Bring Warmth and Coziness to Your Home With These Best Infrared Heaters (2024)

What To Know About Quartz Heating

Quartz heating, also known as short-wave infrared heating, uses infrared waves to directly heat people and objects.

Our Top Picks

If your home doesn't have a built-in fireplace or you want something more functional than a faux fireplace, this charming infrared heater is the next best thing. We've tested the Duraflame stove in our lab and at home, and it earned our top spot as our favorite infrared heater.Its sleek design, comprehensive safety features, and customizable settings for heat and lighting make it an exceptional choice.

It's designed to look like a wood stove, with a flickering flame effect complete with fake logs and embers. During testing, we were impressed by how realistic the glow was able to replicate the appearance and ambiance of a real firebox. Not only does this feature add a touch of elegance to any room, but it also enhances the product's overall aesthetic.

Assembling it was a breeze; all we had to do was screw on the legs. This heater operates at a noise level of only 56 decibels, which is similar to that of a dishwasher, making it a relatively quiet option.

As for the heating, we were thoroughly impressed with how well it worked. With 5,200 BTUs, it can heat spaces of up to 1,000 square feet. It's worth noting that BTUs are used to measure heat output, and the higher the unit, the greater the heating capacity. So, it's safe to say that this heater packs quite a punch and is perfect for those cold winter nights.

The heater has an adjustable digital thermostat and auto-shutoff protection for added safety. The best part is that you can use the space heater with both lighting and heat or just the lighting effect to create a cozy atmosphere all year round. To avoid the hassle of tangled cables, the heater has handy hooks on the back that can corral the cord when you aren't using it.

The heater also has multiple settings for brightness and temperature that can be adjusted using the included remote control. Although we were able to use the remote, we wish the instructions had been written more clearly. Besides all the great features, the heater has also been tested by the Underwriters' Laboratory (UL), which Micetich says is an important consideration.

How It Performed Long-Term

After putting this space heater through six months of testing, we are still absolutely blown away by how well it heats up any room. One of our favorite features is the ability to control the heat and flame settings independently, which means we can enjoy the cozy glow of the flames without overheating the room.

The timer functionality is also incredibly convenient, as it eliminates any concerns we had about accidentally leaving the heater on. Overall, we highly recommend this heater to anyone who wants the ambiance of a fireplace without any hassle.

_{Dimensions: 23.4 x 24 x 12.9 inches | Weight: 34 pounds | Voltage: 120V | Wattage: 1,500W | BTU: 5,200 | Safety Certifications: UL-certified}

If you're in the market for a space heater, don't overlook the importance of portability. If you want to bring warmth to any room easily, heaters with wheels are the perfect solution. This portable, UL-certified heater is designed to heat rooms up to 1,000 square feet, like our best overall pick. We originally tested this box-shape model at home but have since tested it in our lab along with 43 other space heaters.

The unit uses two types of space heating technology to warm up any room effectively. The first is quartz infrared, while the second is PTC (positive temperature coefficient) — a self-regulating feature that adjusts based on the room's air temperature. The heater boasts high and low modes and an eco mode, which uses a mix of high and low to determine the most environmentally sound way to heat the room.

Although the heater works well if you're right next to it, we found that it doesn't warm the room as effectively as we had hoped. We weren't too discouraged as this is a common characteristic of infrared heaters, which emit waves of warmth to heat you and nearby objects directly rather than solely warming the air like electric heaters.

During testing, we found that our body temperature increased by almost 5 degrees when the heater was set on high and 1.4 degrees when it was set on low. A digital control pad on the front of this infrared heater makes it easy to adjust the target temperature within a range of 50 and 86 degrees

The safety features of this heater are impressive, with both tip-over and overheat protection. During our testing, we found that the tip-over protection worked effectively, shutting off the heater immediately. However, it is worth noting that the heater does not turn back on once it is upright again. Additionally, the unit is quite sturdy thanks to its wheels, making it difficult to overturn in most cases.

One potential issue we encountered is that the timer can only be set with the remote, which could be problematic if it is ever lost. We recommend storing it somewhere safely or in a remote organizer. There is also no way to turn on the heater from bed on a chilly morning because you can not use a remote.Despite these shortcomings, we believe this is a solid choice given the handy wheels, reliability, and attractive profile that doesn't look like a tower fan.

_{Dimensions: 13 x 11 x 16 inches | Weight: 24 pounds | Voltage: 120V | Wattage: 1,500 watts| BTU: 5,200 | Safety Certifications: UL-certified}

If you're looking for a compact yet feature-packed heater that fits under your office desk, look no further than this ETL-certified model. It has an adjustable thermostat with high and low-temperature settings. Weighing just over six pounds (the lightest on our list), this heater is incredibly portable and easy to move around, thanks to its convenient carry handle.

While it's not designed to heat up a large room, it still packs a powerful punch for its size. The fan operates quietly, making it an ideal choice for use in an office or other quiet environments.

Even though it's an affordable model compared to the other options on our list, it is equipped with tip-over protection and has a built-in sensor that helps to prevent the unit from overheating, so you can use it overnight without worries. Overall, the heater is a reliable and effective choice for those seeking a compact and affordable solution that doesn't compromise on performance or quality.

_{Dimensions: 12.5 x 23.4 x 7.5 inches | Weight: 6.2 pounds | Voltage: 120V | Wattage: 1,500 watts | BTU: 5,120 | Safety Certifications: ETL-certified}

If you are contemplating whether or not to install an electric wall heater, this slim heater, which is ETL certified, gives you the option to mount it on a wall or set it up on the floor, thanks to its removable feet. It's compact and thin, so it doesn't take up much space, making it a great pick for small rooms. During testing, we didn't notice much warmth while using the low setting, however, the high setting definitely kept us toasty (we saw a two-degree increase in body temperature).

While we didn't have the opportunity to mount the heater during testing, we used the heating on the floor with the included feet. Even though we had no issues with the heater tipping over, we noticed the feet weren't the most durable. Like our best overall pick, this heater is not too noisy at just 55 decibels on low. This heater offers convenient features such as a washable filter and a front grill that stays cool to the touch, making it ideal for households with young children.

However, during our lab's tip-over test, we found that although the heat shut off as expected and displayed an error message, the fan continued to run. We also found the included remote a bit small and had to push the buttons several times to get the heater settings to change. Despite this, we value the convenience of being able to control the heater with a remote.

How It Performed Long-Term

After six months of constant use, we found that this heater still meets our standards. We relocated it to a room with poor circulation, and our dogs enjoy lounging in the warmth. The remote control is very convenient, making it easy to turn the heater on and off from a distance. Overall, this is a great option for those seeking a wall-mounted heater that blows warm air downward.

_{Dimensions: 19 x 5 x 13 inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Voltage: 120V | Wattage: 1,500 watts | BTU: 5,200 | Safety Certifications: ETL-certified}

Despite looking like a toaster, this space heater can produce up to 5,200 BTUs of heating power from its four quartz heating elements, making it an excellent choice for a large, open floor space. The temperature can be adjusted anywhere from 60 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit throughout its three primary settings (low, auto, and high). It also has a temperature lock and three brightness levels for the display to ensure it won't disturb your sleep at night. During testing, we noted a substantial change in the air being pushed out and the temperature while switching between these levels.

We set the heater at its maximum setting (99 degrees). Although the temperature never rose above 88 degrees Fahrenheit on the thermostat, the room became pretty hot, so we didn't feel it needed to be higher. The heater produced a consistent white noise during our test that was neither loud nor distracting.

It is small and light, making it simple to transport from one place to another; the top handle can be used to move the unit and stow away the accompanying tiny remote control. However, we discovered that the remote only functions within a four-foot range and only when you are directly in front of the heater.

This model, like the others on our recommended list, is loaded with safety features meant to keep you safe while you're using the heater. Overheat protection uses an inside sensor to keep things from becoming too hot, and a child lock function prevents children from changing the temperature.

During our tests, we noticed that the heater's body and sides did not get hot. However, we do not advise using this heater unattended around children or pets because the griddle from which the heat emanates gets extremely hot. Despite this, we think it's a great space heater to use in a larger space or even a garage heater.

_{Dimensions: 11.62 x 15.31 x 11.75 inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Voltage: 120V | Wattage: 1,500 watts | BTU: 5,200 | Safety Certifications: ETL-certified}

If you're looking for an outdoor infrared heater to keep you warm, this oscillating heater is perfect for you. It is IP54 certified and has a weatherproof rating, which means it can withstand all weather conditions.We tested this patio heater in our lab and were impressed by how much it heated our bodies. Before turning on the heater, we recorded a core body temperature of 49.8 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, our temperatures quickly rose by 6.5 degrees with the heater on low and by another 6.6 degrees with it on high. When we tested, we only felt the heat on high up to a distance of 3 feet. It's worth mentioning that the outdoor temperature was 30 degrees.

Setting up the heater was incredibly easy. It's a single unit that snaps onto the base with absolute ease. The heater also has a remote and holder, so you'll never have to worry about losing them. We loved the oscillating feature and found that it did not affect the heating capability in the slightest. The heater is 30 inches tall, but it's pretty stable and barely budged during our tip-over test.

The unit's buttons are designed for maximum legibility, with large and tilted buttons that are easy to press with your fingertip. However, we found that they are even more easily readable from a standing position than when sitting. Like most of the heaters on our list, this model also has overheating protection and a timer setting. With four available options, you can confidently select a time and avoid the worry of forgetting to turn off the heater.

_{Dimensions: 33 x 5.5 x 6 inches | Weight: 6.6 pounds | Voltage: 110V | Wattage: 1,200W | BTU: 5,100 | Safety Certifications: Not listed}

This electric heater is certified by ETL and boasts an innovative positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating element made of copper that never requires replacement. You can choose between high or low mode, and a convenient remote control is included for easy operation.

At nearly 24 pounds, it's a bit of a beast if you need to bring it from one level of your home to another. However, it's worth noting that this electric heater includes a washable lifetime filter, like our best wall-mounted pick, that can be cleaned using warm water and mild dish soap. With 5000 BTUs, this heater is suitable for heating small to large rooms.

It also comes with safety features such as tip-over protection, overheat protection, and auto reboot, which helps it recover in the event of a power outage or surge. The entire exterior stays cool to the touch, making it a nice option for families with young children. All in all, it checks off a lot of boxes when it comes to features and key considerations for infrared heaters.

_{Dimensions: 17 x 13 x 16 inches | Weight: 23 pounds | Voltage: 120V | Wattage: 1,500W | BTU: 5,000 | Safety Certifications: ETL-certified}

Final Verdict

We gave the Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove our best overall accolade thanks to its adjustable thermostat and brightness, safety features such as auto shutoff, and cozy good looks. If you're looking for something easy to move around, the Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater has convenient wheels, a funky retro profile, and the bonus of having a slightly lower price than the Duraflame.

FAQ

• How does an infrared heater work?

  Unlike a convection heater, which warms the air in a room, an infrared heater uses radiation to directly warm people and objects; the feeling is comparable to being warmed by sunlight. "It's important to know that when you have an infrared heater, you need a clear line of sight between you and it—you can't have something big, like an ottoman [between you], or you're going to heat the ottoman and not feel much," says Micetich. She notes that shoppers might want to consider the heater's aesthetic since it may need prominent placement in the room.

• Do infrared heaters use a lot of electricity?

  Infrared heaters are more energy efficient than electric space heaters. They still use electricity to run, however, and while your bill might be lower, energy use depends on the size of your machine and how much power it uses. This means some infrared heaters can use as much electricity as conventional heaters.

  "Relatively speaking, radiant space heaters are fairly efficient, but any electric heating unit is not the most efficient," says Micetich, who notes that several factors may play a role in your final bill. "It costs approximately 30 cents an hour to run an infrared heater," Micetich adds, "but this also depends on where you live and the unit size. If you're using it as a primary heat source, you're going to need more than one, which of course will require more electricity."
  

• Does an infrared heater heat a room?

  Infrared heaters, therefore, do not heat the air in a room the same way conventional space heaters do; nonetheless, they raise the temperature slightly. Many manufacturers give square footage guidelines for specific models. Note that infrared heaters often don't work as well in draftier areas such as screened-in porches, or rooms with vaulted ceilings. "An infrared heater wouldn't be the best choice to heat up a large room," says Micetich, "but they're great for spaces like a small kitchen or bedroom, office, or breakfast nook." That said, you may also find when reading reviews that some models do a good job making a large room feel cozier, despite the manufacturer's recommendations.
  

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