For eons, humanity has huddled around campfires for warmth. Harnessing the awesome power that previously only lightening displayed greatly expanded our diets and our brain size. This increase in brain size led to greater and greater technology and even resulted in better heating technologies than the fire. Today, thanks to these expanded brains, we have put some of the best infrared heaters onto the market.
There is little denying the efficiency of infrared heaters, but there are so many options out there. Which model represents the best infrared heater one can buy?
We will reveal a list of ten of the best infrared heaters on the market and put them head-to-head against each other. By the end, you should have a good idea of which model is the best infrared heater for your household.
Infared Heaters – FAQs
1. What Is an Infrared Heater?
Infrared heaters are also known as heat lamps. You might have seen them keeping savory pies warm in convenience stores or making sure that the mac and cheese at your local buffet stays the right temperature. However, they also excel at heating rooms and the human occupants therein. In technical terms, an infrared heater uses infrared light to transfer heat into the environment.
2. What Are the Types of Infrared Heaters?
Infrared heaters can be classified based on the wavelength of light they output. All the best infrared heaters can be broken down into three categories: short wave (also known as near infrared), medium infrared, and far (or dark) infrared emitters.
Short wave infrared heaters produce a range of radiation from 780 nm to 1.4 μm. They usually produce some visible light as well. Medium infrared heaters produce radiation in the range between 1.4 μm and 3 μm. Of course, far infrared or dark infrared heaters emit ranges above 3 μm.
3. What Is Infrared?
Infrared refers to the part of the light spectrum below red in terms of frequency. Just as ultraviolet falls just outside the visible spectrum at a higher frequency than violet, infrared falls just outside the visible spectrum at a lower frequency than red. To remember this, just think “infra = below.”
4. Where Can I Buy the Best Infrared Heaters?
Each product that made our best infrared heater list can be found on Amazon.com.
5. Are Infrared Heaters Safe?
These products are mostly safe. However, as with anything that produces heat, it is a great idea to keep it away from flammable curtains, fabrics, and piles of oily rags.
How We Reviewed
We evaluated each of the best infrared heaters based on the following criteria: features, pros, cons, price, where to buy, safety, portability, efficiency, performance, and warranty.
Overall Price Range
You can expect to purchase one of the best infrared heaters for anywhere from $$ to prices in the hundreds.
What We Reviewed
- Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater
- EdenPURE A5095 Gen2 Pure Infrared Heater
- LifeSmart 6 Element QuartzProduct
- Avenger FDT2IR Dual Fuel Vent Free Infrared Heater
- Lifesmart Medium Room Infrared Heater
- iLIVING Infrared Portable Space Heater
- Homegear 1500W Infrared Electric Portable Space Heater
- Homegear 1500W Infrared Electric Portable Wooden Space Heater
- Duraflame 5HM8000-O142 Portable Electric Infrared Quartz Oscillating Tower Heater
- Heat Storm Deluxe Infrared Wall Heater
Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater
Features
The doctor is in! The Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater does a great job warming up any room, and it has a classic wooden jukebox look to boot. Not only does it regulate temperature, but it also contains a built-in humidifier to ensure that all that heating won’t dry out your room. If your skin gets bothered by artificial heat, your real problem may be the dryness of the air.
Pros
- Jukebox look
- Built-in humidifier
Cons
- Logo distracts from an otherwise attractive design
Where to Buy
Safety
Provides tip-over protection and overheat protection.
Portability
The Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater weighs 23 pounds.
Efficiency
Uses 500W and can adjust the temperature between 50 and 85 degrees.
Performance
Includes performance and energy saving modes.
Warranty
A 1- to 3-year warranty is included.EdenPURE A5095 Gen2 Pure Infrared Heater
Features
The EdenPURE A5095 Gen2 Pure Infrared Heater shares some of its aesthetics with the Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater, although it ends up standing squatter. It still does a fantastic job heating the house, however. It can heat up to 1,000 square feet around it.
Pros
- Heats up to 1,000 feet squared
- Comes with electric thermostat
- Looks sharp
Cons
- Not the cheapest
Safety
Never hot enough to start a fire or pose a CO2 risk.
Portability
Weighs in at 15 pounds.
Efficiency
Can heat up to 1000 square feet around it.
Performance
This product includes a HEPA filter and UV light to kill bacteria.
Warranty
A 2-year warranty is included.
Features
The LifeSmart 6 Element Quartz makes the list for being one of the prettiest infrared heaters we encountered. It rocks that classic wooden-box look, but its display also shines in terms of sleekness. We loved that it comes with a washable filter that can be used throughout the life of the product.
Pros
- Washable filter
- Great aesthetics
- Heats up to 1400 cubic feet
Cons
- Can be difficult to find in stock
Safety
Does not use combustion, fuels, or toxins to heat its room.
Portability
This product weighs 24 pounds.
Efficiency
The heat produced is natural-feeling and quiet.
Performance
Heats up to 1400 feet cubed with 5100 BTU.
Warranty
A 1-year limited warranty is included.
Avenger FDT2IR Dual Fuel Vent Free Infrared Heater
Features
Sometimes it feels like you’ve been wronged by winter and you need an avenger on your side. That’s exactly what the Avenger FDT2IR Dual Fuel Vent Free Infrared Heater provides. Unlike the others we’ve reviewed, the Avenger FDT2IR Dual Fuel Vent Free Infrared Heater embraces its space-age nature and looks the part. No wood on this model! Instead, one can appreciate the patented dual fuel technology which can use either natural gas or liquid propane to heat the room.
Pros
- Patented dual fuel technology
- Space-age looks
- Oxygen depletion sensor included
Cons
- Can be difficult to find in stock
- Some prefer the classic wood-paneled look
- Cannot be sold to residents of California
Safety
O.D.S. (Oxygen depletion sensor) is included alongside an automatic shut-off feature.
Portability
This model weighs in at 22.9 pounds.
Efficiency
Five heat settings are featured.
Performance
Features 20,000 BTU capability.
Warranty
No warranty is available if it is purchased second-hand.
Lifesmart Medium Room Infrared Heater
Features
If you liked the space age elements of the Avenger FDT2IR Dual Fuel Vent Free Infrared Heater, you’ll love the looks of the Lifesmart Medium Room Infrared Heater. This model looks like a gaming PC had a baby with an alien queen bee. Not only does it look great, but it also heats efficiently and represents one of the cheapest options on this list.
Pros
- Price
- Great aesthetics
- 3 Heat Settings
- Includes 500-watt “Eco” setting
Cons
- Not a classic look
Safety
A 12-hour start and stop timer are featured on this model.
Portability
Weighs in at only 11.7 pounds.
Efficiency
It can be set to a 500-watt “Eco” setting.
Performance
Great for rooms up to medium size.
Warranty
Warrantied for one year.
iLIVING Infrared Portable Space Heater
Features
Hot off the assembly line, this heater is newly designed and made for heating, putting out more than twice that of other models. The technology is not only new but also improved, with an extremely quiet disposition for a heater.
Pros
- Quiet
- Efficient
- New and improved technology
Cons
- Not the most economical choice
Safety
The heater has several safety features, making it wonderful for use around pets and kids.
Portability
Very light and small, this heater is as portable as anything.
Efficiency
With the new technology, the efficiency of this heater is off the charts.
Performance
A great performance from this heater is given at the flick of a switch.
Warranty
The heater has a typical 1-year warranty from the shop.
Homegear 1500W Infrared Electric Portable Space Heater
Features
The Homegear heater is made to impress even the toughest of heater critics. It can heat a large room in a flash without using too much power or detracting from the ambiance with a rattling fan. Homegear packed efficiency and results in this heater like it was their life’s work. So forget about the rest of the heaters on the list, this little infrared, electric, portable, space heater is the one for you. Don’t even get us started on the cable length.
Pros
- Ideal for large rooms
- Efficient
- Remote included
- Cable length
Cons
- Almost too portable
Safety
If this heater were any more safe, it would be wearing hi-vis and safety cones.
Portability
It is right there in the name; this portable heater is on the go. You could not stop it from being portable if you wanted to. Is your heater running? Well, go catch that fabulous, portable heater!
Efficiency
All 71 inches, this heater is jam-packed with heating efficiency.
Performance
The Homegear heater will perform like it has been rehearsing all its life, and it is a believable performance. The critics even liked it!
Warranty
The heater comes with a standard 1-year warranty.
Homegear 1500W Infrared Electric Portable Wooden Space Heater
Features
Medium to large-size rooms are no match for this Homegear heater with its specialized, dual heating system and a powerful fan to boot. The heater also features an LED display, remote control, and an eco power mode.
Pros
- Tiny and mighty
- Can handle large rooms
- LED display
- Remote control
Cons
- Not the highest powered
Safety
The Homegear heater has great safety ratings despite being able to heat large rooms.
Portability
Perhaps the most portable heater on our list, the Homegear heater is very small and very movable.
Efficiency
Tiny and mighty, the Homegear Heater is very efficient; especially for the price. You can expect this heater to perform in rooms of up to 1,500 square feet.
Performance
Despite the size, the heater can handle large rooms in a flash!
Warranty
The heater has a standard warranty of 1 year.
Duraflame 5HM8000-O142 Portable Electric Infrared Quartz Oscillating Tower Heater
Features
The Duraflame heater can heat up to 1,000 square feet; ideal for large or small spaces. Despite being able to heat so much air, the heater stays safe to touch. More safety features include the tip-over protection, shutting off the heater if it should tip. The heater can oscillate and maintain the moisture of the room by using natural humidity.
Pros
- Safety features
- Heats large and small spaces
- Tip-over protection
Cons
- Not the most economical
- Can be large for some
Safety
The heater has tons of safety features. Tip-over protection shuts off the heater in the event of a fall. Additional safety features prevent the heater from becoming hot to the touch.
Portability
The heater is not the most portable of the options on our list. However, the heater can be moved with little ceremony.
Efficiency
Advantages of the Duraflame include the efficiency of the heater. Without using more power than the average heater, the Duraflame can heat a space of up to 1,000 square feet.
Performance
Among the top products on our list for this category, the Duraflame can almost outperform them all.
Warranty
The product has a 3-year limited warranty.
Heat Storm Deluxe Infrared Wall Heater
Features
The heater is safe to the touch, space-saving, quiet, and designed with anti-trip technology. It makes any space warmer with simple and elegant design. If you are unsure about which heater to buy, then look no further.
Pros
- Efficient
- Warranty
- Anti-trip technology
- Great design
Cons
- Not the cheapest
- Not the biggest
Safety
The heater might be the safest on our list with anti-trip technology.
Portability
Light as a feather, stiff as a heater, this portable room warmer is great for anywhere in your home.
Efficiency
The settings on this heater make it a wonderful, eco-friendly option for your house.
Performance
New and improved, the Heat Storm can perform under pressure.
Warranty
The heater has a wonderful 1-year warranty.
The Verdict
The best infrared heater on our list is the Homegear portable option. It cannot be beaten in terms of size, price, performance, and warranty when compared with all the other competitors. If you need a heater for this coming cold season, then look to Homegear for your purchase.
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