Dyson HP10 Pure Hot + Cool
Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.8 x 30.2 inches | Power source: Corded electric | Heating method: Forced air
If you’re looking for the one of the smartest and safest space heaters on the market, consider Dyson’s HP10 Pure Hot + Cool. The device, which has one of the most attractive designs in this roundup, comes with the ability to heat and cool rooms with ease, thanks to an intelligent thermometer feature that can accurately analyze room temperature and respond accordingly. And, since it blocks dust from the heating elements, Dyson promises there will be no burning smells.
The Dyson also has no spinning blades or grills, so you don’t need to stress about small fingers getting hit or burned. Another perk: This space heater works as an air purifier, removing 99.97% of allergens and pollutants from your home with the help of a HEPA air filter.
What the reviews say: “This unit is built sturdy, very quiet and pretty easy to use both on the handheld remote and app,” says one happy user. Another notes that the HP10 Pure Hot + Cool can “heat a room real quick.”
Pros:
- Sleek
- Hot and cold capabilities
- Doubles as air purifier
Cons:
- Expensive
- Replacement filters can be pricey
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Best Value Space Heater
A Pint-Sized Option That Offers Quiet Performance
Vornado Personal Vortex Heater
Dimensions: 7.2 x 7.9 x 7.1 inches | Power source: Corded electric | Heating method: Forced air
Vornado’s Personal Vortex Heater is a stellar choice for small spaces. The device comes with a nice design that’s equivalent to the size of a pineapple. It offers quiet performance and uses vortex air circulation to quickly heat the air around you. It also comes with tip-over protection for reducing chances of injury and has a plastic finish that won’t heat up when you touch it. It’s effective for heating up office spaces, kitchens and bedrooms and for warming up the front porch in the winter months.
What the reviews say: Fans rave about this Vornado heater’s ability to warm up a space fast. “This is a wonderful tool to keep you warm. I work in the courthouse and it is freezing all the time,” shares one satisfied customer. “I feel like I have an island breeze at my desk.” Others praise the tip-over protection. “Safety features work instantly if the base isn’t on the floor solidly,” says another owner.
Pros:
- Petite
- Heats up fast
- Tip-over protection
Cons:
- Not powerful enough to heat a room
- Fan blades may shift over time
Best Compact Space Heater
A Tiny-Yet-Mighty Space Heater Ideal For Smaller Spaces
De’Longhi Capsule Ceramic Heater
Dimensions: 7.5 x 4 x 11 inches | Power source: Corded electric | Heating method: Forced air
The De’Longhi Capsule Compact Ceramic Heater is specially designed to add coziness to rooms up to 100 square feet, making it perfect for your home office or smaller bedrooms. You can flip between two heat settings—low or high—to find the level of warmth that’s right for you. And, while this space heater doesn’t have a lot of functions, it does have a tip-over safety feature that will shut off the machine in case of a fall. Another point: It’s lightweight and can be easily moved from room to room.
What the editors say: “I own this space heater and love it,” says contributor Korin Miller. “My home office is in a chilly spot, and the De’Longhi Capsule Compact Ceramic Heater does a great job of warming up the space. It’s minimalist, but is simple to toggle between heat settings. The tip-over safety feature has also come in common a few times thanks to my energetic Labrador retriever.”
Pros:
- Stylish appearance
- Tip-over safety feature
- Easy to relocate
Cons:
- Only two heat settings
- Can’t heat larger areas
Best Space Heater For Large Rooms
A Chic Option That Looks Like A Piece Of Furniture
Vornado VMHi600 Whole Room Space Heater
Dimensions: 9.2 x 9.4 x 11.7 inches | Power source: Corded electric | Heating method: Infrared
This machine packs impressive power while being safe to operate around pets and children; it’s an ideal option for busy living spaces. To push air through a room and heat it quickly, it uses vortex air circulation—a signature of the brand. To operate, simply set your desired temperature using the digital control panel on the unit. Its automatic climate control function helps the machine monitor how much heat and circulation will keep your room at the desired temperature, modifying its settings as needed.
Though it has a moderately-sized square shape, it’s easy to move and can sit on the floor or the countertop. Plus, it’s designed with tip-over protection and shuts off automatically if overheating is detected. Meanwhile, the surface of the machine stays cool. (If you want more extra-powerful options, check out our roundup of best space heaters for large rooms.)
What the reviews say: “Best space heater I’ve personally used,” says a customer. “Heats my bedroom efficiently with very little noise and doesn’t skip a beat when it’s freezing out.” Another owner shares they use the heater to warm up their two-car garage, noting that it provides, “plenty of heat for the space.”
Pros:
- Automatically adjusts heat and circulation to keep temps consistent
- Sturdy design
- Exterior will stay cool to the touch
Cons:
- Limited range on the remote control
Best Radiator Space Heater
A Large Heater For Extra-Cold Homes
De’Longhi Full Room Radiant Heater
Dimensions: 5.9 x 13.78 x 24.9 inches | Power source: Corded electric | Heating method: Radiant
De’Longhi’s Full Room Radiant Heater adds heat while helping you manage your electricity bill. Featuring an adjustable thermostat and three heat settings, this oil-filled machine is one energy-efficient machine, compared to standard space heaters. It also comes equipped with some important safety features—chiefly, automatic shut-off if the radiator gets too hot. Increasing its star power, it has snap-on wheels to help you easily move it around your place. Plus, it comes with an impressive three-year warranty, which is longer than most brands offers on heaters.
What the reviews say: Users say De’Longhi’s heater is a quiet powerhouse. “I’ve had [three of these radiators] for three years—they don’t smell, they work flawlessly and produce very nice, consistent heat,” writes one customer. “If I have a need for another unit, I’d purchase another oil-filled De’Longhi unit, no question!”
Pros:
- Easy to move
- Good warranty
- Energy-saving feature
Cons:
- Large
- No remote
Best Energy-Efficient Space Heater
A Pick With A Programmable Thermostat And Handy Safety Features
Honeywell Digital Ceramic Tower With Motion Sensor
Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.7 x 23.2 inches | Power source: Corded electric | Heating method: Convection
Honeywell’s Digital Ceramic Tower Heater With Motion Sensor features special technology to self-regulate the electricity flow to your device based on temperature. There’s an energy usage indicator that shows the amount of energy you’re using at any given time, which means you’ll get the warmth you want without overpaying. Flip between two heat settings and eyeball the LED display that gives you the current room temperature, along with your desired heating level. It also has handy safety features like tip-over protection, overheat protection, a safety motion sensor (which shuts off the device if it senses that an object is too close) and an easy-to-use programmable thermostat.
What the editors say: This Honeywell device “heats a room well, despite its slim and compact size,” says deputy editor Kari Molvar, who tested the model. She also notes that it makes little noise as it runs, only giving off “a low hum.”
Pros:
- Several safety features
- Slim, minimalist design
- Energy-efficient thermostat
Cons:
- LED display may be too bright in a dark room for some users
Best Stylish Space Heater
A Modern Pick That Can Warm Large Rooms
Honeywell Thermawave 6 Ceramic Space Heater
Dimensions: 7.8 x 18.5 x 18.1 inches | Power source: Corded electric | Heating method: Convection
If you’re looking for a space heater to run in a high-trafficked, you probably don’t want one that’s a total eyesore. For a sleek option, this Honeywell model looks as good as it works. Featuring two heat settings, a programable thermostat and three timer settings, this model is a breeze to use—and it’s powerful enough to run in large rooms. It also has the most essential safety features, including cool-touch housing and two automatic shut-off protections. The only thing it doesn’t have is a remote, so you need to control the device using the intuitive digital controls.
What the reviews say: “It’s very safe around kids, has a shut-off [in case] it gets tipped and doesn’t get hot on the outside to prevent accidental burns,” raves one reviewer. “I love it so much, I bought multiple for the house.”
Pros:
- Sleek, modern design
- Powerful enough to warm larger rooms
- Programmable thermostat
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a remote
Best Space Heater For Bathrooms
This Heater Has A Safety Plug To Protect Against A Short
Lasko Ceramic Bathroom Space Heater
Dimensions: 6.25 x 6.25 x 8inches | Power source: Corded electric | Heating method: Convection
Stepping out of the shower into a chilly bathroom can be a shock to the system. This Lasko heater can help warm up the area without hogging all your floorspace. In fact, it’s specially designed to be used in a bathroom. It features a 1,500-watt heating element with three settings to give you options, and has an ALCI safety plug to cut power in the event of a short. This heater is simple to use, too. Just push the big button top once for high heat for an hour, twice for high heat, a third time for low heat and a fourth to turn it off. And when the warmer months roll around, you can easily stash this petite machine under your sink or in a cabinet.
What the reviews say: While it can technically go anywhere, many owners say they use this space heater in the bathroom. “They’re great for quickly (and safely) heating up a small room,” says one. “The best feature by far is the one-hour auto shutoff setting. I never have to worry about someone forgetting to turn it off.”
Pros:
- Bathroom-safe design
- Easy to use
- Ready out of the box
Cons:
- No handle
- Beeps when you change settings
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
This story was written by longtime contributor Korin Miller, who enlisted the help of experts Bailey Carson, a home care expert at Angi, and David Hill, a senior design manager at Dyson. (Their quotes are incorporated throughout the buying guide and FAQ section, below). Further, this story, including its product selections and evolving iterations, is managed by our experienced team of home editors. It’s also updated regularly to re-evaluate products and update information for accuracy. It was last updated in January 2024.
How We Chose The Best Space Heaters
To determine the best space heater models available, we scouted brands and retailers for their bestselling and top-rated options. We considered factors including heater type (for example, radiant versus electric), power, value, ease of use and safety features and factored in the advice of home experts Carson and Hill (mentioned above), who we tapped for this story. Vetted editors and contributors also tested a few of the listed models, including our top pick overall, the Lasko Ellipse Ceramic Tower Space Heater. Additionally, user feedback was also taken into consideration; for example, all the picks on this list have an average star rating of at least 4 stars from reviewers.
Finally, we made sure to include a variety of models to suit different needs, spaces and budgets. From the high-tech 3-in-1 Dyson HP10 Pure Hot + Cool to the simple yet functional Vornado Personal Vortex Heater, there’s a space heater option for just about everyone who might need it.
How To Choose A Space Heater
Does your home’s heating system leave something to be desired? Here are the factors to keep in mind as you compare space heaters.
There are three main types of space heaters, says Carson. Best for warming smaller spaces, radiant models are especially fast-acting and energy-efficient. Convection heaters, which function much like convection ovens, warm larger spaces by heating the air in the room. Lastly, combination models rely on a fan to evenly distribute heat throughout a space.
Many space heaters now come with safety features to prevent burns and fires. But in general, Carson says that radiant space heaters are considered the safest. “They stay cool to the touch, so you don’t have to worry about them burning anyone,” she says. “They also usually have an automatic shut-off feature, which can help keep you and your family safe if someone accidentally tips the heater over.”
The best capacity for you really depends on the size of the room you’re planning on heating, says Carson. “Indoor or outdoor, make sure your heater will cover that area,” she says. Also, depending on the size of your space, you may want to consider buying more than one and strategically setting them up to maximize heat output.
If your budget allows for it, it’s not a bad idea to look for a space heater that also purifies your air, says Dyson design manager David Hill. “Homes built in the last 10 to 15 years are better sealed to comply with energy efficiency requirements,” he says. As a result, “pollutants can be trapped inside and air circulation can be compromised, especially in winter. With that in mind, you should consider investing in a heater that also purifies the air in your home.”
What Is The Most Effective Type Of Space Heater?
The type of space heater you buy depends on your specific needs. If you want to enjoy warmth without raising up your energy bill, radiant heaters are considered highly energy-efficient. They work by converting energy to radiant heat that warms objects and people in a room, not the air in between, thus saving on energy used. Gas and oil-filled heaters are also popular options and generally work well for large spaces, but if you’re looking for instant heat, bear in mind that they do take a little longer to get started. Ceramic heaters are also considered safe options that heat up spaces quickly, but they’re ideally great for warming up smaller spaces. Lastly, fan heaters work by blowing heat outward so the heated air can warm a room. They’re usually more affordable and available in a wide range of sizes and styles.
Which Is The Most Inexpensive Space Heater?
Space heaters can range anywhere from $35 to $400, so there are options out there to suit nearly every budget. But eventually the cost of running your space heater boils down to energy efficiency and its long-term impact on your monthly utility bills. For instance, space heaters with features like a thermostat and adjustable heat settings will allow you to adjust the level of heat and tend to be more energy efficient.
Are Portable Heaters Worth It?
It depends on your needs and how much you’re planning to spend. Many homes have rooms or even pockets of spaces that simply feel chillier than other areas. While you could turn up the central heat, that will ramp up your utility bill and raise the risk of overheating other areas of your home. Sometimes, it makes more sense to obtain a portable space heater for spaces where extra warmth is needed. These small appliances can also be helpful in areas that may be a little draftier or where you simply prefer extra heat, like in a garage or bathroom. You can get a quality portable heater for as low as $25, making it a device to at least consider having in your home if you find yourself getting chilly during the day.
More Home Stories To Shop
There’s nothing better than a home that feels welcoming and comfortable—and that means having the right products to keep our spaces performing at their best. At Forbes Vetted, we know that having clean, warm and cool the air can fundamentally change the way a room feels, which is why we review and test products for a variety of uses. Here are some other products to help improve your most used spaces.
