Nearly all 120-volt space heaters generate up to 1,500 watts at their highest setting, ideal for heating rooms between 150 and 300 square feet. What do you do if you have a huge open-concept space or spacious primary bedroom? I thought I’d need multiple space heaters or a professional-grade heater. That was until I discovered the Dr. Infrared Original Heater—a compact unit that claims it can heat rooms to 1,000 square feet in size. Eager to see if this heater would live up to its promise, I tested one at home—just in time for the chilly fall weather. When the unit arrived, and I removed it from the packaging, I noticed a few manufacturing flaws right off the bat. There was a small chip in the wood finish on the top of the heater. Along with some minor scratches, there is also a small chip in the plastic covering the display. Although I was a bit disappointed with the construction quality, the issues were minor enough that it didn’t seem necessary to request a replacement. Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome. The Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater has a unique design that might not suit everyone’s taste or room decor. With its wood casing and square design, it resembles a vintage speaker. It isn’t my first choice in terms of design, but it’s small enough that it can be tucked into a corner of a room without drawing much attention. Another drawback to the Dr. Infrared Heater is its weight. At 25 pounds, it is a bit heavy to lift. On the plus side, there are wheels on the bottom so you can push it around the room. However, if you need to carry up and down the stairs, it is cumbersome. Aesthetics and minor design flaws aside, the Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater throws off a lot of heat for a small machine. It has a dual heating system, combining infrared heat and convection heat to distribute heat throughout a large space. The first time I used this space heater was on a crisp fall day—with temperatures in the mid-50s. Just seconds after turning it on low, I could already feel the heat emanating from the unit—even from more than six feet away. Within about an hour, the room felt significantly warmer. I was very impressed with its performance and its ability to heat my large primary bedroom evenly. I set the temperature at 70, and the room heated up in less than a half-hour, even with outdoor temperatures near freezing. Once the room reached the set temperature, the heater turned off and remained on standby mode until more heat was needed.
Is the space heater easy to use?
The Dr. Heater Infrared Portable Space Heater is easy to operate and offers plenty of intuitive features. The owner’s manual is easy to follow and includes clear diagrams. After taking a quick look at the instructions, I had the heater up and running within a few minutes. Push-button controls allow you to set the desired temperature, adjusted between 50 and 85 degrees. There are three power modes: High (1,500-watt operation), low (1,000-watt operation), and eco (computerized, energy-efficient mode). In all three modes, the heater will maintain the set temperature once the desired temperature is reached. However, the heater will automatically select between high and low power modes to heat the room in the most efficient, environmentally friendly way if in eco mode.
What are the noteworthy features?
I love that the Dr. Heater Infrared Portable Space Heater comes with a remote, allowing me to control the room’s temperature from the comfort of my bed. All of the buttons on the remote control function in the same way as those on the control panel. The only big inconvenience is that the space heater must be turned on manually before the remote control can be used. That means I couldn’t stay in bed in the early morning when temperatures dipped down to the 40s. Instead, I had to get up and walk over to the heater to start it. I wish I could turn on the unit with the remote. Another nice feature, which can only be activated using the remote control, is the timer. It can be set from one to 12 hours (in one-hour increments). While the timer offers added convenience and safety, I was surprised that it could only be set via the remote control. If the remote control was ever lost or not working properly, I wouldn’t be able to use the timer at all.
How is the noise level?
Considering the amount of heat the unit generates, I was surprised by its quiet operation. I was able to sleep soundly with the heater running throughout the night on all three modes: eco, high, and low. I also had no problem hearing my TV at normal volume while the heater was in use. If you are sensitive to noise, there is a night mode designed for quieter operation.
Does this space heater have any safety features?
The Dr. Heater Infrared is equipped with some great safety features to protect your home and reduce the risk of hazards. If the unit overheats for any reason, a protection system will cut off power to the unit. The power will also cut off automatically if the inlet air duct becomes obstructed. Another important safety feature is the tip-over switch. When tipped in any direction, the space heater will shut off automatically.
Is there any maintenance or upkeep required?
The manufacturer recommends that you clean the electrostatic filter once a month or as needed. I used the brush attachment on my vacuum for more precise cleaning. The filter is effortless to remove and reinsert. There is a spring-loaded slot on the back of the heater that makes this process a breeze.
Is the Dr. Infrared Portable Space Heater worth buying?
The Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater’s biggest selling point is its ability to heat a large room evenly and quickly. If you have a large space and are looking for an affordable yet highly effective space heater, the Dr. Infrared Portable Space Heater is a still solid choice despite its few flaws.
Dr. Infrared Portable Space Heater vs. Other Brands of Space Heaters
While most space heaters can handle anywhere between 150 and 300 square feet, the Dr. Infrared Portable Space Heater can warm up rooms up to 1,000 square feet—far more effectively than most of the competition. However, if you intend to heat a smaller room, another model might suit your needs. I also tested the Lasko Bladeless Ceramic Heater with Remote Control. It has a sleek, bladeless design and offers handy features like oscillation, a timer, and remote control. It’s best suited for use in rooms up to 300 square feet and performs efficiently. The Dr. Infrared Portable Space Heater is much more effective than most of the competition at warming up large rooms. Even though I discovered a few manufacturing flaws and felt the design could use some improvement, I was still impressed with the heater. I have used other brands of space heaters, and this is the only one that could quickly and evenly heat up my spacious primary bedroom.
