Chattering teeth, shivering arms, cold feet – we all know how bone-chilling those winter months are! Don’t you wish you had the best heaters to warm up those cold and gloomy days?
In this article, our comprehensive space heater reviews, buying guide, and some useful FAQs will help you select the best heater for yourself, so you don’t have to spend your winter days covered in one blanket over another. Read on!
Our Top Picks for the Best Heaters
Here are some of the best space heaters in the market that will warm your room right up:
1.Lasko 754200 Portable Ceramic Space Heater
Lasko has given consumers some of the best heaters all around the world for over 100 years. Their 754200 ceramic heater is a small and portable device that quickly warms up spaces. It can heat areas as big as 300 square feet, even though it is a tiny heater itself!
Weighing only four pounds, this little dude is very portable. It also has a carry handle, which makes it even more convenient for you to move it around the house.
Apart from portability, the heater has an adjustable thermostat. This has eleven different settings, which can help you adjust the temperature just the way you want it to be.
If the noise bothers you, or if you’re trying to get some sleep, the Lasko 754200 gives you a Quiet mode that lets the device operate noiselessly. This mode has three settings that you can choose from – low heat, high heat, and fan only.
The device also includes safety features such as overheat protection, which will ensure that your heater doesn’t overheat in case you left it on for too long. Another good thing about the 754200 is that its exterior doesn’t heat up while it works.
Hence, this portable heater is relatively safe to use around your house and will give out a lot more heat than it seems like it can handle!
2.Lasko 5624 Low Profile Space Heater
This heater from Lasko is all about being ‘low profile’- silent and short but does its job just as good. It is four feet long and barely 9 inches high, which lets you keep the heater anywhere on the floor so it can easily blend into the surroundings.
One of the most significant features of this small space heater is its ability to work super silently. This, of course, makes it an ideal heater for bedrooms or libraries, where you don’t want loud blowing noises from a heater.
Moreover, the Lasko 5624 is also equipped with an adjustable thermostat. The 1500 watt ceramic heating element inside gives out heat using natural convection, hence, you can be sure that this room heater will surely be silent when it operates!
The heater has digital controls that help you set the temperature to whatever degree you feel comfortable with. Also, you can set this thermostat in Fahrenheit or Celsius, whichever you prefer.
Additionally, it also has a built-in timer, which will shut off the machine when the time limit is reached. You can set the timer anywhere between one to eight hours, depending on how long you want the heater to operate.
The Lasko 5624 also features overheat protection that prevents it from overheating. Not only this but it also has a tip-over safety feature that will automatically turn the heater off as it tips over.
3.Crane Ceramic Heater
This ceramic heater from Crane is built like a tiny fireplace and looks super cool, especially with the lights off. It has realistic digital embers that look ablaze when the heater is in operation, giving the heater a look of a real fireplace. This can be a pretty cool addition to a bedroom!
The heater is only 15 inches tall, which makes it very easy to place it just about anywhere. It does weigh a bit more than other heaters of this size, but it’s nothing you won’t be able to move around with ease.
Furthermore, it has radiant heat and uses forced air to blow that heat out, hence, it’s a nice little portable heater for a small room or area – enough to warm you up after a chilly day out.
The 1500 watt ceramic element has three settings – low heat, high heat, and a mode where there’s no heat and only the beautiful digital embers stay glowing!
Also, this portable heater has a safety tip-over switch, which switches off the product if it’s tipped over. It is also made up of an exterior that stays cool to the touch, even on high heat. These features make this one of the best small space heaters if you don’t want a big one.
The crane fireplace heater series is available in red, black, or white, so you can pick a color that goes well with your surroundings.
4.Hunter Home Comfort Tower Heater
The Hunter Home Comfort company dates back to 1886 when John Hunter and his son started selling their water-driven ceilings fans. Today, they provide consumers all around the world with different household appliances.
This particular ceramic tower heater stands 18 inches tall, but it is designed to be stable. If it does topple over, though, the tip-over safety switch will turn off the heater instantly.
Moreover, there is also an overheat protection feature, which protects you and your home in case you leave the heater on for too long.
Apart from this, the heater’s performance is good enough for a small space that needs some warming up, like a bedroom. It uses forced air which is circulated throughout the room by an oscillating motor, moving the air left to right for even distribution throughout the room.
The tower heater also comes with a manual thermostat, which you can adjust according to your liking. Along with the two heat settings; low and high, there’s also a fan-only mode. Either way, the motor moves left to right to quickly heat a room or blow air.
This tower heater is also ETL approved, which means it complies with North American safety standards. It also comes with three years of warranty, hence proving that it is built to serve you for quite a few winters!
5.Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Heater ( DFI – 5010)
Duraflame is a 50-year-old US-based company that specializes in fire-related products, like lighters, firelogs, and heaters. This model, the DFI 5010, is a 5200 BTU electric heater that can also provide zone heating. This way, only the required areas are warmed up, and you save on bills.
What we liked about this particular heater is its fireplace look. Not only does it have 3D and realistic looking flames, but it is also built to look like a tiny fireplace (which looks so cute!) Moreover, these flames have five brightness settings, so you can adjust the flames according to your mood.
As far as heating is concerned, this electric heater provides it using infrared quartz heating, which is a type of radiant heating. The quartz heating element instantly starts giving out heats plus it doesn’t reduce humidity, so you won’t feel the air getting dry as the room warms up.
So if you are someone that has very dry skin, especially in winter, this may be the best electric heater for you.
This electric heater also has a digital thermostat on the control panel, where you can set the temperature in increments of two. When the desired temperature is reached, the heater will automatically turn off.
The best part, though, is that you can get a remote control that powers the machine on and off. It also sets the flame, the timer (turns it off only), and lets you check the temperature.
The best electric heaters will have a cool exterior, and so does Duraflame. Hence, you can use it around pets or toddlers without worries. It also has an overheat protection feature.
6.Lifesmart Large Room Infrared Heater
This infrared heater is from Lifesmart, a company founded in 2007 which sells some of the best heaters. This particular space heater can cover areas up to 150 square feet, and you can also use this for zone heating, and save on bills.
The best thing about this infrared heater is that it is built like a fireplace. Being light oak in color, the heater is large and beautifully sculpted like a fireplace. Hence, it is ideal for bigger spaces as well. The exterior stays cool to touch, so you can even keep something on top of the heater if you want.
Not only this, but you get realistic 3D digital flames, giving the heater the look of a real fireplace. The brightness can be adjusted in four levels so you can achieve the desired look for your room. Moreover, the fake logs also glow red and orange for a very realistic fireplace look!
This heater too has a digital thermostat, where you can set the temperature, and the heater will heat the room accordingly. Moreover, you can also use the timer function to set the heater to turn off whenever you want. The heater also comes with a remote so you can change settings from across the room.
Also, the heater comes with wheels for portability, so you can move it around easily despite it being a bit heavy.
7.Mill CUS1500MECWA PTC Ceramic Fan Heater
This ceramic heater by Mill uses a PTC heating element, which makes it a more efficient and safe heater. It consists of a motor that blows air powerfully so that air is distributed evenly and quickly throughout the room. This also lowers the surface temperature and reduces burnt dust.
The heater is very portable because it is very tiny in size! It also weighs pretty less, which makes it even easier to move the little thing around. The design also includes an aluminum foot that raises the heater above the ground.
This stylish design and the black and white color allows you to place the heater just about anywhere in the house without it becoming an eyesore!
Despite its small and compact size, it can heat areas as big as 130 square feet, and that too, pretty quickly. Hence, this small space heater is a good choice to heat bedrooms or other smaller areas of the house.
Also, it has a mechanical thermostat and the controls are pretty easy to work with as there are only two knobs that you can use to set all the settings. You can choose to run the heater on either 1000 or 1500 watts, depending on how much heat you want.
Moreover, the heater’s body remains cool to touch, making it safe to use around kids and pets. Not only this, but this little guy also has a safety tip-over feature, making it a very safe space heater for your household.
8.Drheater Infrared Portable Space Heater
This heater comes from Drheater, a USA based company that specializes in infrared heaters. This particular space heater has a lot of interesting features that can help you achieve the comfortable warmth you ache for.
First off, this heater stands at only 16 inches high. It is small and easy to move around, which is possible due to its castors. Hence, this may be the best heater for you if you’re looking for a portable yet efficient heater.
Talking about efficiency, Drheater claims that this heater gives out a lot more heat using the same amount of power as compared to other heaters. This is possible due to its unique dual heating system. It includes a quartz tube and a PTC heating element, and these two combined gives out a lot of heat.
This, in turn, makes it one of the most fuel-efficient space heaters. Moreover, it comes with all the smart features for your comfort, for instance, you can set the temperature and other settings with remote control.
It also has an electronic thermostat that turns the heater on and off as the room temperature changes. Moreover, the heater has a timer that you can set for up to 12 hours. It also has to overheat protection and a tip-over safety switch.
Another thing worth mentioning is that this energy-efficient space heater is not only good at heating, but it also claims to do it all very quietly, including in fan mode.
9.DeLonghi TCH8093ER Ceramic Heater
Delonghi is an Italy based company that specializes in small household appliances, including some of the best heaters. This heater from Delonghi is a ceramic tower heater with many smart features for your ease of use.
Firstly, this tower heater is very lightweight, weighing only around six pounds, hence it’s super portable. It also has a modern and sleek design with black and white colors that will not ruin the look of your room.
Secondly, this heater has multiple heat settings which we liked. It works in three settings, which include minimum, boost, and ECO. The eco mode adjusts fan and power settings according to your desired temperature, which can save you a lot of energy.
The company claims, it can save up to 20 to 40% of energy with the help of this mode. And, that makes it one of the most efficient space heaters in our list.
The control panel on this heater has a digital LCD with easy controls, where you can set your desired temperature. You can also set a timer for up to 24 hours with this heater.
You can perform all of these functions with a remote control that comes with this product. It’s a fully functional remote control which also lets you turn the timer on and off from a distance.
The ceramic element of this heater provides quick spot heating, while the oscillating fan distributes the heat quickly and effectively throughout the room. You can also use the fan in a fan-only mode.
Also, this tower heater has overheat protection and a tip-over switch to meet safety standards.
10.Vornado AVH10 Vortex Heater
The company Vornado is based in the United States and was founded in 1989, producing fans and heaters for home comfort.
The AVH10 from Vornado blows out warm to hot air with a unique vortex action, which effectively distributes air throughout the room with the help of the walls and the floor. You can set this fan in two settings, low (750 watts) and high (1500 watts.) A fan mode is also available so you can use this in summers as well!
Moreover, the control panel has an LED screen and very simple and easy controls. The display is large enough for you to see the temperature of your room from far away.
The heater can also adjust the power, heat output, and fan operation according to your preferred temperature, so you don’t have to do it yourself each time, and it also saves energy this way.
Furthermore, the AVH10 is quite small and lightweight, weighing only around five pounds. This makes it a pretty portable heater. Additionally, the heater has an integrated handle that adds to its portability, and a hidden power cord storage area, making it easier to store away the heater.
You also get safety features; like overheat protection, tip-over safety switch, and a cool exterior for safe operation within your house. To add to this, a five-year warranty will give you further assurance about this heater.
11.Lasko Fan Space Heater
The last on our list is another Lasko heater. This particular heater is also a stand fan, so you can use this product all year round. The ceramic heating element gives you heat in three levels (high, medium, and low) for chilly winters. On the other hand, the oscillating fan gives you powerful airflow in four levels ( high, medium, low, and super low) for hot summer days.
The heater/fan itself is built to occupy as little space as possible. Being pretty lightweight, it also has a built-in handle that you can use to move the product around the house.
With the help of an adjustable thermostat, this heater regulates operation according to the temperature you set. It also has an 8-hour timer, so you don’t have to worry about switching the heater off.
You can change these settings using a remote control as well, which adds to its ease of use. It also has a digital control panel with a bright display, giving it a modern look. This heater features a combo of fan and heater mode, so you can spread that warmth gently and evenly to every part of the room with the oscillating fan. You also get safety features like tip over and overheat protection switches with this tower heater/ stand fan.
What to Look For in a Heater – a Buying Guide
Our space heater reviews must have given you a good idea about what you need for your home. Here’s a buying guide to further help you make the right decision:
Type of Heater
There are so many different types of space heaters on the market that it can get a bit confusing to choose one. However, the best heater for you depends on your preference and your situation.
For example, fan heaters or ceramic heaters are safe around children and pets, so if you have such safety concerns, this type may be the best heater for you. They also work well in larger rooms.
On the other hand, if you want to heat one small spot in a room quickly, a radiant or infrared heater may be the best choice for you.
If sky-rocketing bills are a concern, then a portable electric heater is a good option for you. These are considered to be truly energy-efficient, so you won’t be running them for any extra time and adding to your electric bills.
A combination heater combines fan heating and infrared heating. So if you can’t choose between those two options, get yourself a heater that can turn on a fan mode to spread the air from the heated area to other parts of the room.
The type of heater depends on what kind of heating system you prefer. Hence, there’s no one best option because each type has its pros and cons.
Area
The heater you choose will greatly depend on the size of your room or the area you need to heat up. Different heaters have different capacities. Generally, though, a space heater should easily heat your room or a living area. Check for how many square feet the heater can heat up in the spec list.
Also, you need to take into account how high your ceiling is. Warm air goes up, so the temperature at the bottom of the room is usually lesser. A ceramic heater or a convection heater is a good option for rooms with high ceilings.
Safety Features
One of the most important things you should look for is the safety features of a heater. A good heater should not be hot to the touch, even though it’s giving out heat. Hence, look for heaters that are cool to touch even when producing high heat.
This way, people around the heater are protected and you can even put a thing or two on top of the heater, given that it is large enough.
You should look for a couple of other safety features as well. This includes a tip-over safety switch, which turns the heater off as soon as it is tipped over. Since portable heaters are small and often lightweight, it is easy for them to topple over, and this poses a fire hazard.
Hence, make sure your heater has this safety switch if you fear your heater can tip over and fall, especially if you have toddlers and pets around the house!
Last but not the least, an overheat protection switch is an absolute must as well. This eliminates fire risks even if you forget to turn off your heater for a long time, making the heater a safer appliance for your household.
Thermostat
The best heaters have a built-in thermostat that turns the heater on and off as the room temperature changes. This rids you from the fuss of having to manually turn it off and on all the time!
A digital thermostat is always a bonus as it makes the controls very easy to work with, hence, you should look for this in your heater.
Portability
Nobody wants a space heater that’s hard to move around. What’s the point of it being a space heater otherwise? A heater that’s hard to move around, or one that’s heavy, will be pretty annoying as you would probably want to move the heater from room to room every now and then.
For this reason, a ‘portable heater’ needs to have a handle or at least an indentation that makes it easier for you to pick it up and carry it somewhere else.
With that being said, it also needs to be light enough to pick up without too much effort. If it’s not lightweight, look for castors that will allow you to easily push the heater from room to room.
Lastly, the power cord of your heater should be long enough, so that you have more flexibility in where you place the heater in the room. Look for power cords that are at least five to six feet long.
Timer
One of the best features in a heater is a timer. It relieves you from the worry of having to remember when to turn it off in case it overheats. A good heater will let you set the timer at different intervals so that it can turn off when the desired temperature is reached without you having to manually do it.
Remote Control
Getting up from your warm couch to change the heater settings is annoying, which is why it is a good idea to look for heaters that are remotely controlled. This way, you can turn it off or change its settings from across the room.
Also, check if you can perform all the functions with the remote. For instance, some heaters let you change timer settings through the remote, but won’t let you turn the timer on with it. Having to do some things manually kind of destroys the purpose of the remote.
Nevertheless, any sort of remote control functions is a good addition to a heater!
Energy Efficiency
Running a heater will almost definitely add to your electricity bill. However, an energy-efficient heater will make sure that it consumes only the amount of power that is needed and gives out the maximum output of heat using that power.
If bills are a concern, go for an electric heater. They are the most efficient space heaters out there and will prove to be the best heater for you in this case.
Certification and warranty
Look for certifications like UL or ETL approvals, because this means your heater has been tested in labs and is proven safe to use inside the house.
Warranty is an obvious but worth mentioning point when it comes to purchasing heaters. Go through the warranty the manufacturer provides for your heater. Does it have a long enough warranty? Is it limited? Can you return the heater? All of these questions are important if you want a heater that lasts several winters!
Design
Lastly, you may want a heater that blends in well with its surroundings. Sure, you can’t have everything, but if you don’t want a heater ruining the look of your living area or bedroom, you should look for a good enough design.
A lot of heaters come in minimalistic designs or something fancy like a fireplace, so you can choose the one that floats your boat.
FAQs
In case you have more questions regarding heaters, here are a bunch of them that we answered for you to clear all your doubts:
Where should I place my best heater?
You can place your heater anywhere in a room but just make sure that all furniture and other objects are at least three to four feet away from it. This will prevent any fire hazards.
Also, don’t place your heater against the wall. Always make sure that there is a space of at least four to five inches between the wall and the heater.
Furthermore, don’t place heaters in enclosed spaces as this can be very risky. Make sure you’re placing your heater in an open space where for sufficient ventilation.
Lastly, make sure you’re placing your heater somewhere it can’t easily tip over and fall. Keep it in the corner of the room with some free space around it.
Are space heaters safe to use?
Space heaters are designed for households, which means they are safe for your house. With that being said, they are still not completely safe and you should always take precautions.
For instance, don’t leave your heater running on for too long without a break, especially if it doesn’t have an overheat protection switch or a timer. Also, you shouldn’t let your pets and kids go too near the heater, especially if it doesn’t have a cool exterior.
Furthermore, try not to leave the heater on overnight as you sleep. Even though the chances of the worst happening are pretty low, since most heaters come with timers and safety switches, you should still try not to be asleep as your heater runs.
For further ensuring safety, read through the instruction manual of your heater for guidance on how you can safely use your heater.
How long does it take to heat a room with a space heater?
The answer to this depends on the size of your room and the capacity of your heater. If you have a heater that fits the size of your room, it will generally take between twenty minutes to one hour to significantly raise the temperature.
If your room is exceptionally large, though, it may take even longer than this.
Are space heaters enough as a main source of heat?
No, they’re not. Such heaters are designed for small spaces, like a living room or a bedroom that’s either big or small. Even the best heaters that are portable will not be sufficient for the entire house.
If you use a portable heater for the whole house or an area bigger than the heater’s capacity, then it may raise your electric bills by a LOT. This is why it is not an efficient way to heat your house this way.
For the whole house, you will need a heater that fits into your HVAC system. But if you’re using the portable heater as a form of supplemental heating, then you’re good to go.
How much is the cost to run a space heater in terms of energy bills?
This completely depends on the cost of electricity in your area, but generally, using a space heater will not disrupt your monthly budget, and even if it does, it will not be a drastic change.
If this is a concern, then the best heater for you will be an electric heater, especially with an automatic thermostat, so it’ll be more energy efficient.
Can I use a portable heater in the bathroom?
No, it is unsafe to use just any portable or space heater in the bathroom. Unless your heater is approved for use in the bathroom, don’t use it in there! Bathroom-safe heaters are built to survive moisture and have special safety features that an ordinary space heater doesn’t have.
Do I need to clean my heater often?
You should clean your heater if you see the dust on its vent or on the body itself. Accumulated dust can mess with the heater’s working. So just use a cloth to wipe the dust away, or use a vacuum cleaner on the vents to pull out all the unwanted stuff.
In addition, cleaning your heater’s air filter is also an important task. Be sure to go through the instruction manual and follow the guidelines on how you can clean the filter and maintain your heater.
Why do I smell a burning smell when I turn on the heater?
If you’re using your heater after some time has passed, then the burning smell is there due to the dust inside the heater. However, if you smell plastic burning, or if the smell is too strong, unplug the heater.
Can I use my heater with an extension cord?
No, we don’t recommend using a portable heater with an extension cord.
Conclusion
Don’t stay cold in winter! Choose from the above-listed space heaters for a warm and cozy home during the chilly days. Our list comprises all types of heaters, so you can weigh your pros and cons and choose the best heater that fits your needs perfectly.
