Pros

• Consistent temperature
• Quiet
• Safe for pets and children

Vornado's models topped just about every best list out there where space heaters are concerned. You can't go wrong with a variety of Vornado products, no matter your space or heat needs this season, with the VH2 being its most consistently singled-out performer. This whole-room space heater circulates heated air throughout a medium-sized room, like a furnace in miniature, maintaining a consistent temperature without a significant space requirement. It is reported to be among the quietest models available, with several users remarking that it was quiet enough to sleep with while operating. Its plastic exterior stays comparatively cool to the touch, making it among the safest bets for households with pets and children. Vornado also offers a 5-year support term, making it easy to address technical issues should any arise.

Pros

• Doesn't take up too much space
• Costs less

At a fraction of the space imprint of the Vornado model above, and about a third of the cost, Lasko's Ceramic Heater 754200 is an excellent starting place if you're still in a trial mind-set where a space heater is concerned. Lasko also had a preponderance of mentions for several models among review sites. 

Its compact size is better suited to smaller spaces such as small bedrooms or home offices, or even desktop or counter use rather than an entire room. If you live with a perpetually warm person, this may be an ideal model for creating different heat zones within the same room. Otherwise, users report that it warms up quickly and reliably -- ideal for helping you get out of bed on a chilly morning -- and its lightweight nature makes it especially easy to move around the house with you. 

Pros

• Highest user rating
• 360 degree air circulation

While the previous two models were the most singled out among product testing sites, this Honeywell model had one of the highest user ratings on retailers' sites. The feature here that significantly sets it apart from every other model is its 360 degrees of air circulation, relying on top and bottom vents to pull in air and circulate warm air around its circumference. Several users mentioned that its multidirectional airflow made it especially useful for bedroom use to create ambient warmth in a medium-sized space without an intense, one-directional flow.

Pros

• Aesthetic design
• Sufficient heat in low and high settings

Who says fan heaters are out of style? Good news for those with mid-century decor who can't bear the thought of an industrial appliance interrupting their curated look. Vornado's VHeat Vintage Metal Heater manages to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional, called out by basically every review site I considered. Again, Vornado's products overall tended to top the lists of best space heaters, and this model is more than just attractive, functioning accordingly, with users reporting it delivered sufficient heat to a small space on both its low and high settings.

Pros

• Additional safety features for bathroom
• Versatile
• Good price

Of all the rooms in your house, none are as disappointing when overly chilly as your bathroom. Who wants to get out of a hot shower on a cold day and be greeted with the rude awakening of arctic air on wet skin? You can't put just any space heater in the bathroom, which adds additional safety considerations because of the moisture element. Among those that are specifically designed to be bathroom-safe, this Dreo model was the clear winner, not to mention Amazon's best seller in space heaters overall because of its versatility and price. The Dreo DR-HSH004A is equipped with a special safety plug that cuts the power immediately upon contact with water, and its small footprint makes it ideal for one of the smallest rooms in your house with the biggest heat needs.

Pros

• Cooling and heating for year-round use
• Air purifier
• Sleek design

While several space heaters here have a fan-only option for cooling during the warmer months, Dyson offers one of the few models that not only has both of these features but also works as a HEPA air purifier. Dyson's products typically demand a higher price, and this is no exception, but it is perhaps worth it, given its one-and-done functionality and sleek design. This dual model had the highest user satisfaction rating among retailer sites, with many people pointing out that it was especially ideal for allergy sufferers, as well as lauding its year-round utility.

Pros

• High user ratings
• Capable of heating a whole room

Tower-style space heaters, and especially those that oscillate like this DeLonghi Ceramic Tower Heater model, are some of the best options for heating a large space like a larger bedroom or living room. Their radiant heat is capable of reaching more space both vertically and horizontally because of its size and functionality. This model also had one of the highest user ratings among retail sites, with many users mentioning how quiet it ran, and singling out the utility of the remote control and digital display, which is a less common feature among the space heaters I researched. Several also commented how this space heater felt like it was capable of heating the whole room, rather than just delivering heat to its immediate surroundings.

The simple answer is yes, a space heater can be a fire hazard, and is an appliance that must be utilized correctly and with caution. For more information on how to safely run your space heater, check out our story on space heater best practices. Most space heaters, and all that we have included in our list, have certain safety features built in, such as tip-over or overheating protection to reduce the risk of fire or injury. This doesn't eliminate all the risks of having a space heater in your home, especially if your household has children or pets.

Space heaters work by emitting heated air in the immediate area, heating a small to medium-sized space without needing to use a central heating system. Space heaters work via several possible mechanisms, typically either radiant heat with a ceramic heating unit or fan-forced (which utilizes air circulation) or both.

Space heaters typically receive positive reviews from those who use them, and while most of the space heaters I studied did not specify a coverage area, a well-functioning space heater should provide enough heat to its immediate area to be able to lower the thermostat on your central heating system. The effectiveness of a space heater is largely based on where you place it, since it depends on the conditions of the space you are trying to heat. For example, a larger room with a high ceiling and an open floor plan may be more difficult to heat than a smaller, enclosed room.

Your space heater model should include instructions on placement for best use, but typically a space heater should be placed within an enclosed area. You should try not to place space heaters against a wall, near any flammable fabrics like curtains or any place where moisture is a present (except for models that are specifically designed for bathroom use).

No, it is not safe to leave a space heater on all night. There is a fire risk with prolonged use, particularly near flammable materials like curtains or carpets.