Comfort Zone CZQTV5M vs Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966
The short answer
Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 comes out ahead overall with 7.0/10 against 6.7/10 for the Comfort Zone CZQTV5M. Comfort Zone CZQTV5M is stronger on noise & sleep-friendliness. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 is stronger on safety, heating performance, health & materials and value. At current verified prices, the Comfort Zone CZQTV5M costs about $116.74 less.
- Choose the Comfort Zone CZQTV5M if: Anyone who wants silent overhead heat on a workbench or garage-gym spot for under $60 on a standard 120V circuit; it is not a whole-garage 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 | Comfort Zone CZQTV5M | Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 |
|---|---|---|
| Noise & Sleep-Friendliness | 9.3No blower; Bob Vila calls the heat silent. | 4.5Fan-forced unit heater, so the blower is audible at the bench. |
| Safety | 6.3Metal grille, overheat cutoff and mounted overhead, but no UL/ETL listing confirmed and weak screws. | 8.2Manufacturer-confirmed UL/cUL listing, thermally protected enclosed motor, mounted off the floor away from vapors. |
| Heating Performance | 3.51.5kW radiant spot heat only (about 150 sq ft). | 8.36kW suits a typical two-car garage; the thermostat has no numbered settings (Bob Vila, Popular Science). |
| Bedroom Usability | 6.0Pull-string with two settings, no thermostat or remote; easy 120V install. | 6.0Analog dial, no remote; hardwired, so you likely need an electrician. |
| Health & Materials | 7.5No fan stirring dust, no combustion; listing unverified. | 8.0Steel housing, sealed motor for dust, no combustion, no recall found. |
| Value | 7.5About $59, the cheapest pick, but limited capability. | 8.0$176 for 6kW, sold by Amazon; 1-year warranty. |
Specifications
| Spec | Comfort Zone CZQTV5M | Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 |
|---|---|---|
| Heater type | Quartz radiant ceiling-mount | Fan-forced wall/ceiling-mount unit heater (marketed as infrared) |
| Fanless (no blower) | Yes | No |
| Overheat protection | Yes | Yes |
| Safety listing (ETL/UL) | — | UL and cUL listed (manufacturer) |
| Thermostat type | None (pull-string 2 heat settings) | Analog thermostat, 37–104°F, High/Low |
| Remote control | — | No |
| Warranty | 1 years | 1 years |
| Manufacturer-rated coverage | 150 sq ft | 600 sq ft |
| Heating element / medium | Dual quartz tubes | — |
| Oscillation | No | No |
| Voltage | 120V | 240V single phase |
| Max wattage | 1,500 W | 6,000 W |
| Power connection | — | Hardwired (cord not included) |
Comfort Zone CZQTV5M
Pros
- Silent, no blower or dust stirring
- Budget price
- Tilting head and built-in light
- Plugs into a standard 120V outlet
Cons
- No thermostat, two heat settings only
- Heats a small area
- Safety listing not confirmed
- Weak bracket screws
A cheap, quiet way to add warmth over one spot. Treat it as a supplement, not a garage heater.
Full Comfort Zone CZQTV5M 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.