Dr Infrared Heater DR-968 Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The Dr Infrared DR-968 suits a large room where you want portable, thermostat-controlled heat from a 1,500-watt heater. It weighs 19 lb and includes a remote, a 12-hour timer and caster wheels, with tip-over and overheat protection.
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The Dr Infrared DR-968 is a portable 1,500-watt heater for supplemental warmth in a large room. It combines an infrared quartz tube with PTC heating and includes a remote, a 12-hour timer and caster wheels, with tip-over and overheat protection.
Its 19 lb cabinet and 6 ft power cord affect where you can place it. The thermostat range is 50–85°F, so compare that with the controls you want before choosing.
Is the Dr Infrared DR-968 worth considering?
The DR-968 is a fit if you want dual heating, remote control and easy room-to-room movement in one freestanding cabinet. Its high and low settings and electronic thermostat give you basic control over supplemental heat.
It’s less suited to tight spaces where a 13 x 11 x 16 in cabinet would get in the way. Measure the spot and check the outlet distance before settling on a location.
Dr Infrared DR-968 Heater: Best for larger rooms
- 1,500 watts
- 50–85°F thermostat
- 12-hour timer
- Caster wheels
A cabinet-style heater with infrared quartz and PTC heating, remote control and caster wheels. Consider it when you want to move supplemental heat between rooms.
Pros
- Dual infrared quartz and PTC heating
- Remote control and 12-hour timer
- Caster wheels and lifetime filter
- Tip-over and overheat protection
Cons
- 19 lb cabinet is heavier than compact portable heaters
- Cord is 6 ft long
- Thermostat tops out at 85°F
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. For more options, compare the best infrared heaters for indoor use.
How does the DR-968 heat a room?
The DR-968 pairs infrared quartz heating with a PTC heating element and a blower. The maker describes its system as combining infrared and convection heating to provide warmth throughout a room.
The DR-968 has a stated coverage of 576 square feet. Room shape, insulation, drafts and ceiling height affect comfort, so treat that figure as a guide.
Read how infrared heaters work to understand what radiant heat can and can’t do in your space.
What controls and safety features does it have?
The DR-968 has high and low heat settings, a 50–85°F thermostat and a 12-hour shutoff timer. The remote lets you adjust it from across the room.
Tip-over protection and overheat protection are included. Keep the heater on a stable, level surface, give it clear space and follow the manual’s placement and electrical instructions.
A thermostat helps maintain a chosen temperature, while a timer helps limit how long the heater runs. Neither replaces safe placement or attention while it’s operating.
If remote control is a deciding factor, our guide to space heaters with remote controls explains which features to compare.
How easy is it to move and place?
The DR-968 weighs 19 lb and has caster wheels, making it easier to roll across a smooth floor than to carry between rooms. Its 6 ft cord limits how far it can be from an outlet.
Its cabinet measures 13 in deep, 11 in wide and 16 in high. Check the path around furniture and leave open space around the heater, following the clearances in the manual.
Don’t stretch the cord across a walkway or cover it with a rug. If you need to move the heater, switch it off and follow the instructions for moving it safely.
What are the main alternatives?
The DR-978 is the lighter option at 10 lb, with a compact 10 x 9 x 12 in cabinet. Like the DR-968, it combines PTC and infrared heating and includes a remote, timer, tip-over protection and overheat shutoff.
The DR-123 offers a wider stated thermostat range, from 30°F to 99°F, plus four caster wheels and three modes. Its cabinet weighs 18 lb, close to the DR-968’s 19 lb.
The DR-998 adds a cool-mist humidifier and oscillation alongside dual heating. Its stated dimensions are 16 x 11 x 16 in, so check the space carefully if you’re considering its extra functions.
For a direct comparison of two models, see Dr Infrared DR-978 vs DR-968.
What should you know about power use?
The DR-968 draws 1,500 watts and 12.5 amps. Check that the outlet and circuit can support the heater, especially if other high-wattage appliances share the circuit.
A thermostat may cycle the heater on and off as the room changes temperature, so the rated wattage doesn’t tell you exactly how much electricity it will use over an hour. For an estimate based on your local electricity rate, use our 1500-watt heater cost guide.
Who should choose the DR-968?
Choose the DR-968 if you want a wheeled cabinet with dual heating, a remote and a 12-hour timer for supplemental warmth. It’s most practical when you have floor space near a suitable outlet and want to move the heater on the same level.
Choose the DR-978 if carrying less weight matters more. Pick the DR-123 for a wider thermostat range, or the DR-998 if you also want a humidifier and oscillation.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Dr Infrared DR-968 heat a large room?
The DR-968 has a stated coverage of 576 square feet. Treat that figure as a guide, since insulation, ceiling height, drafts and the room layout affect comfort.
For supplemental warmth, place it near the area you use and keep clear space around it.
How much power does the DR-968 use?
The DR-968 is rated at 1,500 watts and 12.5 amps. Its thermostat can cycle the heater as the room reaches your set temperature, so actual energy use depends on conditions and settings.
Check your circuit capacity and avoid running multiple high-wattage appliances on the same circuit.
Does the DR-968 have a remote and timer?
Yes. The DR-968 includes an infrared remote and a 12-hour automatic shut-off timer.
Its electronic thermostat ranges from 50°F to 85°F, and it has high and low settings.
Use the timer as a shutoff aid, and follow the manual's instructions for safe operation.
How does the DR-968 compare with the DR-978?
The DR-968 weighs 19 lb and has caster wheels, while the DR-978 weighs 10 lb and measures 10 x 9 x 12 in. Both use PTC and infrared heating and include a remote, timer and safety shutoffs.
Choose the DR-978 if lower weight matters most.
