6 Best Space Heaters of 2026, According to Our Expert Tests

The engineers and product analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have researched, reviewed, and tested more than 24 space heaters in the past five years. To find the best ones on the market, our pros evaluate space heaters for ease of use, performance, and safety in temperature-controlled rooms.

When evaluating ease of use, we assess how easy space heaters are to set up and operate and whether manuals are readable and easy to understand. We also consider each space heater’s weight and any features that improve or hinder its portability.

To analyze performance, each space heater is evaluated for how effectively it heats up a 50°F area in a 90-minute time interval while we monitor temperature, electrical usage (wattage), heat distribution, and noise levels. We also consider extra features such as adjustable thermostats and the number of heat settings.

Lastly, we review the safety of each space heater during use and foreseeable misuse by testing a unit’s stability, automatic tip-over, shut-off protection, surface temperature, flammability, safety sensors, and more.

When shopping for space heaters you’ll come across a variety of options. Here's what to look out for:

✔️ Type: Space heaters use a heating element to operate, and there are three main types to choose from with various pros and cons.

• Fan heaters use a metal coil as their heating element. An internal fan blows hot air from the coil into the room. “Fan heaters deliver solid heat distribution, but they’re noisy, especially on the highest fan settings,” said Good Housekeeping’s Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab Director Dan DiClerico.
• Ceramic heaters are like fan heaters, except that they use ceramic plates instead of metal coils. The plates heat up very quickly as electricity passes through them, and a fan distributes the air into the room. “These are effective and inexpensive, but also on the noisy side,” DiClerico said.
• Infrared heaters use radiant heat that instantly warms up objects and people, rather than the air in the room. “That makes them quiet and energy efficient, but they’re not the best at heating large spaces,” said DiClerico.

✔️ Size: Space heaters range from smaller, spot-heating units that take about 15 minutes to properly kick in, or larger units that are best for heating a bedroom or living room. Smaller units are likely to be lighter and more portable, so you can move them around your home, while larger units are heavier and best kept in a permanent location.

✔️ Features: Look for a thermostat with multiple settings so you can choose between low, medium, or high heat. You can also consider one with an eco setting to save electricity (for instance, overnight), or one with an adjustable thermostat that allows you to choose a specific temperature. Your space heater should also have a timer to save energy when it’s not in use, a remote control, portability features such as a handle or wheels to make moving it around easier and, of course, key safety features.

✔️ Safety: As with any electrical device, space heaters can be dangerous, and you should look for one that has been vetted by a third-party safety certification such as UL or ETL. Features such as automatic shut-off in case of overheating, a programmable timer, tip-over protection, and an adjustable thermostat are important to have. Never use your space heater with an extension cord; always place it on the floor for stability, and if you notice any signs of damage to power cords, immediately stop using the space heater.

If you want to keep costs at a minimum, it’s important to find an energy-efficient space heater that uses the least amount of electricity possible. “Because they run electricity, space heaters tend to be fairly expensive to operate, especially if you live in a state with high electricity rates,” said DiClerico. “That said, you can lower your total energy costs this winter by using a space heater to warm frequently occupied rooms and turning the central heat down in the rest of the house.”

When shopping for an energy-efficient space heater, DiClerico suggested a few tips. First, find a space heater with multiple output settings (low, medium, high). “This lets you choose the lowest possible setting to keep the room cozy,” he shared.

You should also consider a space heater that features a built-in timer. “Timers can save energy by programming the heater to turn off when it’s no longer needed,” he said. For instance, you can set your bedroom space heater to shut off after an hour; this way, you’re warmed up as you drift off to sleep, but not overheating in the middle of the night when you may not need as much warmth.

This story was most recently updated by GH senior writer and product analyst Olivia Lipski, who covers everything from consumer electronics to home, outdoor, fitness, and more. She consulted the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Improvement & Outdoor Director, Dan DiClerico, as well as the Lab’s extensive testing data, to include the latest top-performing picks.