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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, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best space heaters on Amazon. Here are our recommended picks.
Top 4 Space Heaters
- Best Oscillation: Lasko 755320 Ceramic Space Heater
- Best Value: Lasko 754201 Ceramic Portable Space Heater
- Best For Small Spaces: GiveBest Portable Electric Space Heater
- Best Energy Efficiency: De’Longhi EW7707CM Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater
Best Oscillation: Lasko 755320 Ceramic Space Heater
This Lasko space heater has a tall and skinny design that tips up, down, left, and right to distribute heat further. For your convenience, the heater and its oscillation function can be controlled from a remote. Additionally, the device can be programmed to run for one to eight hours in one-hour intervals.
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 said that its best feature was its oscillation function. Though there weren’t many negative reviews, a few customers said that it was a fire hazard.
Best Value: Lasko 754201 Ceramic Portable Space Heater
Along with an affordable price tag, this Lasko heater has three settings for low heat, high heat, and fan that can accommodate up to 300 square feet. Plus, it’s powered by an energy-efficient ceramic heating element that helps keep the exterior cool to the touch.
Key Features
- Has three settings
- Heats up to 300 square feet
- Backed by a three-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers said that the Lasko 754201 Ceramic Portable Space Heater was powerful and easy to use. However, some dissatisfied reviewers said that the product arrived broken, while others said that it stopped working soon after arrival. A couple also mentioned that the heater emitted a chemical odor when it was turned on.
Best For Small Spaces: GiveBest Portable Electric Space Heater
This space heater only warms up to 200 square feet, which makes it ideal for heating a small room at home or placing it by your feet at work. Additionally, this GiveBest brand space heater is outfitted with a top-mounted handle that makes carrying it easy and tip-over protection that automatically shuts the unit off if it falls over.
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 that the device released a foul odor when it was in use.
Best Energy Efficiency: De’Longhi EW7707CM Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater
This product differs from others because it contains oil. The thermostat measures the oil and shuts off the heater when it reaches a certain temperature, decreasing electricity use. Though it’s filled with oil, the heater is maintenance-free, as the chamber is sealed and doesn’t need to be refilled.
Key Features
- Has two settings
- Features a 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.
Buyer’s Guide
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.
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 they have to be placed near an outlet. They may also increase your monthly electricity bill.
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 with a capacity to 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.
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
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 for, a space heater will cost you about $2 to $4 per day to run.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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