How to Pick the Right Wattage for Your Bathroom Heater
Here’s the thing about bathroom heaters: more power isn’t always better. It’s tempting to just grab the strongest lamp on the shelf, but that’s a quick way to end up with a bathroom that feels like a sauna in one spot and a freezer in the other. You want that “just right” feeling—where you step out of the shower and feel an instant, cozy warmth without feeling like you’re being grilled. Matching the heat to your space If you’re dealing with a tiny powder room (anything under 4m²), keep it simple. A single 400W to 600W lamp is usually plenty. Those small rooms warm up almost instantly because there isn’t much space for the heat to get lost in. For a medium-sized bathroom (between 4m² and 8m²), you’ve got options. You can go with one beefier unit—somewhere around 800W to 1200W—or just use two smaller lamps. But if you have a massive master bath (over 10m²), don’t rely on one giant heater. You’ll just end up with a “cold zone” on the other side of the room. I’d suggest spacing out two 600W units instead. It spreads the warmth around much more evenly. Where to put it (and why) Infrared is different from a standard space heater. It doesn’t bother heating the air; it goes straight for you. Since heat naturally drifts upward, putting these in the ceiling is the only way to go. Just be careful with the height. You want it between 2.2m and 2.6m. If you mount a 1200W lamp too low, it’s going to feel aggressive—maybe even a bit scorching. Too high, and the heat loses its punch before it even reaches your shoulders. A quick warning about your wiring High wattage means faster heat, which sounds great. But it also puts a lot of pressure on your electrical panel. If you’re planning a heavy-duty setup with three lamps hitting 1500W, check your wiring first. I’ve seen way too many old bathroom circuits trip the moment the heaters kick in. If you’re pushing past 2000W total, just do yourself a favor and run a dedicated line. It saves you a lot of headache (and a lot of trips to the breaker box) in the long run.