Your garage is one of the most useful rooms of your house. Whether it’s repairing tools, storing items, an exercise space or gardening plants in containers, garages are useful places to keep in good condition. You need to keep it tidy. Spacious, and most importantly, warm.
Especially during wintertime, when water and frost can find it’s way through windows and cracks, you will need to find the best electric garage heater to ensure your garage is protected, and most importantly nice to work in!
The most powerful 120v heater will give you lots of benefits, including keeping you strong and healthy from the cold, protecting your items inside and some are particularly useful in helping plants survive a cold winter.
There is an enormous amount of choice when picking an electric 120V garage heater. We’ve picked 12 of the best 120v electric garage heaters on the market, and weigh up both their pros and cons. We’re confident you’ll make an informed decision.
The 12 Best 120v Electric Garage Heaters
1. Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater
A powerful heater that covers a large garage, the Dr. Infrared Portable Space Heater provides consistent natural-feeling heat to even the coldest of garages.
It works similar to sunlight in that it warms objects rather than air. This means that heat feels natural and is distributed evenly throughout your room.
It’s energy-efficient, keeping heat loss to an absolute minimum. We love how quiet this heater is, too. A state-of-the-art 7-inch blower generates high pressure which allows it to move large volumes of air at a slower speed with no loud noise or sounds.
This heater has 3 power Settings (Auto, Low 1000W, and High 1500W). An auto energy-saving mode allows you to set your desired temperature from 50-86F. The thermostat regulates the heater and causes it to cycle on and off to maintain the set temperature.
It also does not have any exposed heating elements that can cause a fire. Additionally, it has tip-over protection and auto shut-off overheat protection, which keeps you safe and warm in tandem.
A programmable timer will automatically shut off the heater when it reaches its target hours.
- A 7-inch blower generates high pressure with reduced noise
- 3 power modes allow you to control how much you heat and making savings
- Sleek, simple interface
- Child and pet friendly
- Auto-energy saving mode and thermostat regulates and maintains heat
- Corded (72 inches) which may limit where it can be placed
2. Comfort Zone Ceiling Mounted Radiant Quartz Heater
Ideal for garages and workshops, this heater offers plenty of power to keep you warm, cozy, and comfortable.
How does it work? The heater’s two-quart bulbs reflect heat onto nearby objects, warming the area in front of the heater both gently and efficiently.
2 heat settings (750/1500 WATTS) means you have some flexibility in the level of heat you want. You can have a lower setting flipped for warmer days, and crank up the heat when it’s colder.
As a ceiling mounted heater, you also save valuable floor space with this heater. The 90-degree tilting bracket also means you have some room to maneuver the heater’s direction.
An additional feature we love is this heater has a built-in halogen light, giving you more visibility when working in your garage. What’s more, a G9 25 Watt halogen bulb is included with the product!
A tough, metal safety grill helps prevent the bulb from breaking or coming in contact with flammable items. It also has a built-in sensor that shuts the unit off immediately when it reaches unsafe temperatures.
- Easy to use; simply pull a cord to turn on/off
- Ceiling mounting can save valuable space on your garage floor
- Halogen bulb provides additional light
- Installation might be tricky given it’s a ceiling-mounted heater
3. Dr. Heater Greenhouse Garage Infrared Heater
During wintertime, gardeners across the world try to protect their plants from cold weather and frost. This electric garage heater is especially suited to guard plants and helps them survive and thrive during the harshest season.
Whilst the heater covers up to 150 sq. ft., it’s both lightweight and portable, giving you great flexibility to set it up for small or longer periods – your choice.
The heater uses a fan-forced air technology, which provides reliable heat to your plants which is efficient and effective. The heater uses an enclosed, thermally protected, and heavy-duty ball bearing motor, which provides long-lasting performance with little maintenance required.
A precision temperature sensor with an adjustable thermostat allows you to create the best climate for your plants. It also comes with built-in overheat protection and its simple interface allows straight-forward immediate use.
- Light, portable
- Ideal for heating plants, helping to grow crops in your garage
- Protected against water splashing
- Little maintenance required
- The 1500w model has only one heat setting
- Particularly suited to garden plants and as such, not typically aimed for general use
4. Lasko Utility Fan
Is your room stuffy? Have you just painted the walls and need fresh air inside? Whether you’re working, exercising, performing, or partying, this high-velocity fan brings comfort to beat the heat and stuffiness in your home.
Powered by 3 fan speeds, this heavy-duty air mover generates up to 305 cubic feet per minute to keep you cool in hot weather.
It comes fully assembled and ready to work, with built-in twin 120V accessory outlets to power additional devices. We love how this fan can be used for a variety of additional purposes too, including cooling and freshening up rooms as well as drying wet carpet and floors.
Directions are simple; aim the fan up, angle the airflow down to dry the floor, or direct this fan almost anywhere in-between. Stable feet ensure the fan will remain in place, making it an ideal asset to garages, kitchens, home gyms, and commercial sites.
- A tidy size, measuring 9. 6” x 12. 2” and standing only 12. 3 inches tall
- Easy to fit into hard-to-ventilate areas
- Quiet and comes fully assembled
- Manual controls – no automatic settings available
5. Homegear Infrared Electric Portable Space Heater
An impressive 120v electric garage heater from Homegear, this system efficiently heats medium to large size rooms with ease.
We love this system’s sleek, LED display which makes monitoring heat and temperature easy and straight-forward. A remote control is also included and allows you to change settings easily.
Cabinet space heaters work very quickly to heat spaces. This electric garage heater covers a room up to 500 sq. ft. in area. It uses a dual heating system that combines Mica and Quartz Infrared heating tubes.
A blower fan included helps minimize noise whilst also circulating heat quickly. The result? Rapid heat without a sound!
- Heats garages quickly and efficiently
- The sleek LED display makes monitoring easy and stress-free
- Remote control included
- Minimum 13A circuit. Use 15A to get better results
- Covers up to 500 sq. ft. of space, which may or may not be enough for your needs
6. TPI 120V Electric Infrared Heater
This 120v garage heater promises quick, quiet heat in a straight-forward way.
Firstly, this garage heater works across three areas of heat transfer – convection, conduction, and radiation. This promises a consistent, effective heating system that works well in low-temperature areas from floor to ceiling!
Made of frosted Quartz tubing, this garage heater is durable but also very lightweight. Not only that but with corrosion-resistant parts, this heater is also low maintenance with a simple wipe of a damp cloth or microfiber cloth to remove dust when switched off
- High materials used mean low maintenance of the heater
- Corrosion-resistant stainless steel gauge used
- As it’s mounted, it does not take up valuable floor space
- Can only be pivoted 45-degrees, which may limit its flexibility
- While mounting brackets are supplied, there is more assembly required than ground heaters
7. multifun’s Space Heater with Adjustable Thermostat
This is a compact and powerful electric heater that will begin to transform cold garages into comfortable, warm spaces in as little as 2 seconds.
The handle on top makes moving this electric heater very easy and practical. Measuring only 6 x 6.7 x 7’’ in size and just 38.8 oz in weight, this electric heater takes up very little space and so can fit in a variety of rooms or areas where space may be limited.
This heater covers up to 108 sq. ft. and so is ideally suited for small to medium rooms. A simple, adjustable dial means you can control this electric heater very easily and no red lights make it less distracting.
The thermostat can also be preset within a range of 41 ~ 95°F. This keeps the room temperature at the most optimal level and also reduces power consumption. With a tip-over switch and overheating protection, this heater will automatically shut off if it’s knocked over or becomes too hot.
We’re particularly impressed with how this powerful electric heater is made. It is encased in a fire-retardant metal shell. The unique angled legs enable hot air to blow upwards and distribute warm air evenly around a room quickly.
- Angled legs help distribute heat upwards and evenly
- Very light and small, and the handle makes it ideal to move regularly
- Highly durable
- No red LED lights make it suitable for quiet bedrooms
- Covers 108 sq. ft which may only suit specific rooms or uses
- Cable length is 4.9ft
8. KING Portable Shop Heater w/Thermostat
This electric heater from KING has an impressive built-in thermostat to help with transforming cold areas into warm, cozy spaces.
The impressive flow-through design of this heater moves air by pulling it from the back, and discharging out the front – the result is effective and efficient heating of a space.
Adjustable tilt control allows you to aim heat upwards, providing more effective heating of an area.
A high temperature-limit feature shuts power off to the heater in an abnormal event, protecting from overheating and gives you peace of mind when it’s in use.
We also love that it’s an incredibly durable heater in that it has both scratch and rust-resistances. It also has a stainless steel heating element, as well as a permanently lubricated motor for optimum performance for a long time.
The convenient 6 ft. cord and comfortable grip handle also affords you greater mobility to areas needing heat.
- Simple on/off switch to operate
- Adjustable tilt control and handle
- Temperature limit offers safety protection from overheating
- Ideally suited to smaller rooms and spaces
9. REMINGTON Radiant Electric Heater
This electric heater from Remington is a powerful and easy way to warm up even the coldest of garages.
Firstly, it gives off radiant heat which means it heats people and not the surrounding air. It is also incredibly quiet and has a tip-over switch for your safety.
This electric heater has three oscillation settings; 120º, 270º, and 0º, giving you lots of variety in how you want it to operate. This electric heater also has a weatherproof IPX4 rating, meaning it is well suited for a variety of locations, including indoors and outdoors areas (patios, campsites, etc.)
- Radiant heating system
- Incredibly quiet, and comes with 3 oscillation modes
- Weatherproofing means it can be used in a variety of locations including outdoors
- Tip-over switch for safety
- There is a safety warning stating this product can expose you to chemicals
10. Maxx Wall Mount Infrared Heater with Remote
This powerful 120v electric heater is an ideal way to warm even the coldest garages or patio areas with efficient and consistent heat.
Firstly the high rated aluminum reflector and anodized extruded aluminum alloy housing make this electric heater last the test of time.
The carbon fiber heating element present ensures quick, reliable heat. At 1500 Watts of power, this heater is equally suited to both indoor rooms as well as outdoor patios.
A secure locking system with tip-over safety off switch ensures protection and peace of mind. ETL listed and tested for safe operation, the heater also comes with a 7-inch power cord and remote to control from a distance.
As a wall-mounted heater, whilst there may be some straight-forward installation required, it will not take up valuable floor space in a busy garage.
- High-quality materials mean long-lasting and durable
- Wall-mounted and so saves floor space
- Remote control to operate from a distance
- No thermostat included
- Cannot pivotal or change direction
- Short power cord
11. PTC Portable Space Heater Fan
Do you want to take the chill out of your icy garage? This impressive space heater is powerful and can remove cold zones in rooms with ease.
Firstly there are 3 modes to this electric garage heater, including low, high and fan-only mode. It comes with both 1500W and 750W heat settings too, for more flexibility in how much heat you need.
Its heating method is forced air which means this fan can heat up and begin warming in as little as 3 seconds. And with 90-degree tilt rotation can provide even heat in a very wide range.
Safety is paramount to this heater, as poly-crystalline materials mean it can remain safe even when temperatures rise too high. This electric heater also has a trigger system when it reaches 86-degrees F, stopping heating and awaiting to cool down.
Small in size and with a portable handle, this garage heater is convenient, practical, and perfect for on-the-move heating. It’s the perfect choice for heating hands, feet, and rooms, whether they be your garage, kitchen, or living room.
- Compact size and handle make it easy to move
- Comes with 2 heating modes
- Fan included for cooling/air circulation
- High-quality materials and overheated system offers greater protection
- The forced air method means it will heat up in as little as 3 seconds
- None
12. STANLEY Electric Heater
Weighing only 3.8 lbs, and with an easy-lift handle, this heater from Stanley is all about practicality when heating your cold rooms.
This heater will cover up to 165 sq. ft. of area, making it an ideal heater for small and medium-sized rooms that need an injection of heat.
This electric garage heater will heat up in seconds, providing an immediate solution to your cold problems. It also comes with a tip-over switch for peace of mind.
It comes with two heat settings and an adjustable thermostat. And with small dimensions, this heater can easily fit on a desk, workbench, or the floor without taking up much space.
- Simple, straightforward interface and instructions
- Tip-over switch for safety
- Small, compact means it won’t take up valuable floor or workbench space
- There is a safety warning stating this product can expose you to chemicals
Buying guide: Buying The Best 120v Electric Garage Heater
What Are the Different Types of Heating?
Firstly, you might have read a lot about radiant heaters and infrared heaters. These are largely the same type of heater. They work by heating heat objects rather than the room’s air.
You feel the warmth quickly and directly but may take time to heat the entire room. These heaters offer consistent heat without any blowing out of air or dust particles and many come in compact sizes, making them ideal for garages.
Space Heaters or fan heaters use convection heat. Simply put, this is when the warmed air rises and displaces cold air downwards, back down towards the heater. Fan heaters combine the warming capability of a heater and air distribution capacity of a fan.
Free-standing vs. Wall Mounted – floor space is one of the most precious things in a garage! When deciding on an electric garage heater, remember to take into account its size and how it works. Does it need to be on the ground or workbench? Or from the ceiling or wall?
If space is limited in your garage, you might consider a wall mount. It’s also very important that your heater is away from flammable materials at all times, so when installing your heater, take particular care of what is around it.
If you want a free-standing heater, remember to choose one with tip-prevention and which has high-quality safety features…just in case!
IPX4 – many of the above electric garage heaters have IPX4 structures. An IP rating determines how resistant a material is, with each ending number a different element. IPX4 essentially means water resistance, in this case, water splashing. If your garage is prone to leaks, or you want the option to use your electric heater outdoors in patios/when camping, IPX4 is an important feature to look out for.
Here Are Some Effective Heating Tips You Should Consider
Maximizing your garage’s insulation is key to keeping heat indoors and circulating the room. How? There are several ways you can insulate your garage, many of which are very cost-effective and will save you money in the long run.
Insulation materials – there are a variety of materials you can use to insulate your garage. These materials act as a blanket that traps heat and stops it from leaving through walls, air spaces, and the ceiling. Fiberglass is one of the most common types and can come in long-blankets or loose-fittings, depending on your needs. Foam is another useful insulator.
Air-sealing – Reduce the amount of air that leaks out of your garage are important in ensuring hot air stays in place. It also helps improve air quality and ventilation, especially in extreme hot or cold weather. Air escapes through cracks and openings (around window frames e.g.) and so naturally, your main goal is to ‘seal’ these weak spots.
Garage door – Don’t forget about one of the biggest things in your garage – the door! Garage doors are typically huge to allow cars, machinery, and more to pass through and as such may lose lots of heat by being poorly insulated. As well as windows and ceilings, remember to insulate this big fixture and create a wall to keep heat in.
Conclusion
Garages are very important rooms in our homes. Not only are they ideal quiet spaces to work in, but they’re useful for storage, tool-fixing, gardening and doing exercise!
It stands to reason then, that in order to protect this space, like any other room in your home, it needs adequate heating. This is especially important during wintertime when temperatures plummet and both water and frost find their ways inside. You need the most powerful electric garage heater to keep these problems at bay.
By keeping your garage warm, you can continue to use it the whole year-round. Not only that, but the heat will keep you healthy and flu-resistant, and protect your plants, tools, stored items and more!