With global warming continually affecting the climate, it is hard to predict when the temperatures drop or rise. Instead of suffering through bone-freezing winters or superiorly hot days, you can always get yourself a space heater. Some of these heaters can be used in summer because they have a fan you can employ independently. It is vital that the heater you select be robust and the safest space heater you can find; otherwise, you might end up with a faulty heater when you really need it.
To save you the trouble of scouring through the thousands of heater models available in the marketplace, we have selected 5 models with the Vornado AVH10 Vortex Heater as our top pick that are more than efficient in providing good value for money. Further down is a buying guide that indicates some considerations you need to make like, the heater’s output, safety features, and additional features like timers. By the time you are done reading the review, selecting the safest space heater should be a breeze.
Safety featured: tip-over protection; cool-touch exterior; auto shut-off; auto climate control
The Vornado AVH10 Vortex Heater is an excellent choice, especially for those with little space to spare. This small model heats small-medium sized spaces using vortex air circulation, which does not use up a lot of energy.
This model has two heat settings (750W/1500W) and an intelligent thermostat that measures the surrounding temperatures to make adjustments and maintain preferred user temperatures. The heater will shut off automatically when the set temperature is attained.
Even when the heater is accidentally knocked over, your surfaces will not get burnt because this model has a tip-over switch. The heater’s surface is cool to touch; hence no accidental burns will not be a problem. It has a comfortable handle, and it offers cable storage for ease of use.
This 4.8lb model is suitable for year-round use because the fan function can be used independently. The manufacturer offers a 5-year warranty for this space heater which will ease any worries you have over the product’s quality.
Safety featured: auto-off timer; cool-touch housing; overheat protection; self-regulating ceramic element
Another splendid product from Lasko is the Lasko 755320 Ceramic Space Heater that uses a convection heating system to disperse heat. The simple-looking heater has a maximum energy output of 1500W, and it offers two heat settings to work with. There is an additional automatic setting that permits the heater to adjust the temperature to the surrounding.
The 7.3lb model relies on a ceramic heating element and oscillation to ensure heat reaches all corners of the room. This heater, just like the rest, comes with an adjustable thermostat for heat control. You can adjust the temperature using the display or the remote control provided.
Additionally, this model comes with a timer set to run at a specific time of your choosing. The timer is easy to program, but it is good to note that it is not a 24/7 timer; hence you are restricted to eight hours. The heater features overheat protection and a cool-to-touch exterior for safety.
There is no assembly required; the heater comes ready to use straight out of the box; you just need to plug it in. It has a three-year warranty hence you are guaranteed that the quality is dependable.
Safety featured: cool-touch exterior; GFI plug; self-regulating ceramic element; overheat protection; tip-over safety protection
The Lasko CA20100 Ultra Ceramic Fireplace Heater is perfect if you are looking for a heater that provides visuals. This small black model features a space-saving design that is suitable for those with less space to spare. The 12lb heater is fitted with a handle to allow easy portability.
When you purchase this 1500W heater, you can expect to find three heat settings of which one of the settings allows you to access the display feature but produce no heat. This easy-to-use heater relies on a durable ceramic heating feature to give the required heat.
The heater is safe to use because it possesses a cool-to-touch exterior and 6ft cord with a GFI plug. It also has a tip-over switch and overheat protection to avoid any electrical mishaps. There is no assembly required; the heater comes out of the box, ready for use. It has a 3-year warranty; thus, contact the supplier in case any product flaws surface.
Safety featured: GFI plug; IP21 protection against water drips; immersion protection; 24-hour programmable timer; anti-freeze setting
Next, we have the De’Longhi HVF3555TB Bathroom Safe Fan Heater with a simple design, but it works great. The model is suitable for areas with high moisture content like bathrooms and kitchens because it possesses a waterproof rating of IP21. It has a power output of 1500W, and it is fitted with a GFI plug for safety.
With a 24-hour timer and three heat settings, you can select what time you want the heater to run and the intensity of the heat produced. The heat is distributed using a foot pedal-controlled oscillation. This space heater is suitable for rooms up to 150ft2, and it weighs 4.2lbs, so it is easy to move around with it. The manufacturer installed a comfortable handle and cord wrap to facilitate practical storage and transportation.
Worry less about high electric bills because this heater has an accurate thermostat. Once it reaches the set temperatures, the thermostat cools to prevent producing more heat than necessary. You have the option to use the fan independent of the heating element to keep cool on hot sunny days.
A 3-year warranty backs this heater that features immersion protection and an anti-freeze setting.
Safety featured: no exposed heating elements; no fast-spinning blades; tip-over protection and automatic shut off; intelligent thermostat
The Dyson Hot + Cool Jet Focus AM09 Fan Heater can be used year-round because it provides a heat and cooling system with a patented Air Multiplier technology. The same fan responsible for distributing heat in the room can be utilized independently without the heating element to disperse cool air.
This 5.9-pound model is durable, and it has a cool exterior that only gets warm instead of hot to avoid burns. It is fitted with an accurate, intelligent thermostat that keeps track of the surrounding environment’s temperature. You can adjust the temperature you want between zero and 37 degrees Celsius.
The heater possesses an easy-to-use control panel, but the manufacturer provides a remote control for faster accessibility. Once the heater attains the set temperature, it will automatically shut off to save energy. Your property is safe from fires as the model has tip-over protection.
This I500W looks good in its black and nickel color that easily blends into the décor. You can set when you want the heater to run by programming the timer available. This heater is accompanied by a 2-year warranty that shows the manufacturer is confident in the heater’s abilities.
Long gone are the days we used to rely solely on fireplaces and fire pits for warmth. Now you can enjoy heating your space without worrying about your house going ablaze or burning your fingers.
Purchasing a reliable space heater is not rocket science if you know what you are looking for. There are thousands of heaters in the market, but only a few are suitable for your space and working budget. Since you are shopping for the safest electric space heater, we have assembled this guide to help you understand the features available and other characteristics to consider.
Because we are dealing with items that produce heat, safety features are of the utmost importance. You want a heater that you can use without worrying that it will combust spontaneously if left plugged in. Furthermore, if you have pets or children running around, you want to ensure you don’t end up in the ER for causes that could have been prevented.
Heaters produced nowadays come with several safety features to lessen the anxiety around using heaters at home; these safety features will vary from model to model, but they usually include the following.
While there are heaters in the market whose surfaces still run hot when they have been plugged in for hours, many models are adopting cool-to-touch housing. A surface that remains cool even when the heater has been on for hours is safe for use. You will not have to deal with accidental burns or a scorched carpet/floor. If you have curious children or pets around, selecting a model with a surface that doesn’t get hot is necessary.
Another crucial safety feature is the overheat protection that prevents the heater from continuously heating even when it has attained the required temperature. A model lacking this feature should be watched closely to avoid accidents. However, most manufacturers are adhering to industry standards, so it is rare to find a heater that lacks overheat protection.
Knocking a heater over is a normal occurrence since we can all be a bit clumsy. The issue arises if you knock the heater down and it continues dispensing heat. If the heater fell on its face, the heat produced has nowhere to go; hence it will burn the surface.
To avoid any fires when the heater is knocked over, select a model with tip-over protection. This feature ensures the heater goes off when it gets knocked over; therefore, no heat is produced.
The automatic shut-off is another indispensable feature when it comes to heaters. Once your preferred temperature is attained, the safest electric space heater will shut off more heat production to prevent electrical fires. Not all heaters come with this feature, so be sure to confirm if the prospective model has one; it is a must-have for you.
Apart from safety features, heaters possess other features that you should pay attention to. After all, you cannot enjoy the safety features alone because the heater has to function optimally regarding heat production.
So, what are these other features to consider and how do they affect the heater’s functionality? You might be thinking they are complex features, but in reality, they are not. We will answer your queries in the section below; and, without wasting any more time, let us dive in:
There are two types of space heaters that we will cover in this review, and those are oil-filled space heaters and those that rely on fans.
Oil-filled space heaters are convenient when you need high amounts of heat dispersed continuously. The oil absorbs the heat and continues distributing it, even when the heater is switched off. These models operate relatively silent, and they are not prone to electrical faults. However, they take some time to heat up compared to the fan-relying models.
Fan-based heaters need the fan to move at high speeds to disperse the heat produced. They are relatively affordable, portable and they take a short time to heat a space. Unlike the oil-filled heaters, these models quit dispersing heat the minute they are unplugged.
Both these types of heaters will possess a heating element, whether made of ceramic, mica, or natural gas. The quality of the heating element matters to facilitate long-term durability, hence, select wisely.
Some heaters feature a timer, and some don’t; it all depends on your requirements. Heaters with timers are convenient when you want the heater to run at a specific time without manually turning it off or on. Models with 24/7 timers are preferable because they do not limit the time you can set to have the machine running.
The safest, most efficient space heaters have a controllable thermostat. A thermostat is essential in raising and maintaining the user’s preferred temperature. A controlled thermostat gives you room to set the temperature to a specific digit, but some models only work with pre-set temperatures according to the available heat settings. Regardless of the type of thermostat you use, make sure that it is accurate and functions optimally.
Even the safest small space heater will feature well-placed controls that are easy to use. The controls should be located in an area that doesn’t force the user to stoop low to reach them. If the controls are too low, there should be a remote control to save you the frustration of moving up and down just to set the right temperature.
The controls should be well illustrated and of good quality so that you can enjoy a long service life.
The larger the heater, the more likely it will be heavy. Small-sized heaters are not bulky; in fact, their size makes them easily portable. You can carry them to the office or camping with no problems as they come with handles.
Larger models need more energy to move, but some manufacturers fit wheels to make moving the heater from room to room possible.
A warranty is essential, specifically if it is your first time purchasing a heater. Most heaters come with 2- to 5-year warranties that guarantee that the product is worthwhile. The manufacturer can solve any issues that stem from production flaws if the warranty is still valid.
There are many worthy space heaters in the market, and we were lucky to come across some of the safest space heaters on offer. Before you select your preferred model, here is a quick summary of our best performing models:
The Vornado AVH10 Vortex Heater is suitable for those who have small spaces to heat or need a portable model they can carry around. Lasko 755320 relies on a ceramic heating element and oscillation to ensure heat reaches all corners of the room. The Lasko CA20100 Ultra Ceramic Fireplace Heater is perfect if you are looking for a heater that provides visuals. This small black model features a space-saving design that is suitable for those with less space to spare.
We hope that this review has been helpful in your search for the safest space heater. Let us know in the comment section how the heater you chose worked out.