The Best Space Heater

Buying Guide

Being cold is no fun. Whether it’s a spot in your home that the heat just doesn’t reach or an office that stays chilly year-round, sometimes a steady blast of warm air is exactly what you need to be comfortable. Space heaters are great for fulfilling that demand. Simply set one on the floor next to you and enjoy the warmth.

But there are many factors to consider when you’re picking out a space heater. The majority of house fires start because of portable space heaters, so it’s important to choose one with built-in safety features. Look for heaters with auto shut-off and tip protection, especially if you have small children or pets in the house. You should also place your heater away from flammable objects, like drapes and bedding.

Once you’ve squared away safety, you’ll want to look for a space heater that provides the level of warmth you need. Some space heaters are designed to be directional in nature, primarily heating the area where they’re pointed. However, many newer space heaters are less directional, warming an entire area and all the objects within it. If you’re in a cubicle at work, you’ll likely be more interested in heating yourself, whereas at home you may prefer to warm up an entire room.

Portability and size are also important things to consider, especially if you won’t be using your heater in the same space. Some heaters are small and portable, even coming equipped with carrying handles to make them easy to move around. These heaters are also usually smaller in size, making them handy for slipping under your desk to keep your feet warm while you work. Much larger units typically fit better if you’re heating a whole room in your home rather than carrying them back and forth to the office every day.

• If you’re looking for a whole room heater, make sure you get one with a temperature-based thermostat. Some space heaters have setting-based thermostats, which means an adjustment from low to high. With the Dr. Infrared heater, you can set the desired temperature, such as 65 or 70 degrees. The units will run until the area achieves that level of warmth, at which point they will shut off.
• The Andily Electric Space Heater does a better job of heating an individual sitting in front of it than similar heaters that are designed for whole-room heating.
• Although you’ll always need to exercise caution when operating a space heater, many of today’s models have safety features built in. Look for a heater that is certified as safe by the Underwriters Laboratories, with both automatic shut-off and anti-tip over protection. The Andily Electric Space Heater has an anti-tip over feature and other models include a non-slip base.
• Noise can be a concern, especially if you plan to operate your space heater in the workplace. The Dr. Infrared heater is notably quiet, using its own technology to provide heat at a low speed, which makes it less noisy than comparable space heaters.
• Size can be an issue, especially if you’re tucking your heater discreetly under a desk. The Andily heater is lightweight and portable. Other heaters have a handle to make them easy to carry from one space to another. There are even space heaters that can be mounted on a wall.
• It’s important to note that the Dr. Infrared heater has been known for thermal fuse failures. However, investing in a high-quality extension cord can keep that from happening, and if it does, the company will ship a new fuse upon request.