We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
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Conventional space heaters take a while to warm up, and they can be noisy and temperamental. Infrared heaters, on the other hand, work almost immediately because they heat the objects and the people inside the room instead of just the air itself. This makes them more efficient and also much quieter than traditional space heaters.
That doesn’t mean that all infrared heaters are better than all traditional space heaters, however. The worth of a good infrared heater largely comes down to the quality of the workmanship, the features and the price.
Our top choice is the charming Duraflame Freestanding Electric Stove Heater, which heats rooms up to 1,000 square feet and features glowing logs and flickering 3D flames.
Editors’ Favorite
Dimensions: 13.07" D x 24" W x 23.4" H | Heating Coverage: 1,000 sq ft | Weight: 28.6 lb | Btu: 5,200 | Wattage: 1,500
The Duraflame 3D Infrared Quartz Electric Fireplace Stove Heater delivers up to 5,200 Btu of warmth, effectively heating spaces up to 1,000 square feet. Its sturdy metal construction and freestanding design make it easy to set up anywhere in your home.
It features a three-dimensional flame effect with layered flames, glowing logs and ember lighting, creating a cozy atmosphere. The flame operates independently from the heat, and you can adjust its brightness with the thermostat. The side windows and glass door give it a charming look, and the remote control lets you adjust heat output and other settings from afar.
This heater includes safety features such as overheat protection and a cool-touch casing, making it suitable for those with pets or children. It’s ideal for bedrooms, living rooms and basements, and the adjustable 3D flame effect adds a nice, realistic touch.
Great Value
Dimensions: 13" D x 12.5" W x 17" H | Heating Coverage: 576 sq ft | Weight: 19 lbs | Btu: 5,200 | Wattage: 1,500
If you want a portable yet powerful infrared space heater, the Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater is a fantastic choice. It’s a UL-certified unit with a dual-heating system that combines an infrared quartz tube with a PTC element to deliver efficient heat output.
It features a high-pressure blower that quickly distributes warmth throughout medium- or large-sized rooms. The thermostat lets you adjust heat output from 50 to 85 degrees, and includes three modes: auto, low and high. It offers built-in safety features, such as overheat and tip-over protection, and an exterior that stays cool to the touch, making it safe for kids and pets.
Customers appreciate its smooth-rolling castor wheels and long 6-foot power cord, which make it effortless to move from room to room. Weighing just 19 pounds, it’s highly portable, and its quiet operation makes it the top choice for bedrooms and offices.
Best Wall-Mounted Heater
Dimensions: 18.75" D x 4.5" W x 12.75" H | Heating Coverage: 750 sq ft | Weight: 9 lb | Btu: 5,200 | Wattage: 1,500
The Heat Storm Phoenix Infrared Space Heater is a wall-mounted heater that delivers up to 1,500 watts of infrared heat to warm small rooms without drying the air. HMS Technology delivers steady warmth and can effectively heat up to 150 square feet of indoor space as a primary heating source.
You can choose between two power modes: Red Leaf for the whole 1,500 watts and Green Leaf for just 750 watts. The digital LED thermostat provides precise temperature control so you can adjust it the way you like. You can set up this heater on the floor or install it on any wall to save space, and the remote lets you easily change settings from a distance.
Its compact size and mountable design make it ideal for bedrooms or offices. Overall, it’s a great space-saving unit that delivers reliable performance and sufficient coverage. Plus, it features a washable filter that’s easy to clean.
Best Patio Heater
Dimensions: 35.5" D x 4" W x 4" H | Heating Coverage: 1,000 sq ft | Weight: 6.7 lb | Btu: 5,120 | Wattage: 1,500
The Briza Infrared Electric Patio Heater uses 1,500-watt carbon-infrared technology to deliver consistent warmth without drying out the air. It’s designed to warm indoor and outdoor spaces effectively and boasts a compact design that makes it highly portable.
It offers three heat modes and features a one-to-nine-hour timer that you can program with the included remote. You can also fine-tune heat output and schedule an automatic shutoff. It comes with a wall-ceiling mount and a tripod stand, providing a flexible setup for patios or garages. Plus, it has standard safety features such as tip-over protection and an IP55 water-resistance rating that protects it against water splashing.
Those looking for a reliable outdoor infrared heater won’t be disappointed with the Briza Infrared Electric Patio Heater. Its durable yet portable design makes it an excellent heating solution, whether you’re hanging out with friends on your patio or working on DIY projects in the garage.
Best Tower Heater
Dimensions: 11" D x 8" W x 22.8" H | Heating Coverage: 1,000 sq ft | Weight: 23.1 lb | Btu: 5,200 | Wattage: 1,500
The Duraflame Electric Tower Heater boasts a compact design that allows it to fit easily in any room and has a coverage zone of 1,000 square feet. Unlike other infrared heaters, this unit uses oscillation for even heat distribution, helping eliminate dead spots.
It delivers constant radiant heat, but you can also use the No Heat mode to circulate air without adding warmth. The timer is customizable from 30 minutes to nine hours, and the patented Safer Plug fire prevention technology provides peace of mind.
This heater is terrific for supplemental zone heating and the vertical tower design makes it suitable for small areas, such as offices, bedrooms and basements. We especially like that it’s built from solid hardwoods and real wood veneers, giving it a rustic yet elegant look that blends in with most decor.
Overheat protection: This prevents a heater from exceeding a predetermined temperature by automatically shutting off the heating element. Overheating can be caused by prolonged use or an internal malfunction.
Tip-over protection: This helps prevent accidental fires. If the heater is knocked over, this function automatically shuts it off.
Safety certification: A UL-certified heater has undergone multiple safety tests and is approved for consumer use. Some standard evaluations include fire resistance, electrical safety and proper design. UL-certified heaters are generally safer and more reliable than uncertified units.
Child lock: This feature essentially turns off buttons to prevent children from tampering with heat settings.
Cool-touch casing: Heaters can get very hot, but the cool-touch casing keeps its exterior cool even when the heater is running at high temperatures. It’s a convenient safety feature if you have pets or children, as it prevents them from getting burned if they touch the heater while it’s running.
If you plan to use an infrared heater indoors, an electric model is the safest choice. While propane and natural gas infrared heaters are available, they’re not suitable for indoor use because they emit toxic fumes that require proper ventilation. However, for outdoor spaces like patios or well-ventilated garages, gas heaters can be a more economical option.
It may be tempting to purchase a really powerful unit, but in addition to the higher price tag, you must also account for the higher electric bill that will accompany it. If you’re concerned about operational costs, stick with a unit that is just powerful enough for your needs and no more.
Wattage: You can get a sense of how powerful an infrared heater is by checking its wattage. Infrared heaters range from about 300 watts on the low end to about 1,500 watts on the high end, with a higher number indicating a more powerful heater.
Btu: Btu is how much heat a heater can produce. The higher this number, the better it is for heating larger spaces. For smaller rooms, it’s best to use a heater with a lower Btu rating, as a higher one might be wasteful or make it too hot. Most infrared heaters have multiple modes to adjust heat output.
Most infrared heaters are relatively portable, and some have caster wheels that make it easy to move them from room to room. Some compact units have a handle or can be mounted on walls to save space. Tower heaters are especially convenient for smaller spaces because of their compact, vertical design. In general, infrared heaters aren’t too bulky or heavy and can be easily transported in your car or moved around your home with relative ease.
Some infrared heaters have an adjustable thermostat so you can decide precisely how warm you want the room to be. The heater automatically detects when the room has fallen below your target temperature and starts up accordingly. When it reaches your preferred temperature, it shuts off again.
A few infrared heaters also claim to function as humidifiers, though these do not always work as well as some customers had hoped. If humidification is important to you, do your research on infrared heater/humidifier combos to verify that the model you’re interested in can do the job. Otherwise, you may want to purchase a separate humidifier.
A. Infrared heaters can cost as little as $40 for a small, portable unit. For a simple model with no bells and whistles, you could probably get by spending less than $100. A dependable mid-range model will run between about $100 and $150. These may not have all of the extras that high-end models do, but you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one with an adjustable thermostat and solid safety features.
If you want a top-of-the-line infrared heater that doubles as an air purifier and humidifier, you should expect to pay at least $150. You could spend as much as $200 (or more) for a high-end model that covers a large room.
A. No. Infrared heaters should never be plugged into power strips or extension cords. Instead, plug yours directly into a grounded outlet. Check your owner’s manual for details on specific power requirements for your heater.
A. Infrared heaters don’t require a lot of maintenance, but if yours doubles as an air purifier, you may need to periodically change or wash the filters in order to keep the purifier functioning at an optimal level. See your owner’s manual for more details.
We researched various infrared heaters and established a criterion for the best models. We ensured every model checked off multiple boxes, including high heat output, different modes, easy setup and safety features. We also considered customer reviews and chose the highest-rated products as our top picks.
