Best Garage Heaters for Cosy Workplaces (Reviews) in 2023

There’s nothing cosier than inviting the lads over for a well-earned pint in the garage after a hard day at work—unless you don’t have a heater in the middle of winter, that is. Sure, you could probably make do with a small space heater in a pinch, but show your mates you care with a garage heater that does the job properly.

In this post, we’ve listed the top garage heater models of 2024, and included a thorough guide to help you make an educated buying decision.

How We Tested and Picked These Garage Heater Models

To ensure that we’re presenting you with the best of the best workshop heaters in the UK, we tested each model in a standard, single garage. And while narrowing down out garage heater picks, we considered the following factors:

• The garage heater is capable of producing enough warmth for comfort in at least a single garage.
• You can adjust the heat settings without much trouble.
• The garage heater is easy to move around (there’s one exception on our list).
• Each garage heater has the most essential safety features.

Best Garage Heaters in 2024

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys DIY projects but can be scarcely bothered getting out of the comfort of bed because of the cool temperature, a garage heater will stave off the frostbite and let you get to work in comfort.

Based on our extensive research we found these to be the best garage heater models in the UK:

1. Garden Mile® 2Kw PTC Turbo Garage Workshop Heater

Price: £ | Dimensions: 16 cm x 20.5 cm x 32.2 cm | Heat Modes: Fully adjustable thermostatic control and dual heat mode | Watts: 2,000W | Material: Strong durable ABS plastic and metal | Finish: Black

Garage space heaters capable of outputting this much energy are often seen (correctly) as being inefficient bank drainers. However, we found that this model from Garden Mile, bucks the trend. While it probably won’t win any prizes for looks due to its rectangular-prism design, the PTC Turbo more than makes up for this with its industrial-grade performance.

Positive Temperature Coefficient is a special technology that opts away from resistance wire and instead uses ceramic stones or chips. In other words, PTC heaters will only create enough heat output to fill the desired space, keeping you comfortable and your bills reasonable. While running a powerful garage workshop heater on for many hours on end can waste a lot of energy and money, it’s a breath of fresh air that Garden Mile is designed with this in mind.

One thing to note, however, is that our testing indicated that this garage heater is best used for a small workshop, not a cavernous garage. But considering this a 2,000-Watt unit on the low end of the price range, this is to be expected. All in all, this is fantastic value for money.

Pros

• Efficient heat
• Good degree of control over heating output
• Durable design

Cons

• Not powerful enough for a large garage

Check price on Amazon

2. Large Parasene Electric Garage Heater

Price: £ | Dimensions: 19.5 cm x 18 cm x 29 cm | Heat Modes: 2 | Watts: 1,000W or 2,000W | Material: Metal | Finish: Green

“Durability” is the operative word when it comes to this fantastic garage heater. Our tests showed that it heats up a standard single garage quickly, and features a convenient handle for easy portability. We’re not saying you should try, but the metal frame looks like it could stop a low-calibre bullet.

A fan is included for efficient heat distribution, and the unit itself is exceptionally easy to clean. Moreover, we were pleased to see that this garage workshop heater is odourless and doesn’t dry out the air too much. We loved that its operation couldn’t be simpler, either: Half power or full power—it’s just that simple.

Keep in mind, though, that you will literally use double the power at its full setting, so we recommend using the half setting where comfortable to reduce both your energy bill and your carbon footprint. While this heater is designed for a greenhouse, it makes for an excellent garage heater. The fan is efficient, lasts for ages, and doesn’t hog energy.

Pros

• Highly portable
• Durable components
• Provides quick heat

Cons

• Fan stays on even when the thermostat is off

Check price on Amazon

3. Kiam 2.5 kW Electric Infrared Garage Heater

Price: ££ | Dimensions: 87 cm x 19 cm x 9 cm | Heat Modes: 3 | Watts: 850 – 2,500W (depending on setting) | Material: Quartz tube heating element | Finish: Black and silver

If a freestanding garage heater is what you’re after, it’s hard to look past this excellent unit from British-owned company Kiam.

Kiam has been around for more than a decade, and their expertise at designing mid- to high-range heaters is well regarded. And whilst they are a bit pricier compared to models of this power and type, quality is right at the top with an impressive 2,500 hours of lamp life and the ability of heating up an area of 25 m².

Suitable for both home and commercial use, this garage workshop heater heater has 45-degree up-down functionality; we could orient this heater however we liked during our tests. As part of the package, you get a remote control and a 24-hour timer.

After testing, we found that even its lowest heat setting really crisps things up. Yes, it has overheat protection, but we seriously recommend starting with the lowest setting before working your way up, as a precaution.

Pros

• Easy to orient in any direction
• Durable lamp
• Produces enough heat for a mid-sized garage

Cons

• Not the cheapest

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4. Hausen Electric Tubular Heater

Price: £ | Dimensions: Length (depending on model): 30.5 cm / 61.5 cm / 92 cm / 102.5 cm; Width: 3.2 cm; Depth: 1.27 cm | Heat Modes: 1 | Watts: 60W – 240W | Material: Plastic and metal | Finish: White

This is a low capacity electric garage heater, but if you’re looking for a more passive heating solution, Hausen has you well covered. Offering four choices in length, there’s something here for everybody. This low-cost heater prevents condensation, damp, and freezing. It does this all with an IP55 waterproof rating, which is particularly important if you want to use this is a greenhouse.

The Hausen‘s use in garages is also quite popular, and we learned that its low-power setting can keep a garage frost-free without consuming much energy. Stylistically, the tube is reminiscent of a fluorescent light—right down to the white colour.

With more than 40 ratings averaging 4.5 stars, this product has proven its usefulness in a variety of different scenarios. Additionally, all size variants come with a 1.5-metre cable and thermal protectors to keep you safe. Overall, Hausen has really put together an irresistible deal with this heater, offering a great-value product at an aggressive price point; moreover, they’ve managed to do it without compromising on quality and safety, which makes it little wonder that the product has sold so successfully.

Pros

• Low operating costs
• Waterproof

Cons

• Heat to low to keep you warm on a chilly day

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5. Economy+ Electric Radiator

Price: £££ | Dimensions: 486 mm – 1296 mm | Heat Modes: Programmable | Watts: 560W – 1,960W | Material: Silica-filled with ultra-durable exterior | Finish: White

Made in Britain, this luxury electric heater will save you money in the long run due to its efficient and effective heating ability. There’s a good chance that this heater is the most energy-efficient heater on this entire list, so we’d so to keep this in mind if you’re able to make the long-term investment.

One thing that really appeals to us is the fact that it is handmade. Yes, that’s right–artisanal heaters in 2024! Best of all, it comes with a 2-year warranty.

The largest variant, the 1,296-millimetre-wide one, weighs approximately 21 kg, although the fact that it is a wall-mounted heater should render this moot unless you plan on affixing it to a paper-thin wall. Installation is really easy, too. All you need, according to the manufacturer, is a spirit level, pencil, drill bit, and a drill, although I’m sure you can always pay a professional installer if the idea of drilling into your wall yourself turns you whiter than the heater itself.

Pros

• Sleek design
• Powerful but efficient
• Easy to install

Cons

• A bit heavy to handle
• Not portable

Check price on Amazon

Garage Heater Buying Guide

Here below, we guide you through the critical thought process you need to ensure the most effective buying decision for your purposes.

Essential Factors to Keep in Mind When You Buy a Garage Heater

Before you start browsing garage heater models, take the time to work out your heating needs. A garage heater may come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and picking an unsuitable solution will mean you either overpay upfront, pay more than you must for heating, and ultimately look for a replacement heater. To narrow down your search to the best garage heaters for your space, consider the following:

• How large is the space you need to heat?
• Is your garage insulated?
• Will you want to move your garage heater around?
• How easy is it to control the garage heater?
• Does your heater have the essential safety features?

Let’s delve into each of the considerations above, and see how they may influence your purchasing decision.

Determine the Garage Heater Size

You shouldn’t just buy any garage heater without knowing whether its capacity can match the work at hand. Most products will feature a sizing chart to which you can refer, and this is a fairly safe route to take. However, you can also use the 2 approaches below to determine the required capacity for your garage heater.

1. Allow 10 Watts Per Square Foot of Space

This is the easiest way to arrive at a garage heater size. Simply multiply your garage area by 10 to get the required wattage. So, if you’ve got a single, 8′ x 16′ garage, you can use the formula below:

8 x 16 x 10 = 1,280W

In this scenario, you’ll need a 1,280W, or a 1.3kW garage heater to generate sufficient heat for your garage. Now, whilst electric heaters are typically rated in kW, most gas heaters use BTUs (British Thermal Units) instead. And if the garage heater you’re looking at is rated in BTUs , you can multiply the wattage by 3.41 to get the required BTUs:

1,280 x 3.41 = 4,365 BTUs

2. Factor in the Insulation, Volume, and Desired Temperature Rise

Using this formula will give you a more precise sizing estimate, but it requires a bit of research:

(Insulation level x garage volume x temperature rise)/1.6 = ideal garage heater output (BTUs)

Firstly, you’ll have to establish your level of insulation in the garage. You’ll need to figure out the required thermal resistance value in your climate zone, then compare it against the R-Values of the insulation in your garage’s walls. Finding these figures may be tricky, so you can use your own judgement to assess the level of insulation, too. For the purposes of this calculation, use “5” if your garage has no insulation at all, and 0.5 if the insulation is excellent.

Next, you’ll have to calculate your garage’s volume — length x width x height. So, if we’re using the example above, with typical ceilings, we’ll get:

8 x 16 x 8 = 1,024 cubic feet  

We’re almost there! Now, you need to arrive at the “temperature rise”, in Fahrenheit. Simply put, the “rise” is the difference between the garage temperature without heating, and the desired temperature with the heater working. So, if your garage dips down to 40°F in winter, and you’d like it closer to 60°F, the “rise” value is 20.

OK, we’re ready to plug the number into the formula. Assuming your garage has no insulation, we get:

(5 x 1,024 x 20)/1.6 = 64,000 BTUs

To convert this value to watts, simply divide it by a factor of 3.41. So:

64,000/3.41 = 18,768 W

Now, that’s a monstrously powerful heater — your planet, wallet, and energy supplier are sure to send their thanks. But remember, we assumed that the garage had NO insulation at all. Now, let’s see how much of a difference insulation makes.

Insulate Your Garage

A smaller garage heater is cheaper to buy and less expensive to operate. So, let’s see how adding insulation to your garage will affect the ideal garage heater capacity — we’ll use all the same figures as above, but assume an insulation level of “1”, which is good; not perfect, but good.

(1 x 1,024 x 20)/1.6 = 12,800 BTUs or 3,753 W

As you can see, with a bit of insulation, you can get away with a lower-capacity garage heater. This means you’ll save money upfront, AND you’ll spend 5 times less on fuel costs. If you plan to use your garage heater often, and for long periods, insulating your garage is an absolute must if you want your garage heater to be efficient.

Should your garage heater be portable?

Different garage heater models have varying degrees of portability. While some heaters can be mounted on walls, others cannot. It is possible to move some heating appliances from one location to another, while it is impossible or inconvenient to move others. When choosing your garage heater, make sure a wall-mounted heater will not interfere with cars or other items you may store inside the garage.

Essential Safety Features for a Garage Heater

A garage heater, just like any other heat-producing appliance, is likely to suffer from wear and tear after a period of time. As such, safety features are there to protect you if a fault should occur.

The more safety features a heater has, the better. Auto shut-off in case of extreme temperatures is one of the important features to look out for, while it is crucial that portable heaters that are susceptible to falling over have a tip-over switch.

Having the power to control your device’s output also minimises the chances of accidents occurring. Remote controls and other advanced features are also important things to consider.

Control Your Garage Heater With Ease

How much control do you have over your garage heater? How wide are your options? The settings should give you a wide array of options to ensure safe and efficient operation at all times. A programmable heater garage will allow you to control the temperature to the precise degree, assuring an unsurpassed level of comfort.

Rapid weather changes might give you problems, and garages are typically susceptible to temperature swings due to poor insulation. Therefore, you want a garage heater that allows you to adjust dynamically according to the changes taking place.

Garage Heater Energy-Saving Features

It is not just about the heater’s efficiency; how much freedom does it give you to save more energy? It is essential to look out for energy-saving features, like a thermostat, remote control, timer, ability to program, and many others.

It is imperative that you can turn your devices off when you do not need them or when you’re outside your house.

How to Use a Garage Heater Safely and Efficiently

Despite the marketing, there’s a bit of a knack required beyond “set it and forget it” to get the most out of your garage heater.

Read Your Manual Thoroughly

The first step to a successful appliance application is mastery of the instructions. Once you have the details with you, it’s time to start exploring.

Crucially, you should have a good idea of what to do in hazardous situations. Not only that, but what steps to take in case of an accident and whom to call for assistance.

Most buyers overlook these aspects. Remember, different products have different advanced features, which only the manual can fully explain. Every manufacturer is legally obliged to contain safety and correct operation information in these manuals, which is why we advise you not to skip any details.

Make Full Sense of the Garage Heater Controls

Heating controls are made to improve your user experience. If you use them properly, they’ll save you energy, time, and money, and protect you from potential safety hazards. The remote control and the timer are perfect examples:

• Remote control — Imagine leaving your seat every time to adjust your heater. It is annoying and inconvenient, especially when you’re busy doing your things. This is where a remote control comes in handy. Like a TV set, it allows you to switch the heater into a setting of your preference.
• Timer — A garage heater timer is another vital feature you could take advantage of. With a timer, you can arrange for your heater to go off, or turn on at specific times. This will save you a considerable amount of energy in the long run.

Tips for Positioning Your Garage Heater

Finding the best place for a garage heater boils down to 3 simple factors:

• Garage heater type — Infrared heaters project warmth wherever you aim them, but do not heat the surrounding air. Forced convection heaters, on the other hand, use a fan motor distribute hot air throughout a space. So, infrared heaters should be aimed at you and your guests, whilst convection heaters can theoretically be pointed in any direction.
• Your activities — If you’re working at a desk, you can hang an infrared heater from the ceiling, or on an adjacent wall. Alternatively, place a fan heater on the floor or shelf nearby.
• Safety — Electricity and water don’t mix, so don’t place an electric garage heater on the floor while you’re hosing off your car. Likewise, gas heaters don’t mix well with enclosed spaces, so ensure you have proper ventilation (i.e. fully open garage door) if your garage heater runs on gas.

Parting Words

Thanks for reading our guide to choosing a garage heater. If you feel that there’s anything we didn’t cover, or would like to share your own experience with a specific garage heater model, please leave us a comment below.