The Best Shed Heater On The Market to Keep You Warm
Whether you’re using your shed as a workshop, a storage facility, or a guestroom, keeping it at a certain temperature can be crucial. It won’t take you long to feel the cold biting your fingertips if you venture out to your outdoor shed in the middle of February, for instance. Luckily, there are plenty of economical shed heating options out there. In this post, I’ll list the best shed heater available on the market today — actually five, and will let you pick the one you think it’s best suited to your needs.
Your Shed Heater Options
You’ve got many options to consider, but it all boils down to the type of shed you have. If it’s insulated, you may be able to get away with a less powerful — and cheaper — model. Size matters, too — larger sheds obviously require more heat output. Finally, how much time do you intend to spend inside your shed? Some heaters are great for providing a quick, forceful burst of heat; others work better, and more efficiently, over extended periods.
Before we dive into my list of heaters, let’s examine some of the most common types.
Electric Oil-filled Radiators
- Best choice for insulated sheds
- Provide long-lasting heat
- Good for both smaller and larger sheds
These radiators come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all tend to work the same way. The radiator’s fins are filled with oil, which gets heated from an electric heating element. The oil keeps the high temperatures for a while, so the heating element doesn’t have to work all the time. Even if you turn your heater off, the heat will still emanate from the oil-filled fins for quite some time. Thanks to this efficient mode of operation, oil-filled radiators typically don’t cost much to run.
Electric Fan Heaters
- Best choice for non-insulated shed
- Provide a short, powerful burst of heat
- Great for both small and large rooms
Fan heaters force air through a ceramic heating element, then blow it into the room at high speeds. This creates a strong, warm air current that can quickly heat up your shed. Unlike oil-filled radiators, fan heaters stop producing heat as soon as you turn them off. Because of this limitation, they’re not as energy-efficient and make a poorer choice if you need constant heat for a prolonged period. Another downside is that fan heaters can get quite noisy, and the air current they create may be troublesome, depending on what type of work you do inside the shed.
Electric Infrared Heaters
- Great choice for insulated and uninsulated spaces alike
- Strong, direct heat for any period of time
- Only heat a small area
Infrared heaters radiate heat at the surface at which you aim them. They won’t heat the entire shed. Because of this, they’re great for hanging above a work bench, but a poor choice if you need to keep the entire shed warm. On the upside, infrared electric heaters are highly efficient and are a great choice if you’re OK with a smaller heating radius.
Tubular heater
- Great choice for insulated and uninsulated spaces alike
- Provide long-lasting background heat
- Work best in smaller rooms
Tubular heaters won’t heat your shed to the same temperatures as your house. They’re designed to provide subtle, background heat and keep your space free from frost, condensation, and dampness. These heaters don’t produce a lot of heat and are consequently cheap to operate.
The Best Shed Heaters
1. Pure Mate Oil-filled Radiator
The Pure Mate Oil-filled Radiator can fit anywhere thanks to its slim design and produces 1,000W, 1,500W, or 2,500W of heat depending on the setting you choose. The thermostat dial and temperature control give you the freedom to set the radiator to your desired heat level and let the 24-hour timer turn the device off without you having to do anything. These features make it a great choice for outdoor sheds, as you can pre-set the timer to ensure that the space is warm before you enter. Castor wheels and a front handlebar help you move and store the device with little effort.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 50 X 24 X 62 cm
- Weight: 11 kg
- Power Source: 220-240V
- Heat Output: 2500W
- Cord Length: 1.5 metres
What do people say about it? The device creates a comfortable heat that can warm its surroundings in a matter of minutes. Per the reviews, it seems to be one of the most efficient and reliable heaters available on the market.
Pros:
- Quick, powerful heat
- Portable design
Cons:
- Nothing obvious
To summarise
The quick heat and convenient features like the 24-hour timer and thermostat make the Pure Mate Oil-filled Radiator a popular choice. If you’re after long-lasting heat, this is a great choice for your outdoor shed.
2. Pro-Breeze 2000W Ceramic Fan Heater
The Pro-Breeze 2000W Ceramic Fan Heater is a portable fan heater that you can easily bring with you to your outdoor shed. The compact design makes it useful no matter how small the space. The heater provides fast and efficient heating thanks to its advanced ceramic heating element. There are 2 power settings — 1,200W and 2,000W — and an optional 60° oscillation setting that helps distribute the warmth. The device comes equipped with a thermostat for added convenience.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 26 X 18.5 X 15.5 cm
- Weight: 1.75 kg
- Power source: electric 220-240V
- Heat output: 2,000W
What do people say about it? According to most reviews, the Pro-Breeze 2000W Ceramic Fan Heater is powerful enough to heat up a shed quickly. The oscillation feature works well to distribute the heat evenly, and the device itself doesn’t get so hot that you can’t touch it. It’s not entirely noiseless, but the sound it produces isn’t a major source of complaints among the reviewers.
Pros:
- Powerful heat output
- Compact design
- Portable
- Oscillating system
- Highly recommended
Cons:
- Nothing obvious
To summarise
This 2,000W heater from Pro Breeze has more than 2,700 reviews on Amazon, most of which praise its power and ease of operation. If you’re looking for a portable device that produces intense, immediate heat, this may be a good option for your outdoor shed.
3. Schallen 800W Portable Oil Radiator
The Schallen 800W Portable Oil Radiator has 6 oil-filled fins that can stay hot and disperse heat long after you’ve shut it off. The device comes with a thermostat, so you can easily preset it to the desired temperature. Thanks to its light weight (only 2kg) and a set of wheels, you can easily move this heater around anywhere you go.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 38 X 28 X 14 cm
- Weight: 2kg
- Material: Metal
- Power Source: Electric
- Heat Output: 800W
- Cord Length: 1.5 metres
What do buyers think about it? One reviewer notes that this device can heat a large room in only 15 minutes. The heat is comfortable, too, and there’s no dryness in the air (which many other heaters are known to produce). The temperature controls work great.
Pros:
- Thermostat control
- Portable
- Instant heat
- Noise-free
Cons:
- No on/off timer function
To summarise
With more than 1000 positive reviews on Amazon, the Schallen 800W Portable Oil Radiator seems to be a very decent heater. If 800W isn’t enough for you, you can also opt for the 1,500W, 2,000W, and 2,500W variants, which have 7, 9, and 11 fins, respectively.
4. Dimplex ECOT2FT Tubular Heater
The Dimplex ECOT2FT Tubular Heater is ideal for settings that require low-wattage background heating, like a garage or shed. The heater is fitted with a thermostat, so the heat output is simple enough to control. At the minimum setting, the heater functions as a frost guard. The brackets give you the flexibility to mount this heater on the wall or on the floor.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 43 cm
- Weight: 700 g
- Heat Output: 40W
- Cord Length: 1.5 meter
What do people say about it? Folks who purchased Dimplex ECOT2FT Tubular Heater are pleased that their tools stay free of condensation, and don’t develop that annoying damp smell. The heater, apparently, also works well in warding off frost in outdoor sheds. It doesn’t produce too much heat, however, so don’t expect to feel any actual warmth inside the shed.
Pros:
- Extremely cost-efficient
- Effective frost guard
Cons:
- Limited efficiency in sub-zero temperatures
To summarise
This heater excels at warding off frost and dampness, and its average monthly running cost is astoundingly low — only £1.60 at the medium setting. If you’re looking for subtle background heat to keep frost and condensation away without spending a fortune, the Dimplex ECOT2FT Tubular Heater might very well be the answer.
5. ATR ARTTOREAL Infrared Wall-Mounted Heater
The ATR ARTTOREAL Infrared Wall-Mounted Heater comes with an adjustable, 45-degree mounting bracket, so you can adjust the heater’s aim if you need to warm up a specific area or surface (remember — infrared heaters cannot heat the surrounding space). With a maximum output of 1,500W, this device can provice instant heat if you’re working directly beneath it. For greater convenience, this heater is equipped with a 24-hour timer and also comes with a remote control.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 18.6 X 65 X 17.6 cm
- Weight: 2.3 kg
- Power source: Electric 120V
- Heat output: 1,500W
- Cord Length: 1. 8 meters
What do people say about it? Most buyers are content with the output — apparently, the device produces enough warmth even for frosty winter days. The adjustable mounting bracket and the remote control are handy features, too.
Pros:
- Efficient
- Powerful
- Weather resistant
- Long Cable
Cons
- Nothing obvious
To summarise
The ATR ARTTOREAL Infrared Wall-Mounted Heater is a great choice if you spend long hours doing stationary work in your garage or shed. Simply hang it above the work bench, and stay warm for as long as you’re working. Since infrared technology is fairy energy-efficient, you won’t have to splurge on your electric bill, either.
Parting Words
Is there anything I missed? Have you used any of these heaters, or perhaps another one that worked really well? If so, please tell our readers about it by leaving a comment below.