The 10 Best Indoor Space Heaters Energy Efficient in 2023

Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater – Best Overall

Typically, we would not describe this kind of thing as adorable, but we just cannot resist in this case.

The vintage appearance of the Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Warmer makes it seem more like a piece of furniture than a gadget.

It is our top recommendation for the most energy-efficient space heater overall. The device will use infrared to heat the surrounding area.

There are three options for adjusting the heat output. It has a fan yet is really silent. The heater also has a timer that can be programmed for up to 12 hours.

We loved its automatic shutoff in the event of a tip. This makes it both safe and energy-efficient.

PROS

• Attractive vintage design
• Automated timer for shutoff
• Quiet
• UL-certified

CONS

• Pricey

Best Value Portable Electric Space Warmer from GiveBest

The GiveBest Shop Portable Electric Space Warmer makes up for its unappealing appearance with its inexpensive pricing and high energy efficiency.

It has a reduced power of 750 watts. Yet, it is an acceptable choice for a bathroom or tiny bedroom. It is our recommendation for the most cost-effective energy-efficient space heater.

It contains a cooling fan, unlike many comparable devices, so you may use it year-round. This heater warms a space using forced air. It includes protection against overheating and tipping.

It is portable and simple to transport from room to room. However, it lacks a timer feature, which we think essential for these items, if only for safety reasons.

PROS

• Air conditioning fan
• Lightweight
• Value priced
• Protection against roll-over

CONS

• Unattractive design
• No timer

Envi Plug-in Electric Panel Wall Heater – Exceptional Selection

Installing the Envi Plug-in Electric Panel Wall Heater lower on a wall is optimal. This optimally utilizes its convection heating technology.

Warm air ascending will effectively heat a space. Its design is subtle while having a greater footprint. The product is constructed using superior materials. Despite its power, its energy consumption will not activate a circuit breaker.

The heater works well and quietly. It does very well at warming a space without making it uncomfortable to touch. Installation is simple, making it a viable option for any residence.

PROS

• Wall mount function
• Very effective
• UL and CSA-approved
• Well-made

CONS

• Expensive

Space Heater Storm of Heat

The Heat Storm Space Heater is not the most aesthetically pleasing appliance, but its wall mount function allows it to save space.

Neither the heater nor the wall behind it became warm. You may handle it remotely using Alexa or Google Assistant with the help of a smartphone app. It has a timer function that makes it even easier to use.

The heater is not inexpensive, but it provides a reasonable return on investment. It is an amazing basement or garage heating option. The built-in thermostat accurately and effectively warms the space.

PROS

• IoT (Internet of Things) device
• Mounting option
• ETL-certified
• 1 year manufacturer's guarantee

CONS

• Unattractive design

Space Heater Dreo

The Dreo Space Heater addresses many safety concerns. It features a timer and an automatic shut-off function if it falls over. It takes it to the next level by including flame-resistant materials.

Even the plug is resistant to fire. The heater has a modest footprint and oscillates at 70 degrees to effectively heat an entire space. You may control the gadget using either the touchscreen or the remote.

Despite having a fan, the room is quite silent. You won't even notice that it's operating. It features three modes of operation, including an eco-mode that increases its energy efficiency.

The item weighs less than 5 pounds. This also makes it portable. Despite its modest size, it rapidly warms up a space.

PROS

• Automatic shutoff after 24 hours
• Protection against roll-over
• Reasonably priced
• ETL-certified

CONS

• Height-related instability hazard

De'Longhi Electric Space Warmer

The De'Longhi Space Heater is another product that we adored for its retro look. This product brings to mind the radiator heater in our grandmother's older house.

It is even equipped with anti-freeze technology to prevent damage. It is an oil-filled gadget that radiatively heats a room. It is not the finest option for a huge area, but it serves its purpose in a smaller room.

There may be a little odor when you first turn it on, but it's not unpleasant. When oil is heated, the heater ticks. Again, it is inoffensive and contributes to the nostalgia of the film.

It has a 3-year guarantee, which is uncommon for space heaters.

PROS

• Temperature protection
• Retro design
• Antifreeze performance
• Maintenance-free
• 3-year guarantee

CONS

• Restricted heat range
• Initial odor

REQUIREMENT Portable Space Heater

The ESSUNTIAL Portable Space Heater is not comparable to other items in this category. It is a great option for office workers and those who run colder than others in their families.

It unfolds to engulf the user on three sides with heat. This gadget will more than satisfy your need for warmth. It won't be suitable for everyone, but it will satisfy those who like to heat their own area.

With its enveloping warmth, this product will keep your toes toasty. The design will prevent you from being chilled by drafts. If you work at a desk next to a doorway, it will be a blessing.

There are eight heat levels, making it incredibly adaptable. Moreover, it is waterproof and has tip protection.

PROS

• Good draft control
• Portable
• Eight stages of heat
• Waterproof

CONS

• Does not cover an extensive region

LifePro Infrared Space Heater by LifeSmart

The LifeSmart LifePro Infrared Space Warmer has the appearance of an antique radio or speaker. Nonetheless, its design is more valuable than its functioning.

It employs radiant heat that may be controlled using a convenient remote. It features three heating settings, one of which is an eco-setting.

This variant is heavier and less portable than others we've seen. It has a fan, though it is comparably quiet to a regular fan. It weighs more since it is well-made and more like a piece of furniture than a heater. Its output is adequate, but comparable versions are less expensive and more portable.

PROS

• Retro design
• Remote control
• Three temperatures

CONS

• Heavy

Honeywell Enclosure Fan

The Honeywell Surround Fan is not the most attractive heater, but its 360-degree heat will keep you toasty. There are just two thermostat settings. It contains the safety features we look for in these goods, including protection against overheating.

Its portability is enhanced by its small weight and non-heat-generating handle. But, this does not cover the bathroom. This item cannot withstand the wetness.

The manufacturer gives a substantial limited warranty of three years. Sadly, it is noisier than the other devices we evaluated. This makes it unsuitable for bedroom usage for certain purchasers.

PROS

• 360-degree warmth
• Automatic timer
• Temperature protection
• 3-year restricted guarantee

CONS

• Unattractive design
• Two temperature settings
• Inappropriate for bathroom usage

METKIO Room Heater

The design of the METKIIO Space Heater will not win any awards. Yet, it is effective at what it does and has a minimal footprint.

The maker designed the device with the user in mind by keeping its operation silent and its display free of distracting lights. It is a little gadget that will not take up much space wherever you install it. Hence, both its production and suggested covering area are constrained.

Yet, the product includes a number of desirable characteristics, including protection against overheating. It rapidly and effectively heats a space using pushed air. It offers three temperature options to accommodate your demands.

PROS

• Compact size
• Value priced
• Rapidly warms

CONS

• Unattractive design

The energy efficiency of modern space heaters has improved by leaps and bounds. The price has also decreased, and there are now more options than ever before. Before, these items were only utilitarian.

They served their purpose but added little to your décor. It is nothing compared to what you will see today. If you choose to install a space heater in your child's bedroom, you may breathe a sigh of relief, since they are safer to use.

This guide will examine the characteristics that distinguish the various items. We will also place them in the perspective of safety concerns.

Considerations include:

• Dimensions
• Coverage Region
• Wattage-BTU Efficacy
• Heating Technique

Dimensions

One thing you will undoubtedly notice about modern items is their diminutive size. Yet, it is vital to compare the device's size to the location in which you want to set it.

We advise a minimum 3-foot buffer on all sides. This will guarantee that there is sufficient distance between combustible items and the heat source. When in doubt, get out the measuring tape to confirm.

Coverage Region

Several manufacturers specify the covering area of their space heaters. Again, the measuring tape is your best friend when selecting a product.

We recommend choosing a heater proportional to the size of the room, rather than one that is enormous. This may lessen the danger of house fires caused by overheating devices.

With regard to these items, more is not always better. This specification is often given in square feet.

Wattage-BTU Efficacy

Wattage indicates the amount of energy required to operate the space heater if it is powered by electricity. You may also use it to match a product to the space you want to heat.

There will be 10 watts per square foot. For example, a 2,000-watt device is required to heat a 200-square-foot bedroom. BTUs show the strength of a heater. Yet, there must be a balance between warming time and the available area.

As a matter of thumb, 20 BTUs per square foot are required. In our scenario, a product with a BTU output of 4,000 will be used most effectively.

Other considerations, such as the quantity of insulation and the number of windows, also come into play. You may also use it to compare the outputs of items using various energy sources.

Heating Technique

You will find goods that generate heat in a variety of methods. Some will radiate heat as they run, warming the area surrounding them but not the whole room.

Many infrared, ceramic, and radiant items use this technology. Taking use of the flow of warm-cool air up and down the height of a room, forced air and convection models circulate the air in a room.

Infrared is the most energy-efficient wavelength, using electromagnetic waves to complete the task. It generates heat, similar to sunlight that uses electricity as a power source.

But, it is also important to evaluate how fast you want to heat a space, since this might affect your level of satisfaction with your purchase.

The preceding sections addressed the technical elements of energy-efficient space heaters, and our hands-on testing identified the best indoor space heaters energy efficient on the market.

But, this is a difficult topic, and new issues usually arise. Here are answers to some of these frequently asked questions.

1. How can I determine whether or not a space heater is energy efficient?

Regrettably, no accepted standards exist. Sometimes, a listing from Underwriters Laboratories or Electrical Testing Laboratories is cited, however this just assures that the space heater meets current safety regulations and does not confirm its efficiency.

The website of the U.S. Department of Energy states that it is crucial to pick the correct size heater for the room (don't oversize) and suggests space heaters with a thermostat to prevent overheating.

2. Which space heater type is the most energy-efficient?

Several variables have an influence, making it difficult to answer this issue. Technically speaking, infrared is likely the most effective, but it is not always the best option. To locate the most energy-efficient space heater, it is essential to evaluate all of the above elements.

3. How much does it cost to operate a 1500-watt heater for twenty-four hours?

Energy-efficient 1,500-watt space heaters generally cost between $7 and $9 to run for 24 hours, depending on utility provider rates, room size, and amount of insulation.

4. What uses less energy: a space heater or central heating?

If the goal is to maintain the whole home at a steady temperature for weeks, central heating is more efficient. In three ways, space heaters are more efficient:

• Heating private areas
• After the first installation of central heating, additional heating rooms were erected.
• Increasing the temperature in one or more rooms when you do not want to increase the temperature across the whole home.

5. Which space heater consumes the least amount of electricity?

The usage of electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts. In general, consumption is proportional to the wattage of a gadget, thus lowering it will save you money.

The space heaters that use the least amount of power have lower heat settings, ranging from 200 to 400 watts; nevertheless, they are inadequate for family rooms.

The Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater came out on top of our list of the best indoor space heaters energy efficient because it looked good and worked well.

Even if it is a touch pricy, you cannot go wrong with this item. The GiveBest Shop Portable Electric Space Heater is not an attractive option, but it does the job well and affordably. It is lightweight, making it simple to transport from room to room whenever additional warmth is required.

BestForHomes' (bestforhomes.org) evaluations should have given you a decent idea of what to look for and assisted you in making an educated decision to heat your bedroom or another room in your home.