A reliable garage heater can turn a chilly space into a much more functional and inviting part of your home. Whether you’ve set up a workshop, created a home gym, or prefer to handle your own car maintenance, investing in a garage heater will pay comfort dividends year-round. Garage heaters come in various styles, though the most popular models are electric and propane. Electric heaters are convenient and easy to install if there’s a power outlet close by. Propane heaters are more portable and can cover more surface area. Natural gas garage heaters are also powerful options for larger garages and can offer long-term heating solutions. This guide reviews the top 8 garage heaters of 2025, based on extensive testing, to help you find the best model for your needs.
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Top 8 Garage Heaters of 2025
- 1.1 1. Mr. Heater Big Buddy Propane Heater
- 1.2 2. Briza Infrared Electric Heater
- 1.3 3. Comfort Zone Ceiling-Mounted Industrial Heater
- 1.4 4. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-975
- 1.5 5. NewAir G56 Portable Electric Garage Heater
- 1.6 6. Flame King Portable Propane Forced-Air Heater
- 1.7 7. Dyna-Glo Delux Forced Air Heater
- 1.8 8. Isiler Portable Indoor Heater
- 2 Comparison Table of Top Garage Heaters
- 3 Buying Guide for Garage Heaters
- 4 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 5 Conclusion
Top 8 Garage Heaters of 2025
1. Mr. Heater Big Buddy Propane Heater
The combination of impressive heat output and a compact and portable user-friendly design makes the Big Buddy our top overall pick for most garages. With its maximum output of 18,000 BTUs, the heater will keep a 450-square-foot garage warm and toasty for up to two hours on its 1-pound propane tank, or up to 10 hours if you keep it on the low, 4,000-BTU setting. Unlike many other garage heaters, the Big Buddy doesn’t have a built-in fan; instead, heat radiates up and out from the unit. That makes for very quiet operation, but it also means it won’t do as good a job in cavernous garages with tall ceilings. In a typical two-car garage, though, our testers give big props to the Big Buddy. The unit is rated for indoor use so it’s safe to run in enclosed spaces. For good measure, it will automatically shut off if it tips over, if the pilot light goes out, or if its on-board sensor detects low oxygen levels in the space. The Big Buddy can pull double duty and is portable enough to take with you on camping trips or while watching your kids play soccer.
- Pros: Lightweight, portable, quiet operation, safety shut-off features.
- Cons: Limited to 450 square feet, no built-in fan for larger spaces.
Shop Mr. Heater Big Buddy on Amazon
2. Briza Infrared Electric Heater
One thing I learned as a mechanic: it’s hard to heat a garage and keep it warm. That’s why the Briza Infrared Electric Heater is the best garage heater out of all the models we tested¡ªit actually succeeded in heating the whole garage during our tests. This is a great option for warming up when working in a cold garage, and you can walk in front of this heater and instantly feel the warmth on your skin (even if the air is chilly). Infrared heaters are known for quickly warming up objects in their immediate surroundings, which can then cause the air temperature to rise as those objects radiate heat. The Briza Infrared Electric Heater worked especially well during testing, bringing up the air temperature over 12 degrees after running for 30 minutes in our 600-square-foot garage. The best thing is that since it heats objects in the garage instead of heating the air, less heat is lost when you open your garage door¡ªeverything in the garage remains warm and starts to radiate heat back into the air as soon as you close the door. Aside from providing quick heat, I like that this heater is portable with the included tripod. Or if you have a permanent installation in mind, you can mount it to the ceiling or a wall.
- Pros: Quick heating, portable tripod, wall/ceiling mount options, retains heat when doors open.
- Cons: Limited range (most effective within 10 feet).
Shop Briza Infrared Heater on Amazon
3. Comfort Zone Ceiling-Mounted Industrial Heater
For smaller garage workshops, the Comfort Zone CZ220 garage heater is a great choice. This model mounts to the ceiling to keep it up and out of the way, but it has adjustable louvers and an adjustable bracket, both of which enable users to pinpoint heat distribution. Mounted heaters, like this one from Comfort Zone, tend to disperse heat more powerfully and efficiently than freestanding heaters. Once secured into the ceiling, the heater bathes every corner of the room in warmth. Beyond the powerful heat output (this is the most powerful option in our roundup), one of the most notable features is the included remote control, which allows users to set a timer or turn it off without getting up. Installation is simple, even for one person, as long as they can lift 27 pounds.
- Pros: Powerful heat output, remote control, ceiling-mounted to save space.
- Cons: Requires lifting for installation, not portable.
Shop Comfort Zone CZ220 on Amazon
4. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-975
This 240-volt compact garage heater is the best all-around choice for most spaces, with 7,500 watts of heating power and the option to mount it on the wall or ceiling. According to the manufacturer, it warms the typical garage or unheated building to between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and should be installed with a foot of clearance from combustible surfaces. The garage heater’s adjustable louvers allow you to direct air where you need it most, and there’s a remote-controlled thermostat right on the front of the heater. Thanks to its Wi-Fi capability, you can operate this heater from virtually anywhere to ensure your garage is warm when you get home, or to heat up the space in advance of spending time at your workbench. You can turn the unit on and off and set recurring schedules through the app.
- Pros: Wi-Fi enabled, adjustable louvers, high heat output for large spaces.
- Cons: Wiring not included, requires 240-volt outlet.
Shop Dr. Infrared Heater DR-975 on Amazon
5. NewAir G56 Portable Electric Garage Heater
The NewAir G56 Portable Electric Garage Heater is a well-reviewed top pick for quick and powerful heating. It’s compact, relatively lightweight, and has a sturdy handle, so it’s easy to move around the garage or other parts of the house. The heat output, at 19,017 BTUs, is strong enough to warm large garages¡ªeven ones up to 800 square feet, depending on the external temperature and the garage’s insulation. The adjustable thermostat makes it easy to use and heats spaces quickly, turning the room from cold to cozy with the touch of a button. The NewAir G56 Electric Heater is a high-value heater for spaces up to 500 square feet. For those who already have a 30A-240V outlet, this is a no-brainer. Although this NewAir Electric Heater is small, it certainly packs a punch.
- Pros: Portable, powerful for large spaces, adjustable thermostat.
- Cons: Requires 240-volt outlet, not ideal for poorly insulated garages.
6. Flame King Portable Propane Forced-Air Heater
The Flame King portable propane forced-air heater did quite well during our tests. It was easy to set up and use and produced plenty of heat for our small test garage. Temperatures started to feel comfortable after around 25 minutes of runtime. We also liked that this model is lightweight and extremely portable, though it is loud just like the other forced-air propane heaters in the test. Another point to consider is that the Flame King is relatively good on fuel, stretching a 20-pound tank to 8 hours while most heaters in the range take just 7 hours to empty a bottle.
- Pros: Lightweight, fuel-efficient, easy setup.
- Cons: Loud operation, limited to small garages.
Shop Flame King Heater on Amazon
7. Dyna-Glo Delux Forced Air Heater
The forced air torpedo was ready to run right out of the box, and the time-proven design is reliable, effective, and 98 percent efficient. Built for construction, auto shops, and professional garage applications, the Dyna-Glo Delux can run on K1 kerosene, diesel, heating oil, and even JP-8 jet fuel. Ultra-low sulfur K1 kerosene is recommended, and that’s what we poured into the tank. Firing up 80,000 BTU of directional heating power is as easy as tanking up, plugging in, flipping a toggle switch, and turning the thermostat dial to the target temperature. A fuel gauge with the quantity remaining and run time scale indicates the 5-gallon tank is good for 9 hours. The run-time figure is optimistic, but the heater definitely lives up to its 1900 square feet rating.
- Pros: High heat output, versatile fuel options, reliable design.
- Cons: Requires ventilation, optimistic runtime estimate.
8. Isiler Portable Indoor Heater
This 1,500-watt ceramic heater sells for a fraction of the price of other tested models while still delivering decent heat output. Don’t get us wrong: The Isiler isn’t designed to heat large spaces all winter long. Though it uses a fan, its noise level is fairly low, and the plug-in electric power source means constant operation (barring a power outage, of course). The adjustable thermostat control makes it easy to use and saves energy by allowing you to lower the temperature once the space is warm enough. The Isiler is also the smallest garage heater in this roundup, so it stores away neatly when not in use.
- Pros: Affordable, low noise, compact for storage.
- Cons: Limited to small spaces, not for continuous large-area heating.
Shop Isiler Portable Heater on Amazon
Comparison Table of Top Garage Heaters
| Model | Power Source | Max Heat Output | Area Covered | Key Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Heater Big Buddy | Propane | 18,000 BTUs | 450 sq. ft. | Portable, safety shut-off, quiet | $100-$150 |
| Briza Infrared | Electric | 5,120 BTUs | 600 sq. ft. | Infrared, tripod, mountable | $150-$200 |
| Comfort Zone CZ220 | Electric | 34,122 BTUs | 1,250 sq. ft. | Ceiling-mounted, remote control | $200-$300 |
| Dr. Infrared DR-975 | Electric | 25,589 BTUs | 1,000 sq. ft. | Wi-Fi, adjustable louvers | $250-$350 |
| NewAir G56 | Electric | 19,017 BTUs | 800 sq-when you open your garage door¡ªeverything in the garage remains warm and starts to radiate heat back into the air as soon as you close the door. Aside from providing quick heat, I like that this heater is portable with the included tripod. Or if you have a permanent installation in mind, you can mount it to the ceiling or a wall.
Comfort Zone Ceiling-Mounted Industrial Heater TestingMounted heaters, like this one from Comfort Zone, tend to disperse heat more powerfully and efficiently than freestanding heaters. Once secured into the ceiling, the heater bathes every corner of the room in warmth. Beyond the powerful heat output (this is the most powerful option in our roundup), one of the most notable features is the included remote control, which allows users to set a timer or turn it off without getting up. Installation is simple, even for one person, as long as they can lift 27 pounds.
Dr. Infrared Heater DR-975 TestingThis 240-volt compact garage heater is the best all-around choice for most spaces, with 7,500 watts of heating power and the option to mount it on the wall or ceiling. According to the manufacturer, it warms the typical garage or unheated building to between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and should be installed with a foot of clearance from combustible surfaces. The garage heater’s adjustable louvers allow you to direct air where you need it most, and there’s a remote-controlled thermostat right on the front of the heater.
Buying Guide for Garage HeatersKey Considerations Before Buying
How to Size a Garage Heater
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)What is the best type of garage heater for a small workshop?For small workshops (under 500 square feet), portable electric heaters like the Isiler Portable Indoor Heater or propane models like the Mr. Heater Big Buddy are ideal due to their compact size, ease of use, and sufficient heat output for smaller spaces. Are propane heaters safe for indoor garage use?Yes, but only if they are rated for indoor use and have safety features like low-oxygen shut-off and tip-over protection, as found in the Mr. Heater Big Buddy. Always ensure proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide buildup. How much does it cost to run an electric garage heater?The cost depends on the heater’s wattage and local electricity rates. For example, a 1,500-watt heater running for 5 hours at $0.15 per kWh costs about $1.13 per day (1.5 kW x 5 hours x $0.15). Can I install a ceiling-mounted heater myself?If you’re comfortable with basic electrical work and can lift the unit (e.g., 27 pounds for the Comfort Zone CZ220), installation is straightforward. However, for 240-volt models like the Dr. Infrared DR-975, consult an electrician for safe wiring. How do I maintain my garage heater?
ConclusionChoosing the right garage heater in 2025 depends on your garage size, fuel preference, and intended use. The Mr. Heater Big Buddy stands out for its portability and safety, while the Briza Infrared Electric Heater excels at quick, object-based heating. For larger spaces, the Comfort Zone CZ220 and Dr. Infrared DR-975 offer powerful, mounted solutions. Use the comparison table and buying guide to match a heater to your needs, and enjoy a warm, functional garage year-round. For more home heating solutions, check out Energy.gov’s heating guide. |