Optimus H-5210 Infrared Quartz Heater

1. ConsumerReports.org

Review credibility: Excellent ConsumerReports.org tests and compares 20 space heater models using six criteria including effectiveness of heating both a whole room and an individual one, fire safety, ease of use, noise and surface heat. The Optimus H-5210 is the only heater editors specifically warn consumers not to buy.

Review: Space Heaters, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, August 2012

2. ConsumerReports.org

Review credibility: Excellent In ConsumerReports.org's testing of 20 space heaters, the Optimus H-5210 was the only electric heater to set a test cloth on fire. They say that in test conditions, the H-5210's heat sensor did not turn the unit off, and as a result, it ignited the flammable material. The manufacturer says it  has fixed the issue, however ConsumerReports.org still considers the unit a safety risk and has asked the Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall it.

Review: Optimus H-5210 Space Heater Poses Safety Risk in Consumer Reports Tests, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Sept. 7, 2012

3. Amazon.com

Review credibility: Very Good About 525 reviews at Amazon.com give the Optimus H-5210 Infrared Quartz Heater an overall rating of 4.1 stars out of 5. Owners say the heater does a great job as a personal heater, and a few say it can warm a small room. Complaints here are mostly about breakdowns and its limited ability to heat beyond a few feet.

Review: Optimus H-5210 Infrared Quartz Radiant Heater, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of November 2012

4. Northern Tool and Equipment

Review credibility: Good Nearly 90 owners rate and comment on the Optimus H-5210 Infrared Quartz Heater at Northern Tool + Equipment's website. The heater receives an overall rating of 4.7 stars out of 5. A majority of users say they would recommend this heater to a friend. One negative review states that the on/off switch is awkwardly placed.

Review: Optimus Infrared Quartz Radiant Heater, Model H-5210, Contributors to Northern Tool + Equipment, As of November 2012

5. Cheapism.com

Review credibility: Fair Cheapism.com provides recommendations for best cheap space heaters. The Optimus H-5210 is named a best bet, but the ranking appears to rely on user reviews from other sites. It doesn't appear that the author has personally evaluated this heater.

Review: Cheap Space Heaters, Raechel Conover, October 15, 2012