Buzz
Credit: MytourAs winter approaches, a reliable space heater can transform your living space into a warm sanctuary. However, selecting the ideal heater for your specific requirements can be challenging. That's where our expertise comes into play.
To ensure you stay comfortable during the colder months, we rigorously evaluated 49 popular models both in our lab and real-world settings. Our testing focused on heaters with exceptional heating performance, compact and portable designs, robust safety features, and an unobtrusive aesthetic. We also consulted two industry experts: Jeffrey Edwards, regional chief engineer for home appliances and electronics at Intertek, and Randy Light, senior merchant at Home Depot. Whether you need a powerful tower heater for spacious rooms or a compact unit for personal use, our recommendations have you covered.
Top Pick
Dreo Solaris Slim H3 Space Heater
IMAGE: DreoEquipped with user-friendly touchscreen controls and a remote for convenient operation, allowing precise temperature adjustments in 1-degree increments.
The display provides limited information, and the audible beeps when changing settings can be loud.
The Dreo Solaris Slim space heater excels in every aspect of a high-quality heater: it’s sleek, user-friendly, safe, and delivers powerful heating performance. It features five modes—H1, H2, H3, fan-only, and eco—along with a customizable thermostat that adjusts temperatures from 45°F to 95°F in precise 1-degree increments. Additionally, it includes advanced safety mechanisms such as overheat protection, tip-over safety, and automatic shutoff timers for 12 and 24 hours, ensuring peace of mind even if you forget to turn it off.
This heater includes a remote control with a range of up to 26 feet. Its 90-degree oscillation effectively warmed our entire room, and its tall build provided ample heat even from a distance while seated.
During operation, the heater’s display only indicates that the fan is active. When adjusting settings, the display briefly shows the new configuration before fading away. It also emits a beep with each setting change, which might bother some users (though it didn’t deter us). After three months of regular use, the heater continues to perform as reliably as it did initially.
Heat Settings: Five modes (H1, H2, H3, fan-only, and eco) and a programmable thermostat | Wattage: 900–1,500 watts | Heat Type: Forced air | Testing: ETL | Safety Features: Tip-over protection, 12-hour timer, auto shutoff
The Dreo Solaris Slim H3 Space Heater’s modern design seamlessly blends into any environment.
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We experienced noticeable warmth even from a short distance.
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The integrated handle allows for effortless transportation from room to room.
IMAGE: MytourTop Budget Pick
Kismile Portable Space Heater
IMAGE: AmazonIt features a cool-to-touch exterior, a reliable anti-tip mechanism, and a budget-friendly price under $30.
The fan mode operates at a noticeable noise level.
The Kismile Small Space Heater demonstrates that effective heating can be affordable. We were impressed by its heating capabilities, particularly given its compact design. It includes three modes—high heat, low heat, and fan—and an adjustable thermostat. During testing, we observed that it delivers focused heat straight ahead rather than dispersing it widely, making it perfect for compact areas. Additionally, its price point (under $30) makes it feasible to purchase multiple units for different rooms.
This heater prioritizes safety with features like a bottom-mounted trigger that instantly powers off if tipped in any direction, which activated even with a slight tilt during our tests. It also includes overheating protection to avoid excessive heat buildup. We were pleased that while it heats up rapidly, its exterior stays relatively cool to the touch.
After half a year of consistent use, this space heater remains a reliable companion. Its compact design, user-friendly operation, and ability to quickly warm a room make it a standout. The only drawback is the fan’s noise level, which can be quite loud. While it may not be ideal for quiet environments like sleeping or working nearby, its efficiency, portability, and durability make it an excellent value.
Heat Settings: High, low, and fan-only modes with an adjustable thermostat | Wattage: 1,500 watts | Heat Type: Convection | Testing: ETL | Safety Features: Tip-over protection, overheat protection
Despite its small size, the Kismile Portable Electric Space Heater delivers impressive heating power.
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It delivers instant, focused heat directly in front of the unit.
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The thermostat, controlled by a knob, heated our room in just a few minutes.
IMAGE: MytourPremium Choice
Dyson HP07 Purifier Hot+Cool
IMAGE: AmazonIt combines heating, cooling, and air purification functions, all controllable via smartphone or voice assistant.
It doesn’t drastically change the room’s temperature.
If you’re looking for a high-tech space heater packed with premium features, the Dyson model is a worthwhile investment. This versatile device stands out by not only heating but also cooling and purifying the air (yes, it’s a heater, air conditioner, and air purifier combined into one).
The device monitors air quality and displays pollution levels on both its screen and the MyDyson app. Its advanced technology captures pollutants and circulates purified air throughout the room. With 10 fan speeds, a temperature control button, and an LED display showing temperature and fan speed, it offers comprehensive control. The app also provides details like humidity levels and HEPA filter status.
During testing, the remote functioned seamlessly from up to 8 feet away, and the app offered similar convenience for remote operation. Voice control via Amazon Alexa, Siri, or Google Home is also supported. Despite its sophisticated features, the heater is user-friendly. It operates quietly, emitting a soft, unobtrusive sound, though fan noise increases slightly at higher speeds.
This heater directs warm air forward. While we felt the heat directly in its path, the room’s overall temperature didn’t change significantly. (It does offer a 350-degree oscillation feature.) Over three months of testing, it has become a staple in our daily lives.
Heat Settings: Temperature-control button and 10 fan speeds | Wattage: Not listed | Heat Type: Air Multiplier technology | Testing: ETL | Safety Features: Auto shutoff, child lock
The Dyson HP07 Purifier Hot+Cool Purifying Fan Heater boasts a stylish, contemporary design.
IMAGE: Mytour / Henry Wortock
Despite its 350-degree oscillation feature, we observed that it primarily directs air forward in a focused stream.
IMAGE: Mytour / Henry Wortock
At 12.5 pounds, this model isn’t the most portable option.
IMAGE: Mytour / Henry Wortock
The manufacturer advises replacing the filter annually.
IMAGE: Mytour / Henry Wortock
Alongside the app, the device features multiple buttons for adjusting modes and temperature settings.
IMAGE: Mytour / Henry Wortock
This 3-in-1 model stands out by not only heating but also purifying the air, capturing and eliminating fine particles.
IMAGE: Mytour / Henry WortockTop Portable Pick
Vornado Vortex Heater
IMAGE: AmazonThe auto climate-control feature maintains the room’s temperature by adjusting heat output automatically.
The lowest heat setting lacks significant strength.
If you’re looking to heat a small area rather than an entire room, this Vornado heater is an excellent choice. Its compact design packs a punch with three settings—low, high, and fan—ranging from 60°F to 90°F. While the lowest setting took about 15 minutes to produce noticeable warmth, the high setting worked almost instantly. The auto climate-control feature adjusts heat output to maintain your desired temperature. Keep in mind that the display toggles between the current room temperature and your set temperature, so you can’t view both simultaneously.
This heater’s lightweight build makes it highly portable. We easily moved it around using the concealed interior handle. It also includes auto-shutoff features, turning off if moved or if overheating is detected. We appreciated its cool-touch exterior, which remained safe to handle even after 30 minutes of use.
One standout feature is its unobtrusive design. Its neutral color, compact size, and subtle styling ensure it blends seamlessly into any room. Additionally, it operates quietly, allowing us to converse, watch TV, or sleep without disturbance.
Heat Settings: Low, high, and fan mode | Wattage: Up to 1,500 watts | Heat Type: Forced air | Testing: Not listed | Safety Features: Tip-over protection, overheat protection, cool-touch exterior, low-oxygen safety shutoff
The Vornado AVH10 Vortex Heater’s compact size makes it perfect for placement on countertops, coffee tables, or nightstands.
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It offers three heat settings, adjustable between 60°F and 90°F.
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Thanks to its integrated handle, this portable heater is easy to transport wherever you go.
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On its highest setting, we felt comfortably warm in just 3 minutes.
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The digital display toggles between the target temperature and the current room temperature.
IMAGE: MytourTop Compact Pick
BabyExo Small Space Heater
IMAGE: AmazonIt’s the most aesthetically pleasing option in our selection.
It lacks a digital display, and the grill tends to get quite hot.
For those seeking warmth without compromising on style, the Baby Exo Small Space Heater is a chic and subtle option. Its vintage-inspired design enhances any room’s decor, and its lightweight build includes four wooden legs that can be attached for elevation or removed for compact storage. While it doesn’t feature a digital display or remote like other models, its minimalist design contributes to its retro appeal.
Despite its compact size, this heater delivered impressive performance, heating our space in just 15 minutes on the lowest setting. From 4 feet away, we felt the warmth almost immediately. It features two buttons—one for heat control and one for the timer (set to one, two, or three hours)—along with three modes: high, low, and natural wind. The transition between settings was smooth, with heat output increasing gradually rather than in abrupt bursts.
Safety features include tip-over shutoff, overheat protection, and a six-hour auto shutoff. However, the grill becomes extremely hot during use, so it’s advisable to keep it away from children and pets. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for those wanting to add a decorative yet functional element to smaller spaces.
Heat Settings: High, low, natural with manual thermostat | Wattage: Up to 1,000 watts | Heat Type: Convection | Testing: Not listed | Safety Features: Tip-over protection, overheat protection, auto shutoff
The BabyExo Small Space Heater’s minimalist retro design brings a charming vintage aesthetic.
IMAGE: Mytour / Eric Brockob
Weighing under 2 pounds, this lightweight heater is highly portable.
IMAGE: Mytour / Eric Brockob
Despite its compact size, we were impressed by the immediate warmth felt from 4 feet away.
IMAGE: Mytour / Eric Brockob
It provides three timer settings and three heating modes—high, low, and natural fan.
IMAGE: Mytour / Eric Brockob
IMAGE: Mytour / Eric BrockobTop Pick for Large Spaces
Better Homes & Gardens Electric Ceramic Tower Heater
IMAGE: WalmartIts tall design and oscillation capability enable it to heat larger spaces efficiently.
The heat settings don’t vary significantly in output.
Tower heaters, with their height and oscillation, excel at warming large areas by distributing heat evenly. The Better Homes & Gardens Electric Ceramic Tower Heater is a prime example. (Better Homes & Gardens is owned by Mytour's parent company, Dotdash Meredith). It offers three heat settings from 41°F to 95°F, along with an eco-mode that optimizes energy use based on room temperature. While the differences between settings were subtle, we were impressed by its rapid and efficient heating performance.
Unlike many bulky tower heaters, this model’s lightweight build makes it easy to move and adjust. It includes essential safety features like an eight-hour timer, overheat protection, and an anti-tip mechanism to prevent accidents. You can operate it using the digital touch panel or a remote. While the panel settings were initially confusing, we quickly became accustomed to them.
This heater proved invaluable during the coldest winter months, especially after a neighbor’s pipes froze. Even after six months of use, it continues to perform exceptionally well, though the oscillation feature produces a faint clicking sound.
Heat Settings: High, medium, low, and eco-mode with adjustable thermostat | Wattage: Up to 1,500 watts | Heat Type: Convection | Testing: ETL | Safety Features: Tip-over protection, overheat protection, auto shutoff
The Better Homes & Gardens Electric Ceramic Tower Heater’s design delivers outstanding heating performance.
IMAGE: Mytour / Rachel Marek
It can be operated via the digital touch panel or the provided remote.
IMAGE: Mytour / Rachel Marek
We observed that the heat output was rapid, efficient, and powerful.
IMAGE: Mytour / Rachel MarekOur Testing Methodology
In our comprehensive evaluation, we examined 49 space heaters both in our lab and real-world home settings, assessing their heating efficiency, design, safety features, and cost-effectiveness. Each heater was positioned on a designated spot and activated, with temperature readings taken at distances of 4 and 8 feet to determine heat output. For models equipped with remotes, we also measured the maximum operational range of the remote control.
Subsequently, we connected each space heater to a power meter to monitor its energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Using an infrared thermometer, we recorded temperatures at 1, 4, and 8 feet, and employed a hygrometer to measure humidity levels at 4 and 8 feet distances.
We conducted tests on both the minimum and maximum settings of each heater, measuring noise levels from a distance of 2 feet. After a reset, we positioned ourselves 4 feet away and used a 15-minute timer to evaluate the warmth felt. Temperature and humidity were recorded again after 15 minutes, followed by a 30-minute test to determine total energy consumption.
For heaters featuring oscillation, we assessed the effectiveness of heat distribution. We also evaluated tip-over safety by gently tilting the heater to check for automatic shut-off. Post-operation, we monitored the cooling process by recording temperatures from 1 foot away after a 15-minute interval. To gain long-term performance insights, we used the heaters at home over periods of two and six months.
We utilized an infrared thermometer to gauge the heat emission at distances of 1, 4, and 8 feet.
Mytour / Rachel MarekExpert Tips for Purchasing a Space Heater
Understanding Heat Types
While it may seem that all heat is the same, various types provide distinct experiences. Light explains that convection heat spreads warmth throughout the room, whereas radiant heat directly heats objects in its vicinity rather than the air. Radiant heaters deliver quicker results with a limited range, while convection heaters offer more even warmth across the room at a slower pace.
Light notes that radiant heaters maintain warmth longer since the heat is focused on you or an object, not the air. Opening a door in a room heated by a convection heater can cause warm air to escape, potentially cooling the room if the external air is colder. Homes or apartments prone to drafts might find radiant heaters more effective. However, Light cautions that radiant heaters tend to be hotter to the touch, posing potential safety risks for households with children or pets.
Another heating option you’ll encounter is the forced air fan, which, similar to radiant heat, delivers rapid warmth. Space heaters equipped with fans or oscillation features spread heat more uniformly, helping to conserve energy. However, the noise from the fan can make these models louder.
Another option is micathermic heating, which blends convection and radiant heating. This type is typically available in wall-mounted space heaters.
Understanding Wattage
The wattage of a space heater reflects its power output, which directly impacts the area it can effectively heat. Heaters operating at 1,500 watts are capable of warming an average bedroom, approximately 132 square feet. Many of our recommended models feature a maximum wattage of 1,500 watts, making them ideal for heating standard-sized rooms.
Key Safety Features
Every space heater expert we consulted stressed the importance of tip-over protection, a feature that automatically shuts off the heater if it tips over accidentally. They also advised opting for models with overheating protection, which kicks in when the device reaches excessively high temperatures.
Edwards highlights the necessity of an indicator light on space heaters to show whether the unit is powered on, reducing the risk of accidentally leaving it running. He also suggests choosing heaters with exteriors that remain cool during operation, particularly in homes with children or pets.
A key safety indicator is certification from UL (UL Solutions) or ETL (Intertek’s certification). These independent organizations rigorously test products, including space heaters, for safety. Edwards, an Intertek employee, explains that the testing process can range from several days to weeks. Only heaters meeting their stringent criteria can display their certification logo.
To evaluate safety, we assessed whether each heater’s grill remained cool or became excessively hot during operation.
Mytour / Rachel MarekTrust Our Expertise
This piece was authored by Jamie Fischer, a contributor to Mytour. During the pandemic, her family turned to space heaters to enjoy outdoor gatherings with friends while maintaining social distancing, and they’ve continued using them since.
To identify the top-performing space heaters, we rigorously tested 49 leading models in both lab and home settings, assessing their heating efficiency, design, safety features, and overall value. We also consulted two space heater specialists: Jeffrey Edwards, regional chief engineer for home appliances and electronics at Intertek; and Randy Light, senior merchant at Home Depot.
