Best 120V Electric Garage Heaters to Keep You Warm While Working

Are you searching for a reliable premium electric space heater for your garage? If the answer’s yes, your search stops here!

Car garages are more than just storage spaces for cars or gardening tools. For many of us, it’s the perfect multitasking space that’s a part refuge from everyone in the house and part hobby room where we can peacefully indulge in car repairs, carpentry, brewing, painting, and more.

You would be surprised to know that about 55% of the US population spends almost 1-2 hours in their car garage every week on hobbies and other recreational activities.

Spending long hours in the garage isn’t bad, but you need to be sure that it is comfortable and warm. Thus, it might be a good idea to install a 120v electric garage heater in your garage.

You can find ceiling-mounted models or ones that you put on a table in a standing position. Moreover, there are several high-quality 120v electric heaters available in the market for you to choose from.

To help you select the best electric garage heater for your needs, we’ve reviewed some of the best 120v versions on the market. Let’s dive in and learn more about them!

120v Electric Garage Heater Reviews

1. Stiebel Eltron Wall-Mounted Electric Fan Heater

If you’re looking for a quiet electric heater for your garage, the Stiebel Eltron 120v wall-mounted fan heater is your best bet. It offers the desired heat output without making much noise. As a result, you can lounge or work in the garage without any disturbance.

This product is designed and manufactured in Germany by a firm producing electric heaters since 1924. So you can count on them to deliver spectacularly with your garage heater as well.

It produces between 49 to 49.7 decibels of noise and has the ability to heat the entire garage no matter where you put it. The Eltron does that thanks to its down-draft design that draws in cold air from the top and expels the warm air from below.

The Stiebel Eltron is the perfect standalone electric heater for small garages. However, you can use it in larger areas due to its unbridled efficiency and performance.

We particularly loved this fan heater because it comes with an embedded thermostat that makes it easy to adjust the heat modes. Even if your garage is 215 sq. ft. or somewhat bigger, the wall thermostat can help you heat the space evenly.

There’s also a unique built-in timer that allows you to boost heat output for 60 minutes. After an hour, it automatically goes off, and the heater returns to its original settings.

Pros

• Durable
• Increased power output
• Lightweight
• Wall-mounted design
• Ultra-quiet operation
• Embedded thermostat
• 60-minute booster timer
• Evenly heats your garage through its downdraft design

Cons

• Visible power wirings
• Suitable only for small spaces

2. Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater

Are you looking for an electric heater that can heat your large garage without significantly increasing the energy bills? Dr Infrared portable garage heater is the answer to your needs.

It comes with a remote control so you can adjust it without having to get up or move, like change the temperature, shut it down, or set the timer.

Meanwhile, the built-in programmable timer feature allows you to schedule the heating in advance for up to 12 hours. And once your garage is nice and toasty, you won’t have to bother about turning it off – it happens automatically.

Moreover, this electric heater is also very quiet, so much so that you won’t hear a noise even if you pay full attention. That’s because the Dr Infrared heater includes a cutting-edge 7-inch blower that produces increased pressure. The blower enables the heater to move high levels of air at a much lower speed.

We particularly loved this product because it is certified by Underwriters Laboratories, which means it’s relatively safe to use in all conditions. The heater is also safe around pets and children, so you won’t have to worry about moving it if they come in.

Pros

• Dual-heating system
• Cost-efficient
• Quiet operation
• Embedded filter
• Easy to operate
• Remote control

Cons

• The thermostat may show inaccurate readings sometime

3. NewAir NGH160GA00 Electric Garage Heater

If you want an electric heater that’s portable and provides improved heating output under extreme conditions, choose the NewAir NGH160GA00.

With this garage heater by your side, you can continue to hang out in the garage and work on your hobbies, even in extreme winters. That’s because the product has a rugged shell that doesn’t let external temperature affect its operations, holding up to any workspace conditions.

We also love that this heater is quite portable. You can place it anywhere near a standard power outlet; just put the 120v plug into the socket and enjoy the lasting warmth it generates.

Moreover, the NewAir electric heater is laden with many safety features. The auto-shutoff and embedded thermostat prevent it from overheating, while the exterior housing remains cool to touch – reducing the chances of accidental burns.

And on top of all of that, this heater is known for its rapid heating. It combines the efficiency of a ceramic heater with a 200 CFM blower fan for an uninterrupted flow of hot air across your garage.

Lastly, it has a tilted head that helps warm a ~160 sq. ft. garage quickly, throwing warm air at an angle, so it goes further. Additionally, you can select from two different heat settings and adjust the garage temperature as well.

Pros

• Durable
• Fast heating
• Embedded thermostat
• Auto-shutoff
• Lightweight and portable
• Adjustable head

Cons

• Useless for big garages
• The thermostat reading can be slightly off

4. Broan-NuTone 9815WH Grille Heater

If you’re searching for an electric heater that can adequately warm up a small garage, then Broan-NuTone Grille Heater might be the perfect fit.

With an operating power of 1500 watts, it can efficiently heat the space in no time. You can also convert the unit to 750 watts whenever you want to save electricity.

Warming a garage space of about 150 sq ft is a breeze for Broan-NuTone.

Moreover, thanks to the galvanized steel covering, the heater could last for years. Its rugged body can take workspace conditions effortlessly.

We particularly loved Broan-NuTone’s unique down-draft design, which releases the hot air from below. This feature ensures your small space gets an even distribution of warm air so that you perform your hobbies in the most comfortable way.

Also, it comes with a built-in front-mounted thermostat that helps you control and switch to the various heat settings easily.

Lastly, it won’t make much noise thanks to the permanently-lubricated electric motor that automatically shuts off when the heater gets excessively overheated, ensuring safety.

Pros

• Embedded thermostat
• Easy to operate
• Ultra-quiet operation
• Fast heating

Cons

• Complex installation procedure

5. Heat Storm Hs-1500-Phx-Wifi Infrared Heater

If you want a smart electric heater that you can control with a smartphone, choose the Heat Storm Infrared heater.

With its WiFi technology, you can check and control the temperature through your cell phone while continuing with your activities.

This 120v garage heater features a unique, patented HMS technology, which makes it highly efficient. It can heat your garage instantly and provide you with the comfort you seek.

Additionally, it is exceptionally lightweight and highly portable. You can wall-mount it anywhere in the garage, meaning you don’t have to worry about allocating the garage’s floor space.

Plus, it provides your garage with an elegant appeal. Once you install it, you can safely cover its cord within the heater. And what we loved about this electric infrared heater is that it is safe and cool-to-touch.

Lastly, the Heat Storm heater is ETL certified, which means you can use this 120v garage heater anytime and under any conditions, without having to worry about any mishaps.

Pros

• ETL certified
• Lightweight and portable
• Comes with a wifi technology
• Energy efficient
• Cool-to-touch

Cons

• Only wall-mounted (no feet)
• Short power cord

Are 120v Heaters Good Enough For Your Garage?

If you’ve got a car garage of small size or not bigger than 30 x 30 feet, a 120v heater would be perfect.

However, if you have a reasonably big garage with an area of about 30 x 30 feet or bigger, go for a higher-voltage 240v heater. That’s especially true if the area is poorly insulated.

Since 240v garage heaters generate a large amount of heat, therefore, they’re ideal for larger commercial applications. You’ve to be careful not to use them if you’ve got a small-to-medium-sized garage; in this case, the potential and most viable option would be a 120v garage heater.

Besides, you need to make sure how many power outlets your garage has. This is important since a 120v heater can draw about 20-amps; anything more than that can result in damage to the power breaker and can pose a risk to your safety.

If the garage deals with more amperes or heavy load, you should check whether the number of circuit breakers it has. If there’s just one breaker in your garage, it’s wise to call the electrician!

Types Of 120V Electric Garage Heaters

The 120-volts electric heaters are available in various types. Here’re a few most widely used garage heater types:

Infrared Garage Heaters

This type operates by heating or warming up the indoor air and the nearby objects. This garage heater is also considered the most energy-efficient.

Even after turned off for quite some time, the garage remains heated, saving you money. This heater functions by emitting infrared rays, similar to infrared light that comes from the Sun.

Electric Garage Fan Heaters

These electric heater types are quite popular among US households for one good reason: they deliver high performance at an affordable rate.

Also known as a blow heater, it uses the fan to pass the air across the heating element. As a result, the air gets heated and circulated in the garage.

Although this type of heater comes with enhanced efficiency and low-cost, it makes high noise, which can be frustrating. However, you can overcome this disadvantage by resorting to more advanced technology.

Under-Floor Electric Garage Heaters

The under-floor electric heating system involves several power lines within or under the garage floor to heat it.

Though these heaters are expensive to install, once in place, they have the same amount of running expense as other products. Plus, they’re highly efficient at warming up the garage space.

How To Choose A 120V Electric Garage Heater

Electric heaters can be an excellent source for heating or warming up your garage if you select right. Here’re a few features to consider before making a purchase.

Size

Here’s a quick fact: choosing a small-size heater for larger garages or a large-size garage heater for tight areas is inappropriate. It won’t give you the heating results you desire.

Here’s why:

In case you’ve picked a larger heater, and the garage is small, it means you’re wasting energy. On the other hand, if you’ve got a small heater and the garage is large, you wouldn’t get enough heat output. In both cases, you aren’t getting what you need!

Therefore, it’s essential to check the size of your garage space before buying. Watch this video to get quick know-how about how you can calculate the right size for your garage.

Efficiency

As far as the efficiency of the electric garage heater is concerned, you need to make sure its thermostat is in excellent condition. You should also ensure the electric heater provides the heat output it claims; otherwise, it would simply be a waste of money.

You can evaluate the efficiency of the product you intend to purchase by seeing the customer’s feedback on popular sites like Amazon.

Cost To Performance Ratio

Improved performance always comes with enhanced, premium features; in other words, the more features a heater has, the more it’ll cost.

However, premium garage heaters provide comfort for hours even when switched off. Moreover, they do that with higher efficiency and consistency. Nonetheless, low-cost electric heaters can provide good heating if the garage is small.

You can go through various customer feedbacks for low-cost garage heaters, and if the product you have decided to purchase carries positive feedback, go for it!

FAQs

Where Can I Put a Garage Heater?

Well, the placement largely depends on your heater’s type. However, it’s advisable to place it near your workspace. Also, you have to make sure it’s 73 inches above the finish floor and far from combustible materials.

Is An Electric Heater Costly To Run?

Though there is a general misconception that electric garage heaters are costly to run, the reality is far from it. Specifically, considering the lifespan, installation, and maintenance needs, it’s fair to say that these units have the same running cost as other heaters, if not less.

You can expect to spend about 10-15 cents per hour on these.

Which Size Is Ideal For A 1500-Watt Garage Heater To Heat?

Ideally speaking, a 1500-watt garage heater (120v) is perfect for spaces of about 150 sq ft.

In Brief…

The garage is possibly the coldest part of any house. Also, it is usually an afterthought when the home heating solutions are being installed.

And if you skipped the garage entirely during the HVAC installation, a garage heater will no doubt come in handy. It can help make the space more comfortable for you, but if you’ve got some valuables stored in there, a heater can also ensure that they don’t get damaged or spoiled in extreme cold.

Hopefully, this guide has introduced you to some excellent options for affordable, stylish, and useful 120v garage heaters.

It’s time to make the right decision!

These units offer incredible features such as portability, energy efficiency, easy installation, modern and elegant designs, cool-to-touch, and several other reasons for you to invest in them. Warm up your garage by choosing a model from the above 120v electric garage heaters, and you won’t be disappointed.