Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
After rigorous research, we’ve determined that the best space heater for most people is the , a super sleek model that features overheat protection and cool-touch housing. When it comes to choosing the perfect space heater for you, though, you’ll need to take a few factors into consideration: your budget, the level of portability you need, any safety concerns you have (i.e. whether kids and pets will be around it) and where you actually plan to put your heater.
To help you navigate this purchase, we whittled down the field based on expert recommendations and by analyzing useful features, safety options and value for your money. Below, we rounded up the best space heaters you can buy right now.
Best Space Heater Overall:
Safest Space Heater:
Best Value Space Heater:
Best Space Heater For Small Rooms:
Best Space Heater For Large Rooms:
Best Radiator Space Heater:
Best Electric Space Heater:
Most Attractive Space Heater:
Best Energy-Efficient Space Heater:
Best Room Heater:
Best Space Heater For Bathrooms:
To determine the best models you can buy right now, we scoured brands and retailers for their bestselling, top-rated options. We then narrowed down the field by analyzing consumer reviews and factoring in our personal experience with the individual space he aters. We also considered factors including type (for example, radiant versus electric), power, value, ease of use and safety features. Finally, we enlisted home expert Bailey Carson to make sure each of our recommendations had sign-off from an industry professional.
“The first step in shopping for a space heater is understanding your options,” says Carson. Here are the main factors to keep in mind to help you choose the right one for your home.
There are a lot of different types of space heaters, Carson explains: radiant, which is used to warm small spaces; electric, which plugs directly into your wall; convection, which can reach an entire room; baseboard, which are long units that are placed on the floor; and combination, which use a fan to evenly distribute heat while being energy efficient.
Many space heaters now come with safety features to prevent burns and fires. But, in general, Carson says that radiant space heaters are considered the safest. “They stay cool to the touch, so you don’t have to worry about them burning anyone, ” she says. “They also usually have an automatic shutoff feature, which can help keep you and your family safe if someone accidentally tips the heater over.”
The best capacity for you really depends on the size of the room you’re planning on heating, Carson says. “Indoor or outdoor, make sure your heater will cover that area,” she says. And, depending on the size of your space, you may want to consider buying more than one and strategically setting them up to maximize heat output.
If your budget allows for it, it’s not a bad idea to look for a space heater that also purifies your air, says Dyson Design Manager . “Homes built in the last 10 to 15 years are better sealed to comply with energy efficiency requirements, ” he says. As a result, “pollutants can be trapped inside and air circulation can be compromised, especially in winter. With that in mind, you should consider investing in a heater that also purifies the air in your home.”
The type of space heater you buy depends on your specific needs. If you want to enjoy warmth without raking up your energy bill, infrared heaters are considered highly energy-efficient. They work by converting energy to radiant heat that warms objects and people in a room, not the air in between, thus saving on energy used. Gas and oil-filled heaters are also popular options and generally work well for large spaces, but if you’re looking for instant heat, bear in mind that they do take a little longer to get started. Ceramic heaters are also considered safe options that heat up spaces quickly, but they’re ideally great for warming up smaller spaces. Lastly, fan heaters work by blowing heat outward so the heated air can warm a room. They’re usually more affordable and available in a wide range of sizes and styles.
As we’ve demonstrated above, the best space heaters can range anywhere from $35 to $400 so there are options out there to suit just about every budget. But eventually the cost of running your space heater boils down to energy efficiency and its long-term impact on your monthly utility bills. For instance, space heaters with features like a thermostat, adjustable heat settings that allow you to adjust the level of heat and a timer feature tend to be more energy efficient.
According to our findings, the absolute best space heater on the market today is the , a sleek model with convenient overheat protection. That said, there are plenty of other great models on our list—just take a look above and decide which makes the most sense for your specific budget and lifestyle considerations.
It depends on your needs and how much you’re planning to spend. Many homes have rooms or even pockets of spaces that don’t get as much heat as other areas. While you could turn up the central heat, that will ramp up your utility bill and raise the risk of overheating other areas of your home. It makes more sense in that kind of situation to simply get a portable space heater to use where extra warmth is needed. These small appliances can also be helpful in areas that may be a little draftier or where you simply prefer extra heat, like a garage or bathroom. You can get a quality portable heater for as low as $25, making it a device to at least consider having in your home if you find yourself getting chilly during the day.
A portable space heater is a good option for anyone who tends to run cold. These machines are often small and can easily perch on a table or under a de sk to deliver targeted heat when and where you need it most. In addition, larger space heaters can help warm up roomier spaces—some can deliver heat to areas of up to 1, 000 square feet. If you live in an apartment building or older building with heat that’s difficult to regulate, a portable space heater may be a good add-on to your central heating situation. Space heaters come in a range of sizes, heating outputs and costs, making it easy to find one that works for your personal needs.