Best Garage Heaters

If you spend more time in your garage during the winter due to the cold climate, then you may quickly discover why a garage heater is valuable. Garage heaters offer a number of benefits:

Instant Warmth and Comfort
Once you close the garage door and turn on the heater, you can expect to feel a rise in temperature in only a few minutes. Advanced garage heaters have built-in thermostats for greater temperature control. They also contain high-powered fans to distribute the warm air faster.

Little to No Maintenance
The best thing about garage heaters is that they have a simple design. At their core, they typically house a motor and a fan – that’s it. The design requires little maintenance or repair over the years. At most, you will have to perform a basic cleaning or lubricate the motor every few years. You may also need to change the air filters annually.

Compact Design
Garage heaters take up little space, which allows you to set them anywhere, including mounting them to the wall or the ceiling of your garage. To mount heaters you’ll just need a standard bracket.

Before you purchase a garage heater, you should consider a few factors:

1. Gas or Electric?
There are two main types of garage heaters: gas and electric. If you choose a gas heater, then you will have to connect it to an in-home gas line or a portable tank. An electric heater is easier to start up. You simply plug it in and the electrical current heats the metal coils. Electric garage heaters are more efficient, but gas heaters are more powerful.

2. Heater Range
The heat range of your gas heater is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). The heat range of electric heaters is measured in watts. Make sure you have enough BTUs or watts to heat your garage efficiently. You can generally heat a two-car garage efficiently with 45,000 BTUs. Likewise, 5,000 watts can comfortably heat an area between 400 and 700 square feet.

3. Safety Features
If not used or placed correctly, garage heaters can be hazardous. Make sure you purchase a heater that contains a discharge grill and a fireproof intake. Also, look for heaters that have an automatic shutoff in case you leave the garage and forget to turn it off. As always, reference the manufacturer’s guidelines for the most up-to-date guidance on safety.

4. Electrical Requirements
A garage heater that heats a two-car garage requires 220 to 240 volts of electricity. This is nearly twice as much as a standard AC unit in your home. Newer homes can accommodate this much power. However, older homes (30 years or more) may not be wired for this much voltage. Check the total amperage rating of your wiring system and any particular outlet in your garage before you plug in the heater.

5. Added Features
Modern garage heaters now house an array of features that help you fine-tune your heating experience in the garage. Features you may want to look for include:

• Portability and fold-down handles
• Built-in thermostat and heat settings
• Low-oxygen shutoff and tip-over shutoff
• Ceiling mount, adjustable height, and swivel mechanism
• Anti-rust epoxy paint finish
• Space heater, halogen light combo
• Quiet fan and motor
• Hardwired or plugin

Most Economical: Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX
The Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy 4,000-9,000 BTU Portable Heater is a favorite, as it regularly receives top ratings from critics and users alike. The Mr. Heater F232000 Garage Heater is a radiant model that utilizes propane. You can connect it to a 1lb propane cylinder and choose between two heat settings.

The F232000 is powerful enough to heat an enclosed space of up to 225 square feet. The garage heater is lightweight, compact, and easy to transport anywhere around the room. It features an auto-shutoff fold-down handle and swivel-out regulator, and can run for up to three hours. It is an economical way to provide plenty of heat to a smaller area.

Key Features:

• Double heat setting: 4,000 and 9,000 BTUs
• Lightweight and portable (only weighs 9 lbs.)
• Easy to transport, with a handle that folds down
• Auto shutoff for low oxygen or if it is tipped
• Puts out clean, radiant heat
• Provides heat for up to 225 square feet

Most Powerful: Modine HD45AS0111
The Modine HD45AS0111 Hot Dawg Garage Heater is a workhorse, delivering up to 45,000 BTUs. This equates to heating 1,000 square feet in a matter of minutes. If you are looking for an industrial-grade unit that runs on gas or propane, then the Modine may be your best option.

The Hot Dawg is specially designed to be mounted to the ceiling or in tight spaces. It also offers two piping connections on each side for greater flexibility. The small vent pipe gives you the option of channeling the exhaust either from the top or from the side. If that is not enough, then you may also appreciate its high thermal output, noiseless operation, and 80% efficiency rating.

Key Features:

• Produces an impressive 45,000 BTU
• Heat coverage up to 1,000 square feet
• 80% efficiency rating
• Versatile – runs on natural gas, propane, or electricity
• Flexible options for piping and exhaust

Best Large Space Heater: Fahrenheat FUH724 Ceiling-Mount
Although not the most powerful garage heater on our list, the Fahrenheat FUH724 Ceiling-Mount garage heater earns a spot because of its ability to heat large spaces quickly. The FUH724 garage heater is among the most efficient garage heaters. Whether you have a massive garage or a smaller garage with little to no insulation, this unit can heat up to 1300 square feet.

The Fahrenheat FUH724 pushes 25,600 BTUs. You can control the temperature with a built-in thermostat. The ceiling mount can easily attach to your ceiling, leaving more space on the floor. The epoxy paint finish keeps the unit from rusting or corroding. The heater also runs on electricity, so you never have to worry about propane or gas power.

Key Features:

• 25,600 BTUs of power
• Built-in thermostat
• Easy-install ceiling mount
• Heats up to 1300 square feet
• Epoxy paint finish – no rust or corrosion

Best Hardwired: King KBP2406 5700-Watt
The King KBP2406 5700-Watt is a ceiling or wall-mounted electric heater powered via a hardwired connection. Generating 13,000 BTUs, it can heat large areas up to 600 square feet. It is a powerful and versatile garage heater. One of the best features of the KBP2406 heater is the Pic-A-Watt that allows you to select the appropriate wattage before you implement the unit. Wattage options include 950, 1900, 2850, 3800, 4750, and 5700.

The right wattage will match what your electrical system can accommodate while providing the right level of heat for your garage size. Like other heaters on our list, the King KBP2406 has a built-in thermostat and a user-friendly temperature control dial. If you need a regular fan during the summer, simply switch off the heating element. The 270 CFM blower can distribute air throughout the room. Safety mechanisms include the patented Smart Limit Protection and the instant shutoff if you knock the unit over.

Key Features:

• 13,000 BTUs of heating power
• Heats up to 600 square feet
• Hardwired into your electrical system
• Select your wattage using Pic-A-Watt
• Optional fan without the heating element
• Ceiling or wall mount option

Best Value for the Money: ProFusion HA24-75M Ceiling-Mounted
ProFusion proves that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a first-rate garage heater. The HA24-75M ceiling-mounted heater is dependable and efficient, heating up a garage fast. At just under $200, this unit can be used in your garage, basement, or as a portable unit on the job (great for construction sites). One of its most unique features is the dual heater/halogen light option that gives you additional illumination even if you don’t need the heat.

BTU output is an impressive 25,600, with two heat settings. It also contains a thermal cutoff safety device in case it gets too hot. The built-in thermostat is easy to see and use. The ProFusion HA24-75 produces heat for up to 1,000 square feet. You can also choose the wattage settings before you mount it on the ceiling. Plus, it comes with a warning indicator light to let you know when it exceeds its maximum heat capacity.

Key Features:

• 25,600 BTUs of heating power
• Cutoff safety mechanism and warning light
• Heats up to 1,000 square feet
• Select your wattage before installation
• Ceiling mounts with all hardware included
• Dual heater/halogen light

Best Swivel: Dimplex DGWH4031 4000-Watt
If you are looking for a stationary swivel garage heater that you can mount from the wall or ceiling, the Dimplex DGWH4031 delivers on all counts. This powerful 4000-watt, 240-volt model pushes 13,640 BTUs. The automatic temperature control ranges from 45 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

The swivel allows you to save energy by directing the heat at your target area. The fan delay utilizes residual heat from the heating element, yielding a more economical performance. Installation is simple, and the Dimplex comes with its own mounting bracket. A safety shutoff has been added to keep the DGWH4031 from overheating or staying on after you have left the garage.

Key Features:

• 13,648 BTU of heating power
• Heats up to 600 square feet
• Mounting bracket included for wall or ceiling
• Stainless steel heating creates residual heat production
• Swivel allows you to target the heat output

Each and every product featured here is selected by our editorial staff of car enthusiasts, and anything you buy through our links may earn TrueCar a commission. Although the prices are accurate and items are in-stock at time of publication, offers are subject to change without notice.