We Compared 40 Space Heaters to Find the Nicest-Looking, Most Reliable Ones Yet

Whether the space you occupy is poorly insulated, built before our modern comfort standards, or just plain unaccommodating, you no longer need to clutch your cup of soup just for a little heat. Just grab yourself a simple, often compact space heater, plug it in, and enjoy target comfort that can oftentimes fill an entire room!

We’ve researched more than 40 space heaters to find the ones that are reliable, energy-efficient, and certified to be safe for residential use. We understand that there’s a wide variety of spaces you might need a space heater for, so we’ve been sure to highlight both heaters that ideal for certain environments, and those that can be easily moved from place to place. We’ve relied on not just customer reviews across multiple retailers, but other reputable sites’ coverage to ensure the heaters we’ve selected for this list really deliver.

The Best Space Heaters

What to Consider

• Size: Now, right off the bat, it should be noted that size isn't necessarily indicative of how much heat a space heater can produce. Trust us, we've got some compact little heaters here that can make a room toasty, and fast. When we talk about size, it's more about how much space it takes up in your chosen space. You want to make sure that the heater can be placed in an area where it can not only provide ample coverage, but won't get in the way. After all, it's about making your space more comfortable, not more cramped.
• Style: In this case, style means two things. On the one hand, style means the type of space heater you're looking for, be it a compact ceramic heater, a wall-mounted heater, or even a larger bladeless tower heater. But style also means its aesthetic qualities, what look would blend into your space, since you don't want a space heater that sticks out like a sore, albeit warm, thumb.
• Portability: If you’re dealing with multiple spaces that could use some reliable, customizable warmth, then you want to make sure the space heater you choose is easily portable. And that can mean more than just “Is it small?” Consider its shape, and whether it’s designed to be easily carried.

Space Heater Safety

Lastly, let's talk a moment about space heater safety. The heaters we've selected were all designed with some type of modern safety features in mind, be it an overheating sensor with automatic shut-off, or tipping-prevention. But space heater safety is a two-pronged concept: The manufacturer can ensure the safety of the heater, but you have to ensure the safety of the space. ConsumerReports.org offers some helpful tips on space heater safety, including ensuring that your heater is at least 3 feet away from combustable materials like blankets or curtains, sits on a stable, non-flammable surface, and is unplugged whenever not in use. Also consider the space itself, ensuring that you're not using a space heater in a workshop of garage where gas or paint cans could reside, and that whatever room you do place it in has a smoke detector that is checked regularly.

Whatever your heating needs in whatever your space, there's a space heater out there that offers what you need. Whether for home, office, or virtually any other venue, send shivers away with one of these reliable space heaters.