Review

Heat Storm Phoenix Infrared Heater Review: Worth It? (October 2026)

Updated on · By the The Cabin Fever team

This Heat Storm Phoenix infrared heater review points to the HS-1500-PHX as a fit for a small room or office where wall or floor placement helps. Choose it for flexible setup and two heat settings, and check your room size and circuit first.

Dr Infrared DR-968 Heater, the Heat Storm Phoenix infrared heater

In this review

Dr Infrared DR-968 Heater

Best for larger rooms8.9/10

See it on Amazon
On this page (8 sections)
  1. Heat Storm Phoenix infrared heater review: who should buy it?
  2. What do the Phoenix's two heat settings mean?
  3. How should you choose between the Phoenix models?
  4. How can you set up the Heat Storm Phoenix?
  5. What kind of warmth should you expect?
  6. What safety and care steps matter?
  7. How does the Phoenix compare with other infrared heaters?
  8. Is the Heat Storm Phoenix worth buying?

The Heat Storm Phoenix infrared heater review comes down to one useful choice: get a compact heater that can stand on its feet or mount on a wall, or choose a fixed wall model with phone control. The HS-1500-PHX offers 750 and 1,500 watt modes, a thermostat, an LED display and a remote.

It makes the most sense for a small room or office where flexible placement matters. Heat Storm gives 150 sq ft as primary heating coverage, so treat room size, insulation and circuit capacity as part of the buying decision.

Heat Storm Phoenix infrared heater review: who should buy it?

Buy the Phoenix if you want one heater that can move between floor and wall use and your space is within its primary coverage guidance. Its 9 lb weight, attachable feet and rear wall mounting points give you two setup options.

Skip it if you need one heater to warm a large open room as the main heat source. The 750 sq ft figure applies to secondary zone heating and depends on insulation, so it is not a promise of even heat across a large area.

The Phoenix is also a poor match if you need app control. The HS-1500-PHX includes a remote, while the Heat Storm WiFi model is the better fit for someone who wants phone control and a fixed wall position.

What do the Phoenix's two heat settings mean?

The Phoenix offers 750 and 1,500 watt modes, giving you a lower setting for lighter heating and full output when more heat is needed. At the higher setting, it draws 12.5 amps.

That is a substantial load for a household circuit. Heat Storm advises a dedicated circuit, so check what else is plugged in nearby and avoid running other high-power devices on the same circuit.

The lower setting uses half the wattage of the high setting. That can reduce power use while the heater runs, though the time needed to make a room comfortable depends on insulation, room layout and the temperature you want.

If you are estimating operating cost, see how much a 1,500 watt heater costs per hour. For a category overview, read how infrared heaters warm people and objects.

How should you choose between the Phoenix models?

Choose the standard Phoenix for flexible placement and two wattage settings. Choose the WiFi version if you want a wall-mounted heater with app control, and choose a different style if you want a freestanding cabinet on wheels.

The WiFi version is wall mounted only, with no feet included. It offers Wi-Fi control, a digital thermostat and a remote, and the cord can be hidden inside the heater when it is installed over an outlet.

The standard Phoenix is the more adaptable choice for renters or anyone who may want to rearrange a room, provided floor placement is safe and practical. Its mounting points also let you make a more permanent wall setup later.

For a larger freestanding option, the Dr Infrared DR-968 has caster wheels, infrared quartz and PTC heating, plus a 12-hour shut-off timer. It weighs 19 lb and takes up floor space, so skip it if a clear floor matters most.

How can you set up the Heat Storm Phoenix?

The Phoenix can sit on its attachable feet or mount using the rear wall mounting points. Decide where you want heat directed before assembling or mounting it, then check the manual's instructions and required clearances.

Measure the intended spot and confirm that the cord reaches an outlet without stretching or crossing a walkway. When wall mounting, make sure the mounting surface, outlet position and clearance around the heater work together.

For floor placement, use a stable, level area that won't be blocked by furniture, clothing or curtains. Keep the heater where people won't bump it, and leave enough room to use the controls and reach the plug.

The Phoenix measures 18.75 in deep, 4.5 in wide and 12.75 in high. Confirm the dimensions against the spot you have in mind, especially if you want it to fit under furniture or in a narrow area.

What kind of warmth should you expect?

The Phoenix uses infrared quartz heating, which warms nearby people and objects directly. That can suit a person seated in a defined area, while a larger or open room may call for a different heating approach.

Heat Storm says its HMS Technology combines with room humidity to provide soft heat without reducing oxygen or humidity. Your comfort will still depend on distance from the heater, room layout and insulation.

If you sit far from the heater or need the whole room to feel evenly warm, compare it with other heating types in our guide to infrared heaters versus other space heaters. A heater's coverage guidance cannot account for every floor plan or draft.

What safety and care steps matter?

The Phoenix is described as safe to touch, including the grill, but follow the manual's placement and operating instructions. Keep it clear of curtains, bedding and other objects, and never cover it.

At full power, the heater draws 12.5 amps, and Heat Storm warns that other high-power devices on the circuit can trip a breaker. Check the circuit before use, especially in a room with several appliances or limited outlets.

Turn the heater off, unplug it and let it cool before cleaning. Remove dust as directed in the manual, and use our guide to cleaning a space heater safely for general upkeep steps.

Common mistakes include treating secondary coverage as primary heating capacity, plugging a full-power heater into an already busy circuit and placing it where furniture blocks the heat. Avoid those errors by sizing the room realistically and planning the outlet and placement before use.

How does the Phoenix compare with other infrared heaters?

The standard Phoenix stands out for switching between wall and floor placement. The alternatives below trade that flexibility for a wheeled cabinet, phone control or lightweight personal heat.

HeaterPlacementPower or control detailA fit for
Dr Infrared DR-968FreestandingInfrared quartz and PTC; 12-hour timerA wheeled cabinet with a timer
Heat Storm WiFi Wall HeaterWall1,500 watts; Wi-Fi controlPhone control and clear floor space
Heat Storm PhoenixWall or floor750 or 1,500 watts; remoteFlexible setup in a small room
BLACK+DECKER Infrared TowerFloor750 or 1,500 watts; manual thermostatLightweight personal warmth

The Dr Infrared DR-968 review explains the larger cabinet option. It has caster wheels and a dual heating system, while the Phoenix takes up less floor space and can be mounted.

For more models and buying guidance, browse the best infrared heaters for indoor use. A lightweight alternative is the BLACK+DECKER tower, which weighs 5 lb and is designed for personal heating.

Is the Heat Storm Phoenix worth buying?

Buy the standard Phoenix if you want wall or floor placement, a remote and a lower-power setting for a compact space. Skip it if you need app controls, primary heat for a large open area or a heater that runs on a circuit already carrying other high-power devices.

Choose the WiFi wall model for app control and fixed placement. Pick the Dr Infrared DR-968 for caster wheels and a timer, or the BLACK+DECKER tower for lightweight personal warmth.

This Heat Storm Phoenix infrared heater review points to a simple decision: measure your room, choose the placement you can use safely and check the circuit before relying on full power.

Frequently asked questions

How much space can the Heat Storm Phoenix heat?

The Heat Storm Phoenix is specified for 150 sq ft as a primary heat source and up to 750 sq ft for secondary zone heating. The larger figure depends on insulation, so use it as guidance rather than a promise of even warmth throughout a room.

Can you mount the Heat Storm Phoenix on a wall?

Yes. The Phoenix has wall mounting points and attachable feet, so you can choose wall or floor placement.

Check the manual for mounting steps and clearances, and confirm the outlet and cord will fit the spot.

Does the Heat Storm Phoenix have a remote?

Yes, the Phoenix includes a remote, and its built-in thermostat has an LED display. You can also choose between 750 and 1,500 watt settings, using the lower mode when full output isn't needed.

What circuit does the Heat Storm Phoenix need?

The Phoenix draws 12.5 amps at its full 1,500 watt setting. Heat Storm advises using a dedicated circuit, so check what else shares the circuit and follow the heater manual and local electrical guidance before use.