Broan-NuTone 198 vs Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988
Broan-NuTone 198
Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988
The short answer
Broan-NuTone 198 and Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 finish almost level in our scoring (6.3 vs 6.4 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. Broan-NuTone 198 is stronger on noise & sleep-friendliness, safety and health & materials. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 is stronger on heating performance, bedroom usability and value. At current verified prices, the Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 costs about $237.58 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-988 if: Owners of a shop that already has a NEMA 6-30R welder or compressor outlet who want 240V heat without hardwiring.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Broan-NuTone 198 | Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 |
|---|---|---|
| Noise & Sleep-Friendliness | 5.5In-wall fan with a moderate hum. | 4.5Fan-forced blower. |
| Safety | 8.0UL listed per the manufacturer, manual-reset overload, recessed. | 6.3UL/cUL per retailers and a high-limit cutoff, but used at floor level and no confirmed tip-over switch. |
| Heating Performance | 6.54kW for 265–400 sq ft. | 7.85.6kW suits up to about a two-car garage. |
| Bedroom Usability | 5.0Needs a wall cut-out and a 10/2 circuit; the thermostat is unnumbered. | 6.5Plug-and-play with a 6-30R outlet; otherwise you need an electrician. |
| Health & Materials | 8.0Steel grille with a removable faceplate; no combustion. | 7.5Steel body, guarded grills, no combustion. |
| Value | 4.5$389 for 4kW is the weakest output per dollar. | 7.5About $151 for 5.6kW; adding an outlet may cost extra. |
Specifications
| Spec | Broan-NuTone 198 | Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 |
|---|---|---|
| Heater type | Fan-forced recessed in-wall heater | Fan-forced portable (marketed as infrared) |
| Fanless (no blower) | No | No |
| Overheat protection | Yes | Yes |
| Safety listing (ETL/UL) | UL Listed (not cUL) | UL and cUL listed (retailer listing) |
| Thermostat type | Built-in disc-type thermostat, infinite settings (optional wall thermostat) | Analog dial, 37–113°F |
| 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 / 208V |
| Max wattage | 4,000 W | 5,600 W |
| Power connection | Hardwired in-wall | 6 ft cord with NEMA 6-30P plug (needs 30A 240V 6-30R outlet) |
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-988
Pros
- 5,600W output
- Plugs into a 6-30R outlet
- Thermostat 37-113°F
- Listed UL and cUL by retailers
- Finger-proof grills
Cons
- Needs a 30A 240V outlet, and testers had trouble finding one
- Floor use only per the manual
- No tip-over switch confirmed
- Fan noise
A sensible choice for shops that already have the outlet. Otherwise a mounted unit is a better fit.
Full Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 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.