Best Tubular Greenhouse Heaters for Reliable Plant Protection

Choosing the right heater for a greenhouse requires matching heating style, coverage, controls, and safety features to your plants’ needs. Below is a quick summary table of the selected tubular and tubular-style greenhouse heaters from Amazon, followed by detailed product sections and an in-depth buying guide to help compare options.

Product	Brand	Heating Type / Key Feature
DR Infrared Heater DR-268	DR. INFRARED HEATER	Infrared Tubular, IPX5 Water Resistance, Digital Thermostat
DR. INFRARED HEATER DR218-1500W	DR. INFRARED HEATER	1500W Infrared Tube, IPX4 Splash Protection, Simple Single Setting
1500W Greenhouse Heater With APP Remote	SwSun	Smart Control, Wi‑Fi App, Multiple Protections
Outdoor Heaters For Patio (Riseon)	Riseon	PTC Ceramic / 3 Modes, Remote, Child Lock
Greenhouse Heater With Digital Thermostat	Joanolga	1500W Electric, Two Modes, Adjustable Thermostat

Dr Infrared Heater DR-268 Smart Greenhouse Heater

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This model is positioned as a water-resistant infrared tubular heater suitable for indoor and semi-outdoor greenhouse environments. The product lists an IPX5 water resistance rating and claims instant, odorless infrared warmth, which is effective at heating plants, soil, and benches directly rather than relying solely on air temperature.

Key listed features include a digital display and corded probe thermostat for monitoring and controlling ambient temperature, selectable Auto or Manual modes, and multiple mounting options (wall, ceiling, or hanging). Those mounting choices are typical of tubular infrared heaters and allow directing heat where plants need it most.

For growers prioritizing targeted radiant heat, the DR-268’s infrared approach and built-in temperature probe support maintaining stable greenhouse conditions. The IPX5 rating implies greater tolerance to moisture and occasional splashing compared with non-rated units.

DR. INFRARED HEATER DR218-1500W Greenhouse Heater

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The DR218 is described as a simple 1500W infrared tubular heater intended for small greenhouses up to about 150 sq. ft. Its construction includes an IPX4 rating for protection against water splashes, and the unit emphasizes direct radiant heating that warms objects and plant surfaces.

This product lists a single operating setting, focusing on straightforward operation rather than advanced controls. The simpler interface may suit users who want a stable heat source without frequent adjustments. The tube-style design and mounting flexibility common to DR. INFRARED models allow placement above benches or along walls.

As with other infrared tubular units, the DR218’s benefit is delivering radiant heat that can be more effective at maintaining root-zone and plant-surface temperatures than air-only space heaters, particularly in drafty greenhouse structures.

1500W Greenhouse Heater With APP Remote Control

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This SwSun model adds Wi‑Fi smart control to greenhouse heating. It supports APP-based temperature setting, real-time monitoring, and high/low alarm alerts. The listed protections include overheat and tip-over safeguards, which are relevant for safety in occupied or small greenhouse spaces.

Smart remote access enables temperature adjustments from off-site and push notifications when thresholds are breached. The product marketing highlights multiple protections and a smart control panel, aligning with growers who want remote monitoring and automation for sensitive crops.

While the listing does not emphasize a tubular infrared emitter specifically, the unit is positioned as a portable outdoor/greenhouse heater with a focus on connectivity and safety layering, helpful for growers who need alerts and remote management of temperature events.

Outdoor Heaters For Patio, 1500W Electric Garage Heater

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The Riseon heater is marketed as a 1500W PTC ceramic heater suitable for patios, garages, and greenhouses. It emphasizes multiple modes (ECO/Low/Middle/High) and comes with a remote control and touch controls for convenience.

Safety features called out include ETL certification, overheat protection, a child lock, and a built-in brace to reduce tipping. The thermostat behavior is described as mode-based, where the device cycles heating to maintain set ranges rather than providing continuous high-power infrared output.

For greenhouse use, this unit represents an air‑moving electric heater option that delivers convective warmth and circulation rather than focused radiant tubular heat. The remote and mode presets suit operators who prefer simpler preset temperature bands and hands-off control.

Greenhouse Heater With Digital Thermostat, 1500W Electric

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The Joanolga-listed greenhouse heater is a 1500W electric unit with two modes: a low-power fan-only mode and a full fan-plus-heater mode. The package includes a digital thermostat with an adjustable range of 40°F–108°F (5°C–42°C), and the heater incorporates an internal overheat protection thermostat.

The description highlights up to 5118 BTU output and operation for small greenhouse areas. The ability to use the thermostat independently with other heaters is noted, offering flexibility when integrating with existing greenhouse controls.

This product represents a convective fan heater approach with an integrated/provided thermostat, aimed at growers who prioritise controllable air temperature and a dual fan/heater option for off-season ventilation needs.

Buying Guide: How To Choose The Right Tubular Greenhouse Heater

Selecting a heater for a greenhouse involves assessing multiple factors beyond raw wattage. The following considerations will help match a heater to your structure, plants, and operation style.

Heating Method: Radiant Tubular vs Convective Heaters

Radiant (Infrared) Tubular Heaters warm objects, plant surfaces, and soil directly. They are efficient in drafty or uninsulated structures because less energy is lost heating moving air. Look for IP ratings and mounting options to place radiant tubes overhead or on walls for uniform coverage.

Convective / Fan Heaters (PTC, ceramic, or fan-forced electric) warm greenhouse air and circulate it. These are useful for rapid air mixing, reducing cold pockets, and providing ventilation when needed. They may be less efficient in high-ventilation setups but often include thermostats and fan-only modes.

Wattage And Coverage

Most residential greenhouse heaters in this selection are 1500W. Coverage claims vary (approx. 120–215 sq. ft. listed across products). Actual coverage depends on greenhouse insulation, ceiling height, outside temperature, and desired setpoint. Use wattage as a baseline and increase capacity for poorly insulated or large structures.

Controls And Thermostat Options

Thermostats affect stability and energy usage. Options range from simple single-setting units to digital thermostats with external probes, to Wi‑Fi smart controllers with alerts. External probe thermostats generally provide more accurate air or canopy-level readings than internal-only sensors.

Consider whether you need remote alerts or automated scheduling. Smart apps allow off-site monitoring of critical temperature events, which is useful for sensitive crops and unattended greenhouses.

Mounting And Directional Heat

Confirm mounting flexibility: ceiling, wall, or hanging mounts enable directing heat over benches or rows. Tubular heaters often come with hanging chains; check clearances and recommended mounting heights to avoid hot spots or fire risk.

Water Resistance And Environmental Durability

Look for IP ratings (IPX4/IPX5) if the heater will be exposed to high humidity, condensation, or occasional splashing. Higher IP ratings indicate better protection against moisture and make outdoor or semi-outdoor installations safer.

Safety Features

• Overheat Protection: Automatic thermal cutouts prevent overheating of the element.
• Tip-Over/Shutoff Sensors: For portable or floor units, tip-over protection is valuable.
• Child Locks/ETL Certification: Certifications and locks add an extra safety layer for shared spaces.

Energy Efficiency And Operating Costs

Infrared tubular heaters can be more efficient at maintaining plant tissue temperatures with lower perceived air temperature, potentially saving energy in drafty environments. Convective heaters that cycle via an accurate thermostat can also reduce runtime. Consider insulating or using thermal mass to reduce runtime and energy consumption.

Integration And Expandability

If you plan to heat multiple zones or scale your greenhouse, select heaters that can work with independent thermostats or connect to a central controller. Units that allow separate thermostat operation may be combined into a multi-zone control strategy.

Noise, Air Movement, And Ventilation Needs

Fan-equipped models provide air circulation but can be noisier and may dry out leaves if run continuously. Fan-only modes can be used for summer ventilation. Radiant tubes operate quietly without forced air movement, which can be preferable for humidity-sensitive crops.

Installation And Maintenance

Consider ease of installation: wall or ceiling mount brackets, electrical requirements (dedicated circuit for multiple 1500W units), and probe placement. Regularly inspect for corrosion, secure mountings, and ensure clearance from combustible materials.

Comparison Perspectives

• Targeted Heat For Plant Canopies: Choose infrared tubular heaters (DR models) for direct radiant warming and reduced heat loss in drafty spaces.
• Remote Monitoring And Alerts: Choose smart Wi‑Fi models (SwSun) if you require off-site control and temperature alarms.
• Air Circulation And Modes: Choose PTC/ceramic fan models (Riseon, Joanolga) when air mixing or fan-only ventilation is desired.
• Moisture-Prone Environments: Prioritize IPX-rated units (DR-268 IPX5, DR218 IPX4) for better resistance to humidity and condensation.

Use these criteria to match heater features (radiant vs convective, controls, IP rating, mounting) to your greenhouse layout, crop sensitivity, and management preferences. Proper heater placement and a correctly set thermostat are as important as the heater type in maintaining consistent plant temperatures.