No matter where you live, controlling the temperature inside your home is expensive.
Installing devices such as smart thermostats or investing in insulated windows can help a bit, but you might still end up using a lot of energy to cool your home in the summer and heat it in the winter. That’s largely because heating and cooling systems work on your entire home, meaning you pay to adjust the temperature in rooms even when you’re not using those spaces.
A more cost-effective way to approach temperature regulation? Indoor space heaters.
These compact devices plug into any wall outlet and offer targeted heating exactly where you need it — and nowhere else! That means no wasted energy and easily adjustable settings to let you create the most comfortable atmosphere.
Considering the variety of space heaters on the market, we consulted with appliance experts to get their recommendations for the best indoor space heaters for your home. Gary McCoy is a Lowe’s store manager, and Jeff King tests and reviews home appliances on the YouTube channel Den of Tools, which has been covering indoor and outdoor heating systems for almost a decade.
Below, check out McCoy’s and King’s picks for the best space heaters of 2023. To jump ahead to a specific category, click the section links here:
- Best Indoor Space Heater Overall
- Best Budget-Friendly Indoor Space Heater
- Best Luxury Indoor Space Heater
- Best Tower Indoor Space Heater
- Best Personal-Sized Indoor Space Heater
- Best Indoor Space Heater for Large Spaces
- Best Smart Indoor Space Heater
- Best Indoor Space Heater with Thermostat
Best Indoor Space Heater Overall
Utilitech Ceramic Tower Indoor Electric Space Heater
Pros:
Cons:
- Oscillates to distribute heat evenly
- Built-in tip-over safety switch
- Includes 1-year manufacturer warranty
- No timer
- No energy-saving setting
This space heater is rated for use in small- to medium-sized rooms and uses a ceramic plate to heat your space evenly. According to the home electronics review site Electronics Hub, heaters such as these that use ceramic plates begin to emit heat quickly and will continue emitting heat for some time even after they’re turned off. That makes them more efficient to use than filament or infrared heaters.
“With a perfect 5-star rating on Lowes.com, this Utilitech space heater is a fan favorite,” McCoy said. “It features ceramic heating technology that reaches temperatures of up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in about three seconds. It also comes with a carry handle and is made up of flame-resistant material, making this an all-around great option.”
Best Budget-Friendly Indoor Space Heater
Dreo Space Heater
Pros:
Cons:
- Precise thermostat controls
- Tip-over safety switch
- 12-hour timer
- Some Amazon reviewers noted the touchscreen buttons can be hard to see
At 11 inches tall and 8 inches in diameter, this budget-friendly indoor space heater is also a compact choice. As a ceramic space heater, it’s lightweight and quickly dispenses heat. Great for use in smaller areas, and its rear cool-touch handle lets you move or reposition it as needed without the risk of burning your hand.
“Dreo is a newer brand that has surged to the forefront of the indoor space heater market in recent years,” King said. “Their easy-to-use controls with large digital interface and modern design are a pleasant change of pace from many of the older units on the market. And it’s surprising to see all these features at a price point like this…I [also] found this heater safe enough to justify using it in our kids’ room.”
Best Luxury Indoor Space Heater
DeLonghi Ceramic Tower Indoor Electric Space Heater
Pros:
Cons:
- Includes remote control
- The anti-freeze setting automatically turns on to prevent frozen water pipes (when used in the basement)
- Tip-over safety switch
- Housing can become hot to the touch while in use
This indoor space heater has all the bells and whistles that maximize convenience and functionality. In addition to the ceramic plate and oscillating motor that provide even heating, this option has an ECO mode that automatically adjusts the heat output to keep its power usage at a lower level. An adjustable thermostat lets you dial in your desired temperature, and an electric fan transforms this device into a cooling machine during the summer — a smart two-in-one appliance!
“This ceramic heater offers a wide range of heat distribution with motorized oscillation and is best for small spaces and individual comfort,” McCoy said. “[It] features a digital thermostat, 24-hour timer, full-function remote and fan function for year-round use.”
Best Tower Indoor Space Heater
Utilitech Ceramic Tower Indoor Electric Space Heater
Pros:
Cons:
- ECO mode to save energy
- Includes remote control
- Tip-over safety switch
- High price point
While most tower space heaters have a heating panel that faces only one direction, this circular design allows for heat to radiate 360 degrees, which gives you more flexibility in terms of where you place it in a room. Its intuitive touch-panel display makes setting your ideal temperature easy, and the flip-up handle on top allows for easy carrying.
“This tower space heater warms areas up to 300 square feet,” McCoy said. “It has a large digital display with user-friendly remote controls, a thermostat and a timer function.”
Best Personal-Sized Indoor Space Heater
Amazon Basics Ceramic Mini Heater
Pros:
Cons:
- Tip-over safety switch
- Low price point
- No adjustability, just an ON/OFF switch on the back
This space heater’s extremely shallow depth (under 4 inches) lets you place it just about anywhere without sacrificing space. Its ceramic heating element delivers warmth quickly, and because it doesn’t draw much electricity, it won’t significantly impact your power bill.
“There are many times when you don’t need to heat the entire room just the area you are in. This is where the Amazon Basics mini heater shines,” King said. “Whether you’re sitting at your desk or on your couch, this puts heat right where you need it. At 500 Watts it may seem underpowered…but for this heater, that’s kind of the point. Small, compact and easy to use, and at just under a pound and a half it’s also extremely portable so you can take your heat to go.”
Best Indoor Space Heater for Large Spaces
Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater
Pros:
Cons:
- Includes remote control
- 12-hour timer
- ECO mode for enhanced energy efficiency
- Doesn’t heat as quickly as a ceramic space heater
The infrared heating technology in this space heater warms you by being absorbed into your body — which means very little heat and energy are wasted. That allows this device to heat large spaces more efficiently, reducing the amount of power it draws while in use. The rolling wheels on the bottom of the device also make it easy to move around your space as needed.
“When it comes to larger rooms you need a heater that can not only put out large amounts of heat but efficiently distribute that heat throughout the room. I’ve been using this heater in our living room for years and it’s easy to forget it’s even there,” King said. “This device features a dual heat system, as well as a high-pressure low noise blower and an electronic thermostat that can keep the room between 50 and 85 [degrees] at all times. Its high-end construction and cherry wood cabinetry allow it to easily integrate into your living space and look good doing it.”
Best Smart Indoor Space Heater
Atomi Smart WiFi Tabletop Space Heater
Pros:
Cons:
- Compact size
- Ceramic heating plate heats rooms up to 70 degrees in two seconds
- ECO mode saves power
- Some reviewers say it can’t heat 750-square-foot spaces, as the manufacturer claims it can
The big bonus this indoor space heater provides is the ability to pair with your smartphone so you can operate it remotely — even when you’re not at home. Its slightly tilted design directs heat upward, and an oscillating motor lets the device rotate to warm spaces evenly. A touch-screen interface lets you dial in your preferred temperature and use the timer setting, too, making this heater easy to use for the non-tech-savvy.
“This smart heater responds to simple voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant, so you can operate it hands-free whenever you need,” McCoy said. “Plus, if you download the Atomi Smart app, you can set schedules for the heater to pre-warm rooms in the house before you enter.”
Best Indoor Space Heater with Thermostat
Utilitech Infrared Quartz Cabinet Indoor Electric Space Heater
Pros:
Cons:
- Includes remote control
- The cool-touch exterior makes repositioning easy while in use
- Tip-over safety switch
- Size is larger than most small space heaters (over 1 foot in depth)
- Infrared heating doesn’t work as quickly as ceramic
While ceramic and filament space heaters work great, if you want an indoor space heater that truly helps you reduce your electricity usage, an infrared model such as this one is the way to go. Instead of attempting to heat an entire area, the device uses infrared light to directly (and safely) heat any objects in front of the heater — which reduces energy waste. Its digital thermometer also lets you program precise temperatures, so you can enjoy a personalized heating experience.
“This heater is safe, convenient and easy to operate with an adjustable thermostat and remote control,” McCoy said. “This heater also has a UV LED light that helps to kill germs and viruses brought into the heater, and return clean air into the room.”
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