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On the chilliest days, sometimes it makes more sense to use a space heater to warm up the room rather than running your central heating system. If you’re looking to save some money on your energy bill, then an infrared heater is one of the best choices, as they are more energy-efficient than regular electric space heaters.
Small infrared heaters for heating a bedroom or home office may be as cheap as $50, while larger heaters with more features can cost up to a few hundred dollars. Check the square footage to see the suggested room size for the heater, and keep an eye on smart features. These can make your heater more convenient, but will add to the cost.
We rounded up our favorite infrared heaters of different sizes and styles to help you find the best one to keep you and your family cozy when the temperature drops. Here are our top picks.
Top 7 Infrared Heaters
- Best Overall: Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater
- Most Adjustable: LifeSmart LifePro Indoor Home Tower Space Heater
- Best Smart Features: Heat Storm Electric Space Heater
- Best Design: Sunkos Portable Electric Space Heater
- Best for Outdoors: Dr Infrared Carbon Infrared Outdoor Heater
- Best for Large Rooms: LifeSmart LifePro Indoor Space Heater
- Best Portable: BLACK+DECKER Infrared Heater
Compare Top Infrared Heaters
| Product | Heat Output | Heating Area | Weight | Auto Shutoff | Design |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater | 5200 BTUs | Not listed | 24 lbs | Yes | Cabinet |
| LifeSmart LifePro Indoor Home Tower Space Heater | 5120 BTUs | 1500 sq. ft. | 20.9 lbs | Yes | Tower |
| Heat Storm Electric Space Heater | 5200 BTUs | 400 sq. ft. | 9 lbs | No | Wall-Mounted |
| Sunkos Portable Electric Space Heater | Not listed | 300 sq. ft. | 7 lbs | Yes | Flat Panel |
| Dr Infrared Carbon Infrared Outdoor Heater | 5200 BTUs | Not listed | 8 lbs | Yes | Wall-Mounted (Outdoor) |
| LifeSmart LifePro Indoor Space Heater | 5100 BTUs | 1500 sq. ft. | 20.6 lbs | No | Cabinet |
| BLACK+DECKER Infrared Heater | Not listed | Not listed | 5 lbs | Yes | Tower |
| Product | Heat Output | Heating Area | Weight | Auto Shutoff | Design |
Best Overall
Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater
- $117.75
- $129.99
- 9% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: People who want a portable heater that’s easy to bring from room to room in a single-story home.
What Are People Saying About the Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater?
We found that most customers praise the Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater as a great supplemental heat source. Several people who own this heater share that its blower is powerful enough to heat up a fairly large room with very little noise. One reviewer shared that they were shocked that the room reached “cozy status” in just 20 minutes after plugging in the unit for the first time. RV users shared that the unit was powerful enough to keep an entire RV interior toasty through the night. Many of the complaints regarding the Dr Infrared mention that the remote control can be temperamental and frustrating to use. A few share that the heater can be slow to reach the desired temperature.
Most Adjustable
LifeSmart LifePro Indoor Home Tower Space Heater
- $114
- $160
- 29% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone seeking a three-season heater that can adjust along with the outdoor temperatures.
What Are People Saying About the LifeSmart LifePro Indoor Home Tower Space Heater?
Our research showed that people who have used this infrared heater in their homes love the warm, toasty heat it generates. This model also earns praise for its user-friendly controls and LED display. However, some reviewers feel that the blower was not as powerful as they expected. A few commented that the promise of heating up to 1,500 square feet with a single heater was a bit overstated.
Best Smart Features
Heat Storm Electric Space Heater
- $111.62
- $139.99
- 20% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone who is concerned about a space heater tipping over or wants to free up space on the floor.
What Are People Saying About the Heat Storm Electric Space Heater?
Our team found that most people enjoyed the convenience of this infrared heater. One customer who has this heater in their home describes it as fast, warm and quiet. Several customers were pleasantly surprised to discover that this heater can be enabled with Wi-Fi to control adjustable thermostat settings via a smartphone. Among customers who found the unit lackluster, the biggest complaint was its limited heating radius.
Best Design
Sunkos Portable Electric Space Heater
- $199.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone looking for a fast-working space heater for a desk or sleeping area.
What Are People Saying About the Sunkos Portable Electric Space Heater?
We found that reviewers praised this heater for its silent performance. It also earns accolades for its sleek, “barely there” design. People also love that the fanless design eliminates the common problem of space heaters kicking dust up into the air. While most reviews were generally positive, few reviewers were underwhelmed by the heating power of this unit. One noted that it was not very effective in a room with a cold floor.
Best for Outdoors
Dr Infrared Carbon Infrared Outdoor Heater
- $120.4
- $122.73
- 5% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone looking for an infrared patio heater to make spending time on a deck or porch on chilly evenings more comfortable.
What Are People Saying About the Dr Infrared Carbon Infrared Outdoor Heater?
People who have this outdoor infrared space heater in their homes praise it for its attractive design, easy installation and generous heat output. A few users did share that keeping the unit shielded from wind greatly enhanced its performance in areas exposed to the elements. Some reviewers disliked that the remote control only seems to work when standing a few inches away from the heater. Others were bothered by the fact that the low and medium settings weren’t that effective at warming up spaces.
Best for Large Rooms
LifeSmart LifePro Indoor Space Heater
- $113.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone who needs a reliable supplemental heat source for a living room, den, or basement.
What Are People Saying About the LifeSmart LifePro Indoor Space Heater?
In our research, we read that countless reviewers shared how this heater efficiently heats up their entire main living areas. One reviewer stated that using this unit allowed them to keep their oil heater from kicking in completely. The design of this heater earns points among reviewers for looking like a nice piece of furniture. A few reviewers did warn about this unit “popping the breaker” when running at the same time as microwaves, vacuum cleaners, and other common appliances.
Best Portable
BLACK+DECKER Infrared Heater
- $38.87
- $46.05
- 16% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone who needs a small, affordable space heater for a dorm, apartment, or loft.
What Are People Saying About the BLACK+DECKER Infrared Heater?
We noticed that reviewers like the way this unit circulates warm air to create a toasty environment. Many feel that it’s a bargain compared to more expensive models that don’t perform as effectively. Overall, it passes reviewer tests for being a very powerful heater for the size. A few reviewers found the heater fan to be distractingly noisy.
What To Know Before Buying an Infrared Heater
How do you narrow down the best infrared heater when there are so many different brands and models out there? A well-made heater should ideally provide the output needed to create a comfortable ambient temperature without creating an eyesore or tripping hazard. Here’s a rundown of the core details to put on your checklist when shopping for a new space or wall heater.
Heat Output
The heat output for portable space heaters is measured by British Thermal Units (BTUs). While you don’t need a full science lesson to understand how BTUs relate to space heaters, it does help to know that one BTU represents the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a single pound of liquid water by 1 degree Fahrenheit (F) at approximately 39 degrees Fahrenheit. All shoppers need to know is that a higher BTU number equals a more powerful space heater. Most electric heaters sold in the United States are 1,500-watt units. That means that they generate roughly 5,100 BTUs per hour.
When shopping for a space heater, pay attention to what the manufacturer shares regarding the heating capacity of the unit in terms of square footage. Infrared space heaters that can heat up to 1,500 square feet of space can be ideal if you’re looking for supplemental heat for a large basement, garage or workshop. In general, it’s wise to look for higher output when shopping for a garage heater that will be used to heat up a poorly insulated space. However, you may only need a unit that can heat 400 to 500 square feet if you’re simply trying to make a bedroom or dorm room toastier.
Size
Size is not necessarily an indicator of heat output, but it is helpful in determining if a product will be a good fit for a space. Pay attention to both weight and dimensions. With some infrared heaters weighing over 25 pounds, you might be disappointed to learn that a design that looks compact may actually be very difficult to move from room to room. Some designs weigh just 4 to 7 pounds.
Design
While most people think of a standard boxy design when picturing infrared space heaters, modern options often don’t even look like heaters at all. The “wheels” question is the first to check off your list. Some infrared space heaters are made with casters that allow them to be rolled easily from place to place. These casters also keep the heater slightly elevated off the floor. If you’re planning to use a single heater in various parts of the home throughout the day and night, these wheels can help you to avoid scuffing your floors by dragging the unit. If you’re concerned about having a standalone infrared heater placed on the floor of your home due to pets, children or a general lack of space, consider a wall-mounted version that resembles a mini-split HVAC system.
Safety Features
People are sometimes reluctant to purchase space heaters because they have recollections of old, clunky space heaters from yesteryear that were hot to the touch, prone to overheating and easy to tip over. The good news is that any new model of infrared space heater you’re purchasing today has tons of built-in safety features. Just be sure to confirm that a model has tip-over prevention, overheating prevention and a frame that remains cool to the touch. It’s also helpful to select a model with a thermostat that shuts off automatically after a time to ensure that a forgotten space heater won’t be left on indefinitely.
How Infrared Heaters Work
An infrared space heater turns electricity into radiant heat. What makes infrared heat especially delightful is that its place on the electromagnetic spectrum causes it to produce a heat that’s similar to the heat you feel when you step into the warm sunshine. That’s why even people who have well-heated homes often prefer to introduce radiant heat for the purpose of creating a toasty, cozy feeling when relaxing or falling asleep.
Along with using the tower heater for warmth, you may also want to consider using a humidifier to maintain comfortable moisture levels in your room.
What’s the Difference Between Infrared Heaters and Space Heaters?
Infrared heaters are different from normal space heaters because they use radiant heat to warm objects instead of heating the air using convection. This makes them more efficient while also creating the “toasty” effect that makes people feel like they are bathing in warm sunshine when a heater is running. Meanwhile, traditional space heaters simply heat the surrounding air.
Do Infrared Heaters Heat the Air?
No, infrared heaters don’t actually warm up the air. They warm up objects in a space. In general, infrared heaters are considered safer and more energy-efficient compared to traditional ceramic heating units. For this reason, infrared definitely deserves a look when you are narrowing down the best space heaters for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Infrared Heaters
How long can you leave infrared heaters on?
Infrared heaters should never be left unattended for any reason. However, an infrared heater can essentially be left on indefinitely as long as it is being carefully monitored. The slow and steady buildup of heat generated by infrared heaters creates a very comfortable environment compared to the “stuffy” atmosphere that is often created by traditional air-warming space heaters.
Are infrared heaters good for electricity usage?
“Radiant heaters emit infrared radiation that directly heats objects and people within their line of sight, and are a more efficient choice when you will be in a room for only a few hours and can stay within the line of sight of the heater,” according to the U.S. Department of Energy. By converting nearly 100% of the electricity that they use to heat, infrared heaters offer an efficient way to heat a space.
What are some safety tips for using an infrared heater?
The top tip for safety when using infrared space heaters is to never leave a heater unattended while it is running. It’s also wise to place a heater a safe distance from furniture, walls, and other objects. Finally, be sure to test your household’s smoke and fire alarms regularly. If you’re purchasing an infrared heater that’s designed for outdoor use, be sure to utilize a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet that provides extra protection against electrical shock in environments where moisture might be present.
Our Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of infrared heaters with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model’s feature set to create a final short list, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
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