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The 7 best electric space heaters, compared on what really differs
Updated
Short version: for most bedrooms and home offices that already have some heat, I'd pick the DREO Atom One. It names tip-over and overheat shutoff, and its thermostat sets by the degree. If fan noise bothers you, get the De'Longhi EW7707CM, an oil-filled radiator with no fan. For warm feet at a desk on a touchy office circuit, the 200 watt Lasko MyHeat 101 is the one. Six of the seven picks have exactly the same heat output, 5,118 BTU per hour. So this page compares everything else.
Not sure one heater is enough? Run the size calculator first. It checks your room against the 1,500 watt ceiling.
Quick comparison
| Model | Type | Top setting | BTU per hour | Listing room claim | Tip-over switch | Noise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DREO Atom One | Ceramic fan, oscillating | 1,500 W | 5,118 | 200 sq ft | Named on the listing | As quiet as 37.5 dB (maker) |
| Lasko 23 inch Ceramic Tower 751320 | Ceramic fan tower, oscillating | 1,500 W | 5,118 | 150 sq ft | Not named on the listing | No number listed |
| De'Longhi EW7707CM | Oil-filled radiator, no fan | 1,500 W | 5,118 | No number given | Not named on the listing | No fan |
| Dr Infrared Heater DR-968 | Infrared quartz plus ceramic, with blower | 1,500 W | 5,118 | 576 sq ft | Named on the listing | 39 dB (maker) |
| DREO HSH006 | Ceramic fan | 1,500 W | 5,118 | 200 sq ft | Named on the listing | 34 dB (maker) |
| Amazon Basics Ceramic 1500W | Ceramic fan, fixed | 1,500 W | 5,118 | No number given | Named on the listing | 43 dB (listing) |
| Lasko MyHeat 101 | Personal ceramic fan | 200 W | 682 | 50 sq ft | Not named on the listing | No number listed |
BTU per hour is watts times 3.412, from the EIA figure of 3,412 Btu in a kilowatthour. "Not named on the listing" means we did not see a tip-over switch in the listing text. It does not prove the heater lacks one. Check the manual before you buy if that matters to you.
- DREO Atom One5,118 BTU/h
- Lasko 23 inch Ceramic Tower 7513205,118 BTU/h
- De'Longhi EW7707CM5,118 BTU/h
- Dr Infrared Heater DR-9685,118 BTU/h
- DREO HSH0065,118 BTU/h
- Amazon Basics Ceramic 1500W5,118 BTU/h
- Lasko MyHeat 101682 BTU/h
Same watts, very different room claims
| Model | Watts | Listing claims | Watts per sq ft that works out to | Room the watts cover as top-up heat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DREO Atom One | 1,500 W | 200 sq ft | 7.5 | About 250 sq ft |
| Lasko 23 inch Ceramic Tower 751320 | 1,500 W | 150 sq ft | 10.0 | About 250 sq ft |
| Dr Infrared Heater DR-968 | 1,500 W | 576 sq ft | 2.6 | About 250 sq ft |
| DREO HSH006 | 1,500 W | 200 sq ft | 7.5 | About 250 sq ft |
| Lasko MyHeat 101 | 200 W | 50 sq ft | 4.0 | About 33 sq ft |
The last column uses a heater maker's own rule. Cadet says a 1,500 watt heater suits a 250 sq ft room that already has central heat. That is 6 watts per square foot. The Dr Infrared Heater DR-968 claim of 576 sq ft works out to 2.6 watts per square foot. The Lasko 23 inch Ceramic Tower 751320 claim of 150 sq ft works out to 10.0. Same watts. The heater did not change, only the marketing did.
Room size the listing claimsRoom the watts cover at 6 W per sq ft (Cadet rule)
- DREO Atom One200 sq ft250 sq ft
- Lasko 23 inch Ceramic Tower 751320150 sq ft250 sq ft
- De'Longhi EW7707CMnone stated250 sq ft
- Dr Infrared Heater DR-968576 sq ft250 sq ft
- DREO HSH006200 sq ft250 sq ft
- Amazon Basics Ceramic 1500Wnone stated250 sq ft
- Lasko MyHeat 10150 sq ft33 sq ft
The picks
Specs and owner feedback checked on Amazon September 19, 2026. Noise figures and room sizes are maker or listing claims, not measurements of ours.
DREO Atom One Space Heater (DR-HSH004)
Get this if you want one small heater for a bedroom or home office that already has some heat, and you care about a thermostat you can set by the degree. Skip it if you want silent heat with no fan, or if random shutoffs would drive you up the wall. It has the same 5,118 BTU per hour as every other 1,500 watt pick here. What sets it apart is on the listing: tip-over and overheat shutoff, a 41 to 95 F thermostat in 1 degree steps, 70 degree oscillation and a maker noise claim of 37.5 dB.
Key specs (from the manufacturer listing)
- 1,500 watts, 12.5 amps, 120 volts per the listing. That is 5,118 BTU per hour
- PTC ceramic element with a fan, 70 degree oscillation
- Tip-over and overheat protection, ETL listed, V-0 flame retardant plastic per the maker
- Digital thermostat, 41 to 95 F in 1 degree steps, ECO mode, 1 to 12 hour timer, remote
- Maker claims as quiet as 37.5 dB
- 6.69 x 5.51 x 10.31 inches, 3.85 pounds. 12 month warranty, up to 30 months if you register
Recurring themes in owner feedback
- They like: Owners say it puts out good heat that takes the chill off, and they like the compact size for apartments, the quiet fan and the remote.
- They complain about: Some owners report it shutting off at random, not only when it reaches the set temperature.
Good
- Tip-over and overheat shutoff both named on the listing
- Thermostat sets by single degrees
- Listing's 200 sq ft claim is inside what 1,500 watts can top up
Watch out for
- Some owners report random shutoffs
- Base warranty is 12 months unless you register
- A fan heater always makes some noise
Lasko 23 inch Ceramic Tower Heater with Remote (751320)
Get this if you want a tall oscillating tower from a long-standing fan maker, with a remote and a 3 year limited warranty. Skip it if you want a tip-over switch. Neither the Amazon listing nor Lasko's own page for this tower names one. They name overheat protection and a cool-touch housing. It is also the most modest listing here: 150 sq ft for 1,500 watts, which works out to 10.0 watts per square foot.
Key specs (from the manufacturer listing)
- 1,500 watts, 12.5 amps per the listing. 5,118 BTU per hour
- Ceramic element with a fan, oscillating, 2 heat settings plus a thermostat
- Overheat protection and cool-touch housing, ETL listed. No tip-over switch named
- Thermostat range 60 to 85 F per the listing, 7 hour timer, remote
- Listing and maker page both give 150 sq ft coverage
- 8.3 x 7.25 x 22.5 inches, 3 year limited warranty
Recurring themes in owner feedback
- They like: Owners say it heats up quickly and runs quietly, and they like the remote and the timer.
- They complain about: The thermostat moves in 5 degree steps, which some owners find too coarse. Several report units that stopped working very early.
Good
- Room claim is the most conservative of the full-size picks
- 3 year limited warranty
- Remote, timer and oscillation
Watch out for
- No tip-over switch named on the listing or the maker page
- Owners say the thermostat moves in 5 degree steps
- Listing does not give the watts on the low setting or a noise number
De'Longhi Oil-Filled Radiator EW7707CM
Get this if fan noise bothers you. An oil-filled radiator has no fan, so there is nothing to hum or blow dust around. Skip it if you want heat in two minutes or need to carry the heater up stairs. It weighs 23.2 pounds and owners say it takes a while to warm up. It gives the same 5,118 BTU per hour at full power as the small fan heaters. It just delivers it slowly and quietly, and the warm oil keeps giving off heat for a while after the element cycles off.
Key specs (from the manufacturer listing)
- 1,500 watts, 12.5 amps, 120 volts per the listing. 5,118 BTU per hour
- Oil-filled radiator, no fan. Sealed oil never needs refilling per the maker
- 3 heat settings and an adjustable thermostat. ComfortTemp button holds a maker-set range
- Thermal cut-off per the listing. Anti-freeze setting turns it on below 41 F
- Listing says small to medium spaces and gives no square feet
- 6.5 x 15.5 x 27 inches, 23.2 pounds, wheels, 3 year warranty
Recurring themes in owner feedback
- They like: Owners call it dead quiet and like it for small rooms. Many feel comfortable with it around children and pets, and some report units lasting 15 years.
- They complain about: It takes time to warm up, and some owners say the dial gives no real temperature setting. Reports of odor and of units that stop working are mixed in.
Good
- No fan, so no fan noise
- Three power levels let you run it under 1,500 watts
- Does not claim a room size it cannot back up
Watch out for
- Slow to warm a room, per owners
- No tip-over switch named on the listing or the maker page
- Heavy, and some owners report an odor
Dr Infrared Heater DR-968
Get this if you want a furniture-style cabinet on casters with a blower, a 12 hour timer and a 3 year warranty. Skip it if you are buying it because the spec table says 576 square feet. It is a 1,500 watt, 12.5 amp heater. The listing itself says it is rated around 5,200 BTU, and 1,500 watts works out to 5,118. The 576 sq ft claim comes to 2.6 watts per square foot, less than half of what the Cadet sizing rule calls for even in a room that already has central heat.
Key specs (from the manufacturer listing)
- 1,500 watts, 12.5 amps per the listing. Listing says rated around 5,200 BTU
- Infrared quartz tube plus PTC ceramic element, with a blower
- Tip-over and overheat protection per the listing. Maker page says UL certified
- Electronic thermostat 50 to 85 F, high, low and auto settings, 12 hour shutoff timer, remote
- Maker claims 39 dB. 72 inch cord
- 13 x 11 x 16 inches, 19 pounds, caster wheels, 3 year warranty
Recurring themes in owner feedback
- They like: Owners say it gives good heat, holds a temperature well and runs quietly. The auto shutoff gets praise.
- They complain about: Owners describe it as working well in small rooms, which is a long way from the large room on the listing. Some report units failing after about three years.
Good
- Tip-over and overheat shutoff both named
- Casters and a 6 foot cord make it easy to place three feet from furniture
- 3 year warranty
Watch out for
- Listing claims 576 sq ft. The watts cover about 250 as top-up heat
- Claims 60 percent more heat than others at the same 1,500 watts
- 19 pounds, and some owners report failures after about three years
DREO Space Heater HSH006
Get this if the heater will run near where you sleep or work and you want the lowest noise claim here, 34 dB, plus a child lock. Skip it if you want oscillation. The listing does not mention any. Heat output is the same 5,118 BTU per hour as the Atom One. The differences are a tilt-detection sensor for tip-over shutoff, a child lock, a mute setting and a lighter 3.04 pound body.
Key specs (from the manufacturer listing)
- 1,500 watts, 12.5 amps, 120 volts per the listing. 5,118 BTU per hour
- PTC ceramic element with a brushless DC fan
- Tilt-detection tip-over sensor, overheat protection, V-0 flame retardant plastic, ETL certified per the maker
- Thermostat 41 to 95 F in 1 degree steps. Power heat, ECO and fan-only modes
- Maker claims 34 dB. Remote, 12 hour timer, mute, child lock, memory
- 7.32 x 7.32 x 11.02 inches, 3.04 pounds. 12 month warranty, up to 30 months if you register
Recurring themes in owner feedback
- They like: Owners say it heats up quickly, stays quiet and is a good fit for a workspace. The remote gets a lot of praise.
- They complain about: Some owners say it keeps turning itself off for no clear reason.
Good
- Lowest maker noise claim of the fan heaters here
- Child lock and tilt sensor named on the listing
- Single degree thermostat
Watch out for
- No oscillation mentioned
- Some owners say it turns itself off for no clear reason
- Base warranty is 12 months unless you register
Amazon Basics Ceramic Space Heater 1500W (DQ1927-Y)
Get this if you want a plain, small heater and you like knowing the numbers: the listing states both settings, 1,500 watts on high and 900 watts on low. Skip it for a bathroom or laundry room, because the listing says not to use it in humid rooms, and skip it if you want a remote or oscillation. On low it draws 7.5 amps and gives 3,071 BTU per hour, which is often enough for a small office.
Key specs (from the manufacturer listing)
- High 1,500 watts, low 900 watts, fan only. 5,118 and 3,071 BTU per hour
- Ceramic element with a fan, non-oscillating
- Tip-over protection, overheat protection and a power light per the listing
- Thermostat per the listing title. No remote or timer mentioned
- Listing gives 43 dB
- 7.52 x 6.34 x 9.45 inches, about 2 to 3 pounds per the listing. Not for bathrooms or other humid rooms
Recurring themes in owner feedback
- They like: Owners say it heats small spaces quickly and like how compact it is.
- They complain about: Durability is mixed, with some reports of units quitting within three months to a year. Owners are split on noise, from very quiet to noisy.
Good
- Low setting wattage is stated, so you can plan the power draw
- Tip-over and overheat shutoff both named
- Very small and light
Watch out for
- No remote or timer mentioned, and it does not oscillate
- Owners report some units quitting within a year
- Owners are split on noise
Lasko MyHeat Personal Heater (101)
Get this if you only need warm feet at a desk, or your office circuit trips every time someone plugs in a full-size heater. Skip it if you want to warm a room. Lasko says so itself on the listing: it is designed to warm you, not a room. It draws 200 watts, about 2 amps, and gives 682 BTU per hour. That is about 13 percent of a 1,500 watt heater.
Key specs (from the manufacturer listing)
- 200 watts, about 2 amps per the listing. Listing says 682 BTU, and 200 x 3.412 = 682
- Small ceramic element with a fan, one setting, on/off switch
- Automatic overheat protection, cool-touch exterior, ETL listed. No tip-over switch named
- No thermostat
- 6 foot cord with a 2 prong plug
- 3.8 x 4.3 x 6.1 inches, about 1 pound, 3 year limited warranty
Recurring themes in owner feedback
- They like: Owners find it a good fit for a cubicle or under a desk, quiet, and like the low 200 watt draw.
- They complain about: Heat output is the split: some say it puts out good warmth, others say it does not do much. Some units broke within a month.
Good
- Low draw leaves room on a shared circuit
- Listing is plain about what it cannot do
- 3 year limited warranty
Watch out for
- Will not heat a room
- No thermostat and no tip-over switch named
- Owners are split on whether the warmth is enough
Before you buy any space heater
- Size the room first. If the calculator says you need more than 1,500 watts, a different plug-in heater will not fix it. See why every heater stops at 1,500 watts.
- Pick the type for the job. Fan heaters are fast and make some noise. Oil-filled radiators are slow and silent. See ceramic vs oil-filled vs infrared.
- Plan the outlet. The CPSC says to plug an electric heater straight into a wall outlet, never an extension cord or power strip. See heaters and breakers.
- Check for recalls. It takes two minutes. See recalls and safety marks.
Safety note: keep any heater at least three feet from anything that can burn, plug it straight into a wall outlet, and turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep. See the safety rules. This site is not electrical advice. If an outlet or plug gets warm, stop using it and ask a licensed electrician.