12 Best Infrared Heaters – (Reviews & Buying Guide 2021)

An infrared heater is exactly what you need if you’re looking for a safe and efficient heater for your home. Thanks to the way in which they operate, you can be sure of comfortable and safe warmth that heats up your whole body, giving you a far more natural feel to the warmth than any other home heater.

If you’re looking for the best infrared heater for your home or work environment, you’re in the right place. These are just a handful of infrared heater reviews that are sure to give you a good idea of which models may be perfect for your home and which models you should stay away from. We’ve also included some important buying information too so that you can learn about how these heaters work. This will help you to compare the best heaters for your needs so that you can find the best one.

See The Quick Comparison Chart

How Do Infrared Heaters Compare to Other Heaters?

There are many differences between infrared heaters and the alternative space heaters that you can buy today. Whilst they all have their own pros and cons when compared to each individual’s needs, these are some of the main comparisons that can be made between infrared heaters and other kinds of heaters. You can see the advantages and disadvantages of infrared heaters through these comparisons, as well.

• Instant Heat

  When you use an infrared heater, you can enjoy the immediate heat, unlike with a standard convection heater. Convection heaters need to heat the air and then rely on the warm air rising to create a flow of warm air around the room. This process usually takes quite a while before you start to feel the benefits. On the other hand, infrared heaters use infrared rays to send heat around the room. Instead of heating up the air, the rays heat up objects, keeping you warmer and making you feel warmer more quickly. If you’re sitting in one place in the room, you should point the infrared heater towards you. That way, it will heat you up directly and not the whole room.

• Silent

  Infrared heaters don’t require a fan to distribute the heat around the room. Unlike other heaters, infrared heaters are usually very quiet when they are on. If you want to add more heat to somewhere that requires minimal noise, for example, your bedroom, you can use an infrared heater, as it will be so quiet in its operation.

• Comfortable and Healthy

  When an infrared heater warms up, hot coils evenly disperse the heat over the source of the infrared beams. The infrared waves are reflected out into the room by reflective metal plates and this allows the warmth to be spread over a distance, resulting in comforting and gentle warmth. In addition, infrared heaters don’t reduce the amount of moisture in the atmosphere, so the air does not try out. Other heaters are known to leave your skin and even your sinuses feeling dry and irritated as you will end up breathing in the stuffy and dry air. Infrared has even been known to improve blood circulation.

• Cost-Effective

  Because infrared heaters work by heating the objects around them, they don’t waste energy by warming up the unused space. Infrared heaters also provide instant heat instead of needing to wait for a conventional heater that takes a long time to heat the air enough for it to begin to circulate around the room. You will end up with lower heating bills as a result of this.

• Environmentally Safe

  Some heating methods rely on burning fuels and this can produce harmful gasses in the atmosphere. You will be able to enjoy safe and clean air when you use an infrared heater, as they do not produce any harmful gasses. In addition, they use less energy than alternative electric heaters because they provide instant heat. Less energy means that an infrared heater has a lower carbon footprint than most other heaters. It also uses electricity, which is a renewable energy source, so again, this is good for the environment.

Is Infrared Heating Safe?

What most people want to know is whether or not infrared heating is actually safe to use in their homes. If you compare it to other methods of heating the home, it certainly is. With coal, gas, or fuel heater, you will need to have a flame. This is also true for pellet stoves. Although some people like these kinds of heaters as they provide a more traditional heating method and maybe a little cheaper, toxic gasses are produced. When using these heaters indoors, it is important to have sufficient ventilation installed so that the gasses can be properly ventilated. You will also need to make sure that any fuel is stored safely as it can be flammable.

In comparison to electric heaters, infrared heaters can also be far safer. Infrared heaters don’t get as hot as some electric heaters when they are in operation. You should still follow proper safety precautions with your infrared heater. Usually, you will be able to enjoy a perfectly safe. As these heaters use infrared rays like the sun to warm up your room, you can be sure that you won’t experience dry air or a stuffy atmosphere. Those can exacerbate winter illnesses and other conditions such as asthma.

Fire is, of course, the main concern with infrared heaters. Although these are safe heaters, you should still ensure that other objects do not obstruct the heater. Make sure that you don’t use the heater as a table. Also, keep any objects such as documents or cloth materials off it. This will prevent items that are too close to the heater becoming hot and catching fire.

Do Infrared Heaters Save Money?

Whether or not an infrared heater will save you money greatly depends on the choice that you make.

First of all, you will need to ensure that you purchase a heater that is large enough to heat the largest room that you will require it for. You should also ensure that it would not be excessively large for the smallest room that you’ll need it for. Having a heater that is insufficient will mean that you may never feel the complete benefit of having the heater on. It could be a waste of energy. A heater that is too large for the room, on the other hand, may use an excessive amount of energy that is not actually needed. This would result in the room becoming too hot too quickly.

Having an infrared heater is great for saving energy. The infrared waves that are used to warm the atmosphere do not rely on convection currents as other heaters do. When other heaters warm large quantities of air, the warm air then rises and circulates around the room, potentially escaping through air ventilation and open doors and windows. Infrared warms up objects and people rather than the air. This means that the warmth can’t simply escape out of the window. This can save you up to 50% on energy bills.

You must remember that an infrared heater is intended to be used on its own so that you don’t have to turn on your home’s central heating system. If you use the infrared heater along with your central heating system, you may not notice much of a difference in your energy bills.

Best Infrared Heaters Comparison Chart

PRODUCT	DETAILS
	AirNmore Comfort Deluxe with Copper PTC, Infrared Space Heater	Price: $$$$ Dimensions: 16.5 x 13 x 16.75″ Timer: No Watt: 1500 Setting: 3 Capacity: 1000 sq. ft.	View On Amazon
	Duraflame Electric Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove	Price: $$$ Dimensions: 13.1 x 24 x 23.4″ Timer: 9 hour Watt: 1500 Setting: 1 Capacity: 1,000 sq. ft	View On Amazon
	Duraflame 5HM8000-O142 Infrared Quartz Heater	Price: $$ Dimensions: 8 x 10.9 x 22.8″ Timer: 9 hour Watt: 1500 Setting: 1 Capacity: 1,000 sq. ft	View On Amazon
	Duraflame 9HM8101-O142 Infrared Quartz Heater	Price: $$ Dimensions: 12.8 x 16.8 x 15.3″ Timer: 9 hour Watt: 1500 Setting: 2 Capacity: 100 sq ft	View On Amazon
	Lifesmart Large Room Infrared Quartz Fireplace	Price: $$$ Dimensions: 28 x 11 x 20″ Timer: 12 hours Watt: 1500 Setting: 3 Capacity: 1000 sq. feet	View On Amazon
	Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater	Price: $ Dimensions: 13 x 11 x 16″ Timer: 12 hour Watt: 1500 Setting: 3 Capacity: 1,000 sq. ft	View On Amazon

Best Infrared Heater Reviews – (Updated List)

1. AirNmore Comfort Deluxe with Copper PTC, Infrared Space Heater

When manufacturing this unit, the producer stands for security. The Infrared Space Heater doesn’t get hot on the outside, has a tip-over sensor, and uses a 3-prong grounded power cord.

Heat is retained longer due to the Copper PTC element. Two power choices are provided – High /1500 Watt/ and Low/1000 Watt/. This option comes in handy when you want to use it around in differently sized rooms. Just roll it to the next room on its casters, and don’t worry about damaging it because they are stable. The heat put out is 5000 BTU’S when set to high power.

Yes, you can roll it out to your outdoor screened porch and enjoy the view while staying warm, as long as you make sure it doesn’t get wet. However, you will need an adapter at some point because the cord is only 3 feet long.

No matter how good things are, cleaning is always the matter. Don’t worry, though, because the cleaning solution here is easy. The infrared heater uses a filter, which is easily cleaned, and a nice trick would be to vacuum it once a month.

Pros:

• Easy cleaning
• Solid casters
• Longer heat retainment

Cons:

• Short cord

2. Duraflame Electric Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove

This is another capable heater, boasting a 5,200 BTU performance. This makes it suitable for heating up to 1,000 square feet. Thanks to the unique 3D flame effect, you get a realistic aesthetic effect, which is similar to real flames. There are also various brightness options to choose from, as well as speed settings.

As for the infrared quartz heat, it plays an essential role in regulating the natural humidity in the air. This means that the device delivers a uniform heat without causing excessive dryness. The overheat protection feature is more than welcome, as you can never be too careful when it comes to safety, right? So, in order to prevent overheating problems, this will automatically shut off.

There is also a digital thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature of the room depending on your needs. Most customers appreciate the included remote control, which is really convenient. Also, note that this is safe to touch. Therefore, if you have kids or pets, you don’t have to worry about any safety hazards, as this is kind to the surrounding.

All things considered, this is an excellent infrared fireplace stove for medium-sized rooms. It is lightweight, relatively easy to move around while being large and powerful enough to offer a decent performance.

3. Duraflame 5HM8000-O142 Infrared Quartz Heater

This 5,200 BTU infrared heater is great for heating up medium-sized rooms and if you have a room of 1,000 square feet or less to heat, it may be a good option for you. The design of it will complement your existing décor, especially if you have darker wood finishes and as it is tall rather than wide, it will take up less space than other infrared heaters are likely to.

To ensure that it is as safe as possible, this heater comes with an automatic shutoff, which kicks in when it hits 80 degrees. This eliminates any concerns about safety whilst you are using it within your home.

So that you can carry this heater from room to room, it is lightweight and portable. This allows you to purchase just one heater for your home so that you can heat one room at a time instead of heating your entire home, saving money on energy. Thanks to the infrared heat, you can also enjoy a comforting and effective warming effect.

One of the only setbacks that you may find with this heater is that it has an integrated fan to aid the circulation of the warmth, and this does produce a low level of noise. During the day, you probably won’t have so many problems with this. However, if you are a light sleeper, you may find that it becomes an annoyance if you have the heater in your bedroom whilst you try to sleep.

4. Duraflame 9HM8101-O142 Infrared Quartz Heater

The Duraflame PHM8101-O142 is a high-quality infrared heater that is designed for supplemental zone heating around the home. If you want to heat a room of up to 1000sq feet, then this heater will be sufficient for you to do so.

The wooden casing looks great and ensures that this heater will fit in well with your home’s existing décor. As well as being aesthetically pleasing, the wooden enclosure allows the heater to remain cool to the touch to provide ultimate safety for the whole family.

For fast and immediate heating, this heater is a great choice, but it may not be the best solution for long-term supplemental heating. It runs using 1500watts of electricity and this can be uneconomical in the long term. In addition, there is no other setting other than “on” for this heater, so there is no way to increase or reduce the temperature and power output as required, making it a little more wasteful when it comes to electricity use.

The positive thing about this heater, however, is that within just 10 minutes, your room will be lovely and warm, and you will be able to enjoy more comfortable and humid air than if you were to use an alternative heater. It is also extremely quiet whilst it is on so if you want to use this heater whilst you sleep, you’ll be able to do that without being kept awake.

5. Lifesmart Large Room Infrared Quartz Fireplace

This heater comes with numerous positive reviews, and this isn’t all for nothing. First of all, this is a classic, top-rated electric fireplace that combines all the right features: safety, modern technology, and aesthetic appeal. On top of that, it is made to work for years, making it a worthwhile investment. This manufacturer is known for its commitment to combining quality and performance. A feature that is most appreciated by most people is represented by the realistic flames, which do an excellent job of creating a warm ambiance. In fact, you can even choose from two levels of fiery glow.

What are the running costs of this electric fireplace? Considering what it has to offer, this is a fairly cheap heater. As for the running costs, they aren’t that astronomical either. In the highest power setting, this heater uses up to 1500W. Simultaneously, since it uses 5100 BTUs, you can use this heater to cover a surface or a room that measures up to 1,000 square feet. This is why this particular unit might be a good option for zone heating areas.

In spite of its size, it is also highly portable. The programmable 12-hour timer is just as handy, allowing you to program the device so that you don’t have to walk inside a cold room first thing in the morning.

6. Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater

This portable space heater features a state-of-the-art system that supplies efficient heating to your rooms. Since it has a high-velocity blower, you can be sure that this device will operate quietly, meaning that it won’t cause any inconvenience in this respect. Also, it is created in such a way as to distribute the heat evenly.

Of course, the electronic thermostat is a welcome addition. It enables you to regulate the temperature from 50 to 80 Fahrenheit degrees. You may also choose from two individual heating positions – namely low and high. The first one delivers 1,000 watts whereas the other one delivers 1,500 watts.

The panel at the front of the device enables you to control some of the settings of the heater. Another option would be using the remote control, which is a convenient element if you were to ask us. In addition to that, the 12-hour shutoff timer is another handy addition.
Concurrently, this is a UL listed space heater, which is safe to use and efficient. The 6-feet long cord gives you plenty of flexibility and ease of movement so that you can move it depending on where you need it. The price is also reasonable considering all these characteristics.

7. Heat Storm Deluxe Infrared Wall Heater

Another top recommendation is the infrared heater by Heat Storm. This is an excellent option if you want to warm up your apartment, office space, or home. The design is fairly compact, allowing you to easily mount it on a wall. Typically, it takes roughly two square feet of wall space, so factor this in prior to purchasing it.

Since it has a modern design, it can easily fit into any type of space or room. In addition to that, thanks to the anti-trip technology, you’ll get all the warmth you need without worrying about the risk of tripping the breakers. The fact that you can conceal the cords is definitely a pro, especially if you have kids or pets.

It is also easy to clean and maintain, being equipped with a handy remote control. Is there an easier way to regulate the settings of the device than this? We’re guessing there isn’t! There is also the LED display on top, enabling you to adjust the temperature. You may also program the timer. Something worth noting would be that, in the case of a power outage, you have to restart the unit manually, as it doesn’t automatically remember its former settings.

8. Lifesmart Infrared Heater

The traditional style of this infrared heater will certainly fit into many homes’ existing décor, and if it’s convenience and effective operation that you’re looking for, then you can rely on this heater.

Many users choose this model as it provides comfortable and reliable warmth for your room whilst bringing you the various benefits that infrared heating has to offer. If you do not want to run your central heating throughout your home, or if you have the air conditioning on in some rooms but need to keep others warmer, then this heater may be just the solution.

The capacity of the heater is as such that it is suitable for medium to larger rooms in the home and you can set a timer if you wish. The timer can be set for up to 12 hours, offering you a customizable experience. In addition, this heater allows you to choose from high, medium, and economy heat modes so that you don’t need to use just one heat setting at all times.

The safety features that come with this infrared heater are designed to give you complete peace of mind. It comes with anti-tip-over shutoff, over-heat protection, an exterior case that is cool to the touch and even a child lock.

9. Avenger FDT2IR Dual Fuel Vent-Free Infrared Heater

Let’s start with this heater’s dual technology. It works with natural gas and liquid propane. It is very portable because of that its 25.7″ high, 18.46″ width and 9.84″ depth. The first feature we can mention is the thermostat control.

Thanks to it the unit switches automatically the burner on and off when a certain temperature is reached. Such a feature gives you peace of mind and also takes some load off your shoulders to constantly go and check the temperature. Easy, isn’t it?

The safety feature is the Oxygen depletion sensor with auto switch off. This one detects the level of the oxygen in the room which is something really important if you are going to heat the place during the night when you and your family sleep. Liquid propane units are banned in some states such as California, so you can’t use it there.

Pros:

• Works with both propane and liquid gas
• Portable
• Thermostat
• Oxygen depletion sensor

Cons:

• Cannot be used just everywhere

10. Homegear Pro Large Room Infrared Heater

With 3 heat settings, which include an energy-saving eco mode, it’s not surprising that this infrared heater from Homegear is such a great choice amongst users. Operating between 1.5KW and 750W, this heater can provide plenty of power when you need it and can save money when you only want to add a little supplemental heat to your room. Plastic housing ensures that it does not become hot to the touch so that it is completely safe to use in your home.

The LED panel on the front is a nice touch as you can monitor the unit with ease, and a remote control even allows you to control the heater without needing to get up from your comfortable position.

Although this is a versatile and powerful heater for heating a medium-sized room in your home, you should be aware that 1.5kw is only suitable for warming a room of up to around 1,000sq feet. As long as it is used for a purpose, this heater is not likely to disappoint.

You’ll be able to use this heater in your home without worrying about any annoying fans or noises, as it is almost silent in its operation. You can enjoy reading, watching TV or sleeping without any background noise whilst this heater is on.

11. iLIVING Infrared Portable Space Heater

This heater can handle rooms up to 1,000 square feet and warm them during cold reasons. It is a new and modern system that puts out twice the hot air than some other models. The iLIVING heater works really quiet (39 dB) because no one wants strange noises interrupting them while resting after work or during the weekend. There are some safety features that you would like such as the Tip-Over switch off and the Overheat Protection System.

These security systems ensure and protect your children and lovely pets. To save you money this unit comes with another feature- the Auto Energy Saving Mode plus el-thermostat. When this mode is on, the heater can heat from 50 to 86 degrees.

Other features are the auto shut off timer, high and low flow settings, and the beautiful front panel. The Dual heating System is again a feature, which combines infrared tube of quartz and PTC technology. There is also a remote control, to switch the different modes while you are lying on the sofa. The Gadget is very mobile thanks to its 4 caster wheels.

Pros:

• Can cover really big areas
• Fairly quiet
• Cool touch feature
• Auto Energy-Saving mode

Cons:

• The fan may start rattling

12. EdenPURE A5095 Infrared Heater

The EdenPURE A5095 infrared heater is one that is the best infrared heater for a smaller room. Thanks to its smaller size, this heater is lightweight and easy to transport. If you have a home that has several small rooms, you would be able to take it from room to room. You will be adding warmth without needing to turn on the whole of the central heating system.

One of the best features of this particular infrared heater is the way in which it heats. Thanks to the safe operating temperature, you can be sure that the temperature of the unit will never get too hot. You don’t need to worry about this heater becoming so hot that a fire is started in your home. It also emits no CO2 so that’s another concern that you don’t need to consider.

On the other hand, it only has a 6-foot long power cable. If you are placing this heater close to an electrical outlet, you’re not likely to have too many issues with this. You should take care to use the correct kind of extension lead if you want to move the heater out further into the room so that there is no risk of fire. This heater is also not suitable for heating larger areas, or rooms that are particularly cold such as basements.

How Infrared Heaters Work

An infrared heater works by using infrared rays, much like the sun emits to heat our planet. These rays are at a frequency of between 9 and 14-micron meters and they enable space to be heated evenly and safely. The infrared waves heat up particles in the atmosphere, causing them to circulate and this results in the room feeling warmer and the person or people in the room with the heater, feeling as though they are being warmed.

Unlike most of the other heating systems that are available on the market, infrared heaters are surprisingly cheap to run. This is because other heaters require larger amounts of energy to create a lot of heat. Other heaters rely on convection currents, involving heating the air so that it rises, and providing a constant supply of heated air for continuing this process. Because of the wasteful way in which other heating types use energy, you will find that as a comparison, you can save around 50% of energy with the use of an infrared heater.

Another great way that infrared cuts down on your energy bills is that the heat cannot escape through ventilation ducts or open doors. Because the heating method doesn’t rely on circulating warm air, there is no warm air that can escape from the room. This provides economic benefits to the user.

Not only is infrared heat less expensive than other forms of the heating system, but you will also be able to benefit from a more comfortable heat. Instead of making the air seem dry and stuffy, infrared heaters release the warmth into the air using infrared rays, which gently heats and locks in the warmth. An infrared heater works very similarly to the sun and so you will feel warm but not uncomfortable like you would feel on a summer’s day.

Buying Guide: How to Buy an Infrared Heater

1. Choose The Economical Option

   Infrared heaters are designed to save you money on your heating bills. This is something that every buyer will be interested in, so you should make sure that you’re getting a model that will be as cheap as possible to run. Heating a single room at a time will be more economical than heating your whole home. If you are only going to heat one room without moving the heater around your home, then just take the measurements of that room. Otherwise, you should take the measurements of the room that is the largest in your home.

   If you have one or more particularly small rooms, and then one or more large rooms in your home, you should consider purchasing a dual-mode heater. These infrared heaters allow you to choose a higher setting for larger rooms and the lower setting for smaller rooms. You should make sure that you purchase an infrared heater that is designed to heat the area of your room. If you buy a heater that is too powerful, you will end up wasting energy whereas if your heater is not sufficient to heat the space that you have, you may end up with a heater that does not make much of a difference to the temperature of the room. You could heat a room for as long as you wish with an insufficient heater and the room will never become warm enough, which is a major false economy.

   Therefore, make sure that you check the running costs of the infrared heater of your choice before making a final decision.

2. Portability

   Are you going to need to move the infrared heater around your home, or will you be leaving it in the same room at all times? The amount of portability that you need will greatly influence the kind of heater that you should choose. Choosing the best location for your portable infrared heater is of utmost importance.

   • Maximum portability – If you want a heater that you will be able to take from room to room with ease, you should look out for ones that have carry handles and wheels. These units can be conveniently and easily moved around your home and are usually designed to be lightweight. You should be careful however if the unit has castor wheels, as these heaters could be a little easier to tip over than stationary units.
   • Limited portability – If you would simply like to move the heater around the room, or just have a heater that will be able to stand in the middle of the room whilst you are using it, then you could purchase a larger unit. These are better if you need to heat a particularly large space and they are usually difficult to tip over.
   • Fixed units – if you need to install a heater in your garage, home or business and you want to ensure that it is completely safe and permanent, you can purchase fixed infrared heaters. These may be attached to the wall so that they can remain in the same position. The fixed infrared heater is the sensible choice if you want a heater that cannot be tipped over and a solution that can be safely mounted out of reach.

3. Design

   When you are looking for an infrared heater, something that may be relatively important to you is the way that it looks in your home. If you like to see that all of your furniture and appliances match each other, you should make sure that you’re buying an infrared heater that will tie in with your existing decor. As infrared heaters don’t get warm to the touch, many of them are made with wood casings. This traditional material is likely to fit well into many homes. Moreover, you can usually choose from different colors of the wood casing. If the wood is not something that you already have as part of your home’s décor, you can find others that are made of aluminum and are finished in a variety of colors.

   For rooms that are a little cozy, look out for designs of infrared heater that are taller. These will take up less floor space, using up less of the room. Of course, these are going to be easier to tip over than shorter and wider units. So, this is another thing that you will need to bear in mind. If you want to be able to see at a glance what setting the heater is on, you will be able to get an infrared heater that comes with a digital display. You will be able to see what temperature it is set to as well as any remaining time if the heater has an inbuilt timer.

4. Safety Features

   When you purchase a heating appliance, it is important that it is as safe as possible to use it in your home.

   • Anti-tip shutoff
     If the heater gets knocked over and it has an anti-trip shutoff built-in, then it will turn itself off. This ensures that the heater does not pose any threat from fires if it is accidentally knocked over. This is most useful in homes where the residents are elderly, or for families with children or pets.
   • Timers – Some infrared heaters come with a timer function. Not only can this save you money by not being left on accidentally, but a cutoff timer can also ensure that the heater does not have a chance to overheat and start a fire.

5. Warranty

   Purchasing an infrared heater, or indeed any electrical appliance comes with various risks. Examples are faults in the manufacturing process or electrical faults that can occur in the months after you purchase the item. To protect your purchase, you should look out for the manufacturers or resellers who offer you a warranty. The longer the warranty, the longer you can enjoy complete peace of mind. You should make sure that you check the terms of the warranty before you make your purchase so that you know what is covered.

6. Where to Buy?

   When you are looking for an infrared heater, you’ll notice that there are many different places where you can purchase a heater. If you want to get a heater quickly, then your best option may be to simply go out and buy one from a local electrical store, but there are plenty of other places to buy them.

   • On the high street – These heaters will be convenient for you to buy if you simply can’t wait to get hold of your heater, but it will cost more than if you were to buy a similar model online. You will also have fewer options to choose from.
   • Online manufacturer – You can purchase most infrared heaters directly via the manufacturer’s websites. You can sometimes get some good deals online and you may find that the prices are cheaper if you go directly to a manufacturer. You will have more choices than a high street store.
   • Online market sites – There are plenty of other sites such as Amazon or eBay where you can purchase infrared heaters. You should be careful that you are purchasing a brand new item on these sites, as there are often items for sale that are refurbished or used. A good tip is to look out for the sellers that offer some kind of warranty, as this will give you peace of mind with your purchase.

Infrared Heating vs. Electric Heating

You may have used an electric heater in the past to supplement your heating supply, so just how do infrared heaters compare to electric ones?

First of all, electric heaters often use a fan to distribute heat around the room. An infrared heater does not need a fan. This is because electric heaters rely on convection currents. The air is heated up in front of the electric heater, and then in order to move the air out into the room, it is necessary for the heater to have a fan to expel the warm air away from the appliance so that more air can be heated in its place. Infrared heaters, on the other hand, use infrared light rays to heat up objects directly in front of the heater and no fan is required as the light travels through particles in the air, much like the rays of the sun. This means that an infrared heater is very quiet in its operation in comparison to an electric heater.

Because the electric heater has to heat up the air and then circulate it around the room, you can find that it takes a while for the air to warm up in the room. If there is a draught, the warm air will escape from the place where the cold air is coming into the room. You will also find that the warmth can escape through air ventilation too. With infrared heating, you don’t need to worry about this as the infrared waves warm you up directly instead of warming the air. Less energy is wasted and you will feel the effects immediately.

Electric heaters warm up the air, and as a result, all moisture is quickly dried up. This can leave you feeling as though you have a dry throat and sinuses. In general, the air can simply become unpleasant to be in. In comparison, an infrared heater will not dry out the humidity in the room. Thus, you will be able to enjoy the feeling of being warmed up without having to sit in a dry atmosphere. You can check our electric wall heater reviews to learn more about electric heaters.

Important Infrared Heater Safety Tips

Although infrared heaters are incredibly safe to use in the home and require no ventilation, you should acknowledge the fact that these appliances produce heat and as such, there are some basic safety tips about infrared heaters that you should know.

If you are using an extension lead with the heater, you should always ensure that you are using one that is designed for the higher currents needed to power a heating appliance.

Another thing that you will need to remember if you are using an extension is that extension cables are hazardous if they are tripped over.

When the infrared heater is on, you must take care to ensure that nothing is obstructing the flow of infrared waves and that nothing is placed on the heater itself. This could potentially start a fire.

You should always ensure that the heater is turned off when you are not in the room. If you can find a heater that comes with an automatic shutoff timer, then this would be one way of securing that the heater is not on when it is not needed.

Always purchase an infrared heater from a manufacturer that you can trust, and make sure that the heater has a safety certification. Most appliances follow the strict guidelines that are in place for safety, but you should always check any labels before you turn on the heater.

Infrared heaters often come with Styrofoam packaging and other plastic items such as bags. You should ensure that all packaging is removed fully and disposed of properly before you turn the infrared heater on.

Infrared Heating and Health

Many people feel that choosing a new heater that is safe to use in their homes is an important task, and it is. You need to ensure that your health and that of your family will be protected with any heating system that you choose. So, is infrared heating hazardous to your health?

Infrared heating will not dry out the air. Dry air can be hazardous to health as it exacerbates existing conditions and can also cause health problems. Dry air can cause or worsen the effects of asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis. It can also cause you to lose water from your body during respiration, which is not then breathed back in, causing dehydration. Thanks to infrared heat, you’ll not experience these problems. There are even some infrared heaters that come with an inbuilt humidifier to make the air a little more humid for added comfort.

Infrared heat has also been known to help aid blood circulation. During the colder winter months, it’s very likely that you’ll be resting more than usual, and this can lead to decreased blood flow. Infrared heat gently warms your body using infrared light frequencies and this can actually help your blood to circulate better.

When you use an infrared heater, you’ll find that it is very quiet in its operation. Although at first, this may not seem like a health benefit, it contributes to quite a significant one. If you wish to leave the heater on overnight to keep you warm whilst you sleep, you will be able to do so without worrying about it keeping you awake at night. Sleep is very important for our health. Therefore, ensuring that you have a good night’s sleep whilst still staying warm is a huge health benefit of infrared heaters.

You may also be interested in radiant floor heaters or electric baseboard heaters!

FAQs

1. Can the usage of an infrared heater lead to cancer?

Not really, but prolonged exposure is not recommended either. Basically, our bodies are capable of sustaining infrared radiation, as it’s the same as the one sun emits. The sun emits three types of radiation, respectively UV-rays, sunlight, and infrared rays. The last one is responsible for the warmth you feel when staying under the sun. Infrared radiation from the heaters is just the same. Therefore, it doesn’t pose a risk. But it can be harmful to use it for too long and if you stay too close to it, especially if you do it often – so, it’s not recommended to do it. But there is no confirmation that cancer can be caused by these heaters.

2. Are infrared heaters more energy-efficient?

Compared to other types of heaters, yes, they are more energy-efficient. They use all the heat they produce, meaning that no heat is lost during the transfer. What makes this possible is the way infrared heaters operate. They do not heat the entire room like other heaters. They only warm what’s in their way, respectively what the radiation is able to reach. It is just the same as if you’d sit under the sun. The sun also emits IR radiation. If you know the warm feeling when the sun rays touch your skin, it’s the same feeling with infrared heaters.

3. Is an infrared heater better than an electric one?

Overall, infrared heaters are the better option between the two. First of all, they are more portable due to the power source option, as the device operates on natural gas, electricity, or propane, depending on your choice. Conversely, they can also be attached to existing utilities. Electric heaters use electricity, so you’re limited depending on where you can plug the device in. You can also check out our propane heater reviews.

4. Are infrared heaters safe to leave on overnight?

Infrared heaters are safe to leave on overnight as they don’t produce toxic substances and they don’t risk causing a fire. They simply heat whatever’s in their radiation range. However, it is important to keep them under control and not simply turn the device on and call it a day. Make sure you lower the temperature and you place the heater at a proper distance in order to feel comfortable. Although they are not dangerous, continuous exposure to radiation is not recommended, so make sure you are careful with the way you use these devices.

Wrap Up

Infrared heaters are a great way of adding warmth to any room in your home. As long as you choose the right infrared heater for your needs, you will save plenty of money on your heating bills. You won’t need your entire central heating system to be on. You can also make significant savings in comparison to alternative home heating methods. Not only can you enjoy monetary savings when you choose an infrared heater, but you will also be able to benefit from plenty of other benefits, including safe and healthy operation.

These infrared heater reviews are a great place to start when you are looking for a great heater for your home. However, there are many other models for you to choose from. You can still find the best infrared heater for your needs. Remember to keep in mind our buying guide when you are making your decision so that you can consider all the requirements that you may have.

On our web site, you can find more product reviews from outdoor patio heater reviews to top-rated kerosene heaters. Enjoy!