Space Heaters · Head-to-head
Comfort Zone CZQTV5M vs Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988
Best Plug-In 240V Portable
Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988
6.4/10
$151.42 at Amazon
Check price at Amazon
The short answer
Comfort Zone CZQTV5M comes out ahead overall with 6.7/10 against 6.4/10 for the Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988. Comfort Zone CZQTV5M is stronger on noise & sleep-friendliness. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 is stronger on heating performance and bedroom usability. At current verified prices, the Comfort Zone CZQTV5M costs about $92.17 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-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 | Comfort Zone CZQTV5M | Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 |
|---|---|---|
| Noise & Sleep-Friendliness | 9.3No blower; Bob Vila calls the heat silent. | 4.5Fan-forced blower. |
| Safety | 6.3Metal grille, overheat cutoff and mounted overhead, but no UL/ETL listing confirmed and weak screws. | 6.3UL/cUL per retailers and a high-limit cutoff, but used at floor level and no confirmed tip-over switch. |
| Heating Performance | 3.51.5kW radiant spot heat only (about 150 sq ft). | 7.85.6kW suits up to about a two-car garage. |
| Bedroom Usability | 6.0Pull-string with two settings, no thermostat or remote; easy 120V install. | 6.5Plug-and-play with a 6-30R outlet; otherwise you need an electrician. |
| Health & Materials | 7.5No fan stirring dust, no combustion; listing unverified. | 7.5Steel body, guarded grills, no combustion. |
| Value | 7.5About $59, the cheapest pick, but limited capability. | 7.5About $151 for 5.6kW; adding an outlet may cost extra. |
Specifications
| Spec | Comfort Zone CZQTV5M | Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 |
|---|---|---|
| Heater type | Quartz radiant ceiling-mount | Fan-forced portable (marketed as infrared) |
| Fanless (no blower) | Yes | No |
| Overheat protection | Yes | Yes |
| Safety listing (ETL/UL) | — | UL and cUL listed (retailer listing) |
| Thermostat type | None (pull-string 2 heat settings) | Analog dial, 37–113°F |
| 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 / 208V |
| Max wattage | 1,500 W | 5,600 W |
| Power connection | — | 6 ft cord with NEMA 6-30P plug (needs 30A 240V 6-30R outlet) |
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-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.