����vlog

The last thing you want to worry about when working on your car is whether or not your workspace is warm. There's little worse than pinching a cold finger between pliers or laying on a cold floor. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast, a professional mechanic, or merely want to turn your garage into a cozy space during the colder months, a reliable and efficient garage heater is a must-have, and we've got you covered. In this roundup, we've scoured the garage heater market to bring you the best garage heaters that cater to various needs, budgets, and preferences. We've put each contender through rigorous testing, assessing their heating capabilities, safety features, energy efficiency, and ease of installation, and have wrapped up our conclusions in the roundup below.Car & Driver's Top PicksBest Overall - Mr. Heater Big BuddyRunner-Up - Heat Hog 9000 BTU Propane HeaterBest for Large Garages - DeWalt 68,000 BTU Forced Air Propane HeaterBest Heater for Shops and Barns - Remington 80,000 BTU Diesel/Kerosene HeaterBest Infrared Heater - Briza Infrared Patio HeaterBest Workbench Heater - Isiler 1500W Portable Ceramic HeaterGrab a cup of cocoa or coffee and join us as we explore the world of garage heaters, breaking down the pros and cons of each model and unveiling the top picks that will keep your garage toasty warm all winter long.What to ConsiderWhen shopping for a garage heater, there are several factors to consider to ensure you choose the right one for your specific needs. Here are some key aspects to think about:Heating CapacityIt's essential to determine the size of your garage and the desired temperature increase to find a heater with the appropriate heating capacity (measured in BTUs or watts). Larger garages require a heater with a higher output, while smaller spaces can be sufficiently heated with lower-capacity models.Energy SourceGarage heaters are almost always powered by one of five energy sources: electricity, natural gas, propane, diesel, or kerosene. Each type has its advantages and drawbacks. Electric heaters are generally more convenient and energy-efficient, while natural gas, propane, diesel and kerosene heaters offer more powerful heating options. Take into account power sources in your garage and the long-term operating costs when deciding which fuel source is best for your needs.Energy EfficiencyEnergy efficiency is crucial, as it directly impacts your energy bills. Choose a heater with a high energy efficiency rating to save on utility costs. Features like adjustable thermostats, timers, and eco modes can also help you maintain a comfortable temperature while reducing energy consumption.Safety FeaturesSafety should always be a priority. Look for heaters with built-in safety features such as tip-over protection, overheat protection, and cool-to-touch exteriors. Additionally, make sure the heater you choose is certified by a reputable testing organization like UL, CSA, or ETL.Installation and PortabilityConsider whether you prefer a permanent installation or a portable heater that you can move around your garage. Permanent options like wall or ceiling-mounted heaters typically require professional installation. Portable models, on the other hand, offer greater flexibility and can be easily moved or stored when not in use.Noise LevelGarage heaters can generate noise, which may be a concern if you're working in the space for extended periods. Check the noise level (measured in decibels) of the heaters you're considering, and opt for a quieter model if noise is a concern.By considering each of these factors, you'll be better equipped to find the ideal garage heater that caters to your specific requirements and ensures a comfortable workspace during the colder months.How We Evaluated Garage HeatersOur testing process involved evaluating garage heaters under similar conditions and assessing their heating efficiency, heat distribution, and safety features. We used a thermostat to monitor temperature changes, a thermal camera to visualize heat output, and took measurements at various locations in the garage to provide a complete overview.Elements we tested:Heating performance over 15 minutesHeat distribution patternTemperature measurements at specific locationsNoise level (dBA)Safety concerns and special requirements for certain heater typesTools used: Innova 3360 thermal camera, ZOTO PM6530D infrared thermometer, Dab-Tek JSN-997 CO detectorWe compiled our notes to decide which heaters are best for specific-use cases, narrowing down our top picks. Here are the best garage heaters, as determined by the Hearst Autos Gear Team.Best Overall - Mr. Heater Big BuddyAmazonWalmartHome DepotThe Mr. Heater Big Buddy Portable Propane Heater is a compact yet powerful heater capable of warming up to 450 square feet with its maximum 18,000 BTU output. It's lightweight, easy to use, portable, and doesn't require batteries or cords.The unit can run on one or two 1-pound propane tanks, or it can be hooked up to larger tanks with a separate hose and filter. With two 1-pounders, the heater will run on Low (4000 BTUs) for a claimed 10 hours, Medium (9000 BTUs) for 4.5 hours, and High (18,000 BTUs) for two hours. When operated properly, the Big Buddy is safe to use indoors and, for extra reassurance, the unit has three safety systems: an emergency low-oxygen safety system, a tip-over switch, and a thermal shut-down system.We found the heat output to be impressive considering its size. Since it doesn't have a fan, the heat mainly rises directly off the unit, but if you have lower ceilings in your garage, it should start heating up your workspace in a matter of minutes. We wouldn't suggest this for much more than a two-car garage or a shop less than 450 square feet.Runner-Up - Heat Hog 9000 BTU Propane HeaterAmazonWalmartBed Bath & BeyondHeat Hog? It almost made us want to roast a hot dog in front of this thing. In all seriousness though, this 9000 BTU propane heater is a solid choice for anyone wanting portable heat in a compact package. Similar to Mr. Heater's 'Buddy' lineup, the Heat Hog is available in three different strengths: 4000, 9000, and 18,000 BTU.For this test, we used the 9000 BTU, which runs on either a single 1-pound propane tank or a larger propane tank with a separate adapter. Functionally, it performed nearly identically to the Big Buddy, but the Heat Hog can tilt for more directional heating. The Heat Hog also has tip-over and oxygen-depletion sensors.Heat Hog suggests using this for areas no larger than 225 square feet and we'd agree. It's enough to heat up a single-car garage, but you'll want to jump up to the 18,000 BTU model if you plan on keeping a two-car garage warm in the winter months.Best for Large Garages - DeWalt 68,000 BTU Forced Air Propane HeaterAmazonWalmartIf you want a fast and versatile propane heater for your garage, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better option than DeWalt's DXH70CFAV. This machine offers a range of output and can be powered by either a standard 120-volt wall socket or a DeWalt MAX 20V battery, making it one of the more versatile units we tested.The only assembly required was attaching the handle with four bolts. With that done, installation was as simple as connecting a propane source and plugging it into the wall. The outlet (or battery) is used to power the initial spark and the integrated fan, which pumps out heat at an impressive rate, especially at full strength.Even at lower output levels, this unit would have no problem heating up a two-car garage (~360 square feet), and at higher levels, you could likely keep a small barn toasty if you give it twenty minutes to heat up.Best Heater for Shops and Barns - Remington 80,000 BTU Diesel/Kerosene HeaterAmazonWalmartWayfairThis Remington 80,000 BTU behemoth is not for the faint of heart. Fueled by either diesel or kerosene and powered by a wall outlet for the integrated fan, this heater quite literally spits fire and smells as though you're standing next to an idling semi. It's also extremely heavy and lacks controls for dialing in the output—it's all or nothing.That said, if you need a large space heated up quickly, this will get the job done. In a matter of 15 minutes, it heated up the Car and Driver garage from 53 to 61 degrees, and that was with the garage door slightly open on a 38-degree day.This is less a garage heater and more of a dedicated workshop or barn heater. You won't want anything to be within 10 feet of this heater's flame, and you won't want to walk any closer than three or four feet. But for large areas with proper ventilation, this heater will get the job done quickly.Best Infrared Heater - Briza Infrared Patio HeaterAmazonIf you want quick, energy-efficient heat, this is our pick. Briza's Infrared Patio Heater can either be mounted in your garage or used with the included tripod stand and creates a much different type of heat.Infrared heaters are often found in outdoor cafes and patios. They're designed to heat up objects and people quickly, with minimal energy wasted on heating up the surrounding air. The benefit of this is that very little energy is wasted; the drawback is you typically won't feel the heat unless you're directly in front of it.We found the Briza to be incredibly effective in keeping us warm when we were in its path. However, move away from where it's pointed, and you'll quickly go back to being cold. For this reason, it's our recommendation that you only consider this if you don't mind moving it around as needed, or plan on mounting it atop or above a workbench where you might spend the majority of your time during the colder months.Best Workbench Heater - Isiler 1500W Portable Ceramic HeaterAmazonIf all you need to do is keep your digits from freezing while at your workbench, this Isliler Ceramic Heater is the one for you. It's not going to keep even a single-car garage warm in colder weather, but it will keep a small workbench area warmer.The unit is practically silent and offers solid heat output considering its compact size. The integrated fan is subtle but offers just enough power to keep the air moving across the workspace, which helps keep your fingers agile when working on parts.