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The 9 best space heaters for your home and office in 2022

Conquer the cold weather season with these useful, portable hot boxes.

best space heaters
Courtesy of Retailer
best space heaters
SOURCE: Courtesy of Retailer
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The 9 best space heaters for your home and office in 2022

Conquer the cold weather season with these useful, portable hot boxes.

WE ALL love the initial blast of cold weather that comes with fall and winter. The crisp, cool air and occasional snow showers make tailgating and long outdoor runs that much more enjoyable. But when we step into our homes it's nice to leave said weather outside—especially considering the fact we know much more frigid temperatures are coming soon.

When cold weather strikes, consider turning to a space heater. Portable, mighty and wonderfully efficient at circulating warm air, the best space heaters are your ticket to making fall and winter weather 10 times more bearable. Need some extra warmth on your toes while ? Space heater. Want to bring up your living room temperature to make the perfect movie night? Space heater. Looking to warm up the garage so you can tinker in it year-round? You guessed it: space heater. The home appliance is even good at preventing those painful short-term freeze-ups you get as your waddle from your shower to your dresser drawer.

Below you'll find space heaters of all walks of life, from compact models suitable for use in a bathroom to ones that are powerful enough to heat a large, spacious room. But regardless of all the different varieties, the one common theme you'll find is they all deliver toasty warm air in a safe and efficient manner. So, rather than cranking up the thermostat (and your heating bill this), look to these nine best space heaters for your home or office.

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Vornado
Best Overall Space Heater

AVH10 Vortex Heater

amazon.com
$106.19

You can't go wrong with any of Vornado's space heaters, however, the AVH10 takes the cake as their best performer. We love its compact size and ability to circulate warm air throughout an entire room. It's also simple to use, as you can either set your preferred temp on the adjustable thermostat or switch on "Auto-Climate Control" to automagically maintain a balanced room temp. Lastly, the AVH10 has a safe design that helps prevent accidental tipping and a cool-touch cabinet to eliminate the chances of you burning your hands on hot metal.

At around $100 (with free returns through Amazon), it's also priced right—not the cheapest, nor the most expensive space heater in our roundup. With more than 4,000 overwhelmingly positive ratings—including over 3,000 five-star ratings—it's no surprise that this is an Amazon's Choice pick. It's also our choice for the best overall space heater to buy this winter.

What do buyers say? "The space heater is very easy to use right out of the box. It takes one minute to start using it after you open the package. It has a lot of interesting features, and yet it looks very simple," said one Amazon reviewer.

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andily
Best Value Space Heater

Electric Space Heater

amazon.com
$26.99

If you want a dead-simple, functional space heater that just gets the job done, this model from andily is a solid bang-for-your-buck option. It has a turn knob for three heat modes (750W, 1000W, and 1500W), with enough power to heat any room up to around 250 square feet on high. Plus, we love the peace of mind of the built-in tip-protection switch that cuts off the heater if it's ever accidentally bumped or knocked over (a must-have feature in homes with pets or small children ... or clumsy adults).

It's among the best-reviewed compact space heaters we've seen this year with more than 30,000 mostly positive ratings on Amazon alone. We especially dig that it's priced at less than $30, making this a great value too. If you're looking to heat a small bedroom or home office on the cheap, this is your man.

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Lasko
Best Bathroom Space Heater

Bathroom Space Heater

walmart.com
$41.99
$42.96

A space heater that's strategically placed in a bathroom can be an absolute life saver in cold months. We love this heater for a few reasons, namely it's specifically designed to be used in humid space like a bathroom. But also (1) because Lasko is a widely trusted brand that makes some of the best space heaters, and (2) because safety features like a sturdy design and a self-regulating overheat function gives us peace when positioned in a small area.

When you put this heater in your bathroom, make sure to keep it away from any kind of water. You can also crack your bathroom door to let cool air circulate in and avoid creating any gross and wet sauna-like environments. This Lasko space heater also has a safety plug that will shut off the device if it detects a short in the electricity current. We especially love that it's priced at under $50, making this a great value heater to boot.

What do buyers say? "It's small but powerful!!! Truly enjoying this little bathroom heater. Should've gotten it sooner," said one Walmart reviewer.

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Dyson
Best Splurge Space Heater

Pure Hot+Cool HP01 Purifying Heater & Fan

dyson.com
$499.99
$399.99

Almost anything branded is going to feel like a splurge, and this high-end combo unit is no exception. Not only is this product an oscillating air purifier but it also works as a space heater (2-in-1!). At around $500 (retail), it's a pretty penny, like most Dyson products. But if you can make the investment we guarantee this is a product that will last you for years and look beautiful in any space. Want to control where the heat is going? Use the remote control and switch on the jet focus mode to put a direct beam of heat out (instead of the default 70-degrees spread range of heat).

In addition to being one of the best space heaters of the year, the air purifying function also removes 99.97% of allergens and pollutants as small as 0.3 microns. That's nearly hospital-grade cleaning—a must-have feature in houses with pets and children, especially during the winter when you're likely to have all your windows closed for months at a time.

What do buyers say? "I love my Dyson heat/cool air purifier. I use mine in the bedroom, and no longer have dust on the furniture, between cleanings. In the cooler weather to take the chill from the room, I put it on heat, for a few minutes, and don’t have to turn up the furnace," said one Dyson.com reviewer.

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De'Longhi
Best Radiator-Style Space Heater

Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater

amazon.com
$149.95

A portable radiator space heater is great for those who want to heat an area for an extended period of time. This 1500-watt model from De'Longhi is incredibly quiet and offers toasty warmth that will extend out into a medium-sized space when needed. The basic control panel and rolling wheels also make this space heater extremely portable and simple easy to use. As far as safety goes, this tower has a child lock, low-surface temp thermal slots, and a cut-off switch to prevent overheating.

Like all of the space heaters in our roundup this year, this model is very well-reviewed (it's even an Amazon's Choice pick) with more than 800 mostly positive ratings on Amazon alone. On the downside, it is a little pricey at around $150. But, given the solid De'Longhi brand-name, long list of safety features, and excellent heat output, we think it's worth it for anyone who doesn't mind spending a little more.

What do buyers say? "Heats up fast, does not dry the air out. Heats a 14x16 room extremely well. Very happy with purchase," said one Amazon reviewer.

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Stadler Form
Most Stylish Space Heater

Anna 800-Watt Portable Electric Space Heater

wayfair.com
$129.99

Most space heaters are clunky, purely functional appliances that stick out like a sore thumb in an otherwise stylish room. Stalder Form bucks that trend with the simply named "Anna"—an electric space heater with an elegant, Euro-inspired design that looks great in any small room, office, or bathroom. It's only rated to 800W, so don't expect it to blast a ton of heat into a big space. However, it's powerful enough to be a great small- to medium-sized heater for short periods of time, and that's often all that's needed for most users.

At around $130, it's a bit pricey given its relatively meager power output. But, it is well-reviewed and Stadler Form has a history overseas as a solid brand name. If you're looking for a compact heater that balances decent capability with a dash of understated style, this is one of the most stylish space heaters we've seen this year.

What do buyers say? "This heater is amazing! It is so quiet and heats a room quickly!" said one Wayfair.com reviewer.

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Vornado
Best Under-Desk Space Heater

Glide Vortex Heater

amazon.com
$69.33
$52.61

Another great option from Vornado, the Glide Vortex Heater is perfect for small areas like placing near a reading chair in your living room or next to your feet at your WFH desk. We like the unique design that's a clear departure from most traditional space heaters. The black pod-like shell and four wooden legs feels decidedly retro-modern, so it'll look great in any room of your house. Plus it packs a mighty output of heat with 1500W—even more surprising given its compact footprint (about the size of a basketball).

Like many Vornado models, this space heater is well-reviewed, too, with more than 300 five-star ratings on Amazon alone. At less than $80, it's also well-priced for a small-yet-mighty model. On the downside, some reviewers note that the fan is louder than others on this list. But if whisper-quiet operation isn't as important to you (maybe you're planning to use in a bathroom or shed), we think it's a great value heater.

What do buyers say? "I absolutely love this little heater! The design is on point and so compact. The safety features are well thought out," said one Amazon reviewer.

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Mr. Heater
Best Portable Propane Space Heater

MH9BX Buddy Portable Propane Space Heater

amazon.com
$71.69

For the ultimate in portable heating, you need to cut the cord and go with a gas-powered option. This propane model from Mr. Heater has been a fan favorite for years for hunters, campers, and tailgaters alike. It boasts a solid, 9,000-BTU output—enough to heat up to 225 square feet in less than 20 minutes. That makes it the perfect option for sheds, tents, small RVs, and any other small space where electricity might be hard to come by or non-existent.

Despite the open flame, this is suitable for indoor use, assuming you take proper safety precautions. Several built-in safety features, including tip-over protection and a low-oxygen sensor help keep you safe—especially nice features when used around pets and small children. At around $70, it's arguably the best bang-for-your-buck propane-powered space heater on the market. And, with more than 23,000 overwhelmingly positive Amazon reviews, it's clear thousands of buyers agree.

What do buyers say?
Out of more than 23,000 Amazon reviews, 95% recommend the Mr. Heater MH9BX Buddy Portable Propane Space Heater with at least a 4-star rating.

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SunVilla
Best Outdoor Patio Space Heater

Stainless Steel Commercial Patio Heater

sunvilla.com
$499.99

We say a patio heater is a space heater, but not all space heaters are patio heaters. This stainless steel heat tower from Sunvilla packs a whopping 48,000 BTU's via a standard, 20-pound propane tank (not included). We found the initial set up of the heater to be a bit tricky. However, once it was up, it spread generous warmth in 360 degrees of a backyard patio space. You won't have to feel limited to being stuck in your house on chilly evenings with this commercial-grade space heater. We also love the sleek, modern design that looks great in any outdoor space.

The main downside with this model? Price. At roughly $500, it's a sizable investment. But, the ability to turn your patio space into a three-, even four-, season space is pretty sweet.

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best space heaters
Hearst Owned

Are Space Heaters Safe?

Contrary to what some might say, space heaters are safe if you use them properly and are smart about where to place them. Pretty much all modern space heaters—especially the best space heaters—have built-in safety features like auto cutoff switches if tipped over, and cooled grates to prevent anyone from putting their hand on hot metal and getting burned. Most space heaters also monitor their internal temperature and will shut off once a certain point is reached.

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The key to using a space heater safely is to make sure you're placing them on hard, flat, heat-resistant surfaces. For starters, don't place your space heater on a rug or carpet. Always find a wood, stone, or laminate floor to put it on.

Second, don't expose your heater to moisture (unless your model specifically says it's built for such an environment). If you're placing it in a bathroom, keep it away from a shower or bath and leave your bathroom door cracked to avoid over-steaming the space. Don't let your space heater sit outside either unless the owner's manual says you can (we recommend sticking to the two propane options above if you want to use a space heater outside).

Lastly, it's advised you don't use your space heater while you sleep. The only times when it's generally acceptable to do so is if your space heater's owner's manual specifically mentions it's safe to keep on while a person is sleeping.

Follow these rules and read your owner's manual thoroughly, and you'll find space heaters are safe and efficient to use.

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Hearst OwnedRetailer

How to Find the Best Space Heater

Even the best space heaters with tons of features are relatively simple appliances: turn a knob or flip a switch, and some internal element draws in electricity (or propane gas) and outputs it as heat. While the simplest space heaters do only this, the best models offer more user-friendly features, as well as built-in tech to keep you and your family safe. Here’s the low-down on everything to look for when shopping for the best space heater for you.

Safety Features

Space heaters can be dangerous—emphasis on can. That’s why, above all else—even more important than power output or price—is to make sure that any space heaters you’re shopping offer adequate safety features. At a minimum, your space heater should have tip-over protection that automatically turns the heater off if it is tipped beyond a certain point. It should also feature overheat protection to switch off if it generates too much heat. Both of these are critical features, especially in households with small children or curious pets.

Power Output

Most modern space heaters, including the majority in our roundup, offer at least 1,500 watts of output. Because higher power equals higher heat output, you want the most powerful space heater you can afford. This level is typically enough to heat a small- or medium-sized room, including bedrooms and smaller living rooms. Some manufacturers label their models with a maximum room size (e.g., 300 square feet), but this is entirely subjective and often very optimistic.

Silent Operation

By design, space heaters are relatively quiet. Most emit a low, steady hum that’s not overwhelmingly loud—typically under 60 decibels. Those with larger, built-in fans can be louder, however, so keep that in mind.

Cool-Touch Exterior

These days, every decent space heater offers a cool-to-the-touch exterior for added safety. The front grill (where the heat is expelled) is always hotter, but the housing itself should never be hot enough to burn bare skin (more than 160 degrees).

Size

There’s no perfect size, of course. It’s all a matter of personal preference and how much floor real estate you’re willing to sacrifice. But, there are plenty of 1500-watt space heaters that take up little more room than a basketball.

Other Features

In addition to the above features, some of the best space heaters also offer carry handles, built-in thermostats, and fan-only options (so they can double as a cooling fan in warmer weather).

best space heaters
Hearst Owned

How We Selected the Best Space Heaters

For the past three years, Men's Health fashion editors and writers have been researching and testing dozens of space heaters. To narrow down our favorites, we evaluated every model based on durability, price, ease-of-use, overall value, and performance. We also considered space heaters with at least 100 five-star ratings on e-commerce sites we trust. The list above represents our picks for the best space heaters for your home and office (and beyond) in 2022.

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