A home should be an inviting place of warmth. But maybe your HVAC isn’t up to snuff against how cold it’s been lately, or other members of your household want to keep it frigid for whatever inhumane reason.
This is the perfect situation for a space heater. As a product reviewer for over a decade, I’ve tested dozens of space heaters in both lab and home conditions. These little heat projectors come in all different shapes, sizes and types of tech. In this guide, I’ll share my favorite space heaters I’ve used over the years and basic things to know before buying one. And if you’re looking to warm up soon, these all ship nationwide within a few days or less.
The best space heaters at a glance
How do you buy the right space heater?
When evaluating a space heater, I look at these three major factors.
Heating element: how the device creates and projects heat. This basically determines how you can use the space heater. For example, an oil-filled space heater takes longer to come up to temperature, but it sends heat in every direction in near silence. Ceramic elements with fans almost instantly get hot, but they stay noisy.
Wattage: the power draw. In the US, space heaters typically top out at 1500 watts. More power means more ability to generate heat.
Features: I like space heaters that have handles or wheels for portability. Some space heaters can be wall-mounted or remote-controlled, which make them more versatile. I also consider the general footprint and size. Most people don’t use their space heater all year, so a design that stores well is super useful.
What are the best space heaters?
A whisper-quiet space heater:
Vornado AVH10
Heating element: Ceramic
Dimensions: 9.3in x 12in x 11.7in
Wattage: 1500W
What we love: Vornado famously makes great fans. They’re quiet. They’re able to cast air great distances. Stick a ceramic heating element inside one and you get the AVH10. If you’ve had a space heater in the past that was too noisy, then this Vornado is just the ticket. If you’re sleeping or sitting more than four feet from this unit, it’s basically whisper quiet. Also, it has under-the-unit storage for the cord. But you might not even want to put it away, because its fan-only mode lets it serve as a powerful cooling unit in the warmer seasons.
It’s a shame that … You’re going to have to pay a pretty penny for it (and they don’t even make those anymore) compared to some heaters.
A cheaper, similar alternative: the Vornado MVH. The AV10 has a digital display whereas the MVH has a manual, mechanical dial. The Guardian’s own staff can vouch for it.
Vornado MVH Space Heater
“My downstairs home office feels like a walk-in fridge. For the last three winters my MVH has made a huge difference,” Tom Johnson, the Guardian US’s head of audience, tells us. “Every morning, I flick it on when I first wake up, and within an hour it’s made the room livable.” He just bought the refreshed 2025 model for extra heat through the rest of this winter.
A small, portable space heater:
DeLonghi HMP1500
Heating element: Mica
Dimensions: 27.4in x 22.5in x 3 (9.8 in with wheels)
Wattage: 1500W
What we love: When it comes to heating one room at a time, the DeLonghi HMP1500 is my favorite. Straight off the bat, it can be wheeled around or wall-mounted. I know a guy who converted his garage into a gym and has this mounted on the wall. Without its caster wheels on, it’s only about 3in thick, so not very intrusive. If you decide to install the wheels, it has a handle on the back to effortlessly transport it to another room. The wide panel front provides sizable coverage. It even has a low-energy setting to keep pipes from freezing at the least.
It’s a shame that … if you get it new, it will smell pretty bad the first couple of times you use it.
A sleep-friendly space heater:
Honeywell HCE840B
Honeywell
HCE840B
from $92.09
Heating element: Ceramic
Dimensions: 17in x 8.4in x 18.1in
Wattage: 1500W
What we love: People who want to stay cozy while sleeping will enjoy this the most. What sets the Honeywell HCE840B apart from the competition is the HeatPhase Timer. It’s a feature that blasts heat and then reduces the power every thirty minutes until it hits the lowest tier. You might like being warm when you first get under the covers, but too much heat can disrupt the deepest part of your sleep cycle. This model also oscillates.
It’s a shame that … I personally don’t feel the fit and finish is great on this one. For example, the buttons don’t have good springy action on them. That might sound minor, but I think it speaks to its long-term durability, especially if you move it in and out of storage a lot.
Honeywell
HCE840B
from $92.09
A space heater safe for kids and pets:
Dr Infrared DR-968
Dr Infrared
DR-968
from $112.99
Heating element: Infrared
Dimensions: 13in x 15in x 12in
Wattage: 1500W
What we love: Dr Infrared sounds like a comic book villain, but it’s a classic. What makes an infrared bulb different from the rest is that it beams out highly directional energy. If you’re sitting right in front of this thing, you’ll feel toast, but a few feet away, not so much. This Dr Infrared is special because its built-in humidifier helps add moisture back into the air. The sides also remain perfectly cool to the touch during operation, a great safety plus if you have small kids or pets.
It’s a shame that … Infrared bulbs don’t warm up entire rooms as well as powerful fans that blow heat around.
Dr Infrared
DR-968
from $112.99
Jon Chan is a writer with over a decade of experience reviewing products. During his time at Reviewed, he headed the Testing Labs, where he put home appliances, textiles and cleaning supplies through their paces.
