10 infrared space heaters worth checking out as temperatures drop

It may not feel like it in some parts of the country, but it’s officially winter. Temperatures are only going to get colder from here on out. Your home’s heating situation may not be strong enough now, let alone for the cold months to come. If you need some heating help, consider an infrared space heater. These devices are safe, energy-efficient ways to keep you feeling warm and snug. Take note that they aren’t the same as electric heaters, though most infrared heaters still use electricity for power.

In this article: Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-Wi-Fi Infrared Heater, Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 Heater and Warmly Yours Infrared Radiant Heat Panel.

Infrared vs. electric space heater

There are two main points of difference worth discussing between infrared and electric heaters.

• Fuel: Electric heaters use exclusively electricity. Typically by plugging into an outlet, though some use batteries. Infrared heaters can use electricity — typically only by plugging into an outlet — but they can also use gases, such as propane or natural gas. If you have a gas-powered infrared heater, never use it inside unless it’s an emergency — even then, triple-check that the room is heavily ventilated.
• Heating type: Infrared heaters use radiant heating, which is similar to how the sun warms the earth. It's instant and more energy-efficient, and it doesn't cause the air in the room to circulate. However, the heat vanishes quickly when switched off. Electric heaters typically use convection heating. This heats the air around it, causing the air to move which circulates the heat. It does take time for the heat to be felt, unlike radiant heating, but the heat stays longer once the heater is switched off.

Power

The power of an infrared heater is described in one or more of several ways.

• Watts are the most common method of describing power. The higher the number, the more powerful the heater. Most infrared heaters have 300 to 1,500 watts.
• British thermal units are an alternative to watts, though some heaters use both. A single watt is equal to 3.41 Btu, so most heaters have roughly 1,000 to 5,000 Btu.
• Square footage is rarely the only descriptor of power used, as it’s usually combined with watts or Btu. Most heaters can easily warm 500 to 1,000 square feet.

Safety features

Better infrared space heaters have safety features to lessen the risk of accidents.

• Cool-touch exterior: This is exactly what it sounds like. These should be prioritized if you have young children or animals that might bump into the heater.
• Auto shut-off: The details of this feature vary from one heater to the next, though the most common forms are auto shut-offs that trigger on a timer or if the heater gets too hot.
• Tip switch: This feature prevents the heater from turning on if not standing straight and turns it off if it gets knocked over.

Extras

Some infrared heaters have extra features with the most common being:

• Thermostat: The best heaters have a thermostat. This lets you pick the exact heat you want to bring your location up to. Some can also automatically turn off or on if your location’s temperature doesn’t match the target.
• Air purifier: If you have allergies, you can save some money by buying an infrared heater that also has an air purifying function. Once you’ve experienced a home stripped of dust and other airborne debris, it’s difficult to return. Keep in mind, though, that these heaters have a higher need for maintenance.
• Wheels: Most of the most powerful infrared heaters are too expensive to buy more than one for your home. They’re also usually large, so moving them from room to room as you go about your day can be exhausting. Try to find such heaters as these that come with wheels to limit your strain.
• Humidifier: This is the least impressive extra as, unlike heater/purifier combos, the humidifiers in infrared heaters tend not to work as well as standalone heaters. That said, they do work well enough to put back the moisture that heating can strip from the air.

Cost

Basic infrared heaters typically cost $50-$100. Better ones, such as those with more features or power, typically cost up to $150. The best and biggest can cost $200 or more.

Best infrared space heaters

5 Sunday Living Infrared Space Heater

This heater has wheels for easy transport and a temperature range — which can switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit — of 59 to 86 degrees. It comes with a remote, so you can fine-tune it from your couch or bed.

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Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 Heater

This heater has a gargantuan power of 4,200 to 5,600 watts, or roughly 14,000 to 19,000 Btu. It’s meant for heating large garages or workshops. It comes in red and gray.

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Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater

This heater has a thermostat that can be set to 50 to 85 degrees. It has overheat and tip-over protection and an energy-saving mode. The power cord is 5 feet long.

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Duraflame 3D Infrared Fireplace Stove

Many infrared space heaters can be eyesores, but not this one with its faux-fireplace look. It can warm up to 1,000 square feet of space and comes in seven designs.

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Heat Storm HS-1500-OTR Infrared Heater

This heater can be bought alone or with either a ceiling mount, roll cage or tripod. It puts out up to 5,200 Btu per hour and is powered by plugging into an outlet. Its dust and water protection is IP35.

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Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-Wi-Fi Infrared Heater

This wall-mounted heater has a cool-touch exterior and a maximum power of 1,500 watts. Its Wi-Fi connectivity means you can control it from your phone.

Sold by Amazon

LifeSmart HT1013 Infrared Heater

This heater has three heat settings and claims not to dry out the air while heating it. It has overheat and tip-over protection plus a fireproof and childproof cabinet.

Sold by Amazon

Numifun Infrared Heater

This basic heater is perfect for adding a touch of extra heat to a room, and it’s small enough to move around with ease. It comes in black and white.

Sold by Amazon

Trustech Infrared Outdoor Patio Heater 

This heater is excellent if you have an outdoor patio you love to use in the colder months. It has three heat settings with powers of 500, 1,000 and 1,500 watts.

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Warmly Yours Infrared Radiant Heat Panel

This heater is meant for postmodern home aesthetics. It comes in black, white or a mirror finish and in 35-by-24-inch or 47-by-24-inch sizes.

Sold by Amazon

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Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

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