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Whether your bedroom tends to run cold or your heated blanket just isn’t cutting it, having one of the best space heaters is a must. Just like portable air conditioners, space heaters help you reach and maintain the perfect temperature in any room they’re situated—except they warm rooms, of course, rather than cool them. And if it’s been a minute since you’ve purchased one of these handy devices, you’ll be blown away by all the options out there. Many of today’s space heaters boast much appreciated safety features; some double as air purifiers and come with remote controls.
Based on rigorous research and expert advice, the best space heater for most people is the Lasko Digital Ceramic Tower Heater, a super sleek model that features overheat protection and cool-touch housing. When it comes to choosing the perfect space heater for you, though, you’ll need to take a few factors into consideration: your budget, the level of portability you need, any safety concerns you have (i.e. whether kids and pets will be around it), and where you actually plan to put your heater.
To help you navigate this purchase, we whittled down the field based on expert recommendations and by analyzing useful features, safety options and value for your money. These are the best space heaters you can buy right now.
Best Space Heater Overall
A Sleek And Slender Option With The Latest Safety Features
Lasko 5586 Digital Ceramic Tower Heater
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Dimensions: 10.5 x 10.5 x 29 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Heating Method: Convection | Color Options: Black
This Lasko tower heater can warm up just about any space in your home, from your living room to your office, ASAP. It’s sleek and slender, making it easy to tuck into a corner or nook. But the additional features are what really make the Lasko 5586 shine. Digital controls allow you to adjust the thermostat, choose oscillation and set timers. The tower has plenty of safety features, including overheat protection and cool-touch housing, so you won’t burn your fingers if you need to move it. There’s also an easy-to-use remote, just in case you want to control the action from your couch.
Safest Space Heater
An Attractive Option With Tons Of Cool Features
Dyson HP01 Pure Hot + Cool
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Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 24.88 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Heating Method: Forced air | Color Options: White/silver
If you’re looking for the one of the smartest and safest space heaters on the market, consider Dyson’s HP01 Pure Hot + Cool. The device, which has one of the most attractive designs in this roundup, comes with the ability to heat and cool rooms with ease, thanks to an intelligent thermometer feature that can accurately analyze room temperature and respond accordingly. And since it blocks dust from the heating elements, Dyson promises no burning smells.
The Dyson also has no spinning blades or grills, so you don’t have to stress about small fingers getting hit or burned. Another perk: This space heater also works as an air purifier, removing 99.97% of allergens and pollutants from your home with the help of a HEPA air filter.
Best Budget Space Heater
A Pint-Sized Option That Packs A Punch
Vornado VH202 Personal Space Heater
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Dimensions: 7.2 x 7.9 x 7.1 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Heating Method: Forced air | Color Options: Black
Vornado’s VH202 Personal Space Heater is a top choice for small spaces. The device comes with a nice design that’s about the size of a pineapple. It offers quiet performance and uses vortex air circulation to quickly heat the air around you. It also comes with tip-over protection for reducing chances of injury and has a plastic finish that won’t heat up when you touch it. It’s effective for heating up office spaces, kitchens and bedrooms, and for warming up the front porch in the winter months.
Best Space Heater For Small Rooms
A Tiny-Yet-Mighty Space Heater Ideal For Smaller Spaces
De’Longhi Capsule Compact Ceramic Heater
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Dimensions: 7.5 x 4 x 11 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Heating Method: Forced air | Color Options: Black, white
The De’Longhi Capsule Compact Ceramic Heater is specially designed to add coziness to rooms up to 100 square feet, making it perfect for your home office or smaller bedrooms. You can flip between two heat settings—low or high—to find the level of warmth that’s right for you. And, while this space heater doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, it does have a tip-over safety feature to shut off in case of a fall. Another point: It’s lightweight and can be easily moved from room to room.
Best Space Heater For Large Rooms
A Robust Option That Looks Like A Piece Of Furniture
Lifesmart Electric Tower Space Heater
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Dimensions: 10 x 11 x 23.6 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Heating Method: Infrared | Color Options: Cherry
This 1,500-watt space heater is specially designed to heat larger rooms, like living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms. Lifesmart’s three infrared heating elements crank up the warmth, while its oscillation feature helps spread it out. Enjoy two different heat settings and an easy-read digital thermostat, so you know exactly what the temperature is at all times. Don’t feel like getting up to adjust the heat? Just set the temperature using the remote. This heater has overheat and tip-over safety features, along with an all-wood cherry finish cabinet that’s cool to the touch, making it safe for use around children and pets.
Best Radiator Space Heater
A Great Option For Extra Cold Homes
De’Longhi Comfort Temp Full Room Radiant Heater
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Dimensions: 5.9 x 13.78 x 24.9 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Heating Method: Radiant | Color Options: Light gray
De’Longhi’s Comfort Temp Full Room Radiant Thermostat adds heat while helping you manage your energy bill. You can quickly adjust the temperature with the turn of a dial, and flick a switch to crank up the fan speed. Concerned about your energy bill? Press the ComforTemp button to get the maximum amount of radiant heat without burning a ton of energy. This radiator has snap-on wheels to help you easily move it around your place. Plus, it comes with an impressive three-year warranty, so you can rest assured you’ll be nice and toasty in the near future.
Best Space Heater On Amazon
A Popular Option With More Than 39,000 Five-Star Reviews
GiveBest Portable Electric Space Heater
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Dimensions: 6.2 x 7 x 3.2 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Heating Method: Forced air, convection | Color Options: Black, Silver
At just 3.2 pounds, Amazon’s number one best-selling space heater is extremely portable, making it easy to tote wherever you need a little extra warmth. This heater keep things simple: Level one produces heat at 750 watts, while level two churns out heat faster at 1,500 watts. Want to cool things down? Simply switch to the fan setting and adjust the thermostat, which ranges from zero to 158 degrees. The GiveBest heater may be on the smaller side, but it can warm up a room as large as 200 square feet.
Best Electric Space Heater
A Portable Heater That Delivers 360-Degree Warmth
Honeywell 360 Degree Surround Heater
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Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 11.5 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Heating Method: Convection | Color Options: Charcoal gray
Unlike many heaters that just send warmth in one direction, the Honeywell 360 Degree Surround Heater shoots out heat from all angles. It features an adjustable thermostat, along with two heat settings to help you get that just-right feel. This heater is made to be used in small- to medium-sized rooms, making it perfect for bedrooms and home offices. Safety features like a 360-degree tip over switch, overheat protection and a cool-touch handle help you feel at ease while it’s running.
Most Attractive Space Heater
A Vintage-Style Space Heater That Comes In Pretty Shades
Vornado V-Heat Vintage Metal Heater
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Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 13.7 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Heating Method: Forced air | Color Options: Green, Vintage White
Vornado’s V-Heat Vintage Room Heater looks like a fan right out of the ’50s, but it can deliver plenty of warmth to meet your modern needs. The fan comes in pretty shades of green or cream and has a pivoting head you can direct at your upper body, feet and whatever else is feeling chilly. Flip between two heat settings—low and high—while enjoying safety features like an automatic shut-off system and anti-tip protection. It’s also whisper-quiet, so you don’t have to worry about background noise while it’s on.
Best Energy-Efficient Space Heater
A Heater That Shows You How Much Energy You’re Using In Real Time
Honeywell EnergySmart Cool Touch Heater
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Dimensions: 7 x 10 x 12 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Heating Method: Convection | Color Options: Black
Honeywell’s EnergySmart Cool Touch Heater features special technology to self-regulate the electricity flow to your device based on temperature. There’s an energy usage indicator that shows the amount of energy you’re using at any given time, which means you’ll get the warmth you want without overpaying for heat you don’t. Flip between three heat settings and eyeball the LED display that gives you the current room temperature, along with your desired heating level. It also has handy safety features like tip-over protection, overheat protection, an extra-wide base and a cool-to-the-touch cover.
How We Chose The Best Space Heaters
To determine the best models you can buy right now, we scoured brands and retailers for their bestselling, top-rated options. We then narrowed down the field by analyzing consumer reviews and factoring in our personal experience with the individual space heaters. We also considered factors including type (for example, radiant versus electric), power, value, ease of use and safety features.
What To Consider When Shopping For A Space Heater
“The first step in shopping for a space heater is understanding your options,” says Angi home expert Bailey Carson. Here are the main factors to keep in mind to help you choose the right one for your home.
Type
There are a lot of different types of space heaters, Carson explains: radiant, which is used to warm small spaces; electric, which plugs directly into your wall; convection, which can reach an entire room; baseboard, which are long units that are placed on the floor; and combination, which use a fan to evenly distribute heat while being energy efficient.
Cost
Electric space heaters tend to be the most budget-friendly, while radiant and electric heaters are the most portable—but may cost more, Carson says.
Safety
Many space heaters now come with safety features to prevent burns and fires. But, in general, Carson says that radiant space heaters are considered the safest. “They stay cool to the touch, so you don’t have to worry about them burning anyone,” she says. “They also usually have an automatic shutoff feature, which can help keep you and your family safe if someone accidentally tips the heater over.”
Capacity
The best capacity for you really depends on the size of the room you’re planning on heating, Carson says. “Indoor or outdoor, make sure your heater will cover that area,” she says. And, depending on the size of your space, you may want to consider buying more than one and strategically setting them up to maximize heat output.
Additional Features
If your budget allows for it, it’s not a bad idea to look for a space heater that also purifies your air, says Dyson Design Manager David Hill. “Homes built in the last 10 to 15 years are better sealed to comply with energy efficiency requirements,” he says. As a result, “pollutants can be trapped inside and air circulation can be compromised, especially in winter. With that in mind, you should consider investing in a heater that also purifies the air in your home.”
