Are you looking to shop the best engine block heater, but finding it hard to find a decent model? This equipment needs to be chosen carefully as it warms up the car engine before starting it. Many will be amazed to know that a block heater is known as the hero of the North in the United States and Canada. There are great numbers of tasks that you can only accomplish with the presence of this equipment.
Top 10 Best Engine Block Heater Reviews in 2024?
No matter you are living in the area with lots of cold or want to prepare your vehicle for the upcoming race, it is ideal for installing a great engine block heater. However, finding the right option is almost an impossible task when you have an abundance of options to choose from. That’s why our team has made things easier for the buyers by creating a list of top 10 best engine block heaters to choose from in 2024. Have a look at the models carefully and buy the one that you like the most.
1. Kat’s 1160 300-Watt Magnetic Heater (editor’s choice)
We are going to place this universal fit heater in the first position as it is capable enough to beat many top models in the market. It works perfectly fits the majority of cars, heavy-duty trucks, SUVs, vans, and many more without any problem. In addition to that, this unit is ideal for other vehicles like motorcycles, snowmobiles, and farm equipment. It is a solid electric heater that helps to heat the engine and give the required protection to the engine from damage.
There will be a significant level of improvement in fuel economy guaranteed after the installation of this unit. Additionally, it makes the oil flow better that directly results in minimizing the wear to the engine. It comes with two solid magnets that warm the engine comfortably along with making its life better. It is a brilliant multi-functional device that has a very positive reputation among users.
It can effectively cover an area up to 20 square inches with ease. The installation process of this unit is quite quick and doesn’t take too much time. So, if you are living in a pretty tough area like Alaska, we will be happy to say that Kat’s 1160 is the right choice to make. You are going to get satisfied with the performance of this block heater for sure.
Pros
- Compatible with oil pan of almost every vehicle
- Crafted using top-quality material
- Warms engine consistently
- Perfect for heavy-duty and regular vehicles
Cons
- A little bit complicated to install on 4Runners
- Cords should have been longer
2. Zerostart 3500043 Engine Block Heater (runners up)
The second most fantastic engine block heater we want to recommend buyers is this option that fits with the vehicles of many brands adequately. It is even suggested by a great number of experts from the industry due to its magnificent ability to keep the engine from damage. In simple words, this unit is made for people who want their engine block heater to complete the job in tough conditions. You will succeed in warming up the engine at one go making it a great option to choose.
It is a CSA approved unit that is compatible with the vehicles of brands like Caterpillar, Detroit Diesel, Nissan, Lincoln, and Mercury among others. The efficiency of your engine will get a great boost as the unit directly heats the engine and coolant. The unit is manufactured by a brand like Zerostart, so there is nothing to worry about the authenticity and performance in any manner.
No matter how much time has surpassed before you have used the vehicle, this unit takes 3 to 4 hours to cool it completely without any problem. It is a 1000 watt powerful block heater that works directly on the coolant and engine saving lots of time for the buyers. Give comfortable heating to your vehicle by simply installing this unit now.
Pros
- Causes minimum wear to the engine
- Approved by CSA
- Compatible with a variety of vehicles
- Warms up engine quickly
Cons
- A little bit smaller in size
- Complaints about missing accessories in a few packages
3. Hotstart Engine Heater Original (best hotstart engine block heater)
If you love shopping products from the Hotstart brand and looking for an engine block heater, we suggest the TPS151GT10-000 model buy. This vibration and shock tested unit equipped with a brilliant thermostat that maintains the coolant temperature adequately. The most convincing thing about this unit is its low maintenance thanks to the availability of its parts. You can replace its parts quite quickly at an affordable price.
It is backed by a one-year warranty that is a great sign of relief for the buyers. This super durable model delivered with a 4-foot power cord that makes things convenient. It works perfectly for a variety of vehicles like trucks, buses, cars, generators, and boats quite quickly. This product has a very easier installation process that gets completed before your expectations. You will get great results in terms of heat loss after setting this heater in the system.
It is heavy equipment that helps in making warm-up better along with improving car transmission. There is no way that you are going to find difficulty in starting your vehicle even in the coldest mornings. The company has crafted it in an aluminum body that allows the unit to stay resistant against corrosion and heavy impacts. Additionally, the flow gets extra assist due to tapered construction.
Pros
- Power external heater with 1,500 watts
- Crafted in a substantial body
- Delivered with straps for mounting
- Backed by a one-year warranty
Cons
- The design needs to better
- After-sales service is a little bit poor
4. Kat’s 13150 1500 Watt Heater (best for versatility)
If someone is looking to buy a unit with versatility in mind, then we will suggest the buyers go for this model from Kat’s brand. It is a high-quality engine block heater that works perfectly for warming up the engine. Even the coldest of mornings will easily allow you to warm the engine with ease without any issue. Installing this unit will enable you to protect the vehicle from the cold for sure.
The wonderful die-cast aluminum construction of the unit helps in the prevention of corrosion and impacts to a greater level. There is only a limited mechanical ability demanded by the company for the installation process. Your engines will start to provide a pretty better fuel economy along with better lubrication to the engine. The life of the engine also gets improved if you use this machine for your vehicle.
It has a one-piece molding that greatly assists in the elimination of leaks. That’s not all; its tapered outlet design allows the users to push the coolant effectively for extra convenience. Also, the company has used recyclable aluminum that directly allows the users to contribute to the betterment of nature.
Pros
- Give great protection to engine
- Boosts the transmission even in cold winters
- Manufactured using high-quality recyclable aluminum
- Make the engine life better
Cons
- Installation takes a little bit time
- The instructional manual is hard to understand
5. Zerostart 3400017 Electric Magnet Heater (best portable engine block heater)
The people seeking portable engine block heater should invest in this model from the Zerostart brand. It comes with an integrated thermostat that assists in maintaining the right temperature on all types of metallic surfaces. This 200-watt machine can work on a variety of vehicles like snowmobiles, tractors, blocks, generators, snowblowers, and farm equipment. It is a highly portable device equipped with easy to grip handle for protecting against heat.
It is a universal fit engine block heater that makes sure you don’t feel any installation-related problems. Starting up vehicles even in cold winters will become easier with the presence of an engine block heater. This brand is manufactured by the Zerostart brand that is known for its innovative heating solutions. You can use it for a variety of things like steel gutters, hydraulic heating oil pans, and stock tanks.
There are silicone pad heaters that can work in extreme conditions without causing any trouble. The cord sets of this unit are catered for tackling the temperature, vibration, and moisture with ease. Additionally, the potential failure point in the engine gets eliminated with the presence of this high-quality cord set. Overall, this unit is the perfect option to shop for protecting the engine from cold.
Pros
- Equipped with an integrated handle for protecting hands from heat
- Work on a variety of applications
- Easy to understand instruction manual
- Maintain adequate temperature on all types of metallic surfaces
Cons
- Little bit cheesy two-inch plug
- The cord should have been longer
6. Ford F7TZ-6A051-AA Heater (best for Ford vehicles)
If you are looking for an engine block heater for a Ford vehicle, this model is the perfect choice to make. It is compatible with every vehicle ranging from 1999 to 2003 Ford Super Duty models with ease. The thing we want the buyers to know is that it is a genuine component and delivered by the company without any cord. Its installation process is quite convenient as all you need is to drain the radiator. You can complete this process in a matter of minutes to have a comfortable experience.
It is the best engine block heater that makes sure the engine gets heated even in the coldest environment. This high-quality and reliable heater can fit perfectly with the engines. No matter, you haven’t started the engine for months, or it is a few days, it will get heated in a matter of minutes. The installation of this unit will ensure that your engine stays close to the original condition for a long time.
There is no chance of over-torque in the engine once this engine installs in your unit. You won’t have to deal with the loss of coolant with this engine block heater. It is available at a very affordable price, so there is nothing to worry about the burden at the pocket. Overall, this nice engine block heater is the right option to install for your Ford vehicle.
Pros
- Very friendly and reliable functionality
- Straightforward & mess-free process to install
- Compatible with a variety of Ford vehicles
- Works excitedly in below zero temperatures
Cons
- Manual has very poorly written English
- Swapping takes time
7. Kat’s 1155 200 Watt Magnetic Heater (best for beginners)
There is a great chance that a great number of buyers might be buying a block heater for the first time. Our team wants to suggest Kat’s 1155 200 models for such buyers as it works adequately in harsh conditions along with an easy installation system. You will surely get surprised to see that this unit can operate wonderfully even in -40 degrees Celsius temperature. The vehicle can quickly warm up by installing on the oil pan of your car or truck.
If you live in cold states like North Dakota and Alaska, then there is a full possibility you often have to deal with frozen pipes and locks. However, this top-class device will make sure your life returns to normal despite having shallow temperatures. Apart from that, you can also be used for heating hydraulic systems and livestock feeders. It is a thermostatically controlled device that people of any skill level can use without any problem.
If you believe that this unit only offers to warm up the engine, then you are entirely wrong. It offers tons of other benefits like boosting the fuel economy and making the oil flow better. On top of that, there will be a significant reduction in the wear of the engine that increases the engine’s life directly. Buy this unit and give an instant boost to the performance of your vehicle now.
Pros
- Effectively minimizes wear
- Boosts life of the engine
- Provide effective starts in cold weather
- Transmission becomes convenient & easier
Cons
- Many complaints about smell after some months of use
- The plastic case made using cheap material
8. Zerostart 2600900 Interior Car Warmer (best for light-duty vehicles)
The next unit is a high-class warmer that is considered perfect for light and recreational vehicles. The Zerostart 2600900 is easy to install a unit that can be mounted either under the dash or on the floor quite conveniently. It is delivered using a mounting bracket using which the installation process gets completed in less than a few minutes. During the testing process, our team finds that this option is perfect for vehicles with a lightweight load.
This universally fit block heater can be plugged quite easily into the AC outlet for heating the interior convincingly. The length of the cord is nearly 7.5 feet making sure you have a pleasant experience. Apart from warming your engine, this equipment can defog your windows in quite a terrific manner. It is an excellent heater for dealing with a high sort of issue related to low temperature.
It is a compact and portable heater that can perform the job quite discreetly. Some may argue that it doesn’t have a thermostat, but we believe you won’t need one considering its fantastic performance. Overall, this device is an excellent combination of performance and an easy installation process.
Pros
- Very long cord for better convenience
- Give multiple installation options
- Very discreetly designed block heater
- Known for giving a powerful performance
Cons
- Very costly block heater to buy
- Slightly vague description
9. Ford 2011-2016 Super Duty Engine Block Heater (best for Ford trucks)
If you own a Ford super duty truck, then go for this block heater without doing any search further. It is an impressive unit that offers a pretty intense heat that even starts the vehicle that hasn’t begun in moths without any issue. The company delivers it with a cable cord wire harness for providing extra convenience to the buyers. It has a highly radical intensive construction that allows the heater to last long for many years. The biggest benefit of this machine is it let the users install the heater on existing holes in the rail.
It is the best engine block heater that only takes 3 hours to warm up the engine and make the unit ready for operation. This equipment equipped with a wall plug that can work brilliantly with the extension. The installation process of this unit is quite convenient if you have long extensions. There is a perfect fitment offered by this unit with the factory parts, so don’t worry about the cold at all. It fits perfectly with the majority of Ford vehicles, so people don’t face any compatibility issues.
The company delivers this unit with OEM parts at an excellent price, so don’t worry about getting hard on the pocket. It is a genuine Ford engine block heater that also has directions on YouTube about the usage process. In simple words, you are going to get everything needed for keeping this engine warm in this package.
Pros
- Very genuine product from Ford brand
- Available at an excellent price
- Easy to understand the installation process
- Works brilliantly with Ford engines
Cons
- Not ideal for vehicles other than Ford brand
- Some may have to buy extension
10. Zerostart 350-0015 Engine Block Heater (best for boosting engine’s life)
There are many cold places where people find it hard to start the vehicle. It only not damages the vehicle engine but reduces its life to a significant level. The Zerostart 350-0015 is a great heating solution that is very useful for trucks, generators, cars, and off-road vehicles among others. Having this unit will warm up your engine and make the vehicle ready during the mornings. You won’t have to deal with starting problems of the vehicle at all.
It works perfectly with the OEM engine as the company has designed it for dealing with specific applications. The life of your vehicle will get extended with this unit as the engine, and other related components will warm up before starting. All you need to do is providing household AC power for starting this heater. It transmits heat across the engine through the convective flow of coolant that gets warmed.
If you are looking for boosting the life of your car engine better, please invest your money in this brilliantly crafted unit. It will heat the engine block and fuel for helping the vehicle in getting started during cold weather. There are few complaints about this unit so you can trust its authenticity. Your vehicle will start to give great emissions along with low maintenance for sure.
Pros
- Boosts engine’s life to years
- Work using standard AC outlet
- Distributes heats evenly
- Compatible with both gas and diesel vehicles
Cons
- Minor complaints about leakage
Buying Guide- How to choose the best engine block heater?
No matter what you shop, it is essential to check certain things before deciding which model is the right one to choose. Many buyers often make a mistake of not testing any of them and regretting later. However, the main motive of our platform is to help the community in making the right choices. That’s why we have created the list of factors that needs to be checked carefully before buying an engine block heater below:
Fuel Type
The foremost factor that needs to be considered while investing in a block heater is checking the type of fuel used by the engine, whether it is diesel or gasoline. It will play a critical role in deciding the block heater for sure. If it uses gasoline, then we believe there is very low you will need a block heater.
On the other hand, diesel engines are very difficult to start in winters if kept off for many days. The reason behind that is the diesel gets thick in cold temperatures, so there will be a need for the heater to start it without any issue.
Engine Heater Type
The next thing to consider carefully while buying an engine block heater is its type. We all know there are many different types of engine heaters available in the market. The most common ones are engine-warming blanket, frost plug eater, circulating in-line heater, and dipstick heater.
Please understand that all of them aren’t engine heaters, so make a choice appropriately. Shop the engine block heater that is compatible with your vehicle.
Installation Process
The third most important thing to keep in mind while buying an engine block heater is “how easy it is to install it”? As we all know, every model has its different system of installation that you need to keep in mind. The thing you need to ensure is to buy the model that can be installed with ease and let you avoid trouble.
The more comfortable options in terms of installation are oil dipstick and engine warming blanket. Still, we suggest buyers investing in the ones with whom you are confident with.
Budget
The budget is also an essential thing to keep in mind while investing in an engine block heater. It can be easily shopped for a price of less than US$ 100, and it can increase to more than US$ 500 depending on its efficiency and performance.
As an expert, you should only invest in the model that matches your vehicle along with fitting in the pocket without putting any pressure on it.
Specifications
There is no way you should shop for an engine block heater without knowing its specifications. It is a very crucial thing where you have to consider things like rated power consumption, voltage, weight, quality compliance, dimension, and many more.
Having an understanding of these technical specifications will make sure you end up shopping for the correct model.
My Top Pick and Why?
The Hotstart Engine Heater TPS151GT10-000 is a fantastic product that fits perfectly with most vehicles. It has a magnificent ability to protect the engine from any sort of damage. The manufacturer has designed it so that it even works exceptionally well in extremely tough conditions.
It is a durable block heater with an integrated thermostat and long power cord for a premier experience. There are 5/8” inches of hose nipples that cool down the engine using convection. The thermostat installed in this equipment is capable of regulating the temperature of coolant anywhere between 100-120 degrees.
The company hasn’t made it in the throw away design as all its parts are replaceable. Overall, it is very nice to invest your money in vibration and shock tested engine block heaters for the long life of your vehicle that make it an impressive choice to make.
FAQ about engine block heater
1. Is it a must to buy an engine block heater?
Well, whether you need to buy an engine block heater depends on different factors. The first thing to consider is the temperature of the area where you live. Don’t buy it if you live in hot areas as it won’t give any benefits. On the other hand, it is a must-have thing in extremely colder environments. Also, you don’t need it in the case of a gasoline engine.
2. How long should we plug in an engine block heater?
According to experts, the maximum time you should plug-in an engine block heater is four hours. If you keep it for a time more than that, then you are only wasting electricity and hitting your pocket badly. On the other hand, the minimum time you should plug-in the heater for getting the desired results in two hours.
3. Does an engine block heater give any benefits to the battery and other components in the vehicle?
Please understand the point that starting a car or truck in the colder conditions will put a great strain on its components. The oil becomes very thicker in such conditions that put extra pressure on them. However, having an engine block heater will minimize the work by keeping oil harm. It will directly reduce the stress on the engine’s components.
4. Do modern cars even need an engine block heater?
If you live in the area where the temperature often drops below -15 degrees Celsius, then there is a great chance even the modern car engines won’t get started easily. So, the thing we want to say is yes, modern cars also need an engine block heater.
5. Can you save fuel with an engine block heater?
Without any doubt, you will be succeeded in saving money by using less fuel while driving your car. It is pretty guaranteed that you can save nearly 10-12% fuel in the first 15 km. It can be even more if the size of the engine is more.
Conclusion
We are 100% assured that you want to end up shopping the best engine block heater that makes things easier in a cold environment. Our team has provided a detailed guide that will surely be helpful in making the right decision.
Please make a choice according to your car’s brand and model carefully. If there is still a query regarding this equipment, please write to us in the comment section or email us. We are always available to answer the queries of readers in the best possible manner.
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