The Winners of Our Best Garage Heater Tests

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Keep your space toasty when cooler weather hits heterogeneous pvc floor

Better Homes & Gardens / Patrick McGowan

For those who like to work in their garage or workshop all year round, a garage heater is beneficial to keep you comfortable. Garage heaters are similar to space heaters, but you will need to ensure they’re large and powerful enough to heat the entire space.

Traci Fournier, vice president of operations at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning notes that the ideal size and type of heater depends on how large your garage is, the climate you live in, and intended use.

We put gas and electric heaters to the test in our own homes to see which ones were the most effective in warming a garage. We also spoke to Fournier, who offered deeper insight on how to choose the best garage heater.

We tested garage heaters at home and evaluated them based on set up, performance, and features. For more on how we tested heaters, see our testing process below.

It has a wide power output range of 4000 to 18000 BTUs between three settings.

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 BTUs, 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 110V 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:19 x 12 x 17.75 inches | Power Source: Propane, Corded Electric | Installation: Portable

Better Homes & Gardens / Patrick McGowan

BTUs: BTUs 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.

It can quickly heat up a large area (up to 1500 square feet) thanks to a maximum 60,000 BTU output.

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℉ 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 so you can easily carry it.

It can heat up to 1500 square feet, so it works for medium to large garages or job sites. While the manufacturer says it is 50% quieter than other heaters, we still found it to be 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: 15.98 x 8.82 x 13.5 inches |Power Source: Propane Gas | Installation: Portable, Floor Mounted, Tabletop Mounted

Better Homes & Gardens / Lucas Peters

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.

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, 1200, and 1500 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: 35.5 x 4 x 4 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Installation: Tripod, Ceiling-Mounted

Better Homes & Gardens / Hildara Araya

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.

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℉.

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-watt, 7500-watt, 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: 17.88 x 14 x 14.5 inches |Power Source: Electric | Installation: Hardwired

Better Homes & Gardens / Kelly Lewis

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.

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 you could pick it up and move it around. It’s powered by electricity with backup 20V max batteries, making it great for blackouts or to take camping. (Note: We did not test the battery feature.)

It’s powerful, featuring 68000 BTUs—enough to heat a three-car garage in the wintertime. We liked that it heated the space quickly on a snowy, 11℉ day. But keep in mind that it needs plenty of ventilation (open doors or windows) to prevent the build-up 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: 20 x 13 x 17 inches |Power Source: Battery, Electricity | Installation: Portable

Better Homes & Gardens / Jodi Espinosa

Smart features such as an Amazon Alexa and Google Home-compatible app let you create a heating schedule.

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, 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 three-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: 4 x 19 x 16 inches |Power Source: Corded Electric | Installation: Wall-Mounted, Floor-Mounted

Better Homes & Gardens / Mike Navarro

The Heat Hog Portable Propane Heater has 18,000 BTUs and is able to tilt back so you can direct the heat exactly where you need it. While you can use it to heat small garages up to 450 square feet, it is quite small and burns through propane quickly. We thought it might be better suited for camping or tailgating.

At 80,000 BTU maximum power output, the Remington REM-80T-KFA-O is a beast that can quickly heat up your garage. We tested this heater in 4℉ weather and it took just 15 minutes to warm the entire garage significantly.

But, because it runs on kerosene or diesel, having ventilation is a must to remove carbon monoxide fumes. If you’re intimidated by fuel-powered heaters, this one is not for you. But, if you want a fast way to raise garage temperatures, it’s one to consider.

We tested a variety of garage heaters including portable free-standing models, infrared electric, and gas-powered models. For portable models, we were able to move them around as needed, and for any models that needed to be hardwired, we hired an electrician to install them.

First, set up the heaters for use in the garage, making sure we had a source of ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide build-up. We placed a thermostat about 10 feet away from the heater and left it in place for an hour to get a baseline temperature before we turned on the heater.

For the first three uses, we recorded the temperature before heating, after 15 minutes, and after we turned the heater off for that particular day. We also noted outside temperature and weather conditions (snow, wind, rain, sun, etc) and how many vehicles were in the garage.

We assessed safety features including timers, tip-over auto-off, exterior temperature of the device, and overheat protection. We also tested any additional features that came with the heater such as thermostat, timer, humidity sensor, and eco-modes.

Other factors like noise level, how easy it was to turn on and off, and how easy it was to move if it was portable were also considered. For electric models, we noted any changes in our energy bill and energy consumption during the testing period.

Better Homes & Gardens / Lucas Peters

Garage heaters are mainly available in gas or electric models. Out of the two, electric heaters are more straightforward to set up and use because they only need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to work.

Keep in mind that there are also infrared electric heaters available which are more energy-efficient than regular electric heaters because of the way they transfer heat (these heaters heat objects and not the air around them).

Gas heaters are more cost-efficient but not as easy to set up. For a natural gas heater, you’ll have to install a gas line if your garage doesn’t have one already. The space should also be well-ventilated to prevent carbon monoxide build-up. Portable gas heaters run on propane, kerosene, or diesel.

Fournier offers a foolproof formula to find the right size heater for your space by estimating ten watts for every square foot. “For example, in an area that is 20 feet by 24 feet, you would need 4800 watts of power,” she says.

Garage heaters are typically powered by gas or electricity. While gas heaters can be cheaper to run, you need to have a natural gas line installed in your garage or buy fuel for it to work. Your garage should be well-ventilated to avoid build-up from carbon monoxide and other toxic gas.

You might have to hire an electrician depending on the type of garage heater you want. Some electric models have to be hardwired or mounted on a wall or ceiling, which needs professional expertise. Also, gas garage heaters fueled by natural gas require a natural gas line.

Fournier says, “Professionals have the expertise to assess your garage's specific needs, recommend the right heater size and type, and install it safely. This minimizes the risk of malfunctions or safety hazards associated with DIY installations.”

Better Homes & Gardens / Hildara Araya

Gas heaters are generally considered to be more energy-efficient than electric heaters. However, many modern electric heaters have energy-saving features such as eco-modes and programmable thermostats that will lower the heat if your garage gets too hot.

As a general rule, the bigger the area, the more BTUs are needed to heat it. The average 500 to 700-foot, two-car garage needs around 45,000 BTUs

According to Fournier, the cost depends on the size, fuel type, and efficiency of the model selected. If you’re on a budget, there are portable garage heaters you can buy for around $100. Expect to pay more for larger models or those that have to be hardwired by an electrician.

resilient pvc floor roll Nor'Adila Hepburn is a freelance writer who specializes in writing in-depth buying guides for Better Homes & Gardens. To find the best vacuum mops, Nor’Adila used lab insights and spoke to Traci Fournier, VP of Operations of One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning.