6 Best Space Heaters for Rooms of 2023

Space heaters are a common small appliance that no one really cares about until the winter finally arrives.

This is the time of year when your toes start to freeze under your desk, and you suddenly realize how drafty your house is.

Let’s face it; the truth is a space heater doesn’t do much except collect dust until the weather finally gets cold again.

But when you do finally turn it on for the first time each year, you realize how glorious these little machines can be.

Maybe you’re looking to upgrade your current model, or perhaps you’re in the market for the very first time.

No matter your reason, we’ve compiled a list of some of the greatest space heaters currently available.

The Best Space Heaters for Rooms

The following is a list of the space heater options that we thought would be the best for this coming winter, listed by average price from cheapest to most expensive. Through extensive research, we’ve compiled a list of exceptional options for any home, meaning no matter which one you choose, you will be satisfied.

• Lasko 1500-Watt Electric Ceramic Space Heater: Best Affordable Space Heater
• Vornado VH200 Vortex: Best Super Warm Compact Space Heater
• Vornado AVH10 Vortex: Best Compact Space Heater Upgrade
• Lasko AW300 Bladeless: Best Premium Space Heater
• DeLonghi Oil-Filled Radiator: Best Oil Space Heater
• Dyson HP01 Pure Hot+Cool Air Purifier: Best Multi-Function Space Heater

Lasko 1500-Watt Electric Ceramic Space Heater: Best Affordable Space Heater

The Lasko Ceramic Heater is a staple.

It is regularly rated a favorite space heater by reviewers.

However, we’ll start out by saying right away that it lacks one of the features we deemed most important in a space heater: tip-over protection.

That being said, the benefits seemed worth placing it on the list, with the upfront warning about this missing feature.

This small and lightweight space heater makes it easy to move to wherever you need.

Despite its size, this heater manages to quickly warm a room, though it lacks an oscillation function.

This unit has simple, straightforward dial controls for the heat and fan, and the dials are located on the top of the unit.

Controls on the top seemed way more convenient for the user compared to some units we looked at, which had the controls at the base.

For about $30, this unit covers the bases and delivers on the warmth.

Vornado VH200 Vortex Heater: Best Super Warm Compact Space Heater

Vornado is a well-known name in the world of space heaters, so it’s no surprise that we have two of their products on our list.

First is the Vornado VH200, which does everything you expect a space heater to accomplish.

In addition, it’s compact and can be easily transported from room to room as needed.

Even with its compact size, it is able to heat a small room comfortably.

This heater also had the fan and temperature controls located on the top of the unit for ease of use.

And, it covers all of our important protection details—such as tip-over and overheating protection, as well as cool-touch exterior.

The one thing that came up in our research and reviews was that this space heater does not offer an oscillating feature, so the heat is sent out in only one direction.

This lack of functionality means that it’s not always efficient at evenly heating a space.

This machine is priced mid-range in our best list, coming in between $60 and $75.

Vornado AVH10 Vortex Heater: Best Compact Space Heater Upgrade

Next is the upgraded version of the Vornado VH200.

The Vornado AVH10 offers the same features, but with some additional convenience.

The large digital display and cord-wrapping post make it a slightly more user-friendly option than the VH200.

It's easy to read and allows for convenient, organized storage when you put it away in the spring. In addition, reviewers love that it’s the hottest heater most of them have ever used.

However, like the VH200, it doesn’t have an oscillating feature and thus doesn’t distribute the heat as evenly through a room as some of our other options.

This model is one of the more expensive options, coming in between $100–$150, but definitely might be worth it for the additional heat and convenience features, depending on your needs.

Lasko AW300 Bladeless Heater: Best Premium Space Heater

The Lasko AW300 Bladeless Heater is on the upper end of our price range. However, it has the features to back up the price.

Unlike some of our other recommendations, this one does have an oscillation function, which allows it to heat a room more consistently.

Additional convenience features are the digital display, auto climate control, and remote control.

Another great perk is that this space heater doesn’t have a standard heating element, making it a safer option.

The biggest issue that reviewers had about this product was the fact that it’s, well, big.

The large unit design is rather unsightly, but the tower is stable and does its job effectively.

DeLonghi Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater: Best Oil Space Heater

In an interesting twist, or maybe not, the last two choices on our list are the most expensive and also less traditional.

The DeLonghi is the only radiator-style space heater to make our list.

This style of this heater may look a little retro and is a relatively large unit compared to others on our list, but testers feel that the design quickly heats most spaces.

Beyond the obvious heat, it has a number of convenient features that make it an attractive choice for buyers.

It has a digital display that allows you to program two different climates. So it can be cooler at night while you’re getting ready for bed but warmer during the day while you’re working in your home office.

The Eco setting allows for automatic temperature adjustment for optimal temperature comfort.

And the manufacturer says that the surface of the unit stays relatively cool during use, though a number of testers say that the exterior did get uncomfortably warm.

All in all, this option is perfect if you’re looking to heat a larger room and like the radiator look.

Dyson HP01 Pure Hot+Cool Air Purifier: Best Multi-Function Space Heater

Now, this recommendation is a bit of an outlier compared to some of the other entries on this list.

The Dyson Pure Hot + Cool is actually a space heater, fan, and air purifier, all-in-one.

This seems cool, but it also means that you’re dishing out for fancy features that you may not need.

However, Dyson does deliver on the brand’s expected performance.

According to reviewers, this machine manages all three tasks beautifully.

For an overly simplified comparison to our other space heater options (though it feels a little like comparing apple to oranges, and like it’s not fair to our other recommendations), one of the features that the Dyson offers that most of the others do not, is the ability to tilt and oscillate the entire delivery system.

This offers unrivaled even heating and cooling of whatever space you happen to place it in.

Coming in far beyond even our most expensive option, at $500, the Dyson covers three small appliances in one, and the price tag will definitely make you realize that.

However, if you happen to need all three of those functions, this might be the best pick for you.

Dyson won't disappoint.

What Are the Different Types of Space Heaters?

Heaters aren't necessarily one size fits all, as a given type may better fit one space but not another. There are several types of heaters to choose from that best suit your needs. These options include ceramic, fan, infrared, oil, propane, and panel.

Ceramic Space Heaters

Ceramic space heaters contain ceramic plates that heat up and release heat into the air.

The plates heat up via metal coils through which the electricity passes.

Ceramic space heaters are best for small rooms such as a bedroom or office. It is also safe around pets and children, as they are cool-to-touch.

Fan Space Heaters

Fan space heaters heat up via a filament; that heat is then pushed out into the room by the fan within the unit.

Much like ceramic heaters, fan heaters are ideal for small spaces.

Infrared Space Heaters

Infrared space heaters differ from ceramic and fan heaters.

They do not release/blow out heat into the air, but rather heat the objects within the room, such as furniture and walls.

Infrared heaters are ideal for basements and poorly insulated spaces.

Oil Space Heaters

Oil-filled heaters rely on oil to heat the unit's fins, which then release heat into the air.

Oil-filled heaters are the quietest compared to all other options mentioned thus far regarding the noise level.

In addition, they are allergy-friendly and ideal for medium to large rooms. Since they do not reduce humidity or burn oxygen, they are also best if a newborn is in the home.

Propane Space Heaters

Propane heaters are the only heaters that do not require electricity to operate, as it requires liquid propane instead.

Much like the infrared heaters, propane heaters heat neighboring objects as opposed to heating the air.

It is ideal for medium to large rooms and is the best choice for outdoor spaces such as a patio. Propane heaters also produce the highest heat temperature compared to other options.

Panel Space Heaters

Panel heaters depend on electrical currents to produce heat that is then radiated off of the device itself.

Therefore, this heater is best suited for well-insulated rooms, and it should be seen as a supplement rather than a primary source of heat.

How To Safely Use a Space Heater

This list features a few of the most sophisticated designed space heater brands available for 2021.

These space heaters brands have combined lightweight, elegant design, and durable performance while taking an almost inconsiderable amount of room space.

However, it's important to remember that space heaters are responsible for more than 25,000 house fires each year, as well as several deaths and injuries, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Some safety tips while using them include:

• When purchasing space heaters, look out for features that provide added protection such as Tip-Over Switch, Automatic shut-off/Overheat protection, Thermostat, and Plastic facing to prevent accidental burns to the skin.
• To ensure safe operation, go over the directions and warning labels again.
• Use only a space heater that has been approved, certified, and tested by a nationally recognized testing agency.
• Install space heaters on low, flat surfaces, preferably the floor.
• Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from combustible materials and things like papers and drapes.
• If the space heater is on, don't leave the room.
• When a space heater is plugged in and working, keep dogs and children away from it.
• Avoid plugging space heaters into extension cords or power strips.
• When not in use, unplug space heaters.

Final Thoughts on Space Heaters

In the end, as with most things, taking into consideration what you’re actually looking for in a space heater is the most important thing to consider before making your purchase.

You don’t want to buy the smallest option designed to go under a desk only to remember that you’re trying to heat a great room when you get home.

Or, on the other hand, we encountered a number of reviewers who talked about buying an expensive space heater, only to realize that all they really need is a temperature knob and something small enough to slip under the desk at work.