The 8 Best Infrared Heaters To Reduce Your Energy Usage (& Lower Your Utility Bill) 2024

This super versatile pick from Heat Storm covers a lot of bases. Not only can you choose between a wall-mounted or floor-friendly option, but there are a couple of color choices as well. Whether you decide to mount this heater or use the attachable feet (double check the model before you buy!), you can control the temperature through WiFi using the Heat Storm app, or through voice assistants like Alexa or Google Home. It also has an auto-shutoff mode, a washable filter, dimmable LED display, and eco-mode option (which dials this heater back to 750 watts).

What users say:

This heater gets pretty great ratings wherever it’s sold. One Amazon shopper used the heater for more than two years and found that the heat made a noticeable difference without impacting their energy bill—and the smart app means they no longer enter a chilly house. A few negative reviews flag that this heater is really best for smaller areas, as the device is smaller than it looks.

While this heater from Dr. Heater can certainly be used indoors, it’s an especially great option for patios, decks, or even the garage. Available as a wall-mounted or free-standing design, the heater comes in both a 1,500 and 3,000 watt options. While not the most aesthetically pleasing, the DR-238 does give you three heat settings (900W, 1200W, and 1500W), as well as a timer and remote to control the temperature from afar.

We named this option our top pick for outdoor use due to the waterproof aluminum exterior, which protects the internal heating component. It’s also designed to maximize the reach of the infrared heating rays thanks to a mirrored aluminum interior that’s super reflective. What’s more, the product is ETL-listed for safety, so you won’t have to fret about hanging it outdoor once the temperature drops.

What users say:

Despite accumulating more than 3,500 ratings on Amazon, this heater still boasts an impressive 4.3 out of 5 stars. Some testers actually lounged outdoors in the dead of winter thanks to the design, however other shoppers found one big flaw: the 6-foot cord. It’s not long enough to reach every plug, and the device shouldn’t be used with an extension cord, so it may not be suitable for every space.

If you’re looking to lower your energy output by opting for a heater with a thermostat, this is another great pick from Heat Storm for you. Along with a washable air filter, it boasts an eco-mode setting that reduces the wattage from 1,500 to 750 to save power whenever possible.

Like the Dr. Infrared heater above, it has optional casters to roll it around your space (although some reviews suggest it’s quieter without the wheels). However, it's on the smaller side than the brand's other offerings, yet slightly more design-forward with three different wood grain colors available.

What users say:

This option doesn’t have as many ratings or reviews as other heaters on this list, but it still gets mostly great feedback wherever it’s available. Several customers comment on the nice look of this heater and how much reach it has for its small size—although other reviews contradict this. One person who is pleased with the efficiency of this heater writes, “Just received this in time, especially since the temperature has been dropping. With the price of fuel being up this helps keep our living room comfortable during the day without having to use the furnace.”

The Dr. Infrared Portable Space Heater (also known by its robot name, DR-968) is one of the best selling infrared heaters out there. It boasts an aesthetic retro design with a built-in thermostat that allows you to adjust the heat between 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Wheels allow you to move the 24-pound device to the most efficient placement, while a quart tubing ensures the rays reach their intended audience.

You'll love the super quiet operation—about the same level as a refrigerator hum—and extra long 6-foot extension cord. (Remember: You never want to plug a heater into an extension cord). Best of all, it's a super safe pick: The ETL-certified pick has built-in overheat and tip-over protection, as well as a 12-hour automatic shut-off timer.

What users say:

This heater is really popular with more than 20,000 ratings on Amazon. One person with multiple Dr. Heater devices says, “We prefer these to any other brand. They are very efficient, and we love the small size. They are so very easy to move and take up such a small amount of space.” On the con side, most reviewers say this is a better pick for smaller spaces. And some reviewers who have purchased multiple of these say the quality or lifespan varies.

This option uses infrared quartz (disguised as fake logs) to disperse warm air into your space. After you’ve popped it into your empty fireplace, you can control the Duraflame Log Set Heater’s temperature with the control panel on the side of the unit or with the included remote control. There’s even a pulsating light effect that mimics real embers and flames, both on the logs and through a projection on the back of your fireplace—you can adjust those settings to your liking, as well.

What customers say:

This log set gets really great reviews, especially on Amazon where it has 4.5 out of 5 stars rating. People seem generally pleased with its look and performance. One person writes, “Honestly I wasn't expecting much but this is a great decorative and heat providing unit for a drafty room. Warmed up a 12x14 room nicely and looks great.” Some negative reviews say this didn’t pump out as much heat as they would have liked. Testers also warn to measure your fireplace before buying to ensure your logs don't look too small.

If you don’t mind a heater that looks like the inside of an old desktop computer, this heater from AmazonBasics is a suitable pick for smaller spaces and comes at a budget-friendly price.

Power through several temperature modes using the included remote or opt for eco-mode, which dials the wattage down to 750 W for energy efficiency. Plus, there are optional caster wheels to move this heater around your space. And if you really aren’t feeling this design, there’s an upgraded model that’s a little more aesthetically pleasing (for a price, of course).

What users say:

This little heater gets 4.3 out of 5 stars from over 3,400 ratings on Amazon. Most people say it pumps out a ton of heat for its small size. One person says, “Awesome space heater. This thing heats up the whole room in minutes. My last heater would take hours.” There are also a bunch of “meh” reviews, which may be a reflection of the lower price. Several reviews mention a smell in the first few uses, and some folks complain about an occasional faint beeping noise they’re unable to turn off.

For any industrial space like a garage or workshop, this Dr. Infrared heater is a solid pick. It’s definitely a heavy-duty option for its small size; you’ll need a 208 or 240-volt outlet and a 6R-30 plug to accommodate 5,600 watts. While it does have an internal thermostat and an “auto” energy-saving mode, there isn’t a display (only a knob that ranges from low to high) to show what temperature you’ve set. Still, that doesn’t seem to be a problem for the many fans of this garage heater.

What users say:

Most reviewers say this heater does a good job of adding heat to their garage, although most note that it’s a tough space to feel a significant improvement. One person says, “Works great to heat my 400-square-foot garage. At 40 degrees outside, I can run it for 20 minutes to bring the garage up to a comfortable (not warm per se) temperature.” On the con side, some people say this option can get pretty loud, with a few people saying it developed a rattling sound over time.

An oscillating feature allows this compact heater to pack a pretty big punch for its size. Reminiscent of a Dyson in design, this trendy heater swings up and down for pinpointed blasts of heat where you need it most. Along with two heat settings, the heater has an optional oscillation feature that helps circulate rays to cover even more square footage. 

Control the device using the discreet control panel along the top of the heater, or use the include remote to change the settings. During the warmer months, you can even turn off the heat for a cool fan. Like our other picks, theGEN40 is ETL-certified for safety with an auto-shutoff feature for added peace of mind.

What customers say:

This little heater gets mostly great feedback from more than 900 people. Several say it covers a large space well, including one reviewer who writes, “It warms my living room and three season porch quickly and efficiently.” Almost every negative review complains that this unit doesn’t have a thermostat to guide an auto-shutoff feature, which means you’ll have to.