For bonus rooms, basements, and other areas of the home that lack central heating, space heaters can provide a cost-effective way to bring heat whenever and wherever you might want it. Space heaters provide focused heat and come with fans to help spread warmth throughout a smaller space or room.

Space heaters come in many different shapes, sizes, heating abilities, which is why in this article we’ve rounded up our top five favorite space heaters on the market today. We’ll be talking about wattage, efficiency, size needs, and everything you need to know to pick out the perfect product to keep you warm even in those cold winter months.

  • 3 heat settings
  • Cool touch case
  • Whisper-quiet operation
  • 5-year warranty

  • 2 heat settings + fan only mode
  • Built-in thermostat
  • Overheating detection
  • 1-year warranty

  • Adjustable thermostat
  • Digital display
  • Wireless remote control
  • 3-year warranty

  • Compact design
  • Overheating protection
  • 2 heat settings + fan only mode
  • 1-year quality guarantee

  • Compact desk design
  • Adjustable thermostat
  • Cool touch housing
  • 3-year limited warranty


The Vornado MVH Vortex Heater is one of the best-selling and most popular space heaters for it’s multiple heat settings, quiet operation, and included thermostat. Boasting a cool-touch exterior which won’t burn your hands, Vornado works to heat homes as safely and as discreetly as possible. Many report the fan’s silent operation is better than advertised, and its tip-over protection will ensure you never need to worry about a fire due to an unhappy accident. Seven levels on the thermostat leverage three heat settings, and with a five-year warranty, there’s little to worry about in terms of long-term use. The price is a bit high, but we think the product more than proves its value.

Pros

  • Thermostat included
  • 3 heat settings
  • Great warranty
  • Cool-to-touch exterior
  • Tip over protection

Cons

  • Expensive


For a space heater similar in quality to the Vornado but with a far lower price tag, the andily space heater may be worth considering. Small in stature but big in wattage, this heater offers a high and low heat setting along with a fan only option that can serve to keep air moving in warmer months. The unit also comes with a thermostat to help you keep your temperatures consistent without having to adjust the heater. We also appreciate the focus on tip-over protection and quick operation, as this unit can go from off to full-blast in as little as two seconds. It may be hard for this unit to spread heat evenly, and the build quality leaves something to be desired. For the cost, though, this andily product is hard to beat.

Pros

  • Thermostat included
  • Affordable
  • Quick operation
  • Tip-over protection
  • Small size

Cons

  • Some uneven heating reported
  • Build quality

For a tower heater that brings oscillation to the table, Lasko’s space heater can bring lots of heat to large spaces. The Lasko 755320 offers a tall, thin band of heat that can oscillate and spread more evenly across a room than some of our other heating options. Lasko offers high heat, low heat, and an automatic option to keep rooms as consistent as possible. A built-in thermostat allows you to select the temperature you want and allow the unit to do the rest; it also comes with a remote for easy operation if you change your mind on the temperature. While we would have appreciated tip-over protection and a fan-only setting, we think that (under careful supervision) you can achieve some great, even heating for your bonus room, basement, or outside space with this Lasko heater.

Pros

  • Thermostat included
  • Remote control
  • Oscillating design
  • Quiet setting
  • Programmable timer

Cons

  • No listed tip-over protection
  • No fan-only setting

Brightown’s space heater comes in a size similar to that from andily’s heater and offers simple controls and convenient design. Small and designed with a built-in handle, this heater can be moved to any location quickly to provide heat either in two settings or run its fan without heat. The adjustable thermostat may not come with specific temperature readings but can help you keep your room warm without running the unit unnecessarily. We greatly appreciate the low cost and great design, although a quality guarantee is a little weaker than some of the other warrantied products on our list. Still, for a low-cost and highly-portable heater, Brightown doesn’t disappoint.

Pros

  • Great design
  • Fan-only setting
  • Affordable
  • Thermostat included

Cons

  • Weak warranty

The last space heater on our list certainly wins points for style, and provides a great option for a desk or countertop. The Honeywell HCE200W is a small, circular device that offers two heat settings and a cool-touch exterior to reduce burns. The low heat setting, optimal for desks, is great for chilly homes in the winter. Also included with this heater is tip-over protection and a lengthy warranty. We appreciate the sheer level of output this product offers given the size but can’t help but feel it’s a bit light on features for the price. If you need a sleek, excellent product in a small package, though, then the Honeywell space heater may be right for you.

Pros

  • Sleek design
  • Tip-over protection
  • Good warranty
  • Cool-touch housing

Cons

  • No thermostat
  • Somewhat expensive

Comparison Chart

Vornado MVH EH1-0091-06andily A-750-1500Lasko 755320Brightown FBA_PTC-HD-905Honeywell HCE200W
Wattage750-1500W750-1500W1500W750-1500W1500W
# of Heat Settings32222
Fan-Only SettingXX
Tip-Over ProtectionX
Remote ControlXXXX
Dimensions9.2 X 10.4 X 10.66.2 X 4.7 X 8.37.2 X 8.6 X 2311.3 X 8.6 X 6.79.02 X 6.5 X 10.24
Weight (lbs)3.76 lbs2.858.753.553.8

Buyer’s Guide:

Space Heaters

Not sure which of these five space heaters to pick from? We covered everything from tip-over protection to safety concerns and much more in our Buyer’s Guide below:

Space heaters are an important investment for those who have rooms that lack heating via an HVAC system and can be used anywhere where installing such a system is either too expensive or not possible at all. Space heaters operate wherever an outlet can be found and can help any room in use, from garages to bonus rooms, stay warm during winter months while saving on energy costs. Space heaters can also be taken outdoors to heat up social events or can come in handy for camping trips.

One of the biggest selling points for space heaters are thermostats, which allow space heaters to turn on and off based on the temperature in the room and make it easy for you to remain in bed or on the couch without having to manually turn your unit on and off when it gets too hot or too cold. You can also match your thermostat to the temperature of outside rooms within a central HVAC system so that your entire home remains the same, whether or not you’re in a section heated by HVAC or space heater.

We were sure to note the units which models had thermostats above so you can keep this ability in mind. Some prefer space heaters which don’t turn on and off, particularly for issues of noise pollution, but should you want consistency in the temperature in your home or room, thermostats (and various heat settings) can be a big asset.

The wattage of your space heater is going to be your clearest indicator of how powerful your space heater is. Since all of our space heaters can utilize up to 1500W of power, though, the question of power is a little more complicated than maximum wattage. In truth, the number of heat settings will provide a more clear picture of just how versatile and effective your space heater can be.

Space heaters with only one heat setting, for instance, can either operate at full blast or not at all. While this can be used to maintain a temperature using a thermostat, most homeowners want consistent comfort, not waves of heat. The number of heat settings should be as high as possible to allow you greater control over how much heat is outputted, and how often.

Safety features will also be a primary concern for many homeowners, particularly those with children or pets. Tip over protection, which turns the heater off should the product fall over, is very important for preventing fire hazards. Likewise, many heaters turn off automatically if run for too long, in the hopes of preventing heating a room or furniture to a point of flame. Consider your safety a high priority to maintain and ensure you know how to safely operate your unit, particularly if you have younger ones at home.

Managing portability and operating controls are both crucial to rounding out great features in a space heater. Space heaters require certain safety considerations to operate and ensure no unhappy accidents occur. One of the best ways to ensure safety and increase ease of operation, however, is in the use of a remote. Remotes, such as the one offered by Lasko 755320, make it easy to turn your heater on, off, and adjust settings without moving the unit.

Portability is also a primary concern. We’ve made sure to note the size and weight of each space heater so you can make a more informed decision about the room you’ve set aside for your space heater, and if your prospective heater will be suitable. Remember that most space heaters require three or more feet of space on either side, so make sure not to set your heater too close to walls or furniture.

  • Are space heaters safe?
  • When operated correctly, there is no danger to using a space heater. Due to human error and unfortunate accidents, though, space heaters have garnered a reputation of becoming quite a fire hazard. Almost all home fires caused by space heaters can be easily prevented by operating a space heater according to the provided instructions. Every space heater is different, but the industry standard requires that the space heater be placed on a flat surface such as the ground and kept three or more feet away from other furniture or walls on any side of the unit. Space heaters should also never be left unsupervised, and space heaters should not be left on during the night while others sleep. Some space heaters, such as the Lasko 755320, come with remote controls to easily turn a heater on and off from a bed or another place in the room. Others come with timers so that you can monitor your heater until you doze off to sleep, and allowing your heater to turn off automatically. Ensure you read your instruction manual carefully to operate your space heater in a safe and effective manner.
  • Can I use my space heater instead of my HVAC system?
  • The answer will depend greatly upon what sort of usage you are hoping to achieve, but generally speaking, space heaters work best as a supplement to HVAC systems—not as a replacement. For a whole home, using one or most space heaters is simply not cost effective or safe. Space heaters are generally more demanding in terms of electricity than HVAC systems, so if you’re hoping to heat your home and save money, space heaters aren’t going to be the way to go. For detached portions of the home, such as bonus rooms or basements not connected to the HVAC system, or for outdoor gatherings that might get a little chilly, space heaters are going to be much easier to use and more affordable than installing other types of HVAC systems. Likewise, if the climate in your area is cool but not frigid, you could save money on your electrical bills by only heating the rooms occupied with a space heater instead of heating the whole home with the HVAC system.
  • What kind of output can I expect from my space heater?
  • Space heaters put out either a range of heat options based upon the wattage delivered or provide maximum heat at the wattage at which the unit is set. All of our space heaters cap out at 1500W, which is the industry standard, however some of our space heaters, such as the Vornado MVH or Brightown, offer a range of heat settings. Space heaters perform best when pointed towards the people or section of a room you wanted to be heated, but most space heaters on our list can handle a standard room of about 150 square feet or a room that is 10 feet by 15 feet.

Final Thoughts

Any of these space heaters can bring comfort to your home in winter months, but only one proves itself to be the best in just about any situation: the Vornado MVH Vortex Heater. With a high focus on heat settings, quiet operation, and a great warranty, this space heater proves itself to be one of the best options on the market today.

If you want the heat settings and smaller size without the price, the andily space heater offers quite a punch for the price. Otherwise, we have to appreciate Honeywell’s focus on design, Brightown’s focus on portability, and the remote control oscillating operation of the Lasko heater. No matter which of these options you pick, you can rest assured that comfort is just one heater away.

Further Reading

object(WP_Term)#2518 (10) { ["term_id"]=> int(4) ["name"]=> string(4) "HVAC" ["slug"]=> string(4) "hvac" ["term_group"]=> int(0) ["term_taxonomy_id"]=> int(4) ["taxonomy"]=> string(8) "category" ["description"]=> string(292) "HVAC systems enable you to control the climate in your home so you’re always comfortable no matter the time of year. Our in-depth reviews and user guides across all styles of HVAC systems will help you to determine which system is best for your home. " ["parent"]=> int(304) ["count"]=> int(23) ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw"} 4
HVAC