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If you want to beat the chill, or want to keep an area toasty, the best space heaters can instantly heat up cold rooms.
Since it's hard to know how they fare until they're in your home, we put the best space heaters to the test, checking the effectiveness and efficiency of each model.
The best space heaters you can buy right now
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
Best space heater overall
Although it’s over three feet tall, the Lasko FH500 is slim and has a clean, uncluttered design. In a 15 x 10 foot test room, at its highest setting, it surpassed every other heater we tested, and raised the temperature perfectly evenly by 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
It was also quick to heat up; within 12 seconds, we felt warmer. In spite of its great heat output, it drew an average amount of energy in relation to the other heaters. However, there is an eco mode if you want to save on your bills; after you set a precise temperature, the power cycles on and off to reduce energy consumption.
The fan can be set to oscillate for even distribution of heat. And you can also set a timer to shut the unit off automatically after up to 8 hours. None of the surfaces on the Lasko itself present a burn hazard if you’ve got children running around, and it’s not too loud either.
Inside the Lasko there’s a permanent filter which needs to be popped in before first use and then vacuumed every two weeks to keep it in top condition. This heater can be controlled by its panel or by a remote control, which you can store in a pocket on the back of the tower.
The internal fan is useful for distributing the heat when it's cold, but this specific model also pulls double-duty as a regular cooling tower fan for the summer. It's an excellent space heater, but the added dual-function makes it easily the best space heater.
- Read our full Lasko FH500 review
Best value space heater
If you're on a budget and simply want a heater to quickly warm a small space, the Morento heater is ideal. With its miniature size and light weight of just 4 pounds, it's easily portable and won't look like an eyesore in the room. In fact, it's perfect for home offices if you want to keep the chill at bay.
It also comes with three modes: fan only, high power heat and Eco. Plus, a host of safety features including 24-hour auto shut-off, tip-over protection, and overheat protection. Which is a bonus if you have children or pets running around.
Despite its mini stature, the Morento heater is mighty and was able to warm up our tester's 100 sq ft office (and feet) within 30 minutes, reaching 71 degrees F. It also performed well in his 200 sq ft bedroom, quickly reaching a cozy 69.8 degrees F within 40 minutes. Although it wouldn't be effective to heat larger spaces exceeding 400 sq ft.
Perhaps what's even more impressive is its affordable price for what it has to bring to the table, which makes it our top pick for best value for money.
- Read our full Morento Space Heater review
Best infrared space heater
With its wooden casing and rectangular shape, The Dr. Infrared Heater DR-998 could be mistaken for a sub woofer speaker. It’s well constructed and looks substantial. While it would fit in well in a room with a lot of wood furniture and a warm color scheme, it might not suit every decor in the same way.
When running on a high heat setting in our 15 x 10-foot test room, it was able to increase the temperature by about 4 degrees Fahrenheit and this heat was distributed fairly evenly with just a 2 degree difference around the room, similar to most of the heaters we tested.
When placed close to where we were sitting, it was able to warm us up in under 30 seconds. This heater uses an average amount of energy compared to the other space heaters we tested.
Right on the front, it has large, well-marked control buttons and an LED display that shows the settings with easy-to-read numbers. This heater can also be used as a humidifier as well as a fan for cooling, and you can set it to oscillate up to 360 degrees for a more even distribution of air.
At 25 pounds, this is a heavy and hard-to-lift space heater. However, it has wheels that make it easy to roll across the floor or into a closet for storage. A timer allows you to set the heater to automatically turn off up to 12 hours later. To control it from across the room, a remote is included with the unit as well.
The exterior surfaces of this heater won't burn you and when it’s on its highest setting, it sounds about as noisy as a running dishwasher at 51.7 decibels, which is average for a space heater. About once a month, you’ll need to remove the filter and clean it with a vacuum and wash out the water tank.
- Read our full Dr. Infrared Heater DR-998 review
Best heater air purifier combo
Dyson's latest Hot+Cool appliance, the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 is a space heater, fan, and air purifier all in one, saving you from buying and storing three different appliances.
The star of the show is the heater. In our tests, it brought a room up to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The oscillation and bladeless fan make a huge difference, too; rather than the roaring heat of a budget space heater toasting your feet and nothing else, this spreads heat around the room like a tropical breeze. Admittedly, it was tested in a small living room, but it warmed the entire room in just five minutes.
The app for this heater is genuinely useful, unlike most smart home apps. It lets you control the heater remotely so you can set the fan speed, heat level, oscillation and more. You can set up a timer, a schedule, and an auto-target for air quality, so the purifier will kick in if there are elevated levels of unwanted particles.
The obvious drawback with this appliance, however, is the high price point. It's five times more expensive than our number one pick. Sure, it's really three appliances in one, but the Lasko FH500 in first place is also a tower fan, so it's not a huge jump in functionality. That's worsened by the fact that the air filter needs to be replaced, so you need to spend an extra $79.99 every year or so just to keep this running.
- Read our full Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 review
Best wall-mounted space heater
If you want a space-saving yet powerful heater, the Dreo Smart Wall Heater is a great option. Firstly, it's easy to mount on the wall and has a stylish, discreet design that won't look out of place.
It comes with adjustable louvers for directing the air to where it’s needed and it’s simple to adjust the heater with its panel, remote control, Dreo app or with voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant. With more than enough warming potential for the average, mid-sized room.
We tested all four heating modes (including Eco) and were impressed at how rapidly the Dreo circulated heat around the room. It particularly worked well in our tester's 150 square foot hallway where the temperature can drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit during winter.
Another great feature was the Dreo app, which has a simple interface and is straightforward to use. We were able to check the heater’s status and temperature from upstairs, across town and even several states away.
At 44.9 decibels, this isn't the quietest space heater we tested, however, it isn't loud enough to disturb the peace. And the fact that it's on the wall means that you can pretty much set and forget that it's even there. On that note, this is wall-mountable only, so you can't move it from room to room, without installing again.
Priced under $100, this heater is great value for its fast heat output and handy smart features. Best suited for mid-sized rooms.
- Read our full Dreo WH517S Smart Wall Heater review
Best for cooling and heating
Shark's new TurboBlade Cool + Heat is an upgrade to the original Shark TurboBlade fan, this time with a heater mounted in the center of its unique blade.
It performed well on test. It oscillates 180 degrees and it has a 'Thermo IQ' setting which automatically adjusts the fan to maintain your desired temperature. It's most effective in smaller rooms, where it only needs a few minutes to increase the temperature of the room.
I found the remote control is easy to use, and some users might prefer this simple control to downloading an app. It's also magnetic, so you won't lose it down the back of a sofa.
One drawback, however, is that the heat setting only comes out of the central vent, which defeats the point of the blade design. Another drawback is that for the price, you might be expecting app or smart functionality. Unfortunately, this is fairly old school, and uses a simple remote with a digital display.
- Read our full Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat review
Best tower space heater
The Lasko Ellipse CT18950 is easily one of the best tower space heaters we've tested. It performed excellently in small and medium-sized rooms, and was able to maintain the temperature with seemingly little effort.
Partly, this is because tower units are larger and can distribute more warm air as they oscillate, but it's also due to the Ellipse CT18950's elongated design, ceramic heater and three heat settings.
The design is cool to touch, so you don't risk sudden shocks or injuries if you touch the exterior, and the digital thermostat keeps the unit running until it edges just above your target temperature, and kicks back in when it starts to drop.
Far too often, some great space heaters are let down by a terrible remote, but that wasn't the case here. The Ellipse CT18950's remote worked reliably, and was easy to use for temperature adjustments and power settings.
The overall package is good enough that it could knock the Lasko FH500 off the top spot, but that model is a hybrid fan and heater. It costs more, but not a substantial amount considering that it bundles an impressive heater and cooling fan for summer.
But if you don't need the combination model, the Lasko Ellipse CT18950 is a great option for the colder months, keeping your space warm efficiently, and it won't break the bank either; from electricity costs or the initial purchase.
- Read our full Lasko Ellipse CT18950 review
Best space heater for small spaces
If you're after a small yet powerful space heater, the Dreo Whole Room heater certainly packs in a punch. Surprisingly, it heats rooms pretty fast, offering instant comfort without taking up much space at all.
It comes with three heat and fan levels, 3D oscillating heat, a 12-hour timer and a convenient carry handle for easy portability. Of course, it has great safety features including overheat shutoff, tip-over protection, and flame-retardant housing.
Our reviewer, Millie, found it super easy to use with its LCD panel, or via remote control. More importantly, it got the job done well and even managed to keep the chill at bay when she placed it on her dining table. Another favourite feature is its seamless 60° vertical and 90° horizontal oscillation. Although Millie did find the remote control sluggish at times when adjusting oscillation and fan settings.
Nevertheless, the Dreo Whole Room heater is an impressive performer overall, and especially excels in smaller spaces. It's also incredibly quiet, which is always a bonus. Perhaps a significant advantage is its dual function, since the fan can also be used during the summer months, which makes it worth every penny.
- Read our full Dreo Whole Room Heater review
Also tested
We test many more space heaters than we recommend in our main roundup and only suggest the models we genuinely think are the best space heaters. But that doesn't mean the others we try are bad. So, if you're after more options here are the space heaters that didn't quite make the cut.
How we test the best space heaters
To test heating performance, we time how quickly each space heater can heat up the air directly in front of it. We also measure the temperatures either side within a 15 x 10 foot room after each heater has operated for 20 minutes on its highest heat setting — this is to check for evenness and consistency.
For accuracy, we time how long each space heater takes to significantly boost the room’s temperature, and we do this from two distances. While doing this, we take the floor’s temperature to check how much heat is wasted.
Using an energy meter, we track the energy used on the minimum and maximum heat levels to determine the energy efficiency. We then measure five different surface temperatures on each heater as well as the floor in front of it to see if there was a burning hazard, or if the appliance wastes energy heating the floor.
In addition, we run the appliance on its highest setting to test the noise output, and measure the space heater’s external temperature to ensure against burning hazards. We also take into account added safety features, including tip-over protection and automatic shut-off.
How to choose the best space heater for you
Space heaters vary in size, heating ability, features, and price. The most expensive ones look better and can do more than just heat — they can also cool off a room and may even be able to humidify or purify the air. However, they’re also larger and less portable.
Safety Features: When you buy a space heater, start by checking that it bears the UL, ETL, or CSA International insignia which tells you that it has been tested and certified by a third party organization.
In addition, make sure it will shut off automatically if it tilts, tips, or overheats. One heater we tested — the Lasko 754200 — lacks this feature, which is why it didn’t make the list of the best space heaters. Any heater that you consider purchasing should have a sturdy cord that is at least six feet long.
Heating Capacity: The wattage of a space heater is an important factor in determining how large an area it will warm up. Generally, a heater needs 10 watts of power to heat each square foot of space.
That means to heat up an average-sized room, you’ll want at least a 1,500-watt heater. But take into the account the height of your ceilings and the level of insulation in the room, as this will have a reflection on the area that will need heating and how much energy will escape.
Fan: To distribute heat quickly, look for a model with a fan. An oscillating fan helps disperse heat more evenly.
Thermostat: A space heater that has a thermostat allows you to fine tune the temperature and keep it at a level you find comfortable. An electronic thermostat with precise temperature settings will give you the best control.
Often manufacturers refer to the thermostat as an eco setting as it saves energy by only using as much power as needed to keep a steady temperature.
Other features to consider: A timer that will automatically shut the heater off is handy as you won’t have to worry about whether or not you remembered to do it. Remote controls are also useful.
With a remote controlled model, you can turn the heater on and off without putting your book down or tearing yourself away from the TV. If you plan to use the heater in various rooms, you’ll find a handle makes it easy to carry.
Still unsure if a space heater is right for you? Check out should you buy a space heater? Here are the pros and cons.
Tips for using a space heater safely
- Place your space heater on a flat stable surface like a hardwood floor. Do not use it on carpet.
- Never use an extension cord or power strip with a space heater. They’re not designed to accommodate the power needs of a space heater and can overheat, leading to a fire.
- Inspect the cord regularly to make sure it isn’t damaged or frayed in any way. If it is, stop using it immediately.
- When you’re not using a space heater, unplug it.
- Don’t go to sleep with a space heater switched on.
- Never leave a space heater unattended while it’s operating. If you leave the room, turn the heater off.
- Don’t cover a space heater with clothing or a blanket and keep it away from curtains, beddings, and papers.
- Be vigilant about keeping children and pets away from the unit and its power cord at all times.
FAQs
How much should you spend on a space heater?
Depending on the size and functionality, space heaters can cost anywhere from $20 up to $700, so you really should have a budget in mind before you start browsing. Generally speaking, the more versatile the machine is, the more it will cost.
So any additional functions, such as humidifiers or air purifiers, will only add to the price tag, although you do technically get two appliances in one here. With that in mind, only invest in multifunctional devices if you intend to use the extra features.
Some models can function as fans as well as space heaters, which makes them useful throughout the year, for example. Make sure you check the energy consumption as well — otherwise your space heater can cost you an arm and a leg to run over time.
We recommend considering your budget before shopping as well as what you need from your space heater in terms of size and functionality. That way, you can prevent overspending.
Do space heaters dry out the air?
No, although it may seem as though the air is dryer. Space heaters increase the air temperature which increases the amount of water air can absorb, making the atmosphere appear drier.
This is because warm air can hold more moisture than cold air, which makes the room feel drier, however, moisture isn’t being removed as it would be when using a dehumidifier.
How long should you run a space heater?
Ideally, it's advised to only run space heaters for a few hours, and should never be left running overnight. This is mainly due to fire risk safety, and to avoid the risk of it toppling over or overheating.
However, you should opt for space heaters with a thermostat, or safety features such as automatic shut-off if they get too hot. These will all minimize the risk of a potential fire.
When should you replace your space heater?
While there are estimates that a space heater can last anywhere from 16 to 20 years, how long one actually stays in good working order depends on how much it’s used. If you see the cord is damaged or fraying or notice sparks or odd smells from the heater or the outlet, stop using it immediately and replace it with a new one.
Other signs that it’s time to buy a new model include ceramic panels that are cracked, broken or have eroding finishes. When you shop for a new space heater, you’ll find the latest models are more attractive so they will look less obtrusive sitting in your family or guest room.
Many space heaters now have electronic controls and some even come with a remote so that you can turn them on and off without leaving your desk or the sofa. You can now also find space heaters that double up as fans, humidifiers, or air purifiers so that you get more for your money.
