In my home, we use gas central heating. However, after experiencing a severe cold spell that froze our pipes, I understood the value of owning a portable heater. These “space heaters” are popular for their mobility, energy efficiency, and affordability, and below are the top 7 choices.
- Top Pick: Vornado VH2
- Best Value: Lasko Ceramic Heater 754200
- Best for Bedrooms: Honeywell HHF360V
- Dual Function – Heater & Air Purifier: Dyson HP01 Pure Hot + Cool
- Ideal for Large Rooms: DeLonghi Ceramic Tower Heater
- Design Excellence: Vornado VHeat Vintage Metal Heater
- Best for Bathrooms: Dreo DR-HSH004A
- Guide to Selecting a Space Heater
- Frequently Asked Questions
Top Pick: Vornado VH2
Vornado consistently ranks high across various platforms, making it a trustworthy choice. The Vornado VH2 effectively distributes warmth in a medium-sized room, similar to a compact furnace. Its small footprint means you can place it virtually anywhere.
Users often commend its silent operation, perfect for uninterrupted sleep. The outer plastic remains cool, ensuring safety for families with children or pets. Vornado guarantees 5-year support, and their customer service is accessible for any issues.
Specifications:
- Size: 9.5 x 11.8 x 11.9 inches (DWH)
- Heating: Forced Air
- Features: Tip-over safety, dual modes, adjustable thermostat
Best Value: Lasko Ceramic Heater 754200
The Lasko Ceramic Heater 754200, priced at roughly one-third of the Vornado VH2, is ideal for those new to space heaters. Its compact design fits snugly in small areas, making it perfect for individual heating rather than an entire room.
Consider it your personal warmth source. It’s perfect if you feel cold while others prefer cooler temperatures. Users appreciate its quick heating, dependability, and portability.
Specifications:
- Size: 6 x 3.7 x 9.2 inches (DWH)
- Heating: Ceramic
- Features: Overheat safety, 11 heat modes, fan-only option
Best for Bedrooms: Honeywell HHF360V
The Honeywell HHF360V, while equally esteemed as the previous heaters, stands out for its 360-degree warmth distribution.
Due to its ability to provide even heating, it’s perfect for bedrooms, ensuring uniform warmth rather than a direct heat stream.
Specifications:
- Size: 8 x 8 x 11.5 inches (DWH)
- Heating: Forced Air
- Features: Overheat and tip-over safety, dual heat modes
Dual Function – Heater & Air Purifier: Dyson HP01 Pure Hot + Cool
Several Dyson models offer combined heating, cooling, and HEPA air purification. While they’re pricier, the multi-functionality and aesthetic design make them a valuable purchase.
This dual-purpose device has garnered excellent reviews, particularly for its benefits for those with allergies.
Specifications:
- Size: 6 x 8.7 x 24.9 inches (DWH)
- Heating: Oscillating Forced Ventilation
- Features: Tip-over safety, HEPA air purification, sleep timer, 10 modes
Ideal for Large Rooms: DeLonghi Ceramic Tower Heater
This rotating tower heater is great for warming expansive areas like big bedrooms or living areas. It provides extensive heating, covering a wide range both vertically and horizontally.
Many users praise its quiet functionality and appreciate the remote control and digital display.
Specifications:
- Size: 7.5 x 8.7 x 23.6 inches (DWH)
- Heating: Ceramic
- Features: ECO mode, remote, timer, safety features
Design Excellence: Vornado VHeat Vintage Metal Heater
For those who appreciate retro designs, the Vornado VHeat Vintage Metal Heater is perfect, blending well with both old and modern interiors.
Alongside its aesthetic appeal, it’s also highly functional, delivering ample heat in small areas.
Specifications:
- Size: 13.7 x 11 x 8.7 inches (HWD)
- Heating: Forced Air
- Features: Safety features, dual modes, adjustable thermostat
Best for Bathrooms: Dreo DR-HSH004A
No one enjoys a cold bathroom. However, not all heaters are bathroom-safe due to moisture.
The Dreo DR-HSH004A excels in safety, especially designed for bathrooms. It has a unique plug that immediately cuts off when in contact with water, making it the top pick for warm bathrooms.
Product Details:
- Size: 10.3 x 6.7 x 5.5 inches (HWD)
- Heating: Dual – Forced Air & Convection
- Features: Eco mode, multiple safety features, remote control
Guide to Selecting a Space Heater
Space heaters come in diverse designs and functionalities.
Price
Excluding dual-purpose heaters like the Dyson, most heaters cost below $150. Many even cost less than $100. The price varies based on size, features, settings, and heating type.
Size
Space heaters vary in design. Some are suited for specific rooms or spaces, while others are versatile. There are also sleek tower designs perfect for cramped areas.
Heater Types
The recommended heaters are electric but have different heating mechanisms.
- Forced Air: Uses a fan to circulate air over heating coils and release warmth.
- Infrared: Uses bulbs to transform electricity into radiant warmth.
- Ceramic: Heats ceramic plates, then radiates warmth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, space heaters can be hazardous if misused. Most have safety features to mitigate risks, but it’s crucial to be cautious, especially around children and pets.
Space heaters warm their surroundings by releasing heated air, making them ideal for heating smaller areas without a central system.
Their working mechanism varies. Commonly, they use radiant heat from ceramic units or forced air from fans. Some even combine both methods. While electric heaters are predominant, some models use liquids like water or oil to produce warmth. Infrared versions exist but are less frequent.
Not all heaters define their heating range, but a good one should adequately warm its surrounding, allowing a decrease in central heating.
Their efficiency can be subjective. It often depends on the room’s initial state. For instance, expansive rooms with tall ceilings or open layouts may not heat as evenly as smaller, closed spaces. Colder or damper areas might not feel as cozy as sunlit ones.
While each heater model comes with its placement guidelines, it’s generally best to set them in the area you wish to heat, such as close to where you sit or work.
However, avoid placing them on walls, near entry points, flammable materials like curtains, or damp spots. The only exception is if they’re designed for bathrooms.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hasn’t given space heaters an Energy Star evaluation yet. Their power consumption varies based on size and settings. But when used judiciously – heating only occupied spaces – they might reduce dependence on central systems, possibly cutting down electricity costs in chilly periods.
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