The Best Electric Heaters for Your Home - Picks from Bob Vila

By Timothy Dale

Updated on Nov 5, 2024 6:14 AM EST

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Cold weather can seep through the walls, linger in the floors, and make a home uncomfortable. But with an electric heater, you can quickly and easily warm up a bedroom, office space, or even your garage. Most of these appliances are relatively compact and plug directly into an outlet for easy setup, but some more permanent installations require you to hardwire them into your electrical system.

To see which of these installations is ideal and evaluate other aspects of electric heaters, including ease of use, portability, and even noise, we selected 10 popular models from thousands of available options before testing nine. We used them for heating spaces big and small while recording how much sound they made and measuring the amount of moisture they pulled from the air. Though there’s one model we didn’t have time to test, we still included our pick for the best baseboard heater since we don’t want readers to overlook its efficient, economical heating power.

If you’re looking to add an electric heater to your home this winter, it’s smart to start by considering your room size and preferred type of heater, as well as which safety aspects and operational features matter most. We think the Dreo Solaris H3 Slim Space Heater will meet most users’ needs, as it earned a nearly perfect score for its ease of use, performance, portability, noise, and value. To learn more about this model and the situations where another option might be better, read on for product details and test results on the rest of the best electric heaters.

These recommended electric heaters were selected for quality and price with an eye toward the important considerations outlined at the bottom of this guide.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Performance 5/5; Portability 5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 4.7/5

When you set out to test a bunch of electric heaters and end up using the same one over and over after your tests are done, giving it the award for Best Overall is a pretty easy decision. Still, our quantifiable results back up our opinion, as this slim and small electric heater from Dreo got nearly perfect marks in all categories. It weighs under 5 pounds and is only 15.8 inches tall by 5.9 inches in diameter, yet it had no problem warming up spaces well beyond its 200-square-foot recommended coverage area. It’s also whisper-quiet, competitively priced, and incredibly user-friendly. It has four heat settings, a programmable thermostat, and a fan-only option.

It’s also an attractive little heater. Though that’s certainly not the most important aspect of choosing a supplemental appliance, we appreciate that it’s not an eyesore. The heater and fan combo comes in black and gold or black and silver and features a digital display. Unlike our Upgrade Pick, it doesn’t offer integrated cord storage, but it does let you run it without setting a thermostat temperature. This ceramic heater also kept a good amount of moisture in the air, dropping humidity levels less over 3 hours than all other heaters we tested.

What our tester says: “This is my favorite electric heater of all the options I tested. I keep it by my desk for chilly mornings, and it warms my toes without taking up much space. Though I love its tall and narrow design, I’m glad it shuts off when it tips over. My dogs seem to have a special ability to run right into it when they come running in to say hi.” —Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Dreo electric heater at Amazon, Walmart, or Dreo.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Performance 5/5; Portability 5/5; Noise 4/5; Value 5/5

Though it’s one of the smallest and most economical heaters we tested, the Handy Heater is still an efficient and effective way to add warmth to a chilly space. While many of the models we tested offer at least 1,500 watts of maximum heat, this 1,200-watt personal heater was able to keep pace with them, warming our test room just as quickly as the others. It does not have an internal thermostat, however, so we had to remember to turn it off manually once we were done.

It also doesn’t have a remote, which lessens its ease of use a bit as well. But that doesn’t mean this small space heater is short on features—it just means its features are different. The Handy Heater has both a multi-color LED night light and an internal filter for odor and dust removal, two things none of the other models offer. In terms of safety, it has an automatic mechanism that shuts the machine off if it’s knocked over or lifted. The unit is on the loud side, however, registering 67.3 decibels on high. This is about as loud as a normal conversation, which is a bit more than its advertised “whisper quiet” level.

Read our full review: Handy Heater Pure Warmth Electric Heater

Get the Handy Heater electric heater at Amazon, Ace Hardware, Walmart, or Handy Heater.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Performance 4.75/5; Portability 5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 4.3/5

We admit we’re suckers for Vornado products: They offer effective and efficient fans and heaters with great designs and features. So, we weren’t surprised that we loved this whole-room heater with automatic climate control, even if it’s a bit on the spendy side. Despite being only about the size of a basketball, this small heater worked quickly to heat our closed-door 150-square-foot test room. When we tried it in an open-door 240-square-foot room, it also brought the room to temp (from 66 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit) remarkably quickly, in just under two hours.

Though we wish you could simply set the heater to high or low heat rather than having to enter a desired thermostat temperature, the Vornado’s remote control and timer make this heater/fan combo super easy to use. Its cord is plenty long at 6 feet, and the unit has an integrated cord wrap station on the underside for tidy storage and portability. It was also one of the quietest models we tested, producing just 35 decibels of sound (equivalent to a whisper) on high during our tests. This go-anywhere heater and fan is ideal for warming toes under a desk or setting up on a side table for a little extra heat or a cool breeze.

Get the Vornado electric heater at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Vornado.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Performance 4.5/5; Portability 4/5; Noise 5/5; Value 4.3/5

For those looking for a year-round supplemental cooling and heating system, this Lakso ceramic space heater and tower fan is an excellent option. Though many electric heaters offer fan-only operation for use any season, we think the height of this model (it’s just over 3 feet tall) makes it better suited for summer than others that sit low to the ground.

At first, we actually wanted to ding this model for being so tall since that makes it a bit awkward to move from room to room. But when sitting at our desks or lying in bed, it was nice to have this bedroom space heater‘s heat up high so we could feel it across our entire bodies. This will certainly also be true this August when we’re desperate to feel a cool breeze across our arms and faces.

Initially, it appeared that only one length of the fan/heater combo’s substantial height functions at a time. When you turn on the heat, it comes from the left side, and when you turn on the fan, cool air comes from the right. When we ticked down the thermostat from 79 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, however, the heater automatically set its output to low and kicked on the fan, allowing both sides to work toward reaching the new set temperature.

Beyond that, the tower fan’s controls are intuitive to use, and the entire appliance stays completely cool to the touch, even on its highest heat setting. In the end, the only real downside to this model is that it took a bit longer than other 1,500-watt heaters we tested to warm up a large open room.

What our tester says: “This heater is exactly why we test. It’s a Lasko, so I expected to love it. But then, during testing, I found features I really didn’t like—at first. Then, once I got into using it, everything about the Lasko made sense and made me want to keep it accessible year-round.” —Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Lasko electric heater at Walmart or Amazon (white).

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Performance 4/5; Portability 4/5; Noise 4/5; Value 4.5/5

You may be asking yourself if an attractive fireplace heater will be as effective at warming up a room as a more utilitarian-looking option. We had the same question, and our testing revealed the answer: almost! Though this Maxhonor’s 1500-watt output only brought the temperature of our test room up by 5 degrees Fahrenheit in 30 minutes rather than 6, we think sacrificing some of that power to it producing mesmerizing dancing flames rather than heat is worth it.

Though we didn’t install this heater into our wall, doing so would add to the fireplace’s ambiance even more. Just remember that you’ll need to plan access for the 6-foot cord to reach an outlet, as extension cords should not be used with space heaters due to increased fire risk. To keep installation a bit easier, you can also surface mount this electric fireplace on the wall, though we tested ours by simply setting it on the floor. No matter where you place it, the blue, green, or red/orange flames it produces look like actual fire, yet its glass screen remains safely cool to the touch. The unit is easy to control via its built-in touch panel or the included remote control. It also has a sleep timer so you can fall asleep watching the fire any time you feel like it.

Get the Maxhonor electric heater at Amazon.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Performance 5/5; Portability 4/5; Noise 5/5; Value 4.7/5

With its classic design, this Duraflame infrared electric fireplace creates a warm and cozy atmosphere of a real wood-burning stove—minus the mess and smoke. After putting ours through the paces in our test room, we quickly moved it to the basement to enjoy indoor evenings by the fire. It has the same maximum heat output of 1,500 watts as many of the heaters we tested, yet it’s powerful enough to warm spaces up to 1,000 square feet. Even in our relatively large basement, its infrared rays do an excellent job of creating plenty of heat without pulling almost any moisture from the air.

We love that the stove’s digital control panel is hidden inside the door and that the fireplace comes with a remote control for easy operation. You can use it to select between five brightness levels, set a timer, or program the thermostat. When we want to watch the fire but don’t need any heat, we simply set the digital thermostat lower than the temperature of the room to enjoy the aesthetics of flames without adding any warmth. We chose this stove in a navy color that complements our space, but you can also get this faux wood burner in black, cinnamon, bronze, cream, or French gray.

Get the Duraflame electric heater at Amazon, Wayfair, Walmart, or Target.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Performance 5/5; Portability 4/5; Noise 4.5/5; Value 4/5

This wall-mounted Heat Storm heater provides continuous heat for spaces up to 300 square feet without taking up any floor space. Since we knew we wouldn’t need to hardwire it into our electrical system, we expected it to be easy to install—however, we ran into a slight issue. While wall studs are typically 16 inches apart, this unit’s mounting holes are only 13.75 inches apart. That meant we could only insert one screw into a stud, and we had to use a drywall anchor for the other. Since the heater only weighs 9 pounds, it probably would have been okay to mount it directly to the drywall, but we really didn’t want to see it come crashing down.

Once we had it mounted, however, this Wi-Fi heater was easy to use via its included remote or the Smart Life app. With the app, we measured the room’s temperature, turned on the eclectic heater, and set its thermostat to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. In just 18 minutes, the temperature in the space increased by 5 degrees, and the heater turned off.

Those who’d rather not mount the Heat Storm (and who don’t care about pairing it with their Wi-Fi to operate it via app) might prefer the Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX, which comes with attachable feet for use on the floor. Both versions stay cool to the touch and feature overheating protection should the appliance become too warm during operation.

Get the Heat Storm electric heater at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Northern Tool + Equipment.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Performance 5/5; Portability n/a; Noise 4/5; Value 4/5

The Comfort Zone electric heater is a great option for those looking for semi-permanent installation in a garage wall or ceiling. You can either hardwire it into your home’s electrical system or fit it with a plug-in cord for a 30-amp outlet. During testing, these options initially seemed easy enough, but the process ended up being a bit of a mixed bag, as the heater didn’t come with the 240-volt pigtail or box entry (the cable clamp that secures the wire to the box).

Once we made the necessary purchases, however, we found this Comfort Zone appliance to be a quality electric garage heater. Its durable steel body was resistant to impact damage (accidents happen), and its dual-knob thermostat was easy to adjust so we could control the temperature in our garage. Since this heavy-duty forced-air electric shop heater outputs an impressive 5,000 watts, it’s nice it has adjustable louvers and a variable-angle mounting bracket to direct airflow wherever necessary. It also has a built-in sensor that signals it to switch off if the heater’s temperature gets too high. One other plus: Removing the grill is simple, making future cleanings a breeze.

Get the Comfort Zone electric heater at Amazon or Walmart.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Performance 5/5; Portability n/a; Noise 4.5/5; Value 4/5

If you want your heater off the floor and out of the way, the in-wall electric Broan-NuTone 198 is a great option. You can either insert the entire box into a custom-cut cavity or keep things a bit simpler by mounting it to the wall. In addition to flexibility regarding installation, this high-capacity heater also offers a range of maximum heat outputs. If you want the full 4,000 watts it’s capable of, you’ll need to hardwire it to a 240V electrical system. With a standard 120V outlet, this heater offers half the output at 2,000 watts (still more than most models on our lists).The Boan-NuTone 198 proved itself a heavy-duty competitor in our tests. The forced-fan heater has an 18-gauge steel grill, adjustable thermostat, and downflow louvers that direct airflow toward the ground. For that reason, we opted to install it somewhat high up on our garage wall, though still low enough to easily access the adjustable thermostat on the heater’s face. Since we installed it in a somewhat dirty environment, we appreciate that there’s a delay that prevents the fan from blowing out air until the heating element has reached a high enough temperature and that the faceplate is removable for easy cleaning.

Get the Broan-NuTone electric heater at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Wayfair.

Though we installed a heater on the wall, one in our garage ceiling, and moved a bunch around our house, we didn’t have time to test every option on our list. Still, we think it’s worth your consideration.

Electric baseboard heaters are a simple and economical way to add quiet and efficient heat without losing an outlet or having to reconfigure your existing ductwork. This option from Cadet is 36 inches long and outputs a maximum of 750 watts, making it ideal for small bedrooms or offices under 100 square feet. Its low-profile design and quiet operation won’t take up unnecessary space or cause distracting noise pollution.

Though this electric baseboard heater is rated for a 120-volt connection, you must still have it hardwired into your home’s electrical system. This is made easier by the fact that the heater’s frame is pre-punched, but unless you have extensive DIY experience, the job may be better left to a professional. You’ll also need to purchase a line voltage electronic thermostat, programmable wall thermostat, or built-in thermostat to control it. But once the Cadet baseboard heater is finally up and running, its 25-gauge steel will stand the test of time without showing any nicks or scratches.

Get the Cadet electric heater at Amazon or The Home Depot.

When choosing and testing electric heaters, we started by researching popular options according to type, heat output and coverage, safety aspects, and additional features. After spending two weeks testing nine of our favorites, we rated each model for ease of use, performance, portability, noise, and value.

Our hands-on tests looked at assembly and installation, the amount of time required to raise a room’s temperature by 6 degrees Fahrenheit (in both small and large rooms), and the effect on humidity. Where possible, we also evaluated their portability and the efficacy of any additional features. We used decibel readers to measure noise and pushed models over to see if they’d really turn off. We also set up multiple external thermometers to see if the heaters’ internal thermostats were accurate.

Our final list of favorites includes ceramic, infrared, or fan/forced-air heat options. Most offer multiple settings, programmable thermostats, and remote controls. According to our test results and your individual needs, it should be relatively easy to find an electric heater that’s right for your room.

What to Consider When Choosing an Electric Heater

When choosing the best electric heater for the home, the following list of considerations should help you narrow down your search.

Electric heaters are available in multiple styles, including fan, infrared, baseboard, panel, and electric fireplaces.

Electric fan heaters are also called fan-forced heaters because they use an electric heating element to heat the surrounding air rapidly, which is then forced out of the heater by a fan. The fan is located in the back of the heater, which allows it to push the air in a single direction. The heated air gradually warms the ambient temperature of the room.

Since this style of electric heater takes time to heat up, these are best used as space heaters in smaller rooms and workspaces where the increase in heat will be more noticeable. Electric fan heaters are one of the more affordable types available.

Electric infrared heaters also are known as radiant or quartz heaters. They generate radiant infrared heat and can be used for large rooms as well as small spaces. These heaters provide a higher heat intensity when compared to fan-forced electric heaters.

However, the heat generated by infrared heaters does not warm the air within the space. Rather, infrared heaters use infrared waves to warm physical objects, like a person or vehicle. This means that while users will feel warm with the heater on, the ambient air will not change temperature. When the heater is switched off, the temperature of the objects and people in the room may drop depending on the temperature in the home. This feature makes electric infrared heaters great garage heaters or enclosed patio heaters, where trying to heat the cold air would be a waste of energy.

Electric baseboard heaters are one of the more basic styles of whole-home heating. When installed in a room or living space, these heaters can be adjusted with a temperature dial. They can also be portable, with a stand and a regular power cord.

When the element within the baseboard heater is turned on, it heats the air around it. The heated air expands and lifts into the air, moving away from the floor and allowing more cold air to circulate to the exposed elements. While a baseboard heater can be a low-cost electric heating system with regard to the initial purchase price, exclusive use of baseboard heaters can be one of the causes of a high electric bill.

Electrical panel heaters typically use infrared heating technology to provide heat to the people in the room without heating the air within the room. The difference is that these heaters are designed to be completely flat so that users can mount them on the wall like a poster or picture frame.

They are also a great option for mounting on the ceiling so that the entire room can increase in warmth without obstacles impeding the flow of infrared heating. If users don’t want to mount the electric panel heater, they can just stand it up on the floor or desk to keep warm throughout the day. Panel heaters come in a range of sizes, so users can customize the heater to the size of the space.

This style of indoor electric heater gives users the style of a fireplace and the safety of an electric heater. Electric fireplaces typically have a traditional decorative appearance with a light effect designed to mimic flames flickering in a classic fireplace.

These fireplace heaters may use radiant heating or fan-forced heating, although infrared is the most commonly seen style. Electric fireplace heaters are a great option for a den, living room, or dining room, where they can heat the entire space while accenting interior decorating choices.

Before choosing an electric heater, measure the size of the room so you choose a model with enough power for your square footage. Smaller rooms, like bedrooms and home offices, can usually be heated relatively easily with any type of electric heater. A heater for large rooms, like the living room, dining room, kitchen, or basement, will need to be a more powerful heater, such as a baseboard heater, electric fireplace, or fan-forced heater.

After you determine the size of your room, look at electric heaters that would be suitable for your space. Generally speaking, you can heat 1 square foot of space for every 10 watts of output. This means a 1,000-watt heater should be sufficient for a 100-square-foot room. However, if you’re also heating that room with a furnace, you may be able to get away with an even smaller electric heater.

While some electric heaters can run on batteries, a majority will need to be plugged into an outlet. Some high-capacity options may need to be hardwired into your home’s 120-volt electrical system or even require a hardwired 240-volt connection.

Though some baseboard heaters come without a thermostat, most electric heaters aren’t merely heating elements. Many models have programmable or adjustable thermostats that feature a variety of heat settings and have oscillation control.

One main benefit of adding an electric heater to a home is that users won’t need to turn up the temperature in the entire house just to heat one small space. This lets you relax at your perfect temperature while saving money on the heating bill. However, users also may want to look for a model specifically labeled as an energy-efficient heater to ensure they’re conserving as much energy and hard-earned money as possible.

Another way to save energy is to consider the room’s size and the heater’s output to select a product appropriate for the space. Features like a programmable thermostat, energy-saving mode, and a simple timer can also help increase energy efficiency.

Safety is a factor when using all types of heating systems, and electrical heaters are no exception. For this reason, many heaters have built-in safety features like cool-touch exteriors, tip-over protection, and overheating protection. Users can also look for the UL certification, which indicates a heater has undergone extensive testing to confirm its safety and reliability.

Some electric heaters are fixed units that are installed in the ceiling or walls. Semiportable units typically sit in one place but can be moved with some effort, and fully portable heaters are lightweight and may have features that make them easier to move, such as a compact size, wheels, or a built-in handle.

Electric heaters can range from industrial units that weigh more than 100 pounds to small desktop heaters that users can hold in one hand. The smaller a heater is, the more portable it tends to be, but larger electric heaters can use a set of wheels to achieve similar portability. These electric heaters may also have a built-in handle that helps lift, support, or pull the heater from place to place.

The noise level produced by an electric heater isn’t normally any louder than a portable fan or the forced airflow from a furnace. However, if noise is a concern, users should avoid fan-forced electric heaters as the fan they rely on to push heated air out into the room can greatly increase the amount of noise the heater produces. For a more silent operation in the home, use a fireplace heater, an infrared heater, a panel heater, or a baseboard heater, all of which are capable of operating without a fan.

Electric space heaters are suitable for warming a space in winter without adding excess energy costs. In fact, the cost to run a space heater is usually relatively low. Read on to find the answers to some commonly asked questions about these efficient space warmers.

The cost of running an electric heater depends on your local electrical costs, the wattage of the electric heater, and how long the heater is used. However, on average, a 1,500-watt electric space heater will cost between 18 cents and 25 cents per hour to use.

Electric heaters don’t need ventilation because they don’t burn fuel, so they don’t give off a combustion byproduct that would require ventilation. Thus, they are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

It isn’t a good idea to sleep with your electric heater on, even if it has an automatic shutoff function to keep you safe. This is because the heater can significantly dry out the air, causing you to wake up with a dry mouth, a headache, or feeling dehydrated. Also, safety features can sometimes fail, and if you are asleep, you will not be able to deal with or recognize an emergency until it wakes you up.

An electric room heater won’t reduce the oxygen in your home, though extended use could cause the air to become dry, making it feel as though it is more difficult to breathe.

No, electric heaters don’t give off carbon monoxide (CO). CO is only produced by fuel-burning non-electric heaters and appliances.

The electric heaters in this guide produce between about 2,550 BTUs and 17,050 BTUs to accommodate rooms ranging from 100 to 1,000 square feet. The BTUs of the electric heater you choose will depend on your room size and heating requirements.

The best place to put an electric heater will depend on the heater itself and your individual needs. Generally speaking, they’ll need to be within about 6 feet of an electrical outlet (or you’ll need an extension cord) and away from any possible exposure to water. Some users may want to tuck one under their desk to warm their feet, while others may prefer to keep them at a distance to warm the room without feeling the heat on their bodies.

Michelle Larson has been a writer and editor for more than 10 years in the fields of health, business, and the home. After living in the windy plains of South Dakota and on top of a mountain in Utah for much of her life, she knows plenty about using an electric heater to stay warm.

Additional research provided by Timothy Dale.

Contributing Writer

Timothy Dale is a home improvement writer who has been in the industry for several years. In his work for BobVila.com, he has written a number of how-to articles related to yard maintenance, vehicle repair, and home renovation, not to mention a wide variety of buying guides and articles on DIY projects. He always ensures readers get the information they need to tackle their next project.

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