Keep Your Workspace Warm with the Best Garage Heaters for 2024

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The last thing you want to worry about when working on your car is whether or not your workspace is warm. There's little worse than pinching a cold finger between pliers or laying on a cold floor. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast, a professional mechanic, or merely want to turn your garage into a cozy space during the colder months, a reliable and efficient garage heater is a must-have, and we've got you covered.

In this roundup, we've scoured the garage heater market to bring you the best garage heaters that cater to various needs, budgets, and preferences. We've put each contender through rigorous testing, assessing their heating capabilities, safety features, energy efficiency, and ease of installation, and have wrapped up our conclusions in the roundup below.

Grab a cup of cocoa or coffee and join us as we explore the world of garage heaters, breaking down the pros and cons of each model and unveiling the top picks that will keep your garage toasty warm all winter long.

What to Consider

When shopping for a garage heater, there are several factors to consider to ensure you choose the right one for your specific needs. Here are some key aspects to think about:

Heating Capacity

It's essential to determine the size of your garage and the desired temperature increase to find a heater with the appropriate heating capacity (measured in BTUs or watts). Larger garages require a heater with a higher output, while smaller spaces can be sufficiently heated with lower-capacity models.

Energy Source

Garage heaters are almost always powered by one of five energy sources: electricity, natural gas, propane, diesel, or kerosene. Each type has its advantages and drawbacks. Electric heaters are generally more convenient and energy-efficient, while natural gas, propane, diesel and kerosene heaters offer more powerful heating options. Take into account power sources in your garage and the long-term operating costs when deciding which fuel source is best for your needs.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is crucial, as it directly impacts your energy bills. Choose a heater with a high energy efficiency rating to save on utility costs. Features like adjustable thermostats, timers, and eco modes can also help you maintain a comfortable temperature while reducing energy consumption.

Safety Features

Safety should always be a priority. Look for heaters with built-in safety features such as tip-over protection, overheat protection, and cool-to-touch exteriors. Additionally, make sure the heater you choose is certified by a reputable testing organization like UL, CSA, or ETL.

Installation and Portability

Consider whether you prefer a permanent installation or a portable heater that you can move around your garage. Permanent options like wall or ceiling-mounted heaters typically require professional installation. Portable models, on the other hand, offer greater flexibility and can be easily moved or stored when not in use.

Noise Level

Garage heaters can generate noise, which may be a concern if you're working in the space for extended periods. Check the noise level (measured in decibels) of the heaters you're considering, and opt for a quieter model if noise is a concern.

By considering each of these factors, you'll be better equipped to find the ideal garage heater that caters to your specific requirements and ensures a comfortable workspace during the colder months.

The last thing you want to worry about when working on your car is whether or not your workspace is warm. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast, a professional mechanic, or merely a garage owner who wants to turn it into a cozy space during the colder months, a reliable and efficient garage heater is a must-have.

In this roundup, we've scoured the market to bring you the best garage heaters for various needs, budgets, and preferences. We put each contender through rigorous testing, assessing heating capabilities, safety features, energy efficiency, and ease of installation.

Our Top Picks

What to Consider When Shopping for a Garage Heater

When shopping for a garage heater, there are several factors to consider to ensure you choose the right one for your specific needs. Here are some key aspects to think about:

Heating Capacity

Determine the size of your garage and your desired temperature to find a heater with the appropriate heating capacity (measured in BTUs or watts). Larger garages require a heater with a higher output, while smaller spaces can be sufficiently heated with lower-capacity models.

Energy Source

Garage heaters are almost always powered by one of five energy sources: electricity, natural gas, propane, diesel, or kerosene. Each has its advantages and drawbacks. Electric heaters are generally more convenient and energy-efficient, while natural gas, propane, diesel, and kerosene heaters offer more powerful heating options. Take into account the power sources in your garage and long-term operating costs when deciding which fuel source is best for your needs.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is crucial, as it directly impacts your energy bills. Choose a heater with a high energy efficiency rating to save on utility costs. Features like adjustable thermostats, timers, and eco modes can also help you maintain a comfortable temperature while reducing energy consumption.

Safety Features

Look for heaters with built-in safety features such as overheat protection, tip-over shut-off, and cool-to-touch exteriors. Additionally, make sure the heater you choose is certified by a reputable testing organization like UL, CSA, or ETL.

Installation and Portability

Consider whether you prefer a permanent installation or a portable heater that you can move around your garage. Permanent options like wall- or ceiling-mounted heaters typically require professional installation. Portable space heaters offer greater flexibility and can be easily moved or stored when not in use.

Noise Level

Check the noise level (measured in decibels) of the heaters you're considering, and opt for a quieter model if noise is a concern.

How We Evaluated Garage Heaters

Our testing process involved evaluating garage heaters under similar conditions and assessing their heating efficiency, heat distribution, and safety features. We used a thermostat to monitor temperature changes, a thermal camera to visualize heat output, and took measurements at various locations in the garage to provide a complete overview.

Elements we tested:

• Heating performance over 15 minutes

• Heat distribution pattern

• Temperature measurements at specific locations

• Noise level (dBA)

• Safety concerns and special requirements for certain heater types

• Tools used: Innova 3360 thermal camera, ZOTO PM6530D infrared thermometer, Dab-Tek JSN-997 CO detector

We compiled our notes to decide which heaters are best for specific-use cases, narrowing down our top picks. Here are the best garage heaters, as determined by the Hearst Autos Gear Team.

Mr. Heater Big Buddy

The Mr. Heater Big Buddy Portable Propane Heater is a compact yet powerful heater capable of warming up to 450 square feet with its maximum 18,000 BTU output. It's lightweight, easy to use, portable, and doesn't require batteries or cords.

The unit can run on one or two 1-pound propane tanks, or it can be hooked up to larger tanks with a separate hose and filter. With two 1-pounders, the heater will run on Low (4000 BTUs) for a claimed 10 hours, Medium (9000 BTUs) for 4.5 hours, and High (18,000 BTUs) for two hours. When operated properly, the Big Buddy is safe to use indoors and, for extra reassurance, the unit has three safety systems: an emergency low-oxygen safety system, a tip-over switch, and a thermal shut-down system.

We found the heat output to be impressive considering its size. Since it doesn't have a fan, the heat mainly rises directly off the unit, but if you have lower ceilings in your garage, it should start heating up your workspace in a matter of minutes. We wouldn't suggest this for much more than a two-car garage or a shop less than 450 square feet.

Heat Hog 9000 BTU Propane Heater

Heat Hog? It almost made us want to roast a hot dog in front of this thing. In all seriousness though, this 9000 BTU propane heater is a solid choice for anyone wanting portable heat in a compact package. Similar to Mr. Heater's 'Buddy' lineup, the Heat Hog is available in three different strengths: 4000, 9000, and 18,000 BTU.

For this test, we used the 9000 BTU, which runs on either a single 1-pound propane tank or a larger propane tank with a separate adapter. Functionally, it performed nearly identically to the Big Buddy, but the Heat Hog can tilt for more directional heating. The Heat Hog also has tip-over and oxygen-depletion sensors, although it lacks the temperature shut-off sensor found in the Big Buddy.

Heat Hog suggests using this for areas no larger than 225 square feet and we'd agree. It's enough to heat up a single-car garage, but you'll want to jump up to the 18,000 BTU model if you plan on keeping a two-car garage warm in the winter months.