BOLDR KELVIN Smart Infrared Heater REVIEW Setup, Performance, and Everyday Use

How the KELVIN Smart Infrared Heater performs in real homes, from installation to comfort and control.

A couple of months ago, our area was hit with a heat wave. It lasted for a couple of months and we discovered just how high energy bills could get. Our local energy provider has raised rates and inserted different fees in order to help with the company’s infrastructure costs. These costs have been passed to the consumer in a big way. This type of rate increase has caused people in our area to rethink how they are using energy at home and ways to save. They are using more fans instead of central air when it’s hot outside and adding more space heaters instead of using their furnace. Space heaters come with their own set of safety issues, but fortunately there are alternatives like the KELVIN Smart Infrared Heater.

About KELVIN Smart Infrared Heater

The KELVIN Smart Infrared Heater from BOLDR is a modern, energy-efficient electric heater designed to combine comfort, convenience, and sleek design for home or office spaces. Instead of relying on forced-air or convection heating, KELVIN uses far-infrared radiant technology to directly warm people and objects, producing a natural, “sun-like” warmth that doesn’t rely on blowing hot air.

KELVIN delivers warmth in a clean, silent, and low-maintenance package. There are two main size options: a “Standard” model ideal for areas up to around 100 sq ft, and a larger model suited for roughly 200 sq ft spaces. It’s a wall-mountable panel that plugs into a standard electrical outlet and setup is designed to be quick and straightforward, with wall mounts and anchors included.

Beyond just heating, KELVIN is built to integrate with smart-home systems. Each unit comes with a wireless temperature and humidity sensor and pairs with the BOLDR mobile app, which enables zone-by-room control, scheduling, and real-time energy use monitoring. For broader home integration (HVAC control, zoning automation, voice control via compatible platforms), KELVIN can work with BOLDR’s smart thermostat add-on.

Because the heater radiates infrared heat rather than heating air, it tends to create a more consistent, even warmth; often with better energy efficiency than traditional electric heaters. BOLDR claims up to 30 % greater cost-effectiveness compared with common convection heaters.

KELVIN’s design philosophy blends functionality with aesthetics. The heater is built with tempered ceramic glass and aluminum components, offering durability and a clean, modern look that integrates smoothly into many interior designs.  Because there are no moving parts and no need for filter changes or maintenance, KELVIN aims to be a “set-and-forget” heating solution that stays reliable over time.

Overall, KELVIN is meant to be a versatile, smart, and efficient alternative to traditional space heaters or heating systems. It’s suited for homeowners or renters looking for a clean, quiet, and controllable heating solution, especially in smaller or specific rooms within a home.

Kelvin Large Specifications

Pricing & Availability

The standard size of the KELVIN has a list price of $399 and the large unit is $550. At this time of publishing, KELVIN is only available through shopboldr.com.

User Experience

Overall, I really like the concept of the KELVIN heater. We’ve used infrared heaters in our home already in place of traditional space heaters and it’s been very successful. I love that KELVIN has a specific thermostat controller for it in addition to the smart app. I also found the companion app to be very intuitive and easy to navigate. Unboxing the KELVIN unit is also easy since it’s all one piece. The only things included in the box are the heater, an instruction guide, and the mounting hardware.

The setup was very, very simple. I plugged the KELVIN into an outlet and at that point, it was active. I looked to see if there was a power button or a WiFi connection button anywhere on it, but there isn’t. So, I opened up the mobile app on my iPhone and set up my account. The app automatically detected the KELVIN and was able to start using it.

While you can control the KELVIN through the app, it will need a sensor to use any of the smart features (i.e. automation, etc.). So, I moved to the second part of the setup: adding the Boldr Thermostat. One of the things I really like about the thermostat is that you can attach it to the wall or have it sit on a desktop. I opted for the desktop option. The connection process for the thermostat was also painless and the entire setup was ready to use within a few minutes.

The next part of the process was to install the KELVIN on the wall. We ended up selecting a wall in our dining room simply because it was a away from any windows that might counteract the effects of the infrared heat. Our dining room opens into both the kitchen and living room, so we felt it was a central spot in the house that would let the heater work efficiently. I also liked this location because there weren’t a lot of obstacles in the way of mounting the KELVIN to the wall.

The mounting process is where I end up having an issue with the KELVIN. Boldr includes hardware with the KELVIN, but, in my opinion, it is substandard to what should be used. The only pieces that are included are drywall anchors and screws. The instructions direct users to utilize the drywall anchors and screws that are provided to mount the KELVIN on the wall, and that seemed wrong to me. I’ve actually got a lot of experience mounting TVs and Monitors and I always use heavy-duty wall mounts for those types of devices.

I did a little research and many home improvement experts, such as angi.com, recommend mounting heavier objects directly into wall studs if you don’t have the correct hardware for drywall mounting. The anchors that are included are plastic expansion anchors and depending on the brand/type, they can hold an average of 25 pounds in drywall. The KELVIN Large is 29 pounds.

I might be ok with the drywall anchors as an option if the instructions at least suggested using a stud, but they don’t. In addition to that, the method for mounting to the wall seems a little tricky. You have to put the screws in the wall and then slide the KELVIN onto those screws. Again, I would have felt better using something like a VESA compatible wall mount.

Also, I noticed that when I turned on the KELVIN, the mounting bracket warms up, too. It’s not as hot as the surface of the KELVIN, but it is warm to the touch. This concerns me because the mounting bracket touches the wall. Now, is it too hot to the touch? No, but any heat touching the wall is concerning in my opinion.

As far as the heating efficiency goes, I did notice a difference in the temperature when I was close to the panel, but when I walked away from it, I didn’t notice it as much. Our house is 1485 square feet so unfortunately, one KELVIN panel isn’t going to make a huge difference house-wide. What it does do is provide a ‘top off’ amount of heat to help keep us more comfortable in a frequently used space.

At this point, we’ve only been using the KELVIN for about a week so I can’t say how well it helps our energy bills, but the dining room is more comfortable.

Conclusion

KELVIN offers a unique approach to supplemental heating with its clean design, silent operation, and smart controls. It is easy to set up and blends well into a room, especially for users who want a modern solution that feels more polished than a traditional space heater. The smart thermostat, intuitive app, and infrared technology give it strong advantages, but the mounting hardware holds it back. With better installation options and clearer guidance for heavier units, the overall experience would be stronger. Even with those concerns, KELVIN adds noticeable comfort in targeted areas and fits well for homeowners who want more control over their heating routine.

For more information, visit shopboldr.com