Radiant Space Heaters

Radiant heaters for quick spot heating

Radiant heaters (as opposed to convection heaters) heat objects rather than the air. This makes them a good choice as a personal heater in a chilly office or workshop. If you buy a radiant heater expecting it to raise the temperature in the whole room, you'll be disappointed.

The coils or quartz tubes used in radiant heaters make some noise for a few seconds as they warm up or cycle on and off. Manufacturers have added fans to some models to satisfy those who want to circulate the heat, but this makes them noisier. The reddish light radiant heaters emit can also be a drawback if someone in the room is trying to sleep (and others find it annoying). Although the coils or quartz tubes are covered with a safety grille to prevent burns, the grille itself gets hot. For this reason, experts warn against using a radiant heater in a room with small children or pets.

Radiant heaters don't sell as well as convection heaters, and we didn't see this type of heater included in as many reviews. In general, user reviews for this type of heater are mixed; we found lots of complaints about durability and low heat output across the board. So in this category, we looked for radiant space heaters that received better popular support among users.

One radiant heater, the Optimus H-5210 Infrared Quartz Heater (*Est. $30) receives almost entirely positive ratings from 100-plus users at Amazon.com and other retailer websites. Owners appreciate this product's energy efficiency -- the heater uses only 800 watts on high and 400 watts on low -- and low noise level. Users say it operates silently, even when cycling on or off. Some drawbacks: A few owners say this heater is bulkier than they expected, and some say that if it's placed on an uneven surface, the tip-over protection prevents it from turning on. The Optimus H-5210 Infrared Quartz Heater also doesn't have a built-in fan. This space heater isn't much too look at -- it's made of white plastic and metal.

Unlike the Optimus H-5210, the Soleus Air MS-09 Oscillating Radiant Heater (*Est. $60) has been subjected to comparison tests. It isn't a top performer, but user reviews for this space heater at Amazon.com are mostly positive. Owners say it heats well and the grill doesn't become as hot as other radiant heaters, and it's less likely to cause burns. However, it is very bright -- so much so that owners caution against looking at it while it's turned on. Like the Optimus heater, the Soleus is more energy-efficient than most, with 800- and 400-watt settings. It does not have a fan, but the space heater can be tilted to direct heat.

Lastly, although past experts and users have raved about Holmes quartz halogen heaters this manufacturer no longer produces radiant heaters. However, the well-reviewed Holmes HQH319-U Quartz Tower Heater (Discontinued) is still available at some online retailers. This model performs especially well in professional tests, and owners like the one-touch controls and safety features. It's a good space heater if you can find it.