Space heaters come in all shapes and sizes and use different elements to heat a room. We're here to help you find the perfect winter fit.
Cost of space heater
Most electric heaters that work exclusively in that function, (not as dual air purifierfor example,) are priced under $150, with many models on this list costing less than $100. A few smaller, well-priced budget models can even cost you less than $50. The size of the unit, additional features, number of settings and heating element all contribute to the total cost of the heater.
Space heater size
There are no standard sizes or shapes for electric space heaters, and most of the heaters I researched did not specify the square footage to cover, other than to mention its capacity to heat a “small to medium” space or to specify room types such as such as a bedroom or office. Space heaters can be labeled as table, floor, or bath models, and many also come as tall but narrow “tower” models, which may or may not oscillate, which have a smaller footprint and therefore less horizontal space.
Types of space heaters
Although this list consists only of electric space heaters, (as opposed to water or oil heated models), there are several different mechanisms that electric space heaters can use to create heated air.
Fan forced: Fan-forced space heaters circulate air by drawing it into the unit and passing it over a heating element, usually metal coils, expelling the heated air through exhaust vents in the unit.
Infrared: Infrared lamps are those that convert electrical energy into radiant heat. This is the least common type among the heaters we've included here, but no less effective.
Ceramics: Ceramic heaters use electricity to heat a ceramic plate in the unit, which then emits radiant heat into the air, with or without the additional use of a fan.