Broan-NuTone 198 vs Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI
Broan-NuTone 198
Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI
The short answer
Broan-NuTone 198 and Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI finish almost level in our scoring (6.3 vs 6.3 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. Broan-NuTone 198 is stronger on safety, heating performance and health & materials. Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI is stronger on noise & sleep-friendliness, bedroom usability and value. At current verified prices, the Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI costs about $254.01 less.
- Choose the Broan-NuTone 198 if: Owners of a finished or insulated attached garage who want a flush, permanent wall heater.
- Choose the Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI if: Owners of small or insulated garages and garage gyms with no 240V circuit who want app or voice control.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Broan-NuTone 198 | Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI |
|---|---|---|
| Noise & Sleep-Friendliness | 5.5In-wall fan with a moderate hum. | 6.0No rated dB; an owner (Slickdeals) reports audible fan noise; quieter than 240V blowers but not silent. |
| Safety | 8.0UL listed per the manufacturer, manual-reset overload, recessed. | 7.0Tip-over and overheat protection per Bob Vila (Woodsmith conflicts); no UL/ETL listing confirmed; wall-mounted. |
| Heating Performance | 6.54kW for 265–400 sq ft. | 4.51.5kW suits only small or insulated spaces. |
| Bedroom Usability | 5.0Needs a wall cut-out and a 10/2 circuit; the thermostat is unnumbered. | 8.5Wi-Fi, voice, digital thermostat and remote; the 3 ft cord limits placement. |
| Health & Materials | 8.0Steel grille with a removable faceplate; no combustion. | 7.0Plastic-fronted housing; no combustion; no recall found. |
| Value | 4.5$389 for 4kW is the weakest output per dollar. | 6.0$150 for 1.5kW is expensive, though you need no electrician. |
Specifications
| Spec | Broan-NuTone 198 | Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI |
|---|---|---|
| Heater type | Fan-forced recessed in-wall heater | Infrared wall-mount (plug-in) |
| Fanless (no blower) | No | No |
| Tip-over shutoff | — | Yes |
| Overheat protection | Yes | Yes |
| Cool-touch exterior | — | Yes |
| Safety listing (ETL/UL) | UL Listed (not cUL) | Not confirmed (Reviewed claims ETL; not found on manufacturer or retailer pages) |
| Thermostat type | Built-in disc-type thermostat, infinite settings (optional wall thermostat) | Digital, 40–99°F; Wi-Fi app/Alexa/Google |
| Remote control | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 years | 1 years |
| Weight | — | 9 lb |
| Manufacturer-rated coverage | 400 sq ft | — |
| Oscillation | No | — |
| Voltage | 240V (208V supported) | 120V |
| Max wattage | 4,000 W | 1,500 W |
| Power connection | Hardwired in-wall | 120V plug (about 3 ft cord) |
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 →Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI
Pros
- Broadest set of recommendations among 120V picks
- Digital thermostat with Wi-Fi and voice control
- Touch-safe grill
- Plugs into a standard outlet
- Overheat protection
Cons
- Only about a 3 ft cord
- Pricey for 1,500W
- Not silent per one owner report
- Safety listing not confirmed
The best 120V option for small, insulated spaces if you value controls. Weigh the price against its limited output.
Full Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI 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.