Best Ceiling Heater 2021 Review and Buying Guide

Michael
Satti

Whether you call frigid South Dakota home or merely have a few cold weeks a year like us Texans, having heat at your workstation is a must. Many shops are open-air and thus require localized heat at individual workstations or shop gathering areas. In these cases, a high-quality ceiling heater provides an excellent heating option.

Some ceiling heaters provide only heat while others incorporate lighting elements or even a ventilation aspect. This enables them to perform double or triple duties in your home or workshop.

To help you make the best possible choice, we sorted through dozens of options and compiled this guide so you can choose the best ceiling heater for your workshop.

What is a Ceiling Heater?

A ceiling heater is a device designed to radiate heat to bring a room, space, or area to a cozy temperature. It is usually electric and uses heating elements to generate heat.

It also has a blower component designed to move the air. They are usually quiet, though several make a faintly creaking noise when you switch them on for the first time. Ceiling heaters come in a wide variety of sizes, heating power, construction, and features.

Buying Guide: Parameters to Selecting a Good Ceiling Heater

Before going shopping for a ceiling heater, consider the following factors. These will enable you to make the best buying decision when it is time to purchase your desired product:

Construction

Since your ceiling heater will most likely face regular use for most parts of the year, it makes sense to go for one that is rugged enough to last for several years. The best ceiling heaters feature heavy-gauge steel construction that protects them from accidental contact. They are also designed to stay cool to the touch even when in use.

Power and Heating Capacity

The power of a ceiling heater determines whether or not it has the capacity to heat large spaces. With ceiling heaters being affixed to high positions and remaining stationary, strong power is a must.

Consider ceiling heater power that starts around 1,250 watts. It should be able to run up as high as 5,000 watts, though some models reach up to 10,000 watts or even more.

Size

First of all, consider how low a ceiling heater hangs. Although it may be up high on the ceiling, it can still be a hazard, especially for residential heigh ceilings (8′ or 9′). Typically if the ceiling heater is flush with your ceiling, the chances of banging your head against it will be incredibly low.

Secondly and finally, the larger a ceiling heater is, the heavier you should expect it to be. This can be a hindrance when trying to suspend it from the ceiling on your own. Some ceiling heaters weigh less than 10 pounds, but our picks rang up to 60 pounds in weight.

Installation

Most ceiling heaters are electric and, therefore, must be hardwired right into your shop’s electrical system via appropriate power cables. Depending on the application, running ductwork or building a support gantry may be required.

Top 4 Ceiling Heater Options Available

Comfort Zone CZ220 Fan-Forced Ceiling Mount Heater

space heater ceiling mount

The Comfort Zone CZ220 is a 5,000-watt space-saving ceiling heater with durable steel construction and targeted heating. It is designed primarily for ceiling mounting and hard-wired installation.

This ends up saving valuable floor space in a workshop, packed garage, warehouse, or a storage area.

The Comfort Zone CZ220 has a dual knob thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature easily to just the perfect level for your garage or space.

There’s a smart safety feature that immediately shuts off the fan-forced heater if it reaches unsafe temperatures.

Key Features

  • Built-in sensor switches
  • Dual knob controls
  • Targeted heating

Product Specifications

Product weight16 lbs.
Heating methodFan and forced air
Thermostat includedYes
Dimensions17.25 x 13.7 x 14.5 inches
Watts3,000-5,000
Warranty1 year

Pros

  • Economical
  • Ultra-quiet fan and easy to hook up
  • Adjusting the direction of airflow is relatively easy

Cons

  • Unit doesn’t come with a cord
  • Some complaints that the thermostat is not sensitive enough to hold steady temperatures

Comfort Zone CZ230ER Digital Fan-Forced Ceiling Mount Heater

The Comfort Zone CZ230ER is a digital fan-forced ceiling heater with a space-saving design. It is crafted from heavy gauge steel.

The steel stands up well to the fluctuation of temperatures in poorly insulated areas.

The ceiling heater has targeted heating, allowing direction of the airflow towards drafty areas or a workstation. This means the warmth goes where it is needed the most.

The Comfort Zone CZ230ER has an overheat protection sensor that automatically switches off the heater when it reaches unsafe temperatures. This helps to prevent the unit from getting damaged.

Key Features

  • Rugged construction
  • Easy digital controls
  • Overheat protection sensor

Product Specifications

Product weight25.4 lbs.
Heating methodFan and forced air
Thermostat includedYes
Dimension17.5 x 13.6 x 14.2 inches
Watts7,500
Warranty1 year

Pros

  • Users are pleased with the heater and customer service
  • High wattage allows for rapid heating
  • The fan is ultra-quiet
  • Its remote control adds convenience.

Cons

  • A user complained that the heater kept shutting off incessantly and prematurely while ambient temperature kept rising
  • Another user complained that the lag bolt the unit comes with is too short for securing it through the drywall.

Thermosphere Workshop Heater

Thermosphere Workshop Heater

The Thermosphere Workshop Heater comes with a stainless steel NiCr heating element and is an ideal choice for workshops, garages, warehouses, and open, drafty areas. Its digital thermostat has 2 settings: 5,000 watts and 7,500 watts, making it easy for you to choose the desired heat level.

The heater’s motor is enclosed for extended life and protection. The vertical or horizontal mounting bracket gives you a placement choice to mount on your ceiling or wall. The Thermosphere Workshop Heater has adjustable angles with safety locks that direct heat to the spot where it is needed. It has a 24-hour timer as well as a thermal safety cutoff.

Key Features

  • Stainless steel NiCr heating element
  • Thermal safety cutoff and 24-hour timer
  • Digital thermostats with 2 distinct settings

Product Specifications

Product weight (ship)27.18 lbs.
Heating methodForced air
Thermostat includedYes
Dimension17 9/10 x 13¾ x 14 3/8 inches
Watts5,000/7,500
Warranty1 year limited warranty

Pros

  • It comes at an excellent, pocket-friendly price point, despite its extras
  • Excellent remote options
  • Easy to operate

Cons

  • The only way to operate the unit is via the remote

TPI Suspended Salamander Heater

Heat wave electric heater

The TPI Suspended Salamander Heater, powder-coated in safety yellow, is a ceiling-mounted unit that is useful in workshops and garages. It can be set to a constant temperature, thanks to its thermostat and blower. It comes with a thermal cutoff safety device as well as mounting hardware for easy installation.

The TPI Suspended Salamander Heater’s magnetic switch allows for fan operation only. It is protected by 20-gauge steel with both front and rear wire mesh guards.

Key Features

  • 20-gauge steel front and rear wire mesh guards
  • Thermal cutoff safety device
  • Magnetic switch that guarantees fan operation only

Product Specifications

Product weight (Ship)60.0 lbs.
Heating methodForced air
Thermostat includedYes
Dimensions24 x 24 x 36
Watts 15,000
Warranty1 year limited warranty

Pros

  • It comes with mounting hardware for easy installation.
  • Solid reports regarding customer service.

Cons

  • A user said it is a great product, but its lack of remote control or wall-mounted thermostat is a no-no.

Final Thoughts

Heaters are indispensable, especially during winter or to keep the chills away. For an environment that requires consistent heating, a dependable ceiling heater is a better use of space than a floor space heater.

We’ve presented four great options and while a buyer can’t go wrong with any of these choices, we have our biases. It’s easy to envision the TPI Suspended Salamander Heater in an enterprise set-up with dedicated electricians taking the time to optimize the set-up. But in most scenarios, the TPI Suspended Salamander Heater’s higher price tag and lack of remote control remove it from consideration.

Our ultimate recommendation depends on where the heater is being used. For home workshops, the Comfort Zone CZ220 Fan-Forced Ceiling Mount Heater is fine to get the job done. Multi-bay installations demand the additional power put forth by the Comfort Zone CZ230ER Digital Fan-Forced Ceiling Mount Heater.

Happy shopping and stay warm my friends.