4 Best Space Heaters (2023 Guide)

Keeping your feet warm at the office or making your bedroom cozier, space heaters are a way to supplement your primary heating system. To help you choose a heater for your space, our team evaluated some of the best space heaters on the market today.

Here are our top picks.

Top 4 Space Heaters

• Best Oscillation: Lasko Ceramic Space Heater
• Best Value: Lasko Ceramic Portable Space Heater
• Best for Small Spaces: GiveBest Portable Electric Space Heater
• Best Energy Efficiency: De’Longhi Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater

Best Oscillation

Pros and Cons

✔ Is designed with a digital display that showcases the settings
✔ Has a cool-touch exterior
✔ The tower build fits in smaller spaces

✘ Doesn’t specify how many square feet it can heat
✘ Some customers said that the outside got hot on the warmest setting

Key Features

• Has two settings
• Features a remote control
• Backed by a three-year warranty

What Customers Are Saying

Satisfied customers said that the Lasko 755320 Ceramic Space Heater was efficient, durable, and affordable. Many also noted that its best feature was its oscillation function. Though there weren’t many negative reviews, a few customers said it was a fire hazard.

Best Value

Pros and Cons

✔ Is built with safety features that are designed to prevent tipping and overheating
✔ Has an easy-to-carry handle for portability
✔ Can be used on the floor or a tabletop

✘ Doesn’t include a timer
✘ Looks like it’s made of cheap plastic

Key Features

• Has three settings
• Heats up to 300 square feet
• Backed by a three-year warranty

What Customers Are Saying

Satisfied customers said the Lasko 754201 Ceramic Portable Space Heater was powerful and easy to use. However, some dissatisfied reviewers noted that the product arrived broken, while others said it stopped working soon after arrival. A couple also mentioned that the heater emitted a chemical odor when turned on.

Best for Small Spaces

Pros and Cons

✔ Works at less than 45 decibels, which is about the same volume as a quiet library
✔ Has overheat protection that kicks in if the device reaches 158 degrees Fahrenheit
✔ Is built with an indicator light that reminds you to shut it off when it’s not in use

✘ Has a short 6-foot cord
✘ Can only heat small spaces

Key Features

• Has three settings
• Heats up to 200 square feet
• Features a carrying handle
• Backed by a one-year warranty

What Customers Are Saying

Happy customers liked the GiveBest Portable Electric Space Heater for its heat settings, safety features, and affordable price. Some customers noted that the thermostat was defective, while others said the device released a foul odor when used.

Best Energy Efficiency

Pros and Cons

✔ Is built with patented pre-assembled wheels for easy portability
✔ Has thermal cut-off protection to prevent overheating
✔ Has a rounded design to keep you from bumping it and injuring yourself

✘ Is not available for international shipping
✘  Not ideal for budget-conscious shoppers

Key Features

• Has two settings
• Features four wheels and a cord wrap
• Backed by a three-year warranty

What Customers Are Saying

Customers were impressed with this product’s heat output. Many also recommended it for being lightweight and easy to use. Dissatisfied customers called the device a fire hazard because it produced sparks and was hot to the touch.

Buying Guide to Space Heaters

Before purchasing a space heater, look at what type of fuel the model uses, how large of an area it can heat, how efficient it is, and what safety features it has. Here’s a breakdown of these factors.

Capacity

Each space heater has a maximum number of square feet it’s capable of heating. Measure the area you plan to heat, and buy a heater that can match that space.

Efficiency

Heaters with fans or a forced-air construction are quicker at emitting heat and better at evenly distributing it. On the other hand, gas and oil models take longer to heat up.

Fuel Source

Space heaters are powered by gas, oil, or electricity. Gas and oil heaters require a certain type of fossil fuel to run, but you don’t have to worry about plugging them in. Electric heaters are safer to use but must be placed near an outlet. They may also increase your monthly electricity bill.

Safety Features

Some space heaters automatically switch off after reaching a certain temperature to prevent overheating. Others have sensors that detect if the unit has tipped over to prevent fires.

Frequently Asked Questions About Space Heaters

Can I use a space heater as my only source of heat?

Space heaters likely won’t produce enough heat to warm your entire home, so we recommend turning on your heating system and only using your space heater in smaller areas.

Can you leave a space heater on overnight?

No. We don’t recommend leaving your space heater on if you’re asleep or out of the house because it could start a fire, cause carbon monoxide poisoning, or dry out your skin.

How much electricity do space heaters use?

The average electric space heater uses 1,500 watts per hour. Depending on how much your utility company charges for electricity and how long you use your heater, a space heater will cost you about $2 to $4 per day to run.

How We Selected the Best Space Heaters

To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of space heaters with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers. 

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why You Can Trust Us

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

Questions or Comments?

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