7 Best Electric Garage Heaters 120v

Tired of being cold in your garage?

Don’t worry, the best electric garage heater I could find was the Dr. Infrared. It’s got a remote control, temperature control as well as casters on the bottom.

Another great choice would be this Wall Mounted Heater. It can be mounted in 3 different positions, and 2 are more than enough for a 2-car garage.

Below you’ll find budget options as well as alternative options as well if you’re looking for something more powerful.

Let’s get started.

Our Top Picks

Best Electric Garage Heater 120v

Make no mistake, not all electric garage heaters are equal.

The Dr. Infrared Heater is the best 120v electric garage heater I could find.

It’s capable of heating up to 150 square feet, which is going to be great for one-car garages.

This unit also is easy to move around, which will be great for active workshops.

The enclosure ensures that it stays cool to the touch and the casters make it mobile.

It also comes with tip over protection, which will come in handy if you plan to use this infrared heater around pets or children.

This electric garage heater also has an adjustable thermostat from 50 to 85 degrees AND a remote control, allowing you to control this heater from anywhere in your garage.

The fan is super quiet as well at only 39 decibels.

You’ll be able to use the 12 hour programmable timer if you need to keep your garage warm for hours at a time.

The removable filter will also make it super easy to keep up with maintenance.

My only gripe with this electric garage heater is how it claims that it can heat a 1000-square foot area.

This unit will do well in a smaller garage (around 150-175 square feet) but will fail to heat a large insulated space.

As long as you manage your expectations and allow this unit to be supplementary heat rather than a direct source of heat, it’ll be the best electric garage heater around.

If you don’t have a ton of space for this heater on your garage’s floor, then you should try out the mountable Wall Mounted Heater. (it also works on a tri-pod)

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Also Great Electric Garage Heater 120v

While it may look basic, it’s all you need to heat your garage this winter.

The Amazon Basics Portable comes with an easy-to-read LED display and is lightweight, making it easy to move around.

This space heater has an overheat sensor should the unit malfunction.

I like that it comes with additional remote control, which is not common with space heaters in this price range.

You’ll be able to control this heater’s adjustable temperature range from 65 to 85F.

It’s going to be great for garages up to 160 square feet. You can also choose from 750W and 1500W, depending on how much heat you want the space heater to produce.

With its one year limited warranty, and backed by Amazon, it’s hard to go wrong here.

Some purchasers mentioned when using this product, they smelled a burnt plastic smell (which is an indication that there is an issue inside of the product).

Others mention that when using this space heater, it had an annoying high pitched noise which can be bothersome if you’re trying to stay focused in your garage.

While there are still some downsides to this unit, compared to the Dr. Infrared in first, it’s got all the same features.

This space heater also costs less than the Dr Infrared Portable Space Heater but doesn’t have casters on the bottom.

One interesting fact is that all 1500W heaters will output the same amount of heat. No matter the price, every 120v heater is roughly going to have the same heat output.

Overall, this garage heater is a solid choice and is going to be a great little space heater for this winter. You won’t need to break the bank and it comes with a remote.

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Best Budget Electric Garage Heater 120v

You don’t have to spend a ton of money this winter to get a suitable garage heater.

The irony about all these 120v heaters is that 1500W is 1500W.

While you may give up some fancy features like thermostats and remotes, this unit will heat your garage as well as any 120v electric heater.

What’s great is that the internal thermostat has an automatic shut-off should the unit overheat while you’re away.

You can utilize the 200CFM fan to have the heat directed where you are. This is great for when you’re working on delicate projects and need warm hands!

The handle makes it easy to carry around and it has an adjustable tilt for flexibility.

This garage heater is not only a great budget offering, it’s going to last with its tough enclosure.

This is a great on-the-go heater, just toss it in the back of your trunk.

Unfortunately, this unit does get a bit hot to the touch, so if you have kids or pets around, you’re not going to want to purchase this garage heater.

If however, you do have a single-car garage and no kids running around, then you’ll have no problem keeping warm this winter.

If you have kids, then you may want to go with the Dr. Infrared instead as it stays cool to the touch.

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Also Great Budget Electric Garage Heater 120v

This slick garage heater is going to be great to get warm air wherever you need it.

Like all other 120v heaters, this unit is 1500 watts, which means that it’ll heat the same as the most expensive 120v garage heater out there!

It’s also got an adjustable thermostat that you can control from 41-95F, depending on your preferences.

The handle on the top will make it easy to move around, even when it’s hot.

If you have kids around, then the tip over protection will ensure that it turns off if it’s knocked over.

It also has a grill on the front to prevent anyone from touching the hot insides.

The internal overheat protection will also turn off the garage heater if it reaches temperatures over 80C.

The low noise of the fan makes it easy to concentrate when focusing on complex tasks in your garage.

It’s hard to find any downsides for this unit. It’s compact, affordable and it looks sleek too.

You will however need to be realistic about its capabilities. It won’t be able to heat a 400-square-foot uninsulated garage but will be great as supplementary heat.

If you need a budget garage heater, it’s hard to go wrong with this one.

The handle on the top makes it easy to move around compared to the NewAir Portable Garage Heater.

The design will also make a statement, which may or may not be a bad thing depending on your garage’s decor!

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Best Portable Electric Garage Heater 120v

The Hetr Portable Space Heater is great if you’re on the go, and need an electric 120v heater to come with you.

The base allows you to tilt the heater and direct the hot air flow right where you want it.

Compared to other garage heaters that are stationary, you’ll have tons of flexibility with this heater.

The ceramic heating element was built to last as well as the powder coat finishes on the outside.

It’s lightweight, and won’t be as heavy as a torpedo or 240v heaters (and doesn’t require any fuel for that matter).

You have a high and low setting as well as a fan-only setting for your preferences. It also has a temperature dial on the front as well.

For the price, it’s going to be hard to beat this unit for anyone that needs to stay warm in a garage.

One downside of this unit is it doesn’t have tip over protection, which can be dangerous if used around pets or kids.

As long as you don’t expect this unit to heat large, uninsulated spaces, it should do just fine in any area under 150 square feet or larger insulated spaces.

I’ve sold many of these and so far, almost 95% of purchasers were happy with this product. It seems to be a diamond in the rough that not many know about!

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Best Wall Mounted Electric Garage Heater 120v

If you’re at a workbench in your garage or are limited on space, this wall-mounted heater will be just right.

You have the option to go for the 3000W option (on 240v) or stick with 1500W on 120v if you want to plug it into an outlet.

This garage space heater will be great if you want to keep your hands warm this winter while you tinker away on delicate projects.

You can choose from the 3 power settings of 900,1200 and 1500W. You may not want it as hot as it can get, and having flexibility is always a good thing.

The inside has a high-level mirror that works to reflect more heat to you, adding to the efficiency of this unit.

You can also choose to mount this on your ceiling as well as mount it on a tripod.

If you don’t want to get a pricey 240v outlet installed, you can opt to purchase 2 or 3 of these and hang them around your garage. That way, you don’t break your bank.

It’s also weatherproof, which is nice as you don’t ever really know what’s gonna happen inside of a garage!

When using this product, purchasers did mention that they weren’t able to heat larger spaces with one unit.

However, some were satisfied with it in a 400-square-foot garage.

Considering the downsides, this wall-mounted electric garage heater is going to do you great this winter.

It’s affordable, has multiple different installation methods, and has multiple heat settings.

Wall mounting this (or on a tripod) will be great for anyone who’s low on space in their garage.

You can also check out wall heaters that can save you on space as well.

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Best Alternative Option

The problem with 120v garage heaters is that they’re all limited in their power.

If you’re ok using an unvented heater (meaning you’ll need to provide adequate ventilation) in your garage, then going with a propane heater might be a good option.

While most 120v heaters are only good for 150 square feet or so, this heater is going to be able to heat up to 225 square feet.

What I love most is that you can easily transport it by the handle, and take it with you where you need it in the garage.

It’s also going to be great to take with you on any camping trip or could be a lifesaver if you pack it in the back of your trunk.

One downside of this heater is that it does pose the risk of carbon monoxide.

If you also have a large garage, (400 square feet and above), then I recommend looking into torpedo heaters.

Gas powered heaters are powerful, but do pose carbon monoxide risks, so always use them with proper ventilation.

If you want something a bit more powerful than a 120v heater but don’t want to worry about 240v wiring, then Mr. Heater is a good in-between alternative option.

The Mr Heater Radiant Heater is also great to take with you while you’re camping or if you’re going on a road trip. You never know when it’ll come in handy!

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What to Look for When Buying a 120v Electric Garage Heater?

Effectiveness

As I’ve stated many times in this article, 120v heaters are not going to be enough for a large, uninsulated garage.

If you have a 1 car garage, then a 1500-watt heater is going to be enough. 1500 watts is 5,100 BTUs which is going to be enough for a 150-square-foot space.

Most brands will say that their units can heat larger spaces of around 1000 square feet, but that isn’t the case normally, especially for garages that are normally untreated and uninsulated.

If you don’t want to spend a ton of money treating your garage, then a 120v garage heater can be a great source of radiant heat.

You can use it to bring your garage up a few degrees, but understand that it will not be able to make a dent in colder temperatures.

As long as you purchase a 120v heater with the right expectations, you shouldn’t be disappointed.

The irony about all of these heaters is that they all have the same output of 1500w, which means they all are putting out the same heat.

So, while you may be missing some features on the cheaper models, you’ll still have the same heat output across all the models.

For larger garages, it’s recommended to go with a torpedo heater or 240v, depending on your preferences.

Portability

If you’re on the go, it’s important to get a model that is easy to carry. A handle will normally do well.

Casters on the bottom like the Dr. Infrared will make it easy to move the heater where you need it.

If you’re stationary in your garage, then a wall-mounted heater may be a better choice. That way, you save space by having it off the ground or work table.

Safety Features

Not all 120v heaters are equal when it comes to safety features. If you have kids or pets, then tip over protection is paramount.

If someone tips over the heater, then it’ll shut itself off.

If you don’t have kids or pets, then this isn’t necessary but is still a nice feature should it get knocked over and you aren’t aware.

Overheat protection is also important as it’ll prevent your unit from burning itself out and prevent any fires from occurring.

While these features are nice to have, never leave your garage heaters unattended.

Remote control

A remote control can come in handy if you like convenience. The unfortunate part about a remote control is that it does drive up the cost quite a bit.

If you don’t mind not having a remote, then you’ll find 120v garage heaters for almost half the price.

Infrared or Forced air

There are 2 different types of 120v heaters, infrared and forced air.

Infrared works by converting electricity into radiant heat while forced air heaters use a heating element as well as a fan to distribute the hot air.

If you are working at a workbench most of the time, then you’ll likely want an infrared heater that’s wall mounted for its radiant heat.

If you’re out and about in your garage all the time, you’ll likely want a forced air heater to spread the heat out throughout your garage.

Is a 1500w Heater Enough for a Garage?

A 1500w heater is enough to heat a 150 square foot space. It’s not going to be enough heat to keep up with a 2-car garage.

How Much Does it Cost to Run a 1500W Heater for 24 hours?

Depending on where you live, a 1500w heater that runs for 24 hours can cost anywhere between $3 and $9. If your unit can turn itself off at the desired temperature, then you’ll spend less on energy bills.

Are 120v Garage Heaters Safe?

Most 120v heaters made today come with standard safety features like tip-over switches and overheat protection. They are capable of turning the unit off if the heater is turned on its side or reaches a temperature threshold that may damage the unit.

While they are relatively safe, you shouldn’t leave space heaters on overnight without monitoring them. Never leave your garage’s heater unattended as well.

Final Thoughts

The best 120v electric garage heater I could find was the Dr.Infrared. It has a remote, caster wheels, and adjustable temperature control. It’s also well reviewed, and tons of people love it.

I also recommend this Wall Mounted Heater if you’re often in a static position in your garage. You’ll be able to enjoy the radiant heat of infrared while you work on your favorite projects.

Remember, 120v heaters aren’t able to heat more than a 150-square foot space. If you’re looking to heat a 2-car garage or larger, you’ll need a bigger heater.

Check out the best space heaters for a garage gym to compare and contrast which options are best.

Need a little bit of heat? The best low wattage space heaters can do you well without driving up the utility bills at the end of the month!