Are you looking for a good space heater for a large room in your home or office?
Do you want to take the chill out of the air so it’s much warmer during the winter season?
If so, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve put together the most in-depth guide on helping you find the best space heater for large room so you can be comfortable no matter how cold it is outside.
As you know, there are a lot of options to choose from, but this guide will help you find the best large room heater to fit your needs and your budget.
By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have a clear idea of what heater will work best for large rooms in your home or office.
Table of Contents
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Large Room Heaters Reviewed in This Guide
Here’s a quick comparison chart showing the top large room 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 |
|---|---|---|
 | Dr. Infrared Portable Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | De’Longhi TRD40615E Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Heat Storm HS-1000-WX-WIFI Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Duraflame DFI-5010 Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Life Smart Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Pelonis NY1507-14A Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | De’Longhi HCX9115 Space Heater
| Check Price |
 | Dyna-Glo IR18PMDG-1 Space Heater
| Check Price |
Best Space Heater for Large Room List
1. Dr. Infrared DR-968 Space Heater
If you’re looking for the best heater for large room, then you’ll want to see what this one has to offer.
The amazing features of this model include:
- It uses 100% of the heat produced and creates an almost zero loss in heat transfer.
- Combining radiant infrared heat with convection heat through a fan, this large space heater is 60% more efficient than many other models.
- This heater is incredibly good at warming large areas up to 1,000 sq. ft.
- Comes with a digital thermostat and a temperature display for precise heating
- It has wheels for easy portability.
This heater can also be upgraded to include a humidifier.
If the dry winter air makes your skin itchy or leads to a sore throat, stuffy nose, or respiratory issues, then adding moisture to the room with a humidifier is one of the best ways to relieve those ailments.
Moist air also retains more heat. So, it’s a win-win for anyone who chooses the humidifier option.
Safety features include:
- Overheat protection
- Tip-over protection
- Cool-touch housing
As you can see, this is the overall best indoor electric heater for large rooms.
2. Heat Storm HS-1000-WX-WIFI Infrared Space Heater
This is one of the most advanced infrared heaters on the market and our favorite best electric space heater for large room.
The features included with this heater are:
- Wi-Fi control from any smartphone or mobile device. This also gives you the ability to create personalized heating schedules.
- Comes with a remote control if you don’t want to use the Wi-Fi feature.
- Mounts to a wall.
- Only uses 1,000 Watts of electricity, making it less likely to cause electrical issues in your home, including tripped breakers.
- Can be used in rooms up to 500 sq. ft.
It’s one of the nicest looking large space heaters you’ll find out there and offers a ton of convenience in addition to great heat.
Also, if you have an older home and you’re worried about how much electricity the space heater will draw, then you’ll definitely want to consider getting this heater.
Safety features include:
- Overheat protection
- Tip-over protection
- Cool-touch housing
3. Duraflame DFI-5010 Fireplace Heater
Not only will this heater add warmth to your large room, but it will also add a touch of coziness since it looks like a wood stove.
Some of the best things about this big space heater include:
- Features 3D flame technology that looks like real flames.
- Supplies enough heat to warm large rooms up to 1,000 sq. ft.
- The infrared quartz heating element maintains the natural humidity in the air.
- Has a digital thermostat, allowing you to set the exact temperature you want your room to be.
- Comes in multiple color choices: black, bronze, cinnamon, cream, french grey, and navy.
This is one of the best indoor electric heaters for large rooms and you get all the benefits of a real fireplace.
Cozy flames will flicker throughout the room, but you won’t have to chop wood or deal with any mess when using this heater in your home.
Safety features include:
- Overheat protection
- Cool-touch housing
4. Life Smart Burnished Oak Fireplace Heater
If you’re looking for a fireplace heater that’s more traditional and classic, then this is the one you’ll want to add to your space.
The top features include:
- Two levels of realistic fire glow.
- It can heat rooms up to 1,000 sq. ft.
- Features an Eco Mode, which makes it extremely energy efficient.
- Has a 12-hour timer
- Digital thermostat
- Remote control
Having a big space heater with Eco Mode means that it will use the lowest amount of energy possible to produce the level of heat you desire.
Eco Mode is a great option to have if you want to save the most money on your electric bill but still get extra warmth in your home.
Safety features include:
- Overheat protection
- Tip-over protection
- Cool-touch housing
5. De’Longhi TRD40615E Oil Filled Space Heater
If you’re thinking about adding an oil filled space heater to your house, then this is the best portable heater for a large room.
It’s also not too expensive.
Compared to other radiator heaters on the market, this one has some of the most advanced features you can get too.
These include:
- Patented thermal slots for a cooler housing.
- Eco Mode for maximum energy savings.
- 24-hour programmable timer for turning the unit both on and off.
- Digital thermostat for dialing in a specific degree.
- Variable heat settings.
- Can be used as a supplemental heat source in rooms up to 300 sq. ft. or as the main heat source for approximately 150 sq. ft.
- Comes in two color choices: gray or black
The patented thermal slots on this heater give it a lower surface temperature. If you have pets or children in your home that might accidentally touch this heater, you won’t have to worry about serious injuries or burns.
When you use the Eco Mode, you’ll reduce how the amount of electricity this heater uses as much as possible while still maintaining the set temperature.
Safety features include:
- Overheat protection
- Cooler-touch housing that other oil heaters
6. Pelonis NY1507-14A Oil Filled Heater
If you want an oil filled heater that’s even cheaper or less advanced than our previous portable heater for large room review, then this is the next best thing to consider.
It works great in a variety of large rooms and the top features it has include:
- Eco Mode for super-low energy consumption.
- Remote control
- 10-hour timer for automatic shut off.
- Variable heat settings to warm the room quickly or slowly.
- Digital thermostat with five temperature settings that range from 65-85°F
- Can heat between 150 to 300 sq. ft. of space.
- Comes in two color choices: black and gray or black and gold
While this heater doesn’t come with a lot of frills or technological advancements as our #5 review, it still keeps your room toasty warm, which is the most important feature you want your space heater to have.
Safety features include:
- Overheat protection
- Tip-over protection
7. De’Longhi HCX9115 Panel Heater
When it comes to buying a large space heater that can blend into the background, this is a top choice to consider.
It’s also the best electric heater for large room that can be used as a freestanding unit or mounted to a wall.
The features on this heater include:
- Uses 1,500 Watts.
- Heats the space silently and evenly.
- Hi-Fi Technology that distributes the heat effectively with double fan system.
- Digital controls with multiple heat settings and LED display.
- Timer
- Eco Mode for energy-savings.
- Heat rooms up to 300 sq. ft.
- Hardware included for using it as a floor heater or wall-mounted unit.
If you want a heater that can take the chill out of a room to make it more comfortable to be in, this is a great option.
It doesn’t pump out as much heat as some of the other heaters on this list, but it may be all you need to heat up a larger room in your home that’s a bit too cold to enjoy.
Safety features include:
- Overheat protection with antifreeze setting
- Tip-over protection with buzzer
8. Dyna-Glo IR18PMDG-1 Propane Heater
When it comes to a portable propane heater that can be repositioned at any time or mounted to a wall, this is the best option that’s out there.
The features that come with this big room heater include:
- A standard wall-mounting kit, but optional base legs (WBL100) can be purchased to turn it into a portable heater for large room.
- You can add a fan attachment (WHF100) that will deliver hot air into the room faster.
- Warms rooms up to 700 sq. ft.
You can also use this propane heater with 1-pound propane bottles or bigger propane tanks.
The choice is yours on how you want to set this powerful heater up in your home.
Regardless of how you use it, this space heater pumps out some of the hottest heat you’ll find in a heater for large rooms.
Safety features include:
- Low Oxygen Shut Off (ODS) for total peace of mind against harmful gas buildup.
Large Room Heater Buying Guide
If you need some guidance on how to choose a large room heater, then this section can help.
Below, you’ll find out about all of the different types of heaters on market as well as features to consider and answers to common questions.
Types of Heaters for Large Rooms
These days, there are all different types of heaters to meet a variety of individual needs.
What you’ll find below is a list of the five types of heaters that are best for large rooms and how they work.
Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters emit electromagnetic waves to heat up objects that are around them.
How infrared heaters work is similar to the way that the sun heats up the Earth.
Using electricity as their main power source, infrared heaters may or may not be equipped with a fan.
If it does come with a fan, the heater will be able to distribute the heat faster throughout your large room, but it’s not required.
The major benefits of top rated infrared heaters are that they heat up quickly and provide room heat for quite a while after being turned off.
Because objects in the room are heated up, and not the air, the heat lasts much longer than other types of room heaters. And for many people, these are the best indoor electric heaters for large rooms.
Fireplace Heaters
These heaters work in much the same way as an infrared heater.
The only thing that makes them different is that they look like a freestanding fireplace and have a flickering flame and logs.
Fireplace heaters also use electricity and can heat up quickly and effectively.
They do a great job of retaining heat after being turned off, so they’ll continue to keep a room warm after they’ve been shut down. (See our guide on how do radiant heaters work for more details.)
Should you be looking to add something more traditional to your large room to give it some sophistication and elegance, then one of the best electric fireplace heaters may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Oil Filled Heaters
Oil filled heaters are also referred to as “radiator heaters” because they look a lot like the heaters that you might find in an older home.
These heaters contain diathermic oil, which gets heated by electricity and then circulates around the inside of the heater in columns.
Once those columns warm up, the heat is then radiated throughout the room by heating up the air.
Oil filled heaters don’t come with fans because they’re incredibly good at heating the air around them. And this design is what makes the biggest difference between an oil filled heater vs electric heater.
The best oil filled heaters are portable and often come with handles and wheels so they can be moved easily from one room to another or repositioned in a large room to keep you warm.
Panel Heaters
Panel heaters are a great choice if you don’t have a lot of space in your room for a heater.
Many of these heaters can also be mounted on the wall to take up even less space.
They use convection (which means they heat the air around them) to make the space warm.
Panel heaters rely on electricity to power the heating elements inside, and it’s best used as a spot heater or for supplementary heat.
Due to its thin size, you might consider placing this heater right next to you to enjoy the most warmth. Some models can even be mounted on a wall. If you prefer this option, then consider our best wall mounted electric heaters page for more recommendations.
Otherwise, it can work to just take the chill out of a room.
Propane Heaters
Propane heaters don’t require electricity to run, so if you’re looking for a way to reduce your electric bill, this is the best space heater for you to check out.
If you decide to add this heater to a large room, you have two options.
The first is to connect it to a 1-pound propane bottle to use as the fuel source. And the second is to connect it to a larger propane tank that sits on the exterior of your home.
If you go with the second option, you can get any size propane tank you want; however, you’ll need to run the proper piping to get the propane gas into the home and attached to your heater.
No matter which option you choose, the best indoor propane heaters are incredibly effective at warming any space and keeping you comfortable in the most frigid temperatures since they produce the hottest amount of heat.
Similarly, the best patio heaters available work in the same way with large propane tanks.
If you want to learn more about the inner-workings of propane heaters, check out our guide on how do propane heaters work.
Power Sources for Space Heaters
Room heaters can be powered in two ways:
- Electricity: If you get a big space heater that needs electricity to run, you’ll plug it into any standard electrical outlet. They come in a range of sizes, styles, and heat output levels. The most common heaters that fall into this category include infrared, panel, fireplace, and oil filled heaters.
- Gas: Gas space heaters use propane or butane as their power source. Since gas can produce carbon monoxide, it’s advised that you only use these heaters in well-ventilated areas unless they’re labeled as the “ventless” kind. Gas heaters have no limitation and can be used or mounted anywhere. They also put off the most heat. The most common gas heater for use in the home is a propane heater.
Features to Consider in the Best Space Heater for Large Rooms
There are a number of options you can look for when buying a large space heater.
Obviously, no heater will have all of the things listed below, but these are the top things to consider:
- Size: Space heaters come in a range of sizes but most are quite compact. The size you get, however, will depend on the size of the room you need to heat. When it comes to finding the best space heater for large room, you’ll want to go with one that puts out a lot of heat.
- Ease of Setup: Most electric heaters come ready to use right out of the box. In some cases, they may require minimal effort to set up. You just plug them in and turn them on. Gas heaters, on the other hand, require some setup with a propane tank and getting the burner to light. You also have the option of getting a Wi-Fi heater, which will take longer to set up, but it comes with a lot of conveniences that may make the effort worth it.
- Temperature Controls: Space heaters come with a range of different controls to help you find the optimum temperature for your large room. When it comes to finding the best heater for large room, you’ll need to consider if you want to be able to set the device to an exact temperature degree or if you’re fine with just a turn dial for the level of heat
- Thermostat: It’s possible to find heaters that have a built-in thermostat. These monitor the temperature in the room and adjust the heat output levels to ensure the room is staying at the precise temperature.
- Safety Features: Some of the most common safety features that are found on a large room heater include automatic shut-off, which turns the appliance off if it accidentally gets tipped over, and overheat protection, which shuts the heater off if the heating mechanism reaches dangerously high temperatures.
- Cool-Touch Exterior: In some space heaters, the outer casing can get incredibly hot to the touch while it is running. This can be dangerous if you have pets or smalls children in your home, but if you get a heater with a cool-touch exterior, they won’t burn themselves if they accidentally touch the space heater.
- Timer: If you get a space heater with a timer, you won’t ever have to worry about forgetting to shut it off. You can set it to run for a certain amount of time, and when the timer runs out, it will shut off automatically.
- Remote Control: There are some space heaters that come with a remote, making it easy and convenient to control the settings without having to get up from your comfortable spot.
- Wi-Fi Control: If you get a heater that is equipped with Wi-Fi, you’ll be able to control the temperature and other settings from your smartphone. You can also create heating schedules throughout the day to ensure that you get the exact amount of heat you need when you need it.
- Wall Mountable: Some heaters include a wall mounting kit. Getting a space heater that can be mounted to the wall is a great way to keep it out of the way and place it in the perfect spot to keep you warm. Compare that to the best baseboard heaters on the market which is usually need to be placed beneath a window to get the most efficiency. And that is not always convenient in large rooms.
- Aesthetics: No matter what kind of décor you have in your home, there’s a space heater that will match it. Propane heaters are often less attractive than electric heaters, so if you’re looking for something modern and sleek, you’ll want to consider getting an infrared or panel heater. For a more traditional look, you can add a fireplace or oil filled heater to your large room.
- Noise Level: Space heaters that are equipped with fans can be loud on the highest setting. If you’re looking for a heater that doesn’t make any sound, then you’ll want to look for one that doesn’t have a fan. For rooms like a bedroom, consider our page on the best space heater for bedroom. It includes the top units with quiet noise levels for sleeping.
Common Questions About Large Room Heaters
How Much Electricity Does a Space Heater Use?
If you’re plugging a space heater into an outlet, then it will use electricity in the form of watts.
In general, a space heater will use approximately 1500 Watts of energy per hour, but it’s possible to find heaters that use less.
If you’re trying to figure out exactly how much electricity a space heater might use, then apply the following formula to determine how much it will cost to run the heater every hour.
- ((1,500 x 1) ÷ 1,000) x $0.13 = $0.195 per hour
Dividing 1,500 by 1,000 changes watt-hours to kilowatt-hours (kWH) and multiplying by $0.13 is the national average for kWh.
The price you pay per kWh could vary depending on where you live. To find the exact amount, you’ll need to consult your electric bill.
In this case, it will cost $0.195 per hour to run a space heater at full blast. If it was running for 24 hours straight then the total cost would be $4.68 per day.
Now, if you wondering, “do space heaters save money?”, then the answer is yes when used in an energy efficient manner.
How Large of a Room Can a Space Heater Heat?
The size of a room that a space heater can heat will depend on the type of heater you use. For example, infrared heaters, fireplace heaters, and propane heaters are capable of warming large rooms up to 1,000 sq. ft. Oil filled and panel heaters are usually good for rooms between 150 to 300 sq. ft.
Now, if you’re looking to heat up a large bathroom, then you’ll want to consider our best space heater for bathroom guide. It includes the top models that are bathroom safe and come in various types: portable, wall mounted and ceiling mounted.
Additionally, we also have a good garage heater reviews guide that can help you select the best unit for large areas like this.
How Large a Room Will a 1500-Watt Heater Heat?
It takes approximately 10 Watts of heating power to warm one square foot of floor area in your home.
That means if you’re using a 1500-Watt heater as the primary heat source for a room, it can warm an area up to 150 sq. ft. in size, or a room that’s 10′ x 15′.
If you’re using the heater as a supplemental heat source, meaning it is working in conjunction with your furnace, the amount of square feet it can heat is doubled.
That means a 1500-Watt heater can be used in rooms up to 300 sq. ft. in size, or a 20′ x 15′ room.
It’s important to realize that the 10 Watts of heating power guideline only applies to heaters that use convection to heat up a room. This includes ceramic, fan, panel, and oil heaters that heat up the air.
Infrared heaters have the ability to heat much larger rooms with 1500 Watts of power because of how they work. They heat up objects inside a room, not the air. Thes best indoor electric heaters for large rooms of this type can make rooms up to 1,000 sq. ft. comfortable and cozy.
If you want to learn more about the energy consumption of 1500 watt heaters, then check out our guide on how much energy does a 1500 watt heater use.
Can You Leave a Space Heater on All Night?
It’s never a good idea to leave a heater running all night. These units get extremely hot, and if you’re not there to monitor them and take action should something happen, they can start a fire. In addition, if you have a gas heater in your home, leaving this on all night increases the chances of the room filling up with carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.
How Do I Choose a Room Heater?
When it comes to choosing a space heater for a large room, the first thing you’ll want to do is measure the size of the room.
Knowing the size of the space will allow you to purchase a heater that can heat the room effectively and efficiently.
If your room is 300 sq. ft. or less, you can get any type of heater you want, including oil filled, panel, infrared, fireplace, or propane.
If your room is larger than 300 sq. ft., and up to 1,000 sq. ft, you’re better off choosing a propane, infrared, or fireplace heater to effectively heat up the room.
Benefits of Using the Best Heaters for Large Rooms
Why should you consider getting a space heater for your large room?
Well, the most important reason is so you can stay warm no matter how cold it gets outside.
However, there are some other reasons why you should consider using a big space heater as opposed to other methods of heating up a room:
- Compact Size: Most of these heaters are small in size or thin, which means they don’t take up much room to keep you warm.
- Portable: Being able to move a space heater from one room to another makes them well worth the investment. Many of these heaters have wheels or carrying handles to make them easily portable.
- Energy Efficient: Space heaters use electricity incredibly effectively, so you don’t have to worry about paying huge electric bills. If you’re really concerned about how much it could cost to run one of these units, consider getting one of the most efficient space heaters with an Eco Mode to ensure you get the most cost savings.
- Inexpensive: Most space heaters have a low upfront cost. If you’re using these as supplemental heat, you’ll also be able to save money in the long run because you can turn your furnace down (lowering your heating bill), but still stay warm and cozy throughout the winter.
Safety Features to Look for on Space Heaters
Safety should always be a top priority when it comes to adding a space heater to your home.
There are always risks when it comes to running a space heater, but there are some features you should look for to ensure that the heater is as safe as it can be.
- It should have been tested for safety: There are many different companies that test space heaters to ensure their safety, including UL (Underwriters Laboratory), ETL (Intertek), and CSA (Canadian Standards Association). If any of these groups have tested the particular model you’re looking at, there will be a label on the appliance. Look for this to ensure you’re getting the safest big room heater you can find.
- Think about fire and burn prevention: Space heaters are meant to produce a lot of heat, but many of them now come with a cool-touch exterior to reduce the chances of people or animals getting burned or the risk of the heater starting a fire. Many heaters also come with a function that automatically turns them off if they start to overheat. It’s also a good idea to get a heater that will shut off automatically if it accidentally gets knocked over.
- Gas heaters should have a Low Oxygen Shut Off (ODS): Having a gas heater that’s equipped with this feature means that it will monitor the oxygen levels in the room and shut off automatically if they fall below a certain threshold. This reduces the chances of carbon monoxide forming. It’s also advised that whenever using a gas heater in your home, it should have a vented combustion heater. Unvented heaters should only be used outdoors.
Top Brands of Space Heaters for Large Rooms
If you’re wondering who makes the best brands of heaters for large rooms, then here are the top companies:
- De’Longhi
- Dr. Heater
- Dr. Infrared
- Heat Storm
- Honeywell
- Lasko
- Life Smart
- Pelonis
Enjoy Your New Best Large Room Heater
We hope you enjoyed this comprehensive guide on how to choose the best space heater for large rooms.
As you discovered, there are many large room heater options for you to choose from the heat up big areas in your home, apartment, or office.
Hopefully, after reading this guide, you’ve come away with a better idea of what the best heater for large rooms is that meets your specific needs.
Whether you need some extra heating comfort in a living room, big bedroom, or basement, there are good options out there for you: infrared heaters, fireplace heaters, oil filled heaters, panel heaters, and propane heaters.
