Best Space Heater Reviews 2017: The Warmth Report You Actually Need
Let us get one thing straight. Most heaters look identical on the outside. The engineering hiding behind that plastic shell tells a completely different story. Consumer Reports threw twelve popular units through a brutal testing gauntlet this year. Their data exposed some nasty surprises. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and space heater reviews 2017.
The DeLonghi Oil-Filled Radiator earned top marks for sustained heat. It uses a thermodynamic fluid that stays hot long after the element cycles off. You feel that warmth seep into a room gradually, like a sun-baked stone floor. The Lasko 754200 Ceramic Tower impressed us with its directional airflow. A digital thermostat keeps the temperature within a narrow band, unlike cheaper models that scream on and off like a broken furnace.
The Three Heater Archetypes and Where They Fail
Not all heaters use the same physics. Understanding these three categories saves money and prevents electrical fires.
Ceramic Heaters: Fast but Fickle
ceramic elements heat up in seconds. A fan pushes that hot air out immediately. This design excels in small, enclosed offices. The problem? The fan motor adds noise. The plastic housing expands and contracts, creating an annoying creaking sound at full power. Look at the Vornado MVH Vortex for a rare example of quiet ceramic engineering.
Oil-Filled Radiators: The Patient Warmers
These units contain diathermic oil sealed inside metal fins. Electricity heats the oil, which then radiates warmth outward. They take longer to kick in, usually ten to fifteen minutes. The payoff is a consistent ambient temperature that survives power cycling. The DeLonghi TRD40615T features a built-in timer and a dust filter. That filter matters if you suffer from allergies. Dust accumulation inside a heater becomes a fire hazard over time.
Infrared Heaters: The Focused Beam
Infrared models use glowing coils to heat objects directly, not the air. They feel like standing near a campfire. Dr. Infrared heaters dominate this category. A specific model uses a dual-heating system combining a carbon fiber element with a ceramic shell. This combo tackles drafty garages and poorly insulated basements effectively.
Safety Features That Actually Matter
Manufacturers love to list a dozen safety badges on the box. But only three features prevent real damage.
Tip-over shutoff. A heater falling on a rug must die instantly. Overheat protection. This sensor cuts power if internal temperatures exceed safe limits. * Cool-touch housing. Essential if you have children or pets.
The Air King FV9010010 uses an internal thermal fuse that permanently disables the unit if a fault occurs. You must manually reset this. That friction forces a pause before re-energizing a potentially dangerous appliance.
The Hidden Cost: Energy Bills
A heater labeled "1500 watts" consumes 1.5 kilowatts per hour regardless of brand. The difference lies in how effectively that energy converts to heat. Infrared models waste less energy heating empty air. Oil-filled units maintain warmth with lower wattage cycles. Space heater reviews 2017 consistently show that ceramic models consume the most power due to constant fan operation.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that heating a single room with an efficient space heater reduces central heating costs by 10 to 20 percent. A poorly chosen heater reverses that savings completely. Check the ENERGY STAR guidelines for portable heater efficiency benchmarks.
Top Picks of 2017 at a Glance
| Heater | Type | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| DeLonghi TRD40615T | Oil-Filled | Bedrooms | Timer and dust filter |
| Lasko 754200 | Ceramic | Small offices | Digital thermostat |
| Dr. Infrared DR-968 | Infrared | Garages | Dual heating system |
| Air King FV9010010 | Oil-Filled | Safety-first homes | Thermal fuse reset |
The Honeywell HCE200W earned a mention for its ultra-slim profile. It slides under desks without eating floor space. The ceramic element inside produces a focused stream of warm air. This unit serves as a personal heater for someone working at a computer for eight hours straight.
Do not buy a propane heater for indoor use. These units vent carbon monoxide and consume oxygen rapidly. The 2017 review data flagged multiple incidents of indoor propane use causing emergency room visits. Stick to electric models rated for indoor residential use.
Placement dictates performance. A heater tucked behind a sofa fights furniture insulation. A unit placed on a flat, hard surface distributes warmth evenly. Never place a heater on thick carpeting. The fibers trap heat around the base, triggering the internal overheat sensor to shut down prematurely.
The data from Consumer Reports shows that the average electric bill rises 12 dollars per month during peak winter use with a single 1500-watt heater running six hours daily. Efficiency choices here translate directly to dollars saved or lost over a season.