Your Guide to Choosing the Best Space Heater for Your Room
Stay warm and toasty.
There's never a better time to consider purchasing a space heater than when cold weather is on the horizon or if you're prone to feeling cold in air-conditioned spaces. But which space heater should you buy? When shopping for a space heater, there are a number of things to consider, including fuel type, design, heating methods, sizes, and more. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to choose the best space heater for your room size and heating needs.
1. Start by Selecting a Fuel Type
2. Choose a Space Heater Design
3. Consider the Best Heating Method
4. Select a Suitable Space Heater Size
5. Explore Must-Have Features
6. Read Up on Space Heater Safety & Best Practices
1. Start by Selecting a Fuel Type
One of the biggest choices you'll need to make before you buy a space heater is what type of fuel you'd like your space heater to use.
Electric: All you need to run an electric space heater is an electrical outlet. Though electric heaters can be some of the most expensive to operate, they don't emit carbon monoxide and therefore don't require outside ventilation. Some electric space heaters can pose fire and burn risks, so it's best to use them away from other objects, children, and pets.
Natural Gas: If your home already runs on natural gas, natural-gas space heaters are, well, the natural choice! Natural gas is one of the most commonly used fuels for heating homes – though prices do fluctuate, natural gas tends to be one of the cheapest fuel options. This type of space heater will need to be properly vented, as there is a carbon monoxide risk.
Propane: These space heaters are fueled by propane gas. Unlike natural-gas space heaters, propane space heaters don't require a connection to an external gas pipeline; instead, propane is available for purchase in individual tanks or canisters. As with any gas-fueled space heater, propane space heaters release carbon monoxide and thus will need to be vented to your home's exterior. Improper ventilation could result in a dangerous carbon monoxide leak into your home.
Kerosene: Kerosene space heaters function like kerosene lamps; they ignite a large wick that draws kerosene upward from the fuel tank. The heater then oxygenates and evenly distributes that flame, which heats the air around it via convection or radiation. These heaters are sometimes preferred because they don't need to be vented, but a carbon monoxide risk still exists. It's best to use a kerosene heater in a larger space with windows and doors open to prevent asphyxiation. It's also a good idea to keep a kerosene lamp away from other objects and avoid using it overnight. These heaters shouldn't be lit around children or pets and must be handled according to their safety instructions.
Diesel: Typically preferred for commercial or industrial use, diesel space heaters are best for efficiently heating a large area in a short amount of time. Diesel space heaters produce carbon monoxide, so it is best to use them in appropriately sized spaces with proper ventilation.
Tip!
It's important to keep in mind that space heaters that run on gas produce carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly in high concentrations. If you are using a space heater that combusts gas, pay strict attention to the safety instructions and be sure to ventilate the space properly. You must also have a functioning carbon monoxide detector to alert you if carbon monoxide is leaking into your home.
2. Choose a Space Heater Design
With a variety of space heater types to choose from, we've outlined each option to help you choose the best one for your home.
Baseboard: Typically electric, baseboard space heaters mount to the floor along walls (usually beneath windows). These supplemental space heaters help counteract heat loss from windows and can add warmth to colder areas of a space, but they aren't excellent as primary heat sources.
Cabinet: Cabinet space heaters are often used to warm small enclosures that hold electronic equipment that is susceptible to the cold. They are also commonly used as standard residential space heaters because they can effectively heat average-sized residential rooms. Most cabinet space heaters are electric and come with a remote control that allows you to control the temperature from a distance. Some cabinet space heaters resemble wood stoves, while others are designed to look like mini fireplaces.
Compact: When you imagine a space heater, you probably picture a compact heater: a small, portable electric device surrounded by a metal grill that protects heated coils within. Compact space heaters tend to be smaller than other space heater types. They're great as personal heaters but can also work well at heating small, enclosed rooms.
Panel: Panel space heaters are electric heaters that warm air using convection. These sleek, narrow devices look best positioned beside a wall. They're praised for their fast-acting heating and variety of temperature controls.
Radiator: Many modern radiators are electric, using heated mineral oil instead of steam to heat their coils. Radiators are well-loved for their reliability. These devices require some airflow to work properly and can be hot to the touch, so it's best to use them in open spaces away from children.
Tower: Tall and narrow, tower space heaters are great if you don't want your space heater taking up too much floor space. These heaters use electricity to heat internal ceramic plates and then blow out hot air using internal fans. Many tower space heaters even oscillate to better distribute heat.
Utility: Utility space heaters are designed to heat large areas. They're best for wide-open industrial spaces and are not recommended for residential use. The design and heating method of utility space heaters can vary, but almost all require significant airflow or ventilation to be used safely.
Ceiling-Mounted: Mounted to the ceiling, these space heaters heat the space from above. Ceiling-mounted space heaters are often used to heat indoor or outdoor areas. These units are often hung from a ceiling hook or installed permanently to the ceiling with a mounting bracket. Though ceiling-mounted heaters can't be easily moved from one room to another, they can be a long-term solution for heating your home.
Wall-Mounted: Wall-mounted heaters can be used as an alternative to central heating because the wall-mounted units don't require any ductwork. These units are often hardwired and installed permanently into a recessed space in the wall, which may require professional installation. Like ceiling-mounted heaters, wall-mounted units offer less flexibility than portable space heaters.
When choosing the best space heater for your space, the heat method is an important factor. The heat method can determine the way the space heater works, the amount of warmth it produces, and its energy efficiency. It's important to note that the type of space heater doesn't affect the heating method options. For example, tower space heaters can be heated using ceramic plates, but they can also come in energy-efficient infrared configurations. Explore these space heater heating options to determine the right one for you.
Radiant: Rather than warming the air, radiant space heaters warm what is placed in front of it. The radiant heat delivers heat on thermal waves that can warm up an object, like your skin or clothes, without heating the air. This heat method is quiet and doesn't use any fans to disperse the heat. Radiant heat is best if you want to heat up a small space quickly or provide more direct heat in one spot. These heaters can be hot to the touch and should be placed at least three feet away from any objects.
Convection: This heat method passes cool air through the heated metal coil inside the unit and pushes the warm air out. Because the hot air rises to the top of the room and cool air settles to the bottom of the room, a convection heater placed on the ground can circulate air throughout the space and effectively warm an entire room.
Fan/Forced Air: These space heaters have an electric element that warms the air. A fan inside the space heater then blows the warm air into the room. Space heaters with a fan are an excellent choice if you want to heat a large space quickly.
Ceramic: This type of space heater features ceramic plates that are heated by metal coils. As the plates heat up, they give off warmth. This type of space heater requires less energy because the heat is generated through the ceramic plates. Ceramic space heaters can come with or without fans, depending on the model.
Infrared: Infrared space heaters convert electricity into radiant heat. They emit electromagnetic waves to produce heat in a similar way that natural sunlight warms an object without warming the air. Infrared heaters are more energy-efficient than other heat methods, so they can result in a lower energy bill with use.
When choosing a space heater, it's important to consider the size of your space and how much of that space you want to heat. You should also think of additional factors, such as the number of windows, the amount of insulation, and the height of the ceiling. Spaces with extra windows, little insulation, or taller-than-average ceilings may need a higher heat output.
If you'd rather shop for space heaters by their recommended space requirements, you can do that as well. These options take much of the calculation out of your hands and allow you to explore many space heater options that are the right size for your room.
Personal: 0–100 sq. ft.
Small Room: 100–300 sq. ft.
Medium Room: 300–600 sq. ft.
Large Room: 600–1,000 sq. ft.
Extra-Large Room: Over 1,000 sq. ft.
Tip!
Space heater sizes can also be listed by their wattage or BTU output. Both metrics are used to describe a space heater's efficiency and can help you choose a space heater that will effectively heat a space of a certain size. If you're looking for an electric space heater, check the wattage. Generally the lower the wattage, the more energy-efficient. However, the higher the wattage, the greater the heat output. For gas-fueled space heaters, look at the BTU output. As a general rule of thumb, you should calculate 10 watts or 20 BTU for each sq. ft. For example, a 150 sq. ft. room would need a heater that is 1500 watts or 2000 BTU.
Shop Space Heaters by Wattage:
- 0–500 Watts
- 501–1,000 Watts
- 1,001–1,500 Watts
- 1,501–5,000 Watts
- More than 5,000 Watts
Shop Space Heaters by BTU Output:
0–5,000: Powerful enough for personal spaces
5,001–10,000: Powerful enough for small rooms
10,001–25,000: Powerful enough for medium rooms
25,001–50,000: Powerful enough for large rooms
50,001–100,000:Powerful enough for extra large rooms
100,001–250,000: Powerful enough for multiple rooms
More than 250,000: Industrial strength
The best space heater for your home should also have all of the features that make it easier to operate for your convenience. Here are some must-consider features to look for in a space heater.
Safety: Cool-to-touch space heaters can give you peace of mind if you have curious kids or pets because they're designed to prevent burns. A lot of space heaters also come with an automatic shutoff feature, meaning they’re programmed to turn themselves off after a certain number of hours. If you're worried about potential fire hazards, there are space heaters equipped with tip-over switches! This way, if the space heater falls over, it's automatically programmed to turn off.
Convenience: As you look for the perfect space heater, you should also consider the features that will make one easy to use. Look for space heaters that have adjustable thermostats so you can tailor the heat output to your needs. Opt for space heaters with remote controls so you can turn the heater on or off at your convenience. If you're worried you'll forget to turn off a space heater, select a model that comes with a built-in timer. It will shut off after a specific amount of time. Some space heaters even have an ocsillating feature that allows space heaters to rotate and distribute heat better throughout the room.
High Energy-Efficiency: If you want to ensure the space heater you choose provides quality heat without upping your energy bills, choose a space heater that's known for having a high energy-efficiency. These space heaters need less energy to operate, and thus, use up less electricity.
6. Read Up on Space Heater Safety & Best Practices
It's essential that you adhere to the safety instructions of your chosen space heater to avoid fires, burns, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Below are some guidelines that you must follow to avoid some of the dangers associated with space heaters.
- Install smoke detectors and inspect them regularly.
- If you are using a gas heater, ensure proper ventilation and install carbon monoxide detectors.
- Always place your space heater at least 3 feet away from anything flammable.
- Always place your space heater on level ground.
- Never use an extension cord with an electric space heater; always plug it directly into a wall outlet.
- Never leave your space heater unattended, especially while you are asleep.
- Inspect your space heater for damage before each use.
- Ensure your space heater is properly cleaned and maintenanced before use.
- Do not touch your space heater while it is on, except to use built-in controls.
- Allow your space heater to cool before you touch or move it.
- Install a safety gate or prohibit children or pets from entering an area with a space heater.
Tip!
Check out our list of the 13 Best Space Heaters to Make Any Room Toasty to explore top-rated products.
