After thoroughly testing each heater’s settings and features, the Better Homes & Gardens Freestanding Fan Forced 1500W Portable Fireplace is our top choice, because it warmed our space and bodies well, has useful safety features, and has an aesthetically pleasing design. If you’re looking for a model that has special eco-friendly features, we recommend the andily Space Heater Electric Heater for Home and Office, because, according to our P3 Kill a Watt monitor, it has the lowest KWH measurement out of all the other space heaters included in this roundup, and it has an energy-saving mode.
The Spruce tested 31 space heaters in The Lab. We followed a meticulous testing methodology in order to thoroughly test and accurately evaluate each pr oduct’s heating performance, design, safety features, noise levels, portability, and value. We provided ratings for each attribute based on our first-hand experiences setting up and using each space heater, and we included our favorites in this roundup.
In order to test heating performance, we relied on two thermometers in our testing rooms to quantify how effectively and quickly the heaters warmed up a room after five minutes on each of its settings and after 30 minutes on its highest setting. We also measured changes in our body surface temperature and considered how each heater’s warmth made us feel. When we rated design, we considered how easy the displays were to read and how easy the controls were to use. We also considered the space heaters’ noise levels, relying on a decibel meter to measure the noise that each unit produced. To judge the portability of portable heaters, we carried or wheeled them across the room, noting how comfortable they were to handle and how easy they were to move. When it came down to value, we considered all of the positive and negative aspects of each unit in relation to its price point.
We started our test by using an IR thermometer to measure our bodies’ surface temperatures. In each room where we conducted our test, we also set up two thermometers—one closer and one farther from the heater being tested. We recorded the base temperature and humidity readings on each thermometer before using the heaters.
Once we had all our base readings recorded, we plugged the heater into the outlet, which was equipped with a P3 Kill a Watt monitor so we could measure each space heater’s electricity usage. We made sure to place the heaters in a cle ar, open space and at least three feet away from any flammable materials. We turned the space heater onto the highest setting and then started a timer. We ran each setting for at least five minutes. For each setting, we sat three feet away from the heater and recorded how the heat (or lack of heat) made us feel. At the end of each-five minute interval, we used the IR thermometer to measure and record the surface temperature of our bodies again; we also recorded the temperature and humidity readings on both thermometers in the room again.
Once we tested each setting for each heater, we ran each heater for at least 30 minutes on its highest setting. After 30 minutes passed, we once again recorded the temperature and humidity readings on both the thermometers in the room. Relying on the P3 Kill a Watt monitor, we also recorded how much energy each heater used in kilowatt-hours. We used the IR thermometer to measure the temperature of the front grill/opening of the heater, as well as the housing at the back and the top of the heater. We measured these same parts of each space heater once they had been turned off for 15 minutes.
When applicable, we tested the functionality of other features for the heaters. For oscillating heaters, we turned them on to their highest mode, turned on the oscillation feature, and noted how smoothly they moved and how much area they covered. For heaters with app control options, we noted how easily we were able to connect the heater to the Wi-Fi and set up the app, as well as whether the in-app controls were user-friendly. For heaters with a tip-over shut-off safety feature, we turned the unit onto its lowest setting and nudged it with our foot to gently tip it over. We waited 30 seconds and noted whether the heater automatically turned off or not.
There are many types of space heaters, but the most common—and often least expensive—models are compact space heaters with fans. Deane Biermeier, a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board, says that “fan space heaters are excellent for supplying heat directly where you need it” and that they are best used for “supplemental heat when rema ining in the same spot for a while.” Our top pick for space heaters, the Better Homes & Gardens Freestanding Fan Forced 1500W Portable Fireplace, relies on a fan design.
Other relatively safe compact space heaters have ceramic plates or coils. Models with ceramic plates are self-regulating to avoid overheating. Models w ith coils are often exposed and get very hot, posing a safety risk, especially to children and pets. Biermeier lists energy-efficiency and an ability to quickly produce a large amount of heat as being the typical bene fits of a ceramic heater. The Kismile Small Space Heater for Indoor Use, which we love for its budget-friendly price, uses ceramic heating technology.
Some floor-standing space heaters run off infrared heat or oil. Infrared heats up very quickly but does not stay hot. Biermeier says that “infrared spa ce heaters provide heat that’s similar to radiant style HVAC boiler systems. It’s a comfortable warmth that heats the room objects, including you, instead of the air in the room.” The Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove, which is our pick for the best splurge-worthy space heater, is an infrared model. Oil models are very effective but large, heavy, and expensive. Biermeier also notes that “oil space heaters are slower to heat up, but maintain their heat between cycles, which makes them very energy-efficient.”
Heat output refers to the amount of heat produced by a given unit. Thus, the higher the heat output, the greater the warmth being produced. Heat output is typically measured in BTUs per hour, but it can also be converted over into watts, with one watt being equivalent to 3.41 BTUs per hour. Biermeier notes that “space heaters aren’t designed for use as a primary heat source, so you shouldn’t need more than a 1500-watt space heater.” He adds that “1500 watts is the largest heater that you can safely plug into a standard 15-amp electrical circuit without tripping the breaker.”
The Better Homes & Gardens Freestanding Fan Forced 1500W Portable Fireplace uses 750W on its low setting and 1500W on its high setting. Out of all the space heaters in o ur roundup, our favorite personal space heater, the Vornado VH203 75 Square Foot Personal Space Heater with Vortex Circulation, has the lowest heat output, using 375W on its lowest setting and 750W on its highest settings. None of the heaters in our roundup is listed as using more than 1500W.
Look for models with automatic shutoffs or temperature regulators, particularly if your space heater will be running frequently or overnight. Biermeier recommends that you look for a space heater that “has a tip-over switch that turns the heater off if it falls down, a thermostat to control the temperature, and an automatic overheating sensor and auto switch.”
Always buy models that meet U.S. safety standards. Look for labels indicating that the unit has been tested by recognized labs like UL, ETL, or CSA. And never use an extension cord with an electric heater—choose a model with a long power cord if proximity to an outlet is an issue. The Honey well ThermaWave 6 Ceramic Technology Space Heater, which we love for its array of safety features, is UL-tested and has overheat protection, a tip-over auto-shutoff, and temperature sensors.
FAQ
Sarah Toscano is a freelance writer for The Spruce, specializing in all things related to home tech and smart home gadgets. All of the space heaters included in this roundup were tested in The Lab, where product testers followed a detailed and rigorous testing methodology to properly evaluate and score each unit. The information in this article i s based on our testers’ feedback after gaining first-hand experience using each unit.
Toscano also consulted with Deane Biermeier, a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.