We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
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A reliable space heater should put out a decent amount of heat while performing safely. For warming up a cold spot in your home or office, a space heater is a handy device to have around.
Space heaters are generally designed for either indoor or outdoor use but not both, so you should have an idea of where the heater will primarily be used before you purchase. Some models are gas- or oil-powered, which makes them handy when camping or when you’re without electricity. Electric models are more common and tend to be safer, though they are restricted by their cord length.
Some models have a built-in fan, which increases their heating efficiency and can help reduce electricity costs. Many space heaters have built-in safety features, but they should still be used carefully and far from any clutter that could ignite. Our top choice is the Vornado AVH10 Space Heater for Home, which offers advanced safety features and is energy efficient.
Editors’ Favorite
Type: Tabletop | Weight: 5.4 lb | Heating Method: Forced air | Heat Output: 140 degrees
The Vornado AVH10 Space Heater for Home is a reliable space heater for medium-sized rooms. The Vortex Action airflow spreads warmth evenly, and Auto Climate Control senses the room temperature and automatically adjusts heat output.
It has two heat settings and a fan-only mode so you can use it during the summer without heat. It features a cool-touch exterior, tip-over protection and automatic shutoff if it overheats. The compact design fits in bedrooms, offices or living rooms without taking up too much space.
It's an energy-efficient heater, meaning it won’t hike up your electric bill, and the intuitive controls let you manage temperature with ease. Plus, it’s backed by a five-year warranty.
Great Value
Type: Tower | Weight: 3 lb | Heating Method: Forced air | Heat Output: 1,200 W
The Dreo Atom 316 Space Heater offers 1,500 watts of heat output and boasts a funnel design that quickly spreads heat across medium-sized rooms.
You can control the temperature from 41 to 95 degrees with the digital thermostat and set a timer up to 12 hours in advance. It features three power settings, an eco automatic mode for energy-saving operation and a fan‑only mode for use in warmer climates. Plus, it features a child lock for added safety.
With its various safety features and quiet motor, it’s perfect for bedrooms, offices, basements and family rooms. Its compact build makes it easy to move around, and the included remote lets you adjust settings from afar.
Best Tower-Style Heater
Type: Tower | Weight: 7.3 lb | Heating Method: Forced air/convection | Heat Output: 1,500 W
The Dreo Solaris Max Space Heater can quickly warm rooms up to 270 square feet thanks to its high‑speed airflow. It operates quietly at just 25 decibels and has a compact, portable design that makes it easy to move around from room to room.
It offers plenty of safety features, including tip‑over shutoff, overheat protection, flame‑retardant materials, a reinforced plug and a child‑lock mode. The digital thermostat allows you to manually adjust the temperature between 41 and 95 degrees in 1-degree increments. Eco mode automatically regulates temperature to conserve energy, and the remote lets you easily change settings.
This tower space heater boasts a gold color that makes it look more modern and elegant than other heaters. Precise temperature control is one of its primary advantages, and its wide-angle oscillation spreads warmth, eliminating dead zones in medium-sized rooms.
Best for Bathrooms
Type: Tabletop | Weight: 3.2 lb | Heating Method: Forced air | Heat Output: 1,500 W
The Lasko 754200 Desktop Ceramic Space Heater is a compact option with a 1,500‑watt heat output, making it suitable for smaller spaces, such as bedrooms and offices. It heats quickly, and the adjustable thermostat allows precise temperature control, ensuring optimal comfort at all times.
There are two heat settings to choose from, and you can also use the fan-only mode for gentle air circulation without heat. Its compact design and built-in carry handle make it easy to move around, and the top-mounted controls let you adjust settings effortlessly.
Safety is one of the primary reasons customers love this unit. It has a self-regulating ceramic element, overheat protection and a cool-touch exterior. It’s ready to go right out of the box, and you can place it on the floor, table or any flat surface.
Best Design
Type: Tower | Weight: 5.1 lb | Heating Method: Forced air | Heat Output: 1,500 W
The Lasko Artisan Series CX16550 is a powerful yet compact heater that delivers up to 1,500 watts of heat with two adjustable settings. Its oscillating function evenly distributes heat throughout the room, ensuring consistent comfort and minimal dead zones.
The digital display and Auto Eco thermostat let you keep the heater at your desired temperature while conserving energy. The timer enables you to schedule a function up to 12 hours in advance, and the included remote lets you adjust settings and heat output from anywhere in the room. Plus, safety features include tip-over protection, overheat protection and a cool-touch exterior.
With a 6-foot power cord and a fully assembled design, it’s ready to use right out of the box. Whether you want to keep warm at the office or relax in your bedroom, this compact choice is versatile and powerful enough to handle any need.
We determined the best space heaters by combing through customer reviews and considering essential specs. The most crucial considerations for a top-of-the-line space heater are heat output, heating method and power modes. The best models offer at least three power modes with adjustable temperature controls. Additional features, such as oscillation and built-in timers, were also essential in determining the top space heaters.
If you have a pesky room in your home that doesn't seem to get or stay warm, you may want to consider a space heater. It can help you to efficiently warm up space without having to turn your thermostat way up or overheat other areas.
If you have an outdoor space you frequently use even in the cooler fall months, a space heater may be a good choice to help you get the most out of that area of your home.
Some heaters are specially designed for this type of outdoor use and will allow you to take advantage of your covered patio long after the summer is over.
Sure, you can build a fire, but that requires wood fuel, and some people don't enjoy the smoke that comes with real flames.
A compact space heater is a good choice for campers who want to keep warm without relying on a fire.
These types of space heaters require some kind of fossil fuel (propane, natural gas, or kerosene) for power. There's no need to plug the unit in, but you'll need to pay attention to placement since these models need to ventilate.
They are a good option for when the power goes out.
There are great options for heating both indoor and outdoor spaces. Indoor space heaters tend to be larger, and sometimes allow the user the option to mount the unit somewhere in the home.
Outdoor models are usually more compact and can easily be moved around; some are even small enough to fit on a patio table.
You'll need to make sure that the location where you plan to use this type of heater has a conveniently placed outlet.
Another consideration is that these types of heaters may increase your electricity bills.
Electric models do tend to be quite safe, though.
More efficient space heaters will work to quickly and evenly distribute heat in whatever space they're placed.
Heaters with fans or forced-air construction are among the most efficient.
Units that require some sort of fuel (like oil or gas) take a lot longer to produce and distribute heat, but the warmth resulting from these models tends to be long-lasting.
This is one of the most important considerations to keep in mind when deciding on the right space heater.
Find out whether the models you're looking at have modern safety features that work to protect you, like automatic shut-off in the event of overheating, or tip-over sensors should the unit topple over when you're not around.
Consider the space you'd like to use a space heater for, and where you're likely to put it.
Accounting for a heater’s size is important if you only have limited room, or, in the case of an electric heater, limited outlets.
Space heaters are a great way to warm up a room without having to crank up the thermostat and waste energy heating the rest of your home. Unfortunately, fire is a potential hazard if you act carelessly, or don't handle your heating unit with care. As with any kind of appliance, especially one that emits heat, you should take precautions when using one in your home or workplace.
Be careful when choosing a location for your electric heater. Keep them away from anything that might be easily flammable, like curtains.
If you're leaving the house and have pets, unplug the heater, or situate it such that it cannot be knocked over while running. Most modern options feature safety shut-offs to eliminate this kind of danger, but better safe than sorry.
Don't turn it on and leave it to run. You're not doing yourself any favors since you'll be heating an unused space!
Buying a heater secondhand is generally unadvised. Avoid older models that lack safety features.
If you're going to use a fuel-burning heater, make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector installed. Check it frequently to ensure it's functional.
Most basic personal heaters start at $40, but the price can quickly climb when you factor in construction quality, features, and aesthetics.
Don't forget to consider operating costs when choosing a model; these costs vary depending on the type of heater you buy and how often you use it.
Efficient and cost-effective: A space heater allows you to warm up a room fast, and it’s generally more cost-effective than trying to heat that smaller space by cranking up your thermostat.
Quiet operation: Most space heaters won’t emit much noise, so you won’t need to worry about being bothered by loud whirring or buzzes while you work or enjoy your favorite show.
Portability: Many of these types of devices can be moved easily from room to room, thanks to their compact size. Some units even come with easy-to-grip handles to help with transport.
Inefficient for large homes: A space heater probably isn’t suitable for warming a very large room in a bigger house and isn’t for use as a whole-house heater.
Can increase electric bills: If you don’t use the space heater efficiently, you might inadvertently spike your power bill.
Proximity: Smaller heaters, and those that use technology like infrared heating, require you to get up close to feel any kind of warmth.
Suitability for children or animals: Some space heaters do not have a cool-touch exterior, which means they can get very hot. These are not ideal for homes with youngsters or pets.
A. Yes! As long as you take the appropriate precautions when placing it, and you don’t leave it turned on without supervision. Make sure the heater has a wide berth and is far away from potentially flammable materials.
A. If you have chosen a space heater that requires ventilation, make sure you do not block its vents. Check the instruction manual for your new heater for manufacturer suggestions.
A. A space heater is meant to supplement heating in a home. It’s not likely to produce enough warmth to ensure comfort throughout a house, especially in the winter months.
