Space Heaters

Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966

#1 · Best Overall
7.0 /10 Our score
Lowest verified price $175.99 Amazon
Our verdict
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.

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

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Last reviewed October 31, 2026
Review

What to know about Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966

A 240V hardwired wall or ceiling unit heater with 3,000/6,000W settings, a 37–104°F thermostat, five-way louvers and a sealed ball-bearing motor. Bob Vila named it best commercial-grade and praised its hardware, Popular Science named it best 240V, and Woodsmith listed it as runner-up. It is a strong-value whole-garage option.
Editorial notes

Why it stands out

Why we like it

Its record is the strongest of any 240V unit we looked at. Bob Vila named it best commercial-grade and called it one of the nicest hardwired shop heaters it had tried, citing higher-quality hardware and locking angle knobs. Popular Science named it best 240V and Woodsmith listed it as runner-up. Dr. Heater USA lists it as UL and cUL listed.

The totally enclosed ball-bearing motor suits a dusty shop, and the two power settings (3,000W and 6,000W) let you hold a space steady rather than run flat out. Tilting louvers let you aim the heat.

What to know

Skip it if you cannot run or already lack a 240V circuit, or if you want a remote or a precise numbered thermostat.
Performance

Score breakdown

Noise & Sleep-Friendliness

Independent noise results (CR noise score, measured dB from Bob Vila, Tom's Guide and Reviewed) count above manufacturer dB claims. Fanless designs, low-speed or ECO operation, and no harsh clicking or beeping all help.

4.5
Fan-forced unit heater, so the blower is audible at the bench.
Safety

Tip-over and overheat shutoff, ETL/UL listing, hot-surface and exhaust temperatures (CR), child lock, and the brand's recall history.

8.2
Manufacturer-confirmed UL/cUL listing, thermally protected enclosed motor, mounted off the floor away from vapors.
Heating Performance

How quickly and evenly the heater warms a typical 150–250 sq ft bedroom in independent tests.

8.3
6kW suits a typical two-car garage; the thermostat has no numbered settings (Bob Vila, Popular Science).
Bedroom Usability

Thermostat precision (digital vs. mechanical), sleep/auto-off timer, remote, display brightness, size and weight, and how easy it is to place 3 ft from bedding.

6.0
Analog dial, no remote; hardwired, so you likely need an electrician.
Health & Materials

Whether a fan stirs up dust, first-use odors, flame-retardant (V-0) housings, filters, and repairability and warranty length.

8.0
Steel housing, sealed motor for dust, no combustion, no recall found.
Value

Street price relative to performance, safety and warranty.

8.0
$176 for 6kW, sold by Amazon; 1-year warranty.
Specifications

Dr. Infrared Heater DR-966 specs

Design

Heater type
Fan-forced wall/ceiling-mount unit heater (marketed as infrared)

Noise

Fanless (no blower)
No

Safety

Overheat protection
Yes
Safety listing (ETL/UL)
UL and cUL listed (manufacturer)

Controls

Thermostat type
Analog thermostat, 37–104°F, High/Low
Remote control
No

Ownership

Warranty
1 years

Performance

Manufacturer-rated coverage
600 sq ft
Oscillation
No

Electrical

Voltage
240V single phase
Max wattage
6000 W
Power connection
Hardwired (cord not included)
Shopping

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RetailerPriceAvailability
AmazonLowest $175.99 $359.99 In Stock View deal
Lowest verified price $175.99
30-day low $175.70
90-day average $175.86
90-day low $175.70

Based on 4 retailer price observations captured during the last 90 days.

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