Does your apartment feel chilly?
Would you like to add some extra heat with a good apartment space heater?
If so, you’ve come to the right place.
A space heater can be a great way to add warmth to your apartment that doesn’t cost much to run.
However, the best space heater for apartment living is not always easy to find since there are so many different options available.
That’s why we’ve put together the most in-depth apartment space heater reviews and buying guide so you can find a good portable heater that works for you and your budget.
Below, you’ll find the top space heaters for apartments that can keep you toasty warm all winter long.
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Apartment Space Heaters Reviewed in This Guide
Here’s a quick comparison chart showing the top apartment 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 |
|---|---|---|
 | Lasko AW300 Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Vornado MVH Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Dr. Infrared DR-968 Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Heat Storm Phoenix HS-1500-PHX Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | De’Longhi TRD40615E Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Pelonis NY1507-14A Space Heater
| Check Price |
Best Space Heater for Apartment List
1. Lasko AW300 Bladeless Ceramic Heater
If you’re looking for the best space heater for apartment, look no further than this bladeless ceramic tower heater.
It comes equipped with a digital control that offers high and low heat settings, in addition to an 8-hour timer, automatic thermostat, and a remote control.
There’s also a rear filter on this ceramic heater that keeps the interior free from dirt and debris.
It has a cool-touch surface and it delivers heated air quickly and uniformly throughout large rooms in your apartment.
Plus, this unit is powerful enough to heat a large room up to 300 square feet.
The sleek design and contrasting black and silver color combination also make this one of the best-looking space heaters you can buy today.
2. Vornado MVH Fan Heater
This is a high-quality apartment space heater that uses vortex air circulation to heat the whole room.
You can also use it as a personal heater.
So it’s a good heater for small to and medium-sized rooms up to 300 square feet.
Essentially, this space heater works like a forced-air furnace, but the heat is produced on a smaller scale.
This heater uses a metal coil to deliver heated air and it ranks high on our list because it’s quite cheap and incredibly effective at heating up apartments.
This space heater also comes with three fan speed settings: low, medium, and high, which give you the ability to determine the best heat output and reduce energy consumption.
With 7 thermostat heat settings for temperature control and an Auto Mode to turn the heater on and off, you’ll be able to keep your apartment at the desired temperature 24 hours a day.
Some of the other top safety features on this space heater include tip-over protection, cool-touch housing, and automatic safety shut off.
3. Dr. Infrared DR-968 Infrared Heater
When it comes to the best space heaters that use infrared technology, you’ll find this heater on practically every list.
Why?
Because it’s incredibly effective and uses 100% of the heat it produces.
The heat transfer loss with this appliance is almost zero, making it incredibly efficient at heating large rooms up to 1,000 square feet.
In addition, this space heater combines radiant infrared heat with convection heat through a fan, making it 60% more efficient at heating an apartment than other models.
This heater also comes equipped with a digital adjustable thermostat and a temperature display so that you can set your heater to the exact room temperature you like.
Wheels also make it easily portable if you do want to take it from room to room.
Another top feature that makes this infrared space heater stand out is that it can be upgraded to include a humidifier.
Winter air is often incredibly dry and being able to put moisture back into your apartment can relieve dry skin or get rid of an itchy throat, stuffy nose, and respiratory issues.
Safety features on this heater include tip-over protection and overheat protection.
It doesn’t have a cool-touch exterior, but it only becomes warm to the touch if it’s set on the highest heat setting.
4. Heat Storm Phoenix HS-1500-PHX Infrared Heater
How would you like the option of mounting a space heater on your apartment wall or using it on the floor?
If that sounds enticing, then this might be the best heater for your apartment.
This model includes a wall mounting bracket and feet for you to choose the best location for heat.
It can heat an area up to 750 square feet, which is more than enough for most large rooms like the living room, and it has a digital adjustable thermostat with LED temperature display.
This appliance also comes with a handy remote control to adjust the heat settings.
Another thing that sets this infrared heater apart from other models is that it’s equipped with advanced HMS Technology.
HMS technology monitors the humidity and oxygen levels in your apartment so that the air in your apartment never gets too dry.
5. De’Longhi TRD40615E Oil Filled Space Heater
One of the most notable features on this oil filled heater is that it has patented thermal slots instead of open fins like other heaters.
If you have pets or kids who might accidentally touch the sides of this heater, this unique design gives this heater a lower surface temperature than other models, making it safe for everyone in the home.
This space heater also comes with a digital adjustable thermostat that allows you to dial in a specific degree and variable heat settings so that you can make the whole room as comfortable as you please.
It also has an energy efficient Eco Mode for maximum energy savings. With this feature, the amount of electricity is reduced as much as possible so that the heater can maintain the desired temperature without using excess energy.
As for room size coverage, it heats up 150 square feet of space when used as a primary heat source and 300 square feet if used as a supplemental heating unit.
Finally, it comes with overheat protection and two color options: black or gray.
6. Pelonis NY1507-14A Oil Radiator Heater
This portable oil filled heater offers a lot of value for a low price.
And for many, this is their second-best choice when it comes to a radiator heater.
It comes with a wide variety of features, including:
- Two heat settings: high and low
- Eco Mode
- Digital controls
- A remote control
- Adjustable thermostat with five temperature settings that range from 65-85°F
- A 10-hour timer
- A handle and swivel caster wheels that make it easy to reposition and transport
- Safety features include overheat protection and tip-over protection
It also comes in two color choices: black and gray or black and gold.
Room size coverage is 150 square feet when used as a primary heat source and 300 square feet as supplemental heat for a room.
For the price, you can’t get much better than this for an oil filled heater for your apartment.
Apartment Space Heater Buying Guide
Types of Space Heaters for Apartments
Typically, there are four different types of space heaters that you can add to your apartment.
Knowing which one will work for your living room or bedroom will depend on many factors, including how you want the heater to work and much heat you want the unit to put out.
Any of the following space heaters can be a good choice for a large room or small spaces, but you’ll have to determine which one will be the best apartment space heater for your needs.
Ceramic Heaters
A ceramic heater runs on electricity and consists of ceramic plates attached to metal coils.
Electricity passes through the coils to heat them up. As this heat passes through the ceramic, the plates absorb it, and then it’s released into the air.
In most cases, the heating element for this type of space heater is instantaneous, so you won’t have to wait long to get warm.
The best ceramic heaters come with a fan or without a fan. If they’re equipped with a fan, then this blows the hot air into the apartment and heats the space faster.
Those without a fan will still make the apartment warm, but it will take longer since the heat has to slowly transfer from the heat to the air.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight
- Provides instant heat
- The ceramic plates are really good about holding in heat
- Cool-touch exterior
- Easy to transport
- Good for small spaces and a large room
- May come with a digital thermostat for precise temperature control
Cons:
- Heaters without a fan can take a long time to heat up an apartment
- Most models have to run consistently to keep the apartment warm
- Objects can block the heat from flowing through your apartment space
Fan Heaters
Fan heaters are very similar to the ceramic heaters. The only difference is that they don’t contain ceramic plates, they only have the metal coils.
As the metal coils are heated by electricity, a fan blows the warm air into the apartment.
In some cases, you may be able to get this type of heater with oscillation. This means that the heater moves from side to side, and this can ensure that warm air is evenly distributed throughout the whole room.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Portable
- Provides instant heat
- May be equipped with oscillation
- Cool-touch exterior
- Good as a personal heater
Cons:
- Require electrical energy to run, and must continue to run to keep the apartment warm
- As soon as they’re turned off, they no longer provide heat
- It’s not considered to be the best energy efficient electric heater on the market
- Typically only have a turn-dial thermostat without precise temperature control
Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters operate by emitting electromagnetic waves into the air that have the ability to heat up any physical objects that are around it.
The process is similar to how the sun works to heat up the Earth.
The best infrared heaters still use electricity for power and they come in two different types: with a fan and without a fan. However, these types of heaters don’t need a fan to heat up an apartment, as the electromagnetic waves are incredibly efficient at heating up a space. Heaters with a fan just speed up the process a bit more.
Some units also look like a real fireplace to add extra coziness to a room. Check out our best electric fires page for units that look like a stove, TV stand, and bookcase. Or, if you’re into a more modern look, consider our best wall mounted electric fireplace guide.
Pros:
- Long-lasting heat that continues after the heater is turned off
- Objects don’t block the heat from getting into the apartment, but rather make the heater more efficient
- Some models are designed to look like furniture
- Can be equipped with wheels and handles to be portable
- Good for small spaces and a large room
- Some come equipped with a digital thermostat for precise temperature control
- Cool-touch housing
Cons:
- Unidirectional heat
- They can be heavy
- The apartment needs several objects in the room to help these heaters be most efficient
- More expensive than fan or ceramic heaters
Oil Filled Radiator Heaters
Because of the design, oil filled heaters are also referred to as “radiator heaters.”
They look very much like the old-fashioned radiators that are often found in older houses. However, these newer versions run on electricity and are incredibly light and portable.
The best oil heaters are filled with diathermic oil, which gets heated by the electricity and is then circulated through the columns (also called fins) of the heater.
As the columns get hot, the heat is radiated into the apartment. These heaters don’t come with a fan, but they’re incredibly efficient and effective when it comes to heating up a room.
Pros:
- Long-lasting heat that remains for a while even after the heater has been turned off
- Doesn’t have to constantly run to keep your apartment warm
- Some come equipped with a digital adjustable thermostat for precise temperature control
- Can be used as a primary heat source
- Portable
- Good for small spaces and a large room
Cons:
- You can’t control how quickly it heats up
- Outside housing get incredibly hot
- Doesn’t include a fan
- Heavier than other types of space heaters
Features to Look for in the Best Space Heaters for Apartments
When it comes to finding the best space heater for apartment, there are several features you can look for to get the most value out of the device.
However, not all heaters come with every option listed below.
Thus, if there’s a feature you just can’t live without, you’ll have to search for the heater that has it included. You’ll find the top models with the most number of features in our apartment space heater reviews and buying guide section that’s next.
- Fan Speeds: Many of the best space heaters, with the exception of oil filled space heaters, come with a fan to quickly and evenly distribute the warm air throughout your space. If it also comes with variable fan speeds, this gives you the ability to control how quickly the apartment warms up. The higher the fan speed, the more hot air is blown into the area.
- Auto Mode: A space heater may be equipped with auto mode, which means it will have an internal thermostat that keeps track of the room temperature. When it has reached the ideal degree or fallen below a certain desired temperature, it will turn itself off/on to keep you cozy and warm.
- Eco Mode: Heaters equipped with this feature can help you save the most money when it comes to operating costs. Eco Mode will reduce energy consumption by switching between the highest selected setting and lowest heating mode to maintain the optimal room temperature in the apartment. That means the unit will never run on full blast, which is excellent for your electricity bill since it’s energy efficient.
- Oscillation: This feature rotates the space heater back and forth to evenly distribute the heat throughout the apartment. Only oil filled heaters don’t come with this feature because they don’t have fans.
- Timer: If your heater comes equipped with a timer, this means that you can set it to run for a certain length of time. Depending on the type of portable heater you get, this could range from 1 to 24 hours. When the time runs out, the heater shuts itself off automatically.
- Remote: A remote allows you to control the settings on the heater without having to get up and walk over to the appliance.
- Tip-Over Protection: This safety feature ensures that if the space heater is accidentally knocked over, it won’t continue to run, which reduces the chance of it turning into a fire hazard.
- Overheat Protection: With this safety feature, if the internal components of the space heater reach an unsafe temperature, the appliance will shut itself off so that it doesn’t cause a fire. The best space heaters include this safety feature.
Advantages to Using an Apartment Space Heater
Why are space heaters a great choice for an apartment?
Here are the top reasons why people invest in these heaters:
- Size: The great thing about the best space heaters on this page is that they’re compact and small, making them ideal for any living room or bedroom in your apartment.
- Portability: If you want to move the heater from one place to another, many of these products come with carrying handles and very low in weight. Some models also have wheels, which makes them easy to roll from one area to another. And while you can use some of the heaters reviewed on this page in a bathroom, it’s actually better to get a dedicated bathroom heating unit. Check out our bathroom safe heater page for some good recommendations.
- Energy Efficient: Space heaters may use electricity to heat up, but they use electricity very effectively so that you don’t have a huge spike in your electric bill. Plus, if you choose a model that has an Eco Mode, you can experience even more cost savings when using the best apartment space heaters that automatically regulate the heat settings.
- Cost: The vast majority of the heaters on this list have a low upfront cost. They’ll also save you money in the long run because you won’t have to run your central heating system as often to stay nice and warm when it gets cold outside. The best bedroom space heater models can also keep energy costs low while warming up your bedroom at night.
Cost of Using the Best Space Heater for Apartments
Of course, don’t just take our word for it that these space heaters can save you money.
We can prove it to you using simple math.
It’s important to keep in mind that space heaters are meant to be used as a supplemental heat source, not a primary heating device. That’s how you get the most cost savings.
Space heaters work best in conjunction with your apartment’s furnace to lower your overall heating costs each month. When you don’t have to rely so much on your furnace, and can turn the thermostat down a few degrees, this has a huge impact on your monthly utility bills.
Since electricity rates can vary from place to place, the cost to run your space heater will depend on the rates in your area.
Currently, the national average is $0.13 kWh.
To figure out how much it will cost you to use a space heater in your apartment, use the formula below or this handy calculator. We’ve also provided two examples to give you a better understanding of how the formula works.
- Step 1: Multiply the number of watts the heater uses by the number of hours per day you plan to use it.
- (Number of watts X hours of use = A)
- Step 2: Multiply the answer you get from the first equation (A) by the electricity rate per kilowatt-hour for your area. You can find this on your electric bill.
- (A X electricity rate/kilowatt hour = B)
- Step 3: Divide answer B by 1,000, and this will tell you how much it costs to run a ceramic space heater.
Example 1:
A 1500 Watt space heater running on the highest fan speed for 6 hours per day at $0.13 kWh would cost $1.17 per day to use.
Here’s the math based on the above formula:
- 1500W X 6 hours = 9,000
- 9,000 X 0.13 = 1,170
- 1,170 ÷ 1,000 = $1.17 per day
Example 2:
A 1500 Watt space heater running on the lowest fan speed (750 Watts) for 6 hours per day at 0.13 kWh would cost 0.78 cents per day to use.
Here’s how we came up with that number:
- 750W X 6 = 4,500
- 4,500 X 0.13 = 585
- 585 ÷ 1,000 = $0.58 cents per day
As you can see, it’s very inexpensive to operate a space heater on a daily basis for long periods of time. And, you can get a considerable amount of savings if you don’t run the heater on full blast all day long.
Space Heater Safety Tips
These days, the best space heaters are very safe to use indoors. But, to ensure you stay safe while operating it, here are some additional tips to follow:
- Never Use an Extension Cord: To ensure that your space heater is using electricity optimally, it needs to be plugged directly into a wall outlet. If it’s not, this could result in too much power being pulled, which can cause a short circuit, trip the breaker, or catch the extension cord on fire,
- Choose the Best Location: Your space heater needs to be placed in an area where it can’t get accidentally knocked over and where it can distribute the heat evenly and efficiently. For ceramic heaters, fan heaters, and infrared heaters, putting these in a corner or closer to a wall is a good option so the heating element can distribute hot air through the whole room. Oil filled heaters usually work best when placed near the center of a room, but make sure they don’t become tripping hazards. It’s also a good idea to keep all of these heaters away from flammable items, including furniture, drapes, and papers, among other items.
- Don’t Leave it Alone: The goal of a space heater is to keep you warm while you’re in the apartment. If you leave your heater alone, this could lead to an increased risk of fire. Thus, only run your space heater when you or other people are around.
- Don’t Use in Damp Location: For most of these space heaters, it’s advised that they aren’t used in a bathroom or kitchen unless they’re equipped with a GFCI plug. This item will ensure that the space heater doesn’t short circuit and cause electrical issues in your apartment.
Common Questions About Space Heaters for Apartments
What is the Most Efficient Space Heater?
The most efficient space heater comes equipped with an Automatic Mode or Eco Mode. This is because the heater has internal sensors that keep track of the apartment’s temperature and turn the machine off/on automatically to keep it at the ideal temperature. This can save you money and make the heater more efficient.
Can you Leave a Space Heater on All Night?
Many modern space heaters have built-in safety features such as overheat and tip-over protection, but you should never leave a space heater running all night unattended. It doesn’t matter if your heater uses ceramic plates, infrared heat, or oil, the element inside the heater gets hot enough to start a fire, and that’s why you should always turn it off at night if you can’t keep your eyes on it. Leaving a space heater running while you sleep creates a risk for a fire hazard.
Are There Any Safe Space Heaters?
The vast majority of modern space heaters are considered incredibly safe because they come equipped with overheat and tip-over protection. Both of these features shut the machine off if they get knocked over or if the internal components reach an unsafe temperature. This reduces the chances of the best space heaters becoming a fire hazard.
Even the best propane heaters have overheat and tip-over protection; however, it’s not advised to use this type of space heater in an apartment because they use fuel to power the unit and this will violate your rental agreement.
In addition to the space heater types reviewed on this page, a plug in baseboard heater may be a good choice for you. While it’s not recommended above, our baseboard heater reviews page does offer a few good options to consider that can be plugged into a standard power outlet.
What is the Best Space Heater for a Small Room?
The best space heater for a small room would be the heaters reviewed in this guide:
- Lasko AW300 Bladeless Ceramic Tower Heater
- Vornado MVH Fan Heater
- Dr. Infrared DR-968 Infrared Heater
- Heat Storm Phoenix HS-1500-PHX Infrared Heater
- De’Longhi TRD40615E Oil Filled Space Heater
- Pelonis NY1507-14A Oil Radiator Heater
Each heater can be the primary heat source for small spaces, act as a supplemental heat source for larger rooms, or be a personal heater in your apartment.
What Type of Electric Heater is Cheapest to Run?
Infrared and oil filled heaters are the least expensive to run because they provide the longest-lasting heat even after the units are turned off. Infrared rays heat up objects that absorb the heat and keep the apartment hotter for longer periods of time because the objects have to cool down. Oil filled heaters continue to heat up the air even if they’re not running because it takes a while for the oil inside the unit to cool down, which continues radiating heat into the air.
Why are Space Heaters Dangerous?
Fire is the greatest hazard associated with space heaters. They can easily overload circuits, causing a power failure or fire, if not used correctly. However, the best space heaters today are less dangerous because they contain safety features like tip-over and overheat protection.
If safety is a top concern for you, consider one of the best wall heater units. These products mount onto a wall an are some of the safest options available.
Top Space Heater for Apartment Brands
The reviews outlined earlier in this guide included the top 6 space heaters you can buy today.
If you’re still not sure which product you want to buy or would just like to do some more research, here’s a list of the top heater brands for apartments for you to consider.
You can rest assured that getting a heater from any one of these companies will be a good investment.
- Costway
- De’Longhi
- Dr. Heater
- Dr. Infrared
- Heat Storm
- Honeywell
- Lasko
- Life Smart
- Pelonis
- Vornado
You’ll also find most of these brands on our best space heater for basement guide and large room heater guide. If you rent a basement and need to heat a very large area, that guide can help you find a good heater too.
Enjoy Your New Space Heater
We hope you enjoyed this detailed guide on how to choose the best space heater for apartment living.
As you learned, an apartment space heater is a cost-effective way to stay warm during the colder months without having to spend a lot of money on utility bills.
Hopefully, the information you found in this was useful for comparing the different types of space heaters for apartments (ceramic, fan, infrared, and oil filled) and has helped you narrow down the best apartment space heater for your needs.
