The 5 Best Space Heaters of 2026, Tested by BHG

BEST OVERALL

Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat Fan

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

This heater-fan combo offers unmatched customization in its design to help heat (and cool) large rooms with ease.

Keep in Mind

It takes up a lot of space, especially when the blades are horizontal.

Offering strong warmth (or a cooling breeze) that reaches every corner of the room, the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat’s multiple customizable elements made it the standout performer in our testing. It has three heat settings, 10 fan speeds, and precise temperature control.

The heater warmed the space quickly and maintained steady output—there were no dips in temperature or power during two weeks of testing, and performance didn’t change whether the heater was positioned vertically or horizontally.

It did an impressive job distributing heat through the tester’s open-concept living area; they felt the heat from 10 feet away. With oscillation and the heater’s vent-slider for added control, every part of the room received a warming boost. In a bedroom test, it actually had to be turned down.

The touch-screen control on the base and the remote are both simple to use and clearly display the current temperature; the base display can easily be read from across the room. The remote works up to 15 feet away, letting us adjust temperature and oscillation from the couch.

This is the biggest space heater among our top picks. In standard tower orientation, the model is about 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide. With the blades horizontal, it’s shorter but becomes twice as wide. The size contributes to its stability—we had to use force to intentionally knock it over.

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

BEST BUDGET

Amazon Basics Small Space Personal Mini Heater

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

The no-frills model has two key safety features.

Keep in Mind

Our testing found the heating range to be very limited.

I tested the Amazon Basics Ceramic Space Heater, so I can confidently tell you it’s a delightful little machine for an added touch of heat. This is by far the simplest model on our list, with only one setting. It’s also the lightest and most compact among our picks.

In multiple situations and on varied surfaces (desktop and floor) while working from home, I found the tiny cube works primarily for targeted personal warmth. You will absolutely not be heating a whole room with this; even after a few hours, the overall temp in my office had not increased at all.

I only felt the heat up to about 18 inches directly in front of the heater, and heat did not radiate beyond that direct area. The more limited heating range means the heater has the lowest power draw on our list (500 watts), and it played nicely with my old home’s electrical system.

The unit heated very quickly (within 10 seconds) and the output was consistent after hours of use. The body never felt hot, which eased a lot of the safety concerns for me. I could touch the sides to adjust its position while running, but I do wish there were a handle on top to make it more convenient.

Because it’s so small, it is much easier to tip over than other space heaters. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how stable it was on hard or soft surfaces, like my office rug. The safety trigger on the bottom is highly effective—I triggered it on purpose and accidentally during the testing period.

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

BEST SMALL

Vornado Velocity Cube 5S Whole Room Heater

Credit: Walmart

Why You Should Get It

This petite model is powerful enough to uniformly heat a room without oscillation.

Keep in Mind

It doesn’t have a remote, so you’ll need to get off the couch to adjust settings.

The Vornado Velocity is a compact but powerful heater for small to mid-sized spaces. Initially wooed by the compact size and cute style, we were ultimately impressed by the functionality. Though the lack of bells and whistles might make the price seem steep, the reliability and design maximize the value.

The space heater was used in our tester’s living room and home office. On average, it took about 10 minutes for the room to reach the set temperature of 72°F. The heater’s digital thermostat matched the home’s thermostat reading exactly to start, which added to our confidence in the model.

Though the base doesn’t oscillate on its own, it swivels manually to direct airflow, which is a thoughtful design element. Despite not oscillating to spread warmth, it heated the whole room. While we wished it came with a remote, once the ideal temperature was found, we rarely felt the need to adjust it.

The cube-shaped heater is fairly light, and the built-in handle and cord organizer make it simple to move between spaces. We liked that the temperature appears on the top of the unit as well as the front right corner, making it easy to see from above (while at your desk) or across the room (while on the couch).

As far as safety, the heater stayed cool during use, so it never felt risky to move or touch. It was almost impossible to tip over and stayed in place during pushover tests. However, it does have an automatic shutoff that is activated any time it’s not on its base. You can lock the controls, too.

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

BEST TOWER

Lasko Duo Comfort Electric Ceramic Space Heater

Credit: Walmart

Why You Should Get It

The tower does double duty as both a fan and a space heater, and has a cleanable filter to help keep up performance.

Keep in Mind

It doesn’t have auto-off protection for tipovers.

Excellent for year-round use, the Lasko is a classic tower-style model offering reliable heating or cooling. We appreciated having this hybrid model during the weird fall months, when some days were warm and others were cool.

It offers three heat settings as well as an Auto Eco mode that maintains a set temperature by adjusting the power accordingly. There are also four fan settings, and in a 10-by-10-foot home office, our tester was able to switch between settings as needed with the remote.

Regardless of the setting, after just a minute, it was obvious the heater was doing its job. The controls function similarly for both heating and cooling modes, which makes it easy to use. The remote worked at a good distance as long as there was a clear line of sight to the front of the heater.

Like most tower-style appliances, it’s tall but fairly slim, so it tucks nicely into a corner. Its shape also makes it hard to knock over; it tends to wobble then settle into place rather than tip. However, it’s not impossible to topple, and the manufacturer doesn’t indicate there is automatic shutoff.

While we wished it had a few more enhancements—like more safety features, different colors, and an app for control—it’s ultimately a good value, especially given that it fills the role of two small appliances.

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Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
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Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

BEST SAFETY FEATURES

Dreo Whole Room Heater 714

Credit: Amazon

Why You Should Get It

Useful error codes not only identify safety concerns but help indicate how to troubleshoot issues, too.

Keep in Mind

It’s pricey for its size.

Our tester positioned the Dreo model near her desk in an open concept living area, which was a few hundred feet larger than the recommended room coverage. We didn’t expect it to heat the entire area, but it did an impressive job, especially on the highest of three settings.

On lower settings, the unit provided strong targeted warmth that kept our tester feeling cozy at her desk in the otherwise chilly room. We also liked that it only took 30 to 45 seconds to really warm up, and output remained consistent during the testing period.

We were surprised by the sturdiness—a gentle bump won’t tip this model, and we needed to apply some force at strategic angles to knock it over. When it did tip, only a couple seconds passed before it started beeping, stopped running, and displayed a warning code on the control panel.

There are two additional error codes related to temperature sensor issues that may appear. Not only does this clarity give you peace of mind for safety, it also helps you troubleshoot and understand potential performance issues.

At around a cubic foot in size with a built-in handle, it’s almost effortless to carry between rooms. While it’s pricey for its size, we like that it has some of the conveniences you’d find with a bigger model, like a digital panel and a remote control.

Product Details: Heating Element: Ceramic | Heat Settings: Four | Wattage: 1,500 watts | Dimensions: 7.09 x 12.4 x 11.02 in. | Weight: 6.45 lbs. | Safety Features: Tipover protection, overheat protection, temperature sensor alerts, 24-hour shutoff

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Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

The Bottom Line

The Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat won us over during at-home testing, thanks to its dual functionality as both an efficient and consistent space heater and a powerful fan. With multiple settings and design features, it offers enough customization that you can use this product throughout the year, not just on the hottest and coldest days where you really need a boost.

Our Testing Process

In real-world testing space heaters at home, we paid close attention to heating performance in a variety of room sizes and temperatures, noting details like how long it took a model to heat up, how effectively and consistently it heated the space, and how well the remotes worked at various distances.

We evaluated the space heaters by both the aesthetic appeal and how easy they were to use, considering the look of the machine, its portability, and how much space it took up.

We tested all functional features including various heat, power, and oscillation settings, as well as any additional capabilities the machine might have, like a fan or air purifier. We noted how easily the controls could be used, and if the space heater’s display can read from a distance.

We also tested machine safety features, seeing if automatic overheat protection kicked in and how hot the machine felt after prolonged use. We also knocked over the machines to see how easy it was to do so, and if tip-over protection engaged as expected.

A person presses a button on the Lasko FHV801 38 Inch Duo Comfort High Velocity Fan and Electric Ceramic Space Heater

Better Homes & Gardens

What to Know About Space Heaters Before Shopping

Heating Element

The type of heating element can impact how a space heater performs, what spaces and uses its best for, and how safe or durable it is. All the space heaters on our list convert electricity to heat, but there are a few different methods to create and distribute that heat.

Most of our top picks use a convection heating method, pulling unheated air across an electrically heated surface (usually ceramic or metal coil) and then pushing the warmed air out into the room.

Radiant space heaters are another broad category. Many of these models radiate infrared waves outwards to directly heat objects and people (instead of the air). Another common option is an oil-filled heater, which uses electricity to heat and circulate oil in a metal radiator that then raises the temperature in the room.

Safety Features

According to Dr. Kenneth L d’Entremont, professor at the University of Utah’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ergonomics & Safety Program, and author of Engineering Ethics and Design for Product Safety, the first step in safely using a space heater is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely.

“If you don’t understand something, reach out to them through their customer service hotline or website,” he says. These are a few of the most common safety features that you’ll find in a space heater:

Tip-over protection automatically shuts down the space heater if it’s knocked over. Many of the models on our list have a tip-resistant base design or are otherwise hard to tip, but this is a major safety feature for many space heaters—especially for smaller, lighter-weight models that are more easily tipped over by accident.
Overheat protection automatically shuts off a space heater if the unit itself reaches a certain level, whether that’s caused by electrical overheating from prolonged use or blocked air vents. The Amazon Basics Ceramic Space Heater is incredibly basic and still has these two common safety features.
Other safety-related features include time-based auto shutoff, auto shutoff based on ambient temperature, timers, and child locks that prevent changing settings. Most exteriors are made of “cool-touch housing” or designed so the majority of the space heater does not become dangerously hot while in use.

It’s important to follow manufacturer’s safety guidelines, like distancing a heater from furniture. Most space heaters also warn you not to plug into an extension cord; according to d’Entremont, space heaters draw more power than smaller devices like your cell phone charger, and could easily overheat an extension cord.

Wattage

In essence, wattage indicates heating power; higher wattage means more heat output. A space heater with a higher wattage can usually heat larger areas. Wattage also impacts speed and performance—lower wattage-models take longer to reach a set temperature, while higher-wattage models often have more powerful speeds and faster heating.

Larger, whole-room heaters with multiple settings, like most on our list, are typically around 1,500 watts. At 500 watts, the Amazon Basics Ceramic Space Heater has the lowest wattage on our list; unsurprisingly, it also has the fewest settings and provides significantly less coverage

Finally, wattage informs how the space heater works with your home’s electrical circuit. Generally, a standard 15-amp circuit can handle one 1,500-watt space heater—but your intended circuit may have higher amperage or other plugged-in appliances to consider.

Multiple high-wattage appliances can trip breakers (for example, running a microwave, hair dryer, and space heater at the same time on the same circuit). This is especially relevant for older homes with more restrictive circuits or less availability for powerful appliances on existing circuits.

Note: You’ll see wattage expressed in a single number or as a range of numbers for models with multiple settings or heating levels, which use different wattage per setting.

A person lifts the Dreo Whole Room Heater 714 by the back handle

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Your Questions Answered

What kind of space heater is most energy efficient?

A lot depends on how well a heater matches your space and your needs. Compare the recommended square footage of a product to the area you want to heat. Is it up to the task, or will it only reach a portion of the room? On the other hand, would it be using too much power when you really only need something small at your desk?

Another factor is the room itself—drafty, uninsulated spaces will lose heat quickly, and therefore need more heat output. Some models, like the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat, automatically turn on and off or adjust power to meet and maintain a set temperature. This can eliminate heating (and therefore burning energy) beyond your needs.

The type of heat can also make a difference. For example, radiant infrared heaters are energy efficient because they convert electricity into infrared heat, which directly heats bodies and objects rather than losing some energy heating the atmosphere.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to give a good boost to the ambient temperature in a space, an oil radiator-style heater tends to offer that heat with lower energy consumption than a forced-air model. For more direct or targeted heating, a forced-air model may provide the right heat without overdoing it on power.

Can I keep my space heater on all night?

The short answer is no, you shouldn’t. Even when used properly, space heaters can get extremely hot and shouldn’t be left on unattended—and that includes when you’re asleep. It’s better to heat up the space for an hour or two while you’re winding down for sleep, then turning off the heater and using down comforters, cozy PJs, or wool blankets to keep you warm throughout the night.

Who We Are

Kristina McGuirk is a freelance writer with more than a decade of experience writing and researching product and home design stories for Better Homes & Gardens. For this article, she personally tested the Amazon Basics Ceramic Space Heater and reviewed the latest testing insights for space heaters.

This article was originally written by Gabriel Morgan, a writer for Better Homes & Gardens, who reviewed testing insights from our lab test team as well as our staff who continued to use the space heaters at home. Morgan consulted Dr. Kenneth L d’Entremont, professor at the University of Utah’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ergonomics & Safety Program, and author of Engineering Ethics and Design for Product Safety, for background on the safety of space heaters for this piece.