The Best Space Heaters

Space heaters are great for boosting warmth in drafty rooms. Our top picks heat rooms quickly and comfortably, with reliable safety features for peace of mind.

The Vornado VH200 has been our top pick its speed, effectiveness, and even heating. It’s simple, quiet, compact, safe, and comes with a five-year warranty.

The Vornado AVH10 offers extra features like a digital display and countdown clock. It heats faster than the VH200 but less evenly, and costs $30–$50 more.

The Lasko 754200 Ceramic Heater is affordable, reliable, and heats quickly. Its compact size makes it ideal for small spaces, but it’s less effective at spreading heat.

The De’Longhi TRD40615T is the best oil-filled radiator, offering slow but lasting warmth for an entire room. Its durable, all-metal construction is bulkier but more reliable.

The Dreo Solaris Slim H3 (DR-HSH003) is a stylish, oscillating heater that evenly spreads warmth across the room. It offers steady, uniform heating with sleek design and safety features, though it’s not as fast to warm up and can be tricky to clean.

The De’Longhi HMP1500 Mica Panel Heater is a space-saving option with a wide heating area. It’s slim, portable, and can be wall-mounted, though the front panel gets very hot.

How we picked and tested

When selecting a space heater, we look for models that offer more than just warmth. They should be convenient, easy to use, and safe. Here’s what we consider:

• Quiet operation: We prefer models under 60 decibels, equivalent to normal conversation, and avoid any that produce disruptive noises like clicks or whirs.
• Intuitive controls: Heaters should have clear, easy-to-use settings, including high/low options and, ideally, a timer function.
• Safety features: Overheat protection and tip-over switches are essential, as is certification from safety labs like UL or ETL.
• Cool to touch: We choose models with exteriors that stay below 90°F, avoiding any that heat up excessively.
• Aesthetics: While not a top priority, we appreciate a space heater that’s pleasant to look at, especially if it’s in a prominent place.

We don’t focus on efficiency or power since most electric heaters use the same wattage, but the key difference is how effectively they distribute heat. During testing, we measure temperature changes, noise levels, and the surface temperatures of the heater. We also assess ease of use and overall comfort.

Our pick: Vornado VH200

The Vornado VH200 stands out for its exceptional balance of fast heating, even distribution, safety features, ease of use, and affordability. It’s also a pleasure to use, with simple controls and quiet operation, making it a favorite of ours .

When it comes to warming a room, the VH200 performs quicker than most heaters. Vornado is known for its powerful air circulation, and this model is no exception. In our tests, it increased the room temperature by almost 20 degrees in just two hours, with the only other models that came close being from Vornado.

Additionally, the VH200 distributes heat evenly across the room. Our tests showed an average temperature difference of just 6 degrees between sensors placed 3 feet and 6 feet away from the heater, making the VH200 one of the most consistent models we evaluated. The heat it produces is smooth and natural, creating a comfortable atmosphere in the room. While other Vornado heaters produced slightly more heat, they had a larger temperature variation of 8 to 10 degrees between their sensors. Though our Lasko budget pick was slightly more consistent, it didn’t deliver nearly as much heat as the VH200.

The VH200 is impressively quiet, operating with just a soft murmur. At its highest setting, it measured 45 dBA at 3 feet and 44 dBA at 6 feet, quieter than most other heaters we tested, though still louder than a radiator.

It also includes excellent safety features, such as UL certification, a tip-over switch, overheat protection, and a cool exterior. The 6-foot cord provides flexibility, and the plastic shell stays cool, making it safe around children.

The controls are easy to use, with a power button, three mode settings, and a thermostat dial. It also has a self-regulating climate control that maintains your chosen temperature within 1 degree.

The VH200 has a slim, lightweight design, weighing just 3.5 pounds, making it easy to store under a desk or chair. While not particularly stylish, it blends in well and is stable thanks to its pear-shaped design, making it safer to use.

Vornado offers an excellent five-year warranty on the VH200, far surpassing the typical one-year coverage of most space heaters, adding to its reliability.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The VH200 lacks a remote control and timer feature, which would add convenience, especially for turning the heater off after you fall asleep. However, you can use a smart plug to replicate some of these functions.

It doesn’t oscillate or allow you to tilt the fan to direct the heat. While the VH200 distributes heat better than most oscillating heaters, some people may prefer a direct heat blast, which this model doesn’t offer.

The VH200 also lacks a digital thermostat, making it difficult to maintain a specific room temperature. You can adjust the dial, but there’s no way to set it to a precise temperature.

Additionally, there’s no fan-only mode, which would have made it a more versatile option for year-round use, especially given Vornado’s expertise in fan technology.

Runner-up: Vornado AVH10

The Vornado AVH10 is similar to our top pick, offering powerful performance and a five-year warranty, but with the added benefits of a digital display and a cord-wrapping post for better storage. It is more expensive, though.

The digital display allows for precise temperature control, showing the exact room temperature. While its thermostat is generally accurate, it occasionally misreads the temperature of the hot air, but it self-corrects quickly. The AVH10 also includes a fan-only mode, making it a versatile option for year-round use or for more efficient heat circulation.

The AVH10 doesn’t distribute heat as evenly as our top pick. In tests, it raised the temperature by 24 degrees at 3 feet but only 7 degrees at 6 feet, creating a 16-degree temperature difference across a small room.

It’s also about $30 more expensive than the VH200 due to its digital display and cord-wrapping feature. However, if you’re willing to pay more for similar, albeit less even, heating, the AVH10 is a solid option.

If the AVH10 is unavailable, the Vornado AWRH and TAVH10 are nearly identical, adding a timer and remote control.

Budget pick: Lasko 754200 Ceramic Heater

The Lasko 754200 Ceramic Heater is powerful, affordable, and easy to use, though not the quietest, most attractive, or safest option. It excels at directing concentrated heat right at you, performing nearly as well as our top pick, though it doesn’t provide the same ambient warmth.

With two simple dials to control power and heat settings, it’s easy to operate and store. Compact and weighing just 3 pounds, it can be placed almost anywhere. At around $30 to $40, it’s about half the price of our top pick and tends to be durable.

The Lasko 754200 lacks a tip-over protection switch, a common safety feature in portable heaters. While it has overheat protection and is ETL-certified, its upright design is less stable, so caution is needed.

It’s also one of the loudest heaters we tested, about 7 dBA louder than our top pick, though still under 60 dBA (normal conversation level). While not unpleasant, the sound can be grating over time.

Best for oil-filled radiators: De’Longhi TRD40615T

Oil-filled radiators like the De’Longhi TRD40615T excel at retaining heat and providing ambient, long-lasting warmth. Though slower and less directional than other heaters, they’re ideal for keeping a room cozy over extended periods.

The TRD40615T retains heat even after being turned off, staying warm for up to four hours without electricity in our tests. Unlike ceramic heaters, it cools down slowly, making it efficient for sustained use.

Completely silent, it’s perfect for noise-sensitive environments like recording studios. However, avoid plugging it into the same outlet as high-power devices to prevent overloading.

The De’Longhi TRD40615T, like other oil-filled radiators, takes time to warm up—sometimes over 30 minutes to feel any heat and an hour to raise room temperatures slightly. It’s not ideal if you need instant heating.

Larger than other picks, it measures 6.6 inches wide, 25 inches tall, and weighs 25 pounds—about the size of a small suitcase. While stable and easy to move with retractable wheels, it can be top-heavy, so placement is key.

The exterior gets very hot (up to 180°F) after extended use, though cooler than other models. New units may emit a temporary odor from residual oil, so it’s best to let it off-gas outside first.

It comes with a one-year warranty—minimal but still better than none.

Best for oscillation: Dreo Solaris Slim H3 (DR-HSH003)

If you enjoy the feel of an oscillating heater, consider the Dreo Solaris Slim H3 (DR-HSH003). This sleek tower has a modern design and performs nearly as well as our top pick in heating and even heat distribution.

The Solaris Slim H3 distributes heat evenly, with less than a 1-degree temperature difference between sensors at 3 feet and 6 feet during tests, thanks to its 70-degree oscillation arc, comparable to Vornado’s air circulation.

However, oscillating heaters are generally more prone to mechanical issues. While we haven’t encountered problems with this model yet, heaters with fewer moving parts typically offer greater long-term reliability.

The Solaris Slim H3 uses slightly more energy on its “low” setting (900 watts) than most heaters, which usually run at 750 watts. While this provides extra warmth, it may increase operating costs.

As a tower heater, it can be harder to clean, though its accessible crevices make maintenance easier than other tower designs. It also includes an automatic shutoff for safety, preventing overheating or dust-related issues.

Best for saving space: De’longhi HMP1500 Mica Panel Heater

If you need to save floor space or warm a larger area, the De’Longhi HMP1500 Mica Panel Heater is a great choice. It’s larger than most heaters but can be pushed back or mounted on a wall, offering flexibility without compromising comfort. Its simple controls make it easy to use whenever you need heat.

The HMP1500’s slim, wide design provides nearly 400 square inches of heating space while remaining just 2¼ inches thick—like a large picture frame. With rolling wheel attachments, it extends to only 10 inches wide, making it compact yet powerful enough to heat more people at once.

Its consistent heating impressed in tests, with no more than a one-degree difference across temperature monitors. The flat infrared panel provides reliable warmth without needing fans or motors.

Wall mounting is also an option, using included handles and drywall screws, freeing up even more space. Switching between wall and floor setups is easy, and the subtle wall mount blends seamlessly into most rooms.

The HMP1500 features simple controls: two knobs to adjust power (high at 1,500 watts or low at 750 watts) and heat levels (1 to 6). There’s no thermostat or Wi-Fi—just straightforward heating. A smart plug can add a timer if needed.

It’s nearly silent, producing only a faint electrical hum, making it one of the quietest heaters tested.

However, the surface gets very hot, reaching 300°F on high after an hour, though the back stays cooler at 100°F. Wall-mounting is a safer option if you have pets or children.

Best for bathrooms: Dreo DR-HSH004A Bathroom Heater

The Dreo DR-HSH004A is a great option for warming your bathroom safely, thanks to its ALCI plug, which works with GFCI outlets to prevent electrical hazards in wet environments. It also has standard safety features like overheat protection and a tip-over switch, adding extra layers of protection.

This heater is powerful and versatile, offering multiple modes, including an Eco setting, and can be controlled via a remote. It heats as effectively as other top models we tested, making it convenient and efficient.

However, it’s essential to keep the DR-HSH004A away from direct water exposure, as advised in its manual. Despite its safety features, avoiding splashes or proximity to water is crucial for safe use.