Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 vs Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI
Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI
The short answer
Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 comes out ahead overall with 7.0/10 against 6.3/10 for the Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 is stronger on safety, heating performance, health & materials and value. Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI is stronger on noise & sleep-friendliness and bedroom usability. At current verified prices, the Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI costs about $41.00 less.
- 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.
- 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 | Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 | Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI |
|---|---|---|
| Noise & Sleep-Friendliness | 4.5Fan-forced unit heater, so the blower is audible at the bench. | 6.0No rated dB; an owner (Slickdeals) reports audible fan noise; quieter than 240V blowers but not silent. |
| Safety | 8.2Manufacturer-confirmed UL/cUL listing, thermally protected enclosed motor, mounted off the floor away from vapors. | 7.0Tip-over and overheat protection per Bob Vila (Woodsmith conflicts); no UL/ETL listing confirmed; wall-mounted. |
| Heating Performance | 8.36kW suits a typical two-car garage; the thermostat has no numbered settings (Bob Vila, Popular Science). | 4.51.5kW suits only small or insulated spaces. |
| Bedroom Usability | 6.0Analog dial, no remote; hardwired, so you likely need an electrician. | 8.5Wi-Fi, voice, digital thermostat and remote; the 3 ft cord limits placement. |
| Health & Materials | 8.0Steel housing, sealed motor for dust, no combustion, no recall found. | 7.0Plastic-fronted housing; no combustion; no recall found. |
| Value | 8.0$176 for 6kW, sold by Amazon; 1-year warranty. | 6.0$150 for 1.5kW is expensive, though you need no electrician. |
Specifications
| Spec | Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 | Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI |
|---|---|---|
| Heater type | Fan-forced wall/ceiling-mount unit heater (marketed as infrared) | 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 and cUL listed (manufacturer) | Not confirmed (Reviewed claims ETL; not found on manufacturer or retailer pages) |
| Thermostat type | Analog thermostat, 37–104°F, High/Low | Digital, 40–99°F; Wi-Fi app/Alexa/Google |
| Remote control | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 years | 1 years |
| Weight | — | 9 lb |
| Manufacturer-rated coverage | 600 sq ft | — |
| Oscillation | No | — |
| Voltage | 240V single phase | 120V |
| Max wattage | 6,000 W | 1,500 W |
| Power connection | Hardwired (cord not included) | 120V plug (about 3 ft cord) |
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 →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.