Seven heaters below were checked on Amazon on October 10, 2026. The old Stanley 655704 and Lasko 675919 listings show only a model number as the title now, the Lasko 751320 and Cadet RCP502S are no longer on Amazon, and the TPI Fostoria unit is a 480 volt industrial heater that costs about $1,886, so they were dropped. Wattage and features come from Amazon listings. Hardwired heaters should be installed by an electrician.
A cold garage means a stiff workbench, a hard-starting car and a short trip out of the house. A heater changes that, but the type matters more here than anywhere else in the home. This guide covers the main types, how big a heater to buy and seven models to look at.
Table of Contents
How Much Heat Does a Garage Need?
A rough rule is 10 watts per square foot for an insulated space and 12 to 15 for an uninsulated one. A one-car garage of about 240 square feet needs about 2,400 to 3,600 watts, and a two-car garage of about 400 square feet needs 4,000 to 6,000 watts. A 1,500 watt plug-in heater is for a corner, not the room. Use our space heater wattage calculator or read how to choose the right size space heater.
Looking ahead, the garage is turning into a year-round room. More people work out, build and park an electric car in there, and that means heat that is steady and safe. Electric 240 volt heaters are gaining ground because they add no fumes. The catch is that a garage is leaky and often uninsulated, so any heater has to fight a lot of heat loss before the space feels warm.
Types of Garage Heaters
- 240 volt electric heaters. Strong, no fumes, need the right circuit.
- Plug-in infrared or ceramic. Easy, good for spot heat. Our guide to infrared heaters explains how they feel.
- Propane radiant or forced-air. Strong and needs no power, but burns fuel in the room. See propane heaters.
- Natural gas, diesel or kerosene. High output, best for a big shop, and need vents and a pro install.
7 Heaters on Amazon
Prices and ratings were checked on Amazon on October 10, 2026.
Price on Amazon: $89.97 | 4.7 stars from 29,258 ratings (checked October 10, 2026)
The Mr. Heater Buddy has over 29,000 ratings at 4.7 stars. The older page rates it at 4,000 to 9,000 BTU for spaces up to about 200 square feet, with shutoffs for tip-over, low oxygen and a lost pilot. It is best for a small, ventilated garage.
Price on Amazon: $104.99 | 4.5 stars from 28,337 ratings (checked October 10, 2026)
The Dr. Infrared DR-968 is a 1,500 watt plug-in heater with over 28,000 ratings. It suits a workbench corner or one parking bay, not a whole two-car garage.
Price on Amazon: $104.19 | 4.3 stars from 4,378 ratings (checked October 10, 2026)
The Dr. Infrared DR-988 is a 240 volt, 5,600 watt industrial heater with a thermostat that can be moved or mounted on a wall or ceiling, per the listing. It has over 4,300 ratings.
Price on Amazon: $125.99 | 4.2 stars from 691 ratings (checked October 10, 2026)
The NewAir G56 is a 240 volt garage heater with a 4.2 rating from about 700 ratings. The older page called it a 5,600 watt unit. Check the listing for the plug or hardwire requirement.
Price on Amazon: $128.90 | 4.3 stars from 1,011 ratings (checked October 10, 2026)
The Fahrenheat FUH is an electric heater for garages, shops and basements that mounts to the ceiling. It has over 1,000 ratings. Check the model for its voltage and wattage before you order, since the FUH line comes in several sizes.
Price on Amazon: $149.99 | 4.4 stars from 850 ratings (checked October 10, 2026)
The Dyna-Glo RMC-FA60DGD is a 30,000 to 60,000 BTU propane forced-air heater. It heats a big space fast, but it burns fuel and puts exhaust into the room, so it is for ventilated work spaces only.
Price on Amazon: $199.88 | 4.1 stars from 1,819 ratings (checked October 10, 2026)
The Briza is a 1,500 watt infrared heater that mounts on a wall or ceiling. It works for spot heat over a workbench.
The risk to watch is fuel and fumes near cars, paint and cans. A gas or propane heater in a garage needs ventilation and the right height, and gas vapors from a spill can ignite. Expect more insurers and codes to ask about garage heaters. Use the maker manual, keep fuel and solvents away and add a carbon monoxide alarm if the heater burns fuel.
Garage Safety
- Keep fuel away. Gas, paint, solvents and cleaners give off vapors that can ignite. Store them away from any heater.
- Height. Building codes often require a gas heater with a flame in a garage to be mounted well above the floor, commonly about 18 inches. Check local code.
- Carbon monoxide. Fuel-burning heaters need a CO alarm and fresh air. Never run a car in a closed garage.
- Clearance. Keep 3 feet of open space and do not cover a heater.
- Power. Do not use extension cords with a 1,500 watt heater. A 240 volt unit needs its own breaker.
Save Heat First
- Weatherstrip the door and the bottom seal.
- Insulate the door panels and the ceiling if the garage is attached.
- Heat only when you are working. A garage cools fast when the heater shuts off.
- Keep the heater close to the work area and use a thermostat.
Running Cost
A 5,600 watt electric heater at 17 cents per kWh costs about 95 cents an hour. A 1,500 watt heater costs about 25 cents. Propane costs vary by fuel price, so check what you pay. If summer is the other problem, read about portable air conditioners for the garage.
FAQ
What is the best heater for a garage?
A 240 volt electric heater for a regular workshop, or a propane radiant heater for a small, ventilated space.
Can you use a propane heater in a garage?
Yes, with fresh air, a CO alarm and a model made for it. Read the manual for the allowed space.
Is electric cheaper than gas?
Depends on your prices. Electric heat is clean and simple, and gas often costs less per BTU.
Final Word
Size the heater to the garage, pick the fuel that suits your wiring and keep fuel and fumes away. For small jobs, the Mr. Heater Buddy and the Dr. Infrared DR-968 are the easy starting points.
What happens next: expect more insulated garage doors, more hardwired electric units and more mini-splits for garages that are used daily. For a weekend workshop, a plug-in infrared or a small propane heater still does the job.
Related Guides
Keep going with portable air conditioners for the garage, propane heaters, infrared heaters, how to choose the right size space heater and space heater wattage calculator.
