Stop Guessing Your Bathroom Heater Wattage
When you’re picking out an infrared heater for your bathroom, the instinct is usually to go for the biggest, most powerful thing on the shelf. But here’s the thing: more power doesn’t always mean more comfort. Infrared is different from a standard space heater. It doesn’t bother warming up all the air in the room; it goes straight for you. It’s like stepping into a patch of sunlight on a cold day. Because of that, you just need enough “oomph” to cover your space without turning your bathroom into a sauna. Finding your sweet spot If you’ve got a tiny powder room or a small ensuite (under 4m²), a 400W to 600W lamp is plenty. Anything more and you’ll probably start sweating just standing there. For those mid-sized bathrooms (4m² to 8m²), you’re looking at the 800W to 1200W range. Now, if you’ve got a massive master bath or one of those open-concept wet rooms, you’ll want 1500W or more. In those big spaces, it’s often smarter to use a few smaller heaters in different spots so you don’t end up with one scorching corner and a freezing shower. The “Wet” Factor Bathrooms are humid. Steam gets everywhere. That’s why you can’t just use any lamp. You need something with a proper IP rating—basically, it needs to be built to handle splashes and heavy mist. We use quartz glass and sealed connectors for a reason: they keep the moisture out so you don’t blow a fuse. And a quick heads-up on the wiring—those 1500W lamps pull a lot of juice. Make sure your circuits can actually handle the load, or you’ll be spending your morning flipping the breaker switch back on. Heat vs. Comfort There is a bit of a balancing act here. A high-power lamp feels amazing the second you step out of a shower. It’s that instant, cozy hit of warmth. But if the lamp is too powerful for a small room, or if it’s mounted too low, it can feel like you’re standing too close to a campfire. It gets aggressive. The trick is to mount the higher-wattage lamps higher up on the ceiling. This spreads the heat out in a wider cone, giving you a steady, comfortable warmth instead of a “hot spot” that feels like it’s searing your skin. Just match the wattage to your floor space, double-check that it’s waterproof, and make sure your wiring is up to the task. You’ll be set.