Review of the best interior heaters for 2024

Many people spend a lot of time behind the wheel of their car, which is why it is so important to ensure maximum comfort. Additional problems arise during the winter season. For example, additional heating of the passenger compartment is required. Manufacturers try to provide their cars with standard equipment, but sometimes this is not enough. A conventional heater cannot immediately cope with heating the seats, interior, steering wheel surfaces and warming up frozen glass. You can find your own solution for heating for each object, but it is much more convenient to install an additional heater to everything at once. We'll tell you about the best cabin heaters below.

Criterias of choice

The two main characteristics when purchasing an additional heater are power and safety. That is, for example, with a large car, the power of the air heater may not be enough for proper heating, at the same time, when choosing a liquid one for a passenger car, there is a high risk of causing overheating of the wiring and fire hazard. About the types of heaters themselves - below.

After that, you need to pay attention to the fastening. For example, cigarette lighter heaters have a lot of installation variations. You need to make a start from less harm to the interior and reliability. For example, you should not purchase a device with self-tapping screws if you are very worried about the aesthetic appearance of the car interior. It is also recommended to think in advance about where the equipment will be located, since the cord may not reach the desired place.

The third and not unimportant criterion is what the body is made of. Manufacturers produce heating equipment from different materials. Ceramics have proven themselves best. It has indisputable advantages over the same steel:

• even with prolonged use, it does not corrode;
• incandescent elements do not dry the air;
• ceramics do not absorb oxygen;
• reduces the risk of fire.

Stand-alone models have a big plus. They create a comfortable atmosphere for the driver and passengers without overloading the battery and engine. Due to this, the period of operation is extended, the risk of unforeseen situations (for example, as a discharge of the car battery) is reduced and effective glass warming is ensured.

There is also a difference in the installed heating element. In different price classes there may be:

• Ceramic infrared heater is the safest and most efficient type of heater. Despite this, only certain areas are heated and have a high cost compared to competitors.
• Tubular electric heater (TEN) is a popular element in modern car heaters. It is as safe as possible, heats up well due to its high resistance and does not reduce air quality. Affects a much larger area than the others on this list.
• An electric coil is a device with a nichrome or tungsten structure through which air passes.There are many downsides. For example, short service life, loud noise during operation and increased risk of danger. Therefore, electric spirals are not popular and are almost out of sale.

Varieties of devices

After accepting to purchase an additional source of heat for the interior, making the choice is not as easy as it seems. In total, there are two types of heat generation devices sold on the market:

• liquid;
• air.

Liquid

The liquid devices are installed in the engine compartment and are directly connected to the cooling system, fuel and electricity. Such heaters start working from the car engine, only after that they move on to the interior itself. This will ensure a quick start of the car in winter, even if the engine oil is not designed to work at low temperatures, but the driver will have to sit in the cold for a while. For some, this principle does not work. They also have a significantly high cost, unlike air ones. However, liquid heaters are an extremely good option if you need to travel far and with long parking.

There are a lot of offered models on the automotive market. There are several of the best representatives of liquid heating devices.

Webasto

Manufacturer: Germany.

Average price: 40 thousand rubles.

• A pre-heater that is reliable and comfortable to use.
• Convenience is ensured by control via smartphone app or timer. The remote control allows you to start the car and the heater some time before leaving, so you do not need to freeze and wait until the interior gets warm.
• No moisture remains on the windows, which does not create the need to wipe it down once again and deal with stains and drips.
• It is recommended to start the heater first, then the engine. This will protect against cold starts and increase the life of the main components of the vehicle.

• high cost of models.

Eberspacher

Manufacturer: Germany.

Average cost: 30 thousand rubles.

A universal device for all types of vehicles: cars, trucks and special vehicles.

• the intensity of the heater can be adjusted at any time;
• low noise level compared to analogues;
• the device has such a design that it is protected from moisture ingress during washing;
• the heat flow is adjusted optimally to quickly and cleanly clean the glass from snow and ice;
• the construction of the heater is durable.

• The only significant drawback is the high cost of the models.

Air

The principle of operation is the opposite of liquid. These devices are designed to heat the interior first, then the engine and other internal parts of the car. Air heaters are considered to be independent electrical equipment. They are powered by a car battery. Their advantages are the rapid warming up of the vehicle from the middle, where the driver and passengers are. In addition, air is much cheaper than its competitors.

Among such devices are designs that are powered by a cigarette lighter.

Car cigarette lighter heaters

The equipment itself consists of a plastic case, and a fan is fixed inside to direct hot air into the heating device. They are connected to a cigarette lighter and need 12 V of electricity to work properly. However, the independent power is approximately equal to 130-150 W. Such heaters, by the principle of operation, can be compared with a regular household hairdryer. The flow through the filament heats up and passes into the car.

The models can be installed and secured using various devices: special legs that are resistant to vibration, simple suction cups or clothespins.

Problems may arise due to the difference in the supplied electricity and the power of the heater, but the manufacturers have installed an automatic system. It warns against burnout and overheating.

• unpretentious to the current source, a cigarette lighter or battery is quite suitable;
• the air flow is strong and constant;
• you can mount it in any convenient and free place in the cabin;
• an abundant flow of warm air can be set in the desired direction;
• defrosts car windows quickly and without traces when hovering over windows;
• warming up the cabin is the main task, which means the driver and passengers will always be warm;
• air heaters have different price levels and a good range of models, which can be selected individually for your needs and financial capabilities.

• the operation of the entire car depends on the battery, so the heater can become a significant load on it;
• annoying noise during work;
• at very low temperatures, it will take a long time to warm up;
• less power and efficiency than liquid;
• increases the risk of fire;
• models are sold that require the use of self-tapping screws for fastening, which spoils the appearance of the cabin.

Thermo fan "3 in 1" Alca

Manufacturer: Germany.

Estimated cost: 1400 rubles.

Analogue of the Chinese model AutoVirazh AV ‑ 161007. They are both almost identical, except for some peculiarities.

• the case gets very hot to prevent a short circuit or fire, a fuse is installed;
• has 3 modes: heater, fan and, if you remove the folding handle, it will go like a regular hair dryer;
• the set includes a swivel stand, due to which you can easily change the direction of flow.

• it is not recommended to install the stream directly on the driver or passengers, therefore it will be possible to install it only near the rear window.

Koto 12V-901

Manufacturer: China.

Average cost: up to 1 thousand rubles.

A small fan heater powered by a cigarette lighter.

• the body is made of ceramics;
• there is protection against overheating and burnout;
• two modes of air direction: horizontal (up to 90) and vertical (up to 45);
• can be used as a regular fan or as a heater;
• miniature appearance and weight (500 gr.).

• maximum power of 140 watts.

TE1-0182

Manufacturer: China
.
Average cost: up to 2 thousand rubles.

Model for getting the most with the lowest energy consumption.

• has a universal mount;
• can be positioned away from the power source due to the long cord (1.5 m).

• maximum power up to 150 W.

Auto Heater Fan

Manufacturer: China.

Average cost: up to 1.5 thousand rubles.

A modest auto hair dryer for cars.

• works from a 12 W cigarette lighter;
• there are two modes: heating and a regular hair dryer;
• the length of the cord for connection is 1.8 m.

• made of plastic and metal, which increases fire hazard;
• power up to 150 W;
• able to withstand the maximum temperature only up to 35 degrees.

Termolux-200 Comfort

Manufacturer: Russia.

Average cost: up to 3 thousand rubles.

Domestic model with additional useful functions.

• there is a personal independent battery, which means it can work autonomously for some time without being connected to the network;
• there is a convenient LCD display for control;
• a timer is set to turn off and on;
• does not dry the air.

• there is no possibility of directing a warm stream in a vertical position;
• power 220 W.

SITITEK Termolux 150

Manufacturer: Russia.

Average cost: up to 2 thousand rubles.

Another domestic representative, significantly different from analogues.

• the body of the device is additionally rubberized, from which it is quite shock-resistant and protected from moisture;
• does not make as much noise as its competitors;
• equipped with an LED flashlight;
• for convenience, there is a folding handle that facilitates transportation and allows you to use it as a hand-held equipment.
• there is a swivel stand that will allow you to mount the device on any horizontal surface;
• airflow can be adjusted to either side 360.
• powered by a standard car cigarette lighter.

• power 150 W.

Autolux НВА-18

Manufacturer: Taiwan.

The approximate price is 3900 rubles.

The final model in the rating due to the large number of negative reviews.

• power is higher than that of competitors - 300 W;
• runs on a battery, no need for an external power source;
• has a stand with axial rotation.

• consumes up to 26 A;
• dimensions are large, which creates problems when choosing a place in the cabin for installation;
• the only suitable place is the panel under the rear window of the car, but the switch for turning on the equipment is located in the back and this is very inconvenient.

Feedback and recommendations

The rating is usually based on customer reviews. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to this aspect as well. One of the reviews on the heater from the cigarette lighter:

“It often takes a lot of time in the morning to warm up the car's engine and interior. It seemed to me to make this process comfortable and as quickly as possible unrealistic! More depressing is the fact that in the morning one minute is valued for five, and as a result, it takes a lot of effort to freeze the car.

First I tried to fill the engine with winter oil. The car started up quickly, but driving in the sheer cold and with frozen windows was very uncomfortable. Advised to purchase a heater from the cigarette lighter. It is a small case with a heating element and a hair dryer hidden under it.

I was pleased that the device creates the optimal temperature in the shortest possible time, without burning out oxygen. You can install the "stove" anywhere in the cabin and direct a uniform, warm air flow in a convenient direction.

Some people resent the power bill. With a passenger car, the maximum power of 300 watts was enough for me. At the same time, the car battery does not feel overload on electricity, because the heater from the cigarette lighter spends only 12 watts.

However, unfortunately, such heating is not able to cope with the task alone. Therefore, in the morning they defrost the factory device and the additional one. Further, during the day I leave one thing in order to maintain a comfortable microclimate.

I am completely satisfied with the purchase and advise others! "

In addition to the consumer's opinion, there are also simple recommendations from the best manufacturers. When buying an additional warming device is necessary:

• if the car often remains overnight in the parking lot on the territory of an apartment building;
• if the average temperature in the cold seasons of the year often drops below zero degrees;
• if every minute counts in the morning;
• if you often have to travel long distances for work or personal reasons;
• if the drivers usually drive not alone, but with passengers in the back seat, since the factory heater does not sufficiently warm this area of ​​the cabin;
• if the car is constantly blown through the cracks in the doors and other parts.

When you can do without heating:

• if the machine is used in southern regions where the temperature does not drop below 0 degrees, or extremely rarely;
• if in winter there is no need for travel or only occasionally;
• if the driver drives alone and has a lot of free time;
• if there is a heated garage and the car is left there overnight.

There is no need to chase the popular models or the most expensive in the hope that the manufacturer has been able to achieve the ideal quality-cost ratio. The priority should be only the characteristics of your own car, the capabilities of the heater and personal wishes. Taking into account all of the above, you can safely choose a car heater.