Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 vs Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI
Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988
Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI
The short answer
Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 and Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI finish almost level in our scoring (6.4 vs 6.3 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 is stronger on heating performance, health & materials and value. Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI is stronger on noise & sleep-friendliness, safety and bedroom usability. At current verified prices, the Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI costs about $16.43 less.
- 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.
- 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-988 | Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI |
|---|---|---|
| Noise & Sleep-Friendliness | 4.5Fan-forced blower. | 6.0No rated dB; an owner (Slickdeals) reports audible fan noise; quieter than 240V blowers but not silent. |
| Safety | 6.3UL/cUL per retailers and a high-limit cutoff, but used at floor level and no confirmed tip-over switch. | 7.0Tip-over and overheat protection per Bob Vila (Woodsmith conflicts); no UL/ETL listing confirmed; wall-mounted. |
| Heating Performance | 7.85.6kW suits up to about a two-car garage. | 4.51.5kW suits only small or insulated spaces. |
| Bedroom Usability | 6.5Plug-and-play with a 6-30R outlet; otherwise you need an electrician. | 8.5Wi-Fi, voice, digital thermostat and remote; the 3 ft cord limits placement. |
| Health & Materials | 7.5Steel body, guarded grills, no combustion. | 7.0Plastic-fronted housing; no combustion; no recall found. |
| Value | 7.5About $151 for 5.6kW; adding an outlet may cost extra. | 6.0$150 for 1.5kW is expensive, though you need no electrician. |
Specifications
| Spec | Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 | Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI |
|---|---|---|
| Heater type | Fan-forced portable (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 (retailer listing) | Not confirmed (Reviewed claims ETL; not found on manufacturer or retailer pages) |
| Thermostat type | Analog dial, 37–113°F | 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 / 208V | 120V |
| Max wattage | 5,600 W | 1,500 W |
| Power connection | 6 ft cord with NEMA 6-30P plug (needs 30A 240V 6-30R outlet) | 120V plug (about 3 ft cord) |
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 →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.