The Best Space Heaters 2021
Updated on January 18, 2021 While all product recommendations are chosen independently, we may receive compensation for purchases made through our site. Learn more about how we make money here.Space heaters are a cost-effective and energy-efficient way to heat your bedroom before you go to sleep. If you prefer a warmer sleeping environment than your partner, if your college dorm room isn’t warm enough, or if you just want to avoid spending money to heat the whole house, then a space heater might just be the solution.
We’ll explain how space heaters work, cover some buying considerations, and delve into some of our favorite models to help you find the best space heater for your bedroom.
Although space heaters have been known to cause fires in the past, today’s space heaters come with a range of safety features that help prevent accidents. When used properly, space heaters should be a safe way to create a cozy sleeping environment. To help you get off to a good start, we’ve included some safety tips and advice for using space heaters.
Our Top Picks
| Manufacturer | Model | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 754200 Ceramic Portable Space Heater | -Built-in handle -Large output -Overheat protection | See Best Price |
 | HP04 Fan Heater | -Purifies air -Works in large rooms -Smart device -350-degree oscillation | See Best Price |
 | MVH Vortex Heater | -Small -Tip-over and overheat protection -Cool-touch exterior | See Best Price |
| GiveBest | 1500W / 750W Ceramic Space Heater | -Small -Quiet -Overheat protection | See Best Price |
 | HCE200W UberHeat Ceramic Heater | -Reputable brand -Cool-touch casing -Lightweight | See Best Price |
Lasko 754200 Ceramic Portable Space Heater
Why We Like it
- Suitable for larger spaces
- Handle for easier carrying
- Overheat protection and cool exterior
- 3-year warranty
The Lasko 754200 Ceramic Portable Space Heater comes at a price point that’s hard to beat. With a sleek, modern design, the space heater weighs less than 4 pounds and has a built-in handle for easier carrying. This tiny but powerful space heater will even fit right on your bedside table.
The space heater puts out a maximum of 1500 watts (W) and is capable of heating up to 300 square feet. Two easy-to-use dials allow you to select from low heat, high heat, and fan-only and then further adjust the temperature according to 11 different settings.
The heater includes overheat protection and cool-touch exterior. It is ETL listed and comes with a 3-year limited warranty. Lasko is a well-known household brand and has a 4/5 rating for its heaters from more than 17,000 ratings on Amazon.
Dyson HP04 Purifying Heater
Why We Like it
- Doubles as an air purifier
- Suitable for larger spaces
- 350-degree oscillation
- Works with Alexa
The Pure Hot+Cool™ HP04 purifying heater + fan from Dyson is a sophisticated device that uses HEPA and carbon filters to detect and capture pollutants such as pollen, ultrafine particles, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The device then projects pure heated air into the room.
This heater by Dyson also has a fan-only mode, as well as a backward airflow mode that purifies the air without altering the temperature. The device has a thermostatic control and a display that shows the level of particulates in your room. You can adjust the temperature via remote control, via the smartphone app, or even with Alexa. There’s also a night mode with a dimmed screen and quieter settings.
The HP04 purifying heater is an investment, but it may be worth the money for allergy sufferers, pet owners, or smokers. The device has been tested in a 290 sq. ft. room and has a 350-degree oscillation range. The power cord is 6 feet long.
Vornado MVH Vortex Heater
Why We Like it
- Delivers uniform heat thanks to vortex system
- Tip-over and overheat protection
- Cool-touch exterior
- 5-year warranty
The Vornado MVH Vortex Heater uses a unique vortex air circulation method to uniformly warm up the room without blasting out intense heat. There is no fan-only mode but you can choose from 3 heat settings: 750W, 1125W, and 1500W. Additionally, there is an adjustable thermostat with seven settings so you can have more control over the temperature.
The heater is small enough to place on a counter and features tip-over and overheat protection, as well as a cool-touch exterior. Vornado makes a range of space heaters and generally gets excellent reviews. This space heater is protected against manufacturing defects by a 5-year limited warranty.
GiveBest 1500W / 750W Ceramic Space Heater
Why We Like it
- Tip-over and overheat protection
- Small and portable with handle
- Quiet
- 1-year limited warranty
Weighing just under 4 pounds, the GiveBest 1500W/750W Ceramic Space Heater is quick, quiet, and efficient. A fan helps distribute the hot air around the room. The unit comes with three modes: 750W, 1500W, or fan-only, to help you keep cool.
Families with young children or pet owners will be glad to know there is a tip-over switch that automatically turns off the heater when it is tipped forward or backward. The automatic overheat system also prevents the unit from catching on fire, and the power indicator light stays on as long as the unit is plugged in, for the more absent-minded among us. The seller offers a 1-year limited warranty in case of manufacturing deficiencies.
Honeywell HCE200W UberHeat Ceramic Heater
Why We Like it
- Tip-over and overheat protection
- Cool plastic housing
- Lightweight
- Reputable brand
The Honeywell HCE200W UberHeat Ceramic Heater features an adjustable thermostat and two heat settings, to a maximum output of 1500 watts. It weighs under 4 pounds and is small enough to go on a table or counter. The HCE200W features overheat protection, as well as a 360-degree tip-over switch to prevent accidents. The plastic housing remains cool to the touch (except for the front grate) and the heater sits on non-slip rubber feet.
Honeywell is a reputable brand and this product is popular on Amazon, having earned a 4/5 from almost a thousand reviews. The HCE200W gives off a lot of heat considering how small it is, but it heats the room evenly so you won’t have to fiddle with it constantly. Honeywell guarantees the heater against manufacturing defects with a 3-year limited warranty.
Bedroom Space Heater Buyer’s Guide
Because there are so many different types of space heaters, it can be overwhelming to try to narrow down your favorites. In the following sections we’ll describe the different models of electric space heaters and the benefits of each, focusing especially on the models that are best for the bedroom. We’ll finish with some buying considerations and safety tips.
How Do Space Heaters Work?
Space heaters are portable heaters designed to heat small spaces. Many people use electric space heaters to save money on energy bills, as they allow you to heat just one room at a time instead of the whole house.
There are several different kinds of space heaters but in general, they provide heat in one of two ways: convection or radiation. Convection space heaters warm up the air, while radiation space heaters give warmth to anything they touch. Some space heaters use a combination of convection and radiation.
Space heaters are not a replacement for central heating. If you need to heat multiple rooms, it’s generally cheaper to use central heating. But if you just need to warm up a small space, then a space heater can provide the perfect solution.
How Can Space Heaters Help Me Sleep?
The optimal temperature for sleep is between 60 and 65 degrees. Trying to sleep in an environment that’s too warm can have negative effects on the quality of your sleep. However, many people have trouble falling asleep if they are cold.
One solution is to heat the bedroom with an electric space heater and then turn it off when you’re about to fall asleep. The room will stay warm for just long enough to help you fall asleep, but it will cool down as the night progresses, helping you sleep more soundly. Of course, if your room drops below 60 degrees at night, you may be better off using a central heating system.
Space heaters can also be useful for people who share the room with a partner. If you prefer a warmer environment than your sleeping partner, a small space heater can provide heat just to one side of the bed as you’re getting ready to fall asleep.
Due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from gas, propane, or kerosene space heaters, it’s better to choose electric space heaters for indoor use. The best space heaters for sleeping are convection and oil-filled space heaters, which will continue providing some heat to the room even after being turned off.
You should place your space heater about 5 or 6 feet away from you on a flat, solid, non-flammable surface. Be sure to keep the heater at least 3 feet from anything flammable, such as curtains or blankets.
Used properly, space heaters are a safe and energy-efficient way to make your bedroom more comfortable.
Is it Safe to Sleep with a Space Heater on All Night?
You may have heard horror stories about space heaters catching on fire, and it’s understandable to be wary of the potential dangers. A 2018 report by the National Fire Protection Association found that space heaters were responsible for 44% of home heating fires. However, despite their reputation, space heaters are generally safe to use as long as you follow some basic precautions.
Always leave enough space (at least 3 feet) around your space heater, and pay special attention to where you place it if you have children or pets. Never place it near water, near flammable objects like clothes or furniture, or in places where it can be easily knocked over or where something could fall on it. Keep your space heater clean and dust-free.
The safest space heaters will have features like an exterior casing that is cool to the touch, or built-in tip-over and overheat protection. These features are especially useful if you have children or pets.
No matter what safety features it has, though, a space heater should never be left on while unattended. This includes when you sleep, since you’re unable to properly monitor a space heater if you’re unconscious. Always unplug the heater when you’re not using it.
When buying a space heater, look for safety certifications from organizations like UL, ETL, CSA, or ULC. Always read the safety instructions before using your space heater for the first time, and always plug it directly into the wall – never use it with an extension cord or power bar. Be sure that the cord and the plug are in good condition.
Types of Space Heaters
Usually, space heaters for indoor use run off electricity. Within the world of electric space heaters, there are four main styles: convection, infrared, micathermic, and oil-filled.
Convection space heaters work by blowing air across a ceramic plate, electric coil, or another heating element. As the air heats up, the room temperature rises. Some convection heaters also have a built-in fan that circulates the hot air through the room. Convection heaters are affordable and effective in larger spaces, and the room will stay warm for a while after you turn them off. Disadvantages of convection heaters include the noise from the fan and the dry atmosphere that results from heating the air.
Infrared space heaters send out radiant heat to any objects nearby. Compared with other models, this is the most energy-efficient space heater and it won’t dry out the air. Infrared heaters are a good choice for drafty houses or open-air environments. They are virtually silent but they will give off a luminous glow, which may make them an unsuitable choice for the bedroom. A major disadvantage of radiant heaters is that they will stop emitting warmth the second they are turned off.
Micathermic space heaters get their name from the mineral, mica, that covers the heating element. Mica can withstand extremely high temperatures and when heated, it will produce both convection and radiant heat. Micathermic heaters are thin, quiet, durable, and quick to heat the room. They are suitable for use in larger spaces. The space itself should stay warm for a while even after they are turned off.
Oil-filled radiators use electricity to heat the oil inside, which then circulates through the radiator. As the radiator warms up, it distributes radiant heat to the room. Oil-filled heaters take a few minutes longer to warm up, but they provide a more consistent warmth that takes longer to dissipate. Oil-filled heaters tend to be bulkier and costlier.What to Look For in a Good Space Heater
There are many different options to consider depending on how you plan to use your space heater. While shopping, you’ll want to take the following considerations into account.
Additional Sleep Resources
Top picks
| 1 | Lasko 754200 Ceramic Portable Space Heater | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Dyson HP04 Fan Heater | |
| 3 | Vornado MVH Vortex Heater | |
| 4 | GiveBest 1500W / 750W Ceramic Space Heater | |
| 5 | Honeywell HCE200W UberHeat Ceramic Heater |
