Review of the best interior heaters for 2022

Many people spend a lot of time behind the wheel of their car, which is why it is so important to ensure maximum comfort. In the winter season there are additional problems. For example, additional interior heating is required. Manufacturers try to provide their cars with standard equipment, but sometimes this is not enough. A conventional heater cannot immediately cope with the heating of the seats, interior, steering wheel surface and heating of icy windows. 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 will talk about the best interior 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 an air heater may not be enough for proper heating, while 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 fastening. For example, heaters from the cigarette lighter have a lot of installation variations. You need to build on less harm to the cabin and reliability. For example, you should not purchase a device with a self-tapping mount if you are very worried about the aesthetic appearance of the car interior. It is also recommended to think in advance where the equipment will be located, since the cord may not reach the desired location.

The third and not unimportant criterion is what the case is made of. Manufacturers produce heating equipment from different materials. Ceramics proved to be the best. It has undeniable advantages over the same steel:

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

Standalone models are 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 is reduced (for example, such as discharging a car battery) and effective glass heating is ensured.

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

• Infrared ceramic heater is the safest and most efficient type of heater.Despite this, they only heat certain areas and have a high cost compared to competitors.
• A tubular electric heater (TEH) is a popular element in modern car heaters. It is as safe as possible, warms up well due to 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 construction through which air passes. There are a lot of downsides. For example, a short service life, they make a lot of noise during operation and an increased risk of danger. Therefore, electric spirals are not popular and are almost out of sale.

Device types

After deciding to purchase an additional heat source for the cabin, making the choice is not as easy as it sounds. In total, two types of devices for generating heat are sold on the market:

• liquid;
• air.

liquid

Liquid devices are installed in the engine compartment and are directly connected to the cooling system, fuel and electricity. Such heaters start working with a car engine, only after that they go to the cabin itself. This will ensure that the car starts quickly 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 some time. Some people don't like this way of working. They also have a significantly higher cost, unlike air ones. However, liquid heaters are an extremely good option if you need to travel far and with long parking lots.

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

Webasto

Producer: Germany.

Average price: 40 thousand rubles.

• Pre-heater, characterized by reliability and comfortable use.
• Convenience is ensured by control via a smartphone application or a timer. Remote control allows you to start the car and the heater some time before departure, so you do not need to freeze and wait until the interior warms up.
• Moisture does not remain on the windows, which does not create the need to once again wipe and deal with streaks and drips.
• It is recommended to start the heater first, only then the engine. This will protect against cold start and increase the life of the main devices of the car.

• high cost models.

Eberspacher

Producer: Germany.

Average cost: 30 thousand rubles.

Universal device for all types of transport: 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 when washing it is protected from moisture;
• the heat flow is optimally tuned to clean the windows from snow and ice as quickly and cleanly as possible;
• The design 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 independent electrical equipment. They run on car batteries. Their advantages are in the rapid heating of vehicles from the middle, where the driver and passengers are. In addition, air is much cheaper than its competitors.

Among such devices are designs that work from 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 to the heating device. They are connected to the cigarette lighter and for full operation they need 12 V of electricity. However, independent power is approximately equal to 130-150 watts. Such heaters according to the principle of operation can be compared with a conventional household hair dryer. The flow through the filament is warmed up and passes already into the car.

You can install and fix the models with the help of various devices: special legs that are resistant to vibrations, simple suction cups or clothespins.

Due to the difference in the supplied electricity and the power of the heater, problems can arise, but 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;
• can be mounted in any convenient and free place in the cabin;
• a plentiful flow of warm air can be set in the desired direction;
• when pointing at the glass, it quickly and without traces defrosts car windows;
• warming up the cabin is the main task, which means that the driver and passengers will always be warm;
• air heaters have different price levels and a good range of models that you can choose 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 operation;
• at very low temperatures, it will take a long time to warm up;
• power and efficiency are less than liquid ones;
• increases the risk of fire;
• models are sold that require the use of self-tapping screws for fixing, which spoils the appearance of the cabin.

Thermal fan "3 in 1" Alca

Producer: Germany.

Approximate cost: 1400 rubles.

An analogue of the Chinese model AutoVirazh AV‑161007. They are both almost identical, except for some features.

• the case is very hot so that there is no short circuit or fire, a fuse is installed;
• has 3 modes: heater, fan and, if you remove the folding handle, it will pass for a regular hair dryer;
• The kit includes a swivel stand, due to which you can easily change the direction of the flow.

• it is not recommended to install the flow directly on the driver or passengers, so it will be possible to install 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 conventional fan, and 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.

A model for getting the most with the least amount of energy.

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

• maximum power up to 150 watts.

Auto Heater Fan

Manufacturer: China.

Average cost: up to 1.5 thousand rubles.

Modest car hair dryer for cars.

• works from the cigarette lighter in 12 W;
• 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 the fire hazard;
• power up to 150 W;
• able to withstand a maximum temperature of only up to 35 degrees.

Termolux-200 Comfort

Manufacturer: Russia.

Average cost: up to 3 thousand rubles.

Domestic model with additional useful features.

• there is a personal independent battery, which means that it can work autonomously for some time without connecting to the network;
• for management there is a convenient LCD display;
• the timer of switching off and on is set;
• does not dry out the air.

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

SITITEK Thermolux 150

Manufacturer: Russia.

Average cost: up to 2 thousand rubles.

Another domestic representative, significantly different from analogues.

• the case of the device is additionally rubberized, from this it is quite shock-resistant and protected from moisture;
• does not make a lot of noise like its competitors;
• equipped with 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 360 in any direction.
• powered by a standard car cigarette lighter.

• power 150 watts.

Autolux NVA-18

Manufacturer: Taiwan.

Approximate price 3900 rubles.

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

• power is higher than that of competitors - 300 W;
• battery operated, no need for external power supply;
• has a support with axial rotation.

• consumes up to 26 A;
• the 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 to turn on the equipment is at the back and this is very inconvenient.

Reviews 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 significant amount of time in the morning to warm up the engine of the car and the passenger compartment. It seemed to me to make this process comfortable and as quickly as possible is unrealistic! It is more depressing that in the morning one minute is valued for five, and as a result, it takes a lot of effort to freeze the car.

At first I tried to pour winter oil into the engine. The car started up quickly, but driving in the sheer cold and with frozen windows was very inconvenient. Advised to purchase a heater from the cigarette lighter. It is a small case, under which a heating element and a hair dryer are hidden.

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

Some resent the power. With a car, a maximum power of 300 watts was enough for me.At the same time, the car’s battery does not feel overloaded with electricity, because the heater consumes only 12 watts from the cigarette lighter.

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. Then, during the day, I leave one thing to maintain a comfortable microclimate.

I am completely satisfied with the purchase and I recommend it to others!”

In addition to consumer opinion, there are also simple recommendations from the best manufacturers. When the purchase of an additional warm-up device is necessary:

• if the car often stays 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 in the morning every minute counts;
• if you often have to travel long distances for work or personal reasons;
• if drivers usually drive not alone, but with passengers in the back seat, since the factory heater does not heat this area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe cabin enough;
• 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 the southern regions, where the temperature does not fall below 0 degrees, or extremely rarely;
• if in winter there is no need to 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.

No need to chase popular models or the most expensive ones in the hope that the manufacturer was able to achieve an ideal quality-price ratio. The priority should be only the characteristics of your own car, the capabilities of the heater and personal wishes.Considering all of the above, you can safely choose a car heater.