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Best Portable Heaters

Updated October 2018
Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Lifesmart
Large Room Infrared Quartz Fireplace in Burnished Oak Finish
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Bottom Line

Quirks aside, if you want a portable heater that's suitable for larger areas and offers beautiful looks, this Lifesmart quartz infrared faux fireplace model has a lot to offer.

Pros

Generates praise for its attractive design that resembles a fireplace with fire glow that looks realistic. Heats areas up to 1000 square feet with efficient infrared heat. Remote control included. Has casters that make it easy to move.

Cons

Some faulty models have been reported. A few quality control issues noted, as some units have arrived damaged. Pricey.

Best Bang for the Buck
Lasko
Designer Series Ceramic Oscillating Heater, 1500W
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Bottom Line

Aside from some concerns, this portable heater provides decent heating ability for small to moderate spaces and looks stylish enough to complement nearly any room.

Pros

Not only does this model look nice, but functions well in small to fairly spacious areas. Metal scroll base, oscillating heat, reasonably quiet operation, and affordable price is part of its feature set.

Cons

Owners gripe about an unpleasant plastic smell that takes a while to fade. May not provide sufficient heat for very large spaces but works for most. Cord gets hot when run for long periods of time.

Dr. Infrared Heater
DR-968 Portable Infrared Heater, 1500W
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Bottom Line

A good-looking portable heater that offers impressive performance, provided you don't get a "lemon" unit.

Pros

Heats up rooms and moderate-sized living spaces fairly quickly and quietly with even warmth without exposed heating elements. Attractive; operates manually or with remote. Easy to slide from room to room without tipping.

Cons

A few faulty models/units that quit working after a few months have been reported, and customer service could be more attentive.

Honeywell
360 Degree Surround Fan Forced Heater
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Bottom Line

If you need a good buy on a portable heater for a small space like an office for bedroom, this is a good choice. But it doesn't produce enough heat for large rooms.

Pros

An inexpensive model that is surprisingly innovative for the price, thanks to the 360-degree forced air unit that emits heat from the entire circumference of the heater. Compact and easy to move.

Cons

On the noisy side, occasionally makes strange "clicking" sounds and won't heat up spacious rooms.

De'Longhi
Slim Style Digital Convection Panel Heater with Dual Fan, 1500W
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Bottom Line

A must have for anyone who wants to heat small spaces and needs a portable heater with a small footprint; but not suited for very spacious areas.

Pros

Provides efficient room heating with dual-fan technology that distributes warmth quietly. Lightweight, slim design saves space and can be mounted to a wall with the included hardware.

Cons

May not provide enough warmth to effectively heat large spaces. Has a strange odor at first that may dissipate with use.

Portable heaters provide a perfect solution for rooms in your home that always seem to be cold. You can select portable heaters with all kinds of different designs. Some heaters even look like a mini-fireplace with fake flames. Pay attention to the coverage area rating for the portable space heater. Pick one that will at least fully heat the area you have in mind. Safety features are important for portable heaters, reducing the possibility of a fire. Some space heaters will shut off automatically once they hit a certain temperature or if they tip. Pick a heater with a long electrical cord. This means you can place it well away from flammable objects, such as curtains, blankets, or furniture.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

  • 17 Models Considered
  • 8 Hours Researched
  • 1 Experts Interviewed
  • 154 Consumers Consulted
    • Zero products received from manufacturers.

    We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

    Why trust BestReviews?
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
    The team that worked on this review
    • Heather
      Heather
      Chief Content Officer
    • Jennifer
      Jennifer
      Writer
    • Melinda
      Melinda
      Web Producer
    ×

    Lasko

    Designer Series Ceramic Oscillating Heater, 1500W

    Lasko

    Designer Series Ceramic Oscillating Heater, 1500W

    Aside from some concerns, this portable heater provides decent heating ability for small to moderate spaces and looks stylish enough to complement nearly any room.

    $45
    ×

    Dr. Infrared Heater

    DR-968 Portable Infrared Heater, 1500W

    Dr. Infrared Heater

    DR-968 Portable Infrared Heater, 1500W

    A good-looking portable heater that offers impressive performance, provided you don't get a "lemon" unit.

    $116
    ×

    Honeywell

    360 Degree Surround Fan Forced Heater

    Honeywell

    360 Degree Surround Fan Forced Heater

    If you need a good buy on a portable heater for a small space like an office for bedroom, this is a good choice. But it doesn't produce enough heat for large rooms.

    $41
    ×

    De'Longhi

    Slim Style Digital Convection Panel Heater with Dual Fan, 1500W

    De'Longhi

    Slim Style Digital Convection Panel Heater with Dual Fan, 1500W

    A must have for anyone who wants to heat small spaces and needs a portable heater with a small footprint; but not suited for very spacious areas.

    $85
    ×

    Lifesmart

    Large Room Infrared Quartz Fireplace in Burnished Oak Finish

    Lifesmart

    Large Room Infrared Quartz Fireplace in Burnished Oak Finish

    Quirks aside, if you want a portable heater that's suitable for larger areas and offers beautiful looks, this Lifesmart quartz infrared faux fireplace model has a lot to offer.

    $141

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