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Best Electric Garage Heaters 120v: Full Buyers Guide

With numerous types of electric heaters available, many homeowners struggle to pick the right one for their garage. Of course, there are plenty of factors that need to be kept in mind when choosing the best 120v electric heater for your garage. We’ve kept these aspects in mind when finding the best options on the market today.

This article will walk you through all the things you need to think about when choosing an electric heater, and how to choose the perfect model for your garage. And we’ve also included our top picks depending on what you’re looking for!

NOTE: Our overall top pick is the Dreo Portable Space Heater (Amazon link). We love it for it’s range of features, compact size, and affordability. But it really depends on your needs whether this is the best one for you or not. Read on for a full guide and more recommendations.

So, what are the most important things to think about when choosing an electric heater for your garage?If you’re shopping for an electric heater for your garage, you need to know what you’re looking for.

By understanding the types of 120v electric heaters suitable for garages and the factors you should keep in mind when browsing options, you can choose the best heater for your needs. Let’s look at the different types available on the market today…

Types Of 120v Electric Heaters For Garages

When shopping for an electric garage heater, buyers should have a good understanding of the different types that are available. After all, each type of electric heater will have its own advantages and drawbacks to consider. And you likely find that certain electric heaters are better suited to your garage than others!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links which will take you to online retailers that sell products and services. If you click on one and buy something, I may earn from qualifying purchases. See my Affiliate Disclosure for more details.

There are generally 5 different types of electric heater to choose from:

Electric Infrared Heaters

Infrared heaters are a popular choice for garages. Even after you’ve turned the heater off, the garage will remain heated for some time. For those concerned about energy efficiency, infrared heaters are one of the most efficient types available today. This type of heater is also known as a radiative space heater and heats people and objects in front of the unit.

Electric Fan Heaters

For those concerned about affordability and performance, electric fan heaters offer a great solution. Also known as blow heaters, these heaters use a fan to move air across the heating element. Generally, fan heaters are energy efficient. However, more noise will be generated by fan-based heaters. If you’re using power tools in your garage, this may not bother you!

Electric Ceramic Heaters

Ceramic heaters are another type of electric heater. With a heating element made from ceramic material, these heaters are safer than other types. You’ll be able to find ceramic heaters that utilize fans or infrared technology, as discussed above. Ceramic heaters are popular due to their fast heat-up times. This type of heater will often remain cool on the outside.

Electric Smart Heaters

Like ceramic heaters, smart heaters will utilize either fan or infrared technology. However, the distinction lies in the added smart functionality. With smart heaters, your electric heater will be able to connect to your home’s Wi-Fi. Of course, this will allow you to control the heater from your smartphone, which adds a new level of convenience to classic electric heaters.

Electric Under-Floor Heaters

Electric under-floor heaters are the most expensive type available today. This type of heater utilizes power lines to heat the floor of a room. However, this requires a complex and costly installation process. While these under-floor heaters can provide efficient performance, the complex installation makes this heater hard to implement in garages.

Here’s a quick summary table of the different types along with their main features:

Type of
Electric Heater
Main Features
Infra-red-Heat in room is retained well.
-Very efficient.
-Heats people/objects in front of unit.
Fan-Energy efficient.
-Noisy.
Ceramic-Safer than other types.
-Fast heat up times.
-Heater remains cool on outside.
Smart-Different types available in this range.
-Able to control heater remotely.
Under-floor-Most expensive type.
-Efficient performance.
-Complex & costly installation process.

Factors To Consider When Choosing A 120v Electric Garage Heater

In this section, we’re going to break down the factors you need to consider when purchasing an electric garage heater. By keeping these aspects in mind when shopping, you can ensure that you choose the best electric heater for your garage!

Which Electric Heater Type is Best for You?

There are many different types of electric heater available today.

There are many types of electric heaters available today, many of which are outlined above. This should be a primary consideration when shopping for a heater, as you’ll be able to narrow down your selection by type. For instance, if you want to avoid having a noisy heater, you should rather browse heaters with infrared technology.

Use the summary table above to help you choose which type of electric heater is best for you.

Where Do You Want to Place your Electric Heater?

When shopping for an electric garage heater, you need to consider where you want to place the heater. To save space, you might prefer a heater that is wall- or ceiling-mounted.

However, if you’re looking for a portable electric heater, you might prefer a tabletop model that can stand on your workbench.

Essentially, you need to consider whether you prefer a mounted or portable electric heater:

  • With a mounted heater, you will not be able to move it around.
  • While a portable heater that stands on the floor or table can be moved around, but it will take up more space than a mounted heater.

What Size Electric Heater is Best for You?

Size is another crucial factor. As we mentioned above, portable/standing electric heaters will take up more space than wall-mounted heaters. However, you’ll be able to find portable and mounted heaters of varying sizes. This will also correlate to the heating range, which we’ll discuss in a moment.

Depending on the size of your garage, you need to choose a heater that is appropriately sized. If you opt for a mounted heater, you need to ensure you have sufficient wall or ceiling space available to mount it. If you’re opting for a portable heater, you want to ensure you have enough space for it to stand.

The size of your heater is also linked to energy efficiency, which we’ll discuss next. By choosing a large heater for a small garage, you will be wasting energy. A small heater in a large garage will result in insufficient heat generation. Ultimately, the size of your heater needs to be proportional to the size of your garage.

Is Efficiency Important to You?

With electric heaters, energy efficiency is a crucial consideration! When shopping for heaters, you can use customer feedback to ensure the product meets their indicated heat output claims. As we mentioned above, the efficiency of a heater will be optimized when the heater’s size is proportional to that of the room.

But it’s also always a good choice to go with one that is designed to work efficiently too.

Which Features are Important to You?

If you’re looking for the best value heater, you may be limited in terms of available features. However, there are many features you may want in a heater.

For instance, oscillating heaters can distribute heat more evenly. You may want a heater with an adjustable thermostat. Many heaters will also have numerous heating modes, including Eco modes. When browsing heaters, it’s important to consider which features are offered, and decide how important each feature is to you.

What Range Does you Electric Heater Need to Cover?

When shopping for electric heaters, you need to consider the range of the heater. With fixed or mounted electric heaters, you may find the heat is more direct and has less range. And with portable ones, you are able to move it around to direct the heat where you want it.

Many heaters will specify their range. By comparing this range to the size of your garage, you can ensure the heater is able to properly warm up your garage.

Consider Electric Heater Safety

Finally, you need to consider the safety of a heater. For instance, does the portable heater have a tip-over switch? Many heaters also do not heat up on the outside, which can be an important safety feature for those with children and pets.

As we discussed earlier, the safety of a heater is also linked to the type of heater you choose. Some types, like ceramic heaters, are safer to use.

With all this to bear in mind, here are 6 of the Best Electric Heaters that we believe are available on the market today, depending on what you’re looking for. We’ve also listed out their individual features, along with their pros and cons…

The 6 Best Electric Garage Heaters 120v

1. Top Pick – Dreo Portable Space Heater 

We love this 120v space heater from Dreo (Amazon link) as a favorite choice. The compact 10.3-inch size makes this heater easy to place where needed. With an adjustable thermostat and 70-degree oscillating functionality, you’ll be able to feel the difference!

Overall, there are four heat modes available for users, including an Eco mode. This tabletop heater also features an easy-to-read LED display and touch controls. With a sensitive tip-over switch, this portable heater is safe to use

There’s also a twelve-hour timer built-in, which improves the safety of this model. For your average garage, this heater is ideal, and it’s also an extremely quiet heater.

Pros:

  • Four heating modes
  • Oscillating functionality
  • Compact size
  • LED display and touch controls
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Better for smaller garages  

2. Best Value – Stanley Electric Heater

If you’re concerned about value for money, you’ll love this powerful and simplistic 120v electric heater from Stanley (Amazon link). This heater can easily increase the temperature in garages and rooms up to 165 square feet.

With easy adjustment knobs, adjusting the thermostat is easy. While this heater has a stripped-back compact design, it’s both fast and powerful, so this option is a great ‘no-nonsense’ value buy.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • User-friendly

Cons:

  • Lacks modern features

3. Best Premium – AirNmore Deluxe Space Heater

This corded electric heater from AirNmore (Amazon link) is the perfect choice for those seeking a robust, deluxe heater for their garage. This touch-safe heater doesn’t heat up outside, which is a fantastic premium feature that makes this heater safe for pets and children.

With copper heating elements used, you don’t need to worry about replacing heater bulbs! If you were to lose power, your heater would remember the last setting it was on! This one’s a great choice from someone looking to buy the safest, most hassle free option.

Pros:

  • Touch-safe design
  • No heater bulbs

Cons:

  • More expensive than other electric heaters

4. Best Compact – Dr. Infrared Carbon Heater

If you’re searching for an electric garage heater that will save space, this wall-mounted heater from Dr. Infrared is an excellent choice (Amazon link). In addition to garages, this heater can be used on patios and in gardens too. While a 120v model is available, a 240v model is also available.

In addition to a 120v model, there is also a 240v version available, and both can be remote-controlled. While this heater can be wall-mounted, it can also be mounted on ceilings, and the required mounting brackets are included with your purchase.

This is a great space saving option.

Pros:

  • East to install
  • Space-saving electric heater
  • It can be used indoors and outdoors

Cons:

  • Heat is more direct

5. Best Eco-Friendly – Amazon Basics Portable Space Heater

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly heater, this heater from Amazon Basics is perfect! With the eco-smart setting, you won’t need to worry about excess energy consumption.

It has an adjustable electronic thermostat and LED display, making it a user-friendly choice. There’s also an overheat sensor built in, and a heating range of up to 160 square feet, with a remote control in addition.

Pros:

  • Wide heating range
  • Easy controls
  • Eco-friendly

Cons:

  • It cannot be mounted

6. Best Smart Option – Heat Storm Wall-Mounted Wi-Fi Heater

This Wi-Fi-enabled electric heater from Heat Storm (Amazon link) is perfect if you’re looking for a smart heater. With this heater, you’ll be able to control the settings from your smartphone, and it’s wall-mounted, which allows you to save space in your garage.

The heater also doesn’t get hot on the outside, making it safe for pets and children.

Pros:

  • Smart controls
  • Saves space
  • Touch-safe design

Cons:

  • Needs to be in Wi-Fi range

From size to safety features, there are many aspects buyers should keep in mind when buying an electric heater for their garage. Dreo’s Portable Space Heater is one of the best options available today. Not only does this compact heater have an adjustable thermostat, but it has four heating modes. From Stanley to Heat Storm, there are plenty of other options to also consider for your garage!