How to Pick the Right Infrared Heater for Your Bathroom
When you’re picking out an infrared heater for the bathroom, your first instinct might be to just go for the most powerful one on the shelf. But here’s the thing: bigger isn’t always better. If you overdo it, you’re just throwing money away on your electric bill—or worse, turning your bathroom into a sauna. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where the heat actually reaches you without overheating the room. Finding your match If you’ve got a tiny powder room (anything under 4m²), a 400W to 600W lamp is plenty. These little spaces warm up fast. If you put something too powerful in there, you’ll feel like you’re standing too close to a campfire. For a standard mid-sized bathroom (between 4m² and 8m²), you’ll want to bump that up to 800W or 1000W. Since there’s more air for the heat to wander off into, you need a bit more punch. My advice? Put the lamp right where you actually spend your time—like above the shower or the vanity. That way, you get a cozy pocket of warmth exactly where you need it. Then there are those big, luxury bathrooms over 10m². One lamp just won’t cut it there. Instead of one giant heater, try a few smaller ones—maybe two or three 600W units. It spreads the warmth around so you don’t have one scorching hot spot and a freezing cold corner. A few things to keep in mind Infrared is great because it warms you, not the air. That’s why it feels so good in a damp bathroom. But remember, higher wattage means the glass gets seriously hot. If you’re tucking a 1200W lamp into a tight ceiling, make sure there’s plenty of breathing room. You don’t want the housing to get scorched. The boring (but important) electrical stuff Do yourself a favor and put these on their own dedicated circuit. These heaters pull a lot of power the second you flip the switch. If you’re installing a few of them in one room, double-check that your breaker can handle the load. And if you want to be smart about it, install a dimmer or a power controller. It lets you dial back the heat in the summer and crank it up in the winter. It’s a simple move that keeps your energy bills from spiking.