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We’ve confirmed this after years of researching and testing popular infrared heaters.
The Spruce
The higher the watt output rating, the more heat the infrared heater produces.
One of our favorite features is the ability to control the heat and flame controls independently.
This allowed us to enjoy the inviting glow of the flickering flame without overheating the room.
We found that the fake logs and embers added to the realistic look to the Duraflame 3D Infrared Electronic Fireplace.PHOTO: The Spruce / Rachel Marek
With 5,200 Btu, it can heat up to 1,000 square feet.
Assembly was a breeze; all we had to do was screw on the legs.
The heater has an adjustable digital thermostat and auto-shutoff protectionfor added safety.
We tested the heating performance of each heater using a thermometer placed near its grill.The Spruce
The heater also has multiple brightness and temperature parameters that can be adjusted using the included remote control.
Although we were able to use the remote, we wish the instructions had been written more clearly.
Mallory Micetich, principal communications manager at Realtor.com, former vice president of corporate communications at Angi.
The Duraflame Infrared Electric Fireplace particularly impressed us with its realistic flames.PHOTO: The Spruce
Overall, we highly recommend this heater to anyone who wants the ambiance of a fireplace without any hassle.
Some infrared heaters blow air over a metal-wrapped quartz heat exchanger to provide convective heating as well.
The safety features of this heater are impressive, with bothtip-over and overheat protection.
During our testing, we found that the tip-over protection worked effectively, shutting off the heater immediately.
However, it is worth noting that the heater does not turn back on once it is upright again.
We recommend storing it somewhere safely orin a remote organizer.
Our dogs noticed immediately, and we noticed them lounging in the warmth.
Like our best overallpick, this heater is not too noisy, at just 55 decibels on low.
Despite this, we value the convenience of controlling the heater with a remote.
While it never showed anything above 88F on the thermostat, that was more than enough.
The room became pretty hot at that reading, so we didn’t feel it needed to be higher.
The heater has an accompanying tiny remote control.
We noticed that the heater’s body and sides did not get hot during our tests.
In just 15 minutes, we saw almost a 2 increase from 8 feet away.
With 5,000 Btu, this heater can efficiently warm up both small and large rooms.
On cooler days, we enjoyed entertaining guests there.
With an IPX4 waterproof rating, this heater is safe for outdoor use.
If you’re looking for something easy to move around, theDr.
The wooden exterior of the space heater blended well with our decor.PHOTO: The Spruce / Sage McHugh
Measure those areas, and note the electrical outlet locations.
Noise Level
The sound of a heater becomes important when using a heater for hours on end.
Heaters on average produce 60 decibels of sound, which is equivalent to rainfall or a friendly conversation.
The remote control for the Dr. Infrared Heater was easy to use for adjusting the temperature.The Spruce
All of the options on this list were relatively quiet, but still produced a bit of white noise.
Infrared heaters are more energy efficient thanelectric space heaters.
This means some infrared heaters can use as much electricity as conventional heaters.
At 24 pounds, it isn’t the lightest. However, the wheels enhance its portability.PHOTO: The Spruce
Many manufacturers give square footage guidelines for specific models.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This story was written byDaniela Galvez, a senior editor at The Spruce.
She finds its the perfect way to add a little extra warmth.
She also gave careful thought to the heaters' heating capacity, features, and cost.
Our Experts:
Are heat pumps noisy?
The removable legs allow you to use the infrared heater on the ground or mounted.PHOTO: The Spruce / Rachel Marek
When testing the heating performance, we saw a two degree increase in our body temperature.The Spruce
We found the handle located at the back of the heater convenient for relocating.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Henry Wortock
The LCD screen is large and clear, so you can read the temperature from a distance.The Spruce
While it’s pretty lightweight, the top handles help when moving.PHOTO: The Spruce
Even though it’s 23 pounds, we found that one person could lift the heater.PHOTO: The Spruce / Eric Brockob
During testing, we found the buttons on the heater clear and easy to use.The Spruce
We were able to feel an increase in temperature from 8 feet away.PHOTO: The Spruce
We found that the heater provided sufficient warmth on the highest setting.PHOTO: The Spruce / Jena Wilson
To test the heater, we mounted it on a brick wall in our outdoor patio.The Spruce
Even when mounted, you can tilt the heater to direct the heat accordingly.PHOTO: The Spruce
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