What It Takes to Be the Best Infrared Heater

Having plenty of options is usually good but they also make the choice much more complex than it should be. This guideline on infrared heating is meant to simplify the selection process so you can easily choose the best infrared heater for your specific needs.

Finding a heater that best suits you can become a complex undertaking. So we have compiled infrared heater reviews to help you sift through the options.

Advantages of Using Infrared Heaters

• Infrared Heaters provide instant heat.

These heaters don’t require a lot of time to warm you up. Instead of warming up the air, they work to heat bodies and objects directly.

As soon as you turn them on, they begin to emit infrared light and heat as a result.

• They operate quietly.

Infrared heaters don’t require a fan to work. All they need is light which cancels out the noise factor.

Even those with blowers only emit a very low level noise which is barely noticeable.

• They work in a more efficient manner.

With infrared heaters, energy waste is slim to none. That’s because they only heat the people and objects they are pointed at.

• Infrared heaters are environment-friendly.

These heaters prove to be a clean source of heat. They produce zero pollutants.

Infrared heaters do not run on wood. They also don’t require fossil fuels for heat production.

Drawbacks of Using Infrared Heaters

• The light they emit can be a bother.

Infrared heaters use light to produce heat. They emit an orange glow which can be bothersome for some people especially for those who are sensitive to light.

The brightness of light varies from one model to another. In this case, it is not advisable for bedroom use especially at night.

For someone who requires complete darkness to sleep, this portable kind may not be the best choice.

• Infrared heaters provide limited heat distribution.

If you intend on heating a large space with people constantly moving around, this type of heater may not be the best for the job.

There are infrared heaters with built-in blowers however. They can help with a more even distribution of warmth across the space.

• Heat produced by infrared heaters don’t last very long.

Although it takes less time for you to feel the warmth from an infrared heater, it also takes no time to leave you cold once it is turned off.

They warm up people and objects where the infrared light hits instead of heating the air. So, the warmth only lasts as long as the infrared lights are bright.

Reviews of Top 7 Infrared Heaters

Let’s begin with a simple comparison among the most popular and best rated infrared heaters around.

1.  Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater

Dr. Infrared Heater claims to deliver 60 percent more heat than its competitors.

Compared to other heater blowers that deliver a mere 155°F at 2.2m/s, Dr. Infrared heater promises to deliver 250°F at 3.5m/s on average.

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Dr. Infrared heater might be good for heating larger rooms instantly and comfortably.

Product reviews on youtube:

2.  Duraflame Portable Electric Infrared Quartz Heater 9HM8101-O142

Duraflame heater is a decent choice for small to medium sized households.

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This heater works best as a supplemental heater for bigger spaces. Unless you are prepared to buy multiple units, this portable infrared heater won’t be enough to warm up a big household.

3.  iLIVING Portable Infrared Space Heater w/ Dual Heating System

Warming up the room in a short span of time is a piece of cake for this portable heater. It can spread warmth to spaces up to 1,000 square feet.

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iLiving infrared heater is recommended for people with a medium to large space and a little more budget to spare for a dual heating system.

4.  Ivation Portable Electric Space Heater

A cool look and eco-friendly heater, the Ivation space heater can easily keep a 1,000 square feet room warm and toasty.

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This heater is best for medium to large spaces.

5.  EdenPURE A5095 Gen2 Pure Infrared Heater

The most unique thing about Gen2 is that it comes with an air purification upgrade kit including UV light and Hepa filters.

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EdenPURE Gen2 is best for heating smaller rooms. It can be perfect for setting up your very own infrared sauna too!

6.  Pro Fusion Heat Infrared 1500 Watt Electric Heater

If looks matter to you, this is probably the best infrared fireplace you can get for your little space. Its contemporary design with a fireplace display is quite impressive.

Does it work as well as it looks? Let’s find out.

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Pro Fusion Heat Infrared Heater is best for people with smaller living spaces who puts importance on aesthetics.

7.  Lifesmart Corp Lifelux Series Ultimate 8 Element Large Room Infrared

This top of the line infrared heater is powerful enough to warm an extra-large space of up to 1800 square feet.

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The Lifesmart infrared heater is best for people who can spare the extra cash for a deluxe heating technology. It may work well with large spaces.

Infrared heaters have become a thing mainly because of its energy saving promise. Let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest reasons why you may want to consider getting one for your home as well.

How Infrared Heaters Work

Ever wondered why you feel toasty under the sun and chilly when you’re standing under a shade? That’s because your skin and clothes absorb the infrared light emitted by the sun which in turn, warms up your body.

Infrared heaters work the same way.

They make use of infrared rays to safely and evenly heat a space. The infrared waves warm up particles which prompt circulation in the atmosphere.

As a result, the room and the bodies in it feel warmer.

When the infrared light hits you directly, you feel the warmth. And when the light doesn’t reach you well, you barely feel the heat.

These heaters are designed to emit infrared light from a series of coils. They also have a reflector that serves to direct the infrared light outwards.

The objects and bodies that reach the light are warmed up. It is a convenient option for small spaces.

Infrared Heaters Compared to Other Heaters

So how do infrared heaters fare in comparison to other heaters?

Instant Heating versus Longer Warm-Up

Warming up on an infrared heater takes much less time than it would on other heater types. With an infrared heater, you can feel the warmth as soon as it is turned on and the light hits you especially when it is on a high heat mode.

Because other heaters are designed to warm up the air, they will take twice as much time or even more before you feel the warmth.

The Efficiency Factor

When it comes down to it, bodies and objects should be the target of heat. Infrared heaters work efficiently this way.

Although it would be nice to have your place warmed up, it would not be as efficient as narrowing down the target.

The Question of Cost

Traditional heating systems are undeniably costly to set up and run. They require bigger amounts of energy in order to produce heat.

Because they utilize convection currents to heat the air, keeping the atmosphere warm requires a consistent supply of energy. Needless to say, this method is wasteful.

On the other hand, infrared heaters can help you in a mission to reduce your energy bills in more ways than one.

With the targeted heating that infrared heaters provide, you can possibly save up to 50 percent of energy, depending on how much and how often you use them.

Because infrared heat can’t escape through open doors, cracks and ventilation ducts, it does not matter if your space isn’t well ventilated. Warm air won’t be able to escape the room.

The Environment-Friendly Element

This depends on what kind of heater we’re comparing an infrared one to. In general, however, plus taking note of the efficiency factor, infrared heaters seem to be more conscious about leaving carbon footprint behind.

The Heat Distribution Factor

If you have a larger space, other heating options may be a smarter choice. On the other hand, if you live in an apartment, stay in a small room with you or just one other warm body, infrared heaters prove to be a more practical option.

The Light Emission Issue

On the bright side of other heating options, they don’t emit light. And that makes them a friendlier option for nighttime use.

The Lasting Warmth Aspect

For infrared heaters, the instant heat also means instant loss of warmth when you turn it off. Because other heaters are made to heat the air in a room, the warmth they are able to produce tend to last much longer.

Types of Infrared Heaters

Infrared heaters can be classified according to power source, construction materials, portability, etc. Since all the heaters we have presented here use an electric power source and are all compact, we will focus on the heating technology: quartz and PTC.

What’s the difference between infrared quartz and PTC bulbs?

Infrared heaters may use quartz or PTC bulbs or both. The main difference between these bulbs is their lifespan.

Manufacturers have used quartz bulbs to power their heaters for a long time. These bulbs usually last around 20,000 hours or less.

On the other hand, PTC technology lifespan is around 80,000 hours. PTC elements can also provide infrared radiation of a wider spectrum than quartz bulbs can.

The third type uses both on what is called a dual heating system.

Buying Guide for the Best Infrared Heater

As with shopping for any item, the best choice is always the one that suits your specific needs. So what exactly are the must have features and the nice to have’s?

Below is a list of features you should pay particular attention to.

• 1.  Heating capacity that corresponds to your space’s measurements

Most are set with a maximum heating coverage area of 1,000 square feet. If you have a much smaller room, it could be more economical to choose a heater with a lower capacity.

• 2.  Built-in and programmable thermostat

You should be able to control the temperature. Otherwise, you are bound to spend more in the long run.

• 3.  Quartz bulb lifespan

Replacements can be costly so the best value heater has longer lasting quartz bulb.

• 4.  Quiet blower 

If you don’t want to worry about having cold and hot spots in the room, you should consider a heater equipped with a blower. It will help distribute the warmth evenly.

Ideally, the blower should be capable of generating a higher pressure in order to move a larger volume of air at a low speed.

A quiet blower with a very low noise level of 39 decibels will ensure you of a peaceful warmth. But how loud is 39 decibels?

It will sound like you’re hanging out in the library.

• 5.  Power settings

A 3-power setting (high, low, auto energy saving mode) infrared heater is ideal. This provides you with the freedom to turn it up as desired or turn it down to save energy.

The auto energy saving mode is a smart feature that can help you control not only the temperature but also your bills. When set in auto energy saving mode, the thermostat automatically regulates the temperature as it switches between high and low setting.

You can choose your desired temperature from the heat range and manually set the heater at High 1500W or Low 1000W setting.

If you want the fastest heating, the High 1500W setting is recommended. In other cases, the low or auto modes are best for conserving energy.

• 6.  Heat Range

Most infrared heaters have a heat range between 50°F and 86°F. You have to decide whether you will feel comfortable staying within that range.

• 7.  Multiple Safety Features including Overheating Protection

Fire is a risk with any type of heater. To address safety concerns, choose one with an overheating protection.

With this feature, the unit automatically shuts off before it overheats. This way, you can sleep with it on without worrying.

• 8.  Portability and Mobility

A space-saving heater with wheels built into the unit can be easily moved around where you need the warmth.

• 9.  Stability

Although most infrared heaters include a tip-over protection some, especially those with in built wheels, may not be as stable as desired.

If you have children and pets always running around, it would be best to choose a unit that is as stable as possible.

• 10.  Safe to Touch Exterior

A wooden sturdy casing is desirable as such heaters ensure a cool to touch safety feature.

• 11.  Warranty and Return/ Refund Policy

If the manufacturer is confident about their product, they’d be able to provide a satisfactory policy for returns/ refunds and longer warranty.

The above requirements are basic but the following are nice to have features which you may not necessarily need.

Infrared Heater Hot Tips

Here are a couple of tips to help you maximize heating efficiency and energy savings.

• Avoid wasting energy by turning it on only when and where you need warmth.

Turn the heater off when the room is unoccupied. An infrared heater provides instant heating where you need some but there is no point in heating rooms that aren’t occupied.

• Only buy a heater with a programmable thermostat.

The electronic thermostat allows you to set it up to a temperature of 50 to 86 degrees in most heaters. You can go as high as you want for a more efficient heating or as low as you need to save cost.

• Avoid safety issues by cleaning up clutter around the heater.

The overheating protection and other safety features allow you to relax and cozy up in peace. As an extra precaution however, make sure you place the infrared heater in a clutter-free area.

Keep it away from paper, fabrics and other hazardous materials. Clutter will obstruct the flow of the infrared waves so make sure to avoid placing anything on the unit itself.

• Check the availability of replacement parts and consider their cost.

Tubes, bulbs and filters are replaceable parts in an infrared heater. Before you buy one, make sure these parts are readily available.

You will eventually need to replace them so it is best to also consider their prices.

• Use a 20-amp outlet for a 12.5-amp infrared heater.

Most portable infrared heaters operate on 1500 watts and draw 12.5 amps power. To avoid overloading, make sure to connect it to an outlet of 20 amps if other appliances use the same connection or at least 15-amp circuit if the outlet is solely dedicated to your heater.

• Be careful about using extension cords.

Using an extension cord is rarely necessary because most infrared heaters come with long cords. If you must use one, make sure that the extension has the same wattage rating as the heater itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can infrared heaters really help me save money?

In general, the answer is yes. Saving money by reducing heating cost also depends much on the kind of infrared heater you choose.

To maximize your savings, we strongly advise you to choose the suitable heater for the space you’ll be using it for.

Do not buy a large heater when you only intend to use it for a small room. Avoid buying a heater that’s too small for your large room.

Take note of the maximum heating coverage area of the heater. One with a 1,000 square feet maximum coverage for instance, will probably do best when used in a 500 to 900 square feet space.

• Is it smart to use an infrared heater with my central heating system?

Infrared heaters are best used as supplemental heating supply unless you have a small room that’s only good for two occupants.

Your energy savings will depend on how you use your heating systems. Adding an infrared heater to the energy equation without reducing the use of your central heating system will make no difference in your cost.

Use them wisely to supplement each other.

• Are infrared heaters safe to use?

From 2003 to 2007, the National Fire Protection Agency reported that 16% of deaths from residential fires were caused by space heaters, naturally safety is a major concern.

If using fuel, gas, coal and other heaters that need flame doesn’t bother you then the safety of using infrared heating should be the least of your concern.

Most infrared heaters come with multiple safety features like an overheating protection, tip-over protection, child lock and automatic shut off when hazard is detected.

Manufacturers also provide safety precautions in their manual. As long as you follow them to the dot, you should be able to steer clear of trouble.

Conclusion

For a more spacious area, the Lifesmart Lifelux infrared heater is an ideal choice with a heating coverage of up to 1,800 square feet. When it comes to aesthetics and design while fulfilling the requirements of a much smaller space, the ProFusion Heat seems to be a decent choice.

Overall, EdenPURE A5095  wins on account of its safety features and the use of PTC heating Technology to ensure maximum heating comfort.

We are also impressed with its optional air purification kit. If your household is troubled by allergies, this heater makes an ideal family choice and the best infrared heater in this roundup.