From electric room heaters for bedrooms, bathrooms, and basements to energy efficient space heaters for garages and patios, you’ll find the best space heaters on the market here.
Regardless if you want the best room heater for a small or large room, the options below can give an effective boost of heat to any room in your house, or even the outdoors.
Table of Contents
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Space Heaters Reviews in this Guide
Here’s a quick comparison chart showing the top space heaters. We’ll cover each aspect of these units in the reviews section below, but this gives you an idea of what’s available and an easy way to compare them.
| Image | Heater Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Dr. Infrared DR-968 Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | De'Longhi TRD40615E Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Vornado MVH Vortex Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Lasko AW300 Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Lasko 5409 Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Duraflame DFI-5010 Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Stiebel Eltron CK 15E Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Vornado SRTH Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Fahrenheat FUH54 Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Life Smart Quartz Fireplace Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Lasko 1500W Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Hiland HLDSO1-WGTHG Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Lasko 760000 Cyclonic Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Mr. Heater MH18B Space Heater
| Check Price |
Best Space Heater Reviews (Top 10 List)
1. Best Overall Space Heater: Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX
All of the top room heaters on our list here are excellent contenders in the race for the best space heater, but if we had to choose just one, then it would be the Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX.
As this is an infrared heater, it emits electromagnetic waves to heat objects in a room such as bodies and furniture. This is the most effective and efficient way of heating a room, so you can rest assured that your purchase is worth every penny.
With plenty of user features, perhaps our favorite is the WiFi capabilities that allow you to control the temperature from your smartphone. Oddly, you won’t find that in many other space heaters on the market.
There’s also an automatic Eco mode that can save you money without having to do anything. Turning it on will lower energy consumption while providing the most heat when needed.
The 1500 watts of power will heat a large room up to 750 square feet without any issues, and the heat will last a long time due to the infrared heating system.
You can between a freestanding heater or a wall-mountable version. If you choose the latter, then you can hide the extra length of cord inside of the heater for a more seamless look.
There are plenty of safety features implemented into the Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX heater too, such as tip-over and overheating protection that automatically shut the unit off. There’s also a child lock and cool-to-touch casing for added benefit.
As you can see, this is the best room heater available with the most user-friendly and advanced features.
2. Best Electric Space Heater: Vornado MVH Vortex
Second on our list is the Vornado MVH Vortex, a fan heater that gently warms your room without taking up too much space.
The internal thermostat knows when to turn the heater off and on to maintain room temperature, which can help save you money on your electric bill.
There are three heat settings to choose from: 750 watts, 1125 watts, and 1500 watts. Depending on the heat setting you use, you’ll be able to heat a room between 100 to 300 square feet.
The safety features of the Vornado MVH Vortex heater are excellent as well. There’s a cool-to-touch exterior to prevent burns, tip-over protection to prevent a dangerous incident, and overheat protection.
Measuring in at 9.2 x 10.4 x 10.6 inches, the fan space heater takes up very little space and is easily portable if you want to move it from room to room.
Vortex alo offers a 5-year warranty and good support from a dedicated customer service team, protecting your investment for years to come. This is a nice benefit to have that gives you peace of mind should anything ever go wrong with your room heater.
3. Best Energy Efficient Space Heater: Lasko AW300
Our favorite top space heater on the market when it comes to energy efficiency is the Lasko AW300, which is a ceramic fan heater.
Thanks to the fan, the hot air will reach all corners of your room within minutes. Specially designed channels allow the fan to deliver quick and long-range streams of hot air. These are continuous and offer lots of projected heat into the room.
The EZtouch controls on the unit are a nice feature that allows you to control the 8-hour timer, thermostat, and heat settings. It also comes with a remote control for added convenience.
This space heater uses 1500 watts for heating and is a good primary heat source in small rooms up to 150 square feet. Or you can use it in a medium to large size room up to 300 square feet as a supplemental heat source to save some money (i.e. along with a central heating system).
The top safety features include zero heating elements visible, a cool-to-touch surface, and tip-over protection.
4. Best Portable Space Heater: Lasko 5409
An interesting fact about the Lasko 5409 space heater is that it can be safely used on a countertop—a feature that is often absent from the majority of other heaters for rooms on the market. Many other models suggest that you not put the space heater on the countertop.
If you’re looking for the best room heater that can be elevated to the height of a countertop instead of positioned on the floor, then this ceramic heater might just be the one for you.
The top-mounted controls allow you easy access to the heat settings and there are three heat settings in total, with the highest using 1500 watts of energy.
The Lasko 5409 can easily heat a room up to 150 square feet without any problems as the main heating source. You can also warm a 300 square foot room with other supplemental heat in place or just deal with lower overall temperature without it.
Ceramic heaters like this are very energy efficient as the ceramic plates hold onto the warmth for longer periods of time even after the heater has been switched off.
The integrated fan in this portable space heater also spreads the air further so that you feel the effects in a shorter amount of time.
5. Best Space Heater for Basement: Duraflame DFI-5010
We love the Duraflame DFI-5010 space heater as it looks more like a real fire rather than an electric heater. That’s why we consider the top space heater for a basement.
The infrared technology is one of the most efficient at heating rooms as it heats up the objects and not the air. Therefore, you can enjoy the warmth within minutes of turning the heater on and experience longer-lasting heat than electric heaters.
As you may know, it can be difficult to find a room heater that can properly heat a basement, but this model does it with ease. The Duraflame DFI-5010 can heat a space of up to 1,000 square feet which is more than enough for most basements.
The images of flames on logs can be adjusted to your personal preference too, with different color settings, speeds, and brightness levels.
You can also determine the ideal temperature for your basement with the built-in thermostat with digital display.
Another thing worth mentioning about this space heater is that infrared quartz heat prevents the air from drying out while the heater is on, ensuring that the natural humidity remains in the air at all times. This is a good benefit for anyone who suffer from health ailments due to dry air in the winter.
6. Best Space Heater for Bathroom: Stiebel Eltron CK 15E
Bathrooms tend to be smaller than other rooms in the house and therefore need a more compact heater that will take up as little space as possible. And the Stiebel Eltron CK 15E can be mounted directly onto the wall to take up hardly any space at all.
Sticking out from the wall at only 5 inches, this space heater is a good choice for even the smallest of bathrooms.
And with a quiet operation of only 49 decibels, it can be used at any hour of the day or night without disturbing your family’s sleep.
The heater is designed to blow heat downwards which aims to distribute the hot air more evenly so that you can feel it throughout the bathroom. The built-in fan also allows heat to travel faster and further.
As for total room size coverage, this 1500 watt heater will heat bathrooms up to 175 square feet, which is ideal for most people’s needs.
7. Best Space Heater for Bedroom: Vornado SRTH
If you’re looking for a good space heater for a bedroom, then the Vornado SRTH model is going to be your best choice.
This fan heater pushes the air down a V-flow heat circulation to gently heat the air rather than pushing out intense heat that can make you feel uncomfortable. It can also help keep the humidity levels from fluctuating and drying out the air and causing headaches, sore throats, dry skin, etc.
With two power settings: 450 watts and 900 watts, this top space heater is good for small bedrooms up to 100 square feet. You can use it in larger bedrooms too, but don’t expect it to warm up too hot. If you like a slightly warm bedroom at night, then it can still work in larger rooms.
Safety features are always a must when it comes to a good bedroom heater and the Vornado SRTH includes a cool-to-touch exterior casing, tip-over shut off, and overheating protection.
Finally, Vornado prides itself on its 5-year warranty and boasts being certified and safety-tested. This should give you peace of mind when using the space heater in your bedroom for many years to come.
8. Best Space Heater for Garage: Fahrenheat FUH54
Similar to a basement, there are very few heaters that can work effectively in a garage. But with a maximum output of 5,000 watts, the Fahrenheat FUH54 can work in large garages up to 500 square feet.
With a built-in single pole thermostat, you can adjust the temperature of this heater from 45 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit for perfect comfort.
As for installation, you can keep this space heater on the floor or mount it to the ceiling for a downward projection of heat. The wall mount equipment is included within the price and works well for anyone who doesn’t want to give up their precious floor space.
Additionally, because this is an electric space heater, you won’t have to worry about connecting it to a gas line or maintaining propane tanks.
9. Best Space Heater for Large Rooms: Life Smart Quartz Fireplace
In our opinion, a space heater with the appearance of a real fireplace looks much better than the typical heater design.
And when you have a large room to heat, you might prefer a sleeker look of a fireplace rather than a large plastic box taking up space in the middle of your room.
In that way, the Life Smart Quartz Fireplace is the best room heater for large areas.
It has you covered with a lifelike flame design that flickers like a real fire. It also provides a maximum heat output to warm a large room up to 1,000 square feet.
Producing infrared heat, you can enjoy the warmth of electromagnetic waves being spread through the room. And the more objects in your large space, the more efficient the Life Smart Quartz Fireplace is going to be for you.
Measuring 28 x 11 x 20 inches and weighing in at 40 pounds, this heater is designed to remain in one spot rather than move around the house.
But the oak finish makes the room heater feel like a distinguished piece of furniture rather than a heater itself, so you’ll likely never want to move after you find a good spot for it to rest.
10. Best Space Heater for Small Rooms: Lasko 1500W
On the other end of the spectrum, we’ve chosen this Lasko space heater as the top space heater use in a small room.
With two heat settings and a fan only mode, you can choose the level of warmth you desire.
The low heat setting will heat rooms under 150 square feet quite efficiently and the high heat setting is good for rooms up to 300 square feet. The fan only mode allows you to turn this space heater into a cooling fan during the summer.
Measuring in at only 9.2 x 7 x 6 inches, this heater is ideal for small rooms with little floor space available. As smaller rooms tend to have fewer outlets available, the 8-foot power cord ensures that you can position the heater anywhere you want without worrying about the cord being too short.
This ceramic heater is ETL listed and offers plenty of safety features to give you peace of mind. Lasko also offers a 3-year warranty to protect your purchase should your heater have any problems during this time.
11. Best Outdoor Patio Heater: Hiland HLDSO1-WGTHG
A patio space heater is a must if you want to enjoy the outside in the colder months. And our favorite option for outdoor heating is the Hiland HLDSO1-WGTHG patio heater.
It’s the best looking outdoor space heater we’ve ever seen and is often a conversation piece amongst guests who are enjoying the use of it at your home.
Now keep in mind that this is a propane heater, not an electric heater. Therefore, you must use a propane tank to fuel it.
However, propane heaters do cost less to run and offer a higher heat output than electric heaters, which is why this is such a great option for using outdoors.
While it’s a heavy unit at 65 pounds, it does include a set of wheels on the bottom so you can move it around with ease.
The heat coverage of this space heater is about 10 square feet for the most warmth, so you’ll have to stand quite close to it to feel the maximum effects. But the heat does dissipate outside of the 10 square feet range, making even the coldest nights feel warmer without standing right next to it.
As for safety, Hiland has supplied a reliable ignition system to avoid any issues with the gas being on too long, and there is a shut-off tilt valve as well.
12. Best Ceramic Space Heater: Lasko 760000 Cyclonic
Out of all of the ceramic heaters on the market, we consider the Lasko 760000 Cyclonic to be the best space heater of this kind.
For starters, the cyclonic technology in this space heater takes air from the bottom of the room and circulates it through ceramic plates before pushing it back through the top of the heater.
That technology ensures that the air fills the room evenly so that you don’t get any cold spots.
Lasko has also added a glide-system pivot on this unit that allows you to direct where you want the hot air to travel to. This is a feature you won’t find on any other space heater available.
It comes with a digital control panel on the unit and a remote control. You can set the desired temperature setting and program a 7-hour timer.
With a power rating of 1500 watts and the efficient design, this space heater is good for rooms between 300 to 400 square feet.
The best part; however, is the space-saving design that allows you to position it up against the wall so it’s out of the way.
As an ETL listed space heater, this ceramic unit gives you peace of mind that it has been tested to meet strict national standards. The overheat protection and cool-touch housing are amongst the top benefits for this product.
13. Best Infrared Space Heater: Dr. Infrared DR-968
The Dr. Infrared DR-968 is our top choice for an infrared space heater for many reasons as we’ll explain below.
First of all, the heater can warm up a large room up to 1,000 square feet with ease. And it uses 100% of the heat produced with no loss of heat transfer.
Second, the integrated fan increases the speed of heat distribution and only runs as loud as 39 decibels, which is quieter than a refrigerator. So you can use it in a bedroom or living room without any distraction.
Next, the electronic thermostat ranges from 50 to 85 degrees so you can choose the best temperature for your comfort.
And at 24 pounds, it’s not too heavy either. But for added convenience, caster wheels are included to help you reposition the space heater with ease or move it to various rooms throughout the day.
Finally, there’s an upgradable version with a humidifier for anyone who has trouble with dry air during the winter. The humidifier will add moisture to the room to help prevent dry skin, chapped lips, sore throats, and more.
14. Best Oil Filled Space Heater: De’Longhi TRD40615E
Oil-filled space heaters are among the top choices for small to medium size rooms. And based on our research and testing, the De’Longhi TRD40615E is the best oil-filled heater on the market thanks to its great features and usability.
It’s equipped with a digital thermostat where you can dial in a specific degree between 50 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit and variable heat settings so that you can get the exact comfort you need.
An Eco mode is also included for maximum energy savings. This feature reduces the use of electricity as much as possible while still maintaining the set temperature.
The most notable feature; however, is the use of patented thermal slots instead of open fins like other oil heaters. This unique design gives this space heater a lower surface temperature than other models, making it the best option for anyone who has pets or children.
It also comes with overheat protection and two color choices: gray or black.
As for room size coverage, it heats up 150 square feet when used as a primary heat source and 300 square feet if used as a supplement to your house furnace or boiler.
15. Best Portable Propane Heater: Mr. Heater MH18B
Our last review of the best space heater is this portable propane unit by Mr. Heater.
The Mr. Heater MH18B is not only our favorite propane heater, but it’s also the most popular model in North America.
With a heat output between 4,000 to 18,000 BTUs, this space heater can warm areas up to 450 square feet. It can also be used safely indoors and outdoors because of the ventless design.
What’s also nice about this compact space heater is that you’re given the option of connecting two 1 pound cylinders for easy portability or to a 20 pound propane tank to use it in a more permanent location.
Some of the top safety features include low oxygen shut off sensor, tip-over protection, and automatic shut off if the pilot light goes out.
As for the exact dimensions, it measures 18.5 x 18 x 11.4 inches and includes a convenient handle for easily carrying it around.
Space Heater Buying Guide
Energy Efficiency
Different types of space heaters require varying levels of energy to run properly. But the more energy your heater requires, the higher your electricity bill is going to be.
Therefore, it’s always good to look for a space heater that offers an Eco mode for maximum energy savings.
The Eco mode works by adjusting the space heater’s heat settings between high to low in order to maintain the set temperature in the room. It does this in a way to lower energy consumption as much as possible while still heating the room well.
If energy efficiency is your top concern, then take a look our most efficient electric heater guide that contains the best options for low energy costs.
Heat Output
It’s important to choose the best space heater for the room it’s intended to be used in. The higher the wattage or BUT output of a room heater, the more square footage it will cover.
Experts recommend that for every square foot of space, you’ll need 10 watts for heat. For example, a 150 square feet room will need around 1500 watts to heat it sufficiently.
The general rule of thumb for BTUs per square foot ranges between 30 to 60 BTU of heat. For example, a 300 square feet room or outdoor space will need around 9,000 to 18,000 BTUs to heat it well.
Safety
Any space heater that you’re looking to buy should have protective measures in place for your safety. The most common features for space heaters include:
- Tip-over protection to turn the heater off if it is knocked over.
- Overheat protection to shut the unit down when the internal parts become too hot. This is a top feature recommended for the safest space heater for bedroom.
- Cool-to-touch housing to prevent burns when touching the unit.
- Low Oxygen Shut Off Sensor (ODS) to shut off the fuel if the oxygen level in the room drops below a certain level.
- GFCI plug to cut power to the unit when an imbalance of electricity being sent to the heater is detected. This is an important feature to have in a good bathroom heater where there are wet conditions.
We also always recommend checking for safety labels that show that the heater has been tested by recognized labs such as UL, ETL, or CSA.
Noise Level
There’s nothing like the irritating buzz of a space heater to distract you from what you’re doing or disturb your sleep. To avoid this, try to find a model with a running decibel level of less than 50.
Warranty
No one wants the money that they invested to be wasted, and that is why we suggest that you look at a space heater’s warranty. A warranty indicates that the manufacturer believes in their product enough to offer you your money back should anything go wrong.
You’ll find warranty lengths of all kinds, including 1-year, 2-year, 5-year, and even lifetime warranties.
Types of Space Heaters
Ceramic Heaters
This first type of space heater uses metal coils to heat ceramic plates. Electrical currents run through the coils and heat the ceramic which holds onto the heat for an extended period, even after the heater is turned off.
Ceramic heaters work quickly and can heat a room within minutes, especially if it has a built-in fan. The fan blows the hot air further into the room so that you can feel the warmth while standing away from the heater as well.
Ceramic heaters are often compact, easy to carry and store, and efficient in heating entire rooms.
Check out our best ceramic heaters list for more recommendations.
Fan Heaters
Much like the ceramic heater, a fan heater also uses a metal coil. The coil heats, but instead of heating another material like ceramic, a fan blows over the element to deliver heat into the room.
As the name suggests, you cannot opt for a fan heater without a fan. Due to this fact, these heaters are often the loudest type of space heater that you can get. However, the inexpensive price might make up for the slightly louder running noise.
Fan heaters are also lightweight, quick to heat up, and don’t take up much floor space, which makes them a good choice for most areas of the home. They’re also a good option for outdoor spaces like a garage. Check out our best garage heaters list for the top recommendations.
Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters work differently from other types on our list, as they work to heat objects in the room rather than the air. Air itself is a poor conductor of heat, while objects such as furniture, walls, and bodies, are better at absorbing heat, and therefore will stay warmer for longer.
Electromagnetic waves travel from the infrared heater until they find objects that they can warm up. The process can be likened to how the sun warms up everything on earth due to radiation.
Infrared heaters work best when there are lots of objects in a room to heat up. If there are few objects, you might find it better to get another type of space heater.
Check out our best infrared heaters list for more recommendations.
You may also want to see our electric fireplace heater page and wall mount electric fireplace reviews for additional options. Some of these heaters use infrared technology but give a more warm and cozy feel to the room.
Oil Filled Heaters
Perhaps the most common type of room heater, oil filled heaters look similar to radiators and have several fins all lined up next to each other. All of these fins are full of diathermic oil that circulates once it’s heated.
The oil heats the metal fins which then releases the heat into the air, warming up your room. Oil filled heaters do not come with a fan and therefore are the quietest type of heater that you can get.
However, some find that they take a while to heat a room sufficiently as there is no fan included. Oil filled heaters do have a limitation of heating rooms up to 150 square feet as the primary heat source.
If used alongside a house furnace or boiler to maintain a decent temperature in the home, then you can stretch an oil-filled heater to 300 square feet of coverage.
Check out our best oil filled space heaters list for more recommendations.
Panel Heaters
Panel heaters are one of the most recent developments in the world of space heaters. Similar to an oil-filled heater, but without the oil, panel heaters use electrical currents to warm up the heater and allow the hot air to radiate into the room.
As these heaters are quite new to the market, they haven’t received a ton of ratings or reviews from industry experts and customers yet. Some models are best better suited to be used as a secondary heating source alongside something else like a central heating system. While others do provide enough heat output for an entire room.
Check out our electric wall heater reviews list to see a few examples of the top space heaters of this type.
Propane Heaters
Finally, a propane heater is the only model that does not use electricity as its power source. As you might have guessed, it uses liquid propane instead.
This makes them very portable, able to be used outdoors, and even when the power goes out. (See our best outdoor heaters list for more details.)
Propane heaters produce the most heat compared to the other models of space heaters and they are much cheaper to run. They can cost around 20% less than an electric space heater to warm up the same amount of space.
Propane heaters emit electromagnetic waves that heat objects, much like an infrared heater. As the heater uses gas, there is a slightly higher fire or explosion risk with propane heaters.
Check out our best propane heaters list for more recommendations.
Common Questions About Space Heaters
Should Space Heaters Be Unplugged When Not in Use?
Yes, you should always unplug and safely store your space heater when you’re not using it. While it is uncommon for a space heater to pose a fire risk if it is turned off, many people have made the mistake of leaving it on without realizing it.
To be safe, it’s best to always unplug the space heater when you don’t need it.
Can Space Heaters Be Left Unattended?
Modern space heaters almost always have safety measures in place to make them safe to leave unattended. However, don’t make a habit of leaving them alone for too long.
It’s down to your personal preference, but we would never leave them for longer than 30 minutes unattended.
Which Type of Space Heater is Cheapest to Run?
The cheapest heater to run is any with an Eco mode built into it, as this allows you to still enjoy a warm room without as much of the cost.
Heaters with lower wattage will be cheaper to run, but they won’t be able to heat up as large rooms.
Where is the Best Place to Put a Space Heater?
The best place to put your space heater is wherever it makes you feel most comfortable. But ideally, you want 12 to 24 inches of clearance around it unless the manufacturer states otherwise.
Also, make sure it is on flat flooring and never place them on cabinets, tables, or furniture.
Some people believe that putting a space heater underneath a window will warm up the cool air coming through the window and eliminate annoying cold drafts. While this can help, it’s best to get a dedicated baseboard unit for this purpose.
If you want to learn more about this, we suggest that you visit our best electric baseboard heater page to see what’s available.
Do All 1500 Watt Heaters Put Out the Same Amount of Heat?
Yes, a 1500 watt space heater will put out the same amount of heat regardless of the type of heater. No matter how much it costs, you will be getting the same amount of heat from each type.
However, different heaters work in different ways and therefore you might feel the effects differently. For example, an infrared heater that warms objects rather than the air might feel more effective than a ceramic heater that only warms the air.
Additionally, a small space heater will deliver heat at a slower rate than a large space heater even though they both use 1500 watts of electricity. You also need to consider the size of the heating element.
Enjoy Your New Space Heater
We hope you enjoyed this list of the best space heaters on the market.
As you discovered, there are many different types of heaters available and the best room heater for your needs will depend on the size of the space and the type of heating you prefer.
No matter which space heater you choose on this page, you can rest assured that you’re getting a high-quality and efficient unit that can effectively boost the heat in your house, and even the outdoors.
