13 Best Space Heaters of 2026, Lab-Tested and Reviewed
These models from Comfort Zone, Dyson, Honeywell, Lasko, and Vornado all perform well and pass our safety tests. Some are best for warming up an individual, while others excel at heating a whole room.
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In our tests of space heaters, we found several models that work well, most for less than $100. And some will even add a bit of style to a room.
We also evaluate the factors that contribute to safety. For instance, you might consider a space heater with a remote control because it’s safest to keep it on the floor rather than on a table, and you don’t want to have to kneel down to twist knobs and dials on the bottom of the unit. It can also be wise to buy a space heater with a tip-over safety switch that shuts the unit off if it’s knocked over.
- Best Space Heaters for: Overall Heating Quick Room Heating Direct Heating
- How CR Tests Space Heaters
Photo: John Walsh/Consumer Reports Photo: John Walsh/Consumer Reports
Best Space Heaters for Overall Heating
The three top space heaters in our overall ratings also earn the highest scores for both room heating and spot heating. That is, they excel at quickly heating a space and directly heating those sitting near the unit.
Best Space Heaters for Heating a Room Quickly
The following space heaters excel in our room-heating tests, earning top scores for heating a standard-sized room in under 15 minutes. They also boast high Overall Scores and are CR Recommended.
Best Space Heaters for Direct Heating
In addition to being CR Recommended, these heaters score particularly well in our test of how effectively they warm the people in the room where they’re used.
How CR Tests Space Heaters
We evaluate space heaters based on how well they heat a standard-sized room in 15 minutes and how effectively they warm a person directly in the same amount of time (our spot-heating score). “Our spot-heating test uses a mannequin wired with sensors,” says Samantha Ostrander, a test engineer. “We want to know how your body will feel when you’re sitting within 4.5 feet of the appliance.”
We also test space heaters for safety, including how hot the exhaust outlet gets (so you don’t burn your fingers) and whether the model gets hot enough to ignite nearby fabric (like curtains). If you have young children or pets in your home, pay close attention to the hot-surface score in our ratings. Models that score poorly on that test aren’t included in this article.
“While a heater is supposed to provide adequate heat to warm your space—and in turn, you—you don’t want to pick a heater that could potentially burn someone who doesn’t understand that they shouldn’t touch it, even if they accidentally bump into it,” Ostrander says.
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