric and propane heaters. Our team has personally tested each of these recommendations, and we’ll share our experience below.
In this article:
- 5 Best Garage Space Heaters
- Best For Large Garages: Dyna-Glo Delux 80,000 BTU Space Heater
- Best For Small Garages: Pelonis Ceramic Tower Heater
- Best Features: Heat Storm Infrared Heater PHX-WIFI
- Best Portable Garage Space Heater: Mr. Heater Portable Buddy
- Best Budget Garage Space Heater: Andily Ceramic Heater
- Garage Space Heater Buyers Guide
- Our Review Standards
- FAQ: Best Space Heater For A Garage
5 Best Garage Space Heaters
Each of the best garage space heaters has strengths and weaknesses, so the right one for you will depend on your needs. These garage heaters performed well during our testing and received generally high marks from customers in online reviews.
Best For Large Garages: Dyna-Glo Delux 80,000 BTU Space Heater
| Cost | About $185 |
| Power | 80,000 BTU |
| Power Source | Kerosene and corded electric |
| Heating Method | Forced air |
The Dyna-Glo Delux is the most powerful space heater we tested. It’s a heat cannon capable of throwing out 80,000 BTU (British Thermal Units). This forced air heater is your best option if you need to heat a large garage quickly. It’s simple to use and easy to carry if you can lift 27.0 pounds.
We purchased and tested the 80,000 BTU model, but you can also purchase this heater in models ranging from 50,000 BTU to 180,000 BTU.
Features
- 5.0-gallon tank
- 26.9 pounds
- 32.0 x 11.7 x 16.7 inches
- Comfort control thermostat
Our Experience
| Overall Rating | 4.1 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Heating Power | 5 out of 5 |
| Efficiency | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Ease of Use | 4 out of 5 |
| Extra Features | 3 out of 5 |
Setup
Setup for the Dyna-Glo is relatively simple. The unit is easy to position using the handle. The heater is 27.0 pounds, so if you struggle to lift this much weight, you won’t find the heater as simple to position as we did.
Filling the tank with kerosene is straightforward, but you must attach the heater to an electrical outlet. This heater draws only 0.06 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power and needs electricity only to power the air blower. Because it doesn’t come with a long power cord, you’ll need a separate extension cord to reach an outlet.
Heating Power
Once you start the Dyna-Glo, heat output is immediate and powerful. However, we made a couple of observations while using this space heater that some users may not like. The heater was the loudest of those we tested – it resembles the sound of a distant jet engine. The heater also produces an odor while burning the kerosene. The smell isn’t especially strong or unpleasant, but it’s noticeable.
Efficiency
The Dyna-Glo cycles on and off to maintain the selected temperature, so the noise and smell are not ever-present while using this heater. The heater turned off for about two minutes every ten minutes to maintain a consistent 70-degree temperature during our testing. It burned about a half gallon of fuel in an hour.
What Customers Are Saying
Dyna-Glo Delux Space Heaters have an average Amazon review score of 4.6 out of 5 based on more than 1,400 ratings. A total of 92 percent of reviewers rate this heater 4 or more stars.
Positive reviews mention the Dyna-Glo’s powerful heat output. Several reviewers note that the device is essential in the winter months and capable of warming their garages up to 20 degrees above the ambient temperature.
Some reviewers complain that they received faulty or broken heaters from Amazon. A few others say they didn’t care for the smell, which seeped into their clothing if they stood too close to the unit for more than an hour.
Best For Small Garages: Pelonis Ceramic Tower Heater
| Cost | About $75 |
| Power | 1,500 watts |
| Power Source | Corded electric |
| Heating Method | Radiant |
The Pelonis Ceramic Tower Heater is a low-cost, compact electric garage heater good for small spaces. It includes several safety features that make it suitable for areas where there may be pets, children, or flammable materials.
Among the electric garage space heaters we tested, the Pelonis had the best heating power, especially considering its size. This heater includes an adjustable thermostat and remote control.
Features
- Remote
- Built-in temperature monitor
- Auto shutoff
- Oscillator
- Tip-over switch
- Eco energy-saving mode
Our Experience
| Overall Rating | 4 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Heating Power | 3.5 out of 5 |
| Efficiency | 3.5 out of 5 |
| Ease of Use | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Extra Features | 4.5 out of 5 |
Setup
At about 6.0 pounds, the Pelonis Ceramic Tower heater is easy to move. The interface is simple, allowing you to adjust the heat settings with little effort.
Heating Power
During testing, we were pretty warm sitting next to the Pelonis, but it didn’t significantly raise the garage's temperature. It effectively warms an area six feet around the tower. The Pelonis raised the temperature of our large garage four degrees, which is impressive for a heater its size.
Efficiency
This space heater used the most power of any corded space heaters we tested, using 1.6 kWh in an hour. For perspective, the average residential household in the United States uses around 30 kWh a day, so using this device on high continuously for long periods could produce a noticeable impact on your electric bill.
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon reviews give the Pelonis an average score of 4.6 based on more than 7,700 ratings. A total of 90 percent of reviewers award the Pelonis at least 4 stars.
Many customer reviews say this small heater is quite powerful for its size, adequately heating well-insulated spaces. Users are also pleased with how easy it is to set up this heater, especially given its light weight.
Some users mention that the temperature control setting doesn’t work very well. If you try to heat a room to a specific temperature, the heater doesn’t turn on until the room falls below that temperature. The heater then warms the room to above the desired temperature. This may not be the best heater if you’re looking for precise temperature control.
Best Features: Heat Storm Infrared Heater PHX-WIFI
| Cost | About $170 |
| Power | 1,500 watts |
| Power Source | Corded electric |
| Heating Method | Radiant |
Heat Storm’s wall-mounted heater offers a high degree of control. This is a good pick if you’re seeking the most customizable garage heating solution, as it includes smartphone and Wi-Fi integration.
Because the Heat Storm requires wall mounting and Wi-Fi integration, the installation process is more involved than other options. If you don’t plan to move your heater after setting it up, the Heat Storm offers a sleek, low-profile design.
Features
- Remote
- Child lock
- Delay and timed modes
- Smartphone and Wi-Fi integration
- Washable filter
Our Experience
| Overall Rating | 4 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Heating Power | 4 out of 5 |
| Efficiency | 3.5 out of 5 |
| Ease of Use | 3.5 out of 5 |
| Extra Features | 5 out of 5 |
Setup
While mounting this heater may take some time, it’s straightforward to use. The button interface is intuitive, and the device is simple to control and program with the remote or a smartphone. We didn’t mount the heater to our garage for testing, but we did test the Wi-Fi and smartphone features, which were easy to access through the Heat Storm app.
Heating Power
Aside from the Dyna-Glo, this was the most powerful heater we tested. It warmed our garage 4.5 degrees, and standing close to the Heat Storm was comfortable.
Efficiency
The Heat Storm is average in terms of efficiency, using 1.6 kWh in an hour.
What Customers Are Saying
More than 9,400 Amazon reviews rate the Heat Storm an average of 4.5 stars. A total of 86 percent of reviews give the heater 4 or more stars.
Most users are happy with the heat this unit produces. It warms quickly, and users like that it integrates with Alexa for easy control. However, the Heat Storm may not be powerful enough to fully heat a large room or a garage. This heater can keep you warm in a cool space but may not be the best option for full temperature control across a large area.
Best Portable Garage Space Heater: Mr. Heater Portable Buddy
| Cost | About $100 |
| Power | 9,000 BTU |
| Power Source | Propane |
| Heating Method | Radiant |
The Mr. Heater Portable Buddy is a propane gas garage heater that doesn’t require an outlet. These features, along with its low weight and carry handle, make it an easily-portable garage heater. Rather than heating a large garage, it can be cheaper to carry a portable unit and keep it nearby.
While the Portable Buddy doesn’t create as much heat as larger, forced-air heaters, it’s a good pick for an easily movable heat source. It heats quickly and is strong enough to keep several people warm.
Features
- Comes with one-year warranty
- Lightweight
- Fold-down handle
Our Experience
| Overall Rating | 3.9 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Heating Power | 3.5 out of 5 |
| Efficiency | 4 out of 5 |
| Ease of Use | 5 out of 5 |
| Extra Features | 3 out of 5 |
Setup
The propane canister that we purchased was too large to sit upright while attached to the heater. However, the adjustable mount allowed us to kick the tank out at an angle, and the setup was quite stable. Because it doesn’t use electricity, there’s no need to plug in the Portable Buddy.
Heating Power
Set to high, the Mr. Heater Portable Buddy warmed our test garage 3.6 degrees in an hour. Sitting near the unit was comfortable in the otherwise 50-degree garage. Though one of the lower-strength heaters we tested, it produced enough heat to comfortably work in the garage.
Efficiency
A small tank of propane will easily last for several hours. We ran the device for more than 2.5 hours and didn’t even half-deplete our small propane canister.
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon reviews give the Mr. Heater Portable Buddy an average rating of 4.8 stars. A total of 95 percent of reviews award the product a minimum of 4 stars. These scores indicate reliable performance.
Users who don’t need a heavy-duty heating solution most appreciate the Mr. Heater Portable Buddy. This heater is reliable and works well in very cold conditions where some electric heaters may fail.
Some users complain that the heater makes strange noises and smells odd when set too low. We didn’t experience this in our tests, but it’s a problem other reviewers have noted.
Best Budget Garage Space Heater: Andily Ceramic Heater
| Cost | About $40 |
| Power | 1,500 watts |
| Power Source | Corded electric |
| Heating Method | Forced air |
The Andily Ceramic is a low-cost heater that throws a surprising amount of heat for its size. While this isn’t an especially powerful garage heater, it’s a cheap and reliable unit for quick-and-easy garage heating solutions. The automatic shutoff tip-over switch and built-in overheat protection make this a safe heating option.
Extra Features
- Tip-over switch
- Overheat protection
- Ceramic heater elements
- Built-in thermostat
Our Experience
| Overall Rating | 4 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Heating Power | 3 out of 5 |
| Efficiency | 4 out of 5 |
| Ease of Use | 5 out of 5 |
| Extra Features | 4 out of 5 |
Setup
With its small size and simple controls, the Andily hardly requires instructions. It’s the easiest and least daunting garage heater to use, especially considering the tip-over switch and overheat protection safety features.
Heating Power
The heating element on this space heater warmed up very quickly, and we were noticeably more comfortable in its radiant glow.
However, this was the weakest of our test heaters, only warming our garage by 3.2 degrees. But given the size of the garage, this is an impressive feat. Working near the heater in the cold garage was plenty toasty.
Efficiency
This heater was the most efficient of the electric heaters we tested, using 1.57 kWh in an hour.
What Customers Are Saying
The Andily Ceramic heater has over 24,000 Amazon reviews, with an average review score of 4.5 and 88 percent of reviews rating the product 4 or more stars.
Like us, satisfied Amazon reviewers are surprised by how much heat this small device can produce. The Andily warms well-insulated rooms quite well and can heat a garage but may not work well from far away (more than 10.0 feet).
Some customers complain that the device is loud when set too high. We didn’t notice a noise, but we only used it for a couple of hours. These heaters may develop a noise over time, though this isn’t an especially prevalent complaint.
Garage Space Heater Buyers Guide
Before purchasing a space heater for your garage, be sure your garage is insulated. It’s a waste of energy to attempt to heat an uninsulated garage.
After insulating your garage, consider what you need your garage space heater to do. If you want it to keep just you warm, you may only need a small, personal heater. If you want to regulate the temperature of your entire garage, you’ll need to purchase a heater based on the garage size. A general rule of thumb is that you’ll need 10 watts or 35 BTU of heating power per square foot.
Electric Or Fuel
Electric-powered space heaters don’t need refilling, and they are odorless. However, electric heaters can be more expensive to run, depending on the power draw. Be sure to look for an efficient electric heater.
Some heaters can run on kerosene or propane. These will always produce some odor, and you will only want to use this type of heater in a ventilated space with good airflow.
Forced Air Or Radiant
Forced air heaters work by venting warm air throughout a space. Radiant heaters use infrared radiation to heat objects in a room directly. Radiant heaters are more energy-efficient than forced air heaters but can’t cover as large an area.
Safety
Above all, you should purchase a garage space heater that’s safe. Look for safety features such as tip-over switches and overheat protection. Be sure to follow any safety instructions included with the heater you purchase. Don’t touch warm heaters and ensure your space heater has a stable base.
Our Review Standards
The space heaters in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching Amazon for top products, looking at factors such as customer ratings, Amazon superlatives, and price.
For testing purposes, our team ordered the space heaters that fared best in these areas. We then tested each product’s heating power, efficiency, and ease of use in our test garage. We also considered the extra features available with each heater and scored each recommended product on a scale of 1 to 5 stars based on these criteria.
Garage Space Heater Testing Process
To determine the best space heater for a garage, we tested several top models from Amazon in a 217.0-by-224.0-foot insulated garage space.
We placed a thermometer 12.0 feet from the heater and measured the difference in temperature each device produced in an hour when set to 70 degrees and high. We also sat near each heater while it was on, being mindful of our comfort and its noise and smell.
To determine efficiency, we ran each corded device through a power consumption meter and noted the kWh each device consumed in an hour.
- Heating Power: Our heating power score is based on the heater’s ability to warm our test garage. Heaters capable of raising the garage temperature the most in an hour score highest in this category.
- Efficiency: Efficiency refers to electricity and fuel use. Garage heaters score higher in this category the less fuel and/or power they need to operate.
- Ease Of Use: Garage heaters that require little setup, are portable, and offer the simplest control mechanisms score best in this category.
- Extra Features: Extra features include items such as safety shut-off switches, programmable timers, and heat output adjustability. Products with the most useful extra features score highest in this category.
FAQ: Best Space Heater For A Garage
What is the most efficient heater for a garage?
The most efficient heater may depend on your garage. Generally, radiant heaters are the most efficient. What is most important for efficiency is that your garage is fully insulated.
Is it safe to put a space heater in a garage?
It is safe to put a space heater in your garage. However, you may not want to leave the heater on when unattended. Many portable space heaters include safety features such as a tip-over switch and overheat protection.
What kind of heater is suitable for a garage?
The best heater for your garage depends on your garage size and how you plan to power the heater. We believe the Dyna-Glo Delux 80,000 BTU Space Heater, Pelonis Ceramic Tower Heater, Heat Storm Infrared Heater PHX-WIFI, Mr. Heater Portable Buddy, and Andily Ceramic Heater are all good options.
Will a 1,500-watt heater heat a garage?
A 1,500-watt heater should be powerful enough to thoroughly heat garages up to 150 square feet. If you only need to maintain a small comfort zone (and not heat the entire garage), this size heater will work as long as you’ve positioned it close enough.
How much does it cost to run a garage space heater?
The cost to run your garage space heater depends on several factors:
