A space heater is an essential device for warmth at home or in the office, especially during cold winter. They could be small or central in size, but highly efficient. In this review, we’ll talk about the safest small space heater for your home or office use. These space heaters are devices used for generating heat in rooms and areas not as large as an entire home.
Portable or small space heaters usually run on electricity and are the best room heaters. Heaters that run on fuel, on the other hand, require a permanent exhaust; thus, they are not movable.
Although small, portable heaters are highly efficient and might actually be the safest and best space heater for your home, depending on what you need.
In this review, I’ll talk about the safest small space heaters for your home or office use. These space heaters are devices used for generating heat in rooms and areas not as large as an entire home.
I already know which space heater I would choose for my space, so if you are facing this decision, this review might prove helpful. Here are my top 5 picks with all their highlights and disadvantages. Find your safest electric heater below!
Top 5 Safest Small Space Heaters
1) Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater, 1500-Watt
Awesome Design
Dr infrared heater is a finely designed small safe space heater for home use. This compact space heater has an advanced dual heating system, combining PTC and quarts infrared element. This, in theory, allows the heater to produce sufficient heat while saving the cost of heating bills.
Why is it my first choice? For a couple of reasons. Dr infrared portable heater is certified by underwriters laboratories (UL) USA and Canada, ensuring the highest safety standard. This heater is also very safe to use around children and pets because it only gets warm.
It is safe to touch and does not have exposed heating elements that can cause a fire, which is a big pro in my book. Parents will be glad to know this is a perfect space heater for the baby’s room.
Energy Saving and Safe to Use
Dr infrared heater can heat up a large room with an auto-energy-saving design. The unit has two major settings, which are; high and low. Also, it has tip-over protection and an overheat protection that shuts off the device immediately after it falls over, while the overheat protection ensures that temperature levels do not go beyond the safe range.
It works flawlessly in spaces around 400 sq ft to 500 sq ft, so if you’re looking for something like that, this would be a great choice.
Easy to Maintain and Control
This space heater is designed to last for many winters; therefore, it comes equipped with a detachable filter that is easy to clean and replace periodically. My filter didn’t need cleaning after my tests, but it was nice to see it is easily removable so you won’t have any issues with that.
Dr infrared comes with a remote control which makes it easy to change the temperature, turn it off and even program the heater settings without getting up from your comfort spot.
Humidifier
A nice surprise was a humidifier included with this portable electric heater. This solves the eternal problem of dry air when using heaters or central heating during the winter months. I could really feel the difference in the quality of air when using this model, and that is why it earns the top spot for me. The humidifier can be turned on and off according to your wishes.
What I Like
- Dual heating system combining a PTC with a quartz tube
- An IR remote control feature
- Super quiet with a low noise blower function
- 12 hours programmable timer that shuts off the heater when it reaches the programmed timer frame
- Saves cost on electric bills
- A humidifier as an additional feature
What I Dislike
- It is quite expensive.
Key Features
- Advanced Dual Heating System
- Tip-over protection and Overheat protection
- Built-in ultrasonic humidifier
- Up to 12-hour programmable timer
- Certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) USA and Canada
- Can be operated as a fan with or without humidifier being on
Parameters
| Dimensions | 13 x 11 x 16 inches |
| Wattage | 1,500 watts |
| Weight | 23 lbs |
| Safety Features | ✓ |
My Rating 5/5
As you can see, this model has a lot to offer with no real disadvantages. If money’s no object to you, this is the product I would recommend the most. In my opinion, it’s the best room heater available right now.
2) Lasko Electric Tower Heater
Great Design
In my opinion, the Lasko electric tower heater is one of the best portable heaters to consider, and that is why it is so high up on my list.
This space heater features specially designed heat channels that blend air with heat to deliver a quick, uniform and long-range heat projection. It also features a sleek design that fits well into existing decoration at home, which I find rather important – no one wants the eyesore that is an ugly heater in a well-balanced space, even if it’s small. The fact that this model is a tower helps with accommodating it in limited space as well, which is also a plus.
Lasko electric heater is designed with a multi-function remote with onboard storage that gives you convenience while keeping your space warm and comfortable.
Easy Control and Automatic Thermostat
This small space heater is easy to control as it comes with a digital display with simple touch controls that offer high and low settings, an 8 hours timer and an automatic thermostat. The automatic thermostat allows the unit to run independent of you, shuffling through different heat levels to compensate for the needs of your environs.
Safety Features
Enhanced safety features for this space heater include no visible heating element, a safe-to-touch surface, and an automatic shut-off and tip-over safety switch – all of which worked flawlessly during my tests. Therefore, you can rest assured that no fire is starting up in your home anytime soon.
Easy Maintenance
The permanent rear filter with the EZclick system helps to keep the heater free of debris while the heat channels can be wiped clean easily. It, however, boils down to you to ensure that you carry out maintenance as at when due.
Thermal Protection
This space heater comes with a thermal overload protector that is built to prevent overheating. The heater will automatically shut off as soon as the temperature begins to spike to unsafe levels. This keeps you safe, as well as prevents the heater from getting damaged too.
What I Like
- Enhanced safety features including safe to touch surface, automatic shutoff, and thermal protector
- Has special and exclusive heat channels
- Features 2 hearing settings, plus auto thermostat mode, timer function, and oscillation
- Comes with an EZclick filter that is an easy-to vacuum and thus extends the life of the heater
- The widespread oscillation that distributes heat around the desired place
What I Dislike
- This Heater should not be used in wet or damp locations.
Key Features
- Enhanced safety features
- Tower fan design
- Digital display with touch controls
- Filter with EZClick System
- 8 hours timer and an automatic thermostat
Parameters
| Dimensions | 37 x 9 x 12 inches |
| Wattage | 1,500 watts |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs |
| Safety Features | ✓ |
My Rating 4,5/5
This model deserves a second place for its foolproof safety features, smooth design and additional enhancements like the EZclick system. Worth the investment if you’re looking for something quality and easy to run.
3) Pelonis Oil Filled Radiator Heater
Awesome Design
After using this product for a month, I can confidently say that the Pelonis oil-filled radiator heater provides the most efficient and cost-effective electrical heating solution for long-term usage. It is perfect for medium to large rooms, providing the constant temperature needed. I’ve tested it in my 400 sq ft bedroom, and it performed terrific, warming the whole space in a matter of 4 hours.
This radiator heater has constant temperature conduction oil. This conduction oil possesses a temperature equalling to 350°C (662°F) distillation temperature, with a high boiling point, good heat transfer effect and high fluidity that keeps the oil circuit smooth.
Safety Functions
Talking about safe compact space heaters, Pelonis oil-filled radiator is one of the products that come to my mind. Its safety features include overheating protection, which automatically powers off in case of excessive temperature. It can be used by the elderly and around children.
It also has a tip-over built-in switch that will power off the heater automatically if it falls, preventing dangerous occurrences. Other features include flame-resistant material and a power indicator light.
The only thing I didn’t like is the timer function with settings for 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 hours, not the whole 24 hours. If you want to wake up to a warm kitchen or living room, you must remember to program it the night before, which can be a bummer if you’re forgetful like me.
What I Like
- Three heating modes and five temperature settings for efficient heating
- User-friendly features such as LED display, digital thermostat, 10 hours timer and a remote control
- Quiet Operation without fan noise
- Four swivel caster wheels and a sturdy carrying handle for portability
- One-year warranty
What I Dislike
- The remote is very small and easy to misplace.
- Lack of 24 hours clock setting on the timer
Key Features
- Three heating modes and five temperature settings
- LCD screen
- Programmable thermostat
- 10-hour Timer
- 4- swivel Caster Wheels capable of 360°rotation
- Overheating protection
Parameters
| Dimensions | 14 x 11 x 25 inches |
| Wattage | 1,500 watts |
| Weight | 16.1 lbs |
| Safety Features | ✓ |
My Rating 4,5/5
A solid option if you’re in the market for a reliable small portable heater in a reasonable price range.
4) Aikoper Portable Electric Oscillating Heater with Adjustable Thermostat
Efficiency and Effectiveness
Aikoper portable electric space heater is highly effective with a maximum 1500w power and two heat settings, providing efficient heat into every part of the room where warmth is needed. Temperature is also adjustable by 1°F interval allowing one to customize the temperature of preference, which I think might be a little excessive, as this precision is hardly ever needed.
This ceramic space heater warms the air around by creating a mild current of heat. It heats up rapidly with ceramic heating technology. I found it pleasant to use this heater, as it works effortlessly, warming the space really fast. I tested it in a 400 sq ft room and a 450 sq ft room, both of which it managed to keep warm. It’s also lightweight and compact.
ECO Setting
This compact space heater comes with an ECO setting that turns the heater on/off automatically by comparing the room temperature with the programmed temperature. This can help you optimize energy consumption and save costs on electric bills. I know I appreciate any device that takes this responsibility off the user’s back.
Safety Functions
This tower heater is designed with an automatic shut-off that provides reliable overheat and tip-over protection. This is perfectly safe for use in homes with kids or pets who might knock down the heater. It also has an 8 hours timer that ensures just the right time duration for warm comfort and peace of mind.
What I Like
- Overheat and tip-over protection
- High heating efficiency with a 1500 maximum power and ceramic heating element
- Remote control function for easy and comfortable usage
- Portable and easy to move with a built-in carry handle
- Also has an adjustable thermostat and a children’s lock function
What I Dislike
- Might over the load power supply and trip circuit breaker
Key Features
- 2 heat settings
- Ceramic heating technology
- High-Low-ECO mode
- Tip-over and overheat protection
- 8-hour timer
- Remote control
- A built-in carry handle
Parameters
| Dimensions | 24 x 8 x 8 inches |
| Wattage | 1,500 watts |
| Weight | 6.39 lbs |
| Safety Features | ✓ |
My Rating 4/5
Overall, a great model with standard features. The ceramic heating system is the most significant advantage for me, and it will be a decent heater if you’re interested in something easy to run and energy-efficient.
5) Pelonis PHTPU1501 Ceramic Tower 1500W Indoor Space Heater with Oscillation
Great Design
This durable and effective space heater delivers instant and directional warmth. In my opinion, it is the most ideal for small to medium rooms, as it didn’t do much in my open space floor plan downstairs. Pelonis ceramic tower space heater has an innovative and ultra-wide PTC energy-saving heating element that can give out heat in large areas.
These ceramic heaters are typically the most effective type of electric resistance radiant heaters. This model rapidly heats up to 70°F in 3 seconds with a reliable ceramic heating technology, offering a steady, comfortable temperature.
Programmable Thermostat
This tower heater comes with 3 heating options (high, low, and ECO mode) to achieve customized temperature settings with maximized efficiency and warmth. Running in the ECO mode automatically enhances energy-saving by regulating temperature with respect to your ambient temperature.
Ease of Usage
This tower heater is really easy to use with an awesome design and features such as 8 hours timer, remote control, oscillation, and a carry handle. All this makes this model easy to use and perfect for the bedroom, living room, and office. I’ve used the remote control anytime I had the chance to, and I always appreciate this touch, as getting up from the couch or bed to change the settings is annoying.
What I Like
- Rapidly heats to 70°F in 3 seconds with reliable ceramic heating technology
- The electric space heater is easy to move
- 3 heating options to achieve the desired temperature with maximum efficiency
- Easy to control digital control panel
- Safety features such as tip-over switch protection, 8 hours programmable timer with oscillation and overheat protection.
What I Dislike
- No option to choose celsius
- The display is located on top of the unit making it difficult to read
Key Features
- Ceramic heating technology
- Overheating & tip-over switch protection
- High, Low, ECO mode
- Remote control
- 8-hours timer
Parameters
| Dimensions | 7 x 7 x 23 inches |
| Wattage | 1,500 watts |
| Weight | 5.99 lbs |
| Safety Features | ✓ |
My Rating 4/5
The Pelonis PHTPU1501 Ceramic Tower model closes my list as a still pretty great option. It heats up quickly and is very easy to operate, but I would suggest it for smaller spaces. For this price, it’s a fantastic product.
Are small space heaters enough to heat up a room?
A very important thing you should know is that most small space heaters are very efficient in heating up moderately sized rooms. In fact, when considering the best room heater for single rooms, I highly recommend a small space heater due to its all-around qualities and service capacity with low power consumption.
Small space heaters can effectively produce about 5,100 BTU per hour, which is efficient in heating up any room in the home or office.
Do small space heaters have any advantage over regular-sized heaters?
The two main types of heater are the central heater and the space heater. Space heaters are small and designed to heat specific rooms and not the whole house hereby, concentrating heat to where warmth is needed in the house and saving energy and cost on electric bills.
While the central heater is designed to produce heat for an entire house/building, small space heaters are mostly portable and moveable, while central heaters are stationary. Space heaters may lack heat transfer ducts, but they can run on the same energy sources as central heaters, making them as effective but in smaller areas.
So for someone who only needs to warm up one or two rooms in the home, a portable space is an ideal choice.
Are small space heaters cheaper to run?
A small space heater saves energy and cost compared to other heaters, so they might be quite cheaper to run than other heaters. However, the extent of how cheap they are depends on the make of the heater itself. Products with features like EnergyStar rated, for example, would consume lesser energy than an equivalent capacity without such rating.
Factors to Consider When Buying the Safest Space Heater
When considering the safest small space heater, some basic questions come to mind, such as; how safe is this space heater? Is this space heater going to serve my room adequately? To answer these questions, there are essential features to consider before purchasing a small space heater. These features include;
Type of Heater
The type of space heater unit that will work best for your home or office is the first feature to consider when planning to buy a space heater. There are basically three heating technologies under which every space heater falls: radiant, convection, and fan-forced.
Convection heaters provide even, whole-room heating, while radiant heaters deliver rapid, spot heating in small spaces. The fan-forced heater uses an internal fan that blows across a heating element. Selecting the best type of heater that suits your home is needed to ensure efficient and satisfactory performance.
Heating Capacity
The heating capacity of heaters varies. Some can heat up only small rooms, while others can range from medium to large rooms. So considering the size of the room to be heated and the capacity of the heater needed to serve your room specifically for optimal price matching its performance.
Energy-Efficiency
To prevent your electric bills from skyrocketing and becoming a burden, it’s important to look out for efficient and low-energy-consuming space heaters. In this regard, features to look out for include energy Saving modes, an adjustable thermostat, low wattage and a programmable timer. These functions aid in minimizing power usage and contribute to an overall economic operation.
Safety Features
Safety is another crucial factor to consider in a heater because some small space heaters can sometimes lead to a fire outbreak and other hazards when you leave them unattended. Safety features to look out for in a small space heater include; overheat and tip-over protection, cool-to-the-touch surface, and children’s lock function – these are must-haves in safe space heaters.
Noise Level
Everyone loves a quiet and peaceful environment, so having a noisy space heater in the home or even office can be very disturbing. Most small heaters are quiet with low noise levels, but considering the noise level of a small space heater is still necessary.
Final Verdict: Safest Small Space Heater
Having reviewed the best and safest small space heater for you, I recommend Dr infrared heater portable space heater, as it is an effective and efficient compact space heater, capable of heating large rooms/ space areas, easy to use, and has standard safety features, among other features.
PELONIS PHTPU1501 ceramic space heater is an excellent choice to make too. It has an innovative and ultra-wide PTC energy-saving heating element that can give out heat in large areas, and it heats a room in as fast as 3 seconds with reliable ceramic heating technology.
I would recommend any model from this list, as they all come with many advantages and fantastic enhancements. In tests, all of them performed as expected; no red flags here. You can pick any of the models from this list and consider it the safest space heater, as they all have reliable safety features.
The final decision will come down to what extra features you wish to have in your small space heater.