When the air starts feeling chilly, it’s a sign that winter is on its way. And while you can heat your home to stay comfortable, your garage is a little more challenging to keep warm. Most people don’t have centrally heated garages. So, your other option is to think about looking at and purchasing some of the best space heaters for garages.
Keep reading to learn about some excellent space heater options to make your garage more comfortable!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Lasko Oscillating Digital Ceramic Tower Heater
Budget Option
GiveBest Tower Space Heater
Best Mounted Space Heater
Dr. Infrared Heater
Best Overall
Lasko Oscillating Digital Ceramic Tower Heater
The Lasko tower heater is the best space heater for garages if you want something movable, safe, and simple. It uses a forced air heating method with an oscillating fan yet stays cool to the touch. This is great if you have pets or small children, as nobody will burn themselves. The space heater will not allow itself to overheat, which can prevent it from turning into a fire hazard.
You can easily adjust the thermostat temperature on the machine or with the remote. It has two heat settings, including high or low heat, allowing you to adjust the forced airspeed. And there’s even a timer you can utilize if you don’t want constant heat flowing. This is especially great if you’re a person who tends to forget to shut things off! It’s one of the best space heaters for garages if you want plenty of temperature controls.
Pros
- It has an adjustable timer
- Cool-touch exterior and overheating protection
- It’s remote-controlled and has a six-foot cord
Cons
- It’s very light and can get knocked over easily
- The on-system button controls are a little confusing
Budget Option
GiveBest Tower Space Heater
Opting for the GiveBest heater can save you a little money without sacrificing the warmth you need. It’s one of the best space heaters for garages for those who need an affordable and safe option.
The space heater gives off plenty of heat, and the machine heats up in a matter of seconds. This is perfect, as waiting for your heater to reach temperature can be a pain when you need heat immediately. It oscillates up to 130º, pushing warmth in multiple directions, which is important for large spaces like garages.
You can easily control this heater with a button-controlled remote or with buttons on the top of the heater. Both options control the temperature, heat setting, oscillation, and a timer.
This is also one of the best space heaters for garages due to its safety features. It uses fire-retardant materials and has an auto-off safety feature if it falls over or exceeds 122ºF. These are vital features as your garage usually contains cars, machines, and other flammable things.
Pros
- It has an auto-off safety control when the heater exceeds 122ºF or tips over onto the floor
- 130-degree oscillation
- It’s quiet
Cons
- The outside of the heater can get a little warm
- It can take a while to heat up the area it’s in
Best Mounted Space Heater
Dr. Infrared Heater
Dr. Infrared’s mountable heater is the best space heater for garages if you want something that’s out of your way. You can simply hang it on your garage wall and hardwire it to keep wires off your floors. This hardwired heater offers a sleeker option when compared to tower heaters or other plug-in ones.
It uses a remote to control all the features the heater offers, including a timer. The only control available on the heater itself is the on/off switch. But you can control the angle of airflow with five horizontal slats. You may want it facing you while working, or you can point it straight ahead for general heating. It’s one of the best space heaters for garages with workshops due to this.
The heavy-duty motor is completely enclosed, so no fingers can get snagged. And it only allows the heater to get to 85ºF, preventing any overheating issues.
Pros
- It has a heavy-duty and enclosed motor
- It’s a hardwired heater, so there are no cords to trip on
- The temperature can go up to 85ºF
Cons
- It’s heavy, so it’s a little difficult to set up
- There aren’t any sid-to-side adjustments
Best Smart Space Heater for Garages
Atomi Smart WiFi Portable Tower Space Heater
If you like smart electronics, the Atomi smart space heater is the best space heater for your garage!
It has a nice, sleek look with its flat front and touchscreen controls. And you can control it with an app on your smartphone or through Alexa or Google Home. Set timers, turn it on and off, set schedules, adjust the temperature, and more! It’s so much easier to control something with your phone, especially when you’re busy working on something in the garage.
Not only does this space heater look great, but it’s also safe. You don’t have to worry about tipping or overheating, as the machine will turn off automatically for both scenarios. It’s the best space heater for garages for those who want safety and easily understandable controls.
Pros
- Automatic on/off switch for heat maintenance
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and smartphones
- Overheating and tipping protection
Cons
- The temperature readings can sometimes be off
- The oscillation angle is only 45º
Mr. Heater Buddy
The Mr. Heater Buddy is the best space heater for your garage if you want something small. While it might be just over a foot tall, it packs a heating punch and is very durable. It has a rugged design and a grip handle, allowing you to put it where you need it most.
This little heater runs on propane instead of electricity. So, you won’t feel tied to an outlet, and it’ll make a great addition if you lose power. Carry it with you as you work in your garage or place it on a shelf!
It’ll run for about five hours on low and around two hours on high with a one-pound propane cylinder. But you can connect it to a larger propane tank with a hose if needed. It’ll be the best space heater for your garage throughout all your car-fixing, building, and workshop endeavors due to portability.
The heater also comes with a tip-over safety feature. It’ll immediately turn off if you knock it over, which is vital since it uses propane.
Pros
- It’s small but gives off a lot of heat
- The heater has a tip-over safety feature
- It uses propane instead of electricity
Cons
- It’s sometimes difficult to ignite
- It doesn’t have a fan to spread the heat
Space Heater Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best One
Before making your decision on the best space heater for your garage, there are a few things to think about.
Size
The size of your space heater is crucial to your garage space. If you have a small garage, you don’t want a heater that takes up a lot of space. So, your best option is to look for something skinny, small, or wall-mounted. The less space your heater takes up, the less likely you are to knock it over or feel crowded.
Type
You’ll find many different space heater types, with infrared and convection ones being the most common. Convection heaters usually use fans to heat and push air out. Infrared heaters act as heat lamps and radiate heat. Keep in mind that fan space heaters usually have more controls, allowing you more adjustability.
Heating Range
Garages are typically considered medium or large-sized rooms. So, you need to account for that when looking for a space heater. If you get one that has a small heating range, you won’t even feel the heat. That defeats the purpose of buying one. You’ll need to compare the square footage of your garage to the heating range of the space heater.
Safety Features
Your and your family’s safety should always be your top priority when picking the best space heater for your garage. The United States Fire Administration says that 3% of fires are from heating, with 41% being fatal! That’s why picking a space heater with automatic safety features is vital. Look for things like tipping protection, overheating protection, and automatic on/off features in case something goes wrong.
Why Should You Get A Space Heater for Your Garage?
If you find yourself questioning your space heater purchase, there are some great reasons to get one.
Your Temperature Sensitive Items Will Stay Safe
Most people use their garages as extra storage space. You may store furniture, books, old TVs, and much more in this space. But low temperatures can damage and break down many things. A space heater could keep your garage’s temperature regulated, preventing damage.
It Can Extend Your Car’s Lifespan
Cold temperatures can severely damage your car over time. The extreme temperature changes can affect the air levels in your tires, causing flats. Your battery may have issues, and your oil may thicken. Other things may happen as well, but these are just some of the possibilities.
Nobody wants to pay for expensive fixes or have to buy a new car without warning. Simply adding one of the best space heaters for garages can extend your car’s lifespan. It’ll keep your garage temperature higher than the outside air temperature and prevent the effects of the cold.
You can Work in Your Garage Without Freezing
Do you have a workshop in your garage? Or do you like to work on cars? It’s usually challenging to enjoy your time in the garage if you feel like you’re freezing. Chattering teeth and shivering won’t let you get much done. That’s where a space heater can help you and keep you comfortable while you work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are space heaters safe in garages?
Space heaters are safe in garages as long as you follow the directions. Many of the best space heaters for garages have safety features to prevent danger. But it’s a good idea to only operate the heater in intervals instead of constantly. And you should only operate it when someone is home.
What size space heater do you need for a garage?
The size of the space heater doesn’t exactly matter. It’s the heating range that matters. You’ll usually want one that heats about 300 square feet. Most garages are around this size. This will ensure you get adequate heat throughout your entire garage.
Where is the best place to put a space heater in your garage?
You’ll usually want to put your heater in a corner of your garage. Ceiling or floor placement will depend on what type of heater you get. Mounted heaters will need to be off the floor and attached to a wall. Standing heaters can be on the floor or another flat surface. But always check the instruction manual to see what the manufacturer says.
Wrapping Up
A space heater can make a world of difference in your garage. It can safely make the area more comfortable and inviting. However, choosing the best space heater for garages can be challenging due to the overwhelming amount of options. Hopefully, this guide gave you some ideas and helped you pick the best option for yourself!
Is your home a little chilly during the winter? Check out our post on How to Pick the Best Space Heater for Your Home for help!
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Born in Madelia, MN, to a now 5-generation Minnesota family, Ryan’s MN roots go deep.
A painter by day, Ryan founded Life in Minnesota in 2013 with his wife Kelly to chronicle their musings on everything Minnesota. Ryan and Kelly are raising their 7 kiddos in Maple Grove, MN.
When he’s not shuttling his kids around to hockey practice, you might find him in the shop working on his leatherwork. Undoubtedly, there will be a family trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area every summer, and of course weekends at Grandpa’s cabin up north in the summer.