As an added bonus, the Lasko also helped to noticeably reduce the humidity in the room, burning off most of the condensation that otherwise tends to form while you shower. Whereas most of the other heaters we tested caused the humidity to drop by only a few points, the Lasko CD essentially traded one percentage point of humidity for every one point of heat.
This might not be a boon in every situation, but it was a pleasant surprise in the windowless bathroom where we performed our tests which otherwise has to rely on a single overhead fan for venting and dehumidification. This is what specifically sets the Lasko apart for low-risk bathroom usage.
The Lasko also has its own built-in overheat protection. The Lasko is not very tall or likely to tip over, and if anything does go wrong, the ALCI plug should catch the problem before it turns into something worse.
In , we finally decided to make an exception for the desktop-size Vornado Velocity 1 —which was fine , but mostly just justified our prior assumptions about personal-size space heaters. The Velocity 1 had tremendous warming power at 3 feet, raising the temperature by a whopping 16 degrees in just 20 minutes; but from 6 feet away, it only increased the temperature by 2 degrees.
Sadly, it has been discontinued by the manufacturer. We also tested the AmazonBasics Portable Ceramic Tower Space Heater , shortly before the news broke that various AmazonBasics electronics products had been exploding with concerning frequency ; by the time we were finished testing, it had already been discontinued.
But we were disappointed with it in other ways, including its maddeningly confusing controls and the degree temperature difference between our measurements at 3 and 6 feet. Disappointing performance and safety concerns make this a quick dismissal.
The Vornado MVH , our previous runner-up pick, is mechanically almost identical to our top pick for the best space heater, the VH In previous years, we found it was slower to warm the room in our tests, and that the case was hotter to the touch after an hour.
In , our test model overheated when it was only 82 degrees in the room. We tested the Vornado VH10 , which is a glossier, newer generation of the VH, but nothing set it apart from our less expensive top pick.
It recorded similarly quiet decibel levels and performed just as well in heating our room. The VH10 offers a few other perks, such as a ledge to coil the cord around on the bottom of the heater, but we actually found this more annoying than helpful, because our cord kept falling under the heating unit and activating its tip-over switch. We still think it looks nice, and it usually works pretty well for a loud, cheap fireball, but there are better options out there without the same drawbacks—the most troubling of which have been reports of failures within the first few months, on top of the usual complaints of units arriving damaged or inoperable from the start.
Like Prince Robot IV, the Glide took a while to warm up, and it was just kind of fine overall, with decent but uneven heat and very basic functionality. Instead of a standard tip-over switch, the Glide relies on a level indicator inside the unit.
It worked well enough in our tests, steadily building up 10 degrees of heat across the room over the course of an hour. However, the grille reached degrees Fahrenheit after an hour even as the plastic sides of the case remained at a cool 85 degrees. It also made an obnoxious high-pitched whirring sound, and the tip-over switch activated only when it was fully horizontal, which is hardly safe. Although most models with a digital display that we tested could get up to either 90 or 99 degrees Fahrenheit—practical restrictions, considering how the lights work on such a display—the Honeywell Slim Ceramic Tower Heater goes up to only These models either had questionable read: probably fake reviews or were too weak to meet our power standards.
Space heaters come with a list of safe-operating instructions that most people would find surprisingly thorough, and there are a number of ways anyone could mistakenly use these machines incorrectly. Doing so can be dangerous, even with added safety features like overheat protection and tip-over kill switches. The first way to prevent a fire is to never leave a space heater running in a room unattended. Instructions often mention not to sleep with one on overnight.
If you have pets or kids that could knock the heater over or accidentally drape fabric over it, keep a very close eye on its operation. Most kids back away from heat, but very few would anticipate an electric shock. That high current is why you should never use an extension cord with a space heater. Basically, heater manufacturers tend to want you to use heaters on a bare floor with nothing else around them. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers AHAM recommends further precautions , such as keeping flammable materials like paint and matches far away.
For more detailed tips on space heater locations, dealing with cords that are too long or too short , and how to safely add smart controls, check out our blog, How to Not Burn Your House Down With a Space Heater. Fire Administration. How Do Heaters Work? Your Crash Course in Heaters , Newair.
Marina Oster, Space Heaters vs. Sometimes his curiosity gets the best of him, such as when he plugged a space heater and a Marshall guitar amp into the same power strip. Our pick. Vornado VH The best space heater The Vornado VH heated a room faster and more evenly than other models we tested, offering the best combination of power, comfort, and quietness. Vornado AVH10 A stronger, pricier electric heater The Vornado AVH10 was the most powerful space heater we tested, with a few thoughtful details that set it apart from others.
Budget pick. Lasko Ceramic Heater A powerful, cheap, reliable space heater This effective portable heater works quickly and lasts for years. Also great. Vornado OSCTH1 Even heating from a sleek source This attractive obelisk has all the heating prowess Vornados are known for, plus the ability to oscillate, which helps the heat to spread more evenly around the room.
Everything we recommend. Why you should trust us. Who needs a space heater. How we picked the best space heaters. With all this in mind, we prioritized the following features and performance criteria:. All this led us to look for models that offered significant safety features, such as overheat protection which automatically shuts the unit off if it begins to overheat or tip-over kill switches which automatically power down the heater if it tips over.
A 1,watt output: Most space heaters meet this requirement, regardless of size or type. Since watts measure power, a higher wattage results in a higher heat output. Ability to heat up quickly: The sooner a space heater can warm a room, the better. Oil-filled radiators take more than an hour to reach maximum temperatures, whereas most ceramic room heaters start pumping out hot air almost immediately.
And any noise a space heater does emit, no matter how quietly, will ideally be a steady hum—no clicking or erratic whirrs. We specifically searched for models rated under 60 decibels, or about the same volume as a normal conversation. A relatively cool exterior: Any space heater that is too hot to the touch is a safety risk, and that risk increases with the temperature.
The U. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25, residential fires every year are associated with the use of space heaters, resulting in more than deaths. In addition, an estimated 6, people receive hospital emergency room care for burn injuries associated with contacting the hot surfaces of room heaters, mostly in non-fire situations.
Space heater capacities generally range between 10, Btu and 40, Btu per hour, and commonly run on electricity, propane, natural gas, and kerosene see wood and pellet heating for information on wood and pellet stoves. Small space heaters are classified as vented and unvented or "vent-free. They may also bring unwanted nitrogen oxide into the home; nitrogen oxide can cause asthma and other respiratory problems.
These heaters can also introduce water vapor into the home, which can result in mold and other structural damage. Most states have banned unvented kerosene heaters for use in the home and at least five have banned the use of unvented natural gas heaters.
Vented, small space portable heaters are designed to be located next to an outside wall, so that the flue gas vent can be installed through a ceiling or directly through the wall to the outside.
Sealed combustion heaters are much safer to operate than other types of space heaters, and operate more efficiently because they do not draw in the heated air from the room and exhaust it to the outdoors. Keep the space heater at least 3 feet away from combustible materials, such as furniture, bedding, and curtains.
Turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed. Install working smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every bedroom, and test them monthly.
Mary H. Farrell Knowing that I wanted to be a journalist from a young age, I decided to spiff up my byline by adding the middle initials "H. Sharing is Nice. Yes, send me a copy of this email. Oops, we messed up. Try again later. More From Consumer Reports. This space heater does just that.
It is light, portable, and safe to use. You can leave it unattended, and it will turn itself off after a set time interval. Lightweight and portable. Has an energy-saving mode. Features tip-over protection.
Uses flame-retardant material. Comes with adjustable temperature settings. Remote is difficult to operate. Best for the Money. Coverage Area sq ft : Dimensions: 6. Weight: 3. According to recent buyers, this compact heater works great in small areas and does not get in the way.
It is very easy to adjust the heat with the knob. The safety features work, as well. It turns off immediately when tipped over. Small radiant heaters are perfect for direct heat and small rooms, and this one is the perfect example.
It keeps one comfortable in their space. This particular version has three settings, i. You can also change the thermostat knob from low to high and vice versa. The thermostat will detect the surrounding temperature and turn off when it is too high.
It is suitable for heating sq feet within seconds. The cord is six feet long and can be adjusted anywhere. There is also overheat and tip-over protection along with a flame retardant cover. Its safety features are ETL certified.
Radiant heaters are perfect for a cozy night in your room. They heat up the objects in front of them very quickly. This radiant heater does just that. It is safe to touch, and you can leave it on for long hours without worrying about it being a hazard. ETL certified for safety. Heats the area very quickly. Uses safe ceramic material.
Has adjustable temperature settings. Automatic shut-off according to room temperature. Radiant heating might not be your cup of tea. Weight: 2. Users report that this small heater packs a lot of power within.
It heats things up very quickly, and you have to turn the heat down. It is small enough to fit in a bag and be carried around. People take it to their offices as well, and it is the ideal pick for motorhomes. This is a mini space heater with a ceramic fan and forced-air heating. It has a high heat setting of W and a low setting of W. The heating elements are ceramic, which are faster to heat, safe, and durable.
The thermostat will also keep the room temperature at the set limit and not let it get too uncomfortable. For safety, there is tip-over protection, overheat protection, and power light. It has been certified by ETL, keeping users at ease.
Instead, save money and work efficiently by using a compact space heater. This heater packs safety features, efficiency, and power in one and makes for a great investment.
Heats up the area within two seconds. Features overheat and tip-over protection. Very small and portable, making it ideal for RVing. Adjustable thermostat helps in getting the ideal temperature. Not suitable for big rooms. Safest Space Heater For Bedroom. Dimensions: 7. Cheap heaters have the danger of being not safe, but this Pro Breezer heater is safe to operate. One problem people seem to have is its noise, but it gets the job done when it comes to heating, so they are willing to disregard the noise it makes.
Its tiny size makes it suitable to be used under a desk and near a bed. A number of features make this unit stand out. The fan has three settings, i. The advanced ceramic technology and PTC heating elements heat much faster than other electric elements. You can save money on energy bills by using lower heat settings.
It is very lightweight and can be taken wherever needed. Its safety features include tip-over and overheat protection. Ceramic heaters are safe to operate and very fast. This small and lightweight space heater is perfect for the bedroom. You can enjoy a cold winter day in a warm and comfortable room without fear of burning anything.
A small yet powerful heater. Portable with long cable length. Comes with an automatic shut-off feature. Low-power mode for less energy consumption. Checks surrounding air temperature to maintain the optimal warmth. A little noisy. Safest Portable Heater. Dimensions: 7 x 6. You cannot tell that it is a small heater by the heat it gives, and users have been impressed by that. It shuts down when the required temperature is reached.
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