How to actually pick the right infrared heater for your bathroom
Most people think that when it comes to heaters, more power is always better. But that’s not really how it works with infrared. If you just grab the highest wattage you can find, you aren’t necessarily getting a warmer room—you’re just asking for trouble. It’s all about the balance between the size of your space and where the heater actually sits. Getting the power right If you’ve got a tiny bathroom (we’re talking under 4m²), a single 250W to 400W shortwave lamp is usually plenty. It’ll get you warm fast. But if your bathroom is bigger—maybe over 8m²—one big lamp isn’t the answer. You’ll end up with one spot that feels like a sauna and the rest of the room feeling like a fridge. Instead, spread the heat out. A few lamps totaling 600W to 1000W will keep the whole room cozy without any cold patches. Here’s the thing: shortwave infrared doesn’t heat the air. It hits your skin and the walls directly. If you put too much power in a small space, the fixture itself can get way too hot and just shut off. Not exactly the vibe you want when you’re stepping out of a shower. Dealing with steam and splashes Bathrooms are tough on electronics. You’ve got humidity, steam, and the occasional splash of water. That’s why we use quartz glass and tight seals to keep moisture away from the tungsten filament. If a cold drop of water hits a scorching hot lamp? Crack. The glass shatters. It’s called thermal shock, and it’s a mess. Check your IP rating before you install anything. You want IP44 or IP65, especially if the heater is anywhere near the shower. Just keep in mind that the more powerful the lamp, the more heat hits those seals, which puts a bit more stress on the gaskets over time. The energy side of things Sure, higher wattage means you warm up faster. But it also pulls more current. If you wire three 600W lamps into a thin circuit, you might notice a voltage drop. When that happens, your lamps won’t actually put out as much heat as they should. It’s a waste of money. The best way to handle this is to balance the load across your circuit. And if you really want to save on your electric bill, just hook them up to a timer or a motion sensor. That way, the heat is there when you need it, and it isn’t running for no reason while the room is empty.