Are you looking for an energy efficient space heater? You’ll need thorough market research to find your best option, or else you’ll be lost among the various options. I’ll help you find your match by reviewing the top market picks!
Energy-efficient space heaters are much cheaper to own than central heating systems. Not to mention, they’re designed to keep your money in your pocket.
To make the right choice, there are a lot of things to consider. But first, you’ll want to see the top market picks reviewed, and that’s what I’m here for.
The Verdict – Our Top Pick
If you’re in a hurry, our top pick for energy-efficient space heaters is the Dr. Infrared Portable Space Heater.
Thanks to infrared technology, the heater works efficiently and quickly. And, it comes with all the necessary safety features, so you can use it around children and pets without fear.
The remote controller enables you to adjust its settings without moving an inch, and it’s relatively easy to use.
If the Dr Infrared is out of your budget, you may want to take a look at the Lasko Designer Series Ceramic Space Heater. It has an oscillating heating system that heats an entire room in a few minutes.
Besides, the heater fits in small spaces, and it has all the features you may need. It doesn’t have a tip-over protection system, though, so you need to think twice before getting it if you have children.
The Best Energy Efficient Space Heaters on the Market
Your space heater needs to be safe, efficient, and reliable. With these considerations in mind, I rounded up the best options on the market.
Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater – Best Overall
The Dr Infrared heater is both affordable and highly efficient. It’s among the rare space heaters on the market that use infrared technology for heating, and its heat distribution is incredibly fast.
While most heaters on the market only heat the air around them, this infrared heater distributes its heat on the room’s objects. As a result, it produces uniform heat that lasts for a while. It won’t escape if you leave the room’s door open.
The heater’s convenience doesn’t stop here; it comes with plenty of features to brag about. For starters, it comes fully equipped with an overhead guard that ensures no unfortunate accidents occur.
Paired with the tip-over protection system, they ensure the heater’s surroundings remain safe, even if someone knocks it over. There are also no exposed heating materials, which provides further safety for children around.
The infrared technology doesn’t only heat effectively and fast, but it also retains the moisture in the air. Meaning, your room’s air won’t get dry when heated. This feature is particularly useful for users with dry skins and those who suffer from asthma.
I’ve hated heaters for so long because of the dry air they cause. So I’m telling you, this feature is godsent.
The heater arrives with an IR remote controller that enables you to manage its settings from afar. You’ll be able to turn on the automatic energy-saving mode to keep the consumption at bay. And, there’s an automatic shut-off feature you can also manage through the remote controller.
The Dr heater has a built-in thermostat with a 50–86 Fahrenheit degree range. You can accurately set the temperature at your preferred degree, thereby preventing energy waste.
Lastly, if you’re worried about the noise, you can rest assured. The heater’s noise level doesn’t exceed 39 dB—this is almost like humming or whispering.
Pros
- Safety features included
- No noise produced
- Moderate price compared to competitors
Cons
- Some users reported the thermostat isn’t accurate.
Lasko Designer Series Ceramic Space Heater – Best Budget Option
Everything about the Lasko Designer heater is special, starting from its unconventional design and up to its incredibly affordable price. If you’re on a tight budget, this may be the one for you.
The Lasko has a ceramic oscillating heating system. Meaning, it rotates around itself as it produces heat, distributing it all over the room.
The oscillation system has many advantages, but the most prominent one is its efficiency in wide spaces. People generally fear using space heaters in large rooms because of their limited output. With the Lasko, you won’t have this problem.
Aside from the smart design, the Lasko heater comes with three temperature settings: low, high, and automatic. There’s also one more mode you can use if you’re about to sleep: timer mode.
You can program the timer from one hour and up to seven hours. If you prefer, you can also set it in intervals of 60 minutes. The heater will automatically switch off when the programmed time ends, so you don’t have to worry about safety.
Furthermore, the Lasko has a built-in thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature from 60–85 degrees Fahrenheit. This way, you can control the temperature accurately without wasting energy.
As for safety features, there’s an automatic shut-off system that stops the heater from operating in the case of overheating. Unfortunately, there isn’t a tip-over shut-off system.
It’s a bit justified, considering the Lasko’s low price. However, this means you shouldn’t let kids near it and try to keep it in a place where it can’t be knocked over.
The Lasko heater’s controls lie on the top of it. If you don’t want to get up from your place to adjust the settings, you can always use the remote controller that comes with it.
Pros
- Overheat protection included for safety purposes
- Budget-friendly price without compromising quality
- Remote controller included in the purchase
Cons
- Not suitable for large rooms because of its low range
Stiebel Eltron 074057 Heater – Best Wall-Mounted Design
If you prefer your space heater wall-mounted, you’ll hardly find a better option than the Stiebel Eltron. It has a slim, sleek look and a compact design, making it an ideal choice for small houses.
Despite its small size, the Stiebel Eltron is highly efficient and fast-acting. Its position on the wall enables it to generate air in a downward motion. As a result, the floor gets warm, and the heat gets distributed evenly.
Not to mention, the room gets heated much faster than conventional space heaters.
Siebel Eltron equipped their compact heater with all the features you could find in a fully-fledged one. It comes bearing a timer, a built-in thermostat, and a frost protection system.
The thermostat gives you a range of 41–86 degrees Fahrenheit. This way, you can choose the most energy-efficient setting and use it. Other heaters will only give you two or three heating options, and you’ll waste a lot of unnecessary energy.
As for the timer, it enables you to keep the heat output at maximum for up to an hour. When it goes off, the heater returns to the thermostat setting automatically.
The Stiebel has a noise level of 49 dB, which is a bit noisier than the Dr Infrared Heater. Nevertheless, it’s still quiet enough not to bother you. To give you perspective, that’s about as loud as a regular conversation in the house.
The heater comes in a sleek white color that’ll blend seamlessly against your walls. No matter what your wall’s color is, the Stiebel will match it, and that’s what I love the most about it.
Moreover, the Stiebel has a convenient on/off switch on its side. I would’ve preferred a remote controller, but the array of useful features make up for it.
When the switch is on ‘off,’ the frost protection system automatically turns on.
Pros
- Compact, wall-mounted design to fit anywhere
- Downdraft heating to ensure optimal heat distribution
- Frost protection system included
Cons
- No remote controller included
Lasko FH500 Fan & Space Heater Combo Tower – Best for Tight Spaces
If you don’t have enough room for a space heater, Lasko has got your back. The FH500 tower heater is slim to fit anywhere and long to distribute heat efficiently. It’s one of the best energy-efficient space heaters you can get your hands on for tight spaces.
The ceramic heater comes with two operating options: oscillation and direct heat. If you want to heat the entire room, the oscillating system will distribute heat evenly and quickly.
On the other hand, if you want to heat one spot only or direct the heat towards your sitting position, you can use the heater without the oscillating fan.
The heater has three speeds, and the fan has four speeds you can choose from. In the summer, the fan will keep the air circulated to help you overcome the heat outside.
I’d say it’s an ideal option if you don’t have enough room for a separate heater and fan—especially considering its low price.
The Lasko heater is safe to use around children and pets. It stays cool to the touch, even when the heat is at its maximum. Plus, there’s a tip-over shut-off system that protects your floors, rugs, and different surfaces from burning if someone knocks the heater over.
The Lasko is convenient in so many ways. It’s easy to assemble without needing help, and it’s lightweight, so anyone can carry it. Even better, it comes with a handle to make carrying it easier.
On top of that, the heater comes fully equipped with an adjustable digital thermostat. Not only that but there’s also a programmable timer and a remote controller.
You can adjust the timer for up to eight hours, and the heater will shut off automatically after the time ends.
Pros
- Budget-friendly price
- The filter is easy to clean for your convenience
- Space heater and fan in one to save room
Cons
- Some users complained about the remote’s limited range.
De’Longhi Mica Thermic Panel Heater – Best Convenient Design
If you’re looking for convenience, the De’Longhi Mica is hard to match. You can keep it on the floor or wall-mount it if you don’t have enough space. On top of that, it has a pair of wheels for easier transportation and two handles for easy carrying.
The De’Longhi is compact and thin, so it won’t take up a large space on your wall or floor. Additionally, it’s lightweight, so anyone can move it.
It comes with a couple of safety features for children and pets. There’s an overheat shut-off feature that immediately switches it off when it’s about to overheat. In addition to that, there’s a tip-over protection system that shuts off the heater when someone knocks it over.
For saving energy, the heater comes with a built-in thermostat that offers two power settings. The high one is at 1500 watts, while the low one is at 750 watts. On the high setting, the De’Longhi can heat an entire room up to 300 square feet.
One of the best things about the heater is its low noise level. It contains no fan, so it’s pretty quiet while operating, making it suitable for bedrooms.
Some users reported the heater produces an odd smell at first. You can easily get rid of it by running the heater for an hour with a fan in the room. This way, the fan will disperse the odd-smelling air, and all the residue will be burnt off.
All space heaters produce that smell at first, so I don’t count it as a downside.
Pros
- Versatile design with wheels and two handles
- Lightweight and easy to move around
- Safety features included
- Affordable price compared to competitors
Cons
- Some users complained it overheats on the high setting.
Buying Guide: Things to Consider Before Buying
Buying a space heater seems easy from afar. But once you get to it, you’ll find various features to consider.
Which size should I get? Is the timer important? Why does my heater have a thermostat?
These, along with many other questions, will flood your mind, and you’ll need to get answers if you want to get a reliable space heater.
Luckily for you, I rounded up the essential features to consider here. When choosing your heater, keep them in mind, and you’ll hopefully make the right choice.
Space
The power output and size of your space heater should match your room size. This way, you ensure you’re getting an efficient heater, and no energy is lost in the process.
To come up with the power output you need, you can do some simple calculations. For starters, measure both the width and length of your room. Then, multiply them together to get the area.
Afterward, multiply the area by 10; the resulting number is the number of watts you need to heat the space.
Regarding the size, you first need to decide where you’ll put the heater. If you don’t have any free space to put it, you might as well consider a wall-mounted heater. On the other hand, if you intend to put it on the floor, you need to think of its design.
If the space is tight, you can get a tower heater. It won’t take up much space, and its height will enable it to spread heat effectively.
If you have enough space, you can get a regular space heater with any shape you prefer. Lastly, if you’re going to place it on a counter or a table, you need it to be small enough to fit.
All in all, remember to consider the heater’s surroundings and their safety. Any heater, even if it has enough safety features, can pose a burning risk if it’s put beside a curtain.
Safety Features
Any device that heats up poses a fire risk. That’s why you need to give some thought to the safety features before buying.
The safest space heaters come with automatic tip-over shut-off systems. That way, they turn off immediately when a pet or a child knocks them over.
They also come with overheat protection, which prevents the cord from melting if the heater gets too hot. Plus, it protects the surrounding objects if you happen to forget the heater on for long.
Thermostat
Energy-efficient space heaters have thermostats that monitor the room’s temperature, then adjust their temperature accordingly. This way, they don’t produce high heat for nothing. You get exactly what your room needs.
Digital thermostats also allow you to choose the temperature from a wide range, so you don’t settle for a temperature that’s too hot for your room.
On top of that, thermostats turn your heater off when they reach a specific temperature to avoid overheating. Generally, heaters with built-in digital thermostats are much more energy and cost-efficient than ones that don’t.
Wrap Up
All heating devices typically spend a lot of energy. However, choosing the right space heater will reduce the costs a bit.
Energy-efficient space heaters don’t work any less than regular ones, but they give you the option of choosing the right temperature for your room. This way, you don’t turn the heater on a high setting and get the energy wasted.
With the guidelines I rounded up above, I hope you can choose the best space heater for your house!