The Best Garage Heaters For Home Gyms To Keep Your Training Consistent All Year (2025)

We know that the name “MRCOOL” sounds like it’s about to freeze you out, but this mini-split heat pump is a unit that works double time: it heats and cools. The MRCOOL mini-split was also featured on our best AC for garage gyms round-up. Just the simple fact that it’s an all-in-one climate control system earns it a 5 out of 5 for functionality, but it also comes with a convenient remote control (or you can work it from an app on your mobile device).

Although there are many folks on the internet who will tell you the MRCOOL units are DIY and easy to install, the website explicitly states this mini split heat pump is intended to be installed by a professional HVAC technician. 

The kit from Amazon does include everything needed for installation (including 16 feet of copper lines, control wire, and a 6-foot drain hose and wall sleeve), but we highly recommend getting a skilled professional to install the line set and electrical components. Because it should be installed professionally—an added cost—we rate the installation process at 3.5 out of 5.

Although Coop Mitchell, GGR founder and OG product tester, has recently moved to a new house, he had a MRCOOL unit in his previous garage gym to enjoy the year-round temperature control. “I wouldn’t have to wear my down jacket just to warm up my squats anymore,” Coop jokes.

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The unit comes with a smart controller that can also sync to your smartphone via Wi-Fi, so you can use your phone as a wireless remote control. From your smartphone, you can control the adjustable louvers (the unit’s slats), start sleep mode, and manipulate heat settings, even when the outdoor temps are below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. 

With a BTU (British Thermal Units) rating of 9,000 BTUs, this unit is estimated to comfortably heat up to 350 square feet, which can be suitable enough for a one-car garage or a small two-car garage. People with 400 square feet or larger may want to consider looking at a larger unit, but if this mini-split heat pump fits your needs, its functionality and competitive pricing can be worthwhile (we rate the value at 4.5 out of 5, as well).

Although this NewAir Electric Heater is small, it certainly packs a punch. In fact, this small, portable garage heater can heat up to 600 square feet with a powerful stainless steel coiled heating element and a fan-forced hot air method. It also features a rugged stainless steel exterior with a powder coat finish designed to hold up to industrial environments. Accordingly, it gets a 5 out of 5 for its materials and durability.

Along with the elevated build quality, this heater boasts a convenient carrying handle as well as wall-mounting capabilities. At around 16 pounds, this can be a nice, portable, and compact option for tight spaces, too.

Although this unit will get the job done for a standard two-car garage, it’s not very energy efficient and requires a 240-volt receptacle (which are the same outlets used for heavy-duty appliances like your washer and dryer, or many of the best home saunas). 

Since 240-volt outlets are household rarities outside of the laundry room, some athletes will likely need an electrician to install the required electrical needs, thus increasing your overall costs. Afterward, it’s as simple as plugging the machine in, but due to the odd electrical requirement, we rate the installation at 3.5 out of 5.

Even with the drawbacks, this heater could be the right option for your gym if you have a 240-volt outlet or you can get one installed easily. At around $150 for one unit, it’s also budget-friendly, earning a 4 out of 5 for value.

We also like the fact that there are no flammable materials in this heater (like gas or propane) that produce unpleasant fumes, which is ideal if you have kids (or pets), so you can keep the family fitness routine going. Plus, there is an automatic shut-off safety feature that turns off the heater if it gets close to overheating. 

The GoFlame Electric heater is the best choice for those who just need to take the chill out of the air, or if your garage gym is fairly small. The heat output on this portable unit isn’t remarkable with a top setting of 1,500 watts, but it could be the right fit for some folks—all for under $100, too. It easily earns a 5 out of 5 for its value. 

The low BTU rating of about 5,100 BTU earns it a 1 out of 5 for its potential coverage, but this portable unit heater can still take the bite out of colder days in smaller home gyms. Additionally, this heater has three heat settings along with an adjustable thermostat. 

The heavy-duty caster wheels allow for easy transport from the garage to the house and back again, making it a versatile heater for multiple areas. We rate its functionality at 4 out of 5 for this nice added perk, as well. It’s also small and easy to stow away (just like our top picks for the best compact exercise equipment for small gyms). 

The GoFlame unit is constructed with permanently sealed, oil-filled thermal slots that provide radiant heat. The thermal slot design allows the surface temperature to stay relatively low on this space heater, so you won’t accidentally scald yourself—a more-than-handy perk if you have kids or pets running around. 

Speaking of kids and pets, you’ll like knowing that this heater has a tip-over automatic shut-off switch and an overheat protection. 

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To utilize the entire space of a large garage, the wall-hung Mr. Heater Big Maxx is a fantastic choice. Available in 50,000, 80,000, or 125,000 BTUs, this ceiling-mounted heater can cover most garages or larger without taking up any floor space. The 80,000-BTU unit, which is the one we’ve taken a look at, can cover over 2,600 square feet, according to the company. It earns a 5-out-of-5 score for its coverage.

The Mr. Heater Big Maxx can be an ideal choice for folks living in an area with natural gas available.  Additionally, this unit comes with a conversion kit to hook up to a propane tank fuel source instead of natural gas, but we think it’s best hung from your wall or ceiling and connected to natural gas. The heater comes with ceiling mount brackets so you can hang this unit and not compromise your floor space. 

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Similar to the MRCOOL mini-split heat pump, I’d highly recommend hiring an HVAC professional to install this unit—unless you have experience in this construction field. The shop heater will not only need to be hung with the ceiling brackets, but it will also need to be piped to your natural gas line or propane tank with proper ventilation surrounding the profile for heat dissipation. Because most people will need to hire a professional, we rate the installation process at 2 out of 5.

I think it’s also worth mentioning, too, that the thermostat, hose, and regulator are not included in the purchase of the Mr. Heater Big Maxx. These additional costs can add up, so we rate the value here at 3.5 out of 5. Still, it’s fantastic for larger rooms and garages; just make sure to factor in the extra equipment and installation costs.

This Mr. Heater Vent-Free Blue Flame is an ideal option for smaller garages and those who live in an area with natural gas. This small unit works as a freestanding shop heater on the floor, or it can be wall-mounted to help save space. 

Turning on this Mr. Heater unit won’t require an electric power source. Instead, it’s powered by natural gas (aside from the battery-powered pilot ignition). All you need to do is turn the blue flame pilot light on and choose one of the five power settings. The website rates this unit to heat up to 1,000 square feet, but we recommend this for smaller garages, still.

That’s primarily because the blower kit is sold separately. The Mr. Heater Blue Flame does provide radiant heat from the flame, but with the blower kit, or fan, it won’t spread throughout the room very easily. For a larger space, the fan would be a good idea, but it’ll be another cost to add. With the blower kit, we’d rate the coverage at 4 out of 5.

With the two different mounting options as well as a low-oxygen shut-off system for safety purposes, the unit earns a 4 out of 5 for its features. It’s still worth mentioning, however, that this heater is not a vented heating option, which means it’s not recommended for small, enclosed spaces like bathrooms or bedrooms.

At just over $200, this is a fairly-priced heating unit, even though it doesn’t come with a fan or all necessary installation pieces. However, the unit does have a bundle option that’s still under $250, making it a good value. We rate the Mr. Heater Vent- Free Blue Flame at 4 out of 5 for the category.

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If you’re looking for zoned or direct heat in your gym or workspace, then the Heat Storm Infrared is the option for you. It’s not great if you’re looking to make the entire garage space warmer or increase the air temperature, though. 

Infrared heat works differently than traditional electric heat or radiant heat. Infrared methods have the ability to emit a lot of heat in a very focused direction through infrared waves. You can also think of this type of heat as warming an object, not the air. It’s rated at 5,200 BTU, which should cover a small garage, but with the directional heat flow, we rate the coverage at 2 out of 5.

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That said, if you use the Heat Storm unit on the optional tripod by your treadmill while you do some cardio exercises at home, you should be fine. It will need to be plugged in, but a normal 110-volt outlet will do the trick. Infrared heat works pretty much instantly, plus it’s silent, odorless, and does not have any fumes. For its plug-and-go installation, it earns a 5 out of 5.

GGR operations manager, Sam “AsSAMbly” Presley, swears by infrared heating, using it in his own home and workspaces. “It’s absolutely the way to go for garage gyms, if you ask me,” adds Sam. “Maybe general homeowners, too.”

This unit is also weather resistant with an IPX4 waterproof rating, so you can use it outdoors as a porch or patio heater, as well. Accordingly, we rate the materials at 4 out of 5. It’s best not to leave it out during torrential downpours, though. 

On Amazon, you’ll have the option to buy the heater alone, with a tripod, roll cage, or with a compatible ceiling mount. This choice also won’t break the bank—earning it a 5 out of 5 for value—so you’ll still have funds for all your home gym essentials currently sitting in your cart. Depending on the optional mounts you choose, this will cost you (at most) $170—and that option includes all three mounting capabilities.