Broan-NuTone 198 vs Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966
Broan-NuTone 198
The short answer
Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 comes out ahead overall with 7.0/10 against 6.3/10 for the Broan-NuTone 198. Broan-NuTone 198 is stronger on noise & sleep-friendliness. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 is stronger on heating performance, bedroom usability and value. At current verified prices, the Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 costs about $213.01 less.
- Choose the Broan-NuTone 198 if: Owners of a finished or insulated attached garage who want a flush, permanent wall heater.
- Choose the Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 if: Owners of a one- to two-car garage or woodshop who can run a hardwired 240V circuit and want sturdy, well-documented whole-space heat.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Broan-NuTone 198 | Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 |
|---|---|---|
| Noise & Sleep-Friendliness | 5.5In-wall fan with a moderate hum. | 4.5Fan-forced unit heater, so the blower is audible at the bench. |
| Safety | 8.0UL listed per the manufacturer, manual-reset overload, recessed. | 8.2Manufacturer-confirmed UL/cUL listing, thermally protected enclosed motor, mounted off the floor away from vapors. |
| Heating Performance | 6.54kW for 265–400 sq ft. | 8.36kW suits a typical two-car garage; the thermostat has no numbered settings (Bob Vila, Popular Science). |
| Bedroom Usability | 5.0Needs a wall cut-out and a 10/2 circuit; the thermostat is unnumbered. | 6.0Analog dial, no remote; hardwired, so you likely need an electrician. |
| Health & Materials | 8.0Steel grille with a removable faceplate; no combustion. | 8.0Steel housing, sealed motor for dust, no combustion, no recall found. |
| Value | 4.5$389 for 4kW is the weakest output per dollar. | 8.0$176 for 6kW, sold by Amazon; 1-year warranty. |
Specifications
| Spec | Broan-NuTone 198 | Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 |
|---|---|---|
| Heater type | Fan-forced recessed in-wall heater | Fan-forced wall/ceiling-mount unit heater (marketed as infrared) |
| Fanless (no blower) | No | No |
| Overheat protection | Yes | Yes |
| Safety listing (ETL/UL) | UL Listed (not cUL) | UL and cUL listed (manufacturer) |
| Thermostat type | Built-in disc-type thermostat, infinite settings (optional wall thermostat) | Analog thermostat, 37–104°F, High/Low |
| Remote control | No | No |
| Warranty | 1 years | 1 years |
| Manufacturer-rated coverage | 400 sq ft | 600 sq ft |
| Oscillation | No | No |
| Voltage | 240V (208V supported) | 240V single phase |
| Max wattage | 4,000 W | 6,000 W |
| Power connection | Hardwired in-wall | Hardwired (cord not included) |
Broan-NuTone 198
Pros
- Recessed, takes no floor space
- UL Listed with manual-reset overload protection
- Steel grille, easy to clean
- Variable thermostat with fan delay
Cons
- Expensive
- Rated for 265-400 sq ft
- Needs hardwiring, possibly an electrician
- Works best mounted high on the wall
A tidy permanent install for a finished garage, but you pay a lot for the neat look.
Full Broan-NuTone 198 review →Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966
Pros
- UL and cUL listing from the manufacturer
- Three independent recommendations
- Enclosed motor suited to shop dust
- 3,000W and 6,000W settings
- Tilting louvers to aim heat
Cons
- Thermostat has no numbered settings and testers found it finicky
- No remote
- Hardwired, so most buyers need an electrician
- Fan-forced, so it is not quiet
The best choice for most garage and shop owners who can get 240V. It is well built, listed and widely recommended, and the main costs are the electrician and some thermostat fiddling.
Full Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Electric Garage & Workshop Heaters (120V/240V) of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.